Out and about day , a day where were the Grade 4s got to enjoy the campus and time together.
We spent the morning creating ecosystems in a jar. Putting all our knowledge into action. The end result are individual inspiration jars which will turn into thriving ecosystems, example of all we have been taught.
Self-Regulation has been our CEA tool for the latter part of the semester. It was heartening to spend two mornings discussing this with the Grade 4 - 7 cohort, delving deeper into why self-regulation (and co-regulation) are so relevant and vital, particularly at the stage of the year when pressures and demands may be mounting.
Education extends far beyond the classroom walls, and our recent visit to Nottingham Road Primary was a powerful reminder of the value of learning, sharing, and growing together.
As part of our developing community partnership programme, the Grade 6 and 7 children from both schools came together for an exciting "Escape Shipwreck Island" adventure.
As is becoming customary, the Grade 6 & 7 children and teachers took a well-deserved stroll to Cliff's Dam to blow off some steam, reconnect with one another, and be reminded to keep their chins and eyes turned upwards. With a delicious snack to enjoy at the water's edge while watching the world go by, it was soon time to gather belongings and head back to beloved Clifton, with a fresh bounce in the step. Our thanks to Mr and Mrs Greene for allowing us to visit Cliff's Dam once again.
Grade 6s were invited to consider erosion mitigation methods having identified problem areas in the previous days out and about day.
They used design thinking methodology, Empathise Define Ideate Prototype Test
The Grade 7 Art outing kicked off at a local sculptor’s studio - Sarah Richards. We were warmly welcomed to her home and split into three groups to be shown the process of making bronze sculptures. The boys and girls were given the opportunity to see some of her impressive life - size creations, touch and feel the materials and ask lots of questions about the processes involved.
The River Wye in the UK inspired this term's Outdoor Learning Day. Over the years, the Wye has gone from being the 'poster boy' of British rivers to falling victim to pollution and degradation, and then being resurrected by the sustained efforts of a group of caring individuals. Its case made its way to the British Parliament, and the river has since been granted rights - a lovely idea for Clifton to follow.
The Grade 4s headed off to Nyala Pans, and what a trip it was! From the moment we arrived and saw that beautiful valley, we knew we were in for a treat.
The water activities are always a massive hit. The river was at a perfect level for rafting, and swimming and building dams in the sand. Of course, the 5-metre courage jump was the real talk of the camp! We saw plenty of brave faces (and heard some very loud screams of glee) as the adrenaline junkies went back for second and third time.
Our Grade 5s set off for their first camping trip of the year on Wednesday the 6 May. We travelled in a large Maharaj bus, which was, for some, a first and special experience. On arrival. Tikey O’Dell and his team of facilitators from ‘The Farm’ were standing ready to welcome us to camp. We tumbled out the bus and were helped to find our luggage, off-load it and carry it.
As part of the Grade 5 Social Sciences curriculum, our boys and girls have been exploring the diverse continent of Africa, focusing specifically on South Africa’s profound history and cultural heritage. This year, our journey began with an in-depth study of the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.
Our Grade 6 and 7 children recently participated in a valuable Study Skills Workshop led by Kath Cass. The session focused on helping children understand not just what to learn, but how learning actually takes place.