2016 - OCTOBER
Bethany Home Tour
Travel Information
Mr Tim Drake Miss Stefani Ntoumenopoulos
Head of Technology – Carramar Campus Teacher – Duncraig Campus
School: 93067173 School: 9243 2191
WHERE WE ARE GOING (AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION).
GENERal
It is usual for travellers to experience some minor stomach upsets upon encountering foreign food. Major illness is rare if common sense prevails. We will be eating in restaurants, hotels, night markets and at Bethany Home. Tap water is not suitable for drinking – bottled water must be used at all times – this includes cleaning teeth. It is recommended that students carry some immodium/gastrostop and gastrolyte. A filtered water tap is available at Bethany Home, bottled water will be available in all hotels we stay in.
CARRYING DRUGS/MEDICINE
If the traveller carries any drugs (prescription) during the tour, it is necessary to obtain, and carry a letter from a doctor confirming this. Copies of these letters must also be submitted to Mrs Libbis and will be held for reference. All drugs/medications must be carried in their original packaging. It is recommended that these medications be split between carry-on and checked-in luggage. Under no circumstances are you to carry another tour group member’s medication into an airport or during a flight.
VACCINATIONS
Please consult your local doctor or specialist travellers’ medical and vaccination centre regarding necessary vaccinations. Many vaccinations must be administered 6 weeks prior to departure but this may vary so please seek medical advice.You may also wish to take malaria tablets – again please seek medical advice.
PASSPORT/TICKET
Each traveller must have a valid passport. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after our return date – i.e. must be valid until at least April 2017.
Travellers with other than an Australian or New Zealand passport may require visas and a re-entry permit to Australia. This is your responsibility and must be arranged prior to departure.
Once we have arrived in Kuala Lumpur students will surrender their passports and airline ticket to Mr Drake and they will be placed in the hotel safe. Students will need to take care of their own spending money and other belongings throughout the tour.
SPENDING MONEY
We recommend using a Travelex Cash Passport – Prepaid ATM Card, or carrying a small amount of cash.
It is difficult to recommend how much spending money each traveller should bring as spending habits andrequirements vary according to the individual. However we do suggest thatanything over $500 is inappropriate. Students and families are asked to consider the purpose of our visit and the mixed messages we might send with excessive spending. Shopping opportunities will only really exist during our time on Kuala Lumpur. Students should carry a secure money belt/pouch.
Spending money should cover the purchase of:
An evening snack on arrival in KL
Snacks and drinks (bottled water will be provided where necessary).
Necessary consumables (e.g. tissues, cough lollies, etc.).
Souvenirs and clothing for yourself.
Local SIM card
Gifts for friends and relatives (We advise to keep these be a minimum.)
CLOTHING
Clothing must be modest out of respect for cultural and religious traditions. This means no bare shoulders; knees must be covered, no low necklines, no bare midriffs and no skin-tight clothing.
Labels:All clothes should be labelled with your name. Your luggage must also be labelled.
Shoes:One pair of comfortable walking shoes is recommended. Thongs and scuffs are too flimsy for walking. Sneakers or closed toe sandals are best. Thongs and scuffs are needed for walking to and from the pool, showers, etc.
Jewellery:It is recommended that jewellery be kept to a minimum.
LUGGAGE
Clothing:4-5 changes of casual clothing – ¾ pants and polo shirts are best
Bethany Home Tour Shirts
5 pair undergarments
1 pair board shorts/bathers & old dark-coloured t-shirt
1 pair of jeans / long casual trousers / tracksuit pants
2 nighties/pyjamas
1 warm jacket/jumper
2 pairs of shoessocks
1 pair thongs/slip-ons (for pool)
1 sarong (optional)
1 towel and face cloth
Hat
Toiletries:Toothbrush and paste
Shampoo (small container)
Deodorant (not pressure pack)
Soap
Wet ones/face wipes/antiseptic gel
Hairbrush
1 small box/packet tissues
Other:1 small torch
Sunglasses
Backpack/cabin bag
Money belt
Camera (strict care needs to be taken to prevent loss),
Watch
School I.D. card/contact details
Mobile phone & charger
Converter plug
Sunscreen & RID (insect repellent)
Blow-up travel pillow (optional)
Diary/Small exercise book(optional)
Contact numbers and email addresses
Cheap (disposable) rain poncho
Travellers are reminded that all personal possessions are the owner’s responsibility at ALL times. If your camera is lent to anyone, it is still your responsibility if lost or stolen. Please ensure your luggage is clearly labelled both inside and out, that it is secure and can be padlocked. Make sure you bring the keys (and maybe consider asking someone to carry a spare set) or use combination locks
COMMUNICATION – Bethany Blog
Each day’s activities will be uploaded on to the October Bethany tour blog site. This can be accessed through the school website. All students have been subscribed and we strongly recommend that all parents subscribe to the site so that you are advised of all updates.
Staff Phone numbers will be put on the blog as soon as we have received our new numbers. These are for Emergency contact by parents. All students will be asked to enter these numbers into their personal phones
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phone use will be restricted and students will be asked to leave phones in the team meeting room (which will be locked) during the school day. There will be opportunities to take photos with the Bethany students but when we are working with them that is what we should be doing. Phones can be quite a distraction for everyone
Students will have access to their phones at all other times however we do request that when contacting family, issues such has homesickness, feeling unwell or disagreements with team members should be discussed with teachers and undue worry for parents prevented.
We also recommend students purchase a local SIM ($20) for local contact between the team. Understanding global roaming and turning off Data when overseas is also recommended (ask your teacher if not sure in Malaysia).
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
Our trip is an educational service tour and not a holiday. It is organised through the school and so travellers remain students who are the responsibility of the supervising adults and thus must obey any instructions issued by those adults. Apart from the organised tours and travelling time our days will include meeting together to discuss activities and a time for preparation for the next day’s activities, eating and sleeping.
Shopping will be a part of the tour, as will be meeting with the local people. “Free time” will be limited to the afternoons and evenings when school is not happening. Naturally there will be times spent carrying out activities in a semi-formal way and we expect students to report back to the group on these experiences.
No student will be permitted to travel anywhere in Malaysia unless accompanied by at least three other students with a supervisor’s approval or with an adult supervisor. It is anticipated that the full tour group will remain together and not split into smaller ones. When shopping, students will be allowed to divide into groups of no less than three. The group will need to declare where they are going and what time they will return – departures from this plan must not happen.
We believe students will behave in the mature and considerate way we have come to expect of them here at St Stephen’s. Simple precautions such as these however, are not onerous and reflect common sense. Students are encouraged to discuss matters or problems with staffas they arise.
Travel Itinerary Bethany Service tour - October 2016
Summary / Date / Depart / ArriveDAY 1 / 1st October / 15.50
(3:50pm) / 21.30
(9:30pm)
Fly to Kuala Lumpur (MH124)
DAY 2 / 2nd October / 13.00
(1:00pm) / 17.30
(5:30pm)
Coach transfer to Bethany
DAY 3-5 / 3rd – 5th October / N/A / N/A
Working in classrooms
DAY 6 / 6thOctober / 10.00
(10:00am) / 15.00
(3:00pm)
Coach transfer to Penang
DAY 7-8 / 7th- 8thOctober
Weekend Activities
DAY 9 / 9th October / ~10.00
(10:00am) / ~15.00
(3:00pm)
Coach transfer to Bethany
DAY 10-12 / 10th – 12th October / N/A / N/A
Working in classrooms
DAY 13 / 13th October / ~10.00
(10:00am) / ~17.00
(3:00pm)
Coach transfer to KL
DAY 14
Sight seeing in KL / 14th October / N/A / N/A
Day 15 / 15thOctober / 9.20
(9:20am) / 14.50
(2:50pm)
Fly to Perth
(MH125)
Hotel Accommodation
Kuala Lumpur
MELIA KUALA LUMPUR
18 JalanImbi
KL 35100 Ph: 603 2785 2828
Penang
PARK ROYAL PENANG
BatuFerringhi Beach
Penang 11100 Ph: 604 881 1133