Year 8 Trip to Iceland

At the end of the half term, 42 Year 8 pupils embarked on the trip of a lifetime to Iceland. The journey to the land of fire and ice was nothing short of spectacular, offering a whirlwind tour of the majestic geothermal valleys and the tumultuous waterfalls of the south coast, set against the dramatic backdrop of distant volcanoes and glaciers. Students experienced the thrill of walking between two continents along the Mid-Atlantic Rift and were mesmerized by the awe-inspiring sight of the Strokkur Geyser shooting high into the sky. Feeding horse candy to the friendly Icelandic horses was a highlight, and the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach, with its seabirds nesting amongst the dramatic basalt pillars and caves formed when lava is solidified by the sea, was a sight to behold.

We learned much about the history and culture of the Icelandic people by visiting traditional turf houses and listening to the affable tour guides recount their childhood adventures and folklore stories. The museums we visited were interactive and fascinating, with engaging talks and immersive exhibits, such as the ice caves at the Perlan Museum and the interactive map of Iceland showing live data of earthquakes at the Lava Centre, really bringing physical geography to life.

The trip culminated in an unforgettable evening walk to the seafront in Reykjavik, where we witnessed the Northern Lights dancing across the sky, right on cue. Thank you to Miss Alderton, who led the adventure, and all the teachers on the trip who worked so hard to make it a success. The resilient and engaged attitudes of all the Year 8 pupils did Belmont proud, and no doubt the sights and shared experiences have created special memories that will last a lifetime.

Mrs K Pople