Dear year six parents
As Arthog approaches, I am posting some final information which will, hopefully, answer any remaining questions you may have; let you know the timetable of activities and give a little insight into the amazing week our wonderful year sixes will experience!
The day at Arthog starts with an early rise followed by a hearty breakfast cooked by the excellent Arthog kitchen. Activites are next, with the children returning to the centre between 4 and 5pm. This is followed by the evening meal, evening activities (photosearches, centre orienteering, an evening walk and the dreaded nightline!), and finally, exhausted (both staff and children) a good night’s sleep!
The Arthog experience is immersive.
Instructors, who stay with their group all week, get to know your children inside out and exactly what they are capable of. They then tailor activities to ensure all are challenged yet have it within themselves to succeed. That is their great skill. The children will find some activities challenging or maybe even a little scary, but when they do succeed, they will experience the unbridled pride at having done so, whether it is reaching the top of the climb or simply making it to the top of the mountain. They will also experience the joy at seeing their peers sharing and applauding their success. For all of our children, the power of this is inestimable and the main reason that Arthog is such a special, treasured experience. The Arthog instructors are also all amazing storytellers!
Below are links to some key information. Some you have had before, but are included as a quick reminder and some are documents from Arthog.
All the dormitories at Arthog have very recently been fully refurbished. The children will be allocated a bunk and expected to make their own beds! It maybe a good idea to do a little duvet practice before Monday! Over night there are Arthog staff on site and Pontesbury staff are in the same dormitory block so are very close if needed.
There is also a tuck shop which will be opened on one of the evenings. Please send no more than £10 in a named, sealed envelope with your child if they wish to buy an Arthog memento from the tuck shop.
All money will be collected and looked after by a member of staff.
Unfortunately, there is still a risk of Covid-19 infection in society and we sincerely hope that this will not affect our trip in any way and Arthog take every precaution to ensure that risk of infection is minimised as much as possible.
If a child starts to exhibit significant Covid-19 symptoms, a temperature, significant cough or loss of taste, then they will be isolated and we ask that parents come to collect them. This will only be the case if symptoms are very evident and significant! Staff know all children very well including for example if they have any small coughs, sniffles due to hay fever, or if they are currently recovering from a cold! Parents will only be contacted if it is absolutely necessary and thank you for your understanding with this.
When the children arrive on Monday morning, they will be ushered into the hall with their kit before loading up and leaving for Arthog about 9.30am. There will be a daily post letting parents know how things are going so please do keep an eye on the website. Other than that, your children won’t be contacting unless there is a very good reason too, such as to speak to parents if it’s a birthday. Children are not to bring mobile phones. In my significant Arthog experience, once the children are there and settled in, they do not give home a second thought!
The staff accompanying the children are Mrs Hilditch, Mrs Davies, Mrs Giles and Mr Rogers (one of our TAs working in year 3). I am also going on Monday, but unfortunately returning late Monday evening once all are settled down.
So, finally, please do remember to provide a packed lunch on Monday and if you wish to speak to either myself, Mrs Hilditch or Mrs Davies, we will be available after school tomorrow in Room 8.
Below are a few photos of Arthog I’ve taken over the years. Some of the children in the photos are now in their mid-thirties!!
