Learners from Orban School have found very little time to give the current lockdown situation any thought.
The pre-primary teachers from the school worked tirelessly to compile and distribute holiday packs to parents ahead of the nationwide lockdown while the rest of the primary classes were able to download their activities online.
Besides the tasks set out by teachers, social media challenges have been created on a weekly basis to keep learner spirits high and their creative minds busy. An ‘Orban puzzle-boffin’ challenge was initiated about two weeks ago, here learners, teachers and even the principal, Liz van Tonder, upload photos of themselves building and completing a challenging puzzle.
The school mascot, Lizzie, started the challenge after she posted her puzzle completion on her own Instagram page, calling learners to do the same. The response has been so overwhelming that Van Tonder announced prizes would be awarded to the best puzzle-boffins at first assembly when they all return to school.
Coach Fred also launched an April Fool’s cookie challenge on the school Facebook page, calling learners to balance a cookie on their face and, without using their hands, get it into their mouths for a delicious snack. Parents and siblings submitted videos of them trying to complete the challenge and provided some much-needed laughter and humour.
There is still a lot of activities planned in the next few days of lockdown, and the focus for the next week would be for learners to use their crafty skills, to make something special for those who are working on the front lines, and in shops, to keep the community safe and operating.
#Craftingforcrusaders is a nationwide initiative launched recently and has delivered inspiring stories of community members knitting beanies for cashiers, baking rusks for the local police, making masks for those working in clinics and finding small ways to thank them for their service.
The school took to the nationwide lockdown in their usual positive stride and continues to find creative ways to stay positive and learn through play, at home.
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