Blankenberge

Blankenberge has more to offer than nice beaches. Everybody will enjoy a walk through the busy shopping streets of the center of the city. In earlier times Blankenberge was nothing more than a small fishermen village at the coast. Because of its rather strategic position, the little village was often plundered and destroyed. Also the sea sometimes proved to be not only a source of income, but also a source of destruction through flooding. It was in the 19th century that the small town became one of the first Belgian seaside-resorts visited by tourists. Around 1850 the first (but not the last) hotels were constructed.

The main church of Blankenberge is the Saint-Anthony church which originates from the 14th century, but which was destroyed during the religious troubles in the 16th and 17th centuries. Nothing has been preserved of the medieval decoration. The present church still possesses baroque paintings.

Staffing Update

We are very happy to inform you of the finalised Staffing for the Belgium trip

Big Chief: Mrs D. O'Brien

Mr. R. Dearsley

Miss. R. Millar

Mr. G. Hodge

Miss. G. Dainty

Ms. C. Wilson

Mr. A. Digance

The Royal Palace of Brussels is bigger than Buckingham Palace!

What do you think?

Belgium Meeting from Monday 22nd April

If you missed the meeting on Monday during interval you MUST see Mrs O'Brien ASAP in order to complete your room and ferry friendship groups form.

Following on from our meeting today, the following is a reminder of the rehearsal dates for all groups, starting from next week: (this week as normal)

Wind Band                                Mondays: 29^th April, 13^th May, 3^rd June, 10^th  and 17^th June

String Group and Quartet        Tuesdays: 30^th April, 14^th May, 4^th June, 11^th and 18^th June

Pipe Band                                  Every Tuesday after school

Vocal Group                               Wednesdays: 1^st May, 15^th May, 5^th June, 12th and 19^th June 

                                                     (after school as normal if there’s no rehearsal during the day)

Guitar Group                              Thursdays: 2^nd May, 16^th May, 6^th June and 13^th June

Please mark these dates somewhere in a diary, planner or set as a reminder on your ‘phone.

Please ensure that you have returned all EE2 forms and passports to be copied to Mrs Brayford in the classroom assistants’ room in WarrenderI

Fact: Ghent is host to the biggest comics, sci fi festival in Europe in 2013

FACTS is the biggest comics, sci fi and anime festival in Europe.

This year it is located in Ghent, Belgium.

Meeting: Monday 22nd April in B1 at Interval

There will be a meeting during interval on Monday 22nd April in B1.

FULL ATTENDANCE is required.

The meeting is for pupils to choose who they will share rooms and berths with during our tour. Where possible friendship groups will be kept together. However if you do not attend the meeting we will not know which pupils you would like to share with during our trip!

Please refer to the e-mail sent for further details about the meeting.

Itinerary: Belgium Trip - First Draft!

All timings and services will be confirmed in your final itinerary, which will be forwarded to you nearer your departure.

 Day 1: Sunday 23^rd June 2013

11.30 hrs	Depart from school via coach provided by NST.
15.00 hrs	Check in at DFDS terminal Newcastle upon Tyne Dinner provided on board
17.00 hrs	Ferry departs

 Day 2: Monday 24^th June 2013

09.30 hrs	Breakfast & packed lunches provided on board Arrive Amsterdam (local time)
12.00 hrs	ETA Ghent.
15.00 hrs	Performance St Michael’s Church (60 mins programme)
18.00 hrs	Evening meal will be served at the hotel.
20.00 hrs	Canal Cruise  requested

 Day 3: Tuesday 25^th June 2013

07.30 hrs	Continental breakfast will be served at the hotel.  Packed lunches provided
08.30 hrs	Depart for Blankenberge
09.30 hrs	Arrive Blankenberge
11.00 hrs	Performance at Bandstand (60 mins)
12.30 hrs	Depart for Ghent
15.00 hrs	Castles of the Count requested
18.30 hrs	Evening meal will be served at the hotel.

Day 4: Wednesday 26^th June 2013 

08.00 hrs	Continental breakfast will be served at the hotel.  Packed lunches provided
09.00 hrs	Depart for Bellewaerde
10.00 hrs	Bellewaerde
14.00 hrs	Depart for Rotterdam
17.00 hrs 19.00 hrs	Check in at P & O Ferries ferry terminal Rotterdam Ferry departs/ Dinner provided

 Day 5: Thursday 27^th June 2013

08.15 hrs	Breakfast provided. Arrive Hull (local time)
14.30 hrs	ETA school

Fact about Ghent: Meat-free Thursdays

After a long day in Ghent, you can sit back and enjoy their interesting cuisine. On Thursdays, the city holds a meat-free day called Veggiedag. This is your chance to taste some vegetarian cuisine in a country famous for its hearty beef stews and soups. Another interesting culinary treat is the mastel, the Belgian counterpart of a bagel. Many call it Saint Hubert bread because of the culinary tradition that surrounds it. It is said that, on the feast day of Saint Hubert, bakers flock to the church to have their mastel blessed before selling it.

Fact about Ghent

Ghent (Gent) is the capital of the province East Flanders. 

It is situated in the northern half of Belgium. 

That’s the Flemish part of the country meaning people speak Dutch (and excellent English!)

English                     Dutch
Hello                        Hallo
Thank-you               Dank u

Belgium Trip 2013

Welcome to the Belgium Trip!

We are heading to Ghent on Sunday 23rd - Thursday 27th June 

Whilst we are away we will be performing two concerts; one in a Ghent Cathedral, and the other at a local town bandstand.

We are also pencilling in trips to the Medieval Castle of the Counts and an Evening Canal Cruise in Ghent.

However, if you have not paid the remaining balance by next week  you could miss out on this music adventure! 

If you have any problems paying the remaining balance please come to the music department ASAP.