Writes Alexander Z. (U6th)
On Tuesday, the Senior Geography Society welcomed OMT members, Alex Munro and Simon Peart, who had taken part in the Richard Green Memorial Prize expedition, who shared reflections on their journey to the island of La Réunion. The session opened with a brief explanation of how future candidates can apply, as well as an overview of how the competition was founded through Richard Green’s passion for global exploration.
The talk explored both the practical challenges of travel and weather, alongside the island’s striking natural environment. Particular attention was given to Cilaos, a remote mountain town renowned for its breathtaking scenery. Access to Cilaos was highlighted as a defining feature of the trip, with transport infrastructure playing a key role in shaping their experience. Despite the island’s rugged terrain, the speakers noted that transport was surprisingly efficient.
The speakers explained that travelling across La Réunion can be physically demanding yet highly rewarding, with persistent rainfall and long, steep hikes presenting significant challenges. They also reflected on everyday life on the island, including food and supplies.
One memorable observation was the island’s reliance on imported goods, exemplified by Fanta being imported from Vietnam, which underscored La Réunion’s geographical isolation and dependence on global trade networks.
Much of the talk focused on the island’s exceptional natural beauty and climate. La Réunion was described as intensely scenic, with lush landscapes sustained by highly variable cloud cover. Mornings were often characterised by bright sunshine, while rainfall was common later in the day, contributing to the island’s dense vegetation and biodiversity. This balance of sunshine and rain was presented as central to the island’s powerful natural environment.
Overall, the talk conveyed a vivid impression of La Réunion as a place of outstanding natural beauty, shaped by its climate, geography and isolation. The speakers effectively communicated both the challenges and rewards of their journey, making the trip a fitting testament to Richard Green’s legacy and something the school can be proud of.
The Richard Green Memorial Prize is open to all current Year 13 students. Successful applications can win up to £3000 to go towards an expedition into the wilderness. For more information, or to receive an application form, please email Mr Murray-Brown (alm@mtsn.org.uk).
