70 of our Year 9 and Year 10 students visited Iceland at the start of this term. Students explored and learnt about the spectacular and diverse landscape including volcanoes, glaciers and dramatic coastlines whilst they gained an understanding of Icelandic history, culture and traditions.
Upon arrival at Keflavik airport the landscape was baron and people were scarce, except for tourists! The first stop was the bridge between the continents – the link between two tectonic plates and at the Gunnuhver hot springs students were afforded their first real smell of Icelandic air! In the evening the students enjoyed water sports in a geothermally heated pool.
The following days were busy touring an array of amazing places, these included: the capital – Reykjavik which is the furthest capital north in the world; Vik, the most southerly town in Iceland with stunning black beaches and hexagonal basaltic columns of rock that inspired Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik and The Golden Circle.
Students explored some amazing physical features including the Solheimajokull Glacier, several active, dormant and extinct volcanoes including Hekla, Katla and Eyjafjallajokull and walked behind several stunning waterfalls. The Geysir National Park allowed us to explore an amazing natural phenomenon where huge jets of water and steam fire up to 20 metres into the air and the secret lagoon that has naturally heated water pouring in constantly.
The feedback from the students about the trip was fantastic; they particularly enjoyed the Lava centre (an interactive area to explore volcanoes), free time in Reykjavik and the awe-inspiring waterfalls. Students returned home from Iceland with a different perspective on the world around them and how our planet changes both in an instant and over a long period of time.
Our next scheduled Iceland trip will be in 2025 – more details to follow!
