As parents and educators, we set great store by formal learning. Indeed, that is a measurable quantum that benchmarks achievement for our children. It is a good thing, to be sure. However, there are other aspects of learning which are not taught in a formal way but are nonetheless crucial. Aspects such as fairness, sharing, leading and following, inclusion, helping, observing, politeness. These and many many more are not taught in lessons, although they do come up all the time as well. Most of the time these aspects are predominant at playtime. This was one of the major drawbacks, and a very serious one, which COVID-19 posed to children – it deprived them of their stage in learning at the University of Life.
Thankfully, we are now moving out of that phase. Indeed, because the grounds permit ample social distancing, we also managed to take some photos of children without masks. It was a joy to observe our young ones mingle and mix, interacting healthily, grouping and re-grouping, making new friends and greeting the ‘old’.
Undergraduates in the university of life
As parents and educators, we set great store by formal learning. Indeed, that is a measurable quantum that benchmarks achievement for our children. It is a good thing, to be sure. However, there are other aspects of learning which are not taught in a formal way but are nonetheless crucial. Aspects such as fairness, sharing, leading and following, inclusion, helping, observing, politeness. These and many many more are not taught in lessons, although they do come up all the time as well. Most of the time these aspects are predominant at playtime. This was one of the major drawbacks, and a very serious one, which COVID-19 posed to children - it deprived them of their stage in learning at the University of Life. Thankfully, we are now moving out of that phase. Indeed, because the grounds permit ample social distancing, we also managed to take some photos of children without masks. It was a joy to observe our young ones mingle and mix, interacting healthily, grouping and re-grouping, making new friends and greeting the 'old'. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/626194625" width="640" height="564" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [gallery ids="7388,7389,7390,7391,7392,7393,7394,7395,7396,7397,7398,7399,7400,7401,7402,7403,7404,7405,7406,7407,7408,7409,7410"]Children, all children are perfect because they are unspoilt by life. Their happy faces lit up the college in this the first week of school when their laughter (and perhaps some tears), their energy and their unconditional joie de vivre gave everyone, including the stately buildings themselves a new lease of life. These young lads from Year 2Y gave the camera a full blast of their infectious smiles.
A picture perfect hello
Children, all children are perfect because they are unspoilt by life. Their happy faces lit up the college in this the first week of school when their laughter (and perhaps some tears), their energy and their unconditional <em>joie de vivre</em> gave everyone, including the stately buildings themselves a new lease of life. These young lads from Year 2Y gave the camera a full blast of their infectious smiles. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/625458014" width="640" height="564" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [gallery ids="7365,7366,7367,7368,7369,7370,7371,7372,7373,7374,7375,7376,7377,7378,7379,7380,7381"]
You’d be surprised what the teachers can pack into a week. It’s a wonder they actually survive the year, but, the result is happy, excited children who have progressed a great deal over the past twelve months in spite of all the difficulties which the pandemic placed in our way.
Lovin’ Summer Livin’
You'd be surprised what the teachers can pack into a week. It's a wonder they actually survive the year, but, the result is happy, excited children who have progressed a great deal over the past twelve months in spite of all the difficulties which the pandemic placed in our way. [playlist type="video" ids="6788"] [gallery ids="6789,6790,6791,6792,6793,6794,6795,6796,6797,6798,6799,6800,6801,6802,6803,6804,6805,6806,6807,6808,6809,6810,6811,6812,6813,6814,6815,6816,6817,6818,6819,6820,6821,6822,6823,6824,6825,6826,6827,6828,6829,6830,6831,6832,6833,6834,6835,6836,6837,6838,6839,6840,6841"]
As the Trinity Term draws to a close, so does the potato digging season for the Kinder students. With many thanks to Joey our gardener for making this a reality for the children, this activity has been an eye-opener for both children and adults. The children got truly connected to the earth, an experience which we hope will never leave them. The adults had a first-hand experience of just how much hard work goes into growing this often maligned vegetable.