Grade 6 + 7 Back 2 Basics Day - 21 May

With many of our teachers involved in in-house training on Wednesday 21 May, the Grade 6s and 7s had an incredible opportunity to go ‘back 2 basics’!

With the Angela Sacco Lapha as our base, we were able to spend the first few hours of the day locked in to study time, or sessions with Mevrou Borgen and Mrs Worrall.

Brains full, our post-tea sessions were given over to two guest speakers: Fiona MacCrimmon and our own Mr Fleischack. Both spoke with passion about sustainable matters, as well as reminding us of our role within our areas of influence. Interestingly, Fiona lives completely off-grid, having built her house herself, using a variety of techniques, such as cob, bottle walls and adobe. Responsible usage of water and electricity were brought into conversation, too, with the very strong message that we are able to make a difference… all it takes is a little effort. Mr Fleischack’s message: A brief look at Biomimicary with the theme "If a town grew like a forest”. Food for thought. 

The children worked in small groups together testing teamwork, collaboration and communication in two ‘outward bound’ focused activities. The first of these was in gathering data for the school, siting trees of significance and importance within the school (ask the children where to find the Cork Bark Oak Trees or the Ginko Biloba) – a worthy task! Our second task was an orienteering activity, a new concept for our children, but one which was met with enthusiasm and wholehearted effort, spurred on, perhaps by half-time hot choc and marshmallows to combat the icy wind!

Undoubtedly an excellent use of time, the Grade 6s and 7s benefitted from time together, time to reflect, and an opportunity to learn from our guests… and one another.