Thursday last week saw the departure of St Andrew’s College and DSG pupils on the epic John Jones Fish River Journey.
Thursday last week saw the departure of St Andrew’s College and DSG pupils on the epic John Jones Fish River Journey.
The journey involves about 160 Grade 10 boys and girls and takes place over 18 days in the Eastern Cape. This trek takes the pupils out of their comfort zones and places them in nature where they can reflect on and explore their emotional and spiritual states.
Each year, since the inception of the journey in 2004, the organising team have made various improvements and adjustments so that the children’s experience is improved. According to Deon Boshoff, outdoor education director at St Andrew's, “The Fish River Journey is one of the most memorable parts of the DSG/ St Andrew's experience.”
The physical journey begins at the source of the Fish River, the Nardousberg – 2429 meters above sea level – and 51km from Graaff-Reinet, and will end at the mouth of the river on 4 December. Each group covers the diverse terrain by canoeing, cycling, running and walking.
Before the journey began, pupils studied aspects of literature, history, geography and biology which are relevant to the area. On the journey they will experience first-hand various land forms, sites of historical and literary significance, and the flora and fauna of the region.
At the conclusion of the journey the group will reflect on their experience in a report-back and in further work in the classroom. Because the Fish River is steeped in educational, social and economic interest, learning takes place beyond the classroom walls.
The children learn about caring for the earth, strategies for sustainable living and how to improve the quality of human life while living within the capacity of supporting ecosystems. They learn of their own strengths and what should be truly valued in others.
The aim is to develop in each boy and girl a strong sense of identity, place, time and culture through interacting with the Eastern Cape's diverse environment, both social and natural. In addition it is also the aim to promote awareness of the inter-connectedness in the environment and of the challenges of sustainable development for present and future generations.
During the 18 days, pupils will also be given time to rest, reflect, do washing and interact with their group members in a more relaxed manner. The group will camp in tents for the duration of the journey, and could find themselves on a farm, beside a river, in a field or in a nature reserve.
Pupils will be away from the constraints of timetables and watches, as well as the modern-day distractions of TV, cell phones and Ipods. “A journey is complete: it has a beginning and an end. It is also personal: the children will learn much about themselves and others.
They will learn of their own strengths and what should be truly valued in others: unselfishness, sharing, fortitude and thoughtfulness, to name a few. They will be meeting on neutral territory and in sharing the effort and achieving the goal, the bond of this group will be lasting. There will be spin-offs for the leadership of the schools in their senior years,” said Paul Edey, principal of St Andrew’s.
“The Fish River Journey is an opportunity to learn in new and exciting ways. The journey is meant to challenge the participants to extend their boundaries and build their strength and resourcefulness. This personal development may be physical, intellectual, social or spiritual,” said Shelley Frayne, DSG's principal.
Also part of the group will be a support vehicle, and staff members will have a cell phone and satellite phones for use in areas where phone reception is lacking. A professional canoeing company, with river guides, has been hired to lead river excursions.
A team of paramedics (who have been involved with the Journey since 2005) will accompany the cyclists and a medic will accompany each group on their hikes.
Upon full completion of the journey, each pupil will be awarded a certificate recognised by the Independent Examinations Board. “The Journey is a life-changing experience,” said Boshoff.
