Headteacher: Gavin Clark Depute Headteachers: Yvonne Binks (Grange), Julia Robertson (Seton), Calum Stewart (Gosford) Park View, Prestonpans, EH32 9QJ Tel: 01875 811170 Fax: 01875 810060 Email: [email protected]Website: www.prestonlodge.net Preston Lodge High School Preston Lodge is a community of learning. We value achievement, happiness and respect. GC/AC 15 January 2014 Dear Parent/Carer Preston Lodge High School Expedition: Thailand & Cambodia, July 2015 I am writing to the families of all S3, 4 and 5 students to launch our 2015 expedition to Thailand and Cambodia. In assemblies this week we are explaining the positive benefits of participation for our students and those people they will work with, whilst also outlining the ways in which we believe we can make this trip accessible to all students, irrespective of their financial circumstances. All school trips place a financial burden on families. This particular trip is an unusually expensive venture to the other side of the world. Why, then, are we taking part? We believe this trip not only offers our young people enormous personal and practical development opportunities, but it will also engage our students in meaningful and substantial development work - students participating in this expedition will spend 5 of their 21 days working to provide improved living standards for a rural community. For these, and many other reasons, we think it is important to offer this opportunity to our young people whilst also taking active steps to reduce cost. We have provided information about the trip itself in a separate booklet accompanying this letter. Any parents/carers who would like to find out more, with no commitment involved, are invited to a Parents’ Evening at the school on Wednesday 22 January at 7 pm. There, Outlook Expeditions will provide further information about the expedition, whilst the school will give further advice about how the trip can be made affordable. The high cost of this trip can be either significantly or wholly offset for students in a number of ways. Once a group of students has been established further discussions will take place, but approaches to reducing costs will certainly include: Whole group fundraising activities. We are provisionally planning for such activities to take at least £800 off the cost of this trip.
Transcript
Headteacher: Gavin Clark Depute Headteachers: Yvonne Binks (Grange), Julia Robertson (Seton), Calum Stewart (Gosford)
Individual sponsored activities. Experience shows it is realistic to suggest that students might be able to
raise £1000+ by undertaking individual sponsored activities over the 18 months between now and the
trip.
External funding sources. The school is actively looking into sources of funding outwith the school that
might reduce the trip cost.
Income from employment. We recently discussed employment income with our S5 and S6 students
and discovered that the average student in employment takes home £45 per week. Although student
employment needs to be carefully balanced with study responsibilities, it is realistic to suggest that
students who choose to part-fund their trip through this approach might be able to reduce the trip cost
by 70 weeks x £35 = £2450 whilst still retaining some money for immediate use. This would be a big
decision for a student, but is an approach some of our students have previously taken to participate in
similar expeditions.
We will not compel students who sign up to take any of these approaches, other than insisting that all
participants are involved in the whole group fundraising activities. I do hope, however, that this outline of
potential funding sources provokes conversations within families. We understand that very few families
could afford this expedition without active steps being taken to bring costs down and trip coordinators will
support all such students in their ventures.
We strongly believe that this expedition offers very significant opportunities to our young people. I am
confident that we can overcome financial barriers collectively to ensure nobody misses out on this
opportunity. Please contact Brian Frost at the school if you would like some specific information about the
trip. In the meantime, I very much hope to see a number of you at the Parents’ Evening next Wednesday.
Yours sincerely
Gavin Clark
Headteacher
Expedition Brief
An expedition for the bona fide explorer! Explore some of the most dramatic scenery and fascinating aspects of these South-East Asian neighbours. You will have the chance to trek through the jungles and discover beautiful and haunting temples, whilst also on the lookout for elephants and tigers. You’ll experience a whole new way of life whilst working on an inspiring community project. With pristine beaches lining the coasts, there’s no better place to kick back and reflect on this journey of a lifetime!
THAILAND & CAMBODIAPreston Lodge High SchoolExpedition: July 2015Link Teacher: Mr Brian Frost
21 days£3850
WELCOMEThe purpose of this brief is to introduce your expedition opportunity. It will give you a feel for the destination and the type of activities that you will be involved in. We’ve even thrown in a few interesting facts! The brief also includes information on how to apply and pay as well as the expedition price and everything that is and is not included. We hope this brief snapshot will leave you feeling inspired and wanting more!
•The magnificent temples of Angkor Wat
•Project work with a community in the heart of Cambodia
•Kayaking through crystal clear waters
HIGHLIGHTS
Thailand & CambodiaPreston Lodge High School Expedition July 2015, 21 days, £3850
AT A GLANCE
Physical Rating Low physical challenge
Culture Shock Eye opening - you will experience a very different world!
Altitude The expedition will not exceed 2500m
Visa Visa required for British nationals
You could be here
FACTS AND FIGURES RELIGION/S Buddhism
CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL INTEREST
Thailand is home to many ancient and sacred temples; it is one of the oldest and most important centres of Buddhism. Cambodia is home to the famous temples of Angkor Wat
LANGUAGES Thailand: Thai. Cambodia: Khmer
GEOGRAPHYThailand is flanked by Laos on its right while Cambodia is nestled just below
CLIMATE Tropical with seasonal rainfall (monsoon in late summer)
YOUR EXPEDITION OBJECTIVES This page details the objectives of your expedition; these are the areas around which your expedition will focus such as adventurous activities, projects and destination highlights.
Adventure
Thailand and Cambodia are two diverse and beautiful countries where ancient cultures and modernity clash in vibrant cities and colourful villages, and the landscape varies from pristine jungle to endless rice fields and spectacular coastlines.
Spend a day wandering the immense ruins of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat - the largest temple ever built on Earth! If you are really keen, you might want to get there for a truly unforgettable sunrise. There is so much history to explore in these old temples, which have been both Hindu and Buddhist. You can also visit the unique floating villages which are clustered along the shores of the huge Tonle Sap Lake.
There is no other adventure as idyllic as paddling through the crystal clear waters of the Koh Chang Marine National Park.
Travel under your own steam across a clear blue sea in your kayaks. At night you will be camping on beaches or staying in beach huts in the middle of the Bay of Thailand! The coastline here is spectacular and there are many beaches, coves and bays to visit, each with their own colourful coral reefs and an abundance of marine wildlife. The islands themselves consist of rainforests, rocky peaks and waterfalls. Paradise beckons!
Project
Your project will be based outside Battangbang in Cambodia. FEDA is a Cambodian NGO working to empower the community of Ksach Poy. Set up in 1994 by a group of local volunteers, FEDA aims to build a peaceful, positive future for their community.
FEDA supports education and income generation projects, such as a women’s clothing production initiative, tree planting, dry-rice farming, a restaurant, a youth band, a shop, an internet café and the children’s educational centre known as the House of Light and Knowledge. There is a new sense of hope which the community has not seen since before the devastation brought with the Khmer Rouge years.
The main bulk of the project will be spent teaching in the afternoons which will leave mornings free to get involved with the local community.
SNAPSHOTS Thailand & Cambodia
YOUR FLEXIBLE ITINERARY Your expedition has been tailor made for you around the destination, duration and objectives chosen by the Link Teacher/Group Leader. The itinerary below is flexible. Once the team is formed the participants will take part in a Development Day which will be led by one of our Expedition Planners, experts on the destination. They will work with the team to finalise the detail of the itinerary around the highlights, ensuring it meets team objectives and desires.
Day 1-2 Depart the UK on your flight to Bangkok, Thailand.
Day 3 Spend a day adjusting to the heat, humidity and general mayhem of one of the most energetic cities in the world! You will need to exchange money and confirm arrangements with in-country providers.
Day 4 Travel by bus into Cambodia and settle into your guesthouse accommodation in Siem Reap.
Day 5-6 Spend two days exploring the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat. You might also want to take a trip to visit the unique floating villages of Tonle Sap, the largest lake in South East Asia.
Day 7-11 Travel to the village of Battambang. Here you will undertake 5 days of volunteer project work for a local NGO which is working to provide better livelihoods for rural communities. Work could involve maintaining community buildings, tree planting and teaching in the educational centre.
Day 12-13 Travel back across the border into Thailand and head south to the picture perfect island of Koh Chang.
Day 14-18 Embark on a 5 day sea kayaking adventure across the clear blue waters of the Bay of Thailand. You will spend each night either camping in tents or staying in beach huts.
Day 19 Return to the mainland and head back to Bangkok. Enjoy a final meal together as a team and celebrate the completion of your expedition!
Day 20-21 Catch your flight home to the UK.
Due to the changing nature of the world over the build up period, Outlook may be required to change aspects of, or the order of the itinerary. Outlook will consult with the Link Teacher/Group Leader and all participants if this is the case.
• Spending money for gifts / souvenirs whilst on expedition• Inoculations, prophylaxis and personal medicine. (All participants based in England and Wales
receive 10% discount at Nomad Travel)• Visas and passports - please see your Expedition Brief to see which visas are required• Personal belongings insurance (this may be covered by your household / contents insurance)• Any additional insurance premiums required as a result of pre-existing medical conditions• Personal equipment (e.g. rucksack, sleeping bag, waterproof clothing); all participants receive 20%
discount at ‘Cotswold Outdoor’ on their first purchase and a further 15% on subsequent purchases.• Transport to and from UK-based training courses, to the Final Preparation Day venue and from the
airport• Food and accommodation in the UK, unless specified
UK Build Up(Please see brochure for more info)
Itinerary Development DayTeam Development DayExpedition Development DayFinal Preparation Day - School
Training Expedition Training Weekend in Crieff, Scotland
Link Teacher Training(Please see brochure for more info)
First Aid trainingLeader Team training event
Leader Team Composition Each team will be accompanied by 2 Link Teachers from Preston Lodge High School and an Outlook Expedition Leader
Flights International flights from Scotland (Edinburgh preferably)
Insurance(Please see brochure for more info)
Comprehensive medical insurance
Transport All overseas transport
In destination(Please see brochure for more info)
All food and accommodationAll group activities including any entrance feesAll R&R activity
Duke of Edinburgh Trek N/A
ASDAN N/A
Specific Equipment Requirements
A complete and detailed kit list will be provided as part of the build up
Notes N/A
Since 2001, Outlook Expeditions has sent thousands of young people around the globe on overseas expeditions. Outlook’s aim is to provide quality expeditions that not only offer a once in a lifetime chance to explore new places, but also opportunities to develop key skills such as leadership, communication and teamwork. Developing these skills offers participants a head start in becoming mature, confident and capable adults and concrete evidence of skills to support university or job applications.
Based in Snowdonia, North Wales, we have a staff team of 55; a diverse bunch with a common passion – a love of the outdoors and a pride in the expeditions that Outlook deliver! These guys and girls have seen it all and are always pleased to help, encourage and answer your questions.
Our uncompromising safety and support system and network of industry partners and professional bodies make us the most trusted youth expedition provider in the UK.
ABOUT OUTLOOK
OUR NETWORK Outlook holds the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge for expeditions. The badge is awarded to those providers who have been independently assessed against strict criteria that require the delivery of high quality expeditions with effective risk management procedures and commitment to engage in an ongoing process of delivering quality learning outside of the classroom.
Outlook Expeditions is fully compliant to the British Standards Institution (BSI) BS 8848: A specification for adventurous activities, expeditions, visits and fieldwork outside the UK. This stipulates that one person or organisation is identified as the ‘expedition organiser’ and takes responsibility for all aspects of the trip including safety. Outlook’s compliance to BS 8848 is your guarantee that when we use outside suppliers for any aspect of our expeditions - such as transport, accommodation or a specific activity - that they also follow the strict requirements of the standard.The Young Explorers’ Trust have produced a parents guide to BS8848 which can be read at www.theyet.org
ATOL financially protects all flights and air packages sold by UK tour operators, covering over 29 million travellers each year. ATOL is managed by the Civil Aviation Authority which is government backed and has been providing financial protection to air travellers for nearly 30 years. Outlook Expeditions holds an ATOL licence and our registration number is 6697.
ABTOT provides protection for your land only booking as set out in section 14 of our booking terms and conditions.
Our partnership with Remote Medical Support provides our teams with remote medical advice from a doctor in the UK 24/7.
The Expedition Providers’ Association (EPA) www.epa.uk.net was established in 2003 by companies within the youth expedition industry to share good practice. As one of the founding members of EPA, Outlook has helped to set the standards for youth expeditions.
Outlook is licenced by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority to provide outdoor adventure activities to young people under the age of 18 years. Our licence number is L5077/R1173.
Outlook is an Approved Activity provider for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. We have a wealth of experience in delivering DofE activities.
Outlook’s training courses are delivered by our partners at Plas y Brenin – The National Mountain Centre, Plas y Brenin is world renowned for the highest standards of outdoor training opportunities.
We monitor the advice from the Foreign Commonwealth Office on all our destinations before and during expeditions.
Outlook is working in partnership with the University of Wales, Bangor to investigate the impact that Outlook’s expeditions have on the participants who take part and examine the role that leadership plays. The first year of research undertaken in 2011 shows that all of the participants’ identified learning outcomes (e.g. self-esteem, leadership) had increased by the end of the expedition, and most were statistically significant.
In England and Wales Nomad provide our expedition groups with free destination specific vaccination and health advice. Link Teachers can even arrange for a Nomad vaccination clinic to visit their school to inoculate their entire expedition group with the vaccinations required at a 10% discounted price.
We are a registered ASDAN centre and are able to offer our participants the opportunity to complete the ASDAN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE) Level 3 which enables them to earn 70 UCAS points. We also offer the ASDAN Universities’ Award.
All of our Link Teachers receive 20% discount on purchases made at Cotswold Outdoor and our participants receive 20% discount on their first purchase.
Outlook is proud to be accredited with the Investors in People Award which recognises our complete commitment to the personal development of our staff. We have held this award for eight years.
Outlook has offset 133.33 tonnes of carbon dioxide through Climate Care greenhouse gas reduction projects in order to reduce the rate of global climate change.
HOW TO LAUNCH YOUR EXPEDITION
A WEB OF INFORMATION Visit our website, www.outlookexpeditions.com for detailed information about all aspects of our expedition programmes. Read our Blog at www.outlookexpeditions.com/blog
Visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/OutlookExpeditions which includes film clips from our expeditions and interviews with our customers.
Like our Facebook page and talk to 2,500 members of the extended Outlook family! Go to www.facebook.com and search for Outlook Expeditions.
Join our professional network on Linkedin and exchange information, ideas and opportunities with us.
Contact your Expedition Consultant Discuss convenient dates for us to come and run an Assembly and Information Evening. Once these dates have been agreed you will be assigned an Expedition Programme Co-ordinator. They will become your point of contact at Outlook from now until after your return from expedition.
Presentations at your schoolWe will run an Assembly Presentation for your students and an Information Evening for students and parents at your school or venue.
Apply onlineStudents will apply online to join the expedition and pay a deposit.
We hope you have decided that this is the expedition for your school or group. To launch all you need to do is follow these steps:
