Year 2 Geography Trip to South Wales
Our Year 2 Geographers recently traded their desks for the rugged South Wales coastline during an intensive trip to the Field Studies Council at Margam Country Park.
We left early on Friday 6th February, a prompt 7:30 AM departure from St Dominic’s. Upon arrival at Newton Beach, students immediately began primary data collection. Despite persistent rain, the group showed impressive grit investigating sediment analysis and coastal defences. As one student put it, it was “learning in live action” even if they were “soaked to the bone!” Their hard work was rewarded when the rain eventually stopped, revealing amazing views across the Welsh coastline.
The evening at the study centre was dedicated to data consolidation for upcoming exams. After a tour of the grounds to meet the resident alpacas and goats—described by students as “nice animals, awful weather”—a “digital detox” occurred when the Wi-Fi faltered. This led to a wonderful atmosphere of tea-drinking, chatting, and highly competitive card games in the common rooms.
On Day 2, the group moved to Jersey Marine Beach to study sand dune (psammosere) succession. Students worked cooperatively to gather high-quality data, with many noting that the trip “felt like a family doing tasks together.”
Student Voices:
- “ Helped me understand coasts a bit more and fun trip!” – On coastal field work.
- “Wind does not break the spirit.” – On the coastal weather.
- “ This trip was a great way for visual learners to really understand how different processes and hard engineering affect the coast and people.” – On the work
- “Wales is cool.” – On the overall experience.
Well done to all students for their attitude and behaviour and how they represented the college. Plus a big thank you to the staff who joined us and who made this trip such a success.
Alan Ritchie | Teacher of Geography
