Off-piste on the glacier

The advanced group enjoyed a session off-piste on the glacier at Pic Blanc, which is the highest point at 3300m.

Prize giving on the piste

The beginners after their final session. More amazing was the news that they'd skied two black pistes in their first week. A wonderful achievement, well done!

The Intermediate group made so much progress this week, most of them only had one week's experience. Great work!

The Advanced group. Having skied with them during the week, I found it tough work on the legs to keep up. They were fantastic and very talented skiers.

Our ESF instructors, thank you all so much for an unforgettable week. They were so kind to all the pupils and made us all feel relaxed.

Frederic (Beginners), Philippe (Advanced), Bouli (Intermediates)

Group photo  -  what a lovely way to finish off a brilliant week. 

Pizzas at Pinocchio's

Having discovered Pinocchio's pizza restaurant last year, we made a very welcome return last night for another pizza evening.

Ice skating

Wednesday evening saw us return to the ice rink. The rink had been swept, but the snow was falling quite heavily, which made the experience "interesting".

Our Year 11 ice skaters

The whole ice skating group

Head boy and head girl on ice

Lottie survived intact this year

Maia and Lydia

Progress from the beginners

The first photo is one that Mr Edlin took earlier in the week when the beginners were still practising on the very gentle beginners' piste:

By this morning, I had to chase them all over the mountain. The second photo shows us stepping sideways up the steep approach to a bubble lift. From the top, the beginners decided that they would like to try to ski a red, which they all accomplished. Mrs Liley joined us and was most impressed, deciding that Ashleigh was Queen of the red run.

This afternoon, Mr Edlin skied with them and took this photo at the top of a red run:

"Onesie Wednesday" and a birthday

This year's onesies weren't perhaps quite as spectacular as last year's panda, zebra and dinosaur, but Tom's giant Christmas jumper and Robert's raccoon are nonetheless pretty good.  Birthday boy Harry is sporting the reindeer helmet cover that the staff bought for him.

Skiing above the clouds

There was a good deal of cloud filling the valleys on Tuesday and most of our skiers escaped up above it.  Here are some photos:

Tuesday's intermediate group (it varies!)

Mr Edlin and Georgina

Looking dashing in my new sunglasses ...
(I was about to hurtle down a run too flat even to be classified as a green)

Monday: intermediate and advanced skiers

Mr Edlin spent Monday skiing in the sunshine with the intermediate and advanced groups:

Henry has a few issues getting the boot on the right foot ...

The intermediates at dizzying heights, 2700m

Panoramic shot in the bubble

Girls on top

The advanced group after a rollercoaster black

Mrs Liley's photos from day 1

Beginners beginning ...

Fantastic progress on the first morning from our beginners.

Final group photo

All the pupils after the last ski session, having just been presented with their certificates.

Today's happy skiers

A few more skiers captured as they finished the afternoon session:

Top o' the world ...

Actually, the top is a bit further up but we think this is as high up as any of us have been this week.  Mr Edlin was up there with some of our intermediate skiers.

The town is just visible down in the valley to the left of Finn's head.

The beginners' group

These are mostly people from Dundee, but you can spot Gigi (pink trousers) and Will (black and white coat).  Another sunny afternoon on the piste, although we had just skied a section that was more in need of a lawnmower than a snowplough.  Snow is forecast for Thursday.

Ardres 2013: Thank you

The weather did a marvellous impression of November from Tuesday to Thursday, but the children did an even better impression of indestructible and irrepressible Britishness and paid no attention, which was very impressive.  There is a new site manager, Malcolm (far right in photo), at Ardres this year, who has put in a great deal of work to tidy up the site and improve the facilities, bringing in new kayaks, kata-kanus (a sort of catamaran canoe with a sail  -  an excellent introduction for children) and a climbing wall, so many thanks to him.  The team of instructors was very good;  they were keen and positive throughout and we have a lot to thank them for, too.  Also, of course, the unforgettable Kevin, the bus driver.

Mr Edlin and Mrs Liley worked tirelessly to look after the children and organise them during the week and I would like to thank them for giving up their holiday and working so hard.  I must also add that my technician, Mr Bates, has put in a lot of work behind the scenes in the last few months to help me with the administration of the trip, which was very much appreciated.

Finally, of course, I must thank the parents for being so positive and supportive and the children for being fantastic throughout the week.  We were astonished by their achievements and it has been an absolute pleasure to take them away and see them having such a good time whilst developing in so many ways.

I will put up an album of a small selection of photos in the next few days.