Stratford-upon-Avon

The English Department Stratford Trip

This annual event is designed as a two-fold trip that will stimulate our Lower Sixth students before they study the bard in the Upper Sixth as well as offering a break away from Coll after the rigours of the summer examinations. The trip offers a visit to two RSC productions and tours of all Shakespeare properties from the birthplace to Mary Arden's farm where there is an authentic Elizabethan farm complete with live farmers and white carrots! The delights of Stratford are also on offer with the chance to shop in the local farmer's market as well as see Shakespeare's grave, go rowing and lounging in the sun at the park. Possibly the greatest highlight is in meeting with the actors in The Dirty Duck and having the chance to quiz them on their art. The trip runs for three days just after the close of AS examinations in early June.

Italy

"Glenalmond Italia":  every second year a group of pupils spends an intensive nine day period in late March visiting Rome, Ostia, Tivoli, Pompeii and Paestum. Our travellers enjoy the very best of Italian culture and stay for six nights in Rome on the Aventine Hill overlooking the Circus Maximus and for two nights in Paestum, arguably the "jewel of Campania". A "must" for classicists and historians, the trip is always hugely popular and enjoys a generous financial support from the Andrew Innes Trust. Andrew Innes, who was a Captain of Coll, died in a tragic accident in his early twenties.

Contact: Mr John Wright (johnwright@glenalmondcollege.co.uk) or 01738 842030

France

At half term in the Trinity Term we take a group of Fourth Form pupils to France. Previous successful trips have included Paris and La Rochelle. Glenalmond has recently established contact with a college in Cognac, in the Charente district, which we will visit and where our pupils will have a chance to meet their contemporaries in an informal setting. Excursions have been arranged within Cognac itself (which is Perth's twin town) and the surrounding area.

Contact: Mr Ian McDonald (ianmcdonald@glenalmondcollege.co.uk)

School Exchanges:

Brooks School Massachusetts - USA

Every year, a boy and a girl from the Lower Sixth are chosen on merit, following an interview and submission of an essay, to spend six weeks at our twin school in Massachusetts, Brooks School. Two Brooks' pupils come to Glenalmond for a six week visit and the exchange takes place between late January and early March. This affords excellent academic, sporting and cultural experiences. Each year a teacher from Glenalmond and Brooks exchange places for a week's micro-sabbatical.

Contact: Mr John Wright (johnwright@glenalmondcollege.co.uk) or 01738 842030

Southern Oxford School, Chile

The Headmistress of Southern Oxford School in northern Chile visited us to establish an exchange programme. She has hosted several of our pupils and her son was in Matheson's. Chilean students visit Glenalmond in the autumn and our return group generally travel there in July/August. Knowledge of Spanish language is not an essential but of course is highly recommended.

Contact: Mr Jeremy Poulter (registrar@glenalmondcollege.co.uk) or 01738 842056

FOG (Friends of Glenalmond) Travel Awards

Friends of Glenalmond provides travel awards each year to members of the Upper Sixth form to help fund a project which may be connected with examination subjects or any other legitimate interest. The awards are granted on merit and encourage service to others. Past award winners have travelled to Europe, North Africa, India and Latin America on expeditions, fact-finding trips and to undertake charitable work.

Pupils submit a written application giving an outline of the intended project and a financial breakdown. This is followed by an interview with the committee. It is a condition of the awards that the project actually takes place within an agreed time frame, and recipients are required to give both a written and verbal report on their project to the Committee and/or the College on their return.

Contact: Mr Brian Whitten (brianwhitten@glenalmondcollege.co.uk) or 01738 842045

Ski Trips

Ski trips abroad have been a feature of the Christmas holidays. In recent years we have been to Canada, France and Andorra. These trips have proved very popular with both the seasoned skier and the beginner. We always go to large, well-established resorts and stay in good hotels and, wherever possible, ski-in/ski-out. The trips are a great adventure within a safe and careful atmosphere.

Contact: Mr Alasdair Purdie (alasdairpurdie@glenalmondcollege.co.uk)

Geography Field Trips

Geography is a popular A level subject at Glenalmond and in recent years field trips have taken place on a regular basis to Europe and further afield; most recently to Morocco to study Arid Landscapes and the nearest LEDC country (Less Economically Developed Country).