Friday 27th September 2013 to Monday 30th September 2013 PGL – Windmill Hill Friday 27th September 2013 to Monday 30th September 2013

Why go to PGL? As part of the Physical Education programme taught in schools, the Outdoor & Adventurous activities strand is taught much more effectively by specialists. PGL are vastly experienced, have an excellent safety record and have dedicated, approachable members of staff.

Why go to PGL? The experience of attending PGL also has huge benefits to the children’s personal and social education. Children develop friendships with others, gain independence skills and achieve challenging targets. Pupils return to school as a closer, friendlier group. They develop bonds much stronger with each other than if they just remain at school, through their shared experiences.

Why are we going in September? As a school we recognised that the year 6 pupils that attend bond much better with each other, leading to a calmer, more productive year group. This led to us deciding that if this happens in September, then we shall all benefit from the skills and mindset the year 6 pupils arrive back with. Plus...its cheaper for you! A LOT CHEAPER!

Who is going this year? This year we have 31 children (18 boys and 13 girls) and 4 members of staff: Mrs Smith Mrs Wigmore Miss Short Mrs Noonan

Accomodation Children will need to bring their own sleeping bag and pillows. Accommodation at Windmill Hill is set in lodges, with rooms of 4-6 sharing. The children have the opportunity to make suggestions as to whom they would like to room with on the trip – We shall ensure that they get to be with at least 1 person that they really get on with. They will find out just before they go.

Kitbag. It is vital for children to ensure that they are not wearing expensive clothes that may get damaged during activities. 2 pairs of trainers are essential. Strong, labelled, black bags for dirty washing are also very handy.

Kitbag Children also need: Plenty of underwear and socks! Old clothes for dirtier activities Shoes that can get wet Raincoat Plenty of layers Sleeping bag and pillow

Departure We shall need to be at PGL Windmill Hill, East Sussex for around 3:30- 4:00pm on Friday 19th. The year 6s will be helping with our coffee morning and taking part in sports activities in the morning 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 Miss Shorts room.

En route The children are not allowed to bring any electronic games such as PSP, Ds lites, MP3 players, cameras etc. Children must bring a reading book, and can bring travel games, cards etc.

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, tuck shop and evening entertainments (Capture the Flag!) before they go to bed for 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.

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.

Groupings for activities The children will split into groups containing no 12 pupils. There will be a mixture of boys and girls in each group. Each member of staff will spend at least one session with each group. Medication etc will be taken by the member of staff to each activity

PGL Evenings During the evenings, the children may have some Tuck from the PGL Tuck shop. The children are then able to join all the groupies in some more laid back activities. This year this includes... Capture the Flag Wacky Races – Bring some Wacky clothes...(in previous years boys and girls have generally swapped clothes! Campfire – a great way to finish PGL

Spending money At Windmill Hill, there is a tuck shop & gift shop. We limit the children to £1.00 spending money on the Friday & Saturday, with a maximum of £8 allowed for souvenirs (£10 in total) Money is kept in the PGL safe in group bags, which is handed out and returned on a daily basis with a daily balance sheet kept – It is greatly appreciated if each days money is handed in in separate, named envelopes. E.g. Mrs Smith– Saturday- £1.00 Mrs Smith– Sunday- £8.00 Mrs Smith– Friday - £1.00

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

Coming Home We shall leave Windmill Hill at around 1.30pm on Monday 30th September, so will aim to be back at school for 4.00pm. Look for notices on whiteboard outside office and parent mail texts.

Main activities These are the activities some of you will be doing in 3 weeks time!!!! Aeroball Rifle shooting BMX biking Trapeze Tunnel Trail Archery Raft building Giant Swing Zip Wire Canoeing

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 were given to you as you arrived. E.g. swimming qualifications, changes in dietary/medical needs etc. Form 1 – Parent consent form asks for medical needs, contact details, special dietary requirements & swimming ability. Form 2 – Request for the administering medication – dosage amounts, frequency etc. – All medications will be administered by myself or Mrs Wigmore

Answers to other questions Mobile phones are not allowed by PGL Children must hand in all medicines so it can be safely administered by a member of staff. If a child’s behaviour is deemed completely inappropriate, then the parent/guardian/contact may be asked to come to Windmill Hill to remove the child 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!)

Any Questions or queries? Thank You Thank you for participating in this meeting. Any Questions or queries?