Life Orientation

Teacher in charge: Mrs D. King

Life Orientation is a compulsory subject from grade 8-12. it was introduced with the aim to educate learners about the history of South Africa and give them basic life skills. LO is an excitingly diverse subject, incorporating many aspects of life. Most people who matriculated years back, will remember life skills, guidance counselling, PT classes and religious studies.

However, LO has evolved to being central in the holistic development of learners. It addresses skills, knowledge and values for the personal, social, intellectual, emotional and physical growth of learners, and is concerned with the way in which these facets are interrelated. LO guides and prepares learners for life and its possibilities. It also equips them for meaningful and successful living in a rapidly changing and transforming society. For example: LO provides a learner with the necessary skills to compile a CV, understand relationships, find a career as well as subjects related to that career, learn about lifestyle diseases or understand why democracy is necessary in our country (just naming a few).

It’s that time of the year now when Grade 9’s have to make subject choices and it can be a pretty stressful experience. Dr Felicity Coughlan a director of The Independent Institute of Education once said “This time of the year young people have to make big decisions that have long-term effects on their lives and they are often not really equipped to do this”. Dr Coughlan continues to say the best way to deal with decisions that carry long-term effects is not to panic. Calm down, stay focused and get as much information as possible about the available options. This is where the LO department steps in. We give the grade 9 learners an opportunity to take time during lessons to visit the websites of higher institutions of their interest, to find out what type of courses they offer and what subjects are important for applications. We also encourage the learners to do more research on their own because it is important to look at more than what you already know. The Life Orientation department is always there to guide the learners in this journey on which they are about to embark. The learners are encouraged to ask for help from any of the Life Orientation educators when they need it. We are with them every step of the way!!