Y4 - Laches Wood Coven Staffordshire 11th – 12th March 2019

Laches Wood vs Chasewater We really value the residential opportunities that we are able to provide for children at Thomas Russell Junior School. You may recall last year we informed you of our intention to move away from commercial residential companies and use Staffordshire CC Centres as we feel these provide better value for money. Last year we split a week at Chasewater between Y4 and Y5. This year we will be doing the same at Laches Wood. Next year we will return to Chasewater to ensure children get to visit three different residential centres in their time at TRJS.

Example daytime activities High Ropes Bushcraft BMXing Archery Team Challenge Example evening activities Night Hike

Example timetable Arrive, unload the coach, find dorm room and unpack 11:45 - Orientation Activities 12:45 - Lunch of sandwiches (2-3 different fillings), fruit, pudding (e.g. flapjack), juice or water 1:45 - Activities 5:00 - Dinner (two hot main meal choices and a vegetarian option, two dessert choices plus yoghurt or fruit)

6:00 - Duties 6:30 - Tuck Shop (sweets / drinks / souvenirs) 7:00 - Evening activity (night hike) 8:00 - Supper (drink and biscuits) 8:15 - Story, bed 8:30 - ASLEEP (in theory!!!)

7:45 - Bell goes – up, washed, dressed, teeth cleaned 8:00 - Cooked Breakfast, cereals, toast 9:00 - Pack & room inspection 9:30 - Activities 12:45 - Lunch 1:45 - Presentations 2:00 - Load the coach and depart 3:00(ish) Arrive back at school

and responsibility for, its appearance. Sweeping and hovering the Hall Duties are activities children carry out twice a day to maintain a tidy centre. The idea of this is that they are staying at the centre so they take pride in, and responsibility for, its appearance. Sweeping and hovering the Hall Cleaning Dormitories Tidying the wet rooms Cleaning classrooms Picking up litter Sweeping the outdoor areas Cleaning the floor and sinks in the changing rooms BUT NOT THE TOILETS!!

Sleeping Arrangement Girls and Boys are in separate dormitories with en-suite / shared bathroom facilities. Dorms have bunk beds. There will be other children at the Centre, but we will not share dorms. The centre has recently been refurbished. The school staff are placed in individual rooms next to the dormitories (but within the same building). Teachers are accessible during the night if required.

Activity groups The children will be allowed to express their preference in friendship groups and please be assured teachers will never allow children to be placed in a group without friends. Friendship groups will be combined into teams. The whole year group will be mixed in order to allow chances to forge new friendships as well as strengthen old ones. The children will be given challenges to overcome and they take on important roles and responsibilities throughout the week.

Kit list (page 1 of 2) Wear suitable clothes for starting activities when you arrive at Laches Wood 1 pair of trainers for outdoor activities (wear these) Walking boots / wellingtons for muddy activities Pair of dry shoes for inside activities 1 pairs of trousers/leggings (not jeans) 1 t-shirts (1 long sleeved for archery) 1 sweatshirts / jumpers Warm waterproof jacket (with gloves in pockets) Small rucksack containing: Plastic drink bottle, named Sunscreen if the forecast is good!

Kit list continued Pyjamas Underwear & socks Wash bag (including soap, shampoo and toothpaste) One towel for showering (A bag for life makes a brilliant waterproof washbag that can also carry towel and PJs!) Labelled bin bag for wet and dirty clothing Torch for night activities Duvet cover, pillowcase and one teddy. Hand in separately Up to £5.00 in change in a named purse Medicines, named with doses clearly stated PLEASE NO ELECTRONICS / MOBILE PHONES ETC.

Any questions? For more information, video clips etc. log on to www.entrustoutdoors.co.uk    Please do not hesitate to speak to your child’s teacher, teaching assistant or Mrs Sharpe if you have any questions, worries or information to share.