The RE department take a group of around 30 year 11 pupils to New York every February. They study the cultural diversity of this fascinating city and take in trips to Ground Zero, Ellis Island and the central synagogue.
"In February of this year Y Pant School again took to the skies and landed in the Big Apple. It was another action packed,multi cultural tour of a fantastic city. We landed in New Jersey after a long and tiring journey but all exited and filled with anticipation for the coming adventure.
Our guide Tim met us at the airport and accompanied us on our tour of the sites and sounds of New York city. Our visit encompassed all aspects of a city which is bursting with culture and diversity. We took in manysites of religious and culturalimportance from St Paul’s Cathedral to the fireman’s church near to the site of Ground Zero. Again I think the visit to ground zero was a compelling and emotional experience for all involved. We all were moved by thescale of the tragedy this is a living tribute to. The church which holds the letters and pictures commemorating the losses experienced during the 9/11 tragedy is very moving and humbling. Againit was very much appreciated by all of us as we wandered silently through the displays. Over the course of the week we took in tourist sites such as Liberty Island, Ellis Island, China Town, the Empire state Building, the UN buildingsand Central Park.
We covered as much of the city as possible and made the most of our short stay. A new element to the tour this year was a trip to the Jewish Holocaust Museum.
This was a moving and eye opening experience. For many of us it was also quite life changing. The Museum is an incredibly well organised,visual tribute to another world disaster which should never be forgotten. We were taken around the displays by real Holocaust survivors whose stories were incredible. Thisgave the pupils a very humaninsight into the emotional and historical background of the persecution of the Jewish race and extreme Anti Semitic behaviour displayed through the events of the World War. This trip was both emotionally and physically tiring. It is also however a trip which inspires great memories which were made and shared through an array of experiences. I think all horizons were broadened and all would love to return toNew York. This is a city which invokes a real appreciation of thesocial and cultural diversityour worldhas on offer."
