Travel updates

11:27 (French time): Rather slow waiting to get to the Calais passport control.  Stuck behind a convoy of Adventuresoverland.com vehicles.

11:52 (French time):  The convoy was made to use a different lane so we have now been through border control and are on schedule to catch the 12:25 ferry.

13:25 (English time):  Google says ETA 15:22.  Will check again later.

15:00:  Looking good for an arrival at 15:30.

15:12:  Congestion on A23.  ETA 15:39

16:10: All collected and sorted.  Many thanks.

Ardres 2018: Update 2

The trip has filled up very quickly and we are now operating a waiting list.  However, if you are keen to come, do please still fill in the application form on the launch website.  It may be possible to add some more people to the group in a few weeks when we know if there will be more tents available, so I need to know how many people in total would like to come.

Ardres 2018: Update 1

After a flurry of submissions yesterday evening and this morning, we now have plenty of people to ensure that the trip can run for the cheapest price and we have pretty much filled up all the places.  However, this does not mean we can't take anybody else as it may be possible to extend the numbers, so do fill in the form if you haven't and would like to go.

Acorn are not yet able to tell us whether any of the second village will be available, as it's not too late for them to book it out to another group.  If we have extra people, we may therefore be able to add them to the trip a little bit later if Acorn don't book anyone else (they don't usually for that week).  Also we usually have one or two who need to drop out, so we can slot in someone else.

We generally end up taking everyone who wants to go and we will certainly do our best to sort it out, so please fill in the form so that I can see how many extra places we might need.

Travel updates.

12:37 (Fr) We arrived on time, moved swiftly through border checks and are now on the ferry, which is under weigh.  Everything running to schedule so far for our ETA of 3:30pm.

13:17 (UK) The ferry has docked, we have driven off and we are now driving through Dover.  Will advise of any change to ETA.

13:40  Google is currently telling us that we should arrive at 15:09.

14:49  Final ETA: 15:15.

Ardres 2017: Registration lists etc.

For registration purposes I have organised the 48 pupils into 4 groups of 12 purely alphabetically, because this is how our lists are organised.  These are not groups, as such, merely lists so that we can quickly make sure that everyone is present whenever we need to check.

A PDF document of the lists is being emailed to all parents, along with a link to a page on the website carrying the same information.  Please find out the allocated member of staff and report to that person to be checked off on arrival at 06:30 on Monday morning.

There will be five actual activity groups when we are in Ardres and all groups will be doing the same set of activities, just in a different order.  Details of these groups will be available when we arrive.

Wet-suits are arriving at the centre this week and will be available for our use.  The T-shirts and hoodies will arrive by Thursday.

Please refer to the kit list in the previous post.  Acorn request that you pack a soft bag rather than a rigid suitcase, maximum size 70cm x 45cm x 30cm, maximum weight 20kg.   This is to make sure that all the luggage will fit into the hold on the coach.

Ardres 2017: Clothing orders

Please see your emails for a link to the clothing order form.  I need the details by the end of term so that the supplier has plenty of time to print up the garments.  Also, of course, the balance payment is due by the end of term as well.

Ardres 2017: Update 4

I am very pleased to report that we have finally managed to recruit anther member of staff for the trip. This means that we are now able to take 50 pupils.  The ten sets of parents who can now pay the deposit to confirm their place have been emailed and invited to do so.

Next step:  clothing orders (T-shirts and optional hoodie).  Watch for the email ...

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.

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.

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: 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 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.

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.

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.