Development Association Stonyhurst College

Stonyhurst

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• Rudiments Paris Trip 2012

Rudiments Paris Trip 2012

As group leader I have experience in organising and taking tours of all sizes and ages,

• I have clearly defined all the staff roles; I will appoint a deputy and Miss Roseanne Allen will be i/c First Aid.
• I Please contact me with any concerns at any time. My email address is  j.hines@stonyhurst.ac.uk
• I will ensure that all staff members have a copy of the risk assessment and the emergency procedures. I will ensure that the staff have details of pupils’ special or medical needs which will be necessary for them to carry out their duties effectively.

5. The TEACHERS

 

• The teachers will do their best to ensure the health and safety of all group members and will act as any responsible parent would do in similar circumstances.
• They will follow the guidance of the group leader and help with control and discipline.
• They will notify the group leader if they think there is a risk to the health and safety of the pupils in their charge.

 

6. YOU, the PARENTS

 

• You have already made an informed decision on whether your child should join the tour. 
• If you would like to provide me with information on whether your child has spent time away from home before and his/her ability to cope effectively, please do so.
• Later in this booklet, I will help you to prepare your child specifically for the tour. 
• I ask you to reinforce the expectations of the school in terms of behaviour.  Poor behaviour in the context of a foreign tour can be dangerous.
• You have provided me with emergency contact numbers.
• You have signed the medical consent form.

You have provided me with details concerning your child’s health which are relevant to the tour.

 

 

7. RISK.

 

Risk assessment is ongoing throughout the tour.  

The staff and I will monitor risks throughout the tour and we shall take appropriate action whenever necessary.  A comprehensive risk assessment has been completed and handed to the Headmaster. 

 

In assessing risks, I have taken the following factors into account:

 

• The type of activity and the level at which it is being undertaken.
• The location, routes and mode of transport.
• The competence, experience and qualifications of the staff.
• The staff/ pupil ratio.
• The age of the children and the suitability of the activity.
• The special educational and medical needs of the pupils.
• Weather conditions.
• The need to monitor risks throughout the visit.

 

8. Head Counts.

 

• There will be regular head counts, particularly when leaving a venue and boarding the coach. 
• The party will be divided into groups headed by a member of staff and the registration will be conducted by them and then by the Group Leader.  
• The pupils will have a card with the following information: their own name, hotel addresses and ‘phone numbers, the school contact number, the party leader’s name and mobile number.

 

9. INFORMATION TO PUPILS

 

Some of the children are seasoned travellers.  For others, this may well be their first time away from home.  I have tried to ensure that all have the best time possible by reducing any worries or anxieties they may have.

 

I have endeavoured to ensure that they all understand:

 

• The aims and objectives of the tour.
• The information about the places we are to visit.
• How to avoid specific dangers.
• Why they should follow rules.
• The safety precautions in place.
• The standard of behaviour expected of them.
• Who is responsible for the tour.
• What not to bring back to the UK.
• What they must do if they are approached by someone outside the party.
• Rendezvous procedures.

What they must do if separated from the group.

• The children will not wear name badges.
• Rendezvous points will be established and meeting times clearly stated.
• Children will not be allowed to be in groups of less than three.

Children will be instructed what to do if they become separated from the group.                                                       

 

10. DISCIPLINE

 

It is always a pleasure to take an SMH party on a trip whether it is an evening visit to the theatre or a major excursion abroad.  The children are invariably good company, courteous to staff and the public and, most of all, well-behaved. 

 

Staff are not complacent, however, and ground rules have to be laid down, especially as this tour takes place at a significant distance from parents and school.

 

A considerable amount of trust will be invested in the children and it is the rightful expectation of the staff that the children should be well-behaved, courteous, and will use their common sense at all times.

 

 

Poor behaviour will spoil the tour for everyone and, more seriously, will present a danger to the party.

 

In the case of a serious breach of the rules I will telephone the parents, tell them what has happened and then ask them to speak to their child.  

 

I will also have to inform the Headmaster.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

11. TRANSPORT

 

The children have been made aware of the basic safety rules and these will be repeated and regularly reinforced. 

 

These include:

 

• Arrive on time for the coach and wait in a safe designated place.
• Do not rush when the coach arrives.
• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Remain seated whilst travelling.
• Luggage should not block the aisle.
• Never attempt to get on or off the coach when it is in motion.
• Never throw anything out of the window.
• Never get off a vehicle held up in traffic or at traffic lights.
• Never run or pass anyone on steps when the coach is moving.
• Never kneel or stand on the seats.
• Never distract the driver or impede his vision.
• After leaving the coach wait for it to move off before crossing the road.
• Take great care when proceeding to and from the coach while onboard the ferry.
• Remember that the door will open onto the road when in Europe.  Do not leave the coach without supervision from a member of staff.
• Those who feel unwell are encouraged to say so immediately.  Sick bags will be provided. 
• Travel sickness pills will only be administered with previous authorisation from parents.
• The coach must be kept clean and tidy at all times.  Rubbish bags will be hung from armrests and changed frequently.

 

I have also taken into account the following important factors.

Passenger safety.

Driver competence and qualifications.

The driver is familiar with driving in France and has driven for similar tours.

The coach is fitted with tachograph equipment.

The number of driving hours required and the length of the driver’s day.

The Group Leader will assess driver fatigue and ability to maintain concentration. 

Types of journey: some motorway driving and many visits in the locality of the hotel.

Traffic conditions.

Arrangements in case of breakdown.

Weather

Journey time and distance.

Regular stops for toilets and refreshments

A toilet for emergencies on the coach.

Supervision and seat belt checks.

In the event of an accident or breakdown, the group will be moved to a place of safety and will be supervised directly by the group leader and members of staff.

The driver will not be responsible for any supervision of the group, though he will be encouraged to participate and get to know everybody. 

The driver usually becomes a popular addition to the party.

12. The Ferry

 

The children will be allowed to move in groups on the ferry.  However, they have been told that discipline, courtesy and good behaviour are expected of them at all times.  Before they are allowed to explore, they will be reminded of safety procedures and told where and at what time they have to reassemble.  They will be shown the emergency meeting points and where emergency procedures are displayed. 

 

13. HOTEL

 

The children have been told that their behaviour in the hotels must be excellent.  The children are expected to be well-behaved in their rooms and not to disturb other guests.

 

• Once they have been sent to their rooms, they must go to bed and sleep. 
• Staff will patrol until all is quiet before retiring.  The days are long and everyone will be tired.
• The children will be safe in their rooms. 
• The hotels are good and their staff are very security conscious.
• Children must not lean out of the hotel windows.
•           The children have been told that leaving their rooms to visit friends down the corridor is dangerous and will          be treated as a serious breach of discipline.    

 

Please go through these rules with your child and stress their importance.

 

 

Other considerations in the hotels

 

• I shall ask the hotels to restrict the TV reception to appropriate channels for the age group.
• All hotel rooms are en-suite and will have 2-3 children in each. 
• I have requested that none of the rooms should be on the ground floor and that they should all be together.
• The children will be informed of staff room numbers. 
• There will be a review of fire procedures.
• Receptions in both hotels are manned 24 hours a day.
• Doors lock as they close.  Children have been told to open them to staff only.  Staff will knock on the door and identify themselves.
• The rooms are spacious.  The children are expected to keep them tidy and there will be a prize for the best room at the end of the tour.
• All teachers will be on standby during the night.

 

 

14. REMOTE SUPERVISION

 

All visits are supervised and organised by the Group Leader.  On occasions during the trip when pupils will be allowed to explore in groups they will comprise of no fewer than three people. There will be a meeting place set clearly for them and registers will be taken at frequent intervals.

 

15. INSURANCE

 

If you live in the UK.

Please ensure that your child brings along a European Health Insurance Card for medical insurance.  This can be obtained online at

www.dh.gov.uk/travellers

If you live outside the UK,

Please ensure that you take out extra insurance to cover your child for the duration of the tour. 

 

16.FIRST AID

First Aid forms part of the Risk Assessment.

 

17. Other Considerations

The children will be given a bottle of water every day. More will be available if the weather is hot. High factor sun cream will be available, though it is advisable for the children to bring their own. This can act as protection against weather in general: the weather in June can vary.

The children will take care of their own money and so advice will be given on how to carry it discretely. They should not bring travellers’ cheques and should keep to the recommended amounts £30 and 70 Euros.

 

NO CHEWING GUM, PLEASE!!

Chewing gum is not allowed. It is a reasonable ruling and one which is standard with all coach companies.

NO CAFFEINE RICH ENERGY DRINKS (RED BULL), PLEASE!!

The children do not need such drinks and many places, especially in France, will not sell this type of drinks to minors.

These factors have also formed part of the planning.

• Equipment needed by the group
• Facilities provided at the venue
• Staff briefing
• Transport arrangements
• Communication arrangements
• Information to parents
• Preparation of pupils

 

18. CONTACT DURING THE TOUR

 

Mobile phones and internet enabled devices

 

After consultation with the Headmaster and all the teachers accompanying the tour, I have decided not to allow the children to bring mobile phones or any internet enabled devices with them.  This includes any device which can send messages even over a short distance.  Laptops and iPads are also banned.  Please let me explain why I have come to this important decision.

 

The benefits are many and when the same ban was in place for the previous two Somme tours, there were no incidences of homesickness, nobody requested to use the tour mobile and nobody called the tour mobile from home.  This remains a very sensitive issue and, despite the fact that all the structures for safeguarding are now firmly in place, there has been an ongoing debate amongst teachers at SMH about the advantages and pitfalls of allowing them on trips and tours. 

 

The fact remains that mobiles and internet enabled devices are open to misuse and any inappropriate behaviour will jeopardise the safeguarding of both children and staff.  If that were not important enough, such expensive items are also a security risk to the party.  If you are in any doubt about this, please call or email me at SMH.

 

Throughout the tour, I will carry a school mobile, which the children can use if they need to contact you and you can always call me on the same phone if there is an emergency. The children and staff will have the number of this mobile on their tour identity cards.

 

The best way to stay in contact with the progress of the group is to call SMH during school hours. You may of course ring me but it may not be safe or appropriate for me to take long phone calls when supervising the children.  The itinerary is well planned and we will not deviate from it unless there is good reason to do so.  If there is a change of itinerary, I will call SMH and you will be contacted by Group Call. 

 

During our return on Thursday 21^st June, I will be in constant contact with SMH and the College, so I advise you to give both Receptions a ring if you wish to find out how we are progressing.  After hours, please call 01254 826345 or 01254 827287.  A member of the Security personnel will try to answer before the phone connects to the voice service.  If there is no reply, they will probably be on their rounds, so please keep trying.

 

 

 

19. TUCK: sweets and sticky drinks

 

   I need to recruit your support as parents to control the amount of sweets and drinks, which your children bring on the trip.

 

Previous trips have seen problems caused by an excess of tuck to the point where sweets, crisps and sticky drinks were being consumed in enormous proportions.

 

As a result, after consultation with staff, I have had to ban tuck during the day.

 

Please give your children a reasonable amount of tuck:  I suggest that they should have enough for the first day of travel and use their spending money to buy more if they need it.  Those who bring enough for the whole tour tend to consume it before we reach the lunchtime ferry on Day One. 

 

We will provide water during the day and then crisps and chocolate bars (Kit Kats etc) with an extensive and healthy lunch.

 

20. TOUR DETAILS AND ITINERARY

 

Staff: 5

Mrs J Hines, Tour Leader/DSP Mobile No. 07921472166

Miss R Allen, First Aider

Mrs S Grix

Mr M Gibson

Mr A Walter

Children: 47          Staff/pupil ratio 1/9

 

Hotel

Etap HT Port D Vincennes

2 Avenue Leon

Gaumont

75020

Paris

 

Telephone: +33 892683257

 

Ferry P&O

June 17^th    Outward    12:05

June 21^st    Return        14:50

 

 

 

ITINERARY

 

Sunday 17^th June

 

3:45am  Parents and Pupils Breakfast at SMH

4:30am  Depart

13:55pm Ferry from Dover

16:25pm Arrive at Calais

20:00pm Arrive at the hotel

20:45pm Dinner at the hotel then bed!

 

Monday 18^th June

8:30 Breakfast

9:30 Notre Dame Cathedral/Latin Quartier

11:30 Musee De L’Orangerie

13:30 Eiffel Tower

14:30 Bateaux Parisiens

16:00 Chamos Eysees

         Montmartre & Sacre Coeur

20:30 Dinner at Chez Gigi

 

Tuesday 19^th June

 

8:30 Breakfast

9:30 Disneyland Paris

7:00 Dinner at Disneyland Park

Wednesday 20^th June

 

9:00 Breakfast

10:00 Versailles

12:30 Lunch

15:30 Tour Montparnasse

17:00 Pompidou Centre

18:15 Musee Du Louvre

20:00 Dinner at Auberge Du Pere Louis

21:30 Return to Hotel

 

Thursday 21^st June

 

9:00 Breakfast Depart Hotel

13:20 Check in at Port

10:00 ETA SMH TBC

 

 

 

21. PACKING GUIDE:

 

Pupils should use their SMH 2011 battlefield tour bag similar sized holdall or green SMH sports bag. There will not be any room for large suitcases.

Pupils should also bring a small suitable day bag which they can keep with them. This will contain things they may need on the coach and their packed lunch.

 

Children will need practical clothing for the trip. Usual home clothes will be fine. There is no need to buy anything especially for the trip.

 

Essentials;

 

Socks and underwear for 5 days

Spare pair of sturdy shoes/trainers

Warm jumper or a fleece

Weatherproof jacket

Shirts/trousers

Towel

 

Please be aware that all pupils need to be modestly dressed visiting Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur.

It is a good idea to have iPods, though these are brought along at the risk of the owner.

 

DON’T FORGET A CAMERA

 

Warning: DVD players tend to make the watchers feel travel sick. Do bring some age-appropriate dvds for the coach, though.

During our return, we shall contact SMH reception and Reception at the College as soon as we leave Dover, so please call them for a progress report.

Telephone numbers:    SMH: 01254 826242    College: 01254 826345 Mobile: 07921472166

 

 

 

 

First Aid forms part of the Risk Assessment. Angela Bell, the SMH School Nurse, will come on the trip.

 

17. Other considerations

 

The children will be given a bottle of water every day.  More will be available if the weather is hot.

High factor sun cream will be available, though it is advisable for the children to

This can act as protection against weather in general: the weather in June can vary.

 

The children will take care of their own money and so advice will be given on how to carry it discretely. 

They should keep to the recommended amounts: £30 and €70.

 

 

NO CHEWING GUM, PLEASE!!

Chewing gum is not allowed.  It is a reasonable ruling standard with all coach companies.

 

NO CAFFEINE RICH ENERGY DRINKS (RED BULL), PLEASE!!

The children do not need such drinks and many places, especially in France and Belgium, will not sell this type of drink to minors.

 

These factors have also formed part of the planning.

 

• Equipment needed by the group.
• Facilities provided at the venue.
• Staff briefing.
• Transport arrangements.
• Insurance arrangements.