Day 07 – Oxford
Still in a zombie-like state, we set off bright and early today to catch the train to Oxford! During the one hour train ride most of us slept, some snored, but we still managed to catch glimpses of the beautiful English countryside. Rolling green fields dotted with quaint English cottages – what a refreshing sight after the metal and concrete jungle that is London!
When we reached Oxford, we were met by Nuala Young, a former town councilwoman and our guide for today. Within the town hall, we were introduced to the rich history of Oxford and the beginnings of Oxford University. Oxford itself was first inhabited by the Romans, Anglo-Saxons and subsequently the Normans. The University started off as a group of poor British students who fled from Paris after being evicted from the country by King Philip, due to a feud with the English King. Over the years, a proper university developed with actual teaching existing since 1096. We discovered that Oxford originally had exams based on subject debates in which there was no set answer or standard to adhere to. While this trained students to fully justify their every claim, a proper standard was needed, thus written exams were set from 1800 onwards. The original type of education system was very intriguing to us because the concept of vocalising our arguments in a persuasive manner is quite foreign to us Singaporean students who are used to writing things down.
Our guide Nuala also talked to us about the challenges faced by an old historic town like Oxford. While certain politicians wanted Oxford to increase urban expansion to achieve economic viability, this could compromise the historical beauty of the town and its heritage. Small quaint shops may have to go in place of large malls and medieval grounds may be built over. Such problems made us think about how cities, like Singapore, can find a balance between economic viability and the preservation of our heritage.
After breaking for a warm lunch in the town’s covered market, we headed off for a walking tour of the Oxford University and its colleges. Oxford University has 38 colleges, out of which we visited one - the famous Christchurch College. Christchurch is not the oldest college (Merton College is) but it is one of the most prolific and impressive in terms of architecture. It is the only college that houses a cathedral! It was lovely to walk around the compound and soak in the view, especially with the sun shining on us and warming our frozen bodies. Although there are currently only 206 Singaporean students in Oxford, I hope that the number will expand and that our Saints will be amongst that number.
On our tour, we saw some of the areas in which the Harry Potter movies were filmed, such as the Great Hall that was inspired by the dining hall in Christchurch or the wide stone staircases of Christchurch College that became the staircases in Hogwarts. Many of us Harry Potter fans were thrilled to be there at the actual filming locations and some of us were even tempted to sit at the dining hall and pretend we were feasting in Hogwarts!
We discovered that Christchurch was the college of many famous people including W.H Auden and Lewis Carroll. In fact, Lewis Carroll’s book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, were inspired by his surroundings and experiences in Oxford. His book was based on stories he had told the dean’s daughter, Alice, and many of his other characters were also inspired by real-life people he met in Oxford! Some speculate that the Hare was inspired by the dean himself who often rushed to attend service in the Cathedral through a secret door, much like the Hare in the book. It was very interesting to see the inspirations behind such a magical book and I think many of us will be able to appreciate it better as a result.
We ended our tour with a much anticipated stop at the Oxford University gift shop! There we got our fix of souvenirs and Oxford sweaters which we can now wear in our chilly lectures. Later we were also given a rare opportunity to shop at some of the high-street shops like Primark where we stocked up on cheap clothes and presents. Parents, no worries, we have not spent all of your money…yet.
To end off the day, we went for a hearty dinner at the Beefeaters Grill though many of us didn’t actually eat beef. Some had risotto, grilled chicken and even salmon. It was a good meal and it would’ve been a good end to the day if we our train ride home hadn’t been cancelled unexpectedly! Thus we had to wait for a later train, and this left us secretly cursing the British railway system. However, it also made us realize that Singapore’s MRT wasn’t all that bad and it ma de us more appreciative of our relatively reliable train system.
Written by Gillian Chan 12A01 (Group C)
We will gather at Changi Airport Terminal 1, Row 2 (Flight EK 007) at 6.30pm for our overnight flight to London via Dubai.
1. Panoramic Tour of the city with a Blue Badge Guide (in the morning)
Highlights: able to see iconic places in London such as the Buckingham Palace, the Horse Guards, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and all the other famous London landmarks.
2. British Museum (in the afternoon)
Highlights: attend a special exhibition “Staging the World” at the British Museum, which provides a unique insight into the emerging role of London as a world city, seen through the innovative perspective of Shakespeare’s plays.
1. Brixton Market (in the morning)
Highlights: appreciate the diverse community of Brixton through its well-known African and Caribbean produce.
2. Houses of Parliament (in the afternoon)
Highlights: learn more about the British Parliament’s current work and history through a Guided Tour.
1. Tower of London (in the morning)
Highlights: a historic castle founded towards the end of 1066. It is a World Heritage Site today.
2. National Gallery (in the afternoon)
Highlights: an art museum founded in 1824, it houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. It is the fourth most visited art museum in the world.
3. Even Song at Westminster Abbey (in the evening)
Highlights: witness the beautiful architecture of Westminster Abbey and experience of the beauty of music.
4. Southbank Christmas Markets
1. Gumley House Convent School
Highlights: a full day of interaction and activities with local students. It is an opportunity to experience studying under the British education system.
2. Let It Be (in the evening)
Highlights: a musical based on the lives of The Beatles.
1. Charles Dickens Walk (in the morning)
Highlights: strolling through the courtyards of Lincolns Inn where Dickens set his famous novel “Bleak House”, finding out how Dickens contributed to the founding of London’s first and most famous childrens’ hospital and viewing a 15th century dining hall and a 17th century chapel.
2. Royal Courts of Justice (in the afternoon)
Highlights: learning about the history, art and architecture of the Royal Courts of Justice. In addition, learn about the different roles and working spaces in court.
3. War Horse
Highlights: a play based on the book of the same name by acclaimed children's writer Michael Morpurgo.
1. Drama Workshop at the Globe Theatre (in the morning)
Highlights: the focus will be on the aspects of Shakespearean performance via an introduction on Othello.
2. Tate Modern
Highlights: emphasis on the portrayal of individuals in modern art and implications vis the relatioinship of the individual and society in the 20th and 21st centuries.
3. Richard III
Highlights: a play by William Shakespeare. It depicts the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard III of England.
1. Oxford
Highlights: Meeting Nuala Young, former City Councillor. Discovering the challenges faced with respect to managing the University Town. Going on the walking tour of Oxford and uncovering the literary heritage of Oxford.
1. Singapore High Commission
Highlights: learn about Singapore’s Trade and Economic ties with Britain.
2. Poetry and Dialogue Session with published poet and former BBC Poet-in-Residence
Highlights: A face-to-face session that will allow students to listen to the reading of his poems, understand his inspiration and learn how they are formed.
1. Borough Market (in the morning)
Highlights: see how the Urban Space Management helped win significant regeneration funds under the title “London’s Larder”. The project rapidly moved to become one of the country’s best known food retail markets.
2. Imperial War Museum (in the afternoon)
Highlights: focusing on war poets.
1. Check out of the hotel and board the waiting coach.
2. Possibly drive through the Docklands and East London to see how the area has been redeveloped for the London Olympics.
Arrive in Singapore in the evening.
When we reached Oxford, we were met by Nuala Young, a former town councilwoman and our guide for today. Within the town hall, we were introduced to the rich history of Oxford and the beginnings of Oxford University. Oxford itself was first inhabited by the Romans, Anglo-Saxons and subsequently the Normans. The University started off as a group of poor British students who fled from Paris after being evicted from the country by King Philip, due to a feud with the English King. Over the years, a proper university developed with actual teaching existing since 1096. We discovered that Oxford originally had exams based on subject debates in which there was no set answer or standard to adhere to. While this trained students to fully justify their every claim, a proper standard was needed, thus written exams were set from 1800 onwards. The original type of education system was very intriguing to us because the concept of vocalising our arguments in a persuasive manner is quite foreign to us Singaporean students who are used to writing things down. 
