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.

Ardres 2012: the clothing has arrived

The T-shirts and hoodies for the Ardres trip were delivered this afternoon and we will be giving them out, hopefully, on Monday morning.

Ardres 2012: Travel Itinerary

This is hopefully the final version of the itinerary.  Any updates will, of course, be posted.  Also, watch this space for updated return times.

Monday 4th June 2012   Outward journey
05:45   Arrive at Shoreham College to register and load the coach to leave by 06:15
09:15   Arrive at Dover P&O Ferry terminal
10:15   Depart from Dover
12:45   Arrive at Calais, disembark in coach, head to Ardres
13:30   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 8th June 2012   Return journey
08:00   Depart from the Ardres activity centre
09:00   Arrive at DFDS terminal, Dunkirk
10:00   Depart from Dunkirk
11:00   Arrive at Dover, disembark in coach, head back to Shoreham
14:00   Arrive back at Shoreham College

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

I will be able to update this blog via smartphone during the journey if there are any alterations to the expected return time, so it would be a good idea to watch out for updates on the Friday.

Ardres, June 2012: Information Evening

An excellent turnout for the 2012 Ardres trip information evening tonight, many thanks to everyone for turning up. Some information was distributed, which I shall also post here just in case. 

Firstly, the kit list:

•        Sleeping Bag/Duvet

•        Pillow

•        Mattress cover (sheet)

•        Nightclothes

•        Bath towel / hand towel  (many)

•        Casual clothes for evening

•        Disposable camera/films

•        Insect repellent

•        Old T-shirts/shorts (many)

•        Jumper(s) and/or fleece(s)

•        Pen & paper

•        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)

•        Shoes (not open toed) for wet activities (many pairs)

•        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

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.

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.

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. 

Itinerary to follow.