We kicked off our second day in London with a full schedule focused on deepening our cultural understanding and building new connections. After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, we boarded our coach and enjoyed another scenic drive through central London, passing notable landmarks like Victoria Palace Theatre—where we’ll be seeing Hamilton tomorrow—and Hyde Park.

Once at St. Claudine’s, we were welcomed by excited students and staff. Their students led our girls on small group tours of the school. The girls were impressed by the wide age range of subjects offered, including music classes, instruction in over five languages, and a food science class. They were also surprised to learn that St. Claudine’s School has over 900 students (which includes middle and high school students).

Our students then joined their peers for a class period. They sat in on a range of subjects, including Mathematics, English Literature, Sports, and Science. Many were surprised by the similarities in curriculum across the two countries. Aziza was especially excited to recognize a math lesson from iReady, and Trinity enjoyed connecting with two girls from Brazil during her science class. The visit ended with time for icebreakers and games, giving the students a chance to start building friendships. They’re looking forward to seeing their new friends again at the retreat on Friday!

After leaving St. Claudine’s, we traveled to Brixton, a neighborhood in South London known for its Afro-Caribbean heritage. There, we met AnnMarie Walker, a local historian who grew up in Brixton. We began with lunch at Fish, Wings, and Tings, where the girls enjoyed dishes like jerk chicken and curried mutton.

We then explored Brixton Village, a busy indoor market filled with shops and restaurants representing influential cultures in Brixton—including Caribbean, Latin American, Irish, Chinese, and Japanese influences. AnnMarie guided us through the neighborhood, sharing stories about Brixton’s culture and history. She spoke about the area’s contributions to music and art and detailed the important role Brixton’s Black and Caribbean communities have played in English history. 

As we explored Brixton, we saw a film crew shooting scenes on a street. They confirmed they were shooting for a movie, but they weren’t able to share the name, so we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled to see if we can spot the scene in a future film!

Back at the hotel, the students had some free time to unwind before we headed out for dinner at a nearby pizza restaurant. Once back, the girls spent time journaling and reflecting on what they learned about their peers at St. Claudine’s and the history of Brixton. Lights were out early, as everyone is resting up for a big day tomorrow of sightseeing and the Hamilton performance in the evening!