Depends really as independent schools have longer school terms than state schools, so you have a lot more leeway to take a holiday anyway, but still end up paying for those weeks and your holiday anyway, if you see what I mean.
Completely agree with you number 2! Can just imagine if the children turned up for class and the teacher had taken a few days/weeks extra holiday. How would the school cope? Of course they would have to bring in supply teachers which would have a detrimental effect on the whole class and other classes in the school. katgod - I'm sure your holidays in the 70s were taken in the 6 week summer break?
There's a Brownie group that meets at St Faith's Church Hall on Monday evenings, between 6pm-7.30pm, if that's not too far for you. My girls went there and I'm sure they start at 7 or nearly 7.
Your friends said there were a lot of rodent birds like owls which their cats could kill. Are owls rodents? I'm sorry but not sure. But I don't think my cats would tackle an owl and I've not seen many around anyway. They only bring in a mouse now and again and I wouldn't say they were predators (maybe one of them). Agree with DJ re the water as it has to be fresh. I wouldn't leave my cats for more than a day without food or water.
As it's a Southwark park area then it should be open at 8am or a lot earlier. From my info (last year) there's only one guy who goes around opening up Southwark park areas now so you might have to wait a while either side but be at Belair at 8am if you want to make sure?