Ski Trip to Austria
Half term saw 4 staff and 33 pupils board a coach destined for Flachau in Austria and the possibility of a wonderful ski trip. The group arrived in high spirits at about 2 p.m. and as soon as everybody had been allocated their rooms; skis, boots, poles and helmets were issued and the excitement increased.
An early night was essential as everybody had to be up promptly the next morning to walk the short distance to the slopes in readiness for the first lesson. Pupils went off in ability groups with their instructors for four hours of skiing each day. The first day the weather was sunny and warm, making the snow heavy and difficult. The group awoke on the second day to falling snow, which lasted well into the evening and improved the quality of the snow on the slopes. The third, fourth and sixth days saw plenty of sunshine and blue skies.
On Tuesday evening we all went to an ice hockey match between the local team of Zell am Zee and another village involved in a play off. In an exciting and incident-full match the locals were victorious, much to the delight of all the fans (who seemed to be mainly British school children!). On Wednesday we went to find out about curling. This proved to be great fun, if a little cold! At one point the thermometer showed -10! We had a presentation evening on Thursday where all the instructors came to the hotel and gave the different groups a certificate for taking part in a ski race.
The ski groups allowed pupils to mix with other pupils that they would not normally come across during their school lives. 1st formers chatted with 5th formers and 4th formers spent time with 2nd formers. Mr Watts did a lot of snow boarding and Mr Simmons joined the beginners group.
Hopefully there will be a good uptake for next year. Same time, same place!
