Magazine 2020

136 | Edition No. 23 | 2020 GRADE 10 BONAMANZI BREEDE RIVER The Grade 10 camp busses departed for Bonamanzi at 6am on Wednesday morning. There were a lot of sleepy faces. Once on the bus the sugar came out. Noise and energy levels went through the roof. After being put into groups, the Grade 10s did some icebreak- ers and then dived straight into the first activities. While half of the Grade 10s were doing team building, the other half were bonding on the river. The wind on the first stretch of water was strong, but just around the bend the conditions were calmer and most participants enjoyed the paddle. Day Two saw the groups swop over. In the afternoon they played team games like ‘which movie does this song come from’ or simply ‘name the song and the artist’. Afterwards some prepared for the talent show, some swam in the pool and some played volleyball ... and some slept. The final activity for the day was ‘battle of the sexes’. This was won by the boys, much to their delight. The final morning started with packing and clean-up. How the boys managed to clean up the tent area on the final morning will forever be a secret. After packing up, the Grade 10s practised war cries and then boarded the busses for the journey home. Bonamanzi was a fantastic experience and the camp really pulled the Grade 10s together. Grade Heads: Carine Le Roux and Russell Viljoen GRADE 11 PALMIETCARAVANPARK The Grade 11s arrived at the Palmiet Caravan Park in torrential rain. The inclement, gloomy weather, however, was unable to break the indomitable spirit of the learners. The Grade 11s helped one another - tents were pitched and suit- cases unpacked.The weather offered some respite in the early after- noon which permitted beach activities like volleyball, touch rugby, a sand-sculpture competition and tug-of-war. The evening was spent engineering novel war-cries underneath a promising starry sky. Day 2 and 3 involved restructuring as more activities were packed into the itinerary. The Grade 11s took it in their stride and were fully committed to kayaking, tubing, hiking, swimming and abseiling. The windy conditions on day 2 affected the kayaking as learners had the arduous task of maneuvering the vessels against the wind. The tubing was also affected which led to further restructuring to the itinerary of day 3. Day 3 offered the best weather and a packed schedule. The learners enjoyed and savoured every minute of it. The evening ended with a potjie competition. Learners were divided into six groups and challenged to create a ‘potjie’ with minimal ingredients. Tantalising pots of flavour were created. The Grade 11s were warm, respectful and ready to help one another. They displayed a sense of adventure, adapt- ability and resilience to weather any adversity which was directed at them. Camp 2020 was a remarkable bonding experience - as one learner commented:“Camp forced us to come togeth- er and bond as a grade. It was amazing being outdoors and having the camp experience.” This was indeed unique and refreshing as the mandatory creature comforts were traded for fresh air, good company and adventure. Pleasant memories were created in camp 2020 which will undoubtedly linger in the minds of these teenagers. Grade Heads: PrinevinVardan and Jessica Herbert