Mickle Trafford Village School Conway Meeting

What is the Conway Centre? The Conway Centre is a residential educational facility set in idyllic surroundings on Anglesey. It occupies 170 acres of National Trust parkland which extends down to the Menai Straits and includes a private dock, adventure playground, tipi, playing fields, natural ponds, sheltered shoreline and mature woodlands. Run by Edsential (Wirral and Cheshire West and Chester) Qualified expertise - all of their staff are qualified teachers of outdoor education (with additional specialist training in various disciplines).

Where is the Conway Centre?

How safe is the Conway Centre? It is regularly and rigorously inspected by a range of outdoor education authorities to ensure that health and safety standards are met - AALA (Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority). All leaders are first aid trained and DBS checked. The accommodation is securely locked at night and teachers have an alarm to alert them if the door is opened.

What will my child do? Year 4: Raft building Night line Orienteering Progression of skills focusing on teamwork and perseverance. Also encouraged to challenge their perception of themselves by widening their comfort zone. Year 4: Raft building Night line Orienteering Teacher led activities- pond dipping, beach combing, art

Year 5 Sailing Low ropes Zip wire Night line Problem solving Orienteering

Year 6 Long distance orienteering Wall climbing Canoeing Abseiling Via Ferrata "Iron Way" Bushcraft activities

Evening Activities Self-staffed Outdoor activities Art work Drama/dance Quizzes Disco DVD Hot chocolate and biscuits

What is the accommodation like? Hafod- a separate house with its own showers, toilets, drying room, common room and dormitories.. Each section has a staff bedroom and bathroom The buildings and social rooms have coded locks. Staff have an alarm for use at night which is triggered when a door is opened. The accommodation is fitted with very sensitive fire alarms- NO AEROSOLS TO BE USED!

What is the food like? A canteen system like we have at school Additionally there is a wide variety of food on the bread and salad bar Happy to accommodate food allergies etc. if we give them plenty of notice – even preferences like no butter on sandwiches!

What will my child need? All ‘old’ clothes – named please! . All ‘old’ clothes – named please! Vests, t-shirts, log sleeved tops, fleeces etc. so the children can layer Plenty of socks and underwear! Track suit bottoms, cargo pants, leggings etc. (jeans aren’t recommended except for the evening) Old trainers (two pairs- one that can get wet) Conway Centre provide waterproof coats, trousers, wellies and specialist equipment. Sun hat, sun cream… woolly hat , gloves! Water bottle Teddy!

What other facilities are there? Shop- £5 maximum please in a named purse or envelope Play areas and field- supervised by staff

What do we expect from your child? Well behaved- they are ambassadors of our school. Listening skills (important for safety). Prepared to work as a team. Children should help pack their own bag - so they know what is theirs and where it is! Water bottle, this is essential, Conway Centre no longer provide this. Packed lunch for the first day. Named medicines to be given to the teacher on the morning of departure and collected by an adult on return (often we are dealing with luggage etc.) We won’t call home unless there is a good reason- look for updates on the website.

Any questions? http://www.conwaycentres.co.uk/anglesey/ Please discuss matters of a personal nature with your child’s class teacher beforehand.