• MONEY Since most of the excursions and all the main meals are covered in the cost of the trip, pupils will only require spending money. They will need some money in pounds to cover spending in Britain on the way to and from France. We will operate a ‘tuck shop’ since sweets and juice cost considerably more in France. Other money should be changed into Euros. Could you please send spending money into the school in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and the amount of cash contained within by Monday, 3rd May. In France, all pupils’ money will be held in the hotels’ safes, whilst staff will operate a daily bank where pupils will be allowed to withdraw a limited amount of money per day.
• LUGGAGE It is advisable for pupils to limit themselves to one reasonable-sized suitcase since they will have to move between hotels. In addition, they should bring a small rucksack with essential items for the journey (ie food, reading material, etc). This can also be used when we are out on excursions. Personal stereos, videos, games etc. for the coach can be taken, but entirely at the pupil’s own risk. Luggage labels will be issued prior to departure. These should be clearly labelled with the address in France and home address.
• CLOTHING Given the time of year, you should allow for all possibilities. Casual clothes are preferable for travel, excursions and sporting activities. Pupils should also have a warm sweater, some form of waterproof jacket and sensible footwear (ie trainers). There will be quite a lot of walking involved in some excursions. We will also need jackets for evening activities. The Chateau du Molay asks pupils to have a clean change of footwear for indoor use. Pupils should also bring their own soap, shampoo and other toiletries as well as two large towels and face cloth. It may be advisable to put name tags or other identifying marks on clothes and other items. HYGIENE All the rooms in both hotels are equipped with en-suite facilities. Pupils are expected to use showers and baths on a regular basis.
• FOOD Our first meal will be on arrival at the Chateau du Molay on Thursday evening. Pupils should, therefore, be provided with snacks for the journey down. Staff will provide a continental breakfast on the Thursday morning. Food can also be bought on board the ferry and at service stations, although this tends to be quite expensive. You may also wish to provide a packed lunch for the Thursday. Alternatively, you may wish to provide a few pounds extra in Euros since we will be in France for lunchtime on the Thursday. Meals on the return journey will be catered for. However, pupils should keep some British money for the return journey through England, to buy snacks. The food is of a high standard, with a French flavour. Your visit will give you a good chance to try foods you may never have had before. Part of the fun of this trip is seeing how the French live. So, try everything at least once - you may be pleasantly surprised ! Remember to be polite when accepting or refusing food.
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MEDICINE Staff must be informed of all medicines which pupils take with them. These should all be handed over to staff for safe keeping, prior to the journey, unless otherwise agreed beforehand. Travel sickness pills should be taken before travelling, if required.
• BEHAVIOUR When in the hotels, on excursions and during any other activity, you are expected to remain together, unless otherwise instructed. Pupils are representing the school and are expected to behave, at all times, in a manner which would be acceptable in school. There will be other guests sharing our accommodation and other visitors at the places we visit. All pupils are, therefore, expected to be courteous, sociable and considerate at all times. Pupils are not allowed to smoke; cannot buy knives, laser pens, fireworks and toy guns and cannot buy goods from the Duty Free shops. Pupils found to be smoking, drinking alcohol, shoplifting or ignoring the main rules set for the group, will be severely dealt with. These are serious offences which jeopardise the health, safety and enjoyment of others and in some cases can be considered criminal offences. Staff reserve the right to send such pupils home immediately, at their parents’ expense.
• MOBILE PHONES - WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT PUPILS DO NOT BRING MOBILE PHONES - THEY OFTEN DO NOT WORK IN FRANCE - OR EXPENSIVE CAMERAS OR COMPUTER GAMES / PSPs etc. THESE ARE NOT COVERED BY OUR INSURANCE POLICY AND CAN BE EASILY LOST OR STOLEN. THE SCHOOL WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR SUCH LOSSES OR BE ABLE TO REIMBURSE PARENTS.
The emergency contact numbers are : Musselburgh Grammar 0131 665 4278 Chateau du Molay (21st May p.m – 25th May a.m.) Rue D’ Isigny 14330 Molay Littry (tel : 00 33 2 31 21 45 51) Hotel Alhambra 13, rue de Malte 75011 PARIS Tel : (33) 01 47 00 35 52
Itinerary Normandy Tuesday 14th May 2013
Paris
Depart Musselburgh Grammar School
10pm
19th May 2013
Wednesday 15th May 2013
Dover Ferry breakfast Honfluer lunch Arrive at Chateau
Thursday 16th May 2013
Sacre Couer sightseeing 1.30 -3.00pm 6pm Breakfast 9am - 5pm
Lunch Swimming pool at Chateau (to be confirmed) Dinner Friday 17th May 2013
20th May 2013
Breakfast 08.00am 9am -5pm 1.30pm Dinner 6.00pm
9.40 - 11.00am 11.30 -12.30pm
Breakfast British war cemetry - Bayeux 9.30 - 10.30pm Bayeux market 11am -1pm Omaha Beach/ Museum (weather dependant) 1-4.30pm Lunch 4.30pm Swimming pool at Chateau (to be confirmed) Dinner Fancy Dress Disco - hawaii
9pm
Monday Walking tour of Paris (metro) Louvre Lunch
Lunch American War Cemetry - St. Laurent-sur-Mer 1.00 - 2.30pm German Military Cemetry - La Cambe 3pm -4.00pm Swimming pool at Chateau (to be confirmed) (bbq) Frogs leg, snails tasting Karaoke
2pm-3.30pm Dinner 6.30pm
Bateaux Mouches
Breakfast Arromanche 360 Cinema German Battery - Longues sur Mer
Travel to Paris Eiffel tower lunch
7.30am
Zoo
Saturday 18th May 2013
Sunday
Eiffel Tower level2
8.00pm
Tuesday 21st May 2013
Breakfast 07.30am Disneyland
9am-5pm Lunch 1.30pm Dinner 8.30pm
Wednesday 22nd May 2013
Breakfast 07.30am City Europe lunch Ferry
Thursday 23rd June 2013 Arrive at School
2am approx
Kit List Comfortable travelling clothes Warm jersey/fleece for wearing on the ferry Waterproof rain jacket (preferably one which can be folded to be easily carried in a rucksack) Sweatshirts (France ’12) Water bottle Shorts Jogging bottoms/jeans Trainers/shoes Indoor shoes Socks Underwear Nightwear 2 large towels Sunglasses Toiletries Suntan lotion and aftersun (high factor, especially if susceptible to sunburn) Insect repellent Camera Packed Lunch for journey