Ski Trip Itinerary 2016

ASH/ABA 12th January 2016

St Peter’s Catholic High School Ski Trip 2016 21st March – 29th March 2016

Dear Parents/Carers, Ski 2016, Stowe, U.S.A. - Final Itinerary and Information Sheet This document contains all the relevant information and trip details. Please make sure you keep this document safe until we return on Tuesday 29 th March 2016. If, after reading this, you still have further questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at school on 01942 747693.

We will be holding a Parents’ information evening on Wednesday 3 rd February, 7pm in the school Drama Theatre.

Yours sincerely,

N. Ashton (Mr) Assistant Headteacher

TRAVEL DETAILS Date of Departure

:

Monday 21st March 2016

Time of Departure

:

02.00am from St Peter’s

Departure Airport

:

Heathrow, England

21st March

Heathrow to Boston

DL62

Departs 09.25 Lands 13.10

28th March

Boston to Heathrow

VS12

Departs 21.50 Lands 09:10 (29TH March)

We hope to arrive back at school at approximately 3.30pm.

TIME DIFFERENCE Boston time is 5 hours behind UK time.

HOTELS Skiing Resort Hotel:

The Commodores Inn 823 South Main Street Stowe, VT 05672 USA Tel: 001 800-44-8693

Dates staying:

Monday 21st – Sunday 27th March

Boston Hotel:

The Midtown Hotel 220 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115 USA Tel: 001 617-262-1000

Date staying:

Sunday 27th – Monday 28th March

STAFF The following staff will be accompanying the pupils on this trip.

Mr N Ashton

Miss G Gaskell

Mr T Heyes

Mr P Santus

Mrs D Harvey

Miss A Jackson

Mr M Keating

Mr P Taylor

Mr S Cunliffe

Mr K Stead

Mrs K Unsworth Each member of staff will be responsible for a group of 10 pupils.

MEALS Breakfast will be buffet style and will consist of cereals, bagels, waffles, fruit, bacon, eggs etc.

You cannot and will not be allowed to ski on an empty stomach.

Lunch

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On the mountain at one of the Lodges. Pupils will need about $10 to buy lunch.

Dinner

-

In the evenings we will receive a 3 course meal in the hotel restaurant

DAILY ROUTINE 7.30 Get up 8.00 – 8.30 Breakfast 10.00 – 12.00 Ski instruction 12.00 Lunch 14.00 – 16.00 Ski instruction 16.30 – 18.00 Free time at Hotel (school bank available during this time) 18.00 – 19.00 Dinner at Hotel 19.00 Evening activities (These times may change) EVENING ACTIVITIES A variety of activities have been planned including Bowling, the Cinema and hopefully a trip to Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory (pupils will not be required to pay for these), also there are a number of activities/entertainments within the hotel including use of the swimming pool and games room.

BOSTON STOPOVER During our stopover in Boston we will be visiting Fenway Park (home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team), Harvard University and spending time at Quincy Market. Our evening meal is being taken at Hard Rock Café.

SHOPPING We will be stopping at Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, which is New England's largest outdoor outlet shopping centre, featuring over 170 exciting brand name stores including Nike, Reebok, Gap, Ralph Lauren, Adidas etc.

MONEY English Money – we recommend that all pupils bring a small amount of English money for the journey and at the airport. Due to the short amount of time in England £10 - £20 should be enough.

American Money – pupils will need American dollars for travelling to and from the resort, for lunchtime meals, souvenirs, telephone calls home and the trip to Boston.

We will securely keep $200 per pupil. This will be collected in resort, as we are not insured to carry pupils’ money in transit. All money must be in dollars.

EXTRA MONEY Pupils may bring extra money other than that given to staff. However, this will not be the responsibility of the staff and is at the parents’ discretion.

INSURANCE As we all know, accidents do happen when skiing, especially when learning. All pupils are insured for accidents and any medical treatment needed. However, there is an excess of £50 per child, per claim. If your child has an accident you will be asked to meet this expense on our return to the UK. Insurance Information: Company

-

Chartis (organised through the authority)

EMERGENCY CONTACT For any emergencies during the holiday please contact: School on 01942 747693, or the School Mobile on 07765121399 (this is only to be used if you can’t get hold of anyone at school). Alternatively you can contact the hotel and they will pass any messages on.

LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE You are allowed to check in one piece of luggage which must not exceed 23kgs. Please check the weight as you will be asked to remove items and leave at the airport if it is in excess.

Please try to use a compact non-rigid holdall/suitcase as space on the coach is limited.

If you wish to take your own skis this can be arranged, but will incur an extra cost – please let me know if this is something you are considering.

DISCIPLINE Whilst we hope the trip to be a fun holiday it is a school trip so school rules apply. Use your common sense, no alcohol, smoking or drugs. Any breaking of these rules will result in sanctions.

THE SKIING The skiing is very physically demanding, and I would recommend that you try to improve your fitness prior to the trip!

On the first morning you will be supplied with your ski equipment and lift passes. These are your responsibility for the rest of the stay and will not be replaced, take great care. You will be informed about storage after you have been equipped.

Any problems with equipment should be reported to your teacher and your instructor and repairs or a change can be made.

Everyone finds the first 2 – 3 lessons difficult – do not give in easily. As the week progresses you will gradually fly down the slopes!!!

PASSPORTS & ESTA Forms If you could pass on Passports and ESTA forms to Mr Ashton as soon as possible (please don’t hand in your passport until you have completed your ESTA as you will need details from it).

Passports will be carried by the staff and given out as and when needed at the airport.

You should apply for your ESTA from the following website: www.esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ and it costs $14 – the ESTA must be applied for with the Passport you are travelling with. If you are updating your passport please wait until this arrives before applying.

All passports and ESTA forms need to be handed in to Mr Ashton by Friday 26th February

LAST NOTE Please make sure that you have handed in the medical form (these will be handed out 2 weeks prior to our trip), with at least two emergency contact numbers for your child in case of an emergency. If this has not been handed in by the holiday your child will NOT be allowed to travel.

Kit List

•

Outer jacket – It must be made of a water-repellant fabric that keeps the wind out.

•

Salopettes – These should have an elasticated snow cuff at the bottom to fit over the boots and prevent snow going up inside the trouser leg.

•

Additional layers – you will need a couple of fleeces/sweatshirts/thermal shirts of varying thickness to layer under your jacket. Remember it is easier to remove a thin layer when you get to hot than to try and get warm when you are not wearing enough clothing.

•

Ski Socks – At least 3 pairs,

•

Ski gloves - good quality fabric or leather – as waterproof as possible. You may prefer mittens if you are particularly prone to cold hands but they are not as convenient as gloves when adjusting equipment. Thermal liner gloves can also help keep fingers warm. Cuffs on gloves must be long enough not to leave a gap at the wrist, even with arms outstretched.

•

Goggles are essential – used in snowy or overcast conditions or if travelling at speed. If the lenses are strongly tinted then they could be used instead of sunglasses. The most expensive double layer lenses are stronger and less prone to misting.

•

Sunglasses – must have lenses with high level [100%] UV protection. Ordinary sunglasses with limited tinting are not acceptable. The glasses should screen out glare at the edges as well so wrap around styles are best.

•

Face mask or neck warmer (optional)

•

Sun cream & lip salve – high protection factor is essential – 25+. If you are fair skinned buy the highest factor. Be prepared to reapply regularly– once every two hours – the effectiveness is reduced by sweating, wiping your face and diving head first into snow drifts! [Reapply after falls].

Also don’t forget to pack: •

Sensible footwear for snow/slush/ice/rain in the resort – footwear must have a good tread pattern.

•

Personal First Aid items e.g. paracetamol, Strepsils, Ibuprofen and plasters. If you have an inhaler then please bring a spare one to keep in the first aid bag

•

Casual wear – you do not need a new outfit for every evening!

•

Spare gloves [the ones you wear during the day may need drying out!]

•

Woolly hat

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Swimwear

•

American plug adapter