Sun Valley Primary School | Diary of an Adventurous Retiree

We are really back in the swing of things at my very active school. Looking back I have a feeling of satisfaction that so much has been accomplished because I never believe there’s enough time! The week started with a long ‘to do’ list and two big events to get through. In spite of this we managed to complete all the work planned, fit in an assembly practice and survive the ‘big events’

On Thursday we had our Creative Expo Day. Visitors shopping for the best school for their youngsters popped into our classrooms to see what sort of creative things we did with the children. The Grade Ones have learned all about 2D and 3D shapes and so we decided to do something creative around this. After viewing a PowerPoint presentation on shapes and where we see them in everyday life the children designed a model and then used toothpicks and Jelly Tots to construct a 3D building. What fun the girls had and how impressive their models turned out to be. Girl brains do not get the engineering thing quite as easily as boy brains but most of my princesses managed beautifully. There were one or two who insisted on making pretty shapes in 2D but that’s okay – they’ll get the 3D thing eventually

I wonder how I should design this thing

Totally absorbed in the task

I’ve done it

We joined ours together!

This morning there was great excitement as it was Outing Day! Everybody arrived with packed lunch ready and after reading and handwriting we set off to Simonstown. We call this kind of outing an Ignition Outing the idea being to ignite the children with an idea of what kind of career they might like to enter when they grow up. The naval officer who was our guide told me that he was inspired to join the navy at a young age when he went on a similar class outing. We joined our brother class on this outing and it was clear that it was a big hit with the boys. The girls, however, were also asking questions and thoroughly enjoying the experience although not quite so excited by torpedoes that killed the enemy.

Listening intently to all this new information

Looking at a Battle Ship

May I ring the Captain’s Bell? No!

It would be fun to be a Navy Diver

The children were allowed to explore the Naval Museum, saw a short video on how a helicopters are used for rescue and got to learn about a variety of things you could work at in the Navy. Our handsome young naval guide was brilliant with the children and they all went home with a good insight of what the Navy was about. Thanks to the Moms and Dads who gave up their valuable time to transport us there and back. We really appreciate it.

As if I haven’t been spoilt enough with overseas travel and being whisked away for a romantic reunion, I found myself off on another lovely weekend with my amazing husband. My school rented our house in Struisbaai for the Prefects’ Leadership training and needed someone to help with the fishing activity. We have always wanted to check out Agulhas National Park Rest camp so Earl volunteered to do the fishing with the kids and we booked into the rest camp.

We left home at 10 to 3 and had a pleasant drive arriving just before six. We booked in at the Sanparks office in Agulhas and then dropped the trailer off at our house in Struisbaai, said Hi to the teachers and boys staying there and then got Pizza from a a local plekkie in Struisbaai and headed to Suiderstrand where the Rest Camp is located.

The Pizza Place

The keys were waiting for us at the gate which is manned 24/7. It was dark when we arrived and very cold. We quickly unpacked and then enjoyed our pizzas before snuggling into our lovely big warm bed. No electric blanket but there was a heater!

Suiderstrand is about 10km from the Agulhas Light House. Accommodation comprises four two-bed and four four-bed self-catering chalets. Our two bed thatched wooden chalet was stunning. The kitchen was fully equipped with a microwave oven and two plate electric cooker. The fridge was big and there was little need to bring anything from home. It had a lovely fireplace and a weber for braaing.

The living area

Cosy Bedroom

Front Deck

The view was amazing. The weather was very cold and windy on Saturday but on Sunday it was still and sunny and we took a long walk along the pristine beach and then back through the fynbos.

On Saturday afternoon we went to Struisbaai and Earl did the fishing activity with the prefects on the beach. It was windy but the kids did not seem to mind. They had a wonderful time and one team caught a smooth hound shark which caused great excitement.

Earl Mentoring the next generation

The smooth hound shark

On Saturday evening Earl cooked a chicken in the Weber with sweet potatoes and lots of lovely vegetables. Dessert was nougat and rooibos tea in bed! In spite of having a fire it was freezing!

As I mentioned before Sunday was a stunning day – isn’t that typical – the day you need to leave is the day the weather improves! But it did give us a taste of what it can be like at this resort in good weather.