Student Information Manual 2012

Thank you for choosing to study at Channel School of English. My name is Maribel and I am the co-Director of Country Cousins, along with my husband, Jose. We both look forward to meeting you during your time in Ilfracombe.

Country Cousins is a small, family business. We know all our students by their names, and we aim to help them to achieve their personal goals. From the first moment at Channel School our Welfare team, Teachers, Sports Instructors, Activity Leaders and Host Families will be there to at-tend to your needs to ensure an experience to take home and treasure for life.

This Student Manual will provide you with some information which we hope you find useful. Please read it carefully and bring a copy with you… … you might be a winner! (see last page for details)

Jose and me at the front of Channel School

Maribel

BEFORE ARRIVING IN THE UK...

… don’t forget to bring:

NOTEBOOK & PEN

WATERPROOF JACKET

WALKING SHOES

SWIMWEAR

LARGE TOWEL

SUNBLOCK

EUROPEAN HEALTH IN-SURANCE CARD (replaces

the old E111 form)

How m

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money

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Ice Cream £1.25

Fizzy Drink £0.80

Chocolate bar £0.65

Crisps £0.65

Burger £2.20

Chips £1.50

Small / Medium Pizza

£6.50

Cinema £6

Swimming

Pool £3.50

Return bus ticket to:-

- Barnstaple (shopping)

- Woolacombe (beach)

£4.50

£3.50

Magazine £3

Postcard £0.50

Overseas Stamp

£0.60

POCKET MONEY

7 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHILST IN ENGLAND

1. SMOKING In the UK it is ILLEGAL for those aged under 18 to buy cigarettes. England is now a smoke free country, so smoking in enclosed public spaces is not allowed!

2. ALCOHOL In the UK it is ILLEGAL to buy or consume alcohol if under 18, whether in a pub or from a shop. It is also illegal to drink alcohol on the streets of Ilfracombe! Do not enter a pub without your host family or our staff if you are under 18!

3. STEALING If you are caught stealing or shoplifting, the POLICE will be informed, your PARENTS will be notified and you will be sent HOME at additional cost to your parents. Stealing could result in you having a CRIMINAL RECORD.

4. ROAD SAFETY: “THINK, STOP, LOOK & LISTEN, WAIT, CROSS”

• THINK! Find the safest place to cross, preferably a pedestrian crossing.

• Always wait on the kerb until the bus has departed before attempting to cross the road.

• USE YOUR EYES AND EARS! Look left then right again for traffic, and please listen. Traffic could come from any direction.

• WAIT UNTIL IT IS SAFE TO CROSS! If traffic is coming, let it pass.

• NEVER wear headphones or chat while crossing.

• CROSS! When it is safe, go straight across the road — walk, do not run, keep looking and listening while you cross.

5. Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV Cameras) CCTV cameras are everywhere (pubs, shops, streets, parks, public transport, around the school...) They help improve security and are very useful in the fight against crime. Some of the CCTV cameras are very small, and you cannot always see them.

6. GRAFFITI Spray painting public property is against the law. Writing or drawing on the walls, doors or tables in and around the school will be dealt with seriously. 7. COASTAL SAFETY in NORTH DEVON Please be VERY careful when walking around the beautiful coastline. Some years ago a young student was tragically KILLED when she fell from cliffs in Ilfracombe. Please do not become another VICTIM. The cliffs are DANGEROUS.

REMEMBER: NO SMOKING, NO ALCOHOL, NO STEALING, CROSS SAFELY, NO GRAFFITI, COASTAL SAFETY

Jose Brinkmann

Managing Director Manages Operations, Finances, IT, and Social programme. First aid.

Maribel Cabrera

Welfare & Marketing Director Co-Director. Manages office, student welfare and placement, marketing and strategy. First aid.

Clie van Helsdingen

Director of Studies—Teachers and syllabus, student class lists and placements. Overseeing tuition on the Stay With an English Teacher Programme.

Michelle Schofield

Accommodation and Welfare Officer Student welfare & placement, First aid.

Julie Mayling

Secretary and PA to Jose Brinkmann Office and first aid. Food Manager.

Matt Boni

Transport Manager Tel: 00 44 7724 019 015 Driver, maintenance manager and first aid.

Karl Baggott Driver Local and long distance.

Dave Moulton Driver Local and long distance.

Paul Moulton Driver Local and long distance.

Pete Barnes Driver Long distance.

David Hedderly Driver Long distance. First aid.

Jan Tonkin Driver Long distance. First aid.

George Squires Driver Long distance.

In addition we have an experienced team of Teachers, Sports Instructors and Activity Leaders. There are photo boards at the school providing more information.

Who’s Who at Country CousinsWho’s Who at Country Cousins

SUPPORT, WELLBEING & 24HR SAFETY

The office is open from 8.30 am – 5.30 pm

Monday – Friday. All of our host families have been carefully

selected, visited and inspected by our

experienced Welfare staff.

If the office is closed and you need to contact us, please telephone the

EMERGENCY NUMBER

0044 1271 862834

If you feel unwell or ill, please come to the office or tell your host family, an appointment with the doctor will be made

HEATHROW AIRPORT

ABOUT ILFRACOMBE

Country Cousins runs Channel School of English in Ilfracombe

The town grew around the harbour and fishing

industry, but the main industry now is tourism

Ilfracombe is a small seaside town on

the North Devon coast.

The North Devon Coast around Ilfracombe is an

‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’.

Channel School is the only permanent language school

in the town, so the foreign student population is low.

Just 10 minutes by bus are the wonderful Atlantic

beaches of Woolacombe and Putsborough. These, along

with Saunton and Croyde, are all famous for

surfing and their miles of golden sand.

Good tennis and table tennis clubs are avail-

able, plus the usual seafront attractions.

Ilfracombe has an indoor

swimming pool!

The town is close to Exmoor National Park.

The market town of Barnstaple is 40 minutes by bus

from Ilfracombe and has many shops, an excellent

leisure Centre and all the usual amenities of a

larger town.

ILFRACOMBE AND SURROUNDING AREA

On Sunday at 9:30 am, there will be an

induction meeting at Channel School.

Your host family will show you the way to

the school. You will be given your weekly

programme and be shown around Channel

School, so that you know what to do on

Monday morning.

You will also be given a Set. We have three

different sets: A, B and C

We hope you will do four things during your

stay:

1. Improve your knowledge of English language

while learning about the English culture

and way of life.

2. Improve your spoken English by

avoiding speaking your own

language and by interacting with

your host family and other

international students.

3. Make new friends from around

the world!

4. Most importantly,

ENJOY YOURSELF and HAVE FUN!!!

YOUR FIRST TWO DAYS

You will take a placement test on Monday

morning to give us a better idea of your level of

English. From your second day you may be

placed in a different class based on the results of

the test. The results of this test are not published

as they merely reflect your knowledge of English.

If you have any questions about your programme

please ask your teacher to help you, ask the

Academic Manager, or visit the office.

Please check your timetable and make

sure that you are on time!

We mix students as much as

possible during lessons and

activities from day one.

MONDAY to FRIDAY BUS ROUTE TO CHANNEL SCHOOL

COMBE MARTIN

8.50 am / 7.15 pm Coach Park, Adjoining Pack of Cards

8.55 am / 7.20 pm Seaside

9.00 am / 7.25 pm Bus Stop at Barton Lane Junction with main Combe

Martin Road

CHIVENOR/BRAUNTON

8.50 am / 7.10 pm Bus Stop at Roundabout by Marines Base

8.55 am / 7.15 pm Braunton - Opposite Murco/ Costcutter garage

9.00 am / 7.20 pm Agricultural Inn Car Park

9.05 am / 7.25 pm Nethercott & Upcolt turning by Scrapyard Bus Stop

near Knowle

ILFRACOMBE 9.05 am Hele Bay

9:10 am Swimming Pool

9.15 am Pimpernel Garage

Ilfracombe is a relatively small town and most students walk to/from school, but there is a free bus service for those not within walking distance or for Young Learners (6 to 11 years old).

RETURN BUS TO HOST FAMILIES

After a daytrip, or an activity outside Ilfracombe, the bus will drop students on its way back.

If students have had an activity in Ilfracombe or finish classes the bus will leave at about 5.15pm from Channel School.

For evening activities the bus will leave at 10.00pm after the activity finishes.

GETTING TO SCHOOL

During breaks from lessons

students can purchase snacks and

drinks from a vending machine…

and some lunchtimes there is a

barbeque!!

MEETING POINTS FOR ACTIVITIES MAKE SURE YOU FIND YOUR SIGN!

9:30—11:00

LESSON ONE

11:00 – 11:15

BREAK

11:15 – 12:45

LESSON TW0

12:45 – 13:45

LUNCH BREAK

13:45 – 17:00

YOUR ACTIVITY PROGRAMME!

A TYPICAL DAY AT SCHOOL

SCHOOL RULES

1. BULLYING Country Cousins welcomes students from all over the world and respects their different cultures and religions. We expect our students to do the same and to make the most of the opportunity to find out more about the world. We call it “bullying” when a student (or a group of students) is unkind or aggressive to another student (or group of students). Bullying can include:

• Calling someone rude names

• Hurting someone

• Ignoring someone or leaving them out of the game

• Playing unkind tricks on someone

• Sending unkind text messages, emails or messages via social networking sites • Threatening to hurt someone if they do not give you their money or possessions If anyone is bullying you or your friends, you must tell your group leader, your teacher or another adult at the school. Anyone who bullies another student will be punished and, in serious cases, will be sent home at their parents’ expense.

2. MOBILE PHONES AND IPODs Mobile phones and iPODs are banned during lesson time and if you are caught using such items they will be confiscated for one week.

TURN THEM OFF!!

3. CHEWING GUM Chewing gum is banned at Channel School, so please do not use it either in the school or the gardens. 4. PUNCTUALITY You must be on time for all your lessons and activities. DO NOT BE LATE!! NO BULLYING, NO MOBILE PHONES, NO IPODs,

NO CHEWING GUM, BE ON TIME!!

Ground Floor & School grounds

Boys & Girls Toilets & Show-ers

Teachers’ Room

Fire AssemblyFire Assembly PointPoint

Main Entrance and Exit

Matt Boni’s Office (Transport)

Steps to

the Park

BarbecueBarbecue areaarea

Picnic AreaPicnic Area ** Please use the Bins ** ** Please use the Bins **

Classroom

7 Classroom

7

Classroom

8

Classroom

10

Classroom

9

Classroom

11 Young

Learners

Boys’ Toilets

First Floor

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Main Office: Reception, Student Welfare, Bureau de Change

Classroom

1

Internet

Classroom

3

Staff Only kitchen

Girls’ Toilets

Jose’s Office

Classroom

4

Classroom

5

Classroom

6

Stairs to first floor

Staff only

Toilets

Staff Lockers & Vending Machine

Classroom

13

Classroom

14

Director of Studies’ Office

Classroom

12

PLAN OF CHANNEL SCHOOL

VendingVending MachineMachine

During the week your host family will give you a packed lunch to eat at the school or during your excursions or activities.

You must not go home for lunch.

Dinner is normally at 6pm and it is very rude to be late since the family will be waiting for you.

One evening you might like

to cook your national dish

for you host family.

HOT TIP!! Food is always a good conversation point and this is a great opportunity to

talk to your host family before your arrival about which foods you like and dislike.

MEALS IN ENGLAND

A typical packed lunch contains...

So...

• How do you like your sandwich? With salad? With butter? With cucumber and tomato? With cheese? With ham or chicken?

• What flavour of crisps is your favourite?

• Do you prefer an apple, a banana or a pear?

• What kind of drink would you like: fruit juice or water?

PLEASE TELL YOUR HOST FAMILY!!

Chocolate bar / sweet

Drink (fruit juice or water)

A piece of fruit

One sandwich A bag of crisps

We have a fun programme of evening activities,

such as a weekly DISCO, KARAOKE, ROCK

CONCERT and GAMES EVENING.

NIGHT TIMES FOR ALL STUDENTS!! We have a set of times, which apply every night. All students have a copy, as do the English families. So there is no excuse if you are late, please think that your family is waiting for you! You should be home by these times:

Up to 11 years old: evening activities only

12 years old: 9 pm

13 & 14 years old: 9:30 pm

15 & 16 years old: 10:00 pm

17 years old: 10.30 pm

EVENINGS

SO, WHAT NEXT?

Please print a copy of this Student Manual and bring it with you.

1.

If you have not already done so, please read it carefully because....

2.

4.

... when you arrive at the school on your first day, there will be a quiz,

with cool prizes for the winners such as free burgers, bags or sweets.

3.

Now have a nice journey, and don’t forget to look for your escort’s sign at your UK port or airport:

YOUR HOME YOUR ESCORT AT UK TERMINAL