Stage 3 Canberra Excursion

Tuesday 21st September – Friday 24th September 2010

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Our annual Stage 3 excursion is fast approaching! Thank you for your promptness in finalising payment for the excursion by Friday 13th August, 2010.

This note will be the final note to come home about the camp. Attached is a draft itinerary schedule of the three buses, contact details for accompanying staff and a ‘what to pack’ checklist. Please keep this part of the note close at hand and only return the permission form attached at the end of the note.

Dates and times

Tuesday, 21st September

6.00am – Students are required to be at North Sydney Demonstration School, McHatton Playground.

6.30am SHARP departure. Late students will miss the bus.

Friday 24th September

5.30pm (approx) Arrive at North Sydney Demonstration School, Bay Rd. We will phone ahead and let the office know if we are going to be more than half an hour early or late as we are leaving Canberra.

Accomodation

We are staying at Warrambui Retreat, just out of Canberra. It is a specially designed cabin based camp site that hosts many school groups throughout the year. Cabin room mates will not be decided until closer to the date. We will ensure that your child has a friend in a cabin with them. This should not be a stressful process. Students will be informed of cabin arrangements once in Canberra. Students will have the option of nominating one friend that they would like to share a cabin with and we will do our best to accommodate their wishes.

NOTE: If your child has not stayed away from home before or suffers from home sickness we suggest a few small sleepovers at friends houses or with relatives leading up to the excursion as this is a 3 night camp and it is assumed that the students are familiar with being away from home.

Travel

Travel is with Murrays Coaches. They have prepared a full itinerary and have organised the finer details of the camp. Murrays Coaches are a well known bus company that organise many school trips to Canberra every year.

Spending Money

Children are allowed to bring a small amount of spending money to purchase souvenirs. $15 - $20 maximum is recommended. Students will be responsible for their own money. Teachers will not be looking after student’s money.

Medication

All medication (except for asthma puffers and EPIPENS) is to be placed in a clear plastic zip lock bag, clearly labelled and with clear instructions and handed to Belinda Norrie as the students arrive to get on the bus. EPIPENS must be on the same bus as the child at all times.

Food

Students are not permitted to bring food with them except for their first morning tea and lunch. Food is not permitted in the cabins by request of the accomodation. They will be amply fed during the course of the excursion. Any food allergies/special diet requests are to be written on the medical form attached. We advise against students having a dairy breakfast before travelling.

Mobile phones/Ipods/Electronic Games etc.

Students are NOT to bring any of the above. Mobile phone contact is not required during the duration of the excursion, however in the case of an emergency Belinda Norrie or David Hearnshaw can be contacted on the numbers listed below. The students will not need Ipods or electronic games (eg Nintendo DS, Gameboy etc.) as the bus trip is relatively short. This will remove the possibility of these items being lost, stolen or broken during the camp. We thank you in advance for your support and assistance in this matter. If parents or students make the choice to send mobile phones and/or electrical devices the school, staff and bus company will not be held responsible for loss, theft or damage.

Contact and First Aid Information

All teachers attending have CPR and First Aid Training.

Teachers attending the Stage 3 Camp are: Belinda Norrie, David Hearnshaw, Sandra Hughes, Karin Sundic, Tony Cross, Melissa Tracy, Myra Wearne (TBC) and 4 University of Sydney Pre Service Teachers (names unavailable at present).

The teachers with mobile phone contact are:

Belinda Norrie: 0427923016

David Hearnshaw: 0401769442

We are looking forward to an exciting and educational excursion to Canberra with your child. Please fill out the attached permission slip and medical/allergy form and return to your child’s classroom teacher by Friday 13th August, 2010. Please provide a mobile contact phone number in case of an emergency.

Please keep all other information for your reference.

Any questions about the excursion please do not hesitate to contact Belinda Norrie via email () or through the school on 02 99552822

Kind Regards,

Belinda Norrie Myra Wearne

Stage 3 Excursion Coordinator Principal

What to pack?

Canberra is cold most of the year. Even though we are going in spring the weather can still be very cool, especially at night. Please pack appropriately.

Example of what to pack

3 Pairs of warm pants (jeans, tracksuit pants, cargo pants/skirts/Leggings)

4 warm shirts

Jumpers/Sweaters/Pullovers

(Min) 5 pairs underwear

Solid walking shoes (eg joggers)

4 pairs of socks (min)

Warm pyjamas

Jacket or overcoat

Scarf

Beanie

Gloves

Raincoat/Umbrella

Torch

Sleeping Bag and Pillow

Hairbrush

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Shampoo and conditioner

Soap

Bath towel

NO AEROSOL DEODORANT – Roll on only

Plastic bag to store dirty clothing.

Draft Itinerary – Please note this is subject to change and is a guide only

Coach 1 / Coach 2 / Coach 3
Tuesday 21st September / Tuesday 21st September / Tuesday 21st September
0615 – Coach arrives at NSDS
0630 – Depart to Canberra (comfort stop en-route)
1030 – Arrive at Old Parliament House
Morning Tea – Students to provide.
Electoral Education centre and lunch – Students supply own
1340 Depart to National Gallery
1400 Discovery tour at National Gallery
1530 – Embassy drive
1600 – Early BBQ dinner at Lennox Gardens
1700 – Depart to AIS
1730 – Tour of AIS and Sportex
1900 – Depart to Warrambui
1945 – Unpack and into cabins
2100 – Lights Out / 0615 – Coach arrives at NSDS
0630 – Depart to Canberra (comfort stop en-route)
1030 – Arrive at TBC
Morning Tea – Students to provide.
1230 – lunch – Students supply own
1330 Depart to National Sound and Film Archive
1400 Tour of National Sound and Film Archive
1530 – Depart to Lennox Gardens
1600 – Early BBQ dinner at Lennox Gardens
1700 – Depart to AIS
1730 – Tour of AIS and Sportex
1900 – Depart to Warrambui
1945 – Unpack and into cabins
2100 – Lights Out / 0615 – Coach arrives at NSDS
0630 – Depart to Canberra (comfort stop en-route)
1030 – Arrive at National Gallery
Morning Tea – Students to provide.
1100 Discovery tour at National Gallery
1230 – Lunch– Students to supply own.
1330 – Depart to Parliament House
1400 – Primary Education Office
1500 – Tours of House of Reps and Senate
1600 – Early BBQ dinner at Lennox Gardens
1700 – Depart to AIS
1730 – Tour of AIS and Sportex
1900 – Depart to Warrambui
1945 – Unpack and into cabins
2100 – Lights Out
Wednesday 22nd September / Wednesday 22nd September / Wednesday 22nd September
0630 – Wake up
0700 – Breakfast
0800 – Depart for Australian War Memorial
0945 – Arrive for 10am session at AWM
1145 – Depart to Parliament House
1200 – Lunch at Parliament House
1300 – Primary Education Office
1400 – Tours of House of Reps and Senate
1500 – Embassy drive
1600 – Early dinner
1700 – Questacon
1900 – Depart to Warrambui
2000 – Supper
2100 – Lights Out / 0630 – Wake up
0700 – Breakfast
0830 – Depart to Canberra – Regatta Point
0930 – National Capital Exhibition
1030 – Depart to AWM
1100 – AWM session
1230 – Depart to Parliament House
1300 – Lunch at Parliament House
1400 – Primary Education Office
1500 – Tour of House of Reps
1600 – Early dinner
1700 – Questacon
1900 – Depart to Warrambui
2000 – Supper
2100 – Lights Out / 0630 – Wake up
0700 – Breakfast
0800 – Depart to Canberra and Embassy drive
1015 Arrive for 1030 session at AWM
1030 – AWM
1230 – Depart to Parliament House
1245 – Lunch at Parliament House
1330 – Depart to National Sound and Film Archive
1400 – Tour of National sound and Film Archive
1530 – Depart to Questacon
1600 – Early Dinner
1700 – Questacon
1900 – Depart to Warrambui
2000 – Supper
2100 – Lights Out
Thursday 23rd September / Thursday 23rd September / Thursday 23rd September
0630 – Wake up
0700 – Breakfast
0800 – Depart to National Sound and Film Archive
0900 – Tour of National Sound and Film Archive
1030 – Depart to Old Parliament House
11.00 – Morning Tea
1130 – Museum of Australian Democracy
1230 – Lunch
1330 – Mt Ainslie Lookout
1420 – Depart to National Museum
1445 – Afternoon Tea
1500 – National Museum
1700 – Depart to Warrambui
1815 – Dinner at Warrambui
1930 – Activities at Warrambui / 0630 – Wake up
0700 – Breakfast
0800 – Depart to National Museum
0900 – National Museum
1050 – Morning tea
11.10 – Depart to CSIRO
1130 – CSIRO Discovery
1300 – Lunch
1410 – Depart to National Gallery
1500 – National Gallery
1630 – Afternoon tea
1645 – Depart to Warrambui
1815 – Dinner at Warrambui
1930 – Activities at Warrambui / 0630 – Wake up
0700 – Breakfast
0800 – Depart to Old Parliament House
0930 – Museum of Australian Democracy
1030 – Morning tea
1100 – Electoral Education Centre
1230 – Lunch
1330 – Depart to CSIRO
1400 – CSIRO Discovery
1530 – Depart to National Capital Exhibition
1545 – Afternoon Tea
1600 – National Capital Exhibition
1645 – Depart to Warrambui
1815 – Dinner at Warrambui
1930 – Activities at Warrambui
Friday 24th September / Friday 24th September / Friday 24th September
0630 – Wakeup
0700 – Breakfast
0800 – Depart to CSIRO
0900 – CSIRO Discovery
1030 – Depart to Regatta Point
1100 – Early Lunch
1230 – National Capital Planning and Exhibition Centre
1330 – Depart to Sydney – Comfort stop en-route
1730 – ETA NSDS / 0630 – Wakeup
0700 – Breakfast
0800 – Depart to Old Parliament House
0900 – Old Parliament House and Electoral Education Centre, Museum of Australian Democracy and Morning tea
1220 – Lunch at Regatta Point
1330 – Depart to Sydney - Comfort stop en-route
1730 – ETA NSDS / 0630 – Wakeup
0700 – Breakfast
0800 – Depart to National Museum
0900 – National Museum
1100 – Depart to Regatta Point
1120 – Morning tea
1130 – TBC
1230 – Lunch
1330 – Depart to Sydney – comfort stop enroute
1730 – ETA NSDS

NB: Murrays Bus Company are making final adjustments. We will have a final itinerary closer to the date.

Permission Slip – Please detach and return to your child’s classroom teacher by Friday 13th August.

I give permission for my child ______of class ______to attend the Stage 3 Excursion to Canberra. I understand that the final cost of $335 is due by Friday 13th August. Students who pull out of the excursion 48 hours or less prior to departure will be charged the full amount.

I have declared all food and other allergies and have declared any medical problems supervising staff should be aware of.

Parent Name ______

Parent Signature ______

Parent Contact mobile phone number ______

List existing medical conditions or illnesses (include asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, allergies etc.). Outline the treatment for each.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Outline special dietary needs including possible reaction to inappropriate diet
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Medication(s) to be administered during the excursion. Include name of medication, instructions for administration, time of administration, and any possible reactions
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………