Welcome to the Residential Trips Booklet for Activities Week
Welcome to the Residential Trips booklet for Activities Week.
As part of our commitment to school Ethos and Citizenship education we are offering a wide variety of residential trips for Activities Week 2014. This is an opportunity for all pupils to develop socially, intellectually, physically and emotionally in an independent, but still caring environment.
This special week in the school calendar is an enhancement to the school curriculum and we hope to offer as many pupils as possible the opportunity to participate in a residential trip. Therefore parents/carers should not feel that their children are unable to participate because of cost. We ask that parents/carers pay the first deposit. Once this has been received we may be able to offer financial support to families on State benefits. If you are able to provide proof of these benefits, we are able to offer you up to 30% of the cost of a package once a parental contribution has been received. In such cases, please contact Mrs Ingham directly in writing.
Activities Week 2014 is Monday 26th to Friday 30th May. Any pupil who is not involved in one of the residential trips will be offered the opportunity to select a package from a varied programme of sporting/cultural/craft-based activities. Details will be available later in the year.
All of the trips on offer are detailed in this booklet along with a brief description, an approximate cost and a contact name. Please note that there are restrictions, not only on year group, but also on the total number of participants on some of the trips.
Deposits are not required until pupils have been allocated a space on the trip. Currently we require to find out whether trips are viable to run. That means we are looking for a written commitment from both parent and pupil to a particular trip.
What should you do now?
If you are committed to taking part in any of the trips, complete the ‘written commitment’ attached and ask your parent/carer to complete their section. Once this is done return the back page only to the box outside the School Office. This will demonstrate an interest in the trip, but it does not guarantee a place. Application forms and further information will be handed out directly to each pupil who is successfully allocated a place on a trip. All slips MUST be returned by morning break on Tuesday 17 September.
Please Note
Due to the responsibilities involved in supervising parties on residential trips, the school reserves the right to refuse to issue/accept applications in certain cases. All applications will be initially vetted and if the trip is over subscribed the names will be pulled out of a hat.
Parents are reminded that any pupils who have fallen below the -15 points threshold may be excluded from taking part in Activities Week. In these circumstances it will not be possible to refund any payments made as bookings will have been with the tour companies.
Important
- Deposits are non-refundable.
- Payment schedules will be issued and must be adhered to.
- Pupils may be removed from a trip due to behaviour /attendance/lateness concerns. Payments made may be lost.
- Pupils who withdraw from a trip remain liable for full payment.
Open to S2 PUPILS ONLY
DESCRIPTION / COST
Italy Cross Curricular Trip
This trip is a two centre trip based at Negrar and Lido di Jesolo, on the Venetian Riviera, ideal centres for visiting Venice, Verona and Lake Garda. The group will be involved in a wide range of activities giving them a real taste of Italian life.
This includes a ride on “Speedy” across Lake Garda, visiting Limone and Malcesine. Afterwards a cable car to the top of Monte Baldo. We will also visit the San Siro stadium in Milan, including a spectacular guided tour behind the scenes. You never know you could meet someone famous! In Verona we’ll see the amphitheatre, Juliet’s balcony and have an opportunity to shop. We’ll have a day-visit to Gardaland theme park and Aqualandia. Of course a visit to Italy wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the romantic city of Venice in all its splendour.
Don’t forget your dancing shoes for the disco on the final evening.
Hotel accommodation: 3 nights FB in Lake Garda, 4 nights FB in Lido di Jesolo.
Duration: 9/10 days / £630 approx
Contact: Mr Wren (Mathematics Dept.)
Open to S2 & S3 PUPILS
DESCRIPTION / COST
Amsterdam Explorer
Travel by ferry to the largest city of the Netherlands. Also known as the ‘Venice of the North’ Amsterdam is famous for its beautiful architecture, cultural heritage, colourful history and relaxed atmosphere. We will take in many of the major sites the city has to offer, particularly focusing on the experience of the Jewish community during World War II. Highlights include a canal cruise, the Anne Frank House, Camp Vught (Concentration Camp), the Ajax Stadium, Van Gogh museum, Amsterdam Dungeons, Madame Tussauds and the Corrie Ten Boom house. We will be staying in Noordwijk aan Zee, a coastal town located between Amsterdam and the Hague. On our final evening we will be dining at the Hard Rock Cafe. All food and drink is included in the booking price. If you have a sense of adventure, have shown an interest in the study of the Holocaust and have a passion for travel then this package is definitely for you.
Duration: 6 days (Sunday-Friday) / £500 approx.
Contact: Miss McPhee/Ms Stobie (Social Subjects Dept)
The London Experience
Do you want to explore one of the greatest cities in the world? Well this is your chance to see the city that brought the Olympics to life! The London Experience is an exciting 4-day trip to London where you will see three spectacular shows in the West End and visit the London Dungeons to hear all about the horrible history of London. Previous trips have included visits to all the iconic sites of London: Madame Tussaud’s to see waxworks of all your favourite celebrities; the Houses of Parliament; the Natural History Museum; the London Eye; and Buckingham Palace. As we depart London we head to Alton Towers and spend the day on the thrilling rides at the theme park before heading home to Haddington.
The trip cost includes coach travel from school to London, accommodation, breakfast and evening meals, 3 West End shows, visits to all daytime locations, and entry ticket to Alton Towers. For a fun filled and iconic experience this is the trip for you!
Duration: 4 days (Monday – Thursday only) / £450 approx.
Contact: Mr McFarlane (Business Education Dept)
PGL – French Watersports Adventure
MUST be able to swim 50m
Are you up for a challenge? This trip involves canoeing down the spectacular Ardeche Gorge (with its 300m limestone cliffs) in the South of France. Then experiencing a wide variety of water sports (dinghy & catamaran sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, ocean rider, snorkelling, etc.) on the Mediterranean, with the added opportunity for pupils to undertake recognised canoeing and sailing awards if they so wish. There is also a day visit to the historic city of Avignon where pupils will have an opportunity to take in the sights and soak up french culture and cuisine.
Duration: 8 days / £685 approx.
Contact: Mr Greenaway (PE Dept.)
Open to S3 PUPILS ONLY
DESCRIPTION / COST
Prague
Fly to the historic and diverse capital city of Prague. Visit Prague Castle with its many National Cultural monuments explaining the various political changes that have been inflicted upon this small country. View the spectacular city from the top of Petrin tower - Czech Republic's answer the the Eiffel Tour. Visit Prague's historic old town and shop till you drop! Explore the colourful past of what is now known as the Czech Republic through the vast National Museum. Visit the extensive municipal zoo complete with a wide array of animals. Take an evening cruise along the Vtlava river whilst keeping your eyes peeled for the infamous and elusive "Prague Penguins".
Duration: 6 days (Sunday to Friday) / £450 approx.
Contact: Mr Jappy (Chemistry Dept.)
Open to S3/S4* PUPILS ONLY
DESCRIPTION / COST
Paris and Aubigny (by Air)
Places limited to 30 pupils. Fly direct from Edinburgh to Paris CDG. Bus to Aubigny.
Spend the first two nights in Aubigny. As S3 French classes will be writing to pupils in Aubigny we will meet and get to know French pupils at the school, then visit the town and the local area. Transfer by bus to Paris to see the sights: go up the Eiffel Tower, see Notre Dame, the Mona Lisa and other art treasures; go on a 'Bateau-Mouche' river cruise; visit its famous shops; sample its food. We will stay in a modern hotel in the heart of Paris, travelling around the city both on foot and using the Métro (the underground rail network). To finish there will be a whole day trip to Disneyland.
You will need to speak some French while in Paris. Priority will be given to pupils planning to continue French in S4.
*S4 pupils who are interested MUST have finished ALL National 5/Int 2 exams and National 4 coursework before the departure date. Check the SQA timetable online.
We hope to include some financial support from the Haddington Twinning Association for our stay in Aubigny.
Duration: 7 days / £640 approx.
Contact: Mr Hutchinson (Modern Languages Dept.)
Written Commitment
NAME: / CLASS:I would like to be considered for a place on the following trip.
(Please tick the appropriate box). / TICK
Italy Cross Curricular Trip
Amsterdam Explorer
London Theatre and Film Experience
PGL – French Watersports Adventure
Prague
Paris and Aubigny (by Air)
Important
- Deposits are non-refundable.
- Payment schedules will be issued and must be adhered to.
- Pupils may be removed from a trip due to behaviour /attendance/lateness concerns. Payments made may be lost.
- Pupils who withdraw from a trip remain liable for full payment.
Pupil Signature: / Date:
We/I accept that by indicating a preference for a trip our/my child will be committed to attending the trip, if offered a place, unless there are extenuating circumstances, which prevent them from doing so.
Parent/Carer Signature: / Date: