Expeditions | School-Life

Harrovian Series 2010

Harrovian Series – Expedition Week 2010 Week One – Friday January 8^th

Expeditions’ Week will take place in the week preceding half term and will once again feature a broad variety of educational and fun adventures for our students from Years 3 to 13 utilising a broad range of activities and facilities throughout the Kingdom of Thailand. In addition Years 1 and 2 will have adventures in their own right with the sleepovers at school that will prepare the children for the expeditions of the future. And while Year 11 will be busy sitting mock examinations in Expeditions’ Week they will have their own trip to look forward to in June. This is the first in a series of articles to inform and advise parents of the expeditions themselves, how they are organised and how best to prepare your children for them.

Here is the schedule:
The expeditions’ will take place from Sunday February 14^thto Friday February 19^th, the length depending on the age and nature of the trip.

Year group Destination Dates Leaving/returning to

Year group	Destination	Dates	Leaving/returning to
Year 3	Petchburi	17^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 4	Khao Yai	16^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 5	Kanchanaburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 6	Krabi	15^th to 19^th	Suvarnabhumi Airport
Year 7	Pa Ngam	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 8	Pranburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 9	Rayong	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 10	Chiang Dao	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Year 12	Phuket	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Year 13	Koh Chang	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus

Many of the sites of the expeditions have been used before, the great majority for several years. In fact, the only appreciable change is that of the Year 12 trip to Phuket that will be a yachting adventure and one that I feel sure will be a jewel in the crown of our visits for years to come. In each case extensive pre-visits have been completed by myself or Mr Mike Staples in conjunction with each year’s expedition leader as well as experienced and dedicated outside provider’s giving us an extra degree of professionalism and care unsurpassed by other schools in Thailand. Full risk assessments have been agreed to ensure that safety is our number one priority enabling the children to have an enjoyable but secure experience away from home.

Letters have been or will soon be sent by each expedition leader giving details of each trip. Meetings will be held next week throughout the school in which parents will have an opportunity to meet the teachers and other staff attending each visit and talk to outside providers. Full kit lists will be provided then or shortly afterwards ensuring parents have plenty of time to prepare extra items as necessary.

Meeting schedule Monday 11^th to Thursday 14^th (all will be at 3pm):

Year group	Location	Day	Leader
Year 3	Year 3 class area	Weds	Mike Williams/Louise Parjol
Year 4	Year 4 class area	Thurs	Colin Wray
Year 5	Year 5 class area	Mon	Shabnum Hasan
Year 6	Prep school area	Tues	Lynsey Collis
Year 7	Prep school area	Tues	Paul Sparks
Year 8	TBC	Tues	Nathalie Bardsley
Year 9	Mini-theatre	Mon	Stefan Sjodin
Year 10	M031	Thurs	Brian van den Berg
Year 12	M231	Thurs	Manbinder Dhesi
Year 13	S010	Thurs	Graeme Littler

I am confident that this year’s Expeditions’ Week will provide your child with another unforgettable experience. As a parent myself I have been very keen to ensure that costs are kept down and I am satisfied that apart from the high level of care you expect, the trips also represent outstanding value for money.

For any further information please do not hesitate to contact me at school on extension 1232 or on 085 322 5961.

Mr Gerry Carter (Expeditions’ Coordinator).

Week 2 – Friday January 15^th.

It is now just over four weeks until the various year groups start leaving on this year’s expeditions. Students from Years 3 to 13 are feeling that buzz of anticipation ahead of one of Harrow’s most eagerly awaited weeks of the year.

Here is a reminder of this year’s schedule. The expeditions’ will take place from Sunday February 14^th to Friday February 19^th, the length depending on the age and nature of the trip.

Year group	Destination	Dates	Leaving/returning to
Year 3	Petchburi	17^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 4	Khao Yai	16^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 5	Kanchanaburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 6	Krabi	15^th to 19^th	Suvarnabhumi Airport
Year 7	Pa Ngam	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 8	Pranburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 9	Rayong	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 10	Chiang Dao	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Year 12	Phuket	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Year 13	Koh Chang	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus

Meetings with parents have now been completed. If you were unable to attend and have concerns please contact the leader concerned at school if necessary or wait for final letters giving trip details and kit lists.

On the subject of kit lists I would like to offer you the following guidelines:

Most lists will contain essential and optional items. The optional items do not need to be purchased and this will help to keep costs down especially for items that may be only used once a year or are rather specialised.

Footwear:
This is very important and can help a child avoid accidents or simply avoid expensive things getting ruined. Wrap around sandals are a good idea for most trips and are around 260 baht at Lotus. Old trainers are good as they may get dirty or spoiled. Generally flip flops should be avoided as they provide little protection.

Clothes:
Generally pack older clothes though a nice set or fancy dress may be required for a party night in some age groups. A house shirt may be required for a team activity. Leaders will advise about expedition T-shirts, always popular as keepsakes after a trip! A few plastic bags to keep wet or dirty clothes should be included. Avoid T-shirts with inappropriate messages as this can create a bad impression with the general public. Long sleeve shirts and trousers can be useful if there are mosquitoes about in the evenings or the weather is chilly.

Bags:
The children are going to have to carry their own bags so please do not pack too much or provide a bag that is not an appropriate size. Travel as light as possible and as English people say, leave the kitchen sink at home!

Sleeping bags:
These will be necessary for years 7,8, 10 and 12 as these involve at least one night of camping. They should be reasonably thin for ease of carrying (extra clothes can be worn if the weather is cooler than expected). A bed roll (mat of rubberized material) can help to make bumpy ground more tolerable!

Protection:
Make sure your child has a good hat, sun cream and mosquito repellent.

Electronic items:
Please follow the advice of the trip leaders. Mobile phones may not be taken up to a certain age group. Remember that the expeditions are important for fostering independence and friendship and that electronic items can get lost or damaged relatively easily when travelling.

Packing:
Please allow your child to do their own packing and take responsibility for the items they bring. Obviously the younger the student the more this will need to be monitored. Go through the kit list and tick off items to ensure they have thought of all essential items.

Money:
Very little personal spending money is required on any trip. Follow the advice of leaders but generally I would recommend that no student should carry more than 1,000 baht (and half that for the very young ones).

Please do not hesitate to contact me at school on x1232 or via email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you have any concerns regarding this year’s expeditions.

Gerry Carter (Expeditions’ Coordinator)

For Friday 22^nd January 2010.

Just three weeks to go!
It is now a little over three weeks until the various year groups start leaving on this year’s expeditions. I would like to thank the many parents who attended the meetings last week and the professionalism of the leaders in their preparation. Here is a reminder of this year’s schedule. The expeditions’ will take place from Sunday February 14^th to Friday February 19^th, the length depending on the age and nature of the trip.

Year group	Destination	Dates	Leaving/returning to
Year 3	Petchburi	17^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 4	Khao Yai	16^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 5	Kanchanaburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 6	Krabi	15^th to 19^th	Suvarnabhumi Airport
Year 7	Pa Ngam	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 8	Pranburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 9	Rayong	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 10	Chiang Dao	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Year 12	Phuket	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Year 13	Koh Chang	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus

In addition the Year1 and year 2 sleepover will take place at school on the night of Thursday February 18^th.

Letting Go:
In this week’s article I would like to address the issue of “letting go” and perhaps I am particularly aiming my advice at parents of younger children.

As a parent, I understand that we all worry about our children especially when we are separated from them. As a teacher and as the coordinator I would like you to know that we take the issue of safety and security of your child as our number one priority. All venues have been double checked and risk assessments followed by walking, riding and travelling ‘every step of the way’ your child will go during expeditions’ week. No one can guarantee that an accident cannot take place, but I can guarantee that every precaution has been put in place to ensure that Harrow’s exemplary record is maintained. Indeed, such is the professionalism of our staff that I can say they would take more care of your children than they may do of their own!

Fostering independence and the spirit of discovery away from parents are vital elements of the expeditions (not to mention the sleepovers where all this begins). With this in mind I would ask parents to bid a loving and fond farewell to their children as on a normal school day and let us take care of them for you. It is preferable not to wait to wave the bus goodbye. Just let your child know that you will be waiting for them to return on Friday and look forward to hearing all their experiences. Resist the temptation to contact your child. In year groups where mobile phones are allowed they may contact you in the evening during time in their rooms. In this case do not overreact to things they might say. (If there really is a genuine need to contact your child for a family emergency, each leader will inform you of the method that this can be achieved. And remember that most trips will post news of the day’s activities on the school’s website through the week). Please do not make any attempt to contact or observe your child directly during their adventure. This has happened in the past and causes more harm than good and detracts significantly from the aims of an expedition. (It can also hurt other children whose parents do not attempt contact). Stay home and enjoy the week without your child and let us take care of everything. And there is really no need to check out a resort yourself, and taking your child on such a visit will only spoil the sense of adventure and discovery they will experience. Rest assured that if you need to be informed of anything we will contact you immediately.

Finally, when your child returns do not expect a minute by minute run down of the week’s events and experiences. Return to normal family activities and give them time to tell you. The experiences are theirs and will be passed on in a child’s own good time perhaps next day or over the fullness of half-term that follows the trips. This is particularly true of teenagers. When they do return on buses, planes and trains it is very important that you are there for them (and will be welcomed by teachers who have worked so hard too!)

My daughter will embark on her 11^th HIS expedition in February and my son his 9^th in June. They are landmarks in their young lives that will remain with them forever (as will the mountain of expedition T-shirts my wife wears when doing the gardening!). As parents please help us to ensure that your own child’s experiences are just as memorable and life-forming.

Gerry Carter (Expeditions’ Coordinator)

For Friday 29^th January 2010

“We can’t wait to go!”

Harrow’s challenging, enjoyable and educational Expeditions’ Week is now just over two weeks away. Final preparations and checks are underway for what is probably the school’s most eagerly anticipated week of the year.

Here is a reminder of the schedule. The expeditions’ will take place from Sunday February 14^th to Friday February 19^th, the length depending on the age and nature of the trip. Year 11 will be in school for mock examinations.

Year group	Destination	Dates	Leaving/returning to
Year 3	Petchburi	17^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 4	Khao Yai	16^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 5	Kanchanaburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 6	Krabi	15^th to 19^th	Suvarnabhumi Airport
Year 7	Pa Ngam	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 8	Pranburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 9	Rayong	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 10	Chiang Dao	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Year 12	Phuket	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Year 13	Koh Chang	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus

Firstly two very important items of information:

The school’s website will be an excellent way for parents to access further information and possibly updates and photos during the expeditions themselves. Here is the link: http://www.harrowschool.ac.th/expedition_t2

Also I have a request from Mr Williams but also relevant to other expeditions regarding medicine. Please ensure that only essential medicines are left with the nurse for each trip.
Continuity without complacency.

The theme of my article this week is the continuity of Harrow’s expeditions over many years but this is always tempered by the awareness that we must ensure both safety and quality of experience for your child.

Nine of this year’s ten expeditions resemble greatly the 2009 trips and in many cases are identical in nature. The exception, Year 12, will be a stunning new yachting adventure that has been thoroughly and rigorously checked for safety.

Resorts with a tried and trusted reputation are being used again. These have been checked with a fresh eye each year. Fire drills are performed at each location and room checks are reported to leaders. Mini-bars and breakable objects are removed. Staff supervision is very close by and, naturally, boys and girls are kept apart. Menus have been checked and those needing a special diet catered for.

Our operators who help us to organise the trips have been known to us for many years and have an excellent reputation. But the school was not content to rest on its laurels in this regard – in September of last year an independent auditor of European renown was hired to not just check our own procedures and policies but to make inspections and recommendations of those companies who provide us with specialised support. Mr Mark Brown’s extensive report was reassuring but also pointed to some areas where we could improve and action has subsequently been taken. Some parents new to Thailand and even many Thais themselves, worry about the standard of operators in the country. Let me assure you that our school seeks to exceed the standards set out by the local authorities and generally aspires to a level of safety appropriate for schools operating within the European Union.

Transport in most cases is accomplished by daytime travel with Montri who have an excellent safety record and are used by the school for all outings. Air travel is with Thai. Train travel is on the Royal State Railways.

Most activities are similar to recent years. All are assessed for risk by both operators and the school and leaders share these assessments with all staff attending. All activities follow the stringent procedures that are outlined in the school’s Policy on Expeditions and Outings. Mr Brown has, in coordination with myself and operators, reviewed the great majority of these activities.

Many expedition leaders are the same as last year ensuring a high level of experience. Where this is not the case we have endeavoured to choose leaders who attended the trip the previous year. Many individual staff and assistants are also familiar with the trips from experience of previous years. As the Expeditions’ Coordinator with the longest experience in international schools in Bangkok, 12 years, I know the value of this level of experience.

All participants on expeditions are insured through the school’s policies and in many instances through those of outside operators also. Following Mr Brown’s visit the exact nature of the school’s insurance is now subject to a review.

In the event of unforeseen problems occurring, there is a structured chain of command that ensures appropriate action can be taken promptly by individual teachers, leaders and senior management personnel.

Gerry Carter (Expeditions’ Coordinator)

For Friday February 5^th 2010

Expeditions’ Week is now just over a week away. Here is a reminder of the schedule. The expeditions’ will take place from Sunday February 14th to Friday February 19th, the length depending on the age and nature of the trip. Year 11 will be in school for mock examinations.

Year group Destination Dates Leaving/returning to

Year group	Destination	Dates	Leaving/returning to
Year 3	Petchburi	17^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 4	Khao Yai	16^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 5	Kanchanaburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 6	Krabi	15^th to 19^th	Suvarnabhumi Airport
Year 7	Pa Ngam	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 8	Pranburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 9	Rayong	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus
Year 10	Chiang Dao	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Year 12	Phuket	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Year 13	Koh Chang	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus

Sleepovers are the start of Expeditions.
Soon the children will be leaving on the expeditions but there will be some who will remain in school for life forming experiences of their own that are every bit as vital. Here I am referring to the sleepovers that will take place at the school in Years 1 and 2, our Infant School. These sleepovers have been planned a meticulously and with as much care for detail as the outside adventures and are an extremely important part of your child’s education at Harrow. These experiences will help to prepare your child for going away from campus in subsequent years (the year 3 trip being two nights away from Mum and Dad). A wide range of activities have been prepared but naturally the central focus will be the bedtime stories (with all those friends around!) and the sleeping together. Then the waking up with all those familiar faces but in unfamiliar surroundings! It will all be weird and wonderful but manageable and fun for the children as they embark on the great journey that is Expeditions’ Week at Harrow.

Now just a final reminder on a couple of important issues:

Medical:
Please inform the expedition leader if anything has changed regarding your child’s medical status compared to the E3 Medical/Dietary form that you completed at the end of Term 1 or early this term. Any medicine that needs to be taken during the Expeditions’ Week itself should be clearly marked and left with the nurse who will attend each trip. As mentioned last week, please only give your child essential medicine as a long queue at the nurse can seriously hamper operations especially for the very young children.

Kit:
Final checks should also be made that all essential items of kit have been gathered together or purchased as necessary. Special attention should be made to the inclusion of the correct footwear and protection from the sun and mosquitoes. Please ensure all items are marked with your child’s name. (Add any specifics from trip leaders)

Gerry Carter (Expeditions’ Coordinator)

For Friday 12^th February 2010.

The Wait is Over!

The most eagerly awaited week of the year has finally arrived! Expeditions’ Week is here! Exciting trips to all areas of the Kingdom will begin this Sunday and continue all week according to the following schedule. Please not the important additions to meeting and collection times:

Year group	Destination	Dates	Leaving/returning to
Year 3	Petchburi	17^th to 19^th	HIS Campus/Normal time
Year 4	Khao Yai	16^th to 19^th	HIS Campus/Normal time
Year 5	Kanchanaburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus/Normal time
Year 6	Krabi	15^th to 19^th	Suvarnabhumi Airport
Meeting at airport at 6:00am for flight TG 241 leaving at 8:00 am
Returning to airport at 11.30 am flight TG 242. Meet at 11.45am.
Year 7	Pa Ngam	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus/Normal time
Year 8	Pranburi	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus/leaving 7.15am
(Students to register in the Sports Hall)
Year 9	Rayong	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus/leaving 7.30am
(Students to register in the Sixth Form garden area)
Year 10	Chiang Dao	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Meeting Sunday evening at the station at 5pm
Collection of students either from HIS or Hualampong as arranged
Year 12	Phuket	14^th to 19^th	Hualampong Station
Meet at station at 6pm on Sunday (Boarders leave at 4pm from HIS)
Collect students at 6am Friday at the station
Year 13	Koh Chang	15^th to 19^th	HIS Campus/leaving 4.30am
(Students to register at the Clock Tower)

NB
In addition the Sleepover at school for Year 1 and Year 2 students is taking place on Thursday night.

Earlier this week Secondary students attended special assemblies to inform them of last minute details and expectations so every student should be fully aware of the details for each trip. In Primary and Prep this has been an ongoing process and teachers would appreciate if parents could stress the key points.

Contact: Here are the names of the trip leaders with their emergency contact numbers. Please only use these in a genuine emergency. For general enquiries please log onto the school’s website where information will be posted under the expeditions sub-heading or contact either the primary secretary Khun Or on extension 1411 (primary and prep school trips) or the secondary secretary Khun Tan on extension 1902.

Year group	Leader	Emergency Number
Year 3	Mike Williams	084 359 2823
Year 4	Colin Wray	084 359 1603
Year 5	Shabnum Hasan	086 004 6419
Year 6	Lynsey Collis	084 464 1735
Year 7	Paul Sparks	084 774 2870
Year 8	Nathalie Bardsley	084 711 0453
Year 9	Stefan Sjodin	084 359 2824
Year 10	Brian van den Berg	083 298 0688
Year 12	Manbinder Dhesi	084 464 1736
Year 13	Graeme Littler	086 005 8453

All expeditions return on Friday. Times are approximate. Please be at the location to greet your child. Please take them home – it’s half term!

Year 3	HIS Campus	12.00pm
Year 4	HIS Campus	12.00pm
Year 5	HIS Campus	12.30 – 1.00pm
Year 6	Suvarnabhumi Airport	11.45am
Year 7	HIS Campus	2.00pm
Year 8	HIS Campus	1.30 – 2.00pm
Year 9	HIS Campus	12.30pm
Year 10	Hualampong Station	6am
Year 12	Hualampong Station	6am
Year 13	HIS Campus	3.30pm

Here’s wishing all students and teachers a safe and rewarding week.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at school on x1232 or on 085 322 5961 or via email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you have any concerns regarding any aspect of this year’s expeditions.

Gerry Carter (Expeditions’ Coordinator)

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