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=TIPD LATVIA 2011= == Hello everybody I'm Lesley Adams and I am a teacher at Tong High School. I have set up this Wiki for those members of staff who will be visiting schools in Lativia in February. Please use this site to ask/answer questions and post ideas. Remember to click the discussion button to ask/answer questions. ==

Hi Lesley,

I’ve just had word from our host in Latvia – it is currently ****-24,**** she advises us to wrap up very warm, boots, thermal gloves etc Please can you put that on WIKI site for me too.

Thank you

Jenn

MPORTANT
Dear Lauren and Lesley,

The bus company have just phoned to say they need us to leave at 5.30am not 6am They would like us to meet at Future House at 5.15am (Lesley I’ve left you a phone message – will pick you up at 4.45am) Please could one of you put the change on the WIKI site

Thank you

There will be a final conference on 21st June where we will ALL showcase the 2 trips.
= Jenn has asked me to mention the following conference: = = 22nd New visions of Learning Conference at the Abundant Life Centre in Bradford which is all about cutting edge technologies =

Excellent - I'm here :) - Lauren -

Hi think I1m here too!! Jackie

Fantastic - that's us three plus someone else! Don't forget to look at the 'Discussions' area for specific threads for questions you might be interested in finding out about :) Lauren

I'm here too! James

Hi - thank you Lesley ... this is great. Do we ever have to have meetings again? Oh yes we doooooo.... or does wiki bake biscuits too? Lorrin

Here is the information about the flights and the hotel - just in case you didn't get it before:

Flight details: **Depart ** Sun 20th February: 13.10 (from London Gatwick) Flt no BT652 (Air Baltic) Arrive: Riga 17.50 **Return **:Depart Sat 26th February: 11.30 to Gatwick Flt no BT651 Arrive: 12.20 **The hotel is the Albert ** 33 Dzirnavu iela Riga 1010, Latvia <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Tel: 6733 1717 [|**http://www.alberthotel.lv/location-en.html**] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">2 singles and 5 twins have been booked. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Cost of an additional single room is £324 if anyone does not wish to share <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">The host has suggested that an evening cultural visit could be included. She suggests that on the Latvian National Opera. On the 23rd Feb they could go to Swan Lake. Just suggestions from the host as these are outings that the group would probably be paying for themselves. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">If there is anything specific that they would like to see that is not too far then they can suggest it.

I am still waiting for the answers to some of our questions but will add the information as soon as I can. Lorrin X

__** HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY **__

I have just received the breakdown for the week - it looks great! I hope you think so toooooooo.

Visit Programme: Bradford_2 to Riga, Latvia

__** Flights **__ OUT: Flight no. BT652 Depart Gatwick 20/2/11 13.10 (check-in 11.10) Arrive Riga 17.50

RETURN: Flight no. BT651 Depart Riga 26/2/11 11.30 (check-in 09.30) Arrive Gatwick 12.20

__ Accommodation __ Albert Hotel, Riga (2 single and 5 twin rooms) http://www.alberthotel.lv/

Visit Theme: Teaching & Learning

__ Draft Visit Programme __ Sunday 20th Feb: Arrive at 17.50 at Riga airport, transfer to hotel by hotel shuttle (details TBC) Monday 21st Feb: Morning: Introduction General Education School Afternoon: Sightseeing in Old Riga Tuesday 22nd Feb: Morning: Primary School in Riga Afternoon: Bolderaja Art & Music School Wednesday 23rd Feb: All day: Bulduri Horticulture Secondary School Short visit to Jurmala (with time for sightseeing) Evening: Swan Lake (tickets offered by the hosts) Thursday 24th Feb: Morning: General education school Afternoon: LIDO Recreation Centre & Amusement Park Friday 25th Feb: Morning: Final round-up session (TBC) Afternoon: Free Saturday 26th Feb: Confirm pick-up time with hotel. 09.30 Check-in at Riga airport for 11.30 flight to Heathrow.

LIDO Recreation Centre & Amusement Park: The main building of the LIDO Recreation Centre is one of the largest log buildings in Europe, the construction of which was finished in 1999. The building is constructed from specially selected Latvian fir-trees over 100 years old. 1,000 seats are located within a total area of 2,500 m, 2 in the three-storey building. Service is provided by 530 employees. The catering complex is located on a territory of almost 5 hectares – a Beer Cellar, Bistro and Express Restaurant, as well as a car park for clients and an Amusement Park. The LIDO Amusement Park was opened in the summer of 2001, when it offered the Car Rental attraction to the youngest LIDO customers. In 2003, the largest artificial ice-skating rink in the Baltic States was opened; in the summer it is turned into roller skating rink. 14 different attractions are available in the Attraction Park: Rodeo, Tower, Sky Dive, Cannon Room, Trampoline, Car Rental, Race Course, Ferrari, Firing-range, Throw and Win, Eurobungee, Children’s Town and the Children’s Driving School. Thematic musical programmes take place on the summer park platform.

By the way - I would like to invite the group going to Guadeloupe in February to join our Wiki - would any of you object to this? Ithink it would be great to be able to share the good practice that we find on our trips.

Lorrin

That sounds like a fantastic idea Lorrin.

Do you have a summary of the purpose of our visit that I might use for some of the task sheets that I'm setting up for our activities done in our classroom prior to leaving?

Thanks, Lauren

Hi Lauren - our main aim is looking at Teaching and Learning but with a real interest in strategies that raise boys' achievement. But I think we must go and just 'steal' any ideas or resources that we think will be useful.

Lorrin

Hello Everybody - the group going to Guadeloupe have just been invited to join the site so hopefully they will soon be adding their comments.

For their sake I am adding the information about their trip:


 * Visit Information**

Bradford to Guadeloupe

This document includes important information for //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">all //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">participants including:

about your journey; your accommodation;

various other information about your destination;

emergency contact information

Please read this information as soon as possible. <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">If you have any queries, or there is anything you are unclear about, please contact your Group Leader. Group Leaders, please contact HTI Merganser on 01454 629655.

Visit Dates:

Travel Out: Depart Luton Saturday 19<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">th Feb 0700 Travel Back: Arrive Luton Sunday 27<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">th Feb 1835

Professional Preparation

In order to get the most out of this visit it is very important that you have undertaken some preparation. You will already have had one or more group meetings before you travel, but it is helpful also if you have a good understanding of the education system before you arrive. Spending a relatively small amount of time researching the various websites listed below will make the experience much more valuable.

Flight Information

You have been issued with electronic tickets for your flight – please make sure you take the print-out of your ticket with you for check-in. You must retain your ticket for the return journey. It is recommended that you travel to the airport together as a group. The group ** must **<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">meet prior to check-in as group tickets require you to check-in together. Please leave plenty of time to get through airport security. Bear in mind that you MUST comply with instructions during the security screening, if you wish to travel. The latest restrictions on hand luggage can be found at http://www.london-luton.co.uk. Your baggage allocation can be found on the flight itinerary included in your ticket wallet. You will need to check your baggage from Luton to Paris, and then collect it in Paris, transfer airports and recheck through to Guadeloupe. Please be aware that the group may not be able to all sit together on the plane (some airlines deliberately split groups for security reasons), but should you have trouble with all getting checked in, //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">do not walk away from the check-in desk until they have checked in the entire group and you all have boarding cards. //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">If you have a problem, which cannot be resolved call HTI Merganser immediately on 01454 629655 (24-hour response), ** but stay at the check in desk **<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">. Long-haul flights should be reconfirmed 3 days before the return journey. The group leader should call Air France on (+590) 0820 820 820 to reconfirm the group’s flights. (Some airline staff will say that this is not required, but our experience is that for groups this is important.)

Flight times

Outward

Flight no. EZY2433

Depart <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Luton on 19/2/11 at 0700 ( //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">check-in //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">0500) //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Arrive //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Paris CDG 0915

Transfer by Air France bus to Paris Orly

Flight no. AF3504

Depart <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Paris Orly on 19/2/11 at 1500 ( //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">check-in //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">1200) //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Arrive //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Guadeloupe 1845

Inward

Flight no. AF3505

Depart <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Guadeloupe on 26/2/11 at 2120 ( //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">check-in //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">1820) //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Arrive //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Paris Orly 1000 (27th)

Transfer by Air France bus to Paris CDG

Flight no. EZY2440

Depart <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Paris Orly on 27/2/11 at 1825 ( //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">check-in //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">1525) //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Arrive //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Luton 1835 Live flight information can be found at http://www.london-luton.co.uk.

On arrival at the airport

You will be met by the driver and transfer to the hotel with them by private minibus.

Accommodation

You will be staying at the Hotel Village Soleil for 7 nights. 1 single and 5 twin rooms have been booked on a bed and breakfast basis.

Please note that no changes can be made to this hotel booking without referring to the HTI Merganser team (contactable 24 hours during your visit on 01454 629655). Should any changes be made without first contacting us, we cannot accept any additional charges incurred; these will have to be paid direct to the hotel before departure.

Hotel Village Soleil La Marina Bas-du-Fort, 97190 GOSIER, GUADELOUPE Tel – +590 5 90 90 85 76 At checkout you will need to settle any outstanding additional payments (e.g. telephone, minibar).

Costs Covered by the programme: - Flights and transfers to the Village Soleil - Bed & breakfast accommodation at the Village Soleil - Transport associated with the programme whilst in the host country - Travel insurance Not included: - Travel to Luton Airport - Lunch & dinner (some host schools may provide this if indicated in the programme) - No further costs are covered.

Transport during the week

Transport for the programme during the week will be by minibus: Jacques DÉSIRÉE. Tel +590 590 951 915 or Alex ROBINET +590 690 355690 Alt tel: +590 690 348 282

Host contact details

Mr Bruno Trobo, email b.trobo@orange.fr Mobile (//<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">emergencies only //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">): +590 690 34 82 82

Draft Visit Programme

Saturday 19<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">th Feb Arrive at 1845 at Guadeloupe airport, met by driver and transfer to hotel.

Sunday 20<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">th Feb: Afternoon: Visit of //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">La Pointe des Châteaux : //

[]

Carnival in Pointe-à-Pitre :

[]

Transport costs to be paid by teachers: 35 euros per person

Monday 21<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">st Feb: Morning: Class observation: 6 – 11 years old

1 group <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">in Ecole Elémentaire Saturnin JASOR (Cours préparatoire, 6-7 years old)

2 groups <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">in Ecole Elémentaire Germaine LANTIN).

- <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">one CE1 (cours élémentaire première année, 7-8 years old)

- <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">one CM1 (Cours moyen première année, 9-10 years old).

Afternoon: Presentation of the "Académie de La Guadeloupe": main orientations, results and perspectives, by Mr Bruno Trobo //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">(held at the Ecole Elémentaire Germaine Lantin, Le Gosier) //

Tuesday 22<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">nd Feb: Morning: Whole group at Ecole maternelle de Mare-Gaillard (pre elementary, 3-6 years old) At the school <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">the group will split into 5 smaller groups. - 3-4 years old: 1 class; - 4-5 years old: 2 classes; - 5-6 years old: 2 <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">classes Afternoon: Class observation: music lesson with traditional instruments in Les Abymes, in a CM2 (aged 10-11).

Wednesday 23<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">rd Feb: All day: La Maison de la Foret and Bouillante (glass-bottomed boat). Entry fees at teachers’ own cost

Thursday 24<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">th Feb: Morning: Class observation: teachers who specialise in teaching English. In 2 groups (one in Petit-Bourg, <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">one in Goyave). Afternoon: Presentation of the national assessments (CE1 and CM2) and academic assessments in English (CM2)

Friday 25<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">th Feb: Morning: Meeting with the 12 "Maîtres Itinerants" of the Académie (these are teachers who specialise in <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">teaching foreign languages) Presentation by UK teachers of the educational system with particular reference to language teaching. Afternoon: Visit to the rainforest

Saturday 26<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">th Feb: Pickup time: TBC 1820 check-in at Guadeloupe airport for flight to Paris then London.

Note from the host:

It would be nice if your teachers could take an active part in this programme by teaching a song, a game, finger rhymes in the different classes they will go to. Also by bringing pictures of the schools with pupils in uniforms. Anything that might help us to learn more about your schools.

General Information

Travel advice from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) can be found on the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk – go to the "travel advice" section and select Guadeloupe from the list. Note that Guadeloupe is a French Overseas Territory. For some useful and practical information on Guadeloupe try: http://www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.com/2/Home-guadeloupe.htm For some information about education in France and Guadeloupe try: http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Education/DF_education.shtml

Climate

You should expect warm temperatures in the early to mid 20s, with a low chance of rain showers as the wet season tails off and turns into the dry season.

Safety

It is not advised to go out on your own, particularly at night, either in Pointe-a-Pitre or on the beaches. Take care of your belongings and be alert for tourist-related crimes such as pick-pockets.

Passports

We recommend that you take a photocopy of the back page of your passport with you, and keep it with you at all times, leaving your passport locked in the hotel safe. If you are taking a laptop, it may also be useful to take a scanned copy of the back page electronically.

Health

Please speak to your GP or other medical adviser in good time regarding any inoculations that may be necessary for your trip. Some information is available on the FCO website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/

As Guadeloupe is part of the French territories, you should take an EHIC health insurance card, as it greatly eases any medical issues. These are quick and easy to obtain from https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do

Currency

Euro. €1 = 86p / £1 = €1.16 (27/01/10). Notes: €5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50 cents; €1, €2 ATMs are widely available and will give you Euros. Credit cards are widely accepted and some stores may take Maestro and Visa debit cards.

Electricity

European style plugs with two round pins: you will need to take an adaptor

Time Difference

Guadeloupe is 4 hours behind the UK

Business hours

Offices : Monday to Friday, 8-12.00 and 14-17.00 Stores : Monday to Friday, 9-13.00 and 14-17.00 / Saturday 9-12.00 Shopping malls are also open non-stop from Monday to Saturday 9-20.00

Language

Main language used: French, and some Creole. English is spoken to some extent in tourist centres. Useful phrases: Hello: Bonjour Goodbye: Au’revoir Please: S’il vous plait Thankyou.: Merci

Etiquette

It is always appreciated if you make an effort to speak at least a little French, however good your knowledge of the language is.

Tipping

Service and tax are included in the prices, but tips are always welcome (around 10%)

Dress code (for in school)

Reasonably smart, as you would be in the UK. It is worth putting a tie in your pocket.

Phones

To call into Guadeloupe you dial +590 590 and then the 6 digit local number. To dial out of Guadeloupe dial 00 + country code (44 for the UK) + local code (without the leading 0) + local number

Emergency number

112 or 15 (ambulance), 17 (police) or 18 (fire)

Transport Traffic drives on the ** RIGHT ** Public Transport

Bus stops can be found in almost all of the islands' villages. Local buses run during general workday hours, between 5:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. However, bus service can sometimes be infrequent and somewhat erratic. Riders pay the bus fare just before getting off at their stop. The cost of a trip will depend on the particular destination.

Taxi: <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">Taxis are widely available at hotels, the airport, in Pointe à Pitre, and in other locations in Guadeloupe, but can be relatively expensive. Unlike taxis on many Caribbean islands, many taxis in Guadeloupe are metered. An additional 40 percent surcharge will be added to fares on Sundays and holidays, and between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. In the event that a taxi is not metered, be sure to agree on a price with the driver prior to leaving.

Airport details

www.guadeloupe.aeroport.fr Flight information: +590 590 211472/00

Lost or late baggage

Unfortunately HTI Merganser will not be able to help with lost or late baggage (for security airlines will not normally accept calls about baggage from other than the traveller themselves). If your baggage does not arrive make certain you have registered this with the airline before you leave the airport. The airline then have a responsibility to get the baggage to you. If the baggage is more than 4 hours late then you may purchase minimum necessary requisites and it may be claimed on the insurance. Bear in mind that the insurance company may require proof of purchase of items, and will expect that you can show you have only purchased what is necessary. It is for the insurance company to decide what is a valid and reasonable claim.

HTI Merganser Postcard Collection

The administration team at HTI Merganser would love to receive a postcard from your group to add to their collection. If you would like to send them a card, please send it to: HTI Merganser 130 Aztec Bristol BS32 4UB UK Thank you!

After the Visit Immediately after the visit, the group leader will be asked to complete and return a short evaluation questionnaire to help us with our continual improvement of the programme management. Within 4 weeks of returning from the visit, the group leader needs to submit a report of the visit to HTI Merganser on behalf of the group. This is a DCSF requirement of participation in the TIPD programme.

Report Writing

Guidance for writing your visit report can be found at http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/professionaldevelopment/tipd/reports/writingreport/ You should start planning for the report during your meetings before the visit, so that the report can be drawn together by the group leader within the 4-week time frame after the visit. The report will need to be sent electronically to HTI Merganser for submission to the DCSF. Please note that the group leader’s responsibility is NOT to write the report, it is to collate the report coherently, with contributions from all members of the group. As the reports will be posted up on websites (DCSF and HTI Merganser), please do not use large photo files etc, and please ensure that names are left out of the report. The visit report needs to be concise and useful, as it will be posted for other teachers to use as a reference and resource.

Insurance Policy Information

Policy Summary:

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Emergency numbers in Guadeloupe: 17 (police), 18 (fire), 15 (ambulance) or 112 from any mobile.

Medical Problems or Accidents

If you have a medical problem ** of any kind **<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">please call the OneAssist 24-hour hotline: +44 1992 621 500 You will need to quote the following information: Name of individual Insurance policy number: OGT 44697 F Insured company: HTI Ltd & Merganser Consulting Ltd The insurance company are very experienced in dealing with a range of difficulties and making the necessary arrangements. It is most important to call them as soon as a problem develops, so that they can advise on the best course of action. The insurance cover lasts from the time you leave home until the time you get back. Once you have contacted the insurance company, please then contact HTI Merganser on the 24-hour contact number (+44 (0)1454 629655)

Emergency Contact with Your Host

Host emergency contact (//<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">please use ONLY in case of an emergency) //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">: Bruno Trobo, mobile (//<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">emergencies only //<span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">): +590 690 34 82 82

Consular Assistance (Lost or Stolen Passports, etc)

In the case of problems requiring consular assistance (e.g. lost or stolen passports), the nearest British Consul is located at: Honorary British Consul 23 rue Sadi Carnot, 97110 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe; Tel: 00 590 590 825 757

FOR ALL OTHER PROBLEMS <span style="font-family: Arial,Arial;">please call the HTI Merganser 24 hour contact number: **+44 (0)1454 629655**

During the time you are travelling, and are away, the main HTI Merganser number +44 (0)1454 629655 will be manned on a 24-hour basis. For genuine emergencies (e.g. flight or hotel problems, health issues or accidents) please ring this at any time and we will be happy to help. For non-emergency matters it would be appreciated if you could try to use the phone during UK office hours, though we recognise that with time differences and a busy programme that may not always be possible: we will still be available! If you are in any doubt, please call us: we would far rather hear from you then leave you to try to sort something out on your own. Very often we have contacts and other ways of dealing with things that may not be available either to Group Members of to the Group Leader. Whilst you are away our main purpose is to ensure that you have a worthwhile and useful professional experience.

**NOW TO SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT:**
 * <span style="color: #ff006c; font-family: Arial,Arial;">This is an update for the droup going to Latvia... Vasim is no longer going on the trip -his place has been taken by Asma Khan - she is also from Bellevue Boys and will be sharing with Lynne. **
 * <span style="color: #ff006c; font-family: Arial,Arial;">Don't forget that we are all meeting at Tong High school on the 3rd of March - 4 until 5.30 pm. They will provide sandwiches and drinks. This will be our first opportunity to feedback on our trips and all the exciting things, ideas and resources that we have brought back with us. Please put this date in your diary as it is really important that we all attend. **
 * <span style="color: #ff006c; font-family: Arial,Arial;">It is getting closer and closer and very exciting... **