Greenpoint Park, Year 1 Outing 2019
Year 1 went on an outing to Green point Park in Cape Town. We had a wonderful time walking around the Biodiversity gardens and through the Wetlands walk. We loved the Labyrinth, waited for the sun to shine so we could tell the time using the sun dial and finally played in the awesome play areas.
It was a fantastic, fun filled outing.
For more information on this excellent venue: http://www.gprra.co.za/green-point-urban-park.html
Charlotte Cronje
Year 1 Teacher
Our Visit To The Koeberg Visitor Centre Was Fantastic!
On our arrival we were briefed about the station and introduced to the safety measures that have been put in place to keep everyone safe, as well as the contribution Koeberg is making towards the environment.
In the well-equipped auditorium skilled and experienced staff members introduced us to Eskom, the Generation Division and Koeberg Power Station by means of a video and an informative presentation. Eskom’s Education Programme aims to educate school children about the value of electricity and the important role it plays in bringing so much comfort into the home.
The exhibition explains everything from how a nuclear reactor operates, to waste and radiation, not forgetting safety precautions and Koeberg’s commitment to the environment. Furthermore, it aims to bring awareness to the fact that ‘flicking a switch” is so quick and easy one almost never considers the hugely positive impact electricity has on our daily lives…
It was a fascinating visit as we moved back in history and looked at the development of mankind until present day. Our host engaged our learners with some gripping questions and she had a brilliant way of dealing with them. She did a great job explaining the process of how electricity is made at this power station. We were also encouraged to visit the private reserve surrounding the power station and were pleasantly surprised to learn about the hiking trails that take visitors through pristine Fynbos and Strandveld which are ideal for bird watching.
The Year 9 to 12 students experimented with the numerous models which explain how ‘Energy makes thing happen”. Thereafter we were allowed to relax and eat our packed lunches on the breezy deck overlooking Koeberg’s Nuclear plant and the blue ocean.
The students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed the field trip and the opportunity to learn directly from the source.
Riaan Vosloo
High School Teacher
Year 11 Chemistry Students Visit Aspen Pharma
This past Wednesday, the Year 11 Chemistry class went on an outing to Fine Chemicals Corporation, a division of Aspen Pharmacare, to learn about the applications of chemistry in pharmaceutical manufacturing. What an interesting visit it was! We were given a tour of the different on-site laboratories and learnt about large scale chemical manufacturing.
The plant we visited manufactures APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) that are used in the production of medicines. In every step of this manufacturing process, quality control is vital to ensure a superior product is made. We toured the Quality Control Laboratory and saw the uses of many of the chemical processes we have learnt about in the classroom. It was fascinating to see these chemical processes in real-life.
We also toured the Analytical Development Division Laboratory and the Research & Development Laboratory where analytical chemists conduct further tests to improve product quality and work on more efficient ways to produce these products. The staff at Fine Chemicals Corporations were very informed and helpful and answered all of our questions about: how the plant operates; the importance of safety in a laboratory; laboratory instrumentation; and the uses of the products they produce.
Philippa Goch
High School Teacher
Key Stage 1: IT’S ALL ABOUT SCIENCE
The year 2 students eagerly climbed into the bus for a science adventure. Although many had visited the Science Centre before, there were so many new things to see and experience, that they really enjoyed it.
One of the highlights was the Science lesson about ‘Changing Materials’. The students eagerly experimented with a sugar cubes (representing a rock), and found the cubes started melting when heat was applied.
The visit ended with a range of experiments conducted by the facilitators which both surprised and caused quite a few shrieks, as things exploded, flew into their air and lit up in the dark.
The general consensus on the ride home was that it was an exciting morning and thoroughly enjoyable!
Kim Coetzer
Year 2 Teacher