Battlefields Tour 2016 Monday 6 th June – Thursday 9 th June

The Battlefield Tourists from last year

Day 1- Monday 6 th June Travel to Belgium Depart school at the latest 6am Passport handed to Mr Donlan/Mr Davies on entering coaches. Held for the duration of tour. Ferry crossing – free time Visit to Brandhoek cemetery and Essex Farm Cemetery Check in to the Pax Hotel, Diksmuide and evening meal.

Day 2- Tuesday 7 th June The Ypres Salient Flanders Field Museum, Ypres Free time in Ypres, chocolate shop Sanctuary Wood Trenches & Museum Tyne Cot visitors centre & cemetery Langemarck German cemetery Meal in Ypres Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Pack ready to depart in the morning

Tyne Cot cemetery

The Last Post ceremony, Ypres

Day 3 – Wednesday 8 th June The Somme Battlefields Leave Hotel and drive to the Somme Battlefields La Boiselle crater Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme Newfoundland Park Preserved Battlefield Vimy Ridge Preserved trenches and memorial Check into Ibis Styles Hotel, Bethune, France, meal at Bowling Avenue ( bowling, games evening)

Day 4- Thursday 10 th June Return Trip Breakfast and leave hotel Picnic lunch Ferry crossing to Dover. Stop at services for break and evening meal. Students will call home from here with a more accurate time of arrival Approximate arrival time at school – 7 pm - 8pm

Suggested kit list Towel Suitable foot wear – trainers, walking shoes. Waterproofs and sun hat – we are outside most of the trip and carry on regardless of weather. Sun cream and any medication you might need including pain relief and anti-histamine. Pens – no joke, we are working while on tour. Sensible and suitable clothing for the outdoors and sites of remembrance.

What else might you need? Spending money – There will be a few opportunities to buy souvenirs. Meals are provided, apart from the first day’s packed lunch. Students will be given sterling on the way back up for their tea on the final day. One drink is provided with their meals, if students wish to buy more soft drinks they will need money. Students are responsible for their own cash. Camera Mobile phone. Book/Ipod/magazines/cards i.e. something to do on the long journeys. No speakers please. DVDs for the coach journey Water bottle to refill, we will hopefully have good weather.

Standards and Expectations The highest standard of behaviour is expected. Drink/cigarettes strictly forbidden. Curfews/lights out will be enforced, you will be tired and so will the staff. We are on our best behaviour in the hotels, mindful of members of the public. Serious misbehaviour would result in being sent home at your parents’ expense. We will not allow any offensive or skimpy outfits to be worn, especially in the cemeteries. Trip has successfully run for over 13 years, with no major problems, we wish to represent our school and our country well. We are confident that you won’t let us down.

REMEMBER! 6am departure time – we have to leave on time! Passport handed to staff on morning. Please make sure it is valid. If anyone travels on a non-British passport you need to speak to me tonight, you need a visa waiver form. You cannot not travel without one. Follow staff instructions at all times, it is very important for your safety(and our jobs!) We need to be informed of any change in contact numbers or medical conditions. EHIC cards need to be handed to Mrs Hill as soon as possible. If you travel without an EHIC you may have to pay the initial costs of any medical treatment.

Contact details This information will be sent home via student post as well as ed to parents. in the last week, just before we travel. Please use my over the half tem holiday if you need to contact us – Follow the Tour on – will tweet in the evenings.

And a bit of relaxing for students!!