Australia Trip 2007

The Darwin Experience

Following on from the success of last year’s Australian Trip to Perth, this year Ascot embarks on an adventure to the Top End!

The destination is Darwin, Northern Territory.

Important Dates
July 16th 2007 – First day of Summer School
July 23rd – Aug 3rd 2007 – Key Stage 2 Trip to Australia
July 30th 2007 – Buddhist Lenten Day (Public Holiday)
August 3rd 2007 – Last day of Summer School & Australian Visitors return to Bangkok

The total cost is 68,000 baht plus visa costs includes:

• One full week at Ascot International School with a full timetable of lessons and activities in preparation for the trip to Australia; and
  
• 12 days in Australia including airfare, accommodation, excursions, transportation and all meals provided.
  

Safety and Security Matters

The school has undertaken a risk assessment of all aspects of the trip to Australia. The safety and security of the children is of paramount importance to us and we are confident that the procedures in place are appropriate to ensure the children’s welfare whilst they are away from home.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding these matters, please speak to or e-mail your child’s class teacher or myself.

Confirmed Dates

Summer School - Monday July 16th to August 3rd 2007
In School at Ascot International School - July 16th to July 20th
Flight to Australia - July 23rd 2007
Return to Bangkok - August 3rd 2007

We will meet at the Suvarnabhumi Airport at a time to be confirmed on the morning of Monday 23rd July. The children will arrive back at the airport on Friday August 3rd. The time of arrival will be confirmed and sent to you via SMS. Please meet your child at the airport.

Agenda for Summer School in Darwin Australia 2007

Monday 23rd July Depart Bangkok and Arrive Darwin, Australia

Summer school begins at the Ascot international School campus one week prior to the commencement of the trip to Australia The teaching of subjects at school in Bangkok is central and relative to the trip to Australia.
Arrive in Darwin and settle into our accommodation. Spend the rest of the day exploring the Northern Territory capital and commence journal writing.

Tuesday 24th July 2007

Spend some time discovering the Darwin Wharf Precinct which incorporates the Australian Pearling Exhibition and Indo Pacific Marine. The Australian Pearling Exhibition provides an overview of Darwin's pearling history. Indo Pacific Marine contains a living marine eco-tourism display, featuring the coral reefs of the Northern Territory.


Wednesday 25th July 2007

Travel south of Darwin to explore Litchfield National Park which features rugged sandstone escarpments with waterfalls surrounded by monsoon rainforest. Spend the day exploring the numerous bushwalking trails and swimming in crystal-clear waterholes. Camp at Batchelor overnight in cabin accommodation.
Example of Daily Routine whilst at Camp

7:00 Breakfast and Morning Meeting

8:30 Writing Activities

10:00 Arrive at Camp at 10:00 - Go over Camp Rules and unpack

11:30 Lunch

13:30 - 15:00 Group A Team Building Games (1.5 hours)
Working within groups to solve a variety of problems - problem solving
Group B Orienteering around Campsite (1.5 hours)
15:30 - 17:00 Group B Team Building Games (1.5 hours)
Working within groups to solve a variety of problems - problem solving
Group A Orienteering around Campsite (1.5 hours)

17:30 Group Activities (Diary Writing/Postcards etc.)

18:00 Shower and bath to prepare for Dinner

18:30 Dinner - Aussie BBQ

Thursday 26th July 2007

Spend the morning exploring Litchfield. Some of Litchfield's main attractions include the permanent spring fed waterfalls (Florence, Tolmer and Wangi), cascades at Buley Rockhole, magnetic termite mounds, and a wildlife cruise along the majestic Reynolds River. Sealed roads link all main attractions.

Friday 27th July 2007

Leave Litchfield and Batchelor and drive to the Territory Park. Set on 400 hectares of bush land, the Park showcases Territory wildlife in natural habitats. On the way back to Darwin, we will stop in at Berry Springs Nature Reserve for a refreshing swim in palm-fringed waterholes.

Saturday 28th July 2007

Return to the city of Darwin and check out a few of the galleries in the city that stock indigenous art from over the Top End. At the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory view the collections of Australian arts and Aboriginal art and craft.

Sunday 29th July 2007

Meet the families from The Essington School over a barbeque afternoon meal. Ascot students are introduced and return home from school with Australian Billet Families.

Monday 30th July 2007

Ascot Students arrive at school The Essington School and attend school for the duration of the day. Activities designed by TES teachers in light of upcoming activities. Additional ESL Teacher employed to assist with the cultural explanations and historical facts. Ascot Students are introduced and return home from school with Australian Billet Families.

Tuesday 31st July 2007

AM Student attend school with students from TES and present their Cultural Presentation
PM Students participate in Class and learn about afternoon’s activity and historical and cultural importance.

Wednesday 1st August 2007

AM Student attend school with students from TES and present their Thai Food Presentation
PM Students participate in Class and learn about afternoon’s activity and historical and cultural importance.
Students and Teachers attend the Australia – Thai Fellowship Community Group

Thursday 2nd August 2007

School Day Activities TBA
Students Billet Family and Friends and Staff attend a Formal Farewell - Graduation Function at The Essington School

Friday 3rd August 2007

Students depart Darwin and return to Bangkok, Thailand

Medication and Health

If your child needs to take any medication whilst on the trip, please send it on the day of departure and hand it to the Teacher Assistant. It should be in a sealed container with the child’s name, and details of the dosage clearly labelled. Out Teacher Assistants ho will ensure that all medication is correctly administered. The children should not bring any medicines for self-administration.

IMPORTANT: A Health Information Form should have been completed at the start of the school year. This up to date information will form part of a highly accurate data base to assist us in meeting the medical and dietary needs of all children.

Communication

Throughout the entire trip, all parents will be informed every step of the way via SMS texts from Australia. Every second day parents will receive emails which will include photographs of all children with a short narrative of what activities the students underwent over that period. The school will also be informed of the children’s safe arrival and regular updates will be posted to the school’s website.
Parents are required to supply a mobile phone number which will be used for texting and a suitable email account that can receive over 1 MB files. (Some email accounts such as hotmail do not allow this.) Should a problem or emergency arise you will be telephoned personally.
We do not encourage personal contact with the children during the visit as this can have an unsettling effect on both the children and the group as a whole. No mobile phones will be permitted. Please be assured that the staff going on the trip, have your child’s well being paramount in their minds.
List of Equipment Required

The children will be initially venturing off on camp. After they return to Darwin, the students will be billeted by the parents of students at The Essington School. The children’s belongings will be laundered by the billet families.

• 2 Pairs of shorts
• 5 T-shirts
• 5 pairs of socks
• 5 pairs of underwear
• 1 pair of long trousers or jogging pants
• sandals/flip flops
• Trainers or comfortable shoes suitable for activities
• Change of smart clothes for dinner
• Sweatshirt
• Pyjamas/nightdress
• Swimsuit and towel
• Hat
• Plastic bag for dirty laundry
• Toiletries packed in a toilet bag
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Water bottle with carrying strap
• Mosquito repellant
• Small backpack for day trips
• Reading or puzzle books
• Favourite comforter for bedtime – teddy bear, blanket, pillow etc. We recommend a soft
• holdall or rucksack to carry their belongings rather than a suitcase for ease of storage and packing.
• Children need to be responsible for their own valuables. All belongings must be labelled.
• Please encourage your child to assist in the packing of their own bags so they will know what they have. You can use the above list as a checklist.
  

NO ELECTRONIC GAMES, PERSONAL STEREOS OR MOBILE TELEPHONES

Cameras

The children are encourages to bring with them a camera. This is up to each individual family, however the pictures taken by the students will indeed be a keepsake for the future. If you are concerned due to the value of the camera, the supervising staff will also have cameras and these will be put onto disk upon their return and distributed to all families.
Pocket Money

The amount of pocket money each child brings with them is up to each individual family. It depends upon what items they would like to purchase for their families. The Teacher Assistants will be in control of their pocket money. Each child should not take more than 5000 baht. Each child will have the opportunity to exchange their currency at the airport in Darwin.
Climate Conditions