Ardres 2012: Thank you

Probably the final Ardres blog post for this year's trip.  I would like to thank publicly the staff who made the trip possible.  Miss "Admiral" Story, Miss Cassan, Mrs Liley, Mr Edlin, Mr Cox and, of course, Mr Rogers, whose hard work throughout the year completing all the paperwork and liaising with the tour company made the whole thing possible.

Thanks also to the pupils whose enthusiasm and conspicuous enjoyment made the trip a pleasure to be a part of. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves despite the gale-force ferry journeys and occasional spots of rain. The weather was a little cooler than last year, but hearing what is was like at home over the same period made us realise that we were actually very lucky that the sun shone for most of the week.

Those of you in Year 7 who would like a chance to repeat the experience (or feel you missed out this time) and anyone in Year 6 who sees this will be pleased to hear that we have already reserved a village for the Summer half-term holiday week next year, 2013.  We will launch the trip in the September term, so watch out for the letters and be prepared to bring back the deposit quickly; the original capacity filled up very fast this time.

Finally, thank you for the thank yous, as it were.  The emails, cards (and even chocolates!) are much appreciated.

Ardres 2012: Photos

I've put a selection of photos from this week's trip to Ardres into a Picasa Web Album, accessible via the following link: Ardres 2012 photos.

ETA UPDATE

Journey has been quick. Expected back shortly after 2pm.

Latest ETA

Owing to a slight delay docking at Dover, we are now expecting to arrive at about 2:45pm.

Ignore last post!

Unexpectedly squeezed onto 10.00 ferry so no delay now expected.

Updated return time

Currently delayed at ferry port, looks like at least 2 hours, will post when we have more definite details.

Packing.

After a rather wet afternoon, the sun is once again shining and all have survived intact. Everyone is now involved in packing and forcing dirty wet clothes into bin liners ready for tomorrow's journey home.

Wednesday: Bright and breezy

Excellent sailing weather.
So far not able to connect to wi-fi so unable to post photos.

Sunshine

Tuesday morning and the sun is shining.

Arrived

We have arrived safely at Ardres.

France!

After a somewhat lumpy crossing, we have arrived in France and are on our way to Ardres.

Ardres 2012: The final countdown

Hopefully you will all have received an email directing you here, if you had not found this blog already.  Please see the kit list and travel itinerary posted below.  We look forward to seeing you all bright and early at 5:45 on Monday morning.

Please park inside the school grounds in the car park (or the edge of the school field) and keep St Julian's Lane as clear as possible so that the coach (which is a large one) can park in the lane.  Pupils will need to report to the member of staff listed below to register and will then be taken to board the coach.

Miss Cassan:  Maddy O'Meara, Lottie Bentham, Alex Griffiths, Ashleigh Phipps, Lily Simon, Sam Thompson, Jacob Bizzell-Hawes, Ollie Webb

Mr Court: Max Walsh, Jake Solomon, Blake Barling, Reba McDowall, Daniel Phillips, Harry Marsh, Piers Hamer, Samir Bahemou


Mr Cox:  Kieran Turnbull, George Burgess, Will Pope, Ben Cottey-Hill, Harrison Blair, Jacob Thompson, Nick Bandar, Chris Martin

Mr Edlin:  Joseph Batchelor, Kyran O'Brien, Jamie Smith, George Fletcher, Andrew Huet, Connor Lee, Rhys Prince, Cameran Lake-Gouhari, Oscar Pike-Scott

Mrs Liley:  Jasmine Milward, Gigi Liley, Amelia Leclercq, Ella Brock, Emily Erskine, Olivia Kelsey, Chloe Stearns, Emily Prosser, Amelia Paul

Mr Rogers:  Noah Smith, Jacob Criddle, Charlie Inkpen, Alex Townley, Sam Box, Zac Barnett, Jake Silver, Joe Christie

Ms Story:  Joe Sharp, Tom Coggings, Fin Parker, Robery Currey, Harry Bentham, Tom Corbett, Bryn Davies

The lists are purely to divide up the large group to make it easier for us to count people and are not the same as the activity groups or tent allocations.  You are not expected to stay as a group whilst travelling.

Any last-minute queries, I will be checking my school email (mrcourt@shorehamcollege.co.uk) over the weekend, and the emergency phone (07854 983257) will be switched on for most of the time from now.

I hope to be able to post updates as we are travelling, at least to confirm our arrival at the activity centre in Ardres on Monday.  It would be a good idea to subscribe to this blog, details at the bottom.