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• Holland

  Thu 23 May 2019 H.McNeilly
  The group have checked in at the airport and the flight is on time. Correction...flight delayed by 15 mins. 

• Final day in Valkenburg

  Wed 22 May 2019 H.McNeilly

  Final day in Valkenburg! The group woke today to glorious Dutch sunshine and finally the children had the opportunity to wear their shorts and T-shirts and adorn the shades for their final day in Holland. The last day did not disappoint and saw the group tackle yet another very busy day. Today saw the sightseers off to Agogo where the children enjoyed the breath-taking views from the chairlift, followed by the thrill of the roller coaster ride on the bobsleigh toboggan run. Yet again, every child impressed the staff as they all paired up to go on the chair lift. At the top was where the real fun began. Each child was able to choose his/her own speed with the brake, and slide down the mountain, where they then got the draglift back up to the starting point again. It was a slow start for many, with some children remaining stationary at times until they were given a gentle push downwards by their fellow classmates coming down the slope behind them. By the end of the morning, all children were flying down the metal slopes at great speeds. Mr Bradley describes the toboggan every year as a baking tray with wheels.....I’m not convinced on that one but the children had a ball. Following their thrilling morning, the group went shopping. Lots of sweets, chocolates and presents were purchased today as the children tried to spend their remaining Euros. The group had a lovely time exploring the town in the sunshine, eating ice-cream and drinking slushies. After a picnic lunch in the square, it was off to Kinderstadt Heerlen for yet more adrenalin inducing action! Kinderstadt, I am told, is like Indianaland times 10 – with dodgems, ball pits, an indoor log flume, rollercoasters, trampolines and a giant rubber volcano. I am told that all children made it to the top in their bare feet, however the real challenge is trying to get to the top in their socks.....a few succeeded...including Mrs Brown. The children had a super afternoon with only one downfall.....the soles of their feet are as black as can be. I am told that there will be a foot inspection this evening before bedtime.... rather them than me.  With an enormous appetite worked up, it was back to the hotel for a dinner of burgers and chips. Following dinner the children then went to Laser quest in the darkness of the caves with the added extra of a smoke machine this year making it very atmospheric. The children were put into groups and Mr Bradley is devastated that he was beaten by the two Jacks- Well done boys. Sounds like yet another amazing day and a great end to a very successful trip! The hotel staff have been very welcoming to the children and couldn't do enough to ensure that they have all felt at home and well looked after. They even gave out a prize for the cleanest and tidiest room this evening. The teaching staff have also had continuous remarks on the impeccable manners and behaviour of the children everywhere they have been in Valkenburg and today was no exception. It must make you feel proud knowing YOUR children are being so well complimented on their behaviour and manners...I know it makes us proud. It's an early night tonight as 5 a.m. will come very early in the morning when all children will be made to shower (whether they want to or not) before departing the hotel after having breakfast and making their packed lunch for the airport. 

  Congratulations to Mr. Bradley, Miss Seaton, Mrs Galway and Mrs Brown for making Valkenburg 2019 such an amazing and memorable experience for the P.7 children. Just one more sleep parents.....get those beds ready and their favourite meal prepared for dinner tomorrow night. We wish them a safe journey home and PLEASE don’t forget to pick them up from the airport tomorrow. 

  

• School closed Thursday, Friday and Monday

  Wed 22 May 2019

  Please remember that the school is closed on Thursday, Friday and Monday for elections, school development and then the Bank Holiday. 

  Enjoy the long weekend! 

• Day 4 in Valkenburg

  Tue 21 May 2019 H.McNeilly

  Holland Day 4

  Day 4: The children were up bright and breezy this morning for the 1½ hour journey to Europe’s largest Theme Park called ‘Efteling’. The bus driver was happy to leave early to allow the children to have the maximum time available at the park. Efteling is a fantasy themed amusement park in Kaatsheuvel where all the attractions are based on elements from ancient myths and legends, fairy tales, fables and folklore. Needless to say, they all had an absolutely amazing time! Another cool day, however the park wasn’t too busy which meant that the queues for the rides were approx. 10-15 mins long which was perfect for the group. Many of the children displayed amazing feats of bravery as they attempted rides on rollercoasters for the very first time! A lot of them stepped out of their comfort zone and all were willing to give the rides ‘a go’ and even enjoyed them. Every single child managed at least one rollercoaster- well done everyone! One of the rides 20 brave CPS pupils embarked on was the brand new roller coaster called ‘The Baron’, which incorporates a vertical drop! The children took a spin on The Teacups, The Flying Dutchman, The Python and The Pirate Ship (not one of my favourites). You’ll be pleased to know they tackled The Pirate Ship before they had their lunch of sausages and chips. The teachers weren’t too keen on seeing the lunches again. A firm favourite for all was The Piranha which the teachers cleverly left for the children towards the end of their day. You sit in a rubber ring and end up getting soaked as you plummet into the lake at the end. Mr Bradley had tricked the children by telling them that the water was luke warm, however due to the slightly overcast weather, the water was entirely the opposite. Mr Bradley said that various of the children’s faces were a treat as they got soaked at the end. Lots of photos of their experiences were purchased today along with souvenirs. After a thrilling day, it was back to the hotel for dinner. The hotel staff had left bubbles on each of the children’s place settings for their dinner so a bubble fight took place outside after dinner. The children are being exceptionally well behaved (like we ever doubted that) and they are all sleeping well.....hopefully they'll do this when they return also! They are off to bed shortly following their diary writing for a good rest before hitting the bobsleigh tomorrow (fingers crossed for good weather or it won’t run). 

  

• A great day so far...full update later!

  Tue 21 May 2019 H.McNeilly
  

• Day 3 in Valkenburg

  Mon 20 May 2019 H.McNeilly

  Day 3: Following a well deserved lie in and breakfast this morning, another busy day was ahead for the children. It was much cooler today and rather overcast, however thankfully there was no rain. First on the agenda today was a visit to the swimming pool, where everyone had a fantastic time going down the various slides, chilling in the Jacuzzi or sauna, diving off the boards and experiencing the relaxing ‘Lazy River Ride’. I say relaxing, however there’s nothing very lazy about it as you travel down at quite a speed I’m told. The outdoor pool was closed today, however I am pleased to report that every child on the trip went into the pool and had a great morning of fun with their friends. The non-swimmers in the group enjoyed time in The Whirlpool where they were swept along with the water, however a few needed a little assistance trying to get out of the current of the water. After a morning of swimming, every single child had a shower and washed their hair...I think this is a first on the trip for a few. Following lunch on the steps of the pool, it was off to Valkenier theme park (The Barry’s of Valkenburg) behind the hotel to enjoy the rollercoasters and boat rides on offer so close to where they are staying. The children enjoyed an afternoon of freedom (as they had the whole place to themselves) exploring the theme park and went on The Ghost Train, dodgems and paddle boats. Thankfully no one fell into the water. The popular purchases today were ‘Foot long slushies’ to cool down from the running around. Great fun was had by all, however we have two disgruntled staff members after today’s trip. Poor Mr Bradley was hounded by many on the dodgems and is nursing a rather sore knee this evening, whilst Mrs Galway was tricked into going on a new ride which can only be described as a boomerang rollercoaster (a bit like a pirate ship). I think she’s still having flashbacks of her ordeal. After a fabulous afternoon,  it was back to the hotel for dinner which comprised of spaghetti Bolognese and ice cream for dessert. Following dinner the group went to the park to enjoy some games together. There was football, mount and dismount and others simply made daisy chains whilst chatting to their friends on the grass. Another great day in Holland and yet again impeccable behaviour from all. As you can imagine, they are all now exhausted (as are the children!!!), so they are all settling down for an early night before the big day at the main theme park, ‘Efteling’ tomorrow and a 7:00a.m. breakfast wake up call. Everyone is in great spirits and having a fabulous time. 

  

• A busy second day in Valkenburg

  Sun 19 May 2019 H.McNeilly

  Day 2: Another fun packed day in Valkenburg, in fact a very, very busy day! The teachers report that ALL rooms were awake this morning when they went to wake them up..fingers crossed this continues. Breakfast was a buffet of everything and anything the children could imagine....boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, cereal, cheese, cold meats and a variety of different bread....the children were well set up for the day. After breakfast, everyone set off on what was yet another bright and sunny day to begin a very full itinerary. A short walk took the children to explore the caves where they saw statues, art work and a finale of a light show with pictures to finish the trip off. The trip through the caves is in pitch darkness lit only by a gas lantern carried by the tour guide and this year’s guide was telling the children how his father had to live in the cave during the Nazi occupation of the town. The children were in awe of this as they’ve been learning about WW2 back in school and could relate their learning to many of the stories he was telling them. At the end of the tour there is a light show and this year they showed pictures of the town during the occupation of the war which the children watched intently. The light show at the end also allows the children to play hide and seek in a safe area and get accustomed to light again. Next on the agenda was a shopping spree, where apparently some purchasing of gifts/souvenirs for home happened along with plenty of ice cream and slushies to help cool down from the heat of the sun. The next stop was the Margraten War Cemetery, where the children’s behaviour was impeccable, as they walked quietly around, showing great respect and having great historical discussions. A number of the children managed to find memorials with their surname, which was an added poignancy to the trip. The children were an absolute credit to all and have been commended by many on the trip so far for their great behaviour and manners. No behaviour fines have been given out so far...again, fingers crossed this continues. As the group were leaving the cemetery, they could hear the thunder coming in the distance and unfortunately as they travelled to their next stop...the heavens opened. Following the cemetery, the children thoroughly enjoyed walking from the Netherlands, into Belgium, and then into Germany - the famous point where the three countries meet...if not rather soggy!!! A number of the children faced their fears and went up to the viewing platform, 200 steps up to witness Holland from its highest point. The steps have some holes in them which makes the ascent quite a mental challenge for some...well done to all those who braved the climb. A little play in the park was in order afterwards where ALL children got covered in sand...wet sand! You’ll be glad they weren’t getting back into your cars, however the bus driver was more than accommodating and knew that the sand was the sign of good fun. Having worked up a good appetite with all the walking they had done, the group arrived back to the hotel for dinner. The very full and exciting day was rounded off with a game of 10pin bowling this evening, where Miss Seaton was the champion bowler. As you read this the children are writing postcards for home, so keep an eye on those letterboxes over the next week. All are now relaxing before getting a good sleep for another jam packed day tomorrow ...which I'm told involves a lie in and some swimming....and a guaranteed shower and washing of hair....phew! All children (and staff) are in great form and lots of fun and laughter is being had. 

  

• Greetings from Holland

  Sat 18 May 2019 H.McNeilly

  Day 1: Everyone has arrived safely in Holland and it’s been a very busy first day. The flight was delayed for 30 minutes on the runway, however the day ran very smoothly from landing onwards. As you read this, the children are writing their diaries and about to settle in for the night...I think their eyes are literally hanging out of their heads, they’re so tired! Stop one today was the buzzing city of Amsterdam. The highlight of today was a visit to Ajax Stadium in Amsterdam. The female tour guide failed to mention Spurs’ football club during their tour, despite a few attempts to taunt her from some of the football mad boys. The children were thrilled seeing the football stadium in full glory even managing to get onto the pitch itself. The children were in awe of the size of the stadium and a bit star struck to be on the same pitch as some of their idols. After the stadium visit, the group visited a Windmill Museum getting to see and experience a wealth of working windmills. The children were allowed to explore the museum and stumbled upon a working cheese factory in one of the windmills....I think many made a quick exit! The children enjoyed their little piece of home (packed lunch) on the grass at the museum and fed the ducks....hopefully not with their lovingly prepared lunch. Leaving Amsterdam, the children and staff started their 3 hour bus journey and arrived in Valkenburg to a warm welcome at the hotel. The bus driver is also very friendly and accommodating to the children. For dinner, the children were treated to a buffet of fish, chicken, chips, rice and vegetables for dinner and I am pleased to report that some of the children even managed to take some of the vegetables...I’ll leave you to decide whether your child was one of these children. Dinner was followed by ice-cream for dessert. Following dinner, the children and staff went on an hour walk around the town to take in some of its highlights. The weather is great (Mid 20s) and fingers crossed this continues. Once the diaries are written it’s straight to bed. An early night is needed to recharge the batteries for all the thrills and excitement in store tomorrow. A busy day awaits the group tomorrow which includes a visit to the caves, where 3 countries meet and most importantly.....some shopping. 😊