February 2016

Dear Parent/Carer,

Ski/Snowboard Course 2017

We are pleased to be able to offer your child the opportunity to take part in a ski/snowboard course in Hochfugen, Ziller valley, Austria, during the first week of the Easter school holidays in 2017. This is likely to be from Saturday 1nd April to Saturday 8th April 2017.

Ziller Valley is one of the best winter sports and ski destinations in Europe. It consists of 3 large ski areas spread out across 489kms of skiable piste as well as access to the incredible Hintertux Glacier. Thanks to the high altitude, the ski areas enjoy a good snow record and contemporary snowmaking facilities. Skiers and snowboarders of all levels will appreciate the well-groomed slopes and resort links.

As a school event this visit will be organised by Wilmslow High School in conjunction with the specialist schools travel operator, Ski Team 4 of Bristol. For further information about Ski Team 4 and Ziller valley please visit www.skiteam4.com and follow the links to Ziller Valley.

There are enormous benefits to be had from outdoor education, residential courses and adventure activities. The ski/snowboard course offers an exciting opportunity for students to take part in an enjoyable physical activity, in which they will learn new skills and acquire a real sense of achievement in a unique environment. Equally, skiing is a very challenging activity that will require discipline and determination in order to succeed. It is therefore strongly recommended that if students who have no prior experience of skiing wish to join this visit, they should attend some supervised ski sessions at a dry/artificial ski slope before the visit.

The details for the visit are as follows:

 Return travel Travel will be by plane from Manchester Airport to Munich and return. Coach transfers will be provided by reputable operators from school to the airport and from Munich to the Ziller Valley resort. Full details of travel times will be available at a later date.

 Full board accommodation Accommodation will be in the Alpin Centre which is a family run hotel situated right on the Hochfugen slopes. All bedrooms sleep 3-4 people with private facilities. A buffet breakfast, hot lunches and evening meals will be taken at the hotel; a free drink is included at meal times. Any medical dietary requirements will be requested at a later date.

 5 days skiing/snowboarding in resort All ski/snowboard activities will be led by local instructors. The appropriate area lift pass, skis, boots, helmet and 5 hours of skingi lessons each day are included. The opportunity to hire or purchase ski clothing, such as salopettes and ski jacket will also be made available.

 Winter Sports Insurance The price of the ski course includes extensive winter sports insurance through ski travel insurance specialists. This ensures 24 hour medical assistance is provided with no excess payment required. Ski loss or damage, loss/theft of personal money or travel documents and parental redundancy are also covered.  The full support of a Ski Team 4 Representative We will have exclusive use of a Ski Team 4 representative for the week, who will provide an in- house evening entertainment package. These activities may include a quiz, a DVD evening and a disco.

 Staff / Student ratio There are 48 student places on the course, accompanied by 5 members of staff.

The cost of the ski course is £940 The cost for the snowboarding course is £955

Applications for places for this visit will be subject to students signing a behaviour contract countersigned by parents. Please note that if there are concerns regarding the behaviour or attitude of a student in school, we reserve the right to refuse his/her application or cancel the place.

If you would like your child to be considered for this ski/snowboard course, please return the form attached, with an initial deposit of £150 (non-refundable unless the student’s place is declined or withdrawn). Closing date for this will be Monday 14th March 2016.

 Payment Dates:

o Ski Deposit £150 by Friday 18th March 2016

o Beginner Snowboard Deposit £165 by Friday 18th March 2016

o Payment 1 £150 by Friday 27th May 2016

o Payment 2 £150 by Wednesday 20th July 2016

o Payment 3 £150 by Friday 30th September 2016

o Payment 4 £150 by Friday 25th November 2016

o Final Payment £190 by Friday 3rd February 2017

Please note that we cannot guarantee that payments will be refunded unless a substitute can be found. A parents’ information evening will be arranged for February 2017 but if you have any questions or queries before then, please contact me either by phone on 01625 441087 or by email to: [email protected]

Yours sincerely,

Mr S Naylor Ski Course Leader WILMSLOW HIGH SCHOOL

Ski Course Easter 2017

Student’s Name (as on passport): ______

Tutor group: ______

Passport Number: ______

Passport Expiry Date: ______

Date of Birth: ______.

I would like to apply for a place on the above ski/beginner snowboard (please delete) course for my son / daughter, and enclose a cheque for £150/165 made payable to Wilmslow High School. I understand that this is non-refundable unless my son/daughter is not given a place.

I understand that applications for places on this ski/snowboard visit will be subject to students and parents signing a behaviour contract and that if there are concerns regarding the behaviour or attitude of a student in school, we reserve the right to refuse their application or cancel their place.

Beginner snowboarder places will be on a first come first served basis up to 12 students. If a snowboard place cannot be given a ski place will be offered instead. Snowboarder places are at an extra £15 supplement per student and will only be available if a minimum of 12 students are interested at a beginner level.

Signed: ______Parent /Carer

Email: ______(essential for notification purposes)

Please return this form and cheque in an envelope with your name and tutor group on the front to Miss H Blake in the Olympic Hall Office. Closing Date is Friday 18th March. Places will be allocated, and you will be informed of the outcome by Friday 25th March. Please note that no cheques will be banked until after this date and places have been confirmed.

In the event that we have more than 48 students, names will be drawn from a hat and those not drawn out will be placed on a waiting list. If we do not receive 48 applications the trip may have to be cancelled.