Latest news with #schooltrip
The Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘There's no rules!' A day out on an adult school trip
Ah, the school trip. Long bus journeys, packed lunches and a chance to escape the shackles of the day-to-day routine. It has been a good 18 years since I last went on an excursion of this kind, but this weekend I've signed up for my own school trip of sorts: an adult day out with the First Timers Club (FTC). Instead of a teacher, it's led by Penny Jordan, 30, who founded FTC in 2023 with two friends. What started as a way to try out new experiences soon blossomed into a collective of like-minded people in Melbourne, with a social media following of roughly 30,000 and chapters in Sydney and London. Welcoming everyone, Jordan delivers news that any school child would be ecstatic to hear: 'There's no rules today … Just have fun!' We've met in Melbourne's inner north and are heading to Phillip Island for the annual Island Whale festival, a celebration of the majestic creatures timed to coincide with their migration from Antarctica to warmer waters in the north. While the stated aim of the trip is to glimpse some whales, most people are here to find something else: connection with others. About three quarters of those attending today are at their first event. 'It's nice to try new activities that I wouldn't normally do solo. And having it all organised while meeting new people really takes the mental load out of it,' says Julia Caissutti, 30, who has been to several FTC events. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Once on the coach I get talking with a lovely woman named Steph. Despite a distinct lack of caffeine and it being not long after 8am, chatter buzzes around us. It's a sharp contrast to the tram I took to the meeting point, where everyone was buried in their own worlds, barely making eye contact. About an hour into the journey, we stop at Caldermeade Farm for a toilet break. At this point, it really does feel like a school trip: walking around petting farm animals, I feel as if I've regressed about 25 years – not necessarily a bad thing. After we leave the farm, the school comparisons end. We arrive in Phillip Island, dappled by the soft winter sun, and Jordan welcomes the group, gives us some background information, then invites us to go off and explore the town of Cowes unsupervised. Left to roam free, I hang out with a group I got chatting to at the farm. We visit the stalls in the festival hub, then have lunch on the foreshore and try to spot some whales. Despite recent sightings, we don't have much luck, but the chat is more than enough entertainment. I'm struck by everyone's warmth and friendliness. 'Trying to meet new people as an adult is hard,' says Ben Paz, 27. 'Usually if you join a community it can feel like it's already set and you're coming into their space. With this, everyone's on equal ground. It's so inclusive.' Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion Later, I catch up with Jordan and ask how it's going. 'I have to remind myself everyone's an adult, they'll just go off and do their own thing,' she says. 'Everyone who comes to these events is just so up for anything.' That's what strikes me as special about this day. I'll admit I had preconceptions about what the day would be like and who would attend. Although almost a quarter of Australians say they want to make new friends, people who are actively looking for friends still conjure up a less than favourable image: awkward or shy types. This group is the exact opposite: a self-selecting congregation who are willing to give up a day of their time to make new connections. Those with less commitment to the cause are absent, and the result is akin to a warm hug. After lunch we stop at another whale viewing point, once again to no avail. But on the bus back to Melbourne no one feels cheated by the lack of marine life. The day has met the brief. Many of us exchange contact details and hatch plans to go to an event independent of FTC next month. Almost everyone I speak to says they plan to attend another First Timers event as well. I'd happily join them. Like whales, we've formed a pod. The journalist attended as a guest of Visit Victoria
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
10-year-old boy who died in bus crash named by police
A 10-year-old boy who died in a bus crash while returning from a school trip to a zoo has been named by police. Oliver Price was killed when the vehicle left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead, Somerset, and slid down a 20ft slope last Thursday, Avon and Somerset Police said. The bus had been carrying 60 to 70 pupils and staff from Minehead Middle School, who were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo days before the end of term. Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with Oliver's family at what must be an unimaginably difficult time. We will continue to make sure they're updated. 'Our investigation is now well under way with officers working tirelessly to find out what caused it. This work is likely to take some time and we're asking for patience while these inquiries take place. 'Over the last few days we have been working closely with our partner agencies and the school to ensure support is in place for anyone who might need it. 'We are extremely grateful for all the support that's been received locally. This clearly shows how special and close-knit this community is. 'I would like to also thank all the emergency services and voluntary groups who responded for their support as well as everyone in our hospitals who continue to help those who were injured.' A number of children were discharged from hospital over the weekend while two children and three adults remain in hospital, the force said. It is understood that those still in hospital are now in a stable condition. The crash happened between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe at about 3.15pm on July 17. The vehicle left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20ft from the road, down a steep slope. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Avon and Somerset Police said officers from the serious collision investigation team have been examining the circumstances of the incident. The coach was recovered on Saturday and will now be subject to a detailed examination by experts. 'Officers have also been taking statements from a number of adults who were either on the coach or were travelling in the area at the time as part of their work to establish the full circumstances of the collision,' a force spokesman said. 'The examination of the scene has been completed, however, the road remains closed while a detailed safety inspection is carried out by Somerset Council.' Following the tragedy, a stream of people visited the school, which has pupils aged between nine and 14, to pay respects and leave tributes at the gates after the crash. Many were visibly upset and were hugging and supporting each other. Online fundraisers for those affected have raised more than £25,000.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
10-year-old boy who died in bus crash named by police
A 10-year-old boy who died in a bus crash while returning from a school trip to a zoo has been named by police. Oliver Price was killed when the vehicle left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead, Somerset, and slid down a 20ft slope last Thursday, Avon and Somerset Police said. The bus had been carrying 60 to 70 pupils and staff from Minehead Middle School, who were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo days before the end of term. Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with Oliver's family at what must be an unimaginably difficult time. We will continue to make sure they're updated. 'Our investigation is now well under way with officers working tirelessly to find out what caused it. This work is likely to take some time and we're asking for patience while these inquiries take place. 'Over the last few days we have been working closely with our partner agencies and the school to ensure support is in place for anyone who might need it. 'We are extremely grateful for all the support that's been received locally. This clearly shows how special and close-knit this community is. 'I would like to also thank all the emergency services and voluntary groups who responded for their support as well as everyone in our hospitals who continue to help those who were injured.' A number of children were discharged from hospital over the weekend while two children and three adults remain in hospital, the force said. It is understood that those still in hospital are now in a stable condition. The crash happened between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe at about 3.15pm on July 17. The vehicle left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20ft from the road, down a steep slope. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Avon and Somerset Police said officers from the serious collision investigation team have been examining the circumstances of the incident. The coach was recovered on Saturday and will now be subject to a detailed examination by experts. 'Officers have also been taking statements from a number of adults who were either on the coach or were travelling in the area at the time as part of their work to establish the full circumstances of the collision,' a force spokesman said. 'The examination of the scene has been completed, however, the road remains closed while a detailed safety inspection is carried out by Somerset Council.' Following the tragedy, a stream of people visited the school, which has pupils aged between nine and 14, to pay respects and leave tributes at the gates after the crash. Many were visibly upset and were hugging and supporting each other. Online fundraisers for those affected have raised more than £25,000.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Boy, 10, killed when bus overturned & slid down 20ft bank on way back from school trip is named
A SCHOOLBOY killed in a tragic bus crash on his way home from a trip to the zoo has been named. Tributes have poured in for 10-year-old Oliver Price, who died after the coach veered off the road on Thursday. 6 6 6 The coach left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead and slid down a 20ft slope on Thursday afternoon last week. It had been returning to Minehead Middle School from a trip to Exmoor Zoo with 60 to 70 pupils and staff on board when the tragedy took place. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed this afternoon 10-year-old Oliver Price died in the crash. Two children and one adult are still in hospital in Bristol and two adults are in hospital in Somerset. A number of children were discharged over the weekend. The crash happened on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday. The vehicle left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20ft from the roadway, down a steep slope. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. The bus driver is understood to be in hospital in a stable condition, but suffering from a number of injuries. Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said today: 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with Oliver's family at what must be an unimaginably difficult time. We will continue to make sure they're updated. 'Our investigation is now well underway with officers working tirelessly to find out what caused it. This work is likely to take some time and we're asking for patience while these enquiries take place. 'Over the last few days we have been working closely with our partner agencies and the school to ensure support is in place for anyone who might need it. 'We are extremely grateful for all the support that's been received locally. This clearly shows how special and close-knit this community is. 'I would like to also thank all the emergency services and voluntary groups who responded for their support as well as everyone in our hospitals who continue to help those who were injured.' Minehead Middle School's website stated that pupils in that year group (aged nine to 10) were due to visit the zoo as part of the school's "Enrichment Week" activities. Three helicopters, deployed by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Devon Air Ambulance, joined police air crews on the day of the horror. Some casualties were then taken by air ambulance to hospital in Bristol. In a press conference outside Minehead Middle School, cops confirmed that they were called at 2.58pm to the "very complex and technically difficult scene". Parents - who had been summoned to the school by police - were seen visibly upset as they waited outside the building. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's chief fire officer explained how an off-duty firefighter was travelling behind the coach at the time of the crash, and was able to offer assistance. Police confirmed that 21 casualties had been rushed to hospital, although the "large majority of passengers" were taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross. Officials say the coach came off the remote rural road and slid at least 20ft down a bank, having overturned onto its roof. Gavin Ellis, Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, says: "We were mobilised to a major incident to a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slip approximately 20ft (6.1m) down an embankment. "Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances, and he also supported our ambulance colleagues with casualty treatment. "This was a very complex and technically difficult incident for our crews to deal with, and I'm grateful for the tireless effort and actions of the crews in doing everything they could for those who were trapped as quickly as safely as possible." Eight fire engines, two specialist rescue appliances and around 60 firefighters were deployed to the scene. South Western Ambulance Service deployed 20 double crewed ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team and two hazardous area response teams. Cops estimate around 60 to 70 people were onboard the coach when it left the road. Lucky Emily Manning, 10, climbed on board the 70-seater after an end of term trip to the zoo but was told to get off because it was already full. She got on the first of the two coaches instead and arrived home safely. But the second coach veered off the road, flipped onto its roof and careered down a 20ft embankment. Another boy, Jayden, was on the bus that flipped, but said he doesn't remember much. "I just remember climbing up the hill to get back on the road," he said. His mum Kim said she became frantic when Jayden didn't arrive at his gran's house at 4pm on Thursday. "I'm just so grateful to have my baby home," she told the BBC. Ridlers Coaches director Peter Prior-Sankey said in a statement: "Everyone at Ridlers is truly devastated by yesterday's tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers remain with the pupils, their families, and the school. "Our thanks go to the incredible emergency service teams for their response, and to those across our local hospitals and community who have done so much for those impacted over the last 24 hours. "I can confirm that the driver is himself in a stable condition in hospital, but with a number of injuries. We are in contact with his wife and family, and have offered ongoing support." He added that staff at the company are being supported and he and his team are liaising with Somerset Council. Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to the tragic death of Oliver last week, saying: "A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset. "There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child. "All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected. "Thank you to the emergency workers who are responding at pace — I'm being kept up to date on this situation." An Avon and Somerset spokesperson said: "Our investigation into the collision on Exmoor last week in which a 10-year-old boy tragically died is continuing this week. "Formal identification has now been completed and we can confirm the victim was Oliver Price. Our thoughts are with his parents and family who have been updated and continue to be supported by a specially-trained officer. "Two children and one adult are currently in hospital in Bristol and two adults are in hospital in Somerset, while a number of children were discharged over the weekend. "Officers from our Serious Collision Investigation Team have been carrying out thorough enquiries to understand the full circumstances of the collision. "The coach, which was transporting pupils and teachers from Minehead Middle School, left the A396 shortly before 3pm on Thursday 17 July. "A major incident was declared and a significant emergency service response began. "Despite their efforts, Oliver was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene. A family liaison officer will continue to keep their parents updated as our investigation progresses. "The coach was recovered on Saturday and will now be subject to a detailed examination over the coming days by experts, as part of our usual investigative enquiries. "Officers have also been taking statements from a number of adults who were either on the coach or were travelling in the area at the time as part of their work to establish the full circumstances of the collision. "The examination of the scene has been completed, however the road remains closed while a detailed safety inspection is carried out by Somerset Council. "Neighbourhood officers will be present outside the school over the coming days and anyone with any concerns is welcome to speak to them." 6 6 6
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Four still in hospital after Somerset coach crash
Two children and two adults remain in hospital after a coach crashed on its way back from a school trip to the zoo. A major incident was declared on Thursday after the coach carrying Minehead Middle School pupils left the road near Wheddon Cross in Somerset and slid down a 20ft and Somerset Police previously confirmed a 10-year-old boy had died in the the force said two children remained in hospital in Bristol and two adults were still in hospital in Somerset. It also confirmed the coach involved in the incident was recovered on Saturday. A police spokesperson said the investigation into the A396 Cutcombe Hill crash was ongoing. Minehead Middle School, which has pupils aged between nine and 14, was closed on Friday as a stream of people paid their respects and left tributes at the school is due to reopen on Monday. Several fundraisers set up by residents have amassed more than £40,000 to help those affected by the tragedy.
