I received some details at the end of the week from Acorn about bags. They recommend packing one soft bag of maximum size 40x50x70cm, max weight 20kg. That is actually quite large and if your bag is smaller and the sleeping bag doesn't fit inside, please make sure that you name the bag containing the sleeping bag as they can easily get mixed up. I do have one luggage label for each person. One small piece of hand luggage and the pillow is recommended to be carried inside the coach, but put the pillow in the main bag if you prefer (and it fits!). Please bring some food and water. Acorn have confirmed that the first meal at Ardres will be in the evening, so the children will need to bring their own packed lunch (not to be eaten on the coach!).
I heard one of the children mention on Friday the intention to travel in a onesie. This would not be acceptable! The headmaster has reminded the pupils that they are representing the College, particularly when travelling on the public ferry, and they do need to be acceptably dressed. The trip clothing would be ideal as it would make it easier for the staff to spot the pupils. (Any clothing not collected on Friday will be given out on Monday morning).
Please make sure that any medicines which need to be taken regularly are handed to a member of staff with clear instructions about doses and times. Thanks to those parents who have already emailed me with instructions. Pupils requiring inhalers should also bring adequate numbers and we would recommend giving staff a spare, labelled one.
I have been checking the weather forecast and it has been getting gradually more optimistic, now predicting plenty of sunshine on Tuesday and Wednesday in particular, with probably a nice breeze (for the sailing activity). This is excellent but does mean that the children are likely to be outdoors in the sunshine all day with limbs and faces poking out - hopefully getting tanned rather than burned, so please bring some high factor waterproof sunblock.
Good news regarding tents. I have been in touch with Acorn and they are able to let us have a couple of extra tents since the other adjacent village is not occupied, and this gives us a bit more flexibility. I have been able to accommodate people's wishes (although there are some conflicting requests!) and we can hopefully be fairly flexible with those who did not express a preference as we do not have to squeeze everybody in to fill all the tents. I will be discussing and finalising the arrangements with some people during Monday's journey.
We will have five groups for the activities and these will be announced and finalised on arrival.
Whenever we need to collect everyone together and check people, the pupils will need to report to the member of staff listed below. There is no need to stay together in these groups, they are simply to allow us to tick everyone off on our lists efficiently. I have given Mr Ritchie all the girls (since he is not likely to know pupils and this will make it easier), and the others have been arranged alphabetically. Please report to this person on arrival on Monday morning.
Mr Ritchie
Saffron Ahern, Bebe Bernstein, Aimee Cheeseman, Lilia Erskine, Rebecca Hemingway, Maddie Marinko Maechler, Amber Spicer, Lili Veness
Mr Batstone
Thomas Adlam, Finley Allen, George Cameron, Mackenzie Cannon, Ben Christie, Henry Clark, Michael Cunningham, Josh Davison, Luca Falletti
Mr Court
Beau Fletcher, Max Gausden, Martin Green, Ethan Highwood, Jonny Hood, Moctar Johnson, Llewy Jones, Alfie Lucas, Charlie Metcalfe, Eden Montrose
Ms Morgan
Joe O'Dell, William Orams, Harry Parker, Oliver Patey, Thomas Prate, Torin Seagrove, Dylan Shane, Matthew Sharp, Alfie Simpson
Mrs Salih
Levi Smith, Zachary Tarry, Harry Taswell, Patrick Taylor, Jack Teale, Svante Wallseth, Fred Wilson, Tom Wootton, Oscar Worley
I look forward to seeing you all at 6.30 on Monday morning. Please drive in to the College car park and avoid parking in St Julian's Lane as the coach is likely to need the space in the road to manoeuvre.
