Updated: 04/05/08 09:17am
Departure
We will be leaving from the car park by the sports
hall at 7.30pm. Please be at school with your luggage at 7.00. Can I
ask you to pack using a soft hold-all type bag rather than a hard
suitcase as these make life very difficult for the coach drivers to
pack in the hold of the coach, you also need to be able to carry
your own bag! We are booked on the 11.00pm ferry from Dover to
Calais (P&O). The transfer from Calais to the resort is
approximately 16 hours so our estimated time of arrival is 5.30pm on
Saturday (4.30pm English time). When we arrive I will ‘phone the
parents at the top and middle of the ring-round list. If your number
is wrong please contact the person who will be calling you so we
don’t break the chain. Some students will no doubt text or call
independently, if you hear from your child please start the ring
round from your point – hopefully this will speed up the whole
process. Please don’t worry if you don’t hear from us at 5.30pm –
delays are not uncommon.
Money
We will collect in pocket money on the coach between Barking and
Dover
so please pack it in your carry-on bag. Students should keep back enough money
for the journey. Money needs to be already changed into euros (120 euros should
be enough), although you may need some sterling for the ferry. Pocket money can
be withdrawn from the bank each evening.
Coach
Seat belts must be worn at all times. Wear layers to prevent you getting
too hot or cold. You need a travel pillow or similar and a blanket or sleeping
bag (you could share this with the person you are sitting by). Bring some snacks
and drinks – remember motorway services can be very expensive. Teachers will be
spread throughout the coach. Please use the toilet for emergencies only! The
coach has a DVD player so bring some films for us to watch (12 and PG only).
Hotel
We are staying at the Jugendgastehaus Felseralm, Obertauern. The telephone
number is 0043 064567203 (emergencies only please). We will need to bring towels
but bedding is supplied. I have just received rooming details and I will sort
out the rooming gradually with students to ensure no-one is left out. We have
full-board accommodation.
Behaviour
For any trip of this size to work we need to rely on students to behave
themselves. We are not the only occupants of the hotel so we need to use the
facilities with consideration for others. There will be no alcohol or smoking
and no-one is to leave their room after lights out. Breaking either of these
rules will result in your ski-pass being taken from you for the following day.
If everyone treats all members of the party (students, staff, ski instructors,
hotel staff, and drivers) with respect and kindness we will have no problems.
Everyone also needs to observe meeting times so we don’t miss out on our
activities because we are having to wait for people. Other punishments for poor
behaviour (in addition to not skiing) are losing free time privileges and
having to dine with the staff! In cases of extreme or dangerous behaviour
students could be put on a plane home. In this instance parents would be
responsible for both the cost of the flight and meeting your child at the
airport.
Return
After skiing on Friday we will have dinner then depart for Calais. We are booked
on the 2.05pm ferry on Saturday from Calais and expect to arrive back to school
around 4.30 – 5.00pm. I will do the ring-round list once we get to Dover and
have a good idea if we’ll be on time.”
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