11 October 2017

Dear Parent/Carer

Computer Science Trip to San Francisco – October Half Term 20 October – 25 October 2018

Due to the overwhelming response received from our recent EGX trip to Birmingham and the San Francisco interest survey conducted in July 2017, I am very pleased to announce the KS4 and 5 Computer Science trip of a lifetime to , San Francisco, USA.

The trip is planned to take place during October half term 2018 leaving on Saturday 20 October 2018 and returning on Thursday 25 October 2018. We intend to pack in many engaging activities (below). Although this is subject to change; provisional itinerary:

Saturday 20 October – Thursday 25 October inclusive Activities will include:

 Staying in a hostel in the centre of San Francisco close to all of the shops and restaurants of this vibrant city  The trip is half board and will include breakfast at the hostel and then dinner at a famous restaurant in the city  Tour of Silicon Valley  Visit and tour to – home of Computer Science  Visit the HP Garage – The founding destination of Hewlett Packard of the most famous hardware companies in the world  The NASA Ames Research Centre  Visit and tour of – Home of the world’s most famous search engine  Tour of China Town  Visit and tour of Alcatraz - Step back in time and experience this legendary island that has been a civil war fort, military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in US history.  The Exploratorium – A legendary museum designed for the senses and giving students the power to discover what playing is all about!  Pier 39 – Visit the sea lions, waterfront dining, street performers live music and more.  Computer Science Museum – Museum offers a wide variety of information, exhibits, research and a rich library of multimedia content garnered from some of the most influential people of the computing era.  The and Apple Campus – Two of the world’s most famous technology companies open their doors to let the students see how and why these are the two most influential Computer Science companies of the last 50 years

Academy of Sciences – This museum is home to an aquarium, the world's deepest Philippine Coral Reef, the only all-digital aquarium in the world, a rainforest canopy and a Natural History Museum - all under one roof!  Golden Gate Park – The park is filled with flora from around the world and extraordinary sights, including the de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco Botanical Garden, and much more!

Thursday 25 October 2018 Depart from San Francisco International Airport for return to London Heathrow.

The cost of this fantastic trip will be £1500.00 per student. Through extensive negotiations with the tour operator, we have tried to ensure that this price represents the best possible value. It includes bed, breakfast and evening meals, starting with dinner on Saturday evening and ending with lunch on Wednesday, tour guides, all transport and all entrance fees. Please be aware that all passports should now be the new style biometric passport (that show a camera on the front of the passport). If your child does not have this type of passport, a new one must be purchased. Students will need to purchase an ESTA (online US Visa). Students will require money for their lunches and any spending money they wish to take.

Due to the cost of this trip, we have launched as early as possible to allow 13 months to make monthly payments.

A payment schedule with payment due dates and amounts:

Payments Due Amount Total

Deposit by Monday 30 October 2017 £ 200.00 £ 200.00

January 2018 £ 150.00 £ 350.00

February 2018 £ 150.00 £ 500.00

March 2018 £ 150.00 £ 650.00

April 2018 £ 150.00 £ 800.00

May 2018 £ 150.00 £ 950.00

June 2018 £ 150.00 £ 1,100.00

July/August 2018 £ 150.00 £ 1,250.00

September 2018 £ 250.00 £ 1,500.00

This is an amazing educational and leisure opportunity for our students, who will be accompanied by Midhurst Rother College staff throughout. If you would like your son/daughter to take part, please complete and return the reply slip below by Friday 20 October with the initial deposit of £200.00 (non- refundable), by Monday 30 October 2017. If you wish to discuss the finance of the trip in confidence please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please pay for the trip via the online payment system using the following link: https://www.scopay.com/midhurst?redirect=true. If you require support with the online process please contact our finance department at; [email protected] or Katherine.Chard@mrc- academy.org. If you do not have access to the internet please make cheques payable to ‘Midhurst Rother College’

The viability of the trip will depend on the level of interest that we receive. Should you accept a place on this trip, but at a later date, for any reason, need to withdraw, the deposit will be non- refundable and may be subject to further fees, as per the tour operator’s cancellation policy. Unless a reserve student is able to fill that particular place. You can find the tour operators cancellation policy at the following link https://www.diverseschooltravel.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.php.

I know you will appreciate the high level of responsibility involved in taking students abroad and would like to reiterate that the College reserves the right to cancel the place of any student whose behaviour in (or attendance should significantly deteriorate) between now and October 2018, leads us to believe that their participation would present too great a risk. In the event of this occurrence all monies paid, that do not incur charges to the travel company will be returned.

I do hope you are able to consider this fantastic trip for your son/daughter, if you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact me through email, [email protected] or by telephone, 01730 819718.

Yours sincerely

Mr D Chandler Subject Leader of Computer Science/Trip Leader ------

Reply slip

Trip title: Computer Science Trip to San Francisco Trip Leader: Mr Chandler Date of trip/residential: October Half Term 20 October – 25 October 2018

Name of Student: ...... Tutor Group: ......

I would like my son/daughter to take part in the 2018 San Francisco Trip.

I have made a payment through the cashless system □ Please tick

Name of parent/carer: ...... Contact Tel: ......

Signed: ...... Date: ......

Please return this slip to Mrs Fowler at Student Reception by Friday 20 October 2017 along with the parental consent form. Thank you.

If the trip is oversubscribed you will be contacted by the trip leader to confirm whether your child has secured a place.

Trip to: Computer Science Trip to San Francisco

From (date/time): October Half Term 20 October 2018

Until (date/time): 25 October 2018 Cost £1,500 Party leader/department Mr D Chandler, Subject Leader of Computer Science

CONTACT INFORMATION DOCTOR’S DETAILS Student name Name of doctor

Date of birth Doctor’s address Student mobile no

Doctor’s telephone Full home address number

Emergency contact numbers during trip

MEDICAL INFORMATION/CONSENT– please answer the questions and sign below: Has your son/daughter had any of the Y/N If the answer to any of these questions is yes please give details(or attach on a following: separate sheet) Asthma or bronchitis? Y/N Heart Condition? Y/N Fits/fainting/blackouts? Y/N Severe headaches? Y/N Diabetes? Y/N Allergies to any medications? Y/N Any other allergies? Y/N Recent contact with contagious Y/N diseases/infections? Other illness or disability including any current Y/N medical treatment? Specific medical advice to follow in Y/N emergencies? Special dietary requirements? Y/N Prone to travel sickness? Y/N Has your child been vaccinated against tetanus Y/N in the last 10 years? Is your child currently having any medical Y/N treatment/taking medication (please provide full details) I consent to any emergency medical treatment SIGNED: necessary during the course of the visit Parent/Guardian

INFORMATION FOR OVERSEAS TRIPS Passport number:

Passport expiry date:

Passport issued at:

European Health Insurance Card number (EHIC):

PARENTAL AGREEMENT – please read and sign below Transport I consent to the student travelling by any form of public transport and/or in a motor vehicle driven by the party leader or any other responsible adult member of the party who is authorized by law and duly insured to drive. Health I certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief the student is in good health and (if applicable) has received all necessary inoculations. I am aware of no reason on medical grounds why the student should not be a member of the party for this trip. Passport etc (for foreign visits only) I certify that the student has a current passport and (if applicable) all necessary visa and satisfies the entry requirements of the country to be visited, and requirements for readmission to the United Kingdom. Accident/Illness I consent to the student receiving medication as instructed and any emergency dental, medical or surgical treatment, including inoculations, general or local anaesthetic, surgery or blood transfusion, as considered necessary by the medical authorities present. Remotely supervised time (senior College only) I consent to the student having remotely supervised time in the daytime in a group of students with the prior permission of the party leader Personal effects of the student I acknowledge that the student will be responsible for the safety of his/her own money and personal effects. I will not hold the College responsible for losses unless caused by the negligence of the College.

Swimming and other activities I certify that the Student *is/is not a competent swimmer. (Please delete one and initial) I agree to the student taking part in any/all of the activities (where applicable) contemplated as listed in the visit programme, except for the following:

(N.B. all additions, deletions or amendments to entries in this box must be initialled by the parent) Insurance I understand the extent and limitations of the insurance cover provided, and know of no information that may affect the insurance. Signature of Parents/Carers I, the undersigned who have parental responsibility for the above named student have completed the information requested above and overleaf. I have read and understood and I consent to the matters set out above and overleaf. I agree to inform the College as soon as possible of any changes in the medical or other circumstances between now and the commencement of any journey. SIGNED: (Parent/Carer)

Student agreement I the above named student agree to observe the code of conduct for visits. I will do my best to ensure the safety of myself and other members of any party. I will at all times act with courtesy and consideration for others and do my best to uphold the good name of the College. SIGNED: (Student)