“Plus est en vous – there is more in you than you think.”
Kurt Hahn, Founder of the UWC movement
Our UWCSEA Outdoor Education programme offers experiential learning opportunities that are scaffolded for age appropriate student participation, progressing incrementally each year. Even our youngest learners engage in these challenges that build “resilience, collaboration and leadership while developing confidence in their physical abilities and emotional resilience to withstand difficult situations.”
One of the most exciting rites of passage for Infant School students is the Grade 1 Sleepover. The sleepover is one of my favourite events, the energy and excitement as students arrive in school on dusk is contagious! For some, the anticipation of the sleepover is tinged with a healthy level of anxiety combined with confidence and determination to face the challenge. As students and teachers (onesie optional!) arrived, they entered their classrooms and prepared their ‘beds’.
The night started with an exploration of the campus by torchlight, the children were absolutely mesmerised, it looks so different at night. Every year I have the honour of being the ‘DJ’ for the Grade 1 disco and this year’s songs were a huge success. A crowd favourite was the “Banana Banana and Meatball” song! (You might like to try it at home!)
The disco ended with a ‘disco yoga’ session and some mindful relaxation before the children headed back to class ready to settle down for the night.
Students enjoyed reading bedtime stories by torchlight while others snuggled up with their cuddly toys. I’d like to say a HUGE thank you to our Security team for checking in on us regularly throughout the night. We all felt safe and well cared for.
Teachers managed to create a peaceful classroom environment and children were (mostly!) asleep before 9pm. Teachers attempted to sleep but before they knew it they were woken by whispers and flickering torch patterns on the ceiling! At 7am we headed to the canteen to be greeted by the Sodexo team who had whipped up a delicious pancake breakfast!
As the first buses began to arrive some children took a moment to reflect on their sleepover experience.
“The Outdoor Education programme allows students to disconnect from the distractions of technology and reconnect with nature. It provides an avenue for them to explore the natural environment in a safe setting, learn from mistakes and develop perseverance.”
As we walked back to class the children took time to explore some green space on campus. G1ATu said good morning to 'their tree', discovering tadpoles along the way!
Our Grade 1 Sleepover isn’t possible without the support of many people. Thank you parents, I hope you had a peaceful evening last night. To the Facilities team, you are AMAZING! Teachers and TAs, thank you for creating a safe and calm environment for the students, I suspect many of you will be napping by now! What a proud achievement for our Grade 1 children.
To read more about our Outdoor Education programme, please click here.
“Plus est en vous – there is more in you than you think.”
Kurt Hahn, Founder of the UWC movement
Our UWCSEA Outdoor Education programme offers experiential learning opportunities that are scaffolded for age appropriate student participation, progressing incrementally each year. Even our youngest learners engage in these challenges that build “resilience, collaboration and leadership while developing confidence in their physical abilities and emotional resilience to withstand difficult situations.”
One of the most exciting rites of passage for Infant School students is the Grade 1 Sleepover. The sleepover is one of my favourite events, the energy and excitement as students arrive in school on dusk is contagious! For some, the anticipation of the sleepover is tinged with a healthy level of anxiety combined with confidence and determination to face the challenge. As students and teachers (onesie optional!) arrived, they entered their classrooms and prepared their ‘beds’.
The night started with an exploration of the campus by torchlight, the children were absolutely mesmerised, it looks so different at night. Every year I have the honour of being the ‘DJ’ for the Grade 1 disco and this year’s songs were a huge success. A crowd favourite was the “Banana Banana and Meatball” song! (You might like to try it at home!)
The disco ended with a ‘disco yoga’ session and some mindful relaxation before the children headed back to class ready to settle down for the night.
Students enjoyed reading bedtime stories by torchlight while others snuggled up with their cuddly toys. I’d like to say a HUGE thank you to our Security team for checking in on us regularly throughout the night. We all felt safe and well cared for.
Teachers managed to create a peaceful classroom environment and children were (mostly!) asleep before 9pm. Teachers attempted to sleep but before they knew it they were woken by whispers and flickering torch patterns on the ceiling! At 7am we headed to the canteen to be greeted by the Sodexo team who had whipped up a delicious pancake breakfast!
As the first buses began to arrive some children took a moment to reflect on their sleepover experience.
“The Outdoor Education programme allows students to disconnect from the distractions of technology and reconnect with nature. It provides an avenue for them to explore the natural environment in a safe setting, learn from mistakes and develop perseverance.”
As we walked back to class the children took time to explore some green space on campus. G1ATu said good morning to 'their tree', discovering tadpoles along the way!
Our Grade 1 Sleepover isn’t possible without the support of many people. Thank you parents, I hope you had a peaceful evening last night. To the Facilities team, you are AMAZING! Teachers and TAs, thank you for creating a safe and calm environment for the students, I suspect many of you will be napping by now! What a proud achievement for our Grade 1 children.
To read more about our Outdoor Education programme, please click here.
