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Year 8 History Trip

• On June 21st, it was our day out to Chedworth and Corinium Museum where we learned about what their houses, forts and daily life were like.
• We were greeted by a small lady standing in front of a giant mosaic. There must have been thousands of tiles. Later we saw a large brown cape that completely covered any pupil who wore it. This fact entertained us for a while as people walked around pretending to be the Grim Reaper!
• We were shown around the Roman part by Mr Siddall who lead us through a section about what the Romans wore (we could try some of their clothes on). Later we had a look at the Hare Mosaic and the Jupiter Column which was well constructed and an amazing piece of artwork and craftsmanship.
• I especially liked the mosaics which showed the Romans at their artistic best.
• All along the museum there were little galleries like ‘build your own mosaic’.
• It was great fun to have a quiz at the museum as it made you really look at the artefacts.
• When we had seen everything, Mr Siddall set us a challenge to write down facts that were scattered round the museum. We didn’t do that much - until he mentioned a mars bar for the winning team!
• Sadly it was time to go and we left the Museum full of lots of new knowledge.
• We finally arrived at Chedworth villa in the Cotswolds. From behind the rusty gates it looke like any normal garden but then I began to notice strange statues and objects that had crumbled with age.
• As you walked around you could imagine what it once looked like.
• The villa is now (and has been for a while) handed over to the care of the National Trust. They are putting a lot of effort into gently finding the ruins of this beautiful villa.
• It provided first hand experience of a Roman villa – and the chocolate from the shop was yummy!
• Then came the inevitable visit to the site gift shop. The gifts had absolutely no connection to Roman civilization whatsoever, but the chocolate was nice.
• At the Roman villa, it was amazing to see all the ruins and how the villa was set out. It was great to see it in 3D, there in front of you, instead of just pictures in a book.
• Overall this trip was so interesting and such a special experience!
• During the Year 8 fortnight a small group of us made a journey to the Wartime Cabinet Rooms and the Winston Churchill Museum. We were shown map rooms, bedrooms, kitchens offices as well as the dining room of Churchill himself. I learned a great deal about World War 2.
• I learnt that Churchill sent out a regiment to support my grandad’s division.
• Churchill’s personal section was fascinating, if somewhat confusing too!
• For our History trip we went on a tour of Bristol. It was a good day and fun for everyone.
• We started at the industrial Museum on the waterfront where we saw the appalling conditions that the slaves were transported in. It made me realise how horrible it would have been to be a slave.
• The hidden history behind Bristol was revealed and gave insight into the horrors of slavery.
• We went to the school workshop first and were split into groups. My group had to find out about the large steel crane and make an advert about it.
• Afterwards we went to see the 2nd floor technology section and saw models of engines in a rocket and plane. We even saw a helicopter.
• It was interesting walking round the docks with Mr Siddall as he said some very interesting things!!
• Going to the Bristol Industrial Museum was an experience that I will never forget!
• Then we set off for a walk around Bristol looking for the history that surrounds us.
• It was odd to see how the port of Bristol has changed and how we became the workshop of the world
• One of our main topics was the British Empire. Our teacher talked us through all the main areas of the C18th and C19th.
• After that we went to visit Redcliffe caves where slaves were transported through and a pub called ‘Hole in the Wall’ where they spied on the slavers.
• I only really began to understand about the slave trade during our walk around Bristol, seeing the places where they were hidden and sensing the secrets that filled the air.
• Then we went to Queen’s Square where the Bristol Riots took place. Many people rioted here and it was because of this that the Great Reform Bill was finally passed. It was very educational.
• I found the trip very interesting because it gave the subject a hands on feel and related it to today’s life.
• I almost felt I was part of the action that took place hundreds of years ago!

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