Our Ref: DSJ/EST. Date: 24 January Dear Parent/Guardian/Student

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1 Our Ref: DSJ/EST Date: 24 January 2018 Dear Parent/Guardian/Student I am pleased to confirm details of our itinerary, enclosed with this letter. I would like to remind all party members that thermals, base layers, ski socks, goggles, sunglasses, ski gloves, salopettes, ski jacket and a warm hat are all essential items. Helmets are compulsory and provided as part of the package. Please ensure that you have a lot of warm clothing with you and footwear suitable for snow conditions. Please make sure you also have a towel (all rooms have an en suite). Obviously, a valid passport and EHIC are compulsory. If you have not already done so, these documents must be presented to the Main Office before Friday 9 th February 2018 for photocopying. If you can provide your own photocopies this would be appreciated. Evening activities will include a meal out, a disco, ice hockey match, and a quiz. Therefore clothing suitable for these activities is also required. Students will, of course, need to ensure that they have sufficient funds in Euros for the trip and are recommended to submit their money to staff members for safe keeping. Any student who keeps funds in their own room or on their person does so at their own risk. Previous experience has taught us that groups of teenagers rarely keep their rooms in order and it is easy for students to misplace money. I would recommend a budget of 10 per day, although this is entirely up to the individuals concerned. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind students to ensure that they have sufficient food and drinks for the coach journey. Please ensure that this is a sensible balanced diet (going mad with sweets is unlikely to make your journey, or anyone else s, a pleasant one). A couple of packed lunches would seem to be the sensible option. There will also be regular stops that will provide the opportunity to buy food. Continental service stations often provide a range of high quality meals. Please note that energy drinks of any kind are banned from the coach and will be confiscated on sight. Please also be aware that strong smelling snacks, for example Sour Cream and Chive Pringles or Doritos, are also not to be consumed on the coach, as this can make the environment unpleasant. Similarly, the spraying of deodorant is also banned. Additionally, we would suggest taking a pack of snack bars that could be taken up to the slopes in a small rucksack or pocket as skiing is hard work and a little refuelling might be a good idea. All meals will be provided at the hotel, and I urge students to ensure that they eat properly. If you do not eat enough, you will get tired, feel sick, have headaches and complain a lot. This is what happens when you exercise for 5 hours a day and try to eat the same number of calories as you do when you are vegetating on the sofa and facebooking people. Be sensible. Southgate, Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 6SA T: E: georgestephenson.high@northtyneside.gov.uk W: Headteacher: Deputy Headteacher: Deputy Headteacher: Ian D Wilkinson BA (Hons) MEd Tracey Anderson BSc (Hons) PhD Peter Douthwaite BSc (Hons)

2 I would also like to set out a few rules regarding the use of mobile phones: Students are advised that they take mobile phones onto the slopes at their own risk Phones and other valuables should be left concealed and locked in your own room whilst on the slopes if left behind We strongly advise that you limit contact with home to one call at the midway point of the trip part of the experience of a skiing trip is learning to be independent and coping with being away from home Photographing of staff or students without consent is strictly forbidden We realise that this will be the first time many students have been away from home for an extended period of time. Obviously, some students cope with this situation better than others, but such experiences are part of growing up for all of us. There will, inevitably, be ups and downs for many students but we would encourage parents/guardians to allow students to deal with these independently. Worries about food or fallings out are to be expected and will be dealt with as appropriate by staff. Students will be given an emergency contact card that they will keep with them at all times on the trip. This will contain the hotel address, emergency telephone numbers and a short request for help in both English and German. As aforementioned, whilst skiing students will always be under the supervision of a qualified ski instructor, who will be First Aid trained and familiar with the resort s emergency procedures. Each ski instructor will also be given emergency contact details for members of staff, in addition to the students own cards. In the event of genuine emergencies which require discussion with staff, parents/guardians can contact Mrs Emmerson at school on This is a 24 hour number. Please be safe in the knowledge that we will immediately contact the student s UK emergency contact should anything at all happen that warrants such action. Please note that all requests to speak directly with staff members on the trip must first come through Mrs Emmerson at school, and that we will not accept such requests through calls made to student mobiles. Please avoid any embarrassment by following this procedure. Any behaviour on or off the slopes that is deemed to be seriously inappropriate may result in participation in ski lessons or evening events being jeopardised. I would not, however, anticipate that this eventuality will arise. Our students overwhelmingly conduct themselves in a fashion that does themselves and the school credit. Our typical daily schedule will involve breakfast by 7 a.m., ski from 9 a.m. 12 p.m., one hour for lunch, further skiing from 1 p.m. 3 p.m. and then returning to the hotel for dinner and evening activities. Lights out will be 10 p.m. Students will not be allowed out of their rooms after this time, although obviously staff members cannot sit in their rooms to ensure that they get to sleep promptly. They will, however, regret any late nights when woken up at 6.30 a.m. Finally, could I please ask that all students keep their passports and their European Health Insurance Card in their hand luggage and that everyone checks that they have their passport on the morning of departure. We cannot turn the coach around at Dover for anyone! The coach company have also requested that soft bags, rather than hard cases, be used for luggage. Should you have any further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact me at school or by at djarvie@gshs.org.uk. Please also complete the enclosed EVF4 document, if not done so already, and ensure that it is returned to school before Friday 9 th February It is of vital importance that we have all medical and emergency contact details whilst away. Yours sincerely MR D.JARVIE Ski Party Leader

3 Please find below the itinerary for the ski trip departing on Saturday 10 th February 2018: Saturday 10 th February a.m. Meet at George Stephenson High School (top car park near entrance to school). Check students have original copies of travel documents: Passport and EHIC 9 a.m. Bus departs school 6.15 p.m. Estimated arrival at Dover Harbour 8.15 p.m. Depart from Dover Harbour (P&O Ferries) p.m. Estimated arrival at Calais Sunday 11 th February p.m. Estimated arrival at Resort (Hotel Jufa, Salzburg) Friday 16 th February p.m. Depart from Resort Saturday 17 th February a.m. Depart from Calais (P&O Ferries) a.m. Estimated arrival at Dover Harbour 7 p.m. Estimated arrival at George Stephenson High School Please note that all timings are subject to change. You will be advised of any changes as soon as possible. As previously advised, if there are any concerns or issues with your child s health or wellbeing that could put them at risk by skiing, it is imperative that we are advised of this e.g. recent injuries such as a broken toe or ankle. In these circumstances, a doctor s sick note may be required in order to travel. Parents should liaise with Mrs Emmerson, School Business Manager, up to the departure date if there are any changes in their child s health condition. Mrs Emmerson can be contacted at aemmerson@gshs.org.uk.

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5 EVF4 Parental Consent (to be distributed with an information sheet giving full details of the visit) School/Group: GEORGE STEPHENSON HIGH SCHOOL 1. Details of visit: Armade Austria NAME: On: Saturday 10 th February 2018 From: To: I agree to (name) Date Of Birth: taking part in this visit and have read the information sheet. I agree to s participation in the activities described. I acknowledge the need for to behave responsibly. 2. Medical information about your child a. Any conditions requiring medical treatment, including medication? YES/NO If YES, please give brief details: b. Please outline any special dietary requirements of your child and the type of pain/flu relief medication your child may be given if necessary: Dietary Requirements Medical Needs For residential visits and exchanges only c. To the best of your knowledge, has your son/daughter been in contact with any contagious or infectious diseases or suffered from anything in the last four weeks that may be contagious or infectious? YES/NO If YES, please give brief details: EVF4

6 d. Is your son/daughter allergic to any medication? YES/NO If YES, please specify e. When did your son/daughter last have a tetanus injection? I will inform the Group Leader/Head Teacher as soon as possible of any changes in the medical or other circumstances between now and the commencement of the journey. 3. Declaration I agree to my son/daughter receiving medication as instructed and any emergency dental, medical or surgical treatment, including anaesthetic or blood transfusion, as considered necessary by the medical authorities present. I understand the extent and limitations of the insurance cover provided. Contact telephone numbers: Work: Home: Home address: Alternative emergency contact: Name: Tel No: Address: Name of family doctor: Tel No: Address: Signed: Date: Full name (capitals): THIS FORM OR A COPY MUST BE TAKEN BY THE GROUP LEADER ON THE VISIT. A COPY SHOULD BE RETAINED BY THE SCHOOL CONTACT EVF4