Orana Steiner School’s recent senior college tour of Italy (23 April – 5 May 2025) offered a unique and enriching experience for ten students from Years 11 and 12.
Seven of the students are currently studying History, while three attended for the broader cultural and educational value of the excursion. The journey provided a meaningful blend of curriculum-aligned experiences and immersive cultural exploration, designed to benefit all students regardless of their subject choices.
History students captured documentary footage in key locations such as Pompeii and the Colosseum, deepening their understanding of ancient civilisations through firsthand engagement with primary evidence. A particularly memorable moment was our visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, which coincided with the Pope lying in state. We were one of the last groups to view the Sistine Chapel before it closed the following day. Public areas were heavily patrolled by armed military, the Metro was at capacity, and preparations were underway for visits from world leaders.
Cultural highlights extended well beyond the classroom: students navigated tight train transfers, walked more than 20,000 steps a day exploring historic cities, and took on leadership roles in navigation and planning. Budget-friendly picnics were enjoyed in parks overlooking Florence, and there was time to appreciate both high culture and leisure, attending the opera in Rome, watching a glass-making demonstration in Venice, swimming in the clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Amalfi Coast, and sampling pizza in its birthplace, Naples.
One of our participating students, Ruby, shared that “There were so many awe-inspiring and beautiful moments, from the classic Italian experiences to the spontaneous exploration. I will never forget standing in the Sistine chapel, looking up at paintings that I’d heard so much about and finally seeing them in real life. I will never forget the little adventures that took the trip from an incredible experience to a once-in-a-lifetime one. I will carry the fantastic memories and stories from this excursion with me forever.“
I am grateful to Michael Klinkert for his joint supervision of the group and invaluable support, to our students for their maturity, initiative, and enthusiasm, and to the school and parent community for their trust and encouragement. The trip offered a valuable mix of learning, cultural insight, and personal growth – an experience I hope students will remember for years to come.
Kirsty Budding – History & English Teacher
