Ardres 2018 Launched !

All of Years 7 and 8 were told about the trip in this morning's assembly slot and an email giving a link to the launch website was sent to all parents of pupils in those years at 5pm.  I am pleased to report that quite a few people have already submitted the form, so the system is working.  Please don't delay too long if you want to come; I can only be absolutely sure of taking around 40 people, although I will do all I can to take more if there is demand.  Last year we were fortunate and managed to take 48.

We have a dozen signed up already and it's not yet 6pm ...

Ardres 2017: Update 3

I have been in frequent contact with Acorn over the last couple of days and we are making progress with regard to extending the size of the trip.  They have confirmed that the other adjacent tented village at the centre is not occupied when we are there, so it shouldn't be a problem if we need to use a few extra tents.

I have just heard that their transport co-ordinator is sure that she will be able to book a larger coach for us if we need it (currently we have a 49 seater booked).

That leaves one stumbling block, which is that I currently only have 4 staff (including myself) and that allows us to take up to 40 pupils.  I have contacted colleagues to give them the details and will be approaching people on Monday to see if I can persuade someone to join us.  There is such a nice group of pupils booked this year that I am hopeful that someone will be prepared to come.

I am very optimistic about our chances of taking a group of 50 this year, and this should allow us to take just about everyone who wants to go, which is always my aim.

I will let people on the waiting list know by email if we can take deposits from 10 more people (we would extend their deposit deadline, of course).

Ardres 2017: Update 2

Bookings have been rolling in and we are now at slightly more than the 40 that I was expecting to be able to take.  I am working to try to expand the capacity of the trip to fit in the extras, which is something we have managed a couple of times in the past, so there's a chance.  I will keep people informed.

Ardres 2017: Update 1

We have now passed 25 applications and are well on our way to 30.  In order to take more than 30 pupils, I will need to recruit another member of staff, but I am very optimistic that this won't be too much of a problem.

We are now accepting deposits and those who have already applied will be able to pay their deposits by phone or in person over the half term week.

There are plenty more spaces available and we would like to reach 35 to ensure the lowest price, so please see the website at the link that was emailed on Thursday, or email me (Mr Court) for further information.

Ardres 2017 launched!

The Ardres trip for the summer half term holiday this year has now been launched and bookings are already rolling in.

It is open to all pupils in Years 7 and 8 and parents were emailed at 5pm today after a launch in assembly this morning.  To book a place, follow the link in the email to the launch website and fill in the Google form on the "How to apply" page.

When we get enough applications to run the trip (we need at least 25), I will let you know and you can then pay the deposit.

Ardres 2017: Approved

I can confirm that we have booked the same place for the same half term dates in 2017 and that we are expecting the price to be even cheaper this year, having dropped by about £30 again for the half term week (I think to encourage someone else to book it as well!).  I have submitted the initial paperwork to the governors and Mr Warner and we are clear to go ahead.

I was very late launching this year, so I intend to get it all up and running earlier this time, just after the half term break in November.

Watch this space ...

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.

Ardres 2015: Clothing orders

We are able to include a printed T-shirt in the total price and there is also the option to order a personalised hoodie (name across the back) for £21.  These come in a variety of colours and sizes.

Parents have been emailed with a link to a Google form to fill in with your preferences.  If ordering the hoodie, you will need to pay an extra £21.  Please let me know if you need me to re-send the link to the form.  The sooner the better with these please as I will need to send off the order later in the term and it will save me having to chase you up.  Thank you to those who have already filled it in.

Ski Trip 2015: Update 2

Not only Ardres but also the ski trip, it's been a crazy couple of weeks ...

Fantastic news today as we were able to confirm that Skibound have agreed to increase our booking to include all those who applied by Monday's deadline and Mr Mathias has agreed to join the staff. Our thanks are due to Mr Warner and Mrs O'Neill-Roe who have worked hard behind the scenes to make this happen.

Watch this space for further updates.

Ardres 2015: Update 4

Good news all round.  We are going to be able to take all 46 pupils who applied to go by the deadline last Friday.  This is the maximum capacity of our village at the site.  I also have a couple of pupils in reserve who have asked if there are any more places, so there shouldn't be a problem if anyone needs to drop out.

I am hopeful that I will shortly be able to circulate a Google form to order clothing.  Watch this space and your email inboxes.

Full steam ahead ...

Ardres 2015: Update 3

Bookings for the trip are now closed and deposits have been paid.  I have been very pleased with the on-line form and the website which made the whole process much easier, whilst providing pupils and parents with more and better information.  I have received some good feedback and I am convinced that this is the way to go when launching trips, so expect more of that in the future.

I am now working to try to fit in all the pupils who applied.  The absolute maximum that the company can accommodate is 46 pupils if every available bed is occupied.  How many pupils are on my list in total?  You guessed it, 46.  Of course, it is more complicated than that and the actual maximum number depends on the number of girls (we obviously can't have mixed tents) and how the staff need to be accommodated.  I shall try to finalise that on Monday and let you (and Acorn) know.

So far so good, and thank you for your support.  Please email at any time if you have any queries.

Ski Trip 2015: Update 1

Owing to rather unprecedented and unexpected demand for places, the original 27 had all been taken within 24 hours of the letters being emailed out yesterday morning!  Understandably, there were some disappointed people today.

Please be assured that we are working on this and initial indications suggest that it is possible that we may be able to secure some more places and staff in order to accommodate the people currently on the reserve list.  Please do continue to bring in forms (directly to Mrs O'Neill-Roe) if you would like to go so that we can see how many extra places we need to try to get.  No promises, but we're doing all we can.  Watch this space and your email inbox.

Ardres 2015: Update 2

We have now filled the original 40 places.  However, this does not mean that the trip is full or that nobody else can come.  It is still important that anyone else who wishes to come fills in the on-line form to book a place on the reserve list, and this needs to be done by the end of the week.  I can then look into the possibility of getting a few more places, which is actually quite likely.  I do, however, need to know how many people, and the order in which they applied, hence the need to fill in the form.

It is also useful to have a few people in reserve as there are many reasons why people might change their minds or circumstances and have to pull out, and then others can be slotted in.  In the end, we very often manage to take all those who wish to go.

I am, of course, delighted at the enthusiastic response to the trip and the fact that we are going to be able to do it for the lowest price.

Ski Trip 2015: Serre Chevalier

This year's December ski trip is launching today.  Details are contained in the letter which is being emailed to all parents of pupils in years 7 to 10.  Copies of the letter and application form are also available from Mr Court, Mrs Liley and Mr Edlin, as well as the front reception desk.  I believe it will also be on the 'Letters home' section of the College website.

The completed booking form and £250 deposit need to be handed directly to Mrs O'Neill-Roe (and nobody else) by Monday 9th Feb.

Updates will be posted here.

Ardres 2015: Update 1

Recruitment is going well.  The minimum number for the trip to take place is 25 and we are now standing at just over 30 bookings.  The maximum we can take is 40, or possibly 42 if I can recruit more staff, so there aren't very many places left.  Don't leave it until the end of the week if you're thinking of booking up, as several more children have told me they are sure they are coming and we might run out of places.  I am also very hopeful that we will only need to charge the lowest price (which requires at least 35 pupils).

Ardres 2015 launched!

We have launched the Ardres trip for Summer half term 2015 for pupils in Year 7 and Year 8. The trip was introduced to the pupils in assembly this morning and parents have all been emailed with a link to the launch website. I am pleased to confirm that the booking system is up and running; I received one booking reservation within a few minutes of sending out the email!