Our Ref: DMB/MB 21 March 2017

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Year 9 and 6th Form Ski Trip to Andalo, Italy – February 2018

For over thirty years we have organised skiing trips for Year 9 and 6th Form students students. These have proved to be very popular and we are now planning a similar event for February 2018. We will be going to the Hotel Costa Verde in Andalo for the fifth successive year.

The trip will take place mainly during the half-term holiday, travelling on Friday 9 February (normally leaving school about 2pm) and returning on Saturday 17 February 2018 (likely to be approximately10:30am).

As we are limited in the number of students we can take, I would like parents to submit an application but not send in any deposit at present. There are 82 places on offer for this trip. 40 of the places will be allocated for the 6th Form and the remaining 42 will be for Year 9 students, but places will be filled by either year group if a particular year group doesn’t fill their allocation by the closing date. Please return the register of interest slip in order that we can allocate places as this trip is often over subscribed. Register of interest slips must be handed into the Finance Office by Wednesday 29 March 2017. If the activity is oversubscribed, a transparent draw will take place on Thursday 30 and notification as to whether your child has a place will be communicated by Friday 31 March by email. The remainder will be put on a reserve list in the order they are drawn from the ballot. If demand exceeds supply, I will speak to the ski company and see if they can allocate further spaces. I will contact parents on the reserve list to let them know the outcome. In 2017, we did take a third coach and 107 students did end up going.

What does the price include?

Included in the cost, which is £900:

•Coach travel and Channel Tunnel/ Ferry crossing

•6 nights full board accommodation – Hotel Costa Verde, Andalo -

•Hot lunches are provided in a restaurant on the mountain – students can choose what they want (e.g. pizza, chips and a soft drink) and are provided with a voucher each day. Breakfast in the hotel is buffet style; evening meals are three courses and tend to be traditional Italian food.

•4 hours (days 1 and 2) or 5 hours (days 3, 4 and 5) hours ski lessons each day – students will only ski under supervision. Many of the staff on the trip hold a qualification to supervise students on slopes, but all tuition is delivered by qualified ski instructors from the resort. Students are likely to be in groups of 10-12 and I will allocate a member of Oaklands staff to also ski with that group to help deal with any issues.

•5 day lift pass

•All ski equipment (skis, boots, poles and helmet)

•Some evening entertainment (swimming at the local pool, quiz night etc.)

Other potential costs

However, there are a number of other costs that I would like to make you aware of:

•Pre-skiing course at Calshot (for beginners – normally the last week of term in December), approximately £25.

•Ski clothing i.e. salopettes, jacket, goggles, socks, gloves and under layers - some of these can be hired, such as the salopettes and jacket – Rinskis in Bosham supplied a number of students over the last couple of years. However, cheap options can be found at places such as Sports Direct. Lidl often sells cheap ski clothing around Christmas. In fact, I purchased ski trousers from there for £20 and my wife purchased a ski coat for £25; both are excellent.

•Option to purchase a ‘Ski Hoody’ for about £20.

•Drinks and meals on the journey – we stop at service stations and will visit a supermarket the day before our return journey to allow students to stock up. Students will need a packed lunch for the day of departure, money for an evening meal on the ferry, breakfast and some lunch for the following day. We will leave at 10am on the day of return, so students will need money for lunch, an evening meal and breakfast the following day.

•Additional £30 for any student 18 or over to cover the cost of an adult lift pass

Finance Arrangements

•A deposit of £100 (£130 if your child will be 18 before the trip to cover the cost of the adult lift pass) for students is due by Monday 3 April 2017 (once you have been informed that your child has gained a place), followed by:

•Second payment - £160 by Tuesday 2 May 2017

•Third payment - £160 by Tuesday 6 June 2017

•Fourth payment - £160 by Tuesday 4 July 2017

•Fifth payment - £160 by Tuesday 12 September 2017

•Sixth and final payment - £160 by Monday 17 October 2017

Please make cheques payable to Oaklands Catholic School, but do not send post-dated cheques. Please note if you are a current Year 11 or 12 student your inclusion is conditional upon you being a member of Oaklands Sixth Form College at the time of the ski trip. Deposits are non- returnable if you withdraw because you are not a member of our college. Therefore, do not apply unless you are absolutely committed to returning in September to the Sixth Form.

As this trip is non curricular 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 specified to avoid jeopardisingyour child’s place on this trip. 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 any significant changes to the cost of the trip these may have to be passed on to the students. Be assured that we will try to keep such increases to a minimum. 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.

Yours sincerely,

Mr M Bamford

Head of Geography

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PLEASE RETURN TO THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT (not Mr. Bamford) BY WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017

ITALY SKI TRIP 2018

Student Name: ………………………………………………… Form: ……….……………

I would like to submit an application for my child to participate in the Italy ski trip 2018.

He/she is in good health and I consent to him/her taking part in the programme detailed in your letter. 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.

In the case of a prospective Year 12 student I understand that the place for my son/daughter is dependent upon his/her returning to Oaklands Sixth Form College in September; the same is true of any current Year 12 students going in to Year 13 in September. I understand therefore that if my son/daughter decides not to return to Oaklands Sixth Form College he/she will not be allowed to accompany the group and that the place and all deposits paid will be forfeited.

I will make future payments on line

Parental Signature: ………………………………………………Date: ……………………

Mobile: ……………………………………………………………………………………..…

Email address: ………………………………………………………………………………..