YV2025 Final Arrangements Letter
Dear Parents/Carers,
The concert is fast approaching, so here are the final arrangements.
Final Information Form
Once you have read the information in this letter, please complete the Final Information Form, using the link at the end of the letter, by Sunday 12th January.
Tickets
If you have ordered tickets for the concert via the school, the ONLY way to gain entry to the arena is via the AXS app. Those attending should download the app over the weekend. On the Final Information Form you will need to provide the email address that you have used to set up the account; we will transfer tickets electronically through the app on Monday 13th January and text parents to let them know this has happened. You should then follow the instructions within the app to access your tickets.
Entry to the venue is via the AXS app. No paper copies are accepted.
Timings
We will be leaving school at 10.30am and travelling by coach to the NEC Arena, Birmingham, to arrive by 1.30pm. The children will take part in a rehearsal at 2.15pm. We have a meal break between 5pm & 6pm. The concert starts at 7pm and finishes at 9.15pm. We envisage we will be back at school for children to be picked up at 12.00am (midnight).
Coach Travel
Children can take something to occupy them on the coach journey such as colouring books & pencils, a reading book etc. No electronic gadgets or mobile phones please. Any items should be small and fit into their backpack. We do not allow sweets or snacks on the coach journey and would ask you not to pack these for your children.
Many children sleep on the way home, so a small pillow makes this more comfortable if they want to bring one.
If your child is prone to travel sickness we can administer travel sickness tablets on your behalf. These should be handed into the school office on the morning of the trip and must be in a new, sealed original box. We will administer tablets for both the outgoing and return journey. We require a medication form to be completed for the administering of these, a form is attached for anyone who needs one or one can be collected from the school office.
We are not aware of any other medication (other than those already held by the school) for any child attending. If your child has regular medication that is normally taken between 3.30pm & midnight please contact the school office by 4pm on Monday 13th to discuss this further.
Meals
On the way to Birmingham, we will be stopping at Strensham Service, M5 Northbound, to have lunch at McDonalds. Please provide your child’s meal selection on the Final Information Form. These are the only options available, there is no facility to order any other items. The meals will be pre-ordered ready for our arrival at McDonalds.
Children will need to bring a suitably filling packed tea in addition to the above (no glass bottles, fizzy drinks, nuts or nut products please). There will be a break between 5pm and 6pm where the children will eat this. Please provide a large drink with this meal.
In addition, children should have a refillable water bottle as they get very thirsty throughout the day.
Clothing
The children should come to school wearing black trousers or full length leggings (no skirts or jogging bottoms please) and their usual white polo shirt & school logo jumper/cardigan. Dark charcoal school trousers are also fine. Children should wear their normal black school shoes please and will need a coat. They shouldn’t bring any other belongings other than their food and drinks. No mobile phones please.
We will issue Young Voices t-shirts, if you purchased one for your child, on the morning of the concert. Torches are given out at the beginning of the concert.
Supervision
The children are continually supervised by staff on a 1-8 ratio. Other than within the venue, children will be wearing hi-vis vests. Visits to the toilets are only allowed in small groups and will be accompanied by an adult.
Communication
We will give regular updates throughout the day and on the journey home via Teachers2Parents. Please provide the name and mobile phone number of the parent who wishes to receive these updates on the Final Information Form. We will upload photos during the day for you to see and these will be available via the X (formerly known as Twitter) account; YV2025@UVAYoungVoices
This is a closed account and only those accepted can gain access to see the tweets. Some of our parents, whose children attended previously, will already have access to the account. If you wish to gain access, please go to ‘X’, search our handle and request to follow us. We will be accepting parents over the next few days. Please be aware this will only be open to parents, no other family members.
Collection at the Event (for those parents attending)
This year we have been told there is NO collection from the coach car parks under any circumstances. The official collection point, in the lobby of the main arena, is very busy with over 8,000 people attempting to exit the arena. This could delay us for up to an hour reuniting children with parents that are attending the concert. Therefore, this year we will NOT be dismissing at the venue; we will take all children home on the coach and collection will be from outside school.
Collection from School
We will arrive back to school between 11.30pm & midnight. We will use the contact number provided on the Final Information Form to provide travel updates and ETA via text. Please ensure the telephone number you provide has adequate reception and is switched on, so you can pick up these messages. Please arrive promptly for collection.
Final Information Form
Please complete this form by Sunday 12th January:
https://forms.office.com/e/LpE9b6FrcF
We are looking forward to a fantastic event that the children will remember and cherish for many years to come.
With regards
The Young Voices Team
