Ardres 2016: Photo album

I have sorted through my (huge) collection of photos and uploaded to a Google Photos album, accessible from the following link.  Put the kettle on, there are around 800.

Ardres 2016 Photo album

Ardres 2016: Thank you and good night

Safely back and all children delivered to their parents.

True to the forecast, the weather was not on our side this week and it was really dull, cool and frequently wet.  In fact, we have never before had a trip when the clouds have remained really thick and the sun has never been in any danger of peeking through, with the temperature remaining in the mid teens Celsius throughout.  Also, as luck would have it, the stock of wetsuits at the centre had been cleared out awaiting replacements.

Sounds like a bit of a nightmare  -  but it wasn't, for several reasons.  Firstly, and most importantly, the children we took with us this year were absolutely brilliant.  They cheerfully got stuck in to all the activities presented with hardly a grumble and they were prepared to have a go even at watersports when the conditions did not look at all inviting.  Once wrapped in their wind-proof jackets and buoyancy aids (which are very good insulation), they cheered up and always came back from the activity with big smiles and positive feedback.  Secondly, the Acorn staff this year were the best I have encountered.  They adjusted the activity programme several times to accommodate the weather conditions and even invented a big competitive circuit of team challenges on Thursday afternoon which took a huge amount of organisation and dedication on their part to get right and which they absolutely nailed; all the children really enjoyed it and it kept them gainfully occupied all afternoon. Thirdly, my brave colleagues Mr Batstone, Mrs Mardon and Ms Morgan remained positive throughout and persevered no matter what challenges were thrown at them.

I'm hoping, therefore, that your children have been telling you that they actually had a lot of fun and did plenty of good things.  They were certainly very good company and I thoroughly enjoyed borrowing them for a few days.  Plenty of good memories will be with us all for a very long time.

I have, incidentally, reserved the same again for the same time next year and, if I can persuade some hardy colleagues to join me, will hopefully be launching the trip in the second half of the Michaelmas term.  Let's hope for somewhat more clement weather.

Unfortunately I had a few technical issues when trying to upload photos to the blog this year which I wasn't able to sort out (partly because I had so much else to do).  I've been sorting through the photos and expect to be able to upload an album tomorrow.

I'm sure I won't be the only one going for a really early night this evening ...

Travel updates: Friday

We are on our way to Calais. I will do my best to post updates on the journey below, and particularly any changes to the expected arrival time at school of 3:30pm.

11:15 (Fr). All through border control and waiting to board ferry as scheduled.

13:10 (Eng) Off the ferry and on our way through Dover.  Expected to arrive at school at around 3:15pm. Will update when closer.

14:33 Just passing Gatwick on M23 so still expecting to arrive at school at around 3:15pm unless we encounter issues.

Wednesday and Thursday update

I'm having problems connecting to the blog, so my apologies for the lack of posts. I do however have loads of photos so I will at least be able to put up an album of them as soon as we get back.

The clouds have not broken at all but the rain has been only occasional here so we're not flooded.  The wind has also been less gusty, particularly yesterday.  The activities programme has had to be adjusted where it's been a bit cold to spend much time on the water, but the staff are excellent and have provided plenty to do.

We have arranged to visit Monsieur Sigler's ice cream booth across the lake this evening.

Basically, all is well despite the somewhat challenging conditions, the children are brilliant and very hardy and all having a good time nevertheless.

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.

Ardres 2016: Travel itinerary (provisional); clothing orders

This is the expected itinerary, although it is officially "provisional" at the moment. Any updates will, of course, be posted.

Monday 30th May 2016:  Outward journey

06:30  Arrive at Shoreham College to register and load the coach
07:00  Depart from Shoreham College
09:10  Arrive at Dover DFDS ferry terminal
10:40  Depart from Dover
13:10  Arrive at Calais, disembark in coach, head to Ardres  (French time)
14:00  Arrive at the activity centre in Ardres

Please note that a packed lunch will be required, as the first meal provided is in the evening.

Friday 3rd June 2016 Return journey

10:00  Depart from the Ardres activity centre
10:55  Arrive at DFDS terminal, Calais
12:25  Depart from Calais
12:55  Arrive at Dover, disembark in coach, head back to Shoreham  (English Time)
15:30  Arrive back at Shoreham College

All times quoted are local times, i.e. times in France are an hour ahead.

I will confirm this itinerary nearer the time and will post blog updates during the actual journeys.

I am also pleased to report that I did eventually receive everyone's clothing orders and we have been able to put in the order in plenty of time to ensure they can be made and delivered before we go. Thanks for your prompt attention to sorting that out.

Ardres 2016: Update 2

We have reached 35 pupils! This means that we can secure the cheapest overall price (£365 or £388 including hoodie). Please check your emails for details of how much you need to pay and when.

We have set a date for the information evening. This will be held on Thursday 28th April at 7pm. You will need to bring the paperwork that you will be sent in advance and we also ask that you bring with you the children's passports and EHICs so that we can check them and lock them in the safe.

Further details soon, keep checking those email inboxes!

Ardres 2016: Clothing

All those who are definitely going on the trip should have received an email containing a link to a Google form (yes, another one ...) to order clothing.  A T-shirt is included in the price, so everyone needs to choose a colour and size.  There is also an option to order a hoodie for an extra £23.  Both the T-shirt and the hoodie will be printed with "Shoreham College, Ardres 2016" and the hoodie price includes individual printing with a name or nickname across the back between the shoulders.

The manufacturers want 6 weeks to get them all printed up, so please fill in the form as quickly as possible as I can't send off the order until I have them all in.  My thanks to the dozen or so people who have already done so.

Ardres 2016: Update 1

I am pleased to be able to report that Mrs Mardon has agreed to join the trip, so we now have enough staff to be able to take all those who have applied, and could even fit in a few more if needed (the booking form is still live on the launch website).

Ardres 2016 launched and running!

I am pleased to be able to confirm that the Ardres activity trip 2016 has been launched and has attracted sufficient bookings to be able to run.

I am initially set up for 30 places with a minimum of 25 and the possibility of extending if further staff can be recruited (there are currently 3 of us).  At the moment it is looking like we are going to have a group of 30 pupils  -  unless we get another surge over the next few days.  The majority of those booked are in Year 7, but this isn't unusual as most of the Year 8 pupils have already been on the trip last year.

Please do fill in the form on the launch website (the link has been emailed to parents) if there are more takers, as I am keen to make sure that we can accommodate all those who wish to go if at all possible, and I need to know if we need to persuade another member of staff to join us.