WALES HIGH SCHOOL

RESIDENTIAL

&

DAY VISITS

2015-16

Wales High School has a long standing tradition of offering educational visits to its

students which support the work of various departments as well as helping young

people to develop socially.

This booklet contains every, currently planned, residential visit or day excursion for

the academic year 2015/16. There is a range of extra-curricular opportunities as

well as ventures aimed at specific year groups or subject areas which support the

curriculum, some of which are essential for the successful completion of a particular

course.

There are five sections, one for the traditional programme offered by the Department

of Outdoor Pursuits, a section for each Key Stage and finally an opportunity to join in

with the school’s Duke of Edinburgh programme.

We fully understand the cost implications of some of the visits offered. We hope this

information will help families make informed choices on behalf of their children for

the year ahead.

To apply for a place for the October, Easter or Summer Camps please complete the

booking form on the inside back page of this booklet.

For all other ventures, letters will be sent to the appropriate families with full details

of how to secure a place and the timescale for payments to be made.

Should you have any queries regarding our school visits, please do not hesitate to

contact me at school, via the usual channels.

C. McKee Assistant Headteacher

Wales High School Outdoor Pursuits

Programme of

Activities

2015-16

Dear Parents

Department of Outdoor Pursuits - Programme of Activities 2015-16

We are proud to extend the traditional programme of Outdoor Pursuits Ventures into our 46th year, and hope that there may be something of interest for your family within these pages. Annually, your support has been most gratifying, for at this time, children tend to clamour to secure a place on one of our ventures, and share in experiences which live in the memory for years. 260 ventures covering 473,000 miles and more than 321 weeks of holidays. Thousands of youngsters from this corner of the world in South Yorkshire sharing in adventures that have blazed the School's reputation literally world-wide:-

· England · Denmark · Greece · Romania · Yugoslavia

· America · Belgium · Italy · Scotland · Morocco

· Luxembourg · Russia · Austria · Mexico · Holland

· Wales · Finland · Hungary · Turkey · Sicily

· Canada · France · Germany · Switzerland

Such a record is not a standard feature of all or most Secondary Schools in this country; it is absolutely unique! Perhaps one or other of the following ventures will capture the imagination of your own son/daughter this year. Should that be the case, please complete the booking slip at the back of this brochure, but do not enclose a deposit. You may apply throughout the week, until 3.35pm on Friday 25th September 2015, when bookings will close. Rest assured that applications are not on the basis of 'first come, first served' - should any camp be over-subscribed, a draw for places will be held in public. Successful applicants will then be invited to bring a non-returnable deposit. Thank you once again for your continued support. Yours sincerely

J. Day

Department of Outdoor Pursuits Co-ordinator

Overview of Camps

For those who are not familiar with our itinerary, some 50 pupils travel in the School's own fleet of vehicles (four Ford Transit minibuses). Children sleep in twos and threes in tents - or 5 or 6 per caravan - and each group is responsible for its own cooking and equipment. Our intent is to inspire a corporate sense of responsibility, and we aim to develop initiative and independence - while the emphasis remains firmly on such a range of enjoyable pursuits as walking, climbing, camp-craft, swimming, sightseeing - and whilst in Cornwall, there is always a traditional visit to the cinema followed by a "fish-n-chip" supper. I outline particular features of each venture in the paragraphs overleaf, though the year's programme is summarised as follows:-

Camp Destination Date Price

October Camp (Not Y7)

Cornwall Sat 24th – Thur 29th Oct £165

Skiing Italy Sat 23rd – Sat 30th Jan FULLY BOOKED

Easter Camp (Y7 Only)

Cornwall Sat 19th – Fri 25th March £185

Summer Camp Europe Sat 16th July – Mon 1st August £825

In the interest of safety, and in response to recent national media interest, we have a School Vehicles Policy to ensure that the safety of your children remains

paramount and that all reasonable precautions have been taken to comply with current legislation.

This Policy embraces use of seat belts in all vehicles; driving hours; additional

relief drivers; speed restrictions; First Aid procedures; driving experience.

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST FOR EACH PARENT WHOSE SON OR DAUGHTER CHOOSES TO BECOME

INVOLVED WITH ANY OF THE VENTURES WHICH USE OUR FLEET OF MINBUSES.

October Camp

Cost £165 (No price increase!)

The rapidly approaching half-term camp at Mevagissey, Cornwall, proves to be one of our most enjoyable adventures; 6 berth static caravan accommodation (not camping) - each with private facilities including shower, toilet, kitchen, bedrooms, lounge area and, of course, Satellite T.V. There is a marvellous beach; mild Cornish climate; beach bonfire with fireworks and roast potatoes; fully equipped games-room; a day in Newquay; another in Polperro. This year another afternoon visit to the nationally famous “Eden Project” is on the itinerary! As our departure date is imminent on 24th October, successful applicants will be notified at a meeting at morning break on Wednesday 30th September, shortly after bookings close.

Easter Camp Cost £185 (No price increase!)

Due to the popularity of the October camp, our Easter camp opportunity is also on the same site at Mevagissey, Cornwall. (See the details shown above). The difference in price from October reflects an extra day for Y7!

This venture is offered exclusively to Year 7 pupils. Easter is a little earlier this year, but it should still be sufficiently warm in Cornwall, as well as memorable!

Summer Camp Cost £825

We propose a 17 day venture in our school mini-buses to explore some of the most impressive sights in Europe, with destinations in Venice (Italy), Interlaken (Switzerland) and Disneyland (Paris) to add opportunity and experience to this exciting itinerary.

I hope that families will regard this opportunity as value for money! With two separate overnight hotel accommodations en route and three nights accommodation at the Magic Circus Hotel in Disneyland, Paris – the price of £825 is all-inclusive and is guaranteed. All attractions…. travel… meals and insurance - are included. It will be a requirement for students to have their own passport.

Venice - needs no introduction to those familiar with the school's camps. It will be our 33rd visit to the Italian beach campsite that we regard as the best that we have ever encountered. In addition to water sports and sunbathing, we will cruise to Venice by private motor launch to spend a full day in the magnificent city. Our itinerary will also include a full day in Aqualand - a water theme park similar to Florida's best. Seven nights in this resort will be eagerly anticipated.

Interlaken - five nights camping in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. 14,000ft peaks, mountain waterfalls, lake swimming, chair lifts and cable cars make this venue a most majestic and unforgettable experience. One excursion will take us by rack and pinion railway to the Jungfraujock at over 11,000 feet - the highest resort in Europe.

Paris - three nights accommodation at the Magic Circus Hotel, Disneyland will conclude our itinerary. It remains one of our most memorable holiday experiences, and offers an exhilarating range of attractions - just three of which will be the top of the Eiffel Tower, a boat cruise on the Seine, and a full-day’s all-inclusive visit to both theme parks in Disneyland Paris. Unforgettable!

KS3 Spanish Trip Barcelona

KS3 French Trip Paris

Y9 Battlefields

KS3

Residential

June Spring Bank Holiday Week (Provisional) - For any student in Y7-Y9 studying Spanish, offering them the chance to experience Spanish culture first-hand. Approx cost: £375

June Spring Bank Holiday Week (Provisional) - For any student in Y7-Y9 studying French, offering them the chance to experience French culture first-hand. Approx cost: £300

June (Provisional) - A venture for Y9 students who are interested in The Great War and learning about the History of WW1 and the great flourish of literature produced by those affected by the atrocities. Approx cost: £260

Day Visits

05 November 2015 - Y9 Geography Visit (Provisional) 06 January 2016 - Y8 History Visit to Oliver and Leicester Cathedral 18 January 2016 - Y8 Geography Visit – The Deep 19 January 2016 - Y8 Geography Visit – The Deep 10 March 2016 - French Cinema Trip 10 March 2016 - Y9 History Visit to Staffordshire Regimental Museum 15 March 2016 - Y8 History Visit – Black Country Museum 18 March 2016 - Y8 Alton Towers Science Trip 11 April 2016 - Y7 RE Visits to Wales Church 04 May 2016 - Y7 History Visit to Haddon Hall 08 June 2016 - Y8 Visit to Mosque 08 June 2016 - Y9 G&T History Visit Beth Shalom 08 July 2016 - International Day (Y7) 08 July 2016 - Activities Day (Y8 & Y9)

KS4

KS4/5 Spanish Trip Andalucía

KS4/5 French Trip

Y11 London Visit

Residential

February Half-Term (Provisional) - For any student in

Y10-Y13 studying Spanish, offering them the chance

to experience Spanish culture first hand. Approx cost:

£500

February Half-Term (Provisional) - For any student in

Y10-Y13 studying French, offering them the chance to

experience French culture first hand. Approx cost:

£400

October – This trip is currently fully booked.

Day Visits

30 September 2015 - Yorkshire Wildlife Park 13 October 2015 - Y11 Geography GCSE Flamborough Visit 12 December 2015 - Y10 English Visit to Blackpool Opera House 15 January 2016 - Y11 History Visit – Royal Courts of Justice 02 February 2016 - Y10 Science Live 08 April 2016 - Y10 History Visit to Imperial War Museum 12/13 April 2016 - Y10 Visit to Coca-Cola 03 May 2016 - Y10 Geography GCSE Burbage Fieldwork

Biology

English

Geography

Geology

Business

Studies

KS5

We have a number of residential visits on offer to our 6th form students, some of which are essential to their courses, others are offered to improve students understanding of the topics they are studying and all are planned to enhance student’s learning. Details below are of the visits that have taken place during the last academic year to give an idea of the when these take place, cost and a general outline of the itinerary.

The 3 day visit to Cranedale is arranged for 9 - 11 September and is ESSENTIAL for students to complete their course as the visit evidences the student’s ability to make personal observations in the field and familiarity with

a variety of standard fieldwork techniques. As a compulsory visit, the school endeavors to part fund the course to reduce the overall cost to students and therefore ensure this course is not prohibitive to any student studying the subject at A level. The charge per student last year was £150.

Vitally important visits are planned and funded by the school. The only one which will require funding is a trip to the Jaguar Car Plant which will have a cost of roughly £30. Several Theatre Trips will be arranged throughout your child’s A Level course. Although not compulsory, these will all be chosen to enhance students’ understanding of the course and content, and will cost in the region of £30 each. The 5 day visit to Cranedale is arranged for 29 Feb – 4 March 2016 and is ESSENTIAL for students to complete their AS or A2 course as the visit evidences the student’s

ability to make personal observations in the field and answer questions about these in written examinations. As a compulsory visit, the school endeavors to part fund the course to reduce the overall cost to students and therefore ensure this course is not prohibitive to any student studying the subject at A level. The charge per student will be approx: £245. A Field Trip into Sheffield will also be arranged, and will cost around £20.

15th-20th February 2016 - Isle of Arran. This visit is for ‘AS’ level Geology students who will study aspects of the Geology of Arran. The visit is compulsory for students as they will complete some controlled assessment work which

will count towards their final ‘AS’ level grade. Approx cost: £250

Health & Social / Childcare

History

Public Services

KS4/5 Spanish Trip

Andalucía

KS4/5 French Trip

Physics

The visit to Disneyland Paris took place during February half term over a period of 4 days at a cost of £300 per student which included travel, accommodation, meals and entrance to the theme park. The visit is offered to students

in Year 12 and Year 13 who are studying Health & Social Care and/or Childcare. The visit aims to experience, first hand, the application of their subject in real life environments. The visit is very popular with opportunities to attend seminars, interactive workshops and have fun with a 2 day hopper ticket to Disneyland Park and Walk Disney Studios Park. Please note, that this trip will go ahead every two years, and the next proposed date will be February 2017.

February 4th-6th - This is an opportunity for Y12 History students to visit places closely connected to their study of Weimar Germany in Y12 and Nazi Germany in Y13. Students will visit historical sites relevant to their study

which will enhance classroom learning. The visit will take place between 4th and 6th of February and the approximate cost will be £400. This is a very popular tour and includes visits to ‘Checkpoint Charlie’, the Reichstag, Sachsenhausen concentration camp as well as various museums and sites in and around Berlin.

This year the Sixth Form Physics enrichment visit takes place at the end of Half Term and will experience the Large Hadron Collider at CERN near Geneva. Whilst not an essential component of the course, it is strongly

recommended for all AS and A-level students. For many this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the cutting edge of particle physics research. The cost is expected to be under £300 per student, leaving school on the morning of Fri 23/10 and returning in the evening of Sun 25/10.

Various courses and residentials are planned throughout the year, vital to the running of the course, however are all funded by the school.

February Half-Term (Provisional) - For any student in Y10-Y13 studying Spanish, offering them the chance to experience Spanish culture first hand. Approx cost: £500

February Half-Term (Provisional) - For any student in Y10-Y13 studying French, offering them the chance to experience French culture first hand. Approx cost: £400

African Adventure

A once in a lifetime opportunity for students to visit an African nation to participate in a community project! The success of the first visit to Ghana in 2014 means that we will continue to offer this adventure on a 2 yearly programme – next year’s visit will be to Zanzibar 4 – 15 July, and preparations are already underway. In the summer of 2014, 22 students and 4 members of staff visited a small community in Wei, Ghana over a 10 day period, living in a hostel just outside of the village. Both staff and students were placed within a chosen organized project and involved themselves fully in village life, by teaching in the local school, coaching sports activities and in the renovation of community buildings. Other activities included drumming lessons, Ghanaian dancing, scheduled visits to the beach and into Woe for shopping. Prior to the visit, students spent several months fundraising to reduce the individual contribution per student to £870. Definitely an unforgettable experience!

Duke of Edinburgh

19 September 2015 - Taster Day 10-11 October 2015 - Gold Award Practice 07 November 2015 - Navigation Day 9-10 April 2016 - Bronze Award Practice 16-17 April 2016 - Bronze Award Expedition 6-8 May 2016 - Silver and Gold Award Practice 17-19 June 2016 - Gold Award Practice 1-3 July 2016 - Silver Award Expedition 9-14 July 2016 - Gold Award Expedition

There are many other opportunities for student’s to enhance their learning outside of the school environment throughout the academic year as well as visits arranged through both our international and outdoor pursuits programmes.

Keep checking the school website to see what other visits may be of interest to you.

How to Pay

Please note that no payments should be made until you have received confirmation of your son/daughter’s place on the activity. Payments Payment can be made online, by cash or cheque. Cash should be handed in to the School’s Finance Office in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the students name, tutor group and activity. Cheques should be made payable to Wales High School. On the back of the cheque, please write the student’s name, tutor group and activity. Once students have been allocated a place on each activity, these will be made available for payment to be made online. However, if you wish to pay a deposit using the online payment system, you will need to contact the Finance Office in the first instance to link the activity to your online account. The Finance Office can be contacted via the main school telephone number or by email – finance@waleshigh.com

To be returned to Pupil Reception by Friday 25th September, 2015

at close of school. I wish my son / daughter _____________________T.G _____ To be considered for a place on the following venture(s):

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

I understand that a draw for places may be required, and that no deposit is to be paid at this stage, but once my child is successful in securing a place, I will immediately forward a non-returnable deposit when requested. Signed: ________________________ Date:________________ Footnote: With so many applications annually, please write to let me know if your son/daughter has always been unsuccessful – and has yet to secure a place.

Department of Outdoor Pursuits Booking Form

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