Year Eight 2015 France/Belgium Trip
Aims for this evening: Provide information about the trip to both parents and students Opportunity to ask questions (at the end) Give you the confidence that you have all the information you need to help prepare your son/daughter for the trip!
Where will we go? The chateau lies close to the town of St Omer in northern France, one hour from Calais. St Omer
What will we do? We have a brilliant mix of all sorts of experiences. An itinerary is attached but we will be visiting the 1 st World War Trenches, Allied Cemetery, German Cemetery, German Bunker, Menin Gate, Ypres, Chocolate shop, French Market, Town Trail in St Omer, Theme Park. We will have free time some evenings where we will be able to have time to play games. We also have organised activities such as a crêpe evening. You will need disco gear as well!
Dates of the trips Monday 29 th June Friday 3 rd July X Band (NGO, KMA, LSH, SWI) Monday 6 th July Friday 10 th July) Y Band (VBA, EMI, ATO, AGR)
Ethos of the trip Why we are going You will have to learn to get on with and understand your friends and you may learn things you never knew about them! You will have to organise yourselves and listen to instructions. You will have to be good at time keeping and looking after your things. You will learn about the history of the area and, in particular, the important role it played in World War One and Two
Ethos of the trip Why we are going You will learn new words in French and gain in confidence to speak French. You will understand that other people live differently in other countries. You will learn that you have to go to sleep or you may become very miserable! You will learn what a lot of things your Mum and Dad do for you.
Ethos of the trip Why we are going Build character Develop independent skills Understand and experience new cultures Opportunity to use your language skills Learn about the history of the region Have fun!
Organising Trip Provider - NST nstgroup.co.uk visit their website Comprehensive Travel Insurance Comprehensive Risk Assessment Specialist staff in France with us at all times The same trip ran successfully at Bridgewater School with NST Company work with schools since 1967
Staff on the trips X band: Mr Hart (Trip leader), Mr Goodchild, Miss Shaw (MFL), Miss Milton (MFL), Mr McDonald, Mrs Wilton (TA) + 3 x Youth workers = 9 staff Y Band: Mr Hart (Trip leader), Mr Jones, Mr Tonge, Miss Dunford (MFL), Ms Swift (MFL), Mrs Burt (Learning Mentor), Mr Dobie(TA) + 1 more staff member (TBC) = 8 staff
Passports/EHIC We need a copy of your valid, in-date passport We need a copy of your valid EHIC card You MUST bring your passport with you! We cannot hold passports at school so don t forget it on the Monday you leave!
Medical issues We request you provide us with any relevant medical information as soon as possible so that we can properly prepare for any medical issues (diet, medication, allergies etc)
Itinerary (Same for both trips) Monday - Depart 9.30am (arrive at school normal time) - Ferry from Dover 2pm - Arrive Calais 4.30pm - Arrive at Chateau 5.30pm - Settle, then Evening meal and straight to bed!
Tuesday 8am Breakfast and make lunch Morning Town trail in Saint Omer Lunch in St Omer Afternoon Trip to German Bunker! Evening meal and activities
Wednesday 8am Breakfast and make lunch Morning Sanctuary Wood (Trenches) Lunch Afternoon Tyne Cot/ Langemark cemeteries Arrive in Ypres mid afternoon Evening meal in restaurant Menin Gate ceremony at 8pm (lay wreaths) Back to chateau
What happens at the Menin Gate? Every evening there is a service held at the Menin Gate to remember all those who died at war. It is a solemn and moving ceremony and everyone must behave with respect and sensitivity. We will be taking part in the ceremony and laying a wreath. One representative per form. We will be choosing students to represent our school. You will be asked to bring your uniform with you to wear at the ceremony.
Thursday 8am Breakfast and make lunch Day trip to Bellewaerde Theme Park 5pm return to chateau Evening meal and disco!
Friday 8am Breakfast, make lunch and pack! Morning Visit traditional town market in Aire Sur La Lys Lunch in Aire Sur La Lys Travel to Calais Ferry from Calais at 4pm Arrive Dover 4.35pm Back to Ashlyns 7.45pm approx
Travel arrangements Two coaches (All travel on same bus all week) Students in same travel groups all week Need packed lunch for journey on the way out Toilets on coaches (Emergency only) Travel sickness (Please inform us) On Ferry (Stay in travel groups, stay inside) Home at 7.45pm (Dependent on ferries running smoothly and M25! Phone parents once we are one hour away, please be there!)
Chateau d Ebblinghem 2 wings of chateau (Le Manoir + La Gareyn) Rooms vary (4 to 6 beds) most are 4 beds Students asked to name 2 friends they would like to room with, we will aim to get at least 1 friend in the same room as you We will sort out rooming, students find out when we arrive Rooms have bunkbeds, are ensuite and bedding is provided. You may want to bring a pillow! Each wing has a secure code on the door and the whole site is supervised
What is the food like? The food is cooked by French chefs and offers a good variety of different meals. There will be a three course evening meal with a choice including salad and usually baked potatoes. Please inform us if you have any special dietary requirements. Please take the opportunity to try new food. You will be expected to ask for some of your meals in French! Packed lunches are made by you so that y
What to bring/kit list One small suitcase/rucksack/bag One rucksack for daily use Waterproof coat (We are out all day, everyday) Plastic bags for wet kit/clothes Suitable footwear (Trenches can be muddy) Outdoor clothes, sensible! Sun cream, toiletries, charger, water bottle Spending money (15-20 euros per day)
Will we be doing any work? Mais Oui!! Yes you will be asked to make a scrap book/diary either on your own or with someone else. You can collect postcards/wrappers/photos and write about your experience.(hopefully some of you can do some of this in French) You will do some whilst you are in France and will finish off back here. You will also be asked to keep a record of all that you spend each day. You will also be expected to speak French and have a go when we go to the market and shops!
What will be expected of us? We want to have a really fun and enjoyable trip but to do that we need to be able to trust you to do what you are asked when you are asked. So.. Listen to instructions. Organise yourselves. Help each other Be on time. Take every opportunity offered. Stay in your rooms after lights out. Be respectful. Be interested. Work hard but have fun!
We need from you: Copy of your passport Copy of your EHIC Signed and completed mobile phone slip Signed Behaviour contract Any new medical issues (email, phone) Please inform us of any dietary issues We will provide a copy of the power point after half term