Headmistress. September Dear Parent/Guardian. SIXTH FORM ARTS TRIP TO FLORENCE Wednesday, 6th March to Saturday, 9th March 2019

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1 ST GEORGE S SCHOOL Miss Helen Barton MA Headmistress September 2018 Dear Parent/Guardian SIXTH FORM ARTS TRIP TO FLORENCE Wednesday, 6th March to Saturday, 9th March 2019 We are delighted to be able to offer Sixth Form students the opportunity to visit Florence, Italy and enrich their understanding of the Renaissance period. The Renaissance is a time when the arts in all their forms began to focus on the knowledge acquired during antiquity and explored human experiences and how to apply this to their understanding of their world. The Renaissance is studied as part of the A Level Personal Study and Component 1 in all Art disciplines at St George s. Students will be offered pre-trip teaching about this significant period of Art and will be able to enrich their learning as a result of this experience. Students have previously described this trip as one of the most inspiring experiences of their time in the Sixth Form at St George s. The Florence trip allows students to study the work of the artists and craftsmen in the location in which they were produced, since little artwork from Florence is permitted to leave the city; Florence is a time capsule of the Renaissance. Working from primary (first hand) experiences is an important aspect of the A Level Art course and this significant opportunity provides plenty of evidence in their sketchbooks. The provisional itinerary, we believe, offers good value for money given that the hotel is in the centre of Florence, enabling us to walk to all locations planned. The cost, fully inclusive of everything except the outward-bound lunch and return evening meal will be 710. We realise this is no small sum, and in part the cost is due to the exchange rates having an impact. Any student that may be disadvantaged on the basis of cost should see The Director of Sixth Form, Mrs Priestland, along with a Bursary Request Form completed as far as they are able, to see if some part of the cost can be supported from this fund (the forms are available to download from the School Website and are required for a discretionary award). Harpenden/Wheathampstead-based students could also approach the James Marshall Foundation or Harpenden Trust, who often support students for educational travel purposes. To access the Harpenden Trust, students need to apply through the school via Mr Hollingsworth. In deference to the Students' status as young adults, and in line with Italian law, we plan to allow them a discretionary glass of wine or beer with their evening meal. This is the only time that alcohol may be consumed on the trip and we would ask you to reinforce this with your offspring. If for any reason you would rather your son / daughter did not partake in this then please let me know via the reply slip. Soft drinks are available. St George s School, Harpenden Academy Trust. Registered in England and Wales No: Registered Office: Sun Lane, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 4TD. Tel: admin@stgeorges.herts.sch.uk Website:

2 A final information guidance sheet will be issued nearer the time with flight details etc. There will be a Florence Information Evening meeting for parents/guardians and students on Wednesday, 6th February 2019, in the Chapel at 7.30 pm. Attendance is essential and this is a requirement of all trips, so please put this date in your diary. All students are also expected to attend. We hope the enclosed documents contain all your need to know and answer all your queries but if, having read them, you do have further questions, do contact me on: rbrowne@stgeorges.herts.sch.uk Yours sincerely Rory Browne Florence Trip Co-Ordinator Encs: Part 1 Payment Part 2 The Tour Company Part 3 The Accommodation Part 4 The planned Itinerary Part 5 Catering Part 6 St George s Trip Code of Conduct Part 7 What to do now Part 8 Reply slip. Return to Miss Ainsley, Art Technician. Art Dept, by 1st October 2018.

3 ST GEORGE S SCHOOL Miss Helen Barton MA Headmistress Page 1 of 6

4 SIXTH FORM ART TRIP TO FLORENCE Wednesday, 6th March to Saturday, 9th March 2019 Part 1: Payment We intend to spread the cost of the trip over the ensuing 5 months, in 5 payments. The deposit 0f 150, will be followed by 4 equal instalments of 140. You are welcome to pay more than the monthly amount if this proves more helpful to you, rather than remembering the monthly payment. The deposit of 150 will be payable by Monday the 1st October 2018, with the following 4 payments due on 1st November 2018, 1st December 2018, 8th January 2019 and the final instalment due on the 1st February The only method of payment is the ParentPay system. If you do not have your log in details and/or have not used this system before, please contact the School Finance Office who will be happy to help you. They can be reached on or via at financeoffice@stgeorges.herts.sch.uk. I am obliged to say that Boarder students whose payments are in arrears cannot be included in this visit. If you wish the student to participate please could you do the following: 1. Pay the deposit of 150 via ParentPay by Monday the 1st October Hand the reply slip and a copy of the student s passport to Miss Ainsley, the Art technician (Monk 1) by Thursday 4th October 2018 (via the student). This is essential in order for us to book flights and keep the cost as it is at present. No passport copy = no flight booking! May I also take the opportunity to remind you that an up to date EHIC medical card is essential; please check that the card will be in date at the time of travel. Parents/Guardians of students who do not have a European passport must organise a valid EU Visa for them in plenty of time for the trip. We cannot take any student who does not have the correct travel documentation. Please also ensure that the student s passport will be valid for the duration of the travel period and, ideally, should not expire before the end of March We will require EHIC cards to be handed in at the Florence Information Evening. Any student who arrives on the day of departure without their valid passport and, if required, a valid EU Visa will, needless to say, be unable to travel. In the unlikely scenario of a student being involved in serious misconduct between now and the trip, they may forfeit their place and lose monies already paid. Should a student withdraw from the visit for reasons that cannot be claimed on insurance, they may lose a portion of monies paid due to the cost we have to absorb in removing or changing names on the flight manifest. Page 2 of 6

5 PROVISIONAL ITINERARY AND TOUR COMPANY DETAILS Itinerary For a Four Day Art Study Tour to Florence By Air. Prepared For The Art Department, St. George s School, Sun Lane, Harpenden. Dates: 6 th 9 th March 2019 The itinerary is designed to balance visits of the greatest interest with recreative activities. It aims to make the maximum use of time without exhausting participants. The itinerary we have proposed is flexible and is only finalised after discussion with the Party Leader(s). Flexibility is also built into the holiday itself as changes can be made at very short notice according to weather conditions etc. The visit will be guided throughout. All excursions are well prepared and are backed by notes and a commentary. The Director is very knowledgeable about the city being visited and is able to help to run the holiday according to Party Leader wishes. In this way Party Leaders will be free to concentrate on the care of their pupils rather than on the organisation of the tour. The whole stay is underpinned by excellent accommodation, catering, transport and security. 46 Onslow Gardens, Muswell Hill, London N10 3JX Tel Fax varsitytravel@aol.com Website: Page 3 of 6

6 Hotel de Lanzi*** Via delle Oche, Firenze. Tel/Fax: (055) Website: hoteldelanziflorence.com ACCOMMODATION The Hotel de Lanzi commands an enviable location, directly next to Giotto's Belltower & The Duomo in the very heart of central Florence. Many rooms directly overlook the Duomo & all of the city's touristic sites are within a short stroll. Each of the rooms is decorated in a traditional Florentine 16th Century style but with 21st Century comforts. The hotel benefited from a full refurbishment two years ago. Rooms have televisions, telephones, wifi, safe & air conditioning. The ensuite bathrooms have a shower and hairdryer. The hotel manager heads a friendly & helpful team & we have found the Hotel de Lanzi to be a very comfortable & popular base for our groups visiting the Florence region. CATERING The catering in Florence proves to be a highlight for many of the groups that have joined us. En Route We ask parents to supply a packed lunch for the outward journey. On the final day, lunch is the final meal provided by Varsity Travel so participants should keep 5 for an evening meal. Breakfast A continental breakfast of croissants, bread, butter, jam, coffee, tea or hot chocolate is served either in the main or the group dining room. Lunch For lunch, the Tour Guide will distribute lunch money to students before taking the group to a particularly good area of the city for cafes, restaurants, pizzerias & pasticerias. Participants will have a wide choice of food & can either purchase a pannini sandwich & a drink, enjoy a pizza on the terrace of a restaurant or try a bowl of pasta from one of the many good outlets. Of course, every meal should be completed by a visit to one of the many gellaterias where participants can choose from 30 different flavours of the best ice-cream in the world. The use of lunch money has proved to be very popular with students as it provides an opportunity to explore, try the local food & converse with the locals who are always friendly & helpful. Dinner Evening meals are a time for participants to experience authentic Italian food in 'La Grotta di Leo' - a busy and lively restaurant that is a popular haunt for locals. Pupils will have a choice of many typical Italian dishes including risotto dishes, a choice from 22 different traditional wood-baked pizzas, canelloni, lasagne, pesto dishes and salads. Mineral water & fresh bread will be served with the meals. This lively restaurant has proved to be immensely popular with our groups and is flexible enough to cope with all dietary requirements. Page 4 of 6

7 DAY ONE Coach arrives at St. George s School Depart St. George s School. Coach transfer to Stansted Airport E.T.A. Stansted Airport. Commence check in Ryanair flight FR584 departs Stansted Airport E.T.A. Pisa International Airport. (Please note: Continental time is 1 hour in advance of British time) Coach transfer to Florence E.T.A. Florence. Walk to Hotel de Lanzi E.T.A. Hotel de Lanzi. Check-in & allocate room keys Guided Walking Tour of Florence. From the Duomo area we will visit the Hospital of Santa Maria Nova - the former orphanage where mothers would place their newborns on a wooden wheel & turn it, never to see them again. Participants will enjoy some stunning views as we walk along the narrow, medieval streets to get to the Duomo and Baptistry, Giotto s Belltower and along the ancient Roman passageway that leads to the Piazza Signoria - the heart of Florence and Tuscany. Here, pupils will be able to see the following sculptures outside the Vecchio Palace: Ammanati s controversial Neptune Fountain (Michaelangelo said what a lovely piece of marble you have ruined! upon seeing this work), Michelangelo s David, Bandinelli s Hercules and Cacus and The Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna. From the central piazza, we will walk the short distance to pass over the Ponte Vecchio - the only bridge to survive the German retreat from the region during WW2. Many pupils enjoy sketching the wonderful view over the River Arno, or the Ponte Vecchio itself Free Time in Piazza della Republica. Students will enjoy some free time to explore the heart of this beautiful city, perhaps visiting some of the shops, enjoying a drink or ice-cream of sketching the squares as the locals participate in the evening stroll la passegiata Walk to La Grotta di Leo Restaurant Dinner at La Grotta di Leo Restaurant, Via Della Scala. Page 5 of 6

8 21.00 Evening Gelato in the Piazza della Republica. Every evening we visit a local gelateria to enjoy an artisanal ice-cream before strolling back to the hotel. There are 30 different flavours & the tour guide will offer gelato prizes for correct quiz questions or sketchbook work Walk to Hotel de Lanzi E.T.A. Hotel de Lanzi. Page 6 of 6

9 DAY TWO Breakfast Visit to The Medici Chapel. Dating from the 16th & 17th centuries, the Medici Chapel is located within the Basilica of San Lorenzo - itself an addition to Brunelleschi's 15th century church. The 'New Sacristy' was designed by Michelangelo & the chapel is the final resting place of the Medici - the rulers of Florence & much of Tuscany. Six grand sarcophagi remain empty while the remains of the Medici lie interred in the crypt below Visit to The Florence Cathedral, Crypt & Baptistry. On our way to The Accademia Gallery, we will have time to enter the Florence Duomo, view the Campanile bell tower, built by Giotto in 1334 & view the Baptistery Doors built by Lorenzo Ghiberti in Inside the Duomo, participants will be able to view the city's ancient medieval clock & the 'Last Judgement' Frescoes by Vasari on the inside of the cupola Lunch & Exploration of the San Lorenzo Market. Pupils will enjoy visiting the ancient San Lorenzo Market, with its stalls selling traditional Tuscan produce such as fine food, lampredotto sandwiches, fine leather goods & tourist items Walk to The Uffizi Gallery Visit to The Uffizi Gallery. The Uffizi is the oldest gallery in the world and was built in 1560 as offices for the Tuscan Administration ( Uffizi translates as offices ). Pupils will enjoy a guided tour of the museum and will such works as The Birth of Venus and Primavera by Botticelli, Michelangelo s The Holy Family and Titian s Venus of Urbino. The museum displays its paintings in a series of rooms off the horshoe shaped main corridor. The works are shown in chronological order to reveal the development of Florentine art from Gothic to High Renaissance. show the focuses on gothic art, the early renaissance and culminates in various paintings from the High Renaissance Meet at Statue of Neptune, Piazza della Signoria Walk to The Duomo. Page 7 of 6

10 15.45 Ascent of Brunelleschi s Duomo & Exploration of Cathedral & Baptistry. The sheer size of Florence s cathedral was typical of Florentine determination to lead in all things. Completed in 1436, Brunelleschi s dome dwarfs even the great buildings of ancient Rome and Greece. As pupils enter through the main entrance, they will be impressed by the Neo-Gothic facade made from local Tuscan marble. Pupils will climb to the top of the dome, from where spectacular views of the city can be enjoyed. Many of our groups enjoy some free shopping time in the centre of Florence, or the opportunity to enjoy a cafe latte and a cake in one of the many terraced cafes Rest & Relaxation Time in Hotel Before Dinner Walk to la Grotta di Leo Restaurant Dinner at La Grotta di Leo Restaurant, Via Della Scala Evening Gelato on the Piazza delle Nazionale. After dinner we will stroll through the ancient streets of Florence to a reputable gelateria where we can enjoy an artisanal ice-cream before returning to the hotel Return walk to Hotel de Lanzi E.T.A. Hotel de Lanzi. Page 8 of 6

11 08.00 Breakfast Walk to San Marco. DAY THREE Visit to The Convent of San Marco Founded in the 13th Century, the Convent of San Marco contains simple cloisters & monks' dormitory cells decorated with a remarkable series of devotional frescoes from The Life of Christ by Fra Angelico, designed to inspire prayer & contemplation. The intimate cells show the artist's mastery of perspective in scenes such as The Annunciation (c.1445) Visit to The Accademia Gallery. Founded in 1563, the Accademia holds many of Michelangelo s most important works. His most famous, David, has dominated the collection since it was moved inside from the Piazza Signoria to protect it from pollution and the weather. This sculpture established Michelangelo as the foremost sculpture of his time at the age of twenty nine. Other masterpieces include The Four Prisoners - four muscular figures trying to free themselves from the stone and The Madonna of the Sea Lunch by The Ponte Vecchio Walk to Brancaci Chapel Visit to The Brancaci Chapel Located in the church of Santa Maria del Carmine, the Brancaci Chapel is famous for its frescoes of The Life of Saint Peter, completed after 50 years in Masaccio s use of perspective & the tragic realism of the figures in The expulsion of Adam & Eve were ground-breaking at the time & placed him at a great level of importance during the Renaissance Walk to Church of Santa Maria Novella. Page 9 of 6

12 16.45 Visit to The Church of Santa Maria Novella. Built by the Dominicans from 1279 to 1357, this Gothic church contains some of the most important works of art in Florence. The highlight is 'The Trinity' by Masaccio - a masterpiece of perspective & portraiture. Behind the altar, the Tornabuoni Chapel boasts Ghirlandaio's famous fresco cycle 'The Life of John the Baptist', which shows Florentine aristocrats along with contemporary costumes & furnishings. On the opposite wall is Ghirlandaio's other masterpiece 'The Life of The Virgin' Exploration of Florence/Relaxation Time in Hotel. Students will have the option of exploring central Florence, visiting the shops, markets & cafes. Alternatively some students may choose to rest & relax in the hotel after the day's sightseeing Walk to La Grotta di Leo Restaurant Dinner at La Grotta di Leo Restaurant, Via Della Scala Evening Gelato & Walk to Piazza della Republica. After dinner we will visit one of the excellent gelato ice-cream shops to sample some of the hand-made ice creams for which Italy is famous Return walk to Hotel de Lanzi E.T.A. Hotel de Lanzi. Page 10 of 6

13 DAY FOUR Breakfast, hotel check-out & room checks Walk to La Specola Museum Visit to La Specola Museum - The Museum of Zoology & Natural History. Located next to the Pitti Palace, La Specola is the oldest scientific museum in Europe & is an eclectic natural history museum which is one of four different sites dotted around the city. Founded in 1771 to publicly display the large collection of natural curiosities such as fossils, animals, minerals & exotic plants, the museum contains all sorts of curios from a stuffed hippopotamus to an original elephant skeleton acquired by several generations of Medicis. The highlight of the collection are the human anatomical wax figures from the 18th Century used to teach biology & medicine. Copied from real corpses, the realistic wax figures show the internal organs of the human body in graphic detail Final Exploration of Central Florence. Students will have free time to enjoy their lunches, visit the San Lorenzo Market, complete more sketchwork or visit an additional gallery (which the tour guide can organise) Walk to Hotel de Lanzi Collect suitcases from hotel. Prepare for transfer to U.K Walk to Florence Coach Station E.T.A. Florence Coach Station. Check-in for next departure Coach transfer to Pisa Airport E.T.A. Pisa Airport. Commence check-in Depart Pisa International Airport on Ryanair flight FR E.T.A. Stansted Airport. (Note: Continental time is one hour in advance of British time) Page 11 of 6

14 20.30 Coach transfer to St. George's School, Harpenden E.T.A. St. George's School, Harpenden. Page 1 of 6

15 Part 6: St George s Trip Code of Conduct All students taking part on the trip must observe the following. Listen and act upon instructions given by any adult member of the group. Fasten seat belts in coaches on every occasion. No chewing at any time. Dispose of litter in bins provided. Listen to the safety instructions on board the plane and do not disturb other passengers by noisy behaviour in public areas. Whilst there is little traffic in Florence there are some roads and many vespas buzzing in and out on small streets. Remember to use crossing points such as traffic light crossings whenever possible (be aware that in Italy, crossings are interpreted by Italians drivers as optional stopping!) Be punctual at all times. Take note of any timings given. Respect the privacy of others. eg use shower facilities only at times allocated to you. Respect others. Stay in your own room after lights out. After lights out there must be no noise before 7 am the next morning. Always stay in groups of at least three students when given free time. Be polite and courteous to everyone you meet. Do not use bad language. DO NOT BRING OR ATTEMPT TO BUY any illegal or unauthorised item. Minor misconduct overseas would be dealt with on the trip by means of loss of privileges, withdrawal of free time, setting additional work tasks or community service. Serious misconduct would result in severe sanctions being applied. Students may be sent home and parents/guardians asked to repatriate a student at their own expense. Serious misbehaviour may also preclude students from taking part in other School trips, or lead to an exclusion from School. Page 2 of 6

16 What do you need to do now? 1). Payment The total cost of the trip is Our only method of payment is via our ParentPay system. As a parent, you will be able to see this payment option within Parent Pay. If you do not have your log in details and/or require any assistance, please contact the School Finance Office who will be happy to help you. They can be reached on or via at sstrange@stgeorges.herts.sch.uk. Please pay the (non refundable) deposit of 150 by 1 st October Please return the reply slip below and a copy of the students passport to Miss Ainsley (Art Technician) by Thursday the 4 th October 2018 Please ensure we have the remaining instalments of 140 by the dates specified above. Please ensure that the full payment reaches us by 1st February Payment must be made in full or your child will lose their place on the trip along with the amounts of money specified by the school or tour company. 2). Consent When payments are made within Parent Pay, there is a consent box at the foot of the payment window. By ticking this consent box you are agreeing that: 1). You have received and understood the details of the visit. 2). You agree that your child: can participate in the visit and activities described; can be transported in the coaches used by the school is in good health and fit to participate in the activities described; can receive medical treatment as necessary. 3). You undertake to inform the Group Leader as soon as possible of any changes in medical circumstances. 4). You acknowledge the need for your child to behave responsibly and agree to the establishment's procedures in this respect and understand that the school reserves the right to remove a child from any trip or visit should the child s behaviour cause concern. Please note that in this instance monies would not be returned. 5). If you withdraw your child from a trip once the deposit has been paid, monies will only be repaid if a replacement can be found. 6). You confirm that the details held by the school are correct. 7). You agree to make the payment for this trip in full. Page 3 of 6

17 REPLY SLIP. Please return to Miss Ainsley, Art Technician by Thursday 4th October 2018 together with a copy of your son / daughters Passport. Student s Name: Student Mobile telephone number: Please note the following changes to the details held by the School on the SG7A for this academic year: I am / not happy for my son /daughter to have a discretionary glass of wine or beer at the evening meal. Please delete as appropriate. Soft drinks are available. Signed: (parent/guardian) Date: Page 4 of 6