End-of-year school trip: 1º or 2º Bachillerato?

The date of the end-of-year school trip is a very common issue when students get to Bachillerato. There is a lot of controversy about travelling in 1º or in 2º Bachillerato.

On the one hand, if students do the trip in 2º Bachillerato, they will have a great experience before they leave school. Besides, it will be a wonderful leaving party with the graduation.

In addition, students could save money for more time and, having more money, they can do a better trip or go to a farther destination.

On the other hand, students in 2º Bachillerato are very worried with Selectivity. If they take it, they will have to study.

Moreover, most of them are eighteen year old so they could think that they are grown-ups and then they could believe to have more freedom, but if they cause any damage in the hotel for example, it will have serious consequences.

Personally, I think that if students are responsible and they study every day of the year, the trip can be made in 2º Bachillerato and it can provide a unique experience for them


Beatriz Gutiérrez Caneda
IES Nuestra Señora de la Victoria
1º Bachillerato B



If you want to give your opinion on this topic, write it and give it to your teachers of English, they will publish it here.

Happy April Fools' Day!

April Fools' Day, sometimes called All Fools' Day, is one of the most light hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar.
Ancient cultures, including those as varied as the Romans and the Hindus, celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. It closely follows the vernal equinox (March 20th or March 21st.) In medieval times, much of Europe celebrated March 25, the Feast of Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year.
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian Calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's day to Jan. 1. According to a popular explanation, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. These backward folk were labeled as "fools" by the general populace. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europe.
The soul of April Fool's Day lies in the funny pranks that are played on that day. The real good prank is the one that makes the victim laugh and enjoy as much as the other people who witness it. It's not nice to harm someone while pranking people and keep it safe.

In Spain we celebrate the Day of the Innocents on December 28th. It observes the day when, according to the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, King Herod ordered the baby boys under 2 years old in Bethlehem to be killed because he was afraid that the baby Jesus born there would become a rival. As it turned out, though, the baby Jesus had been taken away to Egypt by Mary and Joseph. So the "joke" was on Herod, and thus followed the tradition of tricking friends on that day.

It is Easter in Spain today, and it makes it even odder to think of pulling someone's leg, but just take April Fools' Day into account in case you receive an incredible e-mail from an English friend...

March 17th: Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing christianity to Ireland.
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by the Irish and Irish at Heart in big cities and small towns alike with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. Its a time for fun.

Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Why is the Shamrock the National Flower of Ireland ? Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century. He is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish.

So, why is it celebrated on March 17th? One theory is that that is the day that St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th. Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass.

In American cities with a large Irish population, St. Patrick's Day is a very big deal. Big cities and small towns alike celebrate with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green!

This year the Dublin Parade will be on Wednesday 17th March, at the City Centre, starting at Parnell Square, at 12 noon.

Will you go?