PHOTOGRAPHS

PHOTOGRAPHS
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Thursday 15 December 2011

THE LAST DAY!

What an amazing last day skiing! As we arrived at the gondola we were greated by heavy snow fall, in fact it was dumping it down ... hopefully we can bring some home.

All groups competed in a down hill slalom race competition and prizes were awarded at the end of the day by their ski instructors. Jamie (Group3) gave out her prizes and 1st prize went to Adam Hunter for a time of 19.75secs. Holman (Group2) gave out his prizes and 1st prize went to Joe Short. Lars (Group1) gave out his prizes and 1st prize went to Jake Lord. I won't say too much about the staff race but it was won by ME :-) and no, I didn't cheat!

Group 1 skied all the runs on the mountain that were open, including the most difficult one in resort, black 14. Needless to say there were a number of wipeouts, including Alicia hugging a tree and then sliding down on her backside; Megan doing a face-plant off piste and Alicia again being taken out by Jake Lord and then forward rolling down the steepest part of the slope! It had to be the best day's skiing we have ever had!!!

Group 2 worked on their technique on the blue slope, rode the large red slope at speed, then finished off going down the cat-track. In the afternoon they learned how to ride 'switch' by linking turns together, then skied all the way to the top and then skied really fast to the bottom and finished off riding formation, girls versus boys, needless to say the girls won!

Group 3 continued to work on their technique on the main blue slope and get used to skiing in difficult conditions. Once they all got used to it, they were taken on the gondola and up to the red slope where they skied at speed to the bottom.

After our evening meal at the hotel we presented our awards to the pupils:

Tidiest Room - Joe Short & Jake Lord
Laziest Tourist - Adam Coles
Sheeps Head of the week - Kyle Leighton (for whacking on all tour)
Clown of the week - Joshua Hadden
Helper of the week - Rebekah Windsor
Star of the week - Megan Grist (AKA: Miranda Hart)
Superstar of the week - Alice Pritchard
Best Wipeout of the week - Chloe Smith
Airhead of the week - Karla Spellman
Most improved male - Sean Johansen
Most improved female - Katie Johansen

I'd like to take this opportunity to say what a fantastic trip this has been, every pupil has behaved impecably and been a credit to both Newport High and themselves. We expect to be back at the school bus bay tomorrow evening at approximately 6pm but will stop at Leigh Delemare services for pupils to ring home with a definate time.

Have a great Christmas all and see you in the New Year!

Wednesday 14 December 2011

BLUE SKY WEDNESDAY

Today was a bluebird day ... white snow, blue sky and red faces - amazing! All groups made huge progress on their technique. Group 1 ventured over to new territories, as did group 2 & 3. Group 1 instructor (Lars) spent all morning building up the pupils confidence before taking them on 2 black runs in the afternoon. Chloe Smith had fall of the tour ... whilst managing to ski both black runs without a fall, she took a tumble on the nursery slope which resulted in a trip to hospital (see the pics for a close up of Chloe's plastercast!)

Group 2 had the best day's skiing yet, everyone perfected their turns. Group 3 even made it on the red runs!

Awards of the day:
Best skier of the day - Kayleigh Probert (has made excellent progress this week).
Perseverence and blues player of the day - Joshua Hadden (fell over and got up, then fell over again and got up, then fell over AGAIN ... then entertained us with his harmonica through the village)

Winner of tonights Town Trail:
PLASTER MASTERS
Kris Maybry
Alice Pritchard
Chloe Smith
Alicia Redman
Emma Barne

Right, we're off to bed now, so nos da pawb! :-Zzzz

Tuesday 13 December 2011

TUESDAY'S AWARDS & APRES SKI

Tonights awards:

Fall of the day, more like FALLS of the day - Megan Grist (for taking out almost every male member of group 1) Mr Waring felt rather left out therefore he didn't award her a chocolate bar.

Best skier & top tourist in group 1 - Jake Lord (an amazing skier and a pleasure to have on tour).

The 2 best skiers in group 3 - Adam Coles & Lisa Mansfield (for persevering and achieving numerous blue runs).

Tonights apres ski saw us hitting the bowling alley in Saalbach village. 4 teams of 8 competed for a round of applause and the results were:

4th place - The team with no name
3rd place - Toast
2nd place - Connor and Megan's ladies
1st place - The Banter Crew (Joe Short, Lydia Rees, Jake Archer, Jack McDonald, Tyler Keepin, Katie Johansen, Ellis Redman, Ashley Fleming)

Signing off for the night as we are all exhausted and ready for bed.

Nos da pawb :-z

TUESDAY'S CARNAGE ON THE FRESH SNOW

After a dumping of fresh snow overnight, the slopes were full of powder and ready to be skied ... so we did!
Night all, see you tomorrow x

Monday 12 December 2011

Zell am Zee links

As we are now skiing in Zell am Zee, click on the links on the right to access the webcam and the piste map.

MONDAY MADNESS IN ZELL AM ZEE

Day 3 up in Zell am Zee seen all skiers progress from yesterday. The weather was colder and cloudier than yesterday, so armed with a good breakfast, a snood and extra woolies we all made it up to at least the first lift station. Group 1 attempted their very first black run (not always on their skis!). Group 2, led by our Ozzy instructor were skiing their first red run, all with good pace and technique. Group 3 made a huge improvement on yesterday and are progressing steadily on their parallel turns.

Awards of the day:
Fall of the day - Karla Spellman (for taking out the fencing at the side of the chairlift)
Group 1 skier of the day - Alice Pritchard (attempted her first black run and off piste, followed by wipeout in the deep snow!)
Group 2 skier of the day - Ashley Fleming (for being quiet long enough to listen to the instructor)
Group 3 skier of the day - Emma Barne (made a huge improvement on yesterday and ended the day with a beaming smile)

Tonights apres ski was the best yet ..... we caught the 'Noddy Train' up to the local ice rink - WOOP WOOP - and was entertained by a rendition of YMCA. As we approached the ice rink, it started to dump down with snow ... we soooo can't wait for tomorrows skiing on fresh powder!

Nos da pawb from Austria xxx

Sunday 11 December 2011

MESSAGE FROM ALICE PRITCHARD (AKA - SICKNOTE)

"Having a great time finally learning to ski after going for 4 years and spending most of it in bed poorly! Loving Austria, Pharmacy looks good - well stocked, just hope I don't need it! See you all soon."

MESSAGE FROM BARNEDOOOOORR (EMMA BARNE)

"Can finally snowplough and stop without falling over. Very tired, missing home but really enjoying myself. Looking forward to doing the Town Trail and exploring the town and really looking forward to bowling on Wednesday."

SUNSHINE ON A SUNDAY

Today we skied another resort, we ventured over to Zell am Zee, overlooking the lake. The sun was shining, blue skies and white snow which enabled us to have a fantastic second day of skiing. The top group skiied the highest point on the mountain passed the little Austrian church on the top (where we all prayed for more snow). The second group made it up to the second chair lift and made excellent progress! The third group made it up to the first chairlift and continued to practice their stopping technique.

Awards of the day:
Skier of the day in Group 3: Jamie Butcher (for helping Lisa out in her moment of need).
Skier of the day in Group 2: Ellis Redman (made excellent progress on his parallel turns).
Skier of the day in Group 1: Alicia Redman (not only persevered with her with her troublesome knee but managed to take out the SLOW DOWN sign just before the chair lift - see the pictures for evidence!!)

Tonight we've got a quiz followed by karaoke .... so we are off now to warm up our vocal chords!
Good night all, see you tomorrow :-)

Saturday 10 December 2011

WE'VE ARRIVED!

After a 2 hour drive to Heathrow, followed by an hour delay and a 3 hour journey from Munich to Saalbach .... we have arrived!
The hotel is lovely, situated a short walk from Saalbach village and the staff are doing their utmost to cater to our every needs. Food has been superb and everyone seems to be enjoying it.
Due to the local ski resort of Saalbach not yet being open, we bussed it up to the glacier at Kaprun. All 3 groups made excellent progress. The top group made their way to the top of the glacier and tackled some rather difficult red runs with only a few falls! The 2 beginner groups worked on their snowploughs and technique. Tomorrow we are skiing in Zell am Zee which has a fantastic skiing area.

Tonights prizes of the day go to:
Fall of the day - Karla Spellman (who somehow managed to face plant on almost every slope we skiied).
Fall of the day2 - Jack Johnson (who managed to got himself caught up in the button lift and almost missed his stop off and ended up in the netting).
Most improved skier of the day - Katie Johansen
Most improved skier of the day2 - Lydia Rees
These 2 girls have never skiied before and managed to master the art of 'stopping' exceptionally well.

Tonight pupils have gone for a walk down the shops to stock up on 'tucker' and then we are all settling down in the lounge to watch 'Chalet Girl's DVD.

So, until tomorrow, "Goodnight all"! Keep your eye out for tomorrow's installment and enjoy the photos. :-)

Wednesday 30 November 2011

SNOW IS FORECAST!

At last, snow is forecast for next Monday and Wednesday :-) Keep doing the snow dance!!!

LAST SKI MEETING

Our last ski meeting will take place on Wednesday 7th December at 1:05 pm in room C0:24. It's important that you all attend as we have some last minute information to pass on to you.
Miss P

Tuesday 15 November 2011

SKI MEETING FRIDAY 18TH NOVEMBER

There will be a short meeting on Friday 18th November at 1:05pm in room C0:24 to discuss the forthcoming trip. Please ensure you can make it.

LESS THAN 1 MONTH TO GO!

With less than 1 month to go now, you should have handed in all your passport's, EHIC card's, medical form's and paid for your team hoodie. If any of you still need to get kit, there's still time and plenty of shops are doing some very good deals.
You might want to try the following:
Coyoti - Cowbridge
Helly Hansen - McArthur Glenn, Bridgend
Tog24 - McArthur Glenn, Bridgend
Mountain Warehouse - McArthur Glenn, Bridgend
Billabong - McArthur Glenn, Bridgend
O'Neill - McArthur Glenn, Bridgend
Two Seasons - Cardiff
City Surf - Castle Arcade, Cardiff
The Ski Lodge - Cardiff Bay

Tuesday 11 October 2011

FITNESS TRAINING

Fitness training will take place every Thursday with Miss Watkins in the fitness suite, 3pm-4pm. It's essential that all students improve their leg strength and cardiovascular fitness before we go!

Monday 10 October 2011

PARENTS EVENING LETTER

Dear parent/carer,

RE: Ski-trip Parents Evening

As there are only 2 months until we go skiing, I am organising a parents evening. This will take place at on Thursday 13th October 2011 in the school staff room from 6pm – 7:15pm.

Coyoti ski shop from Cowbridge will be on hand to advise you on what’s necessary to keep your son or daughter as comfortable and warm on the slopes this winter. If your son/daughter is new to the sport, Coyoti and accompanying members of staff will answer any questions that you may have.

To make life a little easier, Coyoti can offer you the fantastic option of hiring ski-wear at the meeting. Jackets and/or salopettes can all be rented out for your child at a cost that won’t break the bank! After you have chosen the outer-wear, there are just a few essential accessories that you will need to ensure your child is fully protected. These include socks, goggles/sunglasses, gloves, hat, sun-screen … the benefits of which will be talked through at the parents evening. Not only will you discover superb hire clothing and all the essential accessories that your son or daughter will need, you will also have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.

Due to insurance purposes and the health and safety of your child, it is essential that we are informed of any medical conditions and/or food intolerances that your son/daughter may have. Please find enclosed a medical questionnaire that you are required to complete and sign. Furthermore, you will need to ensure your son or daughter has a valid passport with at least 6 months validity before it expires. They will also need to ensure they have an EHIC card (which has replaced the E111 form). Please will you arrange for your son or daughter to bring their passport, completed medical questionnaire and EHIC card to Mrs Lampitt (Finance Assistant) by Friday 14th October 2011.

If you have any further queries or wish to discuss any other issues regarding the ski-trip, please do not hesitate to contact me at school.


Mr Tony Waring
Ski Trip Organiser

Monday 3 October 2011

Welcome to the new Ski Blog for Saalbach!

Keep an eye on the ski blog for up to date information about the forthcoming trip to Saalbach!