Monday 18th September 2017 to Friday 22nd September 2017 PGL 2017– Windmill Hill Monday 18th September 2017 to Friday 22nd September 2017

Who is going this year? 3 members of staff: Mrs Smith Miss Southgate Mrs Noonan Bulphan primary will also be going at the same time with Mrs Wigmore attending with them. She will also spend time with St Margaret’s

Why going with Bulphan? It strengthens the partnership the schools already have and allows the children to spend time with both Mrs Smith and Mrs Wigmore There are not many children going this year due to the class size being so small. Going with Bulphan reduces coach costs and therefore the overall cost for you. The two schools will be in separate cabins and will not be joining for activities during the day or evening.

Accomodation Children MUST bring their own sleeping bag/duvet and pillows. Accommodation at Windmill Hill is set in lodges, with rooms of 4-6 sharing. Each room has its own bathroom Boys and girls are in separate rooms The adults decide how to group the children for sleeping. We will make sure that they get to be with at least 1 person that they get on with. They will find out just before they go or when they arrive.

What do they need to bring? It is vital for children to ensure that they are not wearing expensive clothes that may get damaged during activities. At least 2 pairs of trainers are essential. Strong, labelled, black bags for dirty washing are very handy and encourage the children to change! Duvets and sleeping bags in black sacks don’t work – the children have to carry their things once at the site. Often duvets in black sacks break and staff don’t always have enough hands to help children! Bags on wheels are better then holdalls Sensible sized cases are advised – the children will be responsible for their own things.

Kitbag…children will need... Plenty of underwear and socks – more than necessary Old clothes for dirtier/wet activities Shoes that can get wet and different ones for whilst the wet ones are drying! Lots of children last year had water shoes which were amazing. Raincoat – it may rain and activities will continue Plenty of layers – T-shirts, jumpers etc. It can get cold at night for outdoor activities Sports clothes – the children are on an adventure holiday – they don’t need to look fashionable! Sleeping bag and pillow

Departure We shall need to be at PGL Windmill Hill, East Sussex for around 3:30- 4:00pm on Monday 18th. The year 6s will be possibly helping with our coffee morning and taking part in sports activities in the morning – more details to follow in September Children will need to arrive in clothing appropriate for a sporting activity with all their sleeping bags, pillows suitcases & hand luggage which will be put in the community room. We are likely to leave between 12.00 and 1pm on Monday 18th should you wish to wave us off – again details will follow nearer the time.

En route The children are not allowed to bring any electronic games such as PSP, Ds lites, MP3 players, cameras, mobile phones, ipods etc. Children must bring a reading book, and can bring travel games, cards etc. No sweets are allowed on the coach. Staff will bring some mints/boiled sweets to help with travel sickness. No snacks are needed for during the week.

Arrival We are met by the groupies and the manager of the site. Children go to their dorms and put their kit away. They can relax before going on a tour of the site. Rules are explained to the children and adults about acceptable behaviour, routines etc. The children will have tea and then take part in evening entertainment before they go to bed between 9 - 10pm

Arrival A member of staff will ring the school to inform them we have arrived safely. A parent mail text will then be sent to all parents –Please do not ring the school office Please ensure your details are correct on parent mail We will send out a test text the week of PGL. We will try and update the website regularly although internet access is not great We will also use our school twitter account for the first time during this trip – more details to follow in September!

Meal times PGL provide 3 well-balanced and nutritious meals a day. Drinks are provided during meal times by the centre. There is always a vegetarian option available at each meal. The caterers are able to deal with most dietary requirements, with plenty of notice from the school. Any one with dietary requirements choose a different colour tray so they are easily identifiable There is plenty of food – children will not go hungry!

Groupings for activities The children will split into groups containing no more than 12 pupils. There will be a mixture of boys and girls in each group. Each member of staff will spend at least one day with each group. Medication etc will be taken by the staff to each activity The children may be in a different group during the day to their cabin All staff are fully trained and safety procedures are paramount at all activities Staff generally stay with the children for most activities

PGL Evenings During the evenings, the children may have some Tuck from the PGL Tuck shop. I believe there will be 2 visits. The children are then able to join all the groupies in some more laid back activities. This year this includes: Sports Night Splash Campfire Disco – Children can bring a party outfit

Spending money At Windmill Hill, there is a tuck shop & gift shop. We limit the children to £10.00 spending money in total over the two days that they visit the shop. This is more than adequate and you can give children less should you wish to. We also encourage children to buy souvenirs rather than just sweets! Money is kept in the PGL safe in group bags, which is handed out and returned on a daily basis It is greatly appreciated if money is handed in, in named envelopes please.

Homesickness The children really don’t have a lot of spare time and rarely get homesick. We will be taking a school mobile and if there are any problems we will ring you. This number is for EMERGENCIES ONLY. It will be given out during a meeting in September

Coming Home We shall leave Windmill Hill at around 1.30/2pm on Friday 22nd September, so will aim to be back at school for 4.00/5pmpm. Look for notices outside the main office and parent mail texts.

Main activities Aeroball Rifle shooting Archery Tunnel Trail These are some of the activities you will be doing during the week! Aeroball Rifle shooting Archery Tunnel Trail Jacobs Ladder Raft building Giant Swing Zip Wire Canoeing Challenge course Abseiling

Prior to leaving A parent consent form must be filled in prior to leaving for Windmill Hill – This allows time for accurate data to be noted. These will be given to you in September. Please hand them back ASAP so details can be logged quickly and efficiently Form 1 – Parent consent form asks for medical needs, contact details, special dietary requirements & swimming ability (don’t worry about this too much as all wet activities children will have life jackets on so don’t need to be able to swim). Form 2 – Request for the administering medication – dosage amounts, frequency etc. – All medications will be administered by MrsNoonan. All medication can be given in on the Monday we leave but please hand back forms for medication ASAP so a timetable of medication can be made. This includes travel sickness tablets.

Behaviour Same rules apply at PGL as they do at school. The same behaviour system will be used. We expect all children to be showing our Christian values at all times. If a child’s behaviour is deemed completely inappropriate or dangerous, then the parent/guardian/contact may be asked to come to Windmill Hill to take their child home in order to maintain the safety and enjoyment of the rest of the group. We obviously hope this sanction will not be required. (Has not been needed so far!)

Get packing! There will be a PGL meeting on 7th September where questions can be asked and forms handed in. Pictures from last years PGL are on our website – take a look!