Our Ref: JCO/DMB 16 June 2015
Dear Parent/Carer
Food for Thought Tour of Sorrento, 2016
In Easter 2016 students from Years 8, 9 and 10, will have the opportunity to go on a Food For Thought Study Trip in the Bay of Naples, Italy. We will travel to Sorrento from Tuesday 29th March to Friday 1st April 2016.
The cost of the trip will cover return travel from Oaklands School to Gatwick airport, air travel from London Gatwick to Naples, accommodation on a full board basis and visits in the area including:
- A trip to an olive oil factory to experience the growing and manufacturing of olive oil from start to finish
- A traditional pizza making demonstration and practical making
- A trip to a Mozzarella farm with guided tour of other regional food production processes
- An Italian ice-cream making demonstration and practical with tasting opportunities
For our students it is hoped that they will gain considerable advantage in their Food studies as well as supporting their language studies and experiencing a taste of Italian culture. We will do excursions to food production premises and students will have cookery demonstrations with a local chef using local food and the food purchased at the markets.
There is an additional new tourist tax which the Italian government has implemented. This is €2 per person per night and has to be paid directly to the hotelier. Students will need to bring €6 in cash for this tax.
An EHIC card and full individual passport will be required for this trip five weeks before departure.
As we are limited in the number of students that we can take, I would like parents to submit an application but not send in any deposit at present. I would appreciate you returning the register of interest slip.Register of interest slips must be handed in to the Finance Office by Tuesday 30 June 2015. If the activity is oversubscribed, a transparent draw will take place. Notification as to whether your child has a place will be will be communicated by Thursday 2 July 2015 by email. The remainder will be put on a reserve list in the order they are drawn from the ballot.
There are 40 places available and the total cost of the trip is £496.00A deposit of £100.00 is due by Friday 3 July 2015, followed by:
4th September 2015£100.00
2nd October 2015£100.00
6th November £100.00
5th January £96.00
Please do not send post-dated cheques. Payments can be made online.
As this trip is deemed to be an enhancement to the curriculum, the school normally is unable to offer financial assistance and therefore the full cost of the activity must be borne by yourselves. Payments and accompanying paperwork must be handed in on or before the deadline date outlined to avoid jeopardising your child’s place on the trip/activity. Should your child withdraw from the activity, please be aware that deposits are non-refundable and any further payments can only be refunded if the place can be filled by another student on a waiting list, or if the withdrawal is for an insurable reason. If there are significant changes to the cost of the trip, these may have to be passed on to the student. Be assured that we will try to keep such costs to a minimum.
I would be grateful if you could return the reply slip as quickly as possible so that we can book the flights at the price they are now which is very reasonable. If we miss out on these flights then the price of the trip may change due to higher flight prices.
We would advise that students do not to take valuables out on school activities, however, should they be taken parents should ensure personal possessions are adequately insured.
If you have any queries about the study trip, please do not hesitate to contact me at school.
Yours sincerely
Miss C Mousdale
Teacher of Food Technology
PLEASE RETURN TO THE FINANCE OFFICE BY TUESDAY 30 JUNE 2015
Food for Thought Tour of Sorrento 2016
Student Name: ……………………………………………………. Form: …………………
I would like to submit an application for my child to participate in the visit to Food for Thought Tour of Sorrento 2016
Should my child secure a place on this trip, I will ensure deposits and payments are made according to the payment schedule as outlined in the trip letter.
I understand and agree that the cost of any damage caused by my son/daughter during the visit to Sorrento from 29th March-1st April 2016 must be reimbursed to the school.
I understand that my son/daughter will need to bring €6 in cash for the hotel tax which is payable directly to the hotel.
I will make future payments on line
He/she is in good health and I consent to him/her taking part in the programme detailed in your letter.
Signature of Parent: …….………..…………………………….. Date: ……………………
Email address: ………………………………………………………………………………..