Tuesday's activities

We had some rather fine storminess early this morning, with thunder, lightning, monsoon, floods and general pestilence. However, after breakfast things had calmed to a gentle howling gale and the rain had stopped, pretty much.  Owing to the inclement state of the lake, all pupils were assigned land-based activities for the morning, and this went really well.  Conditions were even calmer by the afternoon and most pupils had a session of raft-building, which was very successful.

We are hoping to be able to get back to some more lake-based activities tomorrow, but the staff are very good at rearranging the programme to suit the weather, so there will be things to do no matter what.

Apologies for not posting earlier, Blogger is refusing to post photos on my phone at the moment and the wi-fi is a bit sketchy.  I'm going to keep trying and will get some photos up somehow or other, very soon.

On our way.

All going to schedule so far. Currently crossing La Manche which is slightly lumpy.

We have all arrived safely and the pupils have completed their first activity. Weather could be better ...

Ardres 2016: Registration Groups

These groups are organised purely alphabetically as pupils will not be spending any time together.  It is only to allow us to tick everyone off as efficiently as possible when we need to check that everyone is present.

On arrival on Monday morning, please report to the person below so that you can be checked off. Medicines can be given to this person or to Mr Court.

Mr Court
Toby Adlam, Archie Aldiss, Ethan Amarylis, Jacob Anderson, Sasha (Chardonnay) Bowles, Seth Bristow, Massi Campbell-Brambilla, Aimee Cheeseman, Finlay Donovan

Mr Batstone
Oliver Faragher, Matthew Fox, Saffron Harris, Ben Hollings, Molly Hyde, Sam Kimberley, Ralph Leach, Max Lind, Alfie Lucas

Ms Morgan
Daniel Monasingh, James O'Brien, Zak O'Mahoney, Finlay Pigott, Leon Ridgett, Adam Rogers, Amelia Russell, Torin Seagrove, Sam Shaw

Mrs Mardon
Phoebe Simpson, Amelia Southon, Tilly Storey, Patrick Taylor, Max Trusler, Linus Turner, Louis White, Patrick Young

The travel itinerary in the earlier post has now been confirmed, so please arrive at 06:30 on Monday morning.

Ardres 2016: Kit list

Sleeping Bag (it may be quite cold at night, so a "3 seasons" one) 

Pillow 

Nightclothes (onesies are good) 

Bath towel / hand towel (several) 

Casual clothes for evening 

Disposable camera/films 

Insect repellent 

Old T-shirts/shorts (many) 

Rash vests (recommended as they dry very fast) 

Jumper(s) and/or fleece(s) 

Bin bag(s) for dirty/wet clothes 

Socks 

Sunglasses 

Sun hat 

Swimming gear 

Tie-on for glasses/sunglasses 

Toiletries 

Torch and spare batteries 

Tracksuit bottoms 

Trousers/jeans/shorts 

Underwear 

Waterproof sun cream 

Waterproofs (top & bottoms) for activities if it rains 

Shoes (not open toed) for wet activities 

At least one pair of dry footwear (not open toed) 

It would be advisable to bring school polo shirt and shorts as backup 

A small amount of money changed into euros (there is a tuckshop).. 

Please do not bring expensive electronics such as iPods, cameras, games consoles, mobile phones or jewellery, as these will not be covered by our insurance. Tents are not very secure, and if you choose to bring valuables we cannot be held responsible for their loss. There will also not be facilities for charging things up and pupils will not be allowed to use mobiles on-site.

I would stress that at least half the activities are likely to involve a dunking in the lake (or at least a significant splashing), so plenty of shorts and T-shirts will be required so that you have dry clothes to change into whilst the wet ones are drying.

If you have your own "shortie" wetsuit, you might want to wear it for some of the activities (although wetsuits are provided if it's cold). If you bring yours, be prepared to take it home wet!

Please pack a soft bag rather than a rigid suitcase as luggage space on the coach will be at a premium and soft bags are more efficient and easier to stow.