The Perse School
  • Parent Login
  • Pupil and Staff Login
  • Calendar
  • Sports Fixtures
  • Term dates
  • Search
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Explore
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • Sixth Form Life
    • People
    • The Perse Today
    • Summer School
    • Contact
    • Job Vacancies
    • Policies and Inspection
    • Events
    • Keep in Touch
    • Support Us
    • Get Involved
    • Notable Alumni
    • Head's Blog
    • News Stories
    • Parent Login
    • Pupil and Staff Login
    • Calendar
    • Sports Fixtures
    • Term dates

Three cities, three subjects: on the road in the USA

22 Dec 2015

History, politics and economics were all on the itinerary for a group of 18 sixth formers and two staff who jetted off to the East Coast of the USA earlier this month.

The group packed a huge amount into their five-day, three-city trip. They began in Washington DC where they enjoyed a spectacular illuminated tour of the key sites including the White House, the Korean War Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. A tour of Congress included the chance to sit in on a debate in the House of Representatives. A talk in the chamber of the US Supreme Court took place in front of the court bench and the nine black chairs from which the most important judicial decisions in the history of the country have been pronounced, including Brown v Board of Education in 1954 and the recent Obergerfell decision on same sex marriage.

In Philadelphia the group explored Independence Hall. They had viewed the original Declaration of Independence and US Constitution at the National Archives in Washington, which, although faded, still clearly showed the signatures of, among others, Benjamin Franklin. In Philadelphia they listened to a talk in the room in which both documents were debated and signed. After enjoying a traditional Philly Cheese Steak sandwich they made their way to the steps from the film Rocky where Head of Politics Peter Richards re-created the legendary moment in the film in which the hero sprints up the steps!

Final stop was New York City where the group were wowed by incredible views from the Empire State building and looked around the financial heart of the city, including Wall Street and the American Stock Exchange. They also saw a fantastic production of School of Rock at the Winter Garden Theatre on Times Square, walked through Central Park and took the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping in downtown Manhattan.

Head of Politics Peter Richards said of the trip:

“The sense of history at the Lincoln Memorial was palpable as we surveyed the view of the Washington Monument and Capitol building from the very step where Martin Luther King Jnr made his unforgettable “I have a Dream” speech.”  Our visit to the World Trade Centre affected us all deeply. Our guide, Ibrahima, gave us a profoundly moving account of his experience on the day of the attacks that did not leave us as we stood immersed in our own thoughts before the 9/11 Memorial. Reflecting Absence consists of a field of trees and two large, recessed pools, the footprints of the Twin Towers. The museum itself has the words ‘No Day shall erase you from the memory of time’ (Virgil).

“There was much to reflect on as we made our return journey to Cambridge. We had seen some of the most important sites in American and world history, enjoyed the vibrancy and intensity of American culture with its soaring architecture and dramatic skylines, as well as having ample opportunity to reflect on both the greatest achievements of humanity alongside incomprehensible suffering. The memories from the trip will last a lifetime.”

Categories

Economics, History, Politics, Uncategorized
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google+
  • Email
 
 

Latest News

28 Jun 2019

RIBA National architecture award won by Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre

14 Jun 2019

Perse Prep pupils display their imagination at Design & Technology Exhibition

10 May 2019

Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre wins regional architecture award

Read moreView all

News Archive

2021

March
February
January

2020

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2019

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2018

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2017

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2016

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2015

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2014

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2013

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2012

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2011

December
November
October
September
August
Return to startBack to the peak

The Perse Pelican
Head: Francesca Heftman
92 Glebe Road
Cambridge
CB1 7TD

T +44 (0) 1223 403940

The Perse Prep
Head: James Piper
Trumpington Road
Cambridge
CB2 8EX

T +44 (0) 1223 403920

The Perse Upper
Head: Ed Elliott
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 8QF

T +44 (0) 1223 403800

  • Contact
  • Job Vacancies
  • Our Vision, Values and Aims
  • Term Dates
  • Inspection Report
  • Governors
  • Perse Studio
  • Policies
  • Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
  • Privacy Notices
  • Disclaimer
  • Website Terms of Use
pelican@perse.co.uk
prep@perse.co.uk
schooloffice@perse.co.uk
Twitter Facebook YouTube Instagram

© The Perse School 2021. All Rights reserved.
Crafted by The District and Chameleon Studios

 
Toggle the navigation
 
The Perse School
Parent Login Calendar Site Search
  • Homepage
  • Upcoming Lecture: Mobile Apps become Medical Devices 
  • About us 
    • The Perse Today 
      • Our vision, values and aims 
        • Sustainability 
      • Philosophy 
      • Outreach and Community Partnerships 
      • Governors 
      • Perse in Cambridge 
      • Rooted in History 
        • Timeline 
      • Expanding our Facilities 
    • Summer School 
    • Contact 
      • Open Events 
      • Request Prospectus 
      • Book a Tour 
    • Job Vacancies 
  • Pelican 
    • Admissions 
      • Request Prospectus 
      • Open Morning 
      • Book a Tour 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
        • Nursery and Reception 
        • Years 1 and 2 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Club Pelican 
    • School Life 
      • Home from Home 
      • The School Day 
      • Pelican Behaviour 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet a few of our Pelican staff 
      • Parents’ Association 
  • Prep 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Visiting the Prep 
        • Open Morning 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Taster Morning 
        • Activity Morning 
        • Pre-Test Service 
      • Prep 360 Virtual Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
      • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Assessment 
      • Learning Support 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs 
      • Drama + Music 
      • Sport 
    • School Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The School Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • The House System 
      • School Council 
      • Newsletter 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet a few of our Prep Staff 
      • Parents’ Association 
  • Upper 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Open Days 
      • Visiting the Upper 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Taster Morning 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
        • Help with Fees 
      • Scholarships 
      • Joining Us 
        • Linking Project 
        • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Independent Research 
      • Enrichment 
      • Exam Results 
      • Learning Support 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs + Societies 
        • The 42 Society 
      • Drama + Dance 
      • Music 
      • Outdoor Pursuits 
      • Sport 
      • Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre 
    • School Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The School Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • The House System 
      • Student Council 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet the Staff 
  • 6th Form 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Visiting the Sixth Form 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Open Evening 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
        • International Students 
      • Fees 
        • Help with Fees 
      • Scholarships 
      • Joining Us 
        • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Independent Research 
      • Enrichment 
      • Learning Support 
      • Exam Results 
      • University 
        • University destinations 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs + Societies 
        • The 42 
      • Drama + dance 
      • Music 
      • Outdoor Pursuits 
      • Sport 
    • Sixth Form Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The Sixth Form Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • Student Council 
    • People 
      • Staff list 
      • Meet the Staff 
  • Alumni 
    • Events 
    • Keep in Touch 
      • OP News 
      • E-Newsletter 
        • Perse Profiles 
        • Into The Archive 
        • Recent Events 
      • Find a Friend 
      • Update Form 
      • Contact Us 
      • E-Communications 
    • Support Us 
      • Make a Gift 
      • Bursaries 
      • 2021 Leavers’ Gift 
      • Outreach 
      • Legacies 
      • Donor Recognition 
    • Get Involved 
      • Year Group Reps 
      • Networking & Careers 
      • 42 Society Lectures 
    • Notable Alumni 
  • News 
  • Head's Blog
  • Contact
  • Calendar
  • Sport Fixtures
  • Term Dates
  • Close Menu  Close Menu
  • Parent Login
  • Pupil + Staff Login
  • Close Menu  Close Menu
  • Twitter
  • Facebook