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Our Trip to Highover: Justine Hamann
and Josie Hardy |
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 On
the 25th August, 2 buses full of very keen and excited Grade 8 girls
left for Highover. None of us even dreamt about the fun that was in
store for us. We arrived at the beautiful accommodation surrounded by a
couple of huge mountains with the Umkomaas river right outside our
doorsteps. It didn’t take us long to settle in and once we had found a
bed the activities began.
Throughout the trip we took part in several exciting activities in our
small teams. These consisted of a foofi slide, jumping off a cliff, a
full day hike , group dynamics and an adventure race. Through these
activities we all learned a lot more about our own abilities, strengths
and weaknesses and about the other people in our teams.
We all enjoyed free time in the afternoons where we could relax, catch
up with our friends and eat way too much tuck! The meals at Highover
were always delicious thanks to Dave and Margie Edwards. Sitting around
the fire and going on night walks in the evenings gave us a chance to
reflect on the activities of the day.
We all had a wonderful time during our stay at Highover and we made
memories that will last forever! We would like to thank all the Highover
staff and the Grade 8 teachers for giving us the opportunity to have
such an amazing experience. |
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Grade 9:
"Living in the Environment."
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Personal experiences:
Bridgette Young |
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The Grade 9 Environmentals
was tucked away on the foothills of the Drakensburg
Mountains, away from home, away from school and away
from busy routines at a place called Entabeni. It was an
escape to a place where we not only learnt more about
ourselves and our friends, but we also learnt more about
the negative impact we have on our environment.
We started our week with being split from our usual
crowd of friends and put with girls we would usually
only smile at. From there we had to work together to
build relationships of understanding and trust. These
relationships were first tested when we had to orienteer
using a map to find letters around the area to make a
word.
Our other activities involved attempting to summit a
mountain, visiting the Hlatikulu Crane and Wetland
Sanctuary and having a traditional meal at the local
Nsonge village. Each activity not only was fun, but
allowed each girl to grow in their understanding of
protecting our environment and the wildlife that was
here before us. |
One of the
most eye opening experiences was the visit to the Nsonge
village, a community that welcomed us with open arms and
gave us one of the most delicious meals I have ever
eaten. It was amazing how happy they were, even with
their circumstances. It definitely made interesting
conversation on the way back to Entabeni as each of us
realised just how much we take for granted.
One of the most insightful activities was the visit to
the Hlatikulu Crane and Wetland Sanctuary. Here we got
to learn more and see the endangered crane species in
South Africa. We learnt about a bird named Walter, he
was a special bird that they thought was a male, but
later found out he was actually female, so they changed
her name to Walta.
From learning about my negative impact on the
environment, to ways I can fix the problem, Entabeni
helped me to grow and learn more about myself. For many
the week away simply meant a week off school, but by the
end of the excursion we not only left Entabeni with more
knowledge and understanding, but memories and
friendships too. |
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 I enjoyed so many moments of this camp, such as:
- Doing the project – it taught me how easy it is
for one thing to affect a place. It also taught me a lot about
Mtunzini and the environment.
- Our leader – he was very encouraging and funny.
- All the activities – they were all a lot of fun
and they taught me the value of teamwork. E.g. Canoeing – if everyone
works together you go in the right direction, but if a team doesn’t
work together, you can go the wrong way! I really enjoyed the
mangroves - it was a lot of fun to be silly with friends.
- This trip brought me closer to a lot of girls
that I normally would not have spoken to at school which is really
cool.
- One moment which really sticks out is when our
group planted a tree. It really did feel like we were helping the
environment. It was a lot of fun to have left something at Twin
Streams that is a reminder of us.
I learnt so many things on this trip. This experience
has really helped me understand how important the environment is. I am
going to try so hard to decrease the size of my carbon footprint.
It is so sad that this trip is our last camp, but it really was the
best. There was not one thing I did not enjoy. So, thank you so much for
bringing us here.
Robyn Touzel
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I really enjoyed Twin Streams. I loved that every day we
went into the forest and walked amongst the animals and trees. It was
such a change to come from the city to a small town and a forest.
My best memories will definitely be with my group, the “Wolf Pack”. It
was made up of so many different characters and yet we all bonded and
worked as a team. We had the crazy guide, the hyper bunny, the singing
guru, the nature fanatic, the quirky moments, the shy and sombre, and
everything in between. We had many moments that I will never forget.
Twin Streams, as our last environmental trip, was a good choice as,
although we had to work, we were still able to have lots of fun. The
guides, mostly Steve, were awesome, the food was good, the sleeping
arrangements were fun and the activities really helped to build team
trust.
All in all, I think that Twin Streams has been my best camp in high
school.
Mia Graham
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Wolf Pack
I am inspired to watch my footsteps
as I prod into the forest depths
leaving a trail of broken leaves
money is only what man sees.
Light is scattered all around
waterfall, the only sound
silver threads sparkling in the trees
humanity the death to these.
We walk in, intrusion
all that is left is pollution.
our job is to protect
a balance we must perfect.
Ashleigh Harris |
I liked this camp because it is the last camp like this
that we will go on as a grade. We became friends with our group members
and pulled together when it was needed. I think that camp is one of the
rare occasions where our grade comes together, works together and has
fun together. I wish we had more opportunities to do that as a grade. It
shows us that we can make friends with people who are not in our group
of friends and I think that this needs to happen. I have had amazing
memories with girls I’ll never forget. These moments that we all have on
camp together make us Saints girls, and it’s a feeling that I love. I’m
going to miss it all.
Julie Geldart |
Imagine a place
with endless space
filled with diversity
an example of God’s grace
For a moment you belong
listen to the birds’ song
the monkeys cry and trees rustle,
out here nothing can go wrong.
Sun sits on your skin,
no thoughts of sin
or evil or chaos,
out here you always win.
Christin Goddard |
Really, for how long?
Slowly it dawned on us
the size of the part we must play.
the birds, the bees, the butterflies
rely on us today.
We don’t give them food, life or home
we only take away…
what is rightfully theirs to own.
People say man is growing
but really for how long?
for without the birds and butterflies
he is surely going wrong
Kate Muckart |
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Click
here
to find out more about our Environmental Education programme. |
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