A school’s balanced programme ensures well-adjusted learners
It is said that ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’. Aware of the truth behind this proverb Capulum College ensures that learners are provided a balanced programme of work and recreation.
“Extracurricular activities offer a combination of relaxation and learning,” says Jenni Underwood, founder of this remedial school. “That’s the reason we include outings in our terms’ programmes,” she adds.
A recent excursion saw learners visit the KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden in Pietermaritzburg and, judging from their observations, the learning-leisure objective was achieved.
“It’s a place of peace – a beautiful place to visit, where photographers were taking photographs of nature,” said Lethu. “Our guides took us on a hike, and we played games to learn about the plants. It was a fun visit – and I learnt a lot.”
According to Keegan, the trip was enjoyable and educational. “We learned about soils and the age of trees,” he explained. “We experimented with the different types of soils and which soil drains water and which hold water. It was an interesting place.”
Chuma thanked Jenni and Mike for this outing. “We learned about all sorts of new things, such as soil, plants, birds and pollution. The guides who took us around were helpful and very knowledgeable. I really enjoyed it.”
“I learned a lot especially that I need to conserve natural resources and become more aware of the preservation of our natural resources,” stated Andani.
“Amazing,” declared Owethu. “There was so much that I had never seen before. We were given activities about plants and the soil – and we learned how the plants are planted.”
Awonke was fascinated to learn about global warming – and the increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere, caused by particular gases and in particular carbon dioxide. “I learned a lot,” he confirms.
The use of clay and the way plants store water in their leaves were two of the many lessons Yadav took from the day’s outing
“Good educational value,” stressed Aphiwe, adding, “I would like to include this quote ‘no matter where you live, you should be happy’ – nature is part of life and, although I missed seeing animals, I would like to visit the botanical garden again.”
A relaxed mind is a rejuvenated one. After proper recreation – which revitalises the mind’s inborn abilities – the mind regains its capacity to absorb knowledge. A balanced programme of work and recreation is the proper way to keep the mind in shape. This is important in the case of children, in particular, because they are at the age when their personalities are being moulded.
Industrious work is necessary to achieve our goals in life, but concentration on work alone with no recreation tends to make a person dull and unsociable.
Some benefits of school excursions include:
- enhancing critical thinking skills
- effective learning
- reinforcing the curriculum
- developing a healthy bond between teachers and learners
- exposure to new experiences/ideas
- learning through doing
- making memories
