SKI TRIP FEBRUARY 2016 PARENT INFORMATION BOOKLET The Aim of the Trip There is one overriding aim of this trip to Austria; to have fun. We have organised an actionpacked trip. There will be no time for boredom! Even the bus journey out to Austria, although long, will involve videos, games and have a general buzz of excitement as we all prepare for the sun and ski. More than just a Holiday This ski holiday will pose superb physical and social challenges and give your son/daughter the chance to experience a challenging environment that cannot be re-created in the classroom. All those taking part (teachers included!) will develop their confidence in a safe and stimulating environment. This holiday is also going to be a journey into personal limits and achievements, where teamwork and co-operation will win the day. Social Development Tackling new activities as part of a group is both inspiring and rewarding. It is through these experiences that we learn to appreciate the value and contribution of others and build friendships and self-confidence. Your son/daughter might be surprised to see the teaching staff in a different light as well. Physical Development For our beginners, learning how to ski will be very challenging but highly rewarding. Those who can already ski will face the challenge of developing their skills. This will encourage us to see our strengths and achieve goals in an action packed environment. Zugspitz Arena The Zugspitz Arena sits on the border between Germany and Austria. There are 212km of piste with skiing at 1000-3000 metres. There are a variety of different runs 90km blue, 95km red, 16km black. Students will be in en-suite rooms of 2 to 4. We will be provided with 3 meals per day, lunch will be a packed lunch that students will carry with them to the piste. SkiTeam4 will provide us with a representative who will look after all of our groups needs throughout the week. There will be a full evening entertainment programme provided. This will include a visit to the local town and a visit to a ski show. Education for life in all its fullness
Safety Matters We have put much thought and effort into choosing the best travel company for us. SkiTeam4 are a very experienced school ski travel company. Their UK based directors have over 60 years combined experience of school travel operations. Their fully qualified and experienced team in the resort will make sure that our week is not only enjoyable and problem-free, but also completely safe for everyone taking part. All Ski instructors are fully trained to strict standards and all equipment is regularly checked. SkiTeam4 are full members of ABTA and the School Travel Forum. The school has a comprehensive insurance policy for all staff and students; a summary of the policy is at the back of this pack. Staff The trip leader is Mr Birks-Agnew, and the deputy trip leader is Mrs Miles. The other staff attending are Miss Martin, Mr Petty, Miss Stafford, and Mr Williams. Our decisions are final. We want this to be an enjoyable and fun packed week, but students need to keep within the boundaries of thoughtful and appropriate behaviour. First Aid Safety is our primary concern. Ski Instructors are fully trained in First Aid and the slopes have medical facilities. Students will be supervised by trained instructors at all times when on the mountain. There are A&E facilities nearby. If your son/daughter needs any prescription medication during the trip (including asthma pumps), you must ensure it is clearly labelled. Asthma pumps and epi-pens should be kept hold of by your son/daughter and carried at all times. All other medication (including a spare epi-pen and asthma pump if your child needs one) should be given to Mr Williams at the start of the holiday with clear instructions of when/how it should be administered. If you wish to allow your son/daughter to have non-prescription medication such as paracetamol during the trip, you should also hand this to Mr Williams with written instructions of the dose that can be given. Any specific medical needs should have been clearly stated on the medical form completed at the start of the academic year. If there has been a change please inform us ASAP. 2
The Code of Conduct We will also be ambassadors for Trinity School during the trip. We fully intend to be proud of our students and their behaviour, and expect that they will earn the right for future students to enjoy such opportunities. Please read the following with your son/daughter before the trip, as it is important that you both understand the boundaries for behaviour before we set off. This is going to be a fantastic and exciting adventure. Each and every one of us will be responsible for making a positive contribution towards the success of the visit. It is vital that we understand the need to be sensible and mature. Don t forget that this is a holiday for the teachers as well, and that we require a stress-free break from teaching! We do not want to resort to sanctions and withdrawal of privileges, but your son/daughter should understand that if behaviour merits it, we will act. Expectations After lights out (times will vary depending on evening activity), there must be quiet. This doesn t mean silence. We are not asking for the impossible. Conversations must be hushed and there is to be absolutely no singing or shouting It is illegal for you to drink alcohol. The bar at the hotel will not serve you alcohol, so please don t try. You are welcome to buy soft drinks and snacks at the bar if you wish to do so Swearing is not cool and will not be tolerated, even when we are speeding down the slopes! Swearing tarnishes the image of the school and is totally unacceptable If you decide to bring expensive items (mobile phones etc.) you are responsible for them. No smoking. Get caught and face very serious consequences Absolutely no unsupervised skiing. You will have 5 hours skiing per day, which is more than enough. Break this rule and risk sitting out of activities for the rest of the week! No boys in the girls rooms and vice versa and no hanging out in other peoples rooms we have a group rooms for us in the hotel where you can chill out When on the snow always follow the instructor s instructions, make sure you stay with your group and no dangerous conduct Ultimate sanctions that will be used are: being sent home or sitting out of the skiing. However, we don t expect to have to use either of these. Please sign the behaviour contract and return it to us if you did not do so at the meeting. 3
Travel Details & Contact Numbers All the times stated are local. Times may fluctuate according to traffic and delays on the tunnel/ferry. Drop off and pick up is at Trinity School. Depart: Friday, 12 th February 09:30 Return: Friday 19 th February 12:00 Contact Details Below is the address of the hotel that we will be staying at in Austria. Please, please remember that this should only be used in cases of emergency. Students will have access to payphones whilst in Austria and will be able to contact home if they don t have a mobile phone that works abroad. Don t forget, however, the less they phone, the more fun they re having! Hotel Ernberg Planseestraße 50 6600 Breitenwang Austria Phone +43 (0)56 72-71912 If you need to contact us in an emergency please call 07714 253 900. This number will enable you to speak directly to us in Austria. Please do not contact your child directly if it is bad or difficult news. If we need to contact you should your child injure themselves or be feeling down we will do this directly. A member of the school leadership team in the UK will only contact you if a serious incident occurs that we are not able to manage from the resort. We will be travelling to Austria on a fully inspected and approved executive coach. We will be crossing the channel using DFDS Line from Dover to Dunkirk for the outward journey on the 12.00 crossing. We will be crossing the channel using Eurotunnel for the return journey on the 10:20 crossing. Students will be expected to wear seat belts whenever the coach is moving. We hope that our journey will be delay free BUT through experience this is not always the case. If we are delayed on our return you will be contacted by us. Please ensure all the contact details held by the school are up to date. If you are away during half term please ensure we know how to contact you, or that the details of an alternative contact is given to us. 4
Kit List Wear on the day Hoodie Comfortable shoes and clothes for the journey. Shoes should be suitable for walking on snow as it is likely there will be snow on the ground at service stations and in the resort. On the Coach Small rucksack/bag Strong drinks bottle filled with water no fizzy drinks, juice or energy drinks Pillow 1 pair of ski socks Food/snacks for journey/breakfast not too many sweets please & nothing with nuts Games/entertainment for the journey Toothbrush and toothpaste/mouthwash for final stop In the Hold Personal wash kit including a small towel Skiwear (see note below) Sleepwear Trousers/jeans/tracksuit bottoms Ample underwear and socks (including thermals!) Plenty of T-shirts (preferably long sleeve) Warm jumpers/fleeces Warm coat for evenings (ski jacket will be fine) Sunglasses (plastic frame) Sun block and lip balm/lipsil Camera Slippers Hat and gloves Teddy (optional) Swim wear (optional) All items must be clearly labelled. Please be sensible when choosing what to bring. It will be cold, and we need to get 56 sets of luggage in the coach!! Please do not pack any unnecessary valuables, such as expensive cameras, laptops, jewellery, etc. We will not take responsibility for such items. Please think carefully about food for the journey, there will be opportunities to buy food on the ferry and at service stations, however, these can be expensive. No chewing gum and no drinks other than water on the coach. Your son/daughter will be given all meals on Saturday. Please limit luggage to one medium-sized case/bag (preferably a sports bag) and one piece of hand luggage (a small rucksack). 5
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SKIWEAR: Your son/daughter will need at least one complete ski outfit. This must contain either an all-in-one ski suit or a suitable ski jacket and ski trousers. They will also need long ski socks (at least 3 pairs), ski goggles and proper ski gloves. They will not be able to ski unless they have the correct equipment. A snood or scarf is also useful to protect the face if it is very cold on the mountain. Appropriate footwear for walking on snow is also important. The service stations, the areas around the hotel and places we visit will have snow on the ground. Shoes need to give sufficient protection from the wet and have suitable grip. Canvas shoes are not appropriate. Money There is very little to spend money on during the trip. We recommend that pupils bring no more than 80. This money needs to be changed into Euros. These Euros can also be used in service stations on the journey. Mr Petty will be running a banking service for those who wish to deposit their money with him. At the start of the trip students who want to use the bank need to deposit their money in a clearly marked envelope (not sealed), stating how much is in there. PLEASE REMEMBER to keep some Euros on you for the journey there, as the bank will not open for withdrawals until we arrive at the resort. Smaller notes ( 5 or 10) are best. Coins for the journey are helpful as some service stations charge to use the toilet. A small amount of pounds may be wanted to buy breakfast on the way home. Final Checklist Sign and return the behaviour contract Self assess ski ability (see reverse of behaviour contract) Hand in passports and EHIC cards if not already done so Check the kit list & departure and pick-up times carefully All medication to be clearly marked and given to Mr Williams on the day of departure Pocket money to be changed into Euros hand to Mr Petty if you want your son/daughter to use the bank Any DVDs you want to put in the library for the journey there and back, please hand to Miss Martin before we leave U, PG, 12 or 12A rating only please Food and drink for the journey Think about who you would like to share rooms with 6