Berlin April 2014 Information Booklet

1. Berlin April 2014 Information Booklet History

2. Berlin 2014 We hope that this visit to Berlin is going to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for you. This booklet is designed to give you some basic information about the region, the excursions and the expectations staff will have of you during the trip. The six staff accompanying this trip are: • Miss Driscoll (trip organiser and leader) • Mr Sweeney • Ms Brown • Mrs Cameron-McIntosh • Mr Watts • Miss Wall Hotel Details • Hotel Aldea • Address: Bülowstraße 19-22, 10783 Berlin, Germany • Phone: +49 30 246460 Travel company details • Adaptable Travel • 01451832133 – Office Hours • 07748842029 – Emergency Contact

3. Items to bring • For the journey • Snacks for the journey. • There should be no fizzy drinks or chewing gum. • Wear something comfortable. • Travel games, books, writing materials. • MP3 player. • Study materials. • Travel sickness tablets (to be handed in to each student’s group leader). • Wear your trip sweatshirt at the airport • One medium-sized suitcase – 15kg. • One small piece of hand luggage 55cm x 40cm x 20cm – 10kg. • Hand luggage restrictions: • Scissors (including nail scissors), knives, razors. • Other sharp objects. • Aerosol cans. • Liquids (sealed bottles of drink can be purchased at the airport once through into the departure lounge). • Any creams must be carried in a separate, clear bag. • Make up. • Snack food items should be in a clear, plastic bag. • All electrical goods must be carried in hand luggage. • On the trip • Small rucksack/day bag for excursions. • Comfortable shoes. • Clothing to suit variable weather conditions. • Warmer clothing for the evenings. • Wash kit and towels. • Travel plug (two pin). • Something waterproof. • Camera. • Something to carry money safely in.

4. Mobile phones Mobile phones will not be permitted on the trip. They are expensive to run abroad and can cause anxiety to pupils if they are lost. *** Please remember that you must be careful with all your belongings *** Behaviour and expectations Pupils need to be aware that they are at all times representing The King John School and are reminded to be well-mannered and courteous. Whenever pupils are given free time, they should always be in groups of at least four. In the airport, pupils must ensure that they stay within a given area and listen carefully to all public address announcements as well as any instructions given by staff. Pupils will be expected to wear their History jumper in the airport. Pupils must remove headphones at the airport in order to hear all announcements. In the Hotel, pupils should refrain from making too much noise and remember that there may be other members of the public staying there. Under no circumstances should any pupil buy or consume alcohol or tobacco. It is also forbidden to purchase lighters, fireworks or weapons of any kind. Should any pupils be found in possession of these items, they will be confiscated, parents will be informed immediately and the matter dealt with in the strongest terms, with serious jeopardy to participation in other school trips. Money It is extremely unlikely that anyone would need more than £100 spending money. This should be changed into Euros. Each student will be responsible for their own money. Pupils may want a small amount of Sterling for purchasing snack and lunch items at SouthendAirport since our first meal will be the evening meal at the hotel.

5. Medication If any pupils are taking medication please write a note giving precise instructions for dosage. This should be handed to the leader of your child’s group on the day of departure so that it can be monitored. Pupils with asthma will need to keep a pump with them and we will take spares. Other medical requirements will be catered for through contact with individual parents. Groups Pupils will be in groups for the trip and a member of staff will be the group leader. These groups will facilitate the checking of numbersand the distribution of medication. However, students will not be required to constantly remain in these groups when they are given free time. Safety For their safety, pupils are expected to listen carefully to any instructions given by members of staff. On excursions, pupils will be reminded of expectations and will be informed of the procedures for the trips. When given free time, pupils must be in groups of at least four. They will be told of meeting points and times and the confines of where they are allowed to go. If any problem arises a member of staff will always be at the meeting point. Pupils will also be given the phone number of the Hotel and of the emergency mobile phone which will be with a member of staff at all times. In case of difficulty, pupils can use the public phones to contact staff.

6. Itinerary

7. Code of Conduct • We have prepared this Code of Conduct following the guidelines given by the Department for Education and Skills for the Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits. • We all wish that every child enjoys themself during this visit, which, in turn, contributes to the enjoyment of others. This Code of Conduct aims to ensure that pupils benefit from the trip in a safe and controlled manner. • Responsibilities of Teachers: • Teachers must do their best to ensure the health and safety of everyone in their group and act as any reasonable parent would in the same circumstances. • They must maintain control and discipline. • They will stop any activity if they believe there is a risk to the pupils in their care. • They will ensure that pupils are aware of the expectations for each element of the trip (such as meeting times, meeting points, behaviour requirements, safety features). • There will always be a teacher at the agreed meeting points and pupils will know how and where to contact a member of staff. • They will contact parents in the case of an emergency. • They will also contact parents in the case of serious behaviour infringements. • Responsibilities of Pupils: • Pupils will attend a meeting before the trip where they will be informed of all expectations and the safety aspects for the visit. • They must follow the instructions of the group leaders at all times. • They must behave sensibly and responsibly and must be sensitive to local customs. • They must be courteous and polite at all times. • They must be punctual for meeting times. • They need to inform the group leaders if they are experiencing any problems or difficulties. • They will ensure that they respect the rules of the hotel, including keeping rooms tidy. • Safety Precautions: • The following safety precautions are necessary to ensure the health and safety of the pupils at all times.

8. Pupils will follow the established group-system to make sure numbers can be checked quickly. They will also remain in those groups whenever they are required to do so. All instructions must be adhered to. • At the airport, pupils will listen to all instructions. • In the hotel, pupils will only go into their own allocated room, apart from during supervised social time. • Pupils will stay in their room when told to go to bed, unless they need to talk to a teacher. “Lights out time” must also be respected. • Pupils must not climb on the balconies. • When pupils have some relaxation time in the hotel, they will not leave the premises. • Pupils will not use the swimming pool unless they are supervised. • No swimming in the sea will be permitted. • Pupils must not buy or bring knives, laser pens, firecrackers and similar products, cigarettes, lighters or alcohol. • Pupils should always be in groups of 4 when given free time. In the case of difficulty, two members of the group should find a teacher, whilst the other member of the group stays with the person having a problem. • Each pupil will carry with them at all times the card with the emergency mobile phone number and the hotel address on it. • This is an official school excursion and pupils need to be aware that they are representing The King John School. The future of each pupil’s eligibility to participate in any school trip depends on them upholding the school’s reputation through safe and good conduct at all times. • If it is deemed that your child is placing themself or others in extreme danger or consistently fails to follow instructions, then parents will be contacted and may then be asked to come and take their child home at their own expense. • Miss Driscoll – Trip Leader