St Mary’s Classics and Latin students visit London

A group of 66 Classics and Latin students from Years 10-13 from St Mary’s College, accompanied by seven teachers, headed to London recently to visit the British Museum and the London Mithraeum. For most of the students it was their first school trip for over two years and for some it was their first overnight trip with St Mary’s College. 

They arrived by train on Saturday 29 January and their first stop was the London Mithraeum. Now part of Bloomberg in the heart of the financial district of the city, this temple was built in the 3rd century AD, nearly 200 years after the founding of London, by a Roman Londoner to honour the god Mithras. The remains of this temple have been put on display and an immersive experience has been created which took the students back to the very origins of London. 

Mrs Moore, head of classics and Latin at St Mary’s College, said: “After our visit to the Mithraeum, the students walked along the Thames spotting landmark after landmark including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Globe Theatre, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben! The day ended with some well-earned pizza and a trip to the Prince Edward Theatre to watch Mary Poppins. 

“On the Sunday, after a hearty breakfast at the hotel we headed to the British Museum where pupils were taken to see the Parthenon marbles and treasures from the Bronze Age which form an integral part of their GCSE studies. A sunny walk to Covent Garden followed where we had lunch, before heading back to the hotel to pick up our bags. 

“There was something very special about being able to do this again. Our thanks are given to the teachers who made it possible, the pupils who made us proud and the parents who were willing to believe the trip would be able to happen. May it be the first of many!”