GCSE GEOGRAPHY TRIP TO ICELAND – FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2019

Dear Parents/Carers,

Since February 2015 the Geography Department has run a successful and popular field trip to Iceland each year with pupils claiming it to be one of the best experiences they’ve had. Videos of these trips can be viewed on the school’s YouTube site and website.

We are proposing to run this trip again which will be the 5thtime once current year 10’s have visited in February 2018. This awe and wonder trip will allow pupils to extend their geographical knowledge and understanding in some of the topics that are studied at GCSE - ‘Natural Hazards’, ‘Resources’ and ‘Physical Landscapes’. Iceland is known as the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ and boasts quite possibly the most spectacular landscapes in Europe ranging from volcanoes and geysers to glaciers and waterfalls. The visit will take place during February 2019 half term(dates to be confirmed once flights have been booked)so as not to impact on any lessons. The trip will last 4 days/3 nights. The field trip is not compulsory and pupils not attending will not be disadvantaged in terms of the requirements of the GCSE course.

This trip is open to all current year 9 pupils. Should the trip be oversubscribed, priority will be given to those who intend to take GCSEGeography as their option next year. Unfortunately, if there are insufficient numbers interested, the visit may not go ahead primarily due to the increase in cost due to diminishing numbers.

The 4 day trip will be organised by Discover the World which is a UK tour operator who specialise in student trips and tailor-made holidays to Iceland and beyond. Based on 30 pupils going the trip is likely to cost in the region of £825 payable in instalments. It is appreciated that this is a large sum of money, however it is felt that it represents very good value. The price includes return flights, sleeping bag accommodation, half board basis, travel insurance and professional guide services. Also included is entry to all excursions such as lava tube caving, glacier walking, geothermal swimming, numerous visits to waterfalls, geysers, cliffs, black sand beaches, a national park, a geothermal power station amongst others.

This does not include pocket money or money for lunches (except for one day) and students will be responsible for buying their own lunches during the trip.

If you would like to reserve a place for you son/daughter please return the attached slip to the finance office along with a non-returnable first deposit of £100 by Thursday12thOctober. Cheques should be made payable to the Martin High School.

Should your child be successful in gaining a place a further letter will be sent to notify you along with a payment plan. Should your child be unsuccessful in gaining a place, your deposit will be fully refunded.

If your child receives free school meals, we may be able to offer financial support for this activity. Please contact Mrs Plunkett in the finance office if you wish to make use of this support or if you think your child may qualify for free school meals.

As with all trips we reserve the right to refuse a place for any child who we consider would compromise the health, safety, and enjoyment of the trip. If your child has a place on the trip and is then poorly behaved at school, they would be removed and deposits unreturned.

Students participating in this visit must be in possession of a full passport by September 2019 and a European Health Card (EHIC). NB. Passports must have an expiry date of at least three months after the return of the visit i.e. not before May 2019.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any further questions.

Yours sincerely

Mr S Williams Geography Department

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Please reserve a place for my child on the trip to Iceland 2019; I enclose a deposit of £100

Name of pupil ...... Form ......

I understand that deposits will not be returned should my child be removed due to poor behaviour at school

I have enclosed cash or a cheque for £100

Deposits will be refunded in the event that the trip does not go ahead or your child is unsuccessful in gaining a place.

Full name of child as on passport

(IN BLOCK LETTERS) ………………………………….…………………………………………………...

Date of birth……………………..

Signature of parent / guardian ......