Interchange has informed us that there are no compulsory vaccinations for China.

Please check with your GP . There are a number of  recomended vaccinations:

• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Polio
• Tetanus

Chinese evening in at Challoner

Pupils are invited to a Chinese night in at Challoner on Friday 8^th February 2008. During this time we will go over the final arrangements for the China trip. This will start at 7pm and will finish by 8.30pm.

Medical Form and Code of conduct

Please complete the following forms and return them no later than Thursday 31^st January 2008. If any medical conditions requiring treatment arise between now and the trip to China please inform the school in writing. These are available to download from the Geography website.

Departure from school

A coach has been organised to take pupils to the airport. The pupils will be expected to arrive at school at the normal time of (8.50am) on Friday 15^th February 2008. Pupils will be allowed to store their luggage in a secure room in school until the coach arrives. Please ensure that pupils report to reception on the morning of departure once they arrive at school. Any medication must be handed in to Miss Richardson. Please call the school if your son / daughter is going to arrive at school any later than 9.30am.

The coach will be leaving school at 10am. Please ensure that your son / daughter does have some English currency should they wish to get some lunch at the airport before departure. Please ensure that pupils have a wash kit in their hand luggage.

Parents will be expected to pick their pupils up from Heathrow Terminal 3 airport on return to England on Saturday 23^rd February 2008.

Final Flight Details

Depart Heathrow Terminal 2 on CA938 at 16.50 hours              15.02.2008 . AIR CHINA

Arrive Beijing Terminal 2 at 11.00 hours the next day             16.02.2008   AIR CHINA

Depart Beijing Terminal 3 at CA937 at 12.00 hours                  23.02.2008   AIR CHINA

Arrive Heathrow Terminal 3 at 15.20 hours                              23.02.2008   AIR CHINA

Luggage

Each passenger is permitted to take one piece of carry-on baggage that does not exceed 5kg (11 lbs) in weight and dimensions of 55cm (21 inches) in length, 40cm (15 inches) in width and 20cm (7 inches) in height.

Baggage Allowance

• Two bags per passenger may be checked in free of charge
• Maximum dimensions of each piece should not exceed 158cm (62 inches)
• Maximum dimensions of two pieces should not exceed 273cm (107 inches)
• Weight allowance for each piece is 23kg (50 lbs)

Itinerary

16^th    Arrive in Beijing. 

         Tiananmen Square in afternoon

17^th    Downtown shopping and free time wander around in Wangfujing. 

          Acrobatics in  evening

18^th    Visit a High- tech factory  

          Great Wall in afternoon

19^th    Meeting Olympic Game official for a seminar and extended visit to Olympic site in afternoon. 

Evening train to Xian

20^th    Arrive in Xian

21^st    Xian   evening train back to Beijing

22^nd   Back in Beijing    farewell evening

23^rd    Flight back to UK

Emergency Contacts

On arrival in Beijing a message will be placed upon the Geography website. The address is www.bishopchallonerschoolgeographydepartment.com

We would encourage you not to contact your son / daughter unless it is an emergency as it can result in pupils becoming homesick or anxious. Should you need to contact a member of staff please call Mrs Restivo on: +++++++++++++++++. This is for emergency purposes only or Interchange on 02086813612.

Beijing Rainbow  Hotel [  good 3 star

Tel:   [ 010 ] 63012266

Fax:  [ 010 ]  63011366

www.rainbowhotel.com.cn

Add:  No. 11 Xijing Road .  Xuanwu District.  Beijing China

 HNA Hotel Downtown  Xian [  good 3 star ]   HNA stands for Hai Nan Airline

Tel: [ 029 ] 87482888

Fax:[ 029 ] 87482777

www.hnahotel.com.cn

Add: No 258 Dongqianjie  ,  Xian China

Pocket Money and Currency

Please ensure that all pocket money is in Chinese currency (RMB). Chinese currency can be exchanged at all major banks. It may be necessary to order this in advance.

Your son / daughters group leader will be offering a bank system which parents can opt to use. Should you wish for a member of staff to look after your son / daughters money please put the money in a clear plastic bag with the amount of money enclosed and the pupils name clearly labelled on it. Please submit all pocket money by Wednesday 13^th February 2008.

Neighbourhood Visits

Pupils will be visiting a local neighbourhood. Pupils will be split into groups to visit local homes and may be invited for a meal. The pupils will be with a member of staff at all times in the neighbourhood. Students should bring with them a small gift for the host (English sweets, biscuits, postcards etc). It is important that all guests to a house eat at least some of the food as welcoming a guest with a meal in China is custom.

Train to Xian

Each student should take a back pack with their clothes and wash items for the visit to Xian. On the train the group will share four to a sleeping compartment. Each student will need to take a towel to use on the train.

Pupils and Staff attending the China Trip 2008

Code of Conduct for students attending the Bishop Challoner School China Tour 2008

It is usual for Bishop Challoner School pupils to behave in a responsible and co-operative manner during school visits.

However, to avoid any misunderstanding, we think it is vital for both parents and students to be aware of the behaviour we expect. 

Parents please discuss this code of conduct with your son / daughter so they fully understand the implications before signing the agreement.

1. Students remain under the jurisdiction of the school during the visit and must follow instructions from any staff member or adult joining the trip.
2. Punctuality and politeness from students will be insisted upon at all times during the visit.
3. Students remain responsible for their belongings and valuables (with the exception of passports)
4. whilst on visits. Staff will make arrangements for safekeeping of passports and may make arrangements to help students safeguard other valuables requested by parents.
5. Students will not be allowed under any circumstances to smoke, or to purchase cigarettes during any part of the visit
6. On the visit, students must never possess, use or purchase recreational drugs in any form.
7.  On the visit, students must never possess, use or consume alcohol.
8. Students will never deliberately put themselves at risk; however they must also know what to do in an event of an emergency.
9. This will be discussed with the pupils before leaving for the trip.
10. At all times in the hotel students must be considerate of all guests / staff and should not do anything to inconvenience them.
11. Students must not leave their bedrooms at any point during the night.
12.  Students will expect to maintain their rooms in a reasonable state and leave their rooms in the same condition as they entered the room.
13. Students will be expected to report any damage or accidents to a member of staff immediately. Any damage incurred by students will be the financial responsibility of the parents.
14.  A clearly stated curfew will be given. Lights out and silence will be insisted upon. It must be understood that staff must be able to trust students in their own rooms when instructed to do so.
15. Students will not be allowed into rooms of other guests, pupils and vice versa.
16. In an extreme case of misbehaviour, a member of staff will contact parents. If this should result in a pupil being sent home, parents will be required to bear the extra expense and to arrange an escort if necessary. If a student is homesick and parents request return, extra financial liability will also rise.
17. Any student who breaches any code of conduct will not only risk their place on future school visits but also in extreme cases their place in the school.

Please return to Miss A. Richardson

I have read and understood the school code of conduct for the trip to China. I acknowledge the need for sensible behaviour on school visits and agree to abide by the rules.  I understand that a copy of this agreement can be found on the Geography website. I understand that breaching and of the codes of conduct will result in exclusion from future school trips and in extreme cases exclusion from school.

Student name:…………………………………………………..   Form……………….

Student’s signature………………………………………………. Date …………………

Parent’s signature………………………………………………. Date …………………

CONFIDENTIAL MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Please complete and return to school as soon as possible

16^th    Arrive in Beijing.  Tiananmen Square in afternoon

17^th    Downtown shopping and free time wander around in Wangfujing.  Acrobatics in evening

18^th    Visit a High- tech factory   ,[ if not possible in Beijing .will arrange for one to visit in Xian]     Great Wall in afternoon

19^th    Meeting Olympic Game official for a seminar and extended visit to Olympic site in afternoon.  Evening train to Xian

20^th    Arrive in Xian

21^st    Xian   evening train back to Beijing

22^nd   Back in Beijing    farewell evening

23^rd    Flight back to UK

PLEASE ENSURE ALL PASSPORTS HAVE THE EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS COMPLETED ON THE BACK PAGE.

Room Allocations have been made already for the China Trip. This will be on a notice board near the Geography room on Monday.

Chinese Visas :  In order to be able to apply for the visas would you please refer to the Chinese Consulate website (www.chinese-embassy.org.uk) and download the visa form for individual visas for your group and please note the requirements, ie that one passport size photograph should accompany each application and the form should be printed double sided.

You will see from the instructions (Section 4 (4.7) they ask for the company in China who invites you.  The information you will need is as follows:-

China Comfort Xian International Travel Service Co Ltd

Sales Center

Room 601 Jixiang Building

No 178 Han Guang South Road

Xian, Shaan Xi Province 710065

Tel: 029 85393326

Email:  travelsteven_liu@yahoo.com.cn

the contact person is Jing Zhang

The visa needs to be completed using a PC and then printed out. A number of sections need specific information, which I have provided on the sample form.  Please do not complete the visa until we have sent out the confirmed address for section 4.9.

You can download the visa from the following website:

 http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/lsyw/chivisa/t281956.htm .

Please ensure that the visa is on one sheet of paper and printed double sided. Please also make sure that your photograph meets all the requirements set out on the visa.

We are now in a position to be able to give you a quote for the insurance. We are able to provide an insurance package that covers the appropriate needs for the trip to China. This will be £25. A copy of the policy is attached. Please send in a cheque for £25 made payable to Bishop Challoner School. A summary of the insurance policy is attached.

The cost of the trip needs to be paid in full by Monday 3^rd December 2007. If you would like to know your outstanding balance please do not hesitate to ask.  Please find attached a list of important deadlines.

Important Dates for the China Trip

Monday 3^rd December 2007                 Complete balance to be paid for the China Trip.

Monday 10^th December 2007               Completed Visa application to be submitted

                                                                 Completed Insurance form submitted

Tuesday 11^th December 2007              Room allocation to be submitted by pupils

Friday 11^th January 2008                     All passports to be submitted to A. Richardson

21^st January 2008 -- 25^th January 2008                Pupils to meet each lunch break to discuss final arrangements in Room 5.

                                                                                                Medical Form sent home

Monday 28^th January 2008                Code of conduct issued to parents and pupils to sign.

Thursday 31^st January  2008          All medical forms to be submitted to AR

Friday 1^st February 2008                Code of conduct to be returned to School

Wednesday 6^th February 2008      Final information to be issued such as emergency contact numbers, flight information and

                                                            confirmed itinerary.

Friday 8^th February 2008                Pupils only pre china meeting after school until 7pm with a Chinese take away.                

Wednesday 13^th February 2008                All pocket money to be submitted to school. Please ensure it is in Chinese currency

                                                                      and not travellers cheques please! Please include a reseal able envelope with your son / daughters name clearly labelled on it with the amount enclosed.

Friday 15^th February 2008                Please bring in all luggage in to school in the morning to reception. A secure room will be

                                                               available for luggage from 7.30am.

                                                                                                Coach to Heathrow Airport

                                                                                                Flight departs 16.50

Saturday 23^rd February 2008                 Pupils return to Heathrow Terminal 3. Parents to collect pupils from Heathrow Terminal 3.

Thursday 6^th March 2008                China Evening for pupils

We will be discussing the following at the next meeting:

Insurance

Visa Application

Pupils code of conduct

Culture

Language

Xian Hotel

Strategically located in southeast of Xin Cheng Square, the heart of Xi’an City ,Royal City Plaza Hason Hotel ,a four-star International hotel for travelers seeking for business or pleasure, is a stone throw away from provincial government building and main streets. The full-service hotel with total construction area of some 30,000m’ offers a full range of facilities including exclusive higher room categories, business center, kiosk, fine dining restaurants, lounge bar, tea house, conference rooms, entertainment facilities and many more. Easy access to public transportations, merchant banks, commercial and shopping malls.

Beijing 

 Peony Hotel 3 star standard

China Tour February half term 2008

Thank you for supporting the trip to China. We would like to invite you to our second information evening on Thursday 15th November 2007 from 7pm to 9 pm on Thursday 15^th November 2007. This meeting will provide some more detailed information about the culture. There will also be a language class, which will run for 30 minutes. This will provide the pupils with some useful phrases for when we are in China.  A representative from the company organising the tour will provide the talk. There will be a question and answer session at the end of the talk this will give you the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about the trip to China. 

Please find attached some more details about the China tour and a checklist of items to pack. Please read through this carefully. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that all payments for the China Trip are due in by Monday 3rd December 2007.

Please return the tear off slip below to let me know whether you will be able to attend the information evening.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

There are no longer any places available on the China Trip for pupils doing GCSE Geography or GCSE PE in years 10,11,12 and 13. Sorry to any pupils who may be disapointed.

Keep looking at this area for more updates on the China Trip.

We are awaiting a quote for insurance. We will inform you of the prices quoted to us at a later date. Insurance is essential. If you are allowing your son / daughter to use a family policy please ensure we have a copy of the insurance policy.

All passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of return from China. It cannot be damaged and any alterations/extensions must be endorsed by the Home Office or relevant Embassy. Please be aware that we will need the passports for a week in January prior to the trip so that Visa’s can be issued.   

Please find below the revised flight times.  Please check the Geography website regularly as the flight times are subject to changes.

We are hoping to have at least two more meetings for parents before the trip to China. These dates will be confirmed at a later date.

Websites

www.londonjingkunopera.co.uk/index_flash.htm

This is the site of a London based opera group who run workshops for schools at very reasonable rates ¨Csee website for contact info. Also information about the opera on the site.

www.chinapage.org/main2.html

This site has a huge amount of information about Chinese culture, history and geography. Click on the 3 Gorges Dam for a slide show about its development or click on dragons to find out more about the use of dragons in Chinese culture. You can also hear excerpts from Beijing opera etc.

http://chineseculture.about.com

Information about different aspects of Chinese culture by category

www.zhongwen.com   

This site has a lot on Chinese characters, but also has many useful links

www.chinatown-online.co.uk/index2.html     Specifically designed for British Born Chinese people but has some very useful info for UK learners about China.

http://202.200.144.15/m_index.asp

Click on ΦΠΉϊΓρΎΣacross the top. This website has stunning pictures of dwellings in China. The commentary on the site is all in Chinese, but the pictures are marvellous for teaching.

www.thebeijingguide.com

This website has a huge amount of information on Beijing and some on Shanghai too. You can take 360 degree tours of places in Beijing complete with sound effects and learn how to pronounce the sights at the same time. Also some basic food vocab and pronunciation.

www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese/real_chinese/

A website with basic phrases and information to complement the BBC television programmes.

www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/

Games and activities

www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese_new_year.htm

Lots of games and activities to use all the year round and especially at Chinese New Year

Guide books on China

Eyewitness Travel Guides China

An attractive all colour easy to read guide book.

Lonely Planet Guide books

Designed for back packers but has lots of useful background information for the any traveller to China .

There is a general China guide and also city guides for most major places.

The Blue Guide Book China

A detailed guide book with lots of cultural and historical information.

Odyssey Guide Books

A general China guide and also guides for major cities and also the Yangzi River

Fodor Guide Book China

Again very detailed but lots of useful information.