09 Oct Ranum Out into the World
So, another of this year’s absolutely brilliant experiences is drawing to a close – the specialist subject trips!
After two months of in-depth study, learning and preparation, the pupils have spent the past week out in the world putting their new skills into practice.
The trips have offered exciting challenges, new impressions and unforgettable experiences, and the pupils have now either returned home or are on their way back to Ranum with their rucksacks full of new experiences and memories.
Happy reading!
Adventure, Norway
The Adventure team has been exploring the Norwegian countryside, where their days have been filled with both action and outdoor activities. The pupils have tried their hand at paintball, paddleboarding and surfing in cold rivers, whilst hikes in the mountains have offered magnificent views. Along the way, they have spent the night in tents, cooked over campfires and experienced the Norwegian wilderness up close.
Basketball, Madrid
The basketball team has travelled to Spain’s capital, Madrid, where their days have been filled with both basketball training and exploring the city. The pupils have explored the city’s famous sights, including the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor and Retiro Park. There has also been time for shopping, socialising and sampling the delights of Spanish cuisine.
Craft & Creativity, Venice
The Craft & Creativity team has explored Venice’s creative and cultural world, visiting art exhibitions, historical sights and the International Art Biennale. Among other things, the pupils have visited the Doge’s Palace, gone on photography missions around the city and experienced glass art on the island of Murano. There has also been time for a gondola ride, Italian specialities and plenty of inspiration from the city’s art and architecture.
Dance, London
The dance group has been in London, where their days have been filled with dancing, music and city experiences. The pupils took part in workshops at venues including Pineapple Dance Studios and learnt choreography inspired by Michael Jackson alongside professional dancers. The trip also included a visit to Camden Market, shared experiences around the city and a trip to see the musical *Moulin Rouge* in London’s West End.
Diving, Egypt
The diving teams in Egypt have explored the Red Sea’s fantastic underwater world, with its colourful coral reefs, fascinating marine life and plenty of diving opportunities. The students have completed their PADI Open Water certifications and have gone on to undertake more advanced dives, including wreck diving, night diving and dives down to a depth of 30 metres. Between dives, there has been time for relaxation, socialising and enjoying each other’s company on board the boats.
Diving, Malta
In Malta, the pupils have explored the underwater world of the Mediterranean and developed their diving skills. At Mellieha Bay, the pupils have begun their diving training with exercises ranging from the pool to open water, and have explored dive sites such as Ras il-Hobz and Reqqa Point. Here, they have continued working towards their Advanced Open Water certification and experienced the clear blue sea at close quarters.
Fashion & Sustainability, Paris
The Fashion & Sustainability team has been exploring Paris with a focus on fashion, art and culture. Among other things, the students visited the Fragonard Perfume Museum, where they learnt about the history of perfume and tried their hand at blending their own fragrances. The trip also included a guided tour of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, a boat trip on the Seine and visits to iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Montmartre. Of course, there has also been time for shopping, French specialities and plenty of inspiration from the fashion capital.
Fit for Life, Copenhagen
The Fit for Life team has been in Copenhagen, where the days have been filled with intensive training, new challenges and plenty of camaraderie. The pupils have tried their hand at boxing, CrossFit and powerlifting under the guidance of skilled coaches. The trip also included self-defence and Krav Maga, where the pupils learnt practical techniques and conflict management. There was plenty of sweating, heavy lifting and new personal bests set!
Football, Dortmund
The football team has been in Dortmund, where the pupils have had the opportunity to train at Borussia Dortmund’s famous football academy. There, they have taken part in intensive training sessions led by the head coach of the club’s U17 team, with a focus on technique, development and teamwork. Between training sessions, there has also been time to explore Dortmund, enjoy the fine weather and strengthen the team spirit off the pitch.
Gastronomy, Crete
The gastronomy team has explored Crete’s food culture, traditions and beautiful natural surroundings. Among other things, the pupils have visited local producers of avocados, carob and olive oil, where they have learnt about ingredients and traditional production methods. The trip also included visits to local potters, exploring stalactite caves and historical sights. Along the way, the students naturally also sampled plenty of Greek specialities and experienced the island’s stunning landscapes.
Golf, Málaga
The golf team has been in Málaga in southern Spain, where they have spent their days playing plenty of golf in beautiful surroundings. Among other places, the students have played at the Baviera Golf and Añoreta Golf courses, where they have practised their skills and played 18 holes on undulating terrain overlooking the Mediterranean. Between rounds of golf, there has also been time for socialising, enjoying Spanish specialities and relaxing along the coast.
Hike & Climb, Morocco
The Hike & Climb team has been on an adventure through Morocco’s impressive mountain landscapes, where their days have been filled with hiking, culture and new experiences. Among other things, the pupils visited the historic town of Aït-Ben-Haddou, explored local markets and went on a hike near Imilchil. Along the way, they gained an insight into Moroccan culture, sampled traditional dishes and spent the night in a cosy Berber village.
Media, Liverpool
The media team has been in Liverpool, where the days have been filled with music, creativity and exciting experiences. Among other things, the pupils visited The Beatles Story, explored the city’s harbour area and tried their hand at escape rooms. Along the way, they worked on photography and video, whilst the trip also included optical illusions in the Quirky Quarter and a hike up Mount Snowdon in Wales.
Music, Liverpool
The music group has been in Liverpool, where the pupils have explored the city’s rich musical history and creative scene. Among other things, they have visited The Beatles Story, the legendary Cavern Club and the British Music Experience, where they have tried out various instruments and enjoyed musical exhibitions. The trip also included sightseeing, escape rooms and a hike up Mount Snowdon in Wales.
Padel, Málaga
The padel team has been in Fuengirola, near Málaga, where the days have been filled with plenty of padel, training and camaraderie. The pupils have been working on their technique on the court and supplementing their training with yoga and stretching. In addition, the trip included excursions to Málaga, the Alcazaba fortress and the historic Castillo del Gibralfaro. Along the way, the pupils also experienced traditional flamenco, enjoyed the beach and explored the Spanish coast.
Sailing, Croatia
The sailing team has explored Croatia’s beautiful coastline from the water, where their days have been filled with sailing, navigation and camaraderie on board. The pupils have practised harbour manoeuvres, man-overboard drills and regattas whilst sailing between idyllic bays and coastal towns. Along the way, there has also been time for swims in the crystal-clear water, cooking together and cosy evenings under the stars.
Surf, Somo
The surfing team has been in Somo in northern Spain, where the days have been filled with waves, surfing and plenty of adventures by the sea. The pupils have been up early to get out on the water and challenge themselves in both small and big waves. The trip has also included group warm-ups on the beach, new surfing skills and plenty of camaraderie both in and out of the water.
UNESCO, Turkey
The UNESCO group has been in Turkey, where the pupils visited their partner school, the American Collegiate Institute, and experienced Turkish culture and history at first hand. Together with local pupils, they visited, amongst other places, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the archaeological museum in Izmir. The trip also included an educational event, traditional Turkish dishes and new international friendships.
Wakeboarding, Mojácar
The wakeboarding team has been in Mojácar in southern Spain, where the days have been packed with action, training and camaraderie on the water. The students have pushed themselves on the wakeboarding course, worked on their technique and made great progress along the way. There has also been time to let their aching muscles rest with trips to the beach, exploring the town and cosy evenings together.
Yoga, Barcelona
The yoga group has been in Barcelona, where their days have been filled with yoga, Pilates, relaxation and cultural experiences. The pupils have taken part in yoga classes with local instructors, worked on flexibility and balance, and tried aqua Pilates. The trip also included creative activities, socialising and sightseeing in Barcelona, where the pupils experienced, amongst other things, the impressive Sagrada Família and the city’s fascinating architecture.
Go on a journey of discovery
Would you like to find out more about this year’s specialist subject trips?
We’ve put together a few snippets from our travels here in this newsletter, but there’s so much more to discover!
On the travel groups’ Facebook pages, you can find photos, videos and diary entries detailing the pupils’ experiences from around the world.
Explore the trips below and gain an even greater insight into the pupils’ adventures!
Headmaster's column
Dear reader,
The specialist subject trips cover a wide range of activities, from dance, media, design and music in major cities, to water sports such as diving, wakeboarding and sailing. Regardless of the nature of the specialised subject and the destination, we are committed to challenging the pupils in their academic and personal development within a close-knit community. One of the key lessons learnt from these trips is that the focus on the tasks at hand becomes stronger than it is back at school. This enhances the students’ progress and their sense of mastery in areas such as music, gastronomy or sailing a boat. The weather has been a challenge on several trips, but when a trip is interrupted or postponed, new opportunities for unexpected experiences also arise. It is also a healthy experience.
Over the next few days, pupils and staff will be returning to school, and a well-deserved autumn half-term lies ahead.
After the holidays, all cultural subjects must be confirmed by parents, and then week 43 will end with the first pupil party of the year. Some pupils who come from far away miss having a host family at the weekend – perhaps it could be your family.
I hope you all have a safe journey home and enjoy your autumn half-term.
Yours sincerely
Olav Storm
Principal
It happens:
Calendar
- Autumn half-term 12 October 26
- Alumni Day for former pupils 24 October 26
- Performance weekend 31 October 26
- Lecture by Naser Khader, 12 November 26
- Christmas Fun Weekend 14 November 26
- TEBO 17 November 1926
- ‘Life of a Busker’ concert, 18 November 26
- Performance, week 24 November 26
- Family Day 28 November 26
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