34 SCHOOL TRIP Shakespeare country takes centre stage
Pupils mark 400th anniversary of Bard’s death
In the year which marks t he 4 0 0 t h a nni ve r s a r y of Shakespeare’s death, Duncanrig Secondary School’s English department’s 10th annual t r i p t o Stratford- uponAvo n wa s t h e b i g g e s t yet, with 50 participating pupils.
The group departed, happy to be returning to Shakespeare’s homeland for four fun days of excursions and sightseeing.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the The Royal Shakespeare C o mpa n y ’s p e r f o r ma n c e o f ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, a favourite text in the English department, often taught as part of pupils’ studies.
This was most pupils’ – and some staff members’ – f i r s t e x p e r i e nc e o f a n RS C per f or mance a nd t hey l oved it.
The next day, the group explored Stratford-upon- Avon, v i s i t i ng Shakespeare’s birthplace and Hall’s Croft.
Pupils and st aff even acted out various scenes from Shakespeare’s plays in the garden of the birthplace.
After a vi s i t t o Holy Tr i nity Church t o s ee Shakespeare’s grave, the group played rounders and Frisbee by the River Avon, in the shadow of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre as the sun set
Next day and on the agenda was a visit to Anne Hathaway’s c o t t a g e t h e n S h a k e s p e a r e ’s mother’s home, Mary Arden’s Farm.
In the evening, the group had a night of games, including tenpin bowling.
Before making the long journey home, the group visited Warwick Castle.
Pupils had t i me t o explore the extensive grounds, walking around the ramparts, visiting the birds of prey and seeing some jousting.
They also visited the Dungeon Experience – a thrilling end to a memorable trip.