Our Grade 6 learners have the chance to experience the Namibian desert up close.
Solar cookers, Water rations, "toktokkies", sleeping under the Namibian starry sky and looking for scorpions - these are the highlights of the Grade 6´s excursion to NaDEET, the Namibian Environmental Education Trust.

Learning objectives:

• In addition to the biology curriculum and accompanied by their biology teachers, the kids learn about the surprises the Namib desert has to offer and how remarkably flora and fauna have adapted to these arid conditions.
• Recycle, Reduce, Reuse – that´s the excursion´s main theme where it is all about producing fuel briquettes from old newspapers, preparing meals on solar cookers and why it is important to ration water.
• Of course learning should also be fun: Although the Grades 6 enjoy the educating projects with the NaDEET-nature conservationists to the fullest, they are absolutely thrilled with sandboarding and playing together.

Canoeing on the great Orange River in Southern Namibia is more than just a river trip! Our Grade 10 learners get to experience great exercise on the waters, the starlit African sky and the breath-taking Richtersveld National Park on the boarder to South Africa.
Under the guidance of experienced and qualified staff they enjoy an adventure not easily matched. In addition to campfires and great company it is once again all about team work, spirit and a great sense of community.

Within the exam preparations of the DIAP Biology course in Grade 11 our "almost graduates" visit the desert research foundation in Gobabeb.

Learning objectives:

• Biology up close: The students learn and elaborate in groups and with the help of nature conservationists and biology teachers about the eco systems in the Namibian desert.

Our experiences in Gobabeb 2016

The first project in the subject Textile Design is sewing a small bag by hand to learn basic skills such as cutting, ironing, threading a needle, tying knots, pre-sewing, sewing on a button and twisting a cord. Afterwards learners take a sewing machine driving test. For the next project “soft toy”, all skills are combined and applied.

In the metal workshop, learners are introduced to different kinds of soft metal, such as aluminium, brass, and galvanised steel. The learner fashion functional objects like keyrings, candle holders, and wind chimes, using only hand tools. Each project requires them to first explore a variety of design possibilities and then use techniques such as sawing, filing and drilling, to complete their metal object.

In the wood workshop, learners will first learn how to measure and mark correctly. Finally, skills such as (straight) sawing and filing are used to bring a key ring into the desired shape.
Each piece must be carefully sanded until it is nice and smooth. For this, learners use sand paper from coarse (60) to fine (220) grit.
Once they are acquainted with the basic skill, they can move on to more complex projects.
In grade 6, learners also obtain a drilling licence, to prove that they can operate the electrical drill safely.

During Ceramic Studies in grades 5 and 6, learners are taught the basics of preparing, working, decorating, and glazing pottery. By introducing primary hand forming techniques: pinching, coiling and slabbing, learners have the possibility to explore their creativity, and make clay projects that appeal to their imagination. In grade 7, if the learner chooses to pursue ceramics, they can apply the basic techniques they have learned to design and create their own dinner set, which is not only beautiful, but also functional.