The teachers got a lovely surprise this morning when we received some beautiful hand-made cards and chocolates! Many thanks to all who contributed - your gift is much appreciated!

And we're back!

There were a few tears shed at Aldergrove yesterday as our 34 super skiers were finally reunited with parents who seemed to have missed them over the last week!

Well done to all the P7s on the trip - you did yourselves and Brooklands proud! The teachers hope that you'll always remember this week as a great opportunity to try something completely different. Don't forget, many primary schools no longer offer any residential trips but at Brooklands every child has the opportunity to experience three different residentials.

Thanks must go to Jason, Radka, Steff, Yanko and Annie - our fantastic ski instructors! We hope you're reading this! Thanks also to Roberto, Stella and all our friends at Balkan Tours who look after us so well every year.

You'll be pleased to hear that Chad is doing really well - we're all looking forward to signing your plaster!

Sorry, we can't post all the photos here but they'll all be available on a CD for you to borrow and take home at the end of the week. Enjoy!

 

Day 6 - it's all over!

We're all safely back at the hotel after another amazing day on the slopes! Conditions were very different as it was snowing heavily but we still had great fun and at least we had a softer landing if we fell!

Everyone was sad to wave goodbye to our fantastic ski instructors who gave us a week we'll never forget. A huge thank you to each of them for all their hard work and you'll be delighted to learn that every pupil received an A grade in yesterday's exam!

Tonight it's shopping and then packing - always a highlight of the teachers' week! Any last-minute requests for pressies?

We'll not be posting any updates tomorrow as we'll be travelling so please check the expected arrival time of flight LS2182 from Plovdiv.  We'll see you all at Aldergrove and expect to hear a huge Brookies cheer when you see us!

We love your comments so don't give up now!

Day 5 - the dreaded ski exam!

Today we were all determined to listen carefully to our instructors and do exactly as we were told as we knew they were watching us extra-carefully! You'll be delighted to learn that everyone passed the test and is now a qualified skier! Tonight we'll receive our certificates and find out our grades at the presentation night.

Unfortunately poor Chad had a heavy fall today and has hurt his leg.  He's now back at the hotel and being spoiled rotten by everyone.  He's had a great chat with mum and dad and is in super form.  We know that you'll all be wishing him well.

Last night's bum boarding was fantastic fun with new records being set by many of the girls!  Luckily Mr Coetzee was able to restore some honour for the boys by winning the teachers' race!

Thanks for all your comments - keep them coming!

Day 4 - we're mastering the green run!

It's another gorgeous day here in Pamporovo and we're all safely back at the hotel after a great day's skiing! There was no need to visit the nursery slopes today so we spent every moment skiing down the green run before getting back on the chairlift to do it all over again! We're continuing to make great progress which is good news as tomorrow is our ski exam - wish us luck!

Tonight we're looking forward to the bum boarding, always a highlight of the week.  Mrs Bell reckons she'll beat Mr Massey and Mr Coetzee in the teachers' race...

Did you spot us on the webcams? And don't forget to write a comment - no need to be shy!

Day 3 - up to the top of the mountain!

This morning we awoke to the most beautiful sunrise and our day just kept getting better and better! Yesterday's snow had created the most perfect conditions on the slopes so we were delighted but a little nervous when our instructors told us that we were heading straight up to the top! That of course meant that we had to get onto the chairlifts - no problem! Everyone enjoyed the 15min ride to the top where we spent the morning on the nursery slopes and then after lunch we all managed to ski safely all the way back down to the very bottom! The teachers are very proud of all the children and we know that you are too.

We had a great time at the bowling last night with plenty of strikes - some people have clearly been practising at the Icebowl! Tonight it's a quiz followed by an early night as we need to save our energy for tomorrow's skiing.  Keep an eye on the webcams - maybe you'll see us!

We love all your comments so leave us another one please!

Day 2 - and now we can turn!

What an amazing day we've just had! Today we were concentrating on the second most important lesson - how to turn! It didn't take long for everyone to master the basics and then we had fantastic fun weaving in and out of the poles! Our instructors are all delighted with our progress and, if conditions are right tomorrow, they hope to take us up to the top of the mountain! It's snowing quite heavily now so fingers crossed...

Last night's disco was super - just wait till you see the photos! Mr Coetzee led the way for the teachers with some dad dancing...

Tonight we'll be heading to the hotel next to ours for the ten-pin bowling. Will there be any strikes?

Don't forget to leave us a comment!

Day 1 - we've learned how to stop!

It definitely wasn't a typical Monday morning for our super skiers! When we arrived at the slopes this morning, we were greeted by our five fantastic instructors for the week - Jason, Radka, Steph, Yanko and Annie. We quickly started working on the most important skill of all -how to slow down and stop! You'll be delighted to learn that everyone is making great progress and there are no injuries to report!

We're now back at the hotel having a swim before dinner and then it's disco night! Who will be leading the way onto the dance floor and teaching the teachers some new moves?!

Love all the comments from yesterday so please keep them coming!

We have arrived!

It's just after half past 5 here in Pamporovo and we've now checked into our rooms and are looking forward to a lovely dinner!

The flight was great and we had a super drive up the mountain without anyone feeling sick! Tonight we'll be getting sorted with our ski helmets, having some quiet time around the hotel and then an early night!  We are due to meet our instructors at 9am tomorrow morning and then the fun really begins!

Are you missing us yet? Please leave us a comment!

Early to bed, early to rise...

Hope you're all packed and ready for tomorrow morning's early start!  Don't forget the luggage label please!

If you've misplaced the letter with all the details of the flights, you can download another copy here.  See you all at about 5.00am at the front gates as we're leaving at 5.15am!  Night night!

Great meeting last night!

A big thank-you to everyone who came along to last night's meeting - we hope we didn't bombard you with too much information!  Copies of the medical form and last night's note are now available on the school website - click here to download an extra copy.  Another letter will be sent home on Monday with all the details of our flights as well as a few final reminders.

Don't forget that the parental consent form must be returned by tomorrow (Thursday) and all the passports and pocket money must be in school by Tuesday 14th please.

Be brave - leave us a comment!

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome to the official blog for the Brooklands Primary ski trip 2014!

Here you can read all about the preparations for our trip and visit some of the links to find out more about Pamporovo and our hotel. You can even take a look at the webcams - hope there's lots of snow!

Then ... once we arrive in Bulgaria, the teachers will update this blog daily so that mums and dads and everyone else will know what we've been up to each day!

At the end of the week, we'll add lots of photographs that you can download to your computer.

YOU can also leave comments - who'll be the first?!

Don't forget - next meeting is on Tuesday 7th January at 7pm  - it's really important that everyone attends with their parents please.

Click here to take a look at some of the photos from our recent ski lesson at Craigavon - you all did really well! Then watch these short videos - I hope they work this time!