Italy trip

KEVII was hailed a fantastic school by staff, students and dignitaries from top European schools during a visit to Southern Italy, earlier this summer.

The trip involved our student ambassadors doing a presentation to educational representatives from Europe, staying with Italian host families in Vibo Valentia, Calabria, and carrying out an extensive research project on Italian lifestyle and education.

“We were given criteria by the staff at the beginning of the trip on what we needed to find out,” explained pupil ambassador Katie-Louise Hazard. “It was only when we got to Italy that they told us about the presentation. At first the thought filled me with fear, but our English teacher was there to help and to reassure,” added ambassador Gussy Moore.

Trip Organiser and KS3 English Co-ordinator, Rachel Gilham, explained that she wanted the trip to be educational and cultural, as well as fun. She said, “I’m chuffed to bits with the students; they got a great deal out of the trip, but I truly believe that that is because they put so much into it. The students were excellent ambassadors for the school; they behaved impeccably, were respectful and showed an avid keenness to discover more about how other people live.”

The Year 9 student ambassadors learned a great deal over the course of the 5 day trip. They learned about themselves and some of life’s key lessons. Ambassador Gemma Callaghan explained, “the trip has taught me a lot, but especially that I don’t want to live my life regretting things that I didn’t do out of shyness; my goal in life now is to live my life without fear, have no regrets and to cease opportunities.” Katie Louise Hazard added, “I guess it’s about not holding back in life and just enjoying it to the full.”

Students also learned about Vibo Valentia and Calabria; Italian customs and lifestyle; European systems of education; some of the Italian language and how to conquer their fear of delivering a presentation to Educational Representatives from across Europe.

The presentation, written by their teacher and based on the results of an extensive questionnaire, was about teacher satisfaction at KEVII and was extremely well received. As one Italian headteacher summed up, “It’s brilliant to see how much our Melton school has really thought about the survey. On the one hand we’re jealous of how much better their results are than ours; on the other, we could all learn from them and also take steps to bring about improvements based on that survey.”

Assistant Head and Project Manager at KEVII Max Buczynski said, “I am delighted as to how much the pupils and staff got out of the trip. The students excelled themselves and proved to be excellent ambassadors for the school. I am also proud of how staff and pupils have made, and sustained, links with schools in Europe.”

Students and staff alike thoroughly enjoyed the trip. They visited some amazing sights, sat on some glorious beaches and ate some exquisite food. They also met many dignitaries, including the mayor of Vibo Valentia and the local high school’s head teacher.

Rachel Gilham said that she was proud to be involved in the Comenius funded project and was glad that the British Council backed this kind of foreign travel. She also highlighted her gratitude to her colleagues, PA to the headteacher, Linda Cox and, Learning Resource Assistant, Helen Edwards for their humour and hard-work throughout the trip. She concluded, “The trip took a lot of organizing, but it was well worth it - not just for the enjoyment that we all had, but to see our pupils learn and grow. I am proud to have been part of this project and look forward to being involved in similar ones in the future.”