Dol y Moch is THIS WEEKEND and we are all super excited to get packed up and started on our Welsh adventure!
Below are a few reminders:
Dates: Saturday 16th November – Wednesday 20th November 2024
Staff: Mrs Hartwell, Mrs Kerry & Mr Youson
Activities include: orienteering, beach exploring, rock and water adventure, mountain and mine adventures.
*We will be sharing the centre with the children and staff from St John Vianney Primary School
– Children are to arrive at school on Saturday 16th November 2024 no later than 12pm for a prompt 12.15pm coach boarding time and 12.30pm departure time. We will all gather by the school hall doors so that a register can be taken and any last minute medication handed over. Please could we keep the driveway and roads leading to the school as clear from cars as possible to help the coach driver manoeuvre through the tight roads.
– Children should wear their full All Souls school tracksuit with appropriate footwear and have a waterproof coat handy for the journey.
– All
medication should be handed to Mrs Hartwell in clearly labelled packaging and a medical form must be filled and in online here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6TEXfWfodzG4NAT3algGSrlbyoUm5Xyrz8vSiQMyP5hSvqg/viewform . This includes travel sickness tablets which should also be handed to Mrs Hartwell so that these can be given at the recommended times before travel (if not already given) and in preparation for the way home. Even if your child has never been travel sick before, it might be worth a precautionary dose as the roads leading to the house are very winding and often result in a wave of motion sickness (even to children who have never experienced this before!). On this note, please consider carefully what and when you are feeding your child before the journey.
– Children will be supplied with a snack and drink during our stop at the service station where they will have a chance to stretch their legs and pop to the toilet. However, they may bring a SMALL packet of mints/hard boiled sweets to suck on throughout the journey to reduce travel sickness. They should also have a reusable water bottle with them. No other food or drink will be allowed to be consumed on the coach.
– Children are allowed to bring a small backpack on the coach in which they can carry something to keep them occupied (e.g. playing cards, notepad, book, etc.)
– Please double check the clothing list – the more spares the merrier (particularly spare footwear!) although the children should be aware that they will have to transport their own cases to their rooms so equally need to pack sensibly… (I have attached the kit list as a reminder)
– Children do not need to bring any form of bedding with them as it is all provided by DYM although they will be expected to make their own beds. This is always interesting to watch!
– Children will find out who they are sharing a room with and their activity groups upon arrival at DYM
– I will update our social media accounts to let you know we have safely arrived as soon as possible; however, please be aware, that ensuring the children are safe, settled and happy will be our first priority. I will do my best to share some of our fun with you throughout our time at Dol y Moch but again, the children are our priority so always remember that no news equals good news! Please try not to worry – we promise to look after them.
– Children are not allowed to take any food or electrical items with them in their case to DyM (unless in exceptional circumstances / medical reasons discussed with Mrs Hartwell). These are DYM’s rules, not ours, and they are very strict with this for health and safety reasons. Any items found will be confiscated.
– If the children earn their group stars, there will be a tuck shop open to them in the evening to purchase treats and on the last night they will have the opportunity to buy any souvenirs/gifts should they wish to with items ranging from £1 – £4.50. Children will be responsible for looking after their own money. DyM staff have asked that where possible, children bring small change to support with the tills.
– Finally, we return to school on Wednesday 20th November 2024 by approximately 1.15pm. Please be aware that if we are delayed for any reason, I will update you through our social media accounts. You are more than welcome to collect your child at this time or they can be collected at the end of the school day if this suits more. Whilst we appreciate if you have siblings in school, this would involve more than one journey to school for collections, but unfortunately other siblings in school will need to be collected as normal at the end of the day.
If your child will be staying at school for the afternoon, please could you let me know at drop off on Saturday and order them a school dinner on the gateway app so that they have something to eat after their coach journey.
Registration will remain open until 9.30am on the morning of Thursday 21st November 2024, recognising children may be feeling a bit tired after their adventures. We understand that children may feel the need to rest and may want to stay home from school the next day and even the next maybe but please, if possible, encourage your child to come in so that we can finish the week together, slowly but surely!
I hope that answers any last minute questions you might have and that you are all as excited as we are! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me or pop and see me at the end of the school day. This really is a fantastic opportunity for children where they really learn a lot about themselves, conquer fears, enhance their friendships and create memories that they always look back on so fondly.
I can’t wait!
Mrs Hartwell
