Applewood Weekly Newsletter 10 February 2017
"The best classroom and richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky."
I have had the privilege of spending a few days at De Hoop with the Grade 6 and 7 class. What a wonderful bunch of human beings. They have unbridled enthusiasm and as much energy.
Spending this time with them brought home a few truths to me.
Firstly, how absolutely incredible it is to be in a school that values these excursions. This week, every child in Grade 3 to 7 has attended a camp and spent at least one night away from home. They have been challenged with physical activities in the fresh air and beautiful sunshine. It is certainly something to be celebrated - the learning that takes place under these conditions cannot be replicated in any classroom. Time spent away from home teaches independence and the new experiences they face only broadens their outlook.
Never underestimate children. The resilience they display is a lesson to us all. Each activity creates an opportunity for someone to exercise grit. There were many examples of this such as the long walk, a really technical ride and negotiating the rock pools.
Their ability to solve problems in creative ways never ceases to amaze me. We spend a great deal of time explaining everything to our children in incredible detail yet, their powers of observation and ability to draw plausible conclusions is advanced. When they work it out themselves they retain it without anyone having to repeat a thing. We need to create more of these scenarios every day.
Free time seemed to be one of the most popular activities for the children. Perhaps it is because their lives are so busy that they often don't often have any free time. Learning how to deal with 'boredom' is a wonderful thing. It is the place where creativity lives. Time spent in contemplation is priceless.
We live in the most beautiful part of the world. My first experience of De Hoop will bring me back again. Its pristine rocky shores and diverse wildlife are something to behold.
U8 and U7 Mini Cricket Boys Team
Ek het die voorreg gehad om 'n paar dae saam met die Graad 6 en 7 klas by De Hoop deur te bring. Wat 'n wonderlike spul mense. Hulle loop oor van entoesiasme en het ewe veel energie.
Deur hierdie tyd met hulle te spandeer het 'n paar waarhede by my tuisgebring.
Eerstens, hoe wonderlik is dit nie om 'n skool te wees wat waarde aan hierdie tipe uitstappies heg nie. Hierdie week het elke kind van Graad 3 tot 7 'n kamp bygewoon en ten minste een nag weg van die huis spandeer. Hulle is fisiese uitdagings gebied in die vars lug en pragtige sonskyn. Dit is voorwaarlik iets om te vier - die leer wat onder hierdie omstandighede plaasvind, kan nie deur enige klaskamer vervang word nie. Tyd weg van die huis leer onafhanklikheid en die nuwe ondervindinge verbreed hulle lewensuitkyke.
Kinders moet nooit onderskat word nie. Die weerstand wat hulle openbaar blyk vir ons almal 'n les te wees. Daar was baie voorbeelde hiervan soos, die lang stap, 'n besonders tegniese fietstrap en om die beste van die getypoele te beding.
Hulle vermoë om kreatiewe oplossings vir probleme te vind verras my telkens. Ons spandeer so baie tyd om alles in soveel detail aan ons kinders te verduidelik tog, is hulle vermoë om waar te neem en goeie afleidings te maak gevorderd. Wanneer hulle dit vir hulleself moet uitwerk, dan behou hulle dit sonder dat iemand dit hoef te herhaal. Ons moet daagliks meer sulke geleenthede skep.
Vryetyd is een van die aktiwiteite wat altyd die koek by kinders vat. Miskien is dit omdat ons lewens so besig is dat hulle dikwels nie enige vryetyd het nie. Om te leer hoe om "verveeldheid" teen te werk is 'n wonderlike ding. Dit is dáár waar kreatiwiteit woon! Die tyd wat aan plannemaak afgestaan word, is prysloos.
Ons woon in een van die pragtigste dele van die wêreld. My eerste ervaring van De Hoop sal my terugbring hierheen. Sy ongerepte rotsagtige kuslyn en kenmerkende, veelsydige dierelewe is besonders.
Grade R's enjoyed their first swimming lesson
Apple Pips and Busy Bees enjoying outside play, drumming and library
Grade R's exploring with all their senses and extending their vocabulary when communicating