Getting out of the normal classroom, with its four walls and wooden desks and having four days of school in the nature sounds like a dream, but Trinityhouse High School in Little Falls made this dream a reality for their Grade 8 pupils in the week of 18 – 21 April.
The Grade 8 pupils and their teachers had a week of reserve school at the Little Falls Pleasure Resort, down the road from the school. One of the Grade 8 teachers, Jason Smith explained that the pupils still had normal lessons, but each subject had a specific task for the pupils to complete that was applicable to nature.
In English, the pupils had to write a creative writing essay with a nature theme. In life sciences the pupils had to identify food chains and find the actual animals in the food chain. They also had a masterchef competition where they were assessed on the nutrients of the meal that they make using the various barbecues in the reserve.
Smith further said that in history they recreated war battles and tried to steal each group’s mascots. The pupils were organised into four groups outside of their usual classes. “It gave them the opportunity to get to know pupils in different classes and make friends,” said Smith.
“Education is changing and the reserve gives us the opportunity to use nature to get another aspect of education,” explained Smith. A Grade 8 pupil, Connor Dale said that it is really fun to learn in nature and have fun with friends. Another pupils, Lesedi Segapo said, “I found reserve school fun and interesting and it is fun to get out of the classroom.”
Details: Trinityhouse Little Falls, 011 958 1513.
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