School Trips

We are happy to announce that we would like to offer once again the incredibly successful educational excursion to Cyprus. This will take place 24th-31st March 2009. During this week, we will organise outdoor pursuits activities such as abseiling, kayaking, team building, camping and mountain biking. In addition we will include educational activities such as environmental issues, a science investigation and also allow students to have some leisure time to snorkel, visit Paphos harbour, Mosaics, Tomb of the Kings, Bird Park and the Snake farm. Students on the Duke of Edinburgh Award will have an opportunity to complete their Expedition qualification.

At present, as we are in the planning process but it is expected the trip will cost in the region of 5800SR. Below are details of the accommodation and centre. At this stage, I am hoping to get an indication of the likely interest before we go ahead and fine tune the visit. If you are possibly interested in allowing your child to participate, please complete the reply slip attached and return to the Principal before Wednesday 10th September. We will then be asking for a deposit of 500SR to secure a place.

The Leading Centre for Environmental Education in Cyprus

"The goal of Environmental Education is to foster clear awareness of, and concern about, economic, social, political and ecological interdependence in urban and rural areas. It provides each person with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, values, attitudes, commitment and skills needed to protect and improve the environment. It contributes to the creation of new patterns of behaviour of individuals, groups and society as a whole towards the environment." (UNESCO, Tbilisi, 1977)

The necessity for Environmental Education was recognised when the residents of various regions of the planet began to face obviously worsening environmental problems. In America and Europe, Environmental Education has been part of school programmes since the 70's.

The Environmental Studies Centre (E.S.C.) has been running since 1995 for the purpose of supplying practical Environmental Education, and now welcomes about 3.000 students a year from the schools and universities of Cyprus, Western Europe and the Middle East. The great diversity of plant and animal life in the region where the ESC is situated makes it an ideal place in which to study the natural environment. This means they can offer a wide choice of educational programmes, ie. forest and freshwater ecology, landscape processes, and the impact of tourist development on the environment etc. The programmes are designed to meet the specific needs of each group of students visiting.

The approach to the various topics and the development of related skills is based on the principle that there is no better classroom for learning about nature and the landscape than the countryside itself. The local landscape includes dramatic gorges, pine forest, oak woodland, permanent streams and wetlands. At the same time, student will be able to use the well-equipped laboratory and teaching rooms for scientific studies.

Kritou Terra is situated in the Paphos district, on the northern edge of the high Laona plateau within the Akamas Peninsula at the western tip of the island. The village is experiencing all the current problems of the Cypriot countryside, the largest of these being a dramatic decline in population due to emigration overseas and the lure of jobs in the major urban centres and tourist resorts. It has fallen from over 800 to little over 100 in the last fifty years, with the result that the school was forced to close in 1982.

The ESC took on the restoration and furnishing of the school with the financial support of the A.G.Leventis Foundation and the European Union. As a result of the ESC's presence, many groups of young students arrive in the village every month to stay and study the environment of the region, and this has been seen as a major turning point in the fortunes of the village, bringing new prospects for the future and encouraging the restoration of other abandoned houses and features around the village.

Accommodation: Students will stay in modernised village houses or apartments. These are typically 2-6 beds per room, with a bathroom and small kitchenette. Bedding is included, but not towels.
Supervision of students: Supervision in the accommodation areas will be provided by teachers accompanying the group, who will undertake responsibility for the students over the duration of their stay in the village. The size and composition (girls/boys) of the group determines the number of accompanying adults. The apartments are in a number of separate areas, each sleeping 6-12 people, so a group of 20 students would normally need three accompanying adults, for example. There are a number of different combinations, so there is a degree of flexibility to cater for different ratios of boys and girls. Once we know numbers and sexes, we will provide a detailed accommodation plan.
Catering: All meals are provided by the local canteen, the former taverna 'Kefalovrisso' ("head spring"), within a few minutes walk of the study centre and accommodation. Breakfast and evening meal are taken at the canteen, whilst packed lunches are collected from there after breakfast. Special dietary requirements (due to medical, religious or ideological reasons etc.) can nearly always be catered for, given sufficient notice.

Mountain Biking
Students will enjoy the stunning scenery of the Akamas whilst learning about Cyprus’s geological past.

Kayaking
Students will learn the correct procedures of kayaking, from manoeuvring to what to do if capsized. This activity involves many games where you will get wet – you have been warned!

Rock Climbing/ Abseiling
This activity probably provides the participant with the greatest sense of achievement. There are a variety of climbs ranging in scales of difficulty.

Snorkelling
Swim in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean and discover the hidden and fascinating world below the surface. Learn about the flora and fauna of the area and how they have adapted to their surroundings.

Hiking
This activity is very versatile and can be adopted to cater for any level of ability, needs and learning requirements.

Orienteering
Excellent for promoting teamwork and learning how to competently use a compass and map.

Gorge Walking
Experience the breath taking beauty of the Avakas gorge and walk its length learning about the flora and fauna within and how the gorge was created.

Camping
Experience the fun and excitement of camping out. We can take groups of all levels, from first-timers to Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions.

Boat Trips
Sail around the Akamas Peninsula by boat and discuss the threat of present day and future development pressure on the internationally important peninsula. Swimming is also an optional experience on this activity.

Archaeological Walks
Discover more about the cultural heritage of Cyprus with visits to ancient tombs, castles and mosaics.

Outdoor Challenges
A series of mini or full day challenges that build team work, inspire trust and a sense of achievement.

Cyprus evening
Evening of traditional music and dancing. See a demonstration and try it yourselves.

Once we are aware of the likely numbers of students interested, and their potential interest, we will plan accordingly.