Year 7 Cantabria Visit 2010

In June our Year 7 Spanish learners had a marvellous opportunity to travel to Cantabria in the north of Spain as part of the school's International Arts Festival. The warm and sunny weather saw the group in high spirits while they visited many of the sights that the region had to offer.

They explored the Caves of Altamira, world famous for their ancient works of art featuring drawings and polychrome rock paintings of wild mammals, which bear witness to Spain's early artistic talent. From prehistoric to modern, the group visited the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art in Bilbao, famous for its eccentric designs and wide range of modern and contemporary exhibitions, where some of Spain's greatest artists and sculptors exhibit their work.

At lunchtime many experienced for the first time a ride in a funicular, which took them up to a park to eat their lunch and enjoy the wonderful views of the Guggenheim and the city of Bilbao. They later made their way via Bilbao's impressive metro system to the port area where they rode across the estuary on the Puente Colgante, famous for its appearance in a James Bond film.

The students stayed in beautiful accommodation in the coastal town of Suances, where facilities included a games room, a swimming pool and tennis courts which allowed them to burn off some energy. They spent a happy morning sightseeing in the village of Santillana del Mar, one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages anywhere in Spain. They had the opportunity to practise their Spanish skills in the small shops, acquiring an interesting range of presents and souvenirs. 

They also visited the oldest and most important building in the village, the 12th century Collegiate Church, which houses the remains of the town's patron saint, Santa Illana. At the end of the trip, Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Mrs. Newsham, commented that "both the trip and the weather were perfect. Cantabria is such a lovely region and the students had a wonderful time". Head of Transition for Year 7 students Mrs. Bleakley added "The enthusiasm for contemporary art from students in Year 7 was brilliant. I was really proud of the way that they engaged with the work of Anish Kapoor in particular".