WHITEHOUGH July 2012 Parents’ Meeting

Trip Details Whitehough Education CentreWhitehough Education Centre Outdoor Activity Centre run by Lancashire LEA Aims: To develop team building and social interaction skills To experience and develop outdoor education skills that can’t be done at school To experience independence in a safe environment HAVE LOTS OF FUN!!!!

Trip Details DatesDates: We leave from school on Monday 9 th July 2010 at 9.00am. The children should bring their luggage to school at 8.45am. On this day do not wear school uniform. Please come and wave us off. We return to school on Tuesday 10th June at approximately 5.30pm.

COST The price of the trip is £96 or £50 FSM children. This price includes the £30.00 deposit which you have all paid. After the deposit it is £66 All money must be paid by Friday 29 th June Please note: All cancelled places will be charged. (Medical and exceptional circumstances will be taken into account)

Emergency Contact In case of an emergency please do not contact Whitehough Centre. You must first contact Mrs Baird who will then contact the centre or Mrs McKeating directly. Emergency phone number: (please note visits to the centre are not allowed)

Keeping in touch The children will not be phoning home during their stay. Mobile Phones are not allowed. Mrs McKeating will utilise the text messaging service and keep parents up to date with events.

RISK ASSESSMENTS All daytime activities are led by qualified staff. Staff from St John’s are there all the time to ensure the children are okay, offer support and ensure they listen to the instructors. The centre has risk assessments for every activity. We also risk assess the staff, group, travel and evening activities. These will be submitted to the authority for approval.

Staff from St John’s Mrs McKeating – Group Leader Miss Jane/Mrs Byrom Mr Kelly Mrs Taylor

Time-Table DayA.MP.MEVENING MONDAY 8.45am registration 9.00am leave Unpack AND MAKE BED, health and safety briefing and tour of site LUNCH - Packed A High Ropes B Canoeing C Climbing Tea- 5.15pm Indoor Caving Outdoor/Indoor Games to be arranged TUESDAY A Canoeing B Climbing C High Ropes Home

Sleeping Arrangements The children will sleep in dormitories. One for the boys and one for the girls. Each block contains separate rooms that sleep two. They have bunk-beds, sinks and wardrobes. Each dormitory also has plenty of individual showers. They are secure buildings which are key coded. Two members of staff will sleep in each dormitory. One at each end.

Breakfast Menu- Sample Breakfast – 8.15am Cereal or fruit juice Full Breakfast- Bacon, sausage, egg, hash browns, mushrooms, tomatoes, spaghetti or beans Toast and Preserves Hot tea

Lunch Menu - Sample Lunch – Sandwich (tuna, cheese, ham, egg, Turkey) Crisps Chocolate/ biscuit bar (homemade) Fresh fruit Juice

Evening Meal - Sample Evening Meal – 5.15pm Spaghetti Bolognese, Roast beef and yorkshire pudding, pizza, lamb chops, chilli, hot dogs and onions. Choice of potatoes Choice of veg Pudding: Rice pudding, Sponge and custard, fresh fruit and yoghurt.

Supper - Sample Supper – 8.30pm Milk or juice Home made snack

Whitehough Suitcase List Suitable outdoor coat (Whitehough will provide waterproofs) Outdoor footwear- Boot or Trainers (Whitehough will supply climbing boots) Old trainers or Wellington Boots for canoeing – These will probably get wet. Indoor shoes. (crocs, trainers or something similar) Hats (warm hat and sunhat) even though it’s June Plenty of socks Sweaters or fleeces T-shirts Shorts Tracksuit trousers (NOT JEANS for activities but they can wear their jeans at night) Sleep wear (pyjamas are more suitable than a night dress.) Plenty of underwear Swimwear Toiletries- 2 towels (one towel may be used outside), toothpaste and toothbrush, shampoo, shower gel/ soap, roll-on deodorant, sun-cream (please make sure they have used the sun cream before), hairbrush, Plastic bags for dirty washing

Whitehough has informed us that no electrical items can be taken to the centre as they will not have been PAT tested. They will supply hairdryers. They have also said that the children should not bring any aerosol sprays in their toiletry bags. The children can bring a camera, but they are fully responsible for it, so I do suggest they bring a disposable one. PLEASE do not pack the following things: MONEY FOOD (food can not be kept in the rooms) MOBILE PHONES ELECTRONIC GAMES or any other electrical items.

Points to note The clothes will get wet, muddy and SMELLY. Please do not pack new clothes. Pack a bin-bag for dirty clothes, and be prepared for the case when we return home. They will need to pack anything they need for the talent show. Let the children see what you have packed for them and please label their clothes. A photo, favourite toy, book may be a comfort at night.

The children have a long walk when we get off the coach so please don’t bring an enormous case. They will have to carry their own bags. Staff will not carry the children’s bags.

WHAT NOT TO BRING!! No matter what the children may say we ask that you do not pack the following items: MONEY FOOD MOBILE PHONES ELECTRONIC GAMES HAIR STRAIGHTENERS ETC

Rules of the Centre Pupil attitude is very important. All pupils are expected to undertake the activities. No one is forced to undertake a challenge, but they are expected to have a go. The children will all have jobs to do. A big emphasis is placed on looking after the centre and keeping everywhere clean and tidy. This includes their bedrooms!!!! We do have a room inspection each day. Manners are very important. Especially at meal times.

Medical Information All medical information should be written on the medical form. If anything changes before the trip please inform us ASAP. Asthmatics must bring two inhalers; one that they keep with them and one which their group leader carries. All other medicine must be given to Mrs McKeating on Monday morning. It must be clearly labelled in its original container with the exact dosage written on it. Children can’t keep medicine in their own room. Mrs McKeating as group leader will act in ‘loco parentis’. In the event of a serious accident we will do all we can to contact you immediately. However your child’s welfare will be our first priority. If we can not get in touch Mrs Mrs McKeating will take responsibility and will always be guided by the medics.

Medical/Consent Form Please take home a copy of the medical/consent form. Please read it carefully. This must be completed and returned to school by: 29th June 2012

WE ARE ALWAYS HERE As the trip gets closer the excitement will grow. The children may be nervous. If they are getting anxious please come and speak to us. We will enjoy our break, please enjoy yours. We will be taking good care of your children.