With Union committed to embracing their surrounding environment as a part of the education of their learners, the Grade 8 Orientation camp plays an important part in introducing the youngest members of the high school to the environmental ethos of the school. 71 excited grade 8s set off early on Thursday morning with the guides from the Camdeboo National Park, staff and prefects, and hiked to the Education Centre tucked behind Spandau. It was tough going in the extreme heat, and teamwork and encouragement got everyone to their destination. After lunch the grade 8s engaged in activities with educational team from the National Park, as well as a series of specially designed tasks that facilitated them working together as a grade and co-operating with the senior mentoring system in the school.
This was an excellent opportunity for the senior leaders of the school and boarding houses to get to know their young charges. Respect, dignity, care and co-operation are also key factors to becoming a Unionite, and our leaders stressed this throughout their time together.
The grade 8s arrived home hot and tired on Friday having gleaned a little more about the Union way of life. Grateful thanks are extended to the team at the Camdeboo National Park, Miss van Rensburg and Mr Ittershagen-Strauss, Mrs Sullivan and Mr Kingwill for food and logistics and the prefects who gave of their all to make the Orientation camp such a success.
