updated itinerary and latest parents' letter

Saturday 24th September Departure 10.00 school, 15.20 (ET871L) by Ethiopian Airlines to Paris through Addis 20.45-23.55 (ET704L)

Sunday 25th Arrival 6.30 (ET704L), breakfast in café La Cantoche, a.m. Bateaux Parisiens boat ride on Seine., p.m. Cité de la Science guided tour + Géode 3D experience + evening Montmartre district

Monday 26th a.m. Père Lachaise p.m. tour Pompidou (1.30), Eiffel Tower, evening: bowling

Tuesday 27th a.m. shopping/market and Catacombes, surprise p.m., tour Quai d’Orsay/Notre Dame

Wednesday 28th London by Eurostar 6.43-7.59 departure (packed breakfast) Paris, 20.42-23.17 departure (packed meal) London: City trip, London Eye, tour Tate Modern Gallery, little shopping, some “Olympic London”, live show surprise 2 .00-6.00, lunch in pub

Thursday 29th a.m. guided tour Versailles, p.m shopping and tour Louvre 4 p.m., evening Aquaboulevard

Friday 30th September Visit to Disneyland Paris (Disney Park, Disney Studios + surprise); night flight 22.05 (ET705L) back home through Addis 6.20-9.30 (ET871L)

Saturday 1st October Arrival Kamuzu Airport 14.35, expected arrival school 16.00





Lilongwe, 20th September 2011



Dear parents/guardians,

In a few days we will leave for beautiful Paris and London, time for some final information:

*transport: we will leave BMIS (car park next to hall) by school bus Saturday 24th September 11 a.m. sharp and would like you to say goodbye to your children at school; please do not come to the airport in order not to confuse students and arrangements; Saturday 1st October we will be back in school 4 p.m., please come to school and not to the airport to collect your child; in case of delay we will post that on our weblog; if you wish you could call the airport to find out about arrival times
*luggage: make sure all appropriate luggage is in your son/daughter’s suitcase; for a clothing list please check weblog and do not forget about swimming clothes and drawing stuff; please anticipate on autumn conditions = chilly and wet; use 1 piece of 20 kgs as a guideline + maybe have a spare bag to transport all the souvenirs your children will buy for you
*information:if you have additional questions, please consult www.bmisgoesparislondon2011.blogspot.com in the first place; furthermore: all chaperones will be available 9.30 a.m. onwards this Saturday to answer to your questions; in France we will update the weblog every night, so you will be informed about your son’s/daughter’s activities + photos on a daily basis; mobile phones and e-mailing are not allowed for all sorts of reasons; only in the case of an emergency you can contact me through our Head Teacher Mr. Paul Harrison: 0999785466
*passports: have your child bring in her/his passport Friday 23rd September at the latest; we will triple check all details (validity, visas (double (!) entry Schengen, UK), TEP/PRP/other etc.), but it remains the responsibility of the parents to have everything sorted; we will keep the passports in a safe place so we can do a group check-in (no pointed/sharp objects and liquids in the hand luggage please) at the airport; the chaperones will take care of the passports during the duration of the trip
* pocket money: please place the pocket money in an envelope (guideline 150 euros and 30 pounds) and write on it the amount of pocket money + name student on Saturday: staff will take care of the administration of the pocket money in order to avoid losing and spending too much money
*medicines: please make sure your child knows what medicine to take, when, how and do not forget to pack it; we do have a list of all needed medicines, together with dietary requirements and it is all taken care of
*valuables: are taken at own risk for the simple reason that we won’t have time to spend at police stations finding out about lost/stolen items
*import tax: anticipate upon paying import tax on newly bought items as soon as we are back in Lilongwe, although last year the customs were very cooperative; have your child keep receipts
*missed classes: will have to be caught up at responsibility students
*latest itinerary:
Check out weblog
*extra 1st break meetings students: Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd September

Thank you very much for your cooperation and we hope to see you this Saturday.

Very much looking forward to have a fantastic time in France and UK with a fantastic group of young people,

also on behalf of the rest of the crew: Anne Taylor, Rachel Almeida and Sangamesh Rajeshwar



Willem Snieder, trip coordinator

Language training Wednesday 7th September

Wednesday 7th September 13.45 - 15.00 there will be a French language session for all trip participants in S5. The usual after school activities should be skipped for one time. Please arrange for transport back home. Thank you/Merci bien!

22nd August parents and students meeting

 Trip open for Years 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (school year 2011/2)
 Staff: Mrs. Almeida, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Rajeshwar, Mr. Snieder
 Ethiopian Airlines takes care of the flights
 Ça Va Trips is UK travel organization in France with representative Julie during whole trip
 Trip cost 425,000 MKW = all inclusive except for pocket money + possible visa costs
 There is a regularly updated weblog (please visit): http://bmisgoesparislondon2011.blogspot.com
Maximum of 40 participants
 Schengen visa for Paris
 Contact German embassy 01772555
 School does preparatory work
 Free
 Fill in application form (available)
 1 passport photograph
 Passport valid for at least 3 months return
 Exemption for most European countries and US
 Consulate open 9-12 working days
 UK visa for London
 www.ukvisas.gov.uk
 Teveta House opening house 8-15
 Takes 10 working days
 Costs involved
 2 clean pages passport
 2 passport photos
 VISAS ARE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS (tip: go for one before and one after holiday)
 Please take a copy from the piles
 TEP, PRP, other: make sure they are in –valid- passport
 RESIDENCE PERMITS ARE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS
 Students/parents must bring cheques (address to Bishop Mackenzie International School and write bmisgoesparislondon2011 on the back) into the financial office immediately on arrival at school. They will be issued with a receipt. Cheques should be placed in a sealed envelope clearly labelled with your child’s/children’s name and class.

 *1st instalment
 May 13th 2011
 MKW 120,000
 *2nd instalment
 June 3rd 2011
 MKW 120,000
 *final payment
 August 17th 2011
 MKW 185,000
 Air ticket 232,000 MKW
 Travel agency France 165,000 MKW
 Medical/
 cancellation insurance 6,000 MKW
 Surprises 17,000 MKW
 Contingency 5,000 MKW

 --------------------

 Total 425,000 MKW against the current exchange rates
 of MKW/euro/pound/dollar
 Behaviour contract
 Payment slip
 Indemnity form + medical information + dietary requirements + contact details
 Please fill the documents out this evening and have relevant pages (personal details + validity and residence permit) of passport photocopied
 No mobile phones allowed: security, value, focus; all communication through Head Teacher Mr Harrison + weblog we’ll update on a daily basis
 Pocket money: guideline 150 euros, 30 pounds: obtain the Forex on time (letter available tonight); there will simply be no time to exchange currencies in Paris and London
 Weblog forum + ask your child about letters
 Packing list after holiday (Mrs. Almeida in a minute)
 Waiting list
 Tags
 Chaperone system
 Insurance
 Malaria
 Surprises
 Missed schoolwork responsibility student
 Rooming: friends + friends
 Valuables at own risk
 Every Thursday students’ meeting S5 10.15
 Saturday 24th September: please be on time, 9.00 a.m.
 Security: 5 parents, safety children/students first priority, permanent contact with school




Roleplays to prepare students:
AT THE EIFFEL TOWER SOUVENIR SHOP
You want to buy a present for your little sister/brother. You have €15 to spend.
• Bonjour mademoiselle/monsieur. Qu’est-ce que tu voudrais ?
(Tell the shop lady that you want a present for your little sister/brother.
• Je voudrais un cadeau pour mon petit frère/ma petite sœur.
• Alors, voici des casquettes,
ou il y a aussi des porte clés,
de jolis sacs,
des T-shirts très cool,
et de petits Tours Eiffel.

(Ask how much the caps are.)
• C’est combien les casquettes ?
• Sept euros.

(Ask how much the pens are.)
• Et les stylos sont combien ?
• Trois euros.
•
•
•
• What to take: Small rucksack (5kg.):
• *book/puzzles/games
• *travel documents
• *toiletries bag, filled
• *sunglasses
• *pen + notebook
• *camera + other valuables
• Suitcase (20kg.) :
• *6 changes of underwear and socks
• *3 long-sleeved shirts
• *3 t-shirts
• *2 jumpers/sweatshirts
• *2 pairs of trousers
• *2 shorts
• *2 pairs of pyjamas
• *tracksuit
• *1 towel
• *1 pair of trainers, 1 or more pair(s) of shoes
• *hat/cap
• *raincoat
• *plastic carrier bag for dirty laundry
• *jacket
• * valuables at own risk
• Please ensure that all items are clearly named!
•

!

visas

Several Schengen visas for our trip have been issued already. What we as school could do, e.g. leave copies of insurance and parental consent, we have done. UK visas: I know of one visa that has been issued. Parents and students involved should go to the UK visa office in Teveta House and they should bring:
*photo, passport size
*application form (apply for visitors visa, not for transit)
*application fee
*proof of parental consent (if you signed out the indemnity form you can get a copy from school)
*proof of insurance (copy from school)
*bank statement
*birth certificate (depending on the nationality)
Good luck, Willem Snieder.

letter 15th August

Lilongwe, 15th August 2011


Re: bmisgoesparislondon2011

Dear Parents and Students,

I hope you have had a good holiday and have returned to Malawi safe and sound. Thank you very much for having paid the first two instalments for our trip to France and London. Our plans are progressing well and it will certainly be a fantastic experience for the students. I would like to send a polite reminder that the remaining instalment is due this week and is needed to fulfil our financial obligations to airline and travel agency. Unfortunately, due to the recent exchange variations, we have had to adjust the amount to MKW 185,000.

A second polite reminder for those students who need a visa: please obtain the Schengen and UK visas on time. We try to be as helpful as possible, but it is the parents’ responsibility to arrange for the visas.

I would also invite parents and students to a meeting on Monday 22nd at 5 p.m. in the BMIS hall. Given the uncertain political situation in Malawi, the riots in London, the devaluation of the kwacha and the lack of Forex I feel we should have an extra meeting for the trip to enable us to discuss any queries you may have about the trip.

I look forward to seeing you on Monday 22nd August at 5.00 p.m.

Yours sincerely,




Willem Snieder, trip coordinator

PS Please check out our weblog bmisgoesparislondon2011.blogspot.com for additional information.

UK visa

Dear Mr Snieder,



Thank you for your email dated 04/07/2011. Based on the information you have provided your students will require a general visit visa (for child accompanied). I am assuming that the students in your party are visa nationals. I regret that a transit visa may only be issued for the purpose of transit only and has no provision for tourist activities during the transit period. There is no concession for school groups.



For further information please refer to the following website links:



http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/

http://www.vfs-uk-za.com/index1.aspx



Yours Sincerely,





Michael Kane | Entry Clearance Officer (South Africa)

Cost increase, sorry

Lilongwe, 9th June 2011

Re: bmisgoesparislondon2011, cost increase

Dear parents/guardians,

Thank you very much for having paid your instalments for our trip that promises to be a fantastic one. Not all second instalments have been paid yet. May I politely remind you of the payment deadlines. Please stick to them, because we need them to fulfil our financial obligations to the travel agent, the insurance and the air carrier:

Students/parents must bring cheques
(address to Bishop Mackenzie International School
and write bmisgoesparislondon2011 on the back) into the financial office immediately on arrival at school. They will be issued with a receipt. Cheques should be placed in a sealed envelope clearly labelled with your child’s/children’s name and class.

1st instalment
May 13th 2011
MKW 120,000 2nd instalment
June 3rd 2011
MKW 120,000 final payment
August 17th 2011
MKW 145,000
As you may have noticed in the box above, the last instalment has changed. We have to adjust the trip price with MKW20,000 because Ethiopian Air has increased its taxes. We have tried our very best to keep the price as low as possible, but the increase in unavoidable. Please take this into account for your final payment.

Thank you very much in advance and enjoy your holiday. First student meeting after the holiday: Thursday 18th August 2011, 10.05 in S5.

Kind regards,



Willem A. Snieder, Trip Coordinator.

PS Please check out our weblog for the latest information: http://bmisgoesparislondon2011.blogspot.com