China Trip 2018

Date of Travel

17th November – 25th November 2018

Hong Kong/Shenzhen, China

Departing Newcastle Saturday 17th  NOV at 13:00hrs via Dubai to

Hong EK036/382

Arriving Newcastle Airport Sunday 25th NOV from Hong Kong via

Dubai arrive NCL at 11:20hrs (Emirates) EX381/35

Hong Kong – MetroPark Hotel, Kawloon

China – Jing Ming Da Hotel, Shenzhen

China Trip meeting @ Wellfield Middle School 6pm on Monday 12th November 2018

Pocket money- 3 x brown envelopes to be handed in to office

Medication and Medicine form (s)

The party consists of Wellfield Middle School (19 pupils) + 3 members of staff.

Miss L Stephenson –  Teacher/ Senior Leadership Team

Mrs H Russell         – School Business Manager/ First Aider

Mr A Clark              – Governor (Present) and Senior Assistant Headteacher WBHS

(Retired July 2017)

I will also have the local expertise and knowledge of a local guide whilst in Hong Kong.

I have compiled this booklet in the hope that it will answer all your questions about the forthcoming China trip. This is the first trip of this kind for Wellfield Middle School so we have tried to give as much information as possible. I hope it is useful to plan ahead but if you require any more information or clarification please don’t hesitate to contact me via email or telephone.

I have also included a rough itinerary that will be confirmed with you in the next few weeks.

Thank you for your continued support,

Miss L Stephenson

Maximum 30kg. However please bear in mind that the children will be travelling around, carrying their cases on trains etc, so we do not expect their suitcases to be anywhere near 30 kg! We suggest perhaps 15kg max. It’s also recommended that you keep some weight allowance for your return journey – children will be presented with gifts!

Hold luggage: must be a wheeled suitcase that can be carried by the child

Hand Luggage: a small rucksack

Time difference 7 hours ahead

Maximum 30kg. However please bear in mind that the children will be travelling around, carrying their cases on trains etc, so we do not expect their suitcases to be anywhere near 30 kg! We suggest perhaps 15kg max. It’s also recommended that you keep some weight allowance for your return journey – children will be presented with gifts!

Hold luggage: must be a wheeled suitcase that can be carried by the child

Hand Luggage: a small rucksack

Time difference 7 hours ahead

In both China & Hong Kong, the weather is slightly warmer than the UK, at least 20-25 degrees, how lovely!

If you please ensure the children have comfortable and appropriate clothing to keep them cool when travelling around. The children need to wear comfortable footwear throughout the trip as they will be doing a lot of walking. It is recommended that children bring a thin jacket or raincoat. There is a swimming pool in the hotel in Hong Kong, so please pack an appropriate swimming costume and a small towel.

• Suitable nightwear (dressing gowns are not really necessary as the rooms are warm but you might want to bring some slippers, nightwear is only worn when ready to go to bed and is not appropriate for going for breakfast for instance)

• Underwear, including socks (at least 6 pairs)

• Sensible swimwear/ Goggle/ swimming cap if required

• Long and short-sleeved T-shirts (no crop tops for girls please)

• Pairs of shorts (it might be really warm some days)

• 2 or 3 pairs of trousers /jeans/ jogging pants

• 1 or 2 pairs trainers / shoes suitable for walking (we will be doing a lot of walking so sensible footwear is required (no heels, please)

• Sun hat / Baseball cap

• Waterproof jacket or thin raincoat

• 1 or 2 sets of clothes for evenings (casual clothes)

• Sun Cream – Factor 30+

• Mosquito Cream/Spray

• Washbag and towel for showering

Airport

• Small rucksack for airport and days out (this would make sense to be the same rucksack as their hand luggage)

• Medication with required documentation

• Travel head pillow/ headrest (optional)

• Earphones (airline do supply these but children may prefer own- single jack is compatible)

• Luggage tag on hold luggage- supplied by school

• Jumper/ socks for flight (optional)

• Snacks/ sweets (optional)

• Tissues

Please could the clothes for the first day and toiletries be packed at the top of the case as the first night will be one night in Hong Kong before leaving the hotel early the next day to travel with our luggage to China (having these items near the top of the case will ensure that cases are not fully unpacked on the first night)

You will also need

• Food/snack for the airport (no bottles or liquid)

• 2 x Passport Photos

• Pocket money- brown envelopes to be handed in on meeting night

• Name-Amount-Day

• Any personal medication (if unavailable on meeting night)

• A book(s) or magazines to read during times at the airport

• Passports should be handed in to the office by the end of the week beginning Monday 5th November

• Cameras are not required, but pupils may bring them if you wish.  However, you must take responsibility for them, please ensure they are covered on your home insurance if you have concerns about replacement costs if lost or damaged. The excess on our party insurance is usually in the region of £60.

Please do not bring:
Mobile phones, iPads and tablets are not allowed on the trip. We will take many photos and happily share these with you collectively after the trip. Staff will have a mobile phone for emergency use.

• Electronic devices/computer games/iPads etc

• Jewellery/valuables etc.

Children are responsible for their own belongings. Lost property is hard to track down after a visit and there is a charge for returning items.

Children will have to repack their own cases,  please ensure there is enough space in the case for the obligatory gifts as well as gifts they will receive themselves on the trip.

We will meet the children inside the main entrance to Newcastle International Airport (next to the Greggs) between 10:15hrs and 10:30hrs on Saturday 17th November (we will be heading to check in at 10:40hrs sharp!)

Please be on time for drop-off and pick-up times.  We expect children to have already had a substantial breakfast before their arrival and they may also bring snacks for the airport if they are not buying anything inside the departure lounge (please no liquids) Appropriate meals and snacks will be provided during the flights. Once we arrive in Hong Kong a text will be sent via School Gateway App to inform you of our safe arrival. On our return, we will operate the same system. Updates will also be posted on Twitter when possible (see Communication Section)

Please ensure that your child has their own valid passport. This should be handed into the school office by the end of the week beginning Monday 5th November.

Passports will be labeled with your child’s name for ease during travel and kept by a member of staff.

The party is fully insured for the whole journey through AIG (via North Tyneside Council)

you DO NOT need to purchase separate insurance

The guidance I have been given from Travel Counsellors is that children do not require any injections to travel to China or Hong Kong. The children are staying in well built up city areas and I have stayed in both hotels myself – both cities are “very cosmopolitan”! Of course, you are more than welcome to seek your own advice from doctors if you need any further reassurance.

All medications (prescription or non prescription) must be detailed on the Medicine form that is returned to school and then packed in hand luggage or split between hand luggage and hold luggage (checked in luggage)- we would advise that even if medicine is not required during travel, a supply is kept with your child in the rare event of lost luggage.

Medicines, medical equipment and dietary requirements. You’re allowed to carry the following in your hand luggage: essential medicines of more than 100ml, including liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers

You’ll need supporting documentation from a relevant medical professional (for example a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription).

Airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids at the security point. Medical equipment is screened separately.

https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/essential-medicines-and-medical-equipment

Minor accidents or ailments will be treated by the staff travelling with the party and staff on the premises.  More serious injuries or illnesses will be treated by the local medical services in Honk Kong and within China.  If your child suffers from any illness or allergy, or is taking any medication, please let us know via the forms attached.  Any medicines will be collected in and administered as necessary.

The amount of pocket money is generally left to the discretion of the parents. We have outlined a rough guide below with the minimum suggestions. Parents can send additional to these suggestions if required.

Pocket Money should be placed in sealed envelopes,  1 per day, clearly labelled with the child’s name, the number (as above) for when it is to be given out, and the amount in the envelope. These should be handed in to the school office no later than Monday 12th November.

We will endeavour to communicate as regularly as possible throughout the trip. This will be via SchoolComms and the school Twitter account. Due to the nature of some of the destinations and internet connections we will operate a “no news is good news” at some times however you will be informed on arrivals, departures and with regular updates during the trip.

Although we are away to enjoy ourselves, poor behavior will not be tolerated.  It is a reflection on you, your school and your country. All the basic rules are for your safety and enjoyment.  We will be sharing the hotel with the general public so outstanding standards of behaviour are paramount at all times.

Due to the new and exciting culture opportunities it is vital that a respectful attitude to all customs, food and traditions is shown at all times by all children.

• Always conduct yourself in a quiet, sensible manner

• At no time should a pupil wander off on his/her own. Always listen carefully to adult instructions

• Once sent to bed you must go to bed, not wander around the corridors or make a noise in your room.  It is very important to get enough sleep because the days are very busy and tiring.

• Do not take glass bottles into your room.

• Do not go into other people’s rooms

• Breakages will have to be paid for.  If your room has any damage in it when you arrive inform a member of staff.

• Please be punctual when getting up, dressed and ready for breakfast or departures

• Look after your belongings.  
• Travel in something comfortable.
• You must eat properly at meal times. Even if food is different you must try things and be restful of culture

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (travel advice)

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hong-kong

Hong Kong 

China – Shenzhen

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