Battlefields TripAll you need to know

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VEMBER 2015

VISIT TO BATTLEFIELDS OF WW1IN FRANCE AND BELGIUMCHATEAU D’EBBLINGHAM - FRANCE

Sunday 15th November – Wednesday 18th November 2015

History Depar tment

Battlefields TripTravel arrangement details

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VEMBER 2015

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS✦ By coach from Southam College to Dover and return.

✦ By Ferry from Dover to Calais and return.

✦ By coach from Calais to Chateau and return.The crossing duration is approximately 90 mins. Transfer in both directions will be in casual clothes.

WHAT THE TRIP INCLUDES✦ Coach and ferry travel to/from The Chateau D’Ebblingham

✦ Two nights accommodation at The Chateau D’Ebblingham

✦ Use of the coach subject to E.E.C. drivers regulations.

✦ Full day excursions to the Ypres and the Somme.

✦ Comprehensive insurance cover.

✦ U.K. and continental taxes/road tolls.

THE CHATEAU D’EBBLINGHEMChâteau d’Ebblinghem is a 19th century French country house set in a rural location 8km east of St Omer in Northern France, and just 45 minutes from the Channel ports.There are three separate buildings at the Château, each designed to accommodate one group. We will have sole occupancy of two buildings including our own dining rooms. All rooms are bright, modern and clean, and feature a private shower, toilet and washbasin.Meals at the Château provide a nutritious balanced diet which is carefully planned to restore the energy expended during the day’s activities. Breakfast and evening meals are provided on-site and packed lunches are supplied daily. Most special dietary requirements are easily managed.

Our group will have its own dedicated room for recreational activities, and access to the communal games room. Facilities include:Four hectares of private grounds. Two football pitches (one floodlit)A separate dedicated building housing a games room, teachers’ bar and the Château shop.There is a range of evening activities on offer at the Château including:French Night – Students will be given the materials, ingredients and instructions (in French or English) to make the perfect French Crêpe, and they’ll enjoy a game of Pétanque tooSnail tasting - try these French delicacies if you are adventurous enough!Other activities include NST’s Next Top Superhero, disco, egg drop, field games and wacky races!

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTSTravel in both directions will be in casual clothes.

✦ Outward journey Sunday 15th November 2015

✦ Coach will arrive at school 03:50 hours

✦ Depart Southam College 04:15 hours

✦ Arrive Dover 07:30 hours

✦ Depart Dover 8:25 hours

✦ Arrive Calais (local time) 10:55 hours

✦ Visit to Vimy Ridge 13.00 hours

✦ Arrive at accommodation 17.45 hours

✦ All timings are local time.

Students will require sufficient food on the outward journey for breakfast and lunch.

A few extra ‘food goodies’, e.g. sweets, etc. may be useful for students dependent upon their appetite for such items whilst away from home.

Students should be supplied with some English currency for the outward journey.

HOTEL ADDRESS Le Chateau d’Ebblinghem1934 Route NationaleEbblinghemFrance

Battlefields TripTravel arrangement details

CUSTOM ALLOWANCEThere is no customs allowance for children under 17 with reference to alcohol and cigarettes.

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VEMBER 2015

Battlefields Trip Proposed Itinerary

Sunday 15th NovemberDepart College at 04:15 hoursArrive Dover – Ferry to CalaisTravel to accommodation via Vimy RidgeArrive at accommodation approx 17:45 hours

Monday 16th NovemberFull day spent on the Somme. Visits include a guided tour of Newfoundland Park, Beaumont Hamel; Thiepval Memorial to the missing; Delville wood, Devonshire cemetery. Return to accommodation for evening meal.

Tuesday 17th NovemberFull day spent in and around Ypres. Visits include a visit to Sanctuary Wood trenches and museum; Tyne Cot and Langemarck Cemeteries.

Early evening meal at a restaurant in Ypres.

Return into Ypres town centre for the Last Post Ceremony held at the Menin Gate at 20:00 hours.

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VEMBER 2015

Wednesday 18th NovemberDepart the Chateau at 8am. Visits to the Death Trenches and Vladslo German cemetery.

Return to Calais for ferry back to England.

Estimated time of arrival at College 19:00 hours

Battlefields TripClothes List

RECOMMENDED CLOTHES LIST✦ Personal wash kit: soap, shampoo, toothbrush/paste, towel etc.✦ Casual clothes for three days, e.g. T-shirts, jeans, tracksuit, jumper/sweatshirts,

socks, underwear etc. (Remember it could be cold and your warmth depends on the number of layers you wear).

✦ Waterproof coat (waterproof leggings could be useful)✦ Warm winter coat✦ Comfortable walking shoes/trainers✦ Indoor footwear for in the hostel✦ Wellington boots/waterproof footwear✦ Pyjamas/night clothes✦ Hand luggage bag

Optional, Camera, Ipod/MP3 player (with headphones)NB - It is very important to remember that the weather will be cold and possibly wet. You must be prepared for this. Waterproof outdoor clothing and footwear will make the trip more comfortable and enjoyable for all concerned.

LUGGAGEAs each child is responsible for the transfer of his/her own luggage and this may have to be carried some distance, we suggest that the baggage should be kept to a minimum. Luggage tags should be fixed firmly to the case and an identification label placed inside the case showing the place of destination.Students will also require one piece of hand luggage, and this should be clearly identified with the students name and destination.

SPENDING MONEYStudents will have the opportunity to spend some money at a few of the sites we visit. It is advised that they bring no more than £50 worth of Euros. A small amount of English money is also needed for the journeys.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE VISIT1.Please do not park in the bus bays when dropping off/collecting your child for visit. The

coaches need full access to the bays and any cars parked in the area will mean possible delays to our departure and/or unloading of the coach.

2.Students may wish to bring some €1 coins for use in the games room at the Château. 3.There is no wifi access for students at the Château. Please be aware of roaming data

charges that may apply to phone contracts.

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VEMBER 2015

Battlefields TripMedical arrangements and contact details

MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE TOURAll medicines will have to be handed over to the care of your child’s coach leader (Mrs Meredith or Mrs Gough) and issued when required. If anyone takes a medicine regularly, this should be clearly marked with the students name and handed over, together with a covering note from the parent stating what the medicine is for and how often it has to be taken.

Travel sickness tablets should be brought by all students who need them. These should also have the name of the student written on and handed over to a member of staff. Please remember to take these in plenty of time to avoid illness on the outward journey.

A First Aid kit will be taken to cover minor mishaps.

TO CONTACT A MEMBER OF THE GROUP IN AN EMERGENCYTelephone01926 812560 during school hours+33 3 28 44 01 56 – Chateau d’Ebblinghem only out of school hours

01789 470834 – school contact

This is for emergencies only

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VEMBER 2015

Battlefields TripFurther information

1. No students shall leave the main party during travelling without the express permission of a member of staff. At no time should any member of the party be out alone. As a safety precaution, students must always be in groups of at least three.

2. As a safety precaution, all students should carry a piece of card with their name, school, the name and address of the hostel clearly written on it. In the event of becoming lost, this should enable any group of students to return safely to the main party or hostel.

3. Smoking and drinking alcohol is not allowed.

4. We may be staying in the hostel with a number of other guests. Behaviour should be at all times quiet and orderly. Students playing on staircases or in corridors will not be tolerated.

5. Students should not enter anyone else’s room - even by invitation. Lounges are available for friends to gather in.

6. A cause for complaint on previous school trips abroad has been the untidy state of many rooms. Clothes should be put away and not strewn around the floor. Beds should be made and rooms left tidy before setting off for the day’s activity.

7. On arrival at the hostel, it is essential that the following is carried out:-Inspect all articles and furniture in the room for breakages or damage. Any damage must be written down and handed to the member of staff who is supervising your accommodation.

8. FIRE PRECAUTIONS - Get to know your hostel and the various ways of leaving your room. Make sure you know in advance what all your escape options are. Students will be notified of an assembly point on arrival at the hostel.

9. Valuables (watches, cameras, phones etc.) are the sole responsibility of the individual student and it should be pointed out that the insurance cover allows for a maximum of £250 per article up to a maximum of £1000 per student.

10. Any students who suffer from travel sickness should be provided with the suitable tablets.

11. If there are any students who have any medical/allergy complaints or need a special diet, would parents please see Mrs Meredith.

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VEMBER 2015

Battlefields TripFurther information continued

12. As a school party visiting a foreign country, a high standard of behaviour will be expected from each student. Parents are asked to give their full support in these matters.

13. Students may wish to bring magazines, I pods/ mp3 players, a pack of cards or similar small games. Stereos refer only to those being used with headphones/earpieces.

14. Students who have never travelled abroad before should realise at the onset that they are likely to be confronted with food which is different from the English diet. This is an essential part of a visit abroad, and it should be accepted as good, wholesome food, even if it is different in taste and appearance.

15. The tour is likely to be demanding and tiring, therefore students should go to bed if they feel tired. The next day’s activities will largely dictate the appropriate time that students will be expected to be in bed.

16. LITTER

Always put litter in the receptacles provided, and please keep the coach, ferry, hostel and grounds tidy at all times.

YOUR NOTES

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VEMBER 2015

History Depar tment