10:50am and we are on the M1 near Dunstable. All going very smoothly so far (although the orange signs are warning of queues ahead).
The coach is a very happy place at the moment with some playing cards, others watching Gorillas in the Mist (Mr White’s choice but he has now fallen asleep!) and bouts of jolly singing (funny how the singers are all at the back of the coach).
[restrict subscriber]
[/restrict]
It won’t be long before those going to KMC start to wonder about who will be sharing their dormitory.
I’m surprised no one has asked yet; normally by this time several people have enquired.
Well here’s the answer – sort of:
At the start of break on Monday 17 October there will be a meeting of all participants in C3.
There you will be able to get into a domitory group of your choice, but…
The number of dormitories available is fixed and they vary in size from two to seven occupants and I’m not going to tell you how many there are of each size until you get to the meeting. If you miss the meeting for any reason, I will decide your dormitory. No changes will be allowed after the meeting.
I’ve had a couple of students ask about the date of the first payment instalment.
Here are the amounts for all three deadlines.
Please pay;
£80.00 (total £105.00) on or before Monday 4 July 2011
£80.00 (total £185.00) on or before Monday 5 September 2011
£80.00 (total £265.00) on or before Monday 10 October 2011
Please note that you are welcome to complete payment in advance.
All payments must be taken to the cash office.
[restrict subscriber]Successful applicants:
| Robert Dew Martin Docherty Samuel Drury Jack Farley Daniel Goodbourn Thomas Gutrige Matthew Hancox Benjamin Hornsey Elliott Loft William Taker Daniel Van Hinsbergh Michael Vincent Gregory Whatley Kaan Yesil |
Natassja Collard Jessica Combe Molly Dawson Scarlett Eddy Suzannah Fletcher Poppy Greenstreet Lucy Jones Maria Loftus Charlotte May Abigail Mcguire Kirsty Miller Roisin Noone Alice Rawson Lauren Rigney Lara Srivalsan-Jones Charlotte Taffs Ellie Terziyski Prudence Vary Jessica Voss Esme Votta Emily Watkins Holly White |
[/restrict]
On Monday this week, I started publicising the 2011 trip to KMC. Having posted a new article on the school’s website and held an assembly for the whole of year 8, I waited for the consent forms and deposits to flood in. I was not disappointed; with 36 places available, it was heartening to receive 31 applications the next day.
As I write, the trip is over subscribed by more than ten students.
Because of restrictions in the accommodation layout at the Kent Mountain Centre, the number of girls and boys attending must be carefully planned. As usual, there are far more girls applying than boys so I now know we, in fact, have a couple of places left for boys.
Applications close on 18 February 2011 after which any over subscription will be eliminated by random selection.
These were the daytime activity groups (each known by their instructor’s name).
Evening activity groups were different and varied each day.
Anne’s Group
Jez’s Group
|
Mike’s Group
Mr Alderson’s Group
|
3:00pm: Currently south of London on the M25.
Many have had a good sleep on the journey after a late night which included Mr Taylor’s quiz (becoming a welcome tradition on these visits) and a slide show of the week’s photos.
Well this blog is nearing its conclusion. I have been impressed by the response; both from volunteer posters and visitors to the site. It’s been hard work keeping up with the already hectic schedule of activities but great support from KMC and Dane Court staff (along with numerous budding photographers) has resulted in a unique record of our visit.
The blog has become a centre of interest for the participants here too. Our blogging press office (the KMC lecture room) has been an increasing attraction for those unable to contribute to the unfolding story with numerous group member popping in to see what has been written about their adventures that day.
With groups of students and adult leaders working together over an extended period towards a common objective, many of the reports give a sense of the great relationships that develop on a trip like this. Everyone involved in the week has had a great time despite less-than-ideal weather. They have learned a lot about the area, new activities, each other and, not least, themselves.
I hope this blog shows at least a little of the value a week like this can have for young people.
This site will remain available until at least the end of December 2010 and may even receive further posts. Registered visitors (parents and participants) are very welcome to continue commenting and I will, of course, keep an eye on the site myself.
Mark Alderson
Today we had a long drive with some beautiful scenery. We had a lunch break at the service station in which it started to rain. Then we had another long drive to LLanberis, The kent mountain centre. When we arrived we were sat down and were talked through some instructions and rules. Some of the groups went to get some equipment from the store and others laid the table for tonight’s dinner. Once sat down for dinner we had Chips, peas and a chicken burger which was very delicious. The desert was a berry cheesecake. When we had finished dinner another group went to get equipment and the duty group cleared up the dinner plates and glasses. After dinner we got on all of our kit and were split into two groups. We went on a walk through the village of Llanberis and went to Dolbadarn castle, through some rocky and hilly forest tracks. This was a two hour trip which was very interesting and fun. On the way back Mr Alderson’s group were led back trough a track by the handy GPS. On the last leg of the journey we past the DMM factory making karabiners which made a lot of rumbling. When we got back we enjoyed some hot chocolate and biscuits. After this we went to our dorms to get ready for bed and lights out is at 10:30.
From Dom and Shayan