South Africa 2018 Information Evening • Aim of this evening is to give you information about this exciting trip • Give to an opportunity to ask any questions • Outline what the next steps are if you decide you would like to join us
Programme • Flight to South Africa • Travel to OBSA • Acclimatisation • Expedition • Water activities • Community Project • Cultural aspect
Flight details • Unknown at the moment but need to book asap. • Heathrow or Birmingham dependent upon carrier • Twelve hour flight approx. • May be direct maybe via a hub. • Ideally into Cape Town then drive to OBSA • Or via Johannesburg then onto George or Port Elizabeth • Short to drive Willow Point
Return details • Travel by coach from Willow Point to Cape Town via Hermanus • May break journey with over night stay in Riversend • Two night stay in Cape Town • Accommodation in hotel • Long journey by coach approx 5 to 6 hours • Fly home from Cape Town
Documentation • All students will need a passport with at least 3 months until expiry date two clean pages • Recent regulations means that I will need your written permission to take your son/daughter into and out of South Africa • Will also need a copy of their birth certificate and a copy of your passport • All students are insured as part of the schools policy but there maybe an excess for pre- existing conditions. These need to be notified before hand
Dates • These are still to be finalised and are dependent upon flights and numbers. • Looking at leaving so we are in Africa for the last week of term and returning 15 days later – so somewhere July 18 th and then returning at the start of August. • These will be finalised asap
What we will do • Tried and tested programme • Been going since 2005 • Not a holiday — very tough at times • Physically hard.. need to be fit • Emotionally very challenging • Need to be resilient
First few days….acclimatisation • Only one hours difference in terms of time so no jet lag but will be tired due to travel • Sleeping in tents so will take a while to get used to this. Will be cold • Winter in the southern hemisphere • Twelve hours of light- goes dark very quickly • Series of activities to get students working together • Up early – PT followed by jog and dip for all • Traditional Outward Bound
Expedition • Physical challenge — very tough • 10 km walk along the beach • Camp at Municipal site • Cook own food • Return to Willow Point by foot • Carry all equipment • Rucksack provided plus Kari mat and tent • Travel light
Water activities • Everyone will take part in some form of activity on the water • Either canoes/kayak or whaler – large rowing boat • Safety regulations followed including a capsize test • Will also do Morning Jog and Dip if not too cold!
Community Projects • One of the main reasons we are going!! • Two projects . Two primary schools • Rondevelei have been a partner since 2005 and Ruigetvie since 2013 • Even though school has closed we still support the community • Community concert and tea • Help in classrooms , reading and speaking English plus sports activities and working on play ground and in garden • Both schools together at Willow Point then for a day.
Cultural section • Visit to Game Reserve • African dancing and drumming • Robben Island – weather permitting • Table Mountain – weather permitting • Penguin colony • Café Africa – African banquet and African drumming and singing • Shopping in Kynsna and in Cape Town
Equipment • Will be cold – particularly at night • Old , warm clothes that can be left or thrown away. Good foot wear — boots best • Waterproofs, wet shoes , swimwear • Rucksack for travel • Small Cape Town bag for end of trip • Can borrow exped rucksack from OBSA • Head torch
Equipment • Need warm sleeping bag plus fitted bottom sheet to cover mattress. Sleeping bag liner • Need plastic plate/ mug/ dish / Knife fork spoon • Large bin liners plus everything in plastic bags • Must be able to carry rucksack / case!! Not rely on wheels
Finances • £2,200 max to include Training weekend and all entry fees – hopefully less • Includes all travel , meals ,activities, insurance and events. • Optional evening meal out in Kynsna • Pocket money – little opportunity to spend- suggest no more than £100 in rand. Good rate!
Finance • Will set up monthly payment schedule • Can use Parent Pay • Need £300 deposit by Friday 13 th October to secure place (if successful). Non returnable unless covered by insurance • Final balance by end of June next year • No profit • OBSA not travel company
Training Programme • Weekend next spring • Avoid clash with DoE • After school meetings • Several parents information sessions to keep you update
Fund Raising • Will encourage students to fund raise • Some opportunities within school • Good for students to be involved with raising or even earning the money.
Medical Information • Best to consult GP • Advice differs • Need to ensure tetanus up to date • Rabies – up to you but advise in general - no • Not a malaria area so ne need for medication but need to be careful in terms of biting insects —” longs “ and insect repellent • Near to medical facilities and private hospital
Medical Information • Need to bring own first aid /medical kit particularly pain killers • Water comes from lake so only to be used for washing • Safe to drink but not recommended – drinking water will be provided • Outward Bound style food
What next? • Short letter of application saying what they would bring to the trip • Why do they want to go • If successful • First deposit on £300 by Friday 13 th October • Application letters by 3.30pm Friday 29 th September • Next meeting after half term • Flight details out as soon as booked
Final thoughts • Not a holiday – life changing experience • Real insight into a totally different culture and way of life • Very different – not wrong!! • Re think how you view life , possessions and what you take for granted • At times it will be very tough – but it’s that out of comfort zone experience we are going for • Enjoy and remember
Future events • Email me at any time if you have any questions sbailey@arthurterry.bham.sch.uk Thank you for coming!!
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