8th May 2017
Dear D Block Parent
D BLOCK HIKE 2017
As you may be aware, your son will be participating in the D Block Hike. This year the hike will take place from 18-21 September 2017. This hike will follow a route from the Melouney’s Farm, across private land in the vicinity of The Dargle, Fort Nottingham and then back to school. The overnight camps will be sited on land owned by Ivanhoe Farming and Alfie Messenger. The hike will be run under the leadership of Mr Chris Waldburger. A detailed copy of the map showing overnight points used by the boys will be made available on our website www.michaelhouse.org by the end of the second Quarter.
It is not my intention to over-burden this letter with detail, but rather to give you an overview of what the hike is all about. In addition to the address to parents on the 5th May 2017, this letter serves to notify the parents of the boys participating in this important event exactly what the hike consists of and further to highlight the potential dangers that exist as well as the important and carefully considered steps that Michaelhouse has taken to address these concerns and minimize the risks.
I would therefore like to draw the following to your attention:
1. Support Vehicle and Medical Assistance:
1.1During the hike, a vehicle will be nearby and will be able to access the boys at short notice during the day for most sections of the hike. The vehicle will be present at each overnight camp.
1.2At least one staff member will accompany each group during the hike and will be in cellphone contact with the hike leader and the school.
2.Activities:
During the hike the boys may participate in the activities listed below:
2.1Swimming in local streams and farm dams;
2.2Crossing steams
2.3Hiking on farmland and on district roads
2.4Camping on farmland;
2.5Cooking on camping stoves and on open fires.
As we draw nearer to the hike taking place, more detailed information will be fed back to the parents and boys participating in the event in order to ensure that all those involved know exactly what will happen and what is planned to take place.
3. Risk and Indemnity:
3.1Precautions have been taken and will be taken to avoid any injury or accident, theft or loss relating to these activities.
3.2 Considerable thought has been given to the nature and the type of activities that will be undertaken during the hike and consequentially thereupon an analysis of the risk that is inherent in such activities.
3.3 Consideration has also been given to appropriate extraction plans and emergency procedures that would kick into action should an unforeseen emergency arise.
3.4 Obviously any such activity as this does involve a certain amount of risk of both serious injury and death to those participating in it.
3.5 The Consumer Protection Act requires that you be made aware of these risks and the purpose of this letter is amongst other things required to draw this to your attention.
3.6 An indemnity that needs to be completed by the parents and/or guardians of the boys participating in the hike is attached hereto and needs to be completed and returned to the School by 31 July 2017. Inso doing you will be giving your informed consent for your son/ward to participate in the D Block Hike. This completed indemnity needs to be received by the addressee in order for your son/ward to participate in the hike.
3.7 This Indemnity and Limitation of Liability is favour of Michaelhouse and is drawn to your attention in terms of the provisions of Section 58 of the Consumer Protection Act, Act No 68 of 2008.
3.8 It is specifically noted and drawn to your attention that Michaelhouse does not contract out of gross negligence in terms of the provisions of this letter or the attached indemnity.
Please do not hesitate to contact me or Mr Waldburger should you have any queries or concerns regarding the D Block Hike. (email : )
Yours sincerely
P C FLEISCHACK
DEPUTY RECTOR
PCF/jm/G/outdoor ed/D Block hike
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Balgowan KwaZulu-Natal 3275 South Africa
Telephone +27 33 234 1153 Facsimile +27 33 234 4611 www.michaelhouse.org