Treverton’s grade seven has a scheduled third term excursion, which is one of the highlights of their final year at primary school. They head for Babanango in Northern KZN to spend time studying in situ the famous battlefields.
An unforgettable out of door lesson was when the grade assembled on top of Isandlwana for a memorable reflection of what transpired there 135 years ago.
They were encouraged to hear and envisage what it must have been like when the large Zulu impi approached. Their next stop was Rorke’s Drift where they were all equally captivated by the tale of the brave Welsh regiment defending their post and building reinforcements from what was available including biscuit tins. There was also an unscheduled event, which elicited screams of fear and then laughter from the learners.
At the Rorke’s Drift museum a ‘Private Waters’ emerged from the cupboard (and apparently from the grave) and announced himself. Much shrieking followed! Then there was elated laughter when they identified “their ghost” as their tour guide. The excursion was not limited to history. There was also the opportunity to direct them into team building activities as well as a talk on astronomy and a night hike.
The children also enjoyed the adventure of sleeping in tents for a couple of nights. Once back at school the grade was presented with a stimulating project; to build battlefield models.
