SIXTH FORM ART TRIP TO FLORENCE

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "SIXTH FORM ART TRIP TO FLORENCE"

Jeffrey Potter
6 years ago
Views:

Raymond McGovern MA Headmaster 15th September 2015 Dear Parent/Guardian SIXTH FORM ART TRIP TO FLORENCE Wednesday, 9th March to Saturday, 12th March 2016 As mentioned in the Sixth Form brochure, the

The St Ives trip pertains to those wishing to pursue Art on to A2. The trip to Florence is open to all year 12 Art and Design students which includes: Fine Art, Graphics, Textiles and Photography.

1 Raymond McGovern MA Headmaster 15th September 2015 Dear Parent/Guardian SIXTH FORM ART TRIP TO FLORENCE Wednesday, 9th March to Saturday, 12th March 2016 As mentioned in the Sixth Form brochure, the Art Department annually runs two residential study tours. The first is to Florence in March and the second to St Ives in June. This letter concerns the former. The St Ives trip pertains to those wishing to pursue Art on to A2. The trip to Florence is open to all year 12 Art and Design students which includes: Fine Art, Graphics, Textiles and Photography. This is a very beneficial and popular trip. It coincides with the students Exam unit (Unit 2) where they are required to investigate other artists and cultures. It often acts as a catalyst and inspiration for their art work. Students have often said that it has been a highlight of their time in the Sixth Form at St George s. The trip allows students to study the work of other artists first hand, which is an important aspect of the course. I attach a provisional itinerary for you to peruse. I hope you agree that it represents good value for money. I have tried to keep the cost down as much as possible but air travel is always costly, especially as it necessitates coach transfers at either end. The hotel is in the centre of Florence enabling galleries to be visited on foot, hence the accommodation cost. The school only sets out to cover necessary costs in setting the price. Miss Laker will be leading the trip. She is an exceptionally adept and experienced trip leader and a veteran of this trip for some 15 years. Your offspring will be in great hands. She will be supported by Mrs Priestland, Director of sixth form. There are enough places for all those studying any of the Art endorsements. The cost, fully inclusive of everything except the outward-bound lunch and return evening meal will be 630. I realise this is no small sum. I would not wish any youngster to be disadvantaged on the basis of cost. Therefore the following may be of interest or help: for those in financially challenging situations there may be some financial assistance available through the School. Please write to Mr Cullis, Assistant Head in charge of trips if you wish to apply for some help in this matter. His address is: bcullis@stgeorges.herts.sch.uk. Letters in this respect need to be returned by Tuesday the 13 th October I hope that once you have perused the attached itinerary you will agree it represents good value. I intend to spread the cost of the trip over the ensuing 5 months, in 5 equal payments of 126, inclusive of the deposit. The deposit of 126 will be payable on the 19 th October 2015, with the following 4 payments due on 19 th November 2015, 19 th December 2015, 19 th January 2016 and the final instalment due on the 19 th February St George s School, Harpenden Academy Trust. Registered in England and Wales No: Registered Office: Sun Lane, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 4TD. Tel: Fax: admin@stgeorges.herts.sch.uk Website:

2 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 If you wish your son or daughter to go please could you do the following: 1. Pay the deposit of 126 via Parent Pay by Monday the 19th October. 2. Hand a copy of your son / daughters passport to Mrs Beeley, the Art technician (Monk 1) by Monday the 19th October. (Via your offspring). This is essential for us to book flights and keep the cost as it is at present. In line with Italian law and custom and in deference to the students status as young adults, I will be intending to allow the students to partake in the occasional glass of wine or beer at meal times and other appropriate occasions. This would always be under direct staff supervision, and dependent on there being no excess or abuse in this area. In our experience this helps to model responsible drinking and lessens the likelihood of irresponsible consumption. I will assume that by paying the deposit you are happy with this arrangement unless I receive an e mail to the contrary. Please be assured that, as far as the staff are able, we will ensure that no youngster feels awkward if they or you choose not to drink alcohol. Finally, and I apologise if this sounds somewhat draconian, I am obliged to say that 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 your son or daughter withdraw from the visit they may lose a portion of monies paid even if we are able to find a reserve to fill their place due to the cost we have to absorb in changing names on the flight manifest. Many thanks and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. A final details sheet will be issued nearer the time with flight details etc. There will be an evening meeting for parents and students on Tuesday, 23rd February 2016, in the Assembly Hall at 7.30 pm. Refreshments will be provided. Please put this date in your diary. All participants are expected to attend.. If you have any questions please e mail me at: rbrowne@stgeorges.herts.sch.uk or Miss Laker at: mlaker@stgeorges.herts.sch.uk Yours sincerely Rory Browne Head of Art Encs

3 Provisional Itinerary for Florence Art trip Dates: 9th - 12th March 2016 TOUR COMPANY: Varsity Travel 46 Onslow Gardens, Muswell Hill, London N10 3JX Tel Fax varsitytravel@aol.com Website: ACCOMMODATION Hotel de Lanzi*** Via delle Oche, Firenze. Tel/Fax: (055) info@hoteldelanzi.it Website: hoteldelanziflorence.com 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 Director will distribute lunch money to students before taking the group to a particularly good area of the city for cafes, restaurants, pizzerias and pasticerias. Participants will have a wide choice of food and can either purchase a pannini sandwich and 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 and converse with the locals who are always friendly and helpful. The Tour Director will take staff to one of the local trattorias where they will be able to savour local foods such as risotto with cheese, spaghetti alla carbonara or a crusty pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven. Dinner Evening meals are a time for participants to experience authentic Italian food in 'La Grotta di Leo' a

4 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 and fresh bread will be served with the meals. Local chianti will be served for staff and older pupils, at party leaders discretion. This lively restaurant has proved to be immensely popular with our groups and is flexible enough to cope with all dietary requirements. DAY ONE Coach arrives at St George s School Depart St George s School. Coach transfer to Stansted Airport ETA Stansted Airport for check in Ryanair flight FR582 departs Stansted Airport ETA Pisa International Airport. (Please note: Continental time is 1 hour in advance of British time) Coach transfer to Florence ETA FlorenceWalk to Hotel ETA Hotel, Florence. On arrival at the hotel: Participants will be given their room keys and will have time to settle into their rooms Depart hotel for Guided Walking Tour of Florence. 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 Dinner at La Grotta di Leo Restaurant, Via Della Scala Return walk to Hotel Pendini ETA Hotel Pendini. DAY TWO Breakfast Walk to The Accademia Gallery 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 Visit to The Florence Cathedral. 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 and view the Baptistery Doors built by Lorenzo Ghiberti in Inside the Duomo, participants will be able to view the city's ancient medieval clock and the 'Last Judgement' Frescoes by Vasari on the inside of the cupola.

5 12.00 Ascent of The Florence Duomo. 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 Lunch and Shopping Time Near the Ponte Vecchio Walk to The Boboli Gardens Visit to The Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens The Pitti Palace actually contains five museums and pupils will enjoy viewing the luxurious Medici state apartments, with their collection of art and treasures. The Boboli Gardens were designed for the Medici in 1549 and are an excellent example of stylized Renaissance gardening, with clipped hedges and sculptures along the treelined walkways. The gardens were designed to give elevated vistas over the city and Duomo below Walk to Hotel Pendini Rest and relaxation time in the Hotel Pendini Walk to La Grotta di Leo Restaurant Dinner at La Grotta di Leo Restaurant, Via Della Scala Evening Activities DAY THREE Breakfast Walk to The Bargello Visit to The Bargello. The word bargello comes from the Latin word bargillus meaning castle or fortified tower. The oldest public building in Florence, this austere crenellated building served as a model for the imposing Palazzo Vecchio in the main square nearby. The Bargello was the headquarters of the Chief of Police until Many prisoners were incarcerated within its walls and executions took place in its yard until The Bargello opened as a national museum in 1865, displaying the largest Italian collection of gothic and Renaissance sculptures from 14th - 17th centuries. Participants will view masterpieces by Michelangelo including Bacchus, Madonna and Child, and Brutus and David-Apollo. Donatello's David is one of the most famous statues of the collection. The museum also has a fine collection of ceramics, textiles, tapestries, ivory, silver, armours and coins from the Renaissance period Early Lunch, Sketching and Painting Time in The Piazza Signoria. We have been given an Uffizi Museum reservation at lunchtime so will be eating an early lunch on this day. Pupils will have some time to enjoy a sandwich, pizza slice, pasta, cappuccino, some people-watching, photography and sketching on one of the most famous and impressive piazzas in Italy. Reputedly, visitors to Florence have even been known to faint with the beauty of the Piazza Signoria and we will spend some time to admire the ancient Medici Fortress, the statue of David, Neptune s Fountain and the square where the heretic Savonarola was burnt at the stake by the citizens of Firenze 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 see such works as The Birth of Venus and Primavera by Botticelli, Michelangelo s The Holy Family and Titian s Venus of Urbino. The

6 museum displays its paintings in a series of rooms off the horseshoe 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 and early renaissance and culminate in various paintings from the High Renaissance Shopping time in the San Lorenzo Market The huge market of San Lorenzo is clustered around the Medici Chapel and Church of San Lorenzo. The market is extremely popular and sells leatherwear - tailored jackets, handbags, shoes - fashion clothing, fine food, home-made pasta and hundreds of other fine items. This market is always a popular visit as pupils search for bargains, gifts and items of curiosity from the many market stalls in this ancient and historic district of Florence Rest and relaxation time in the Hotel Pendini Walk to La Grotta di Leo Restaurant Dinner at La Grotta di Leo Restaurant, Via Della Scala Evening Activities DAY FOUR Breakfast and storage of suitcases in hotel storage room Walk to San Marco Convent Visit to The Convent of San Marco Founded in the 13th Century, the Convent of San Marco contains simple cloisters and monks' dormitory cells decorated with a remarkable series of devotional frescoes from The Life of Christ by Fra Angelico, designed to inspire prayer and contemplation. The intimate cells show the artist's mastery of perspective in scenes such as The Annunciation (c.1445) Lunch and Final Shopping Time in the San Lorenzo District Walk to Hotel Pendini Collect suitcases and prepare for return transfer to UK Walk to Florence Coach Station Coach transfer to Pisa Airport ETA Pisa Airport. Commence check-in Depart Pisa International Airport on Ryanair flight FR ETA Stansted Airport. (Please note: Continental time is one hour in advance of British time) Onward coach transfer to St George's School, Harpenden ETA St George's School, Harpenden

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

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