St Andrew’s College has a pioneering history in the field of Outdoor Education.

Spencer Chapman was inspired by Kurt Hahn’s philosophy of education as taught at Gordonstoun, and continued to implement them on returning as the 11th headmaster of St Andrew’s College from 1956 to 1962. He was a decorated war hero, an adventurer/explorer and initiated “outward bound’ to St. Andrew’s College.

St Andrew’s has continued with this ethic of educating beyond the classroom and has expanded the programme from a military-inspired Long Walk (a 5 day route march for Grades 9-11), to a far more intricate programme. St Andrew’s pioneered the 21 day rite of passage now known as the John Jones Fish River Journey in 2004 and has led the way in South Africa in this regard. The development of our own “Bush Camp” at Table Farm 15km from town has further enhanced our opportunities to educate our boys beyond the classroom on a regular basis.

At the end of 2015 every College boy will have experienced what the Bush Camp has to offer, be it on a tutor outing, a leadership camp, President’s Award, Outreach, skills training, environmental study, or even academic camps. There are also ample opportunities for recreation away from the hectic academic, sport and cultural pressures in Makhanda|Grahamstown.

All these activities are done without cellphones, iPods, MP3 players, TVs or any technological gadgets that seem to take up so much of their time, energy and social interaction.

At the end of their College careers, it is expected that Outdoor Education and the adventures and experiences will be discussed and reminisced by Old Andreans for many years to come.

What you learn

Leadership

  • Learning leadership styles
  • Using your strengths for the benefit of all

Recreation

  • Fishing
  • Bird watching
  • Relaxation

Skills

  • Building projeects
  • Re-cycling and up-cycling
  • Initiative tests
  • Culinary skills

Self vs Others

  • Self-evaluation “the man in the mirror”
  • Tolerance
  • Value to society

The Environment

  • Fauna and Flora
  • Ecology
  • Natural Science

Physical Exercise

  • Taking calculated risks
  • Learning to endure
  • Testing one’s limits

Bushcraft

  • Survival skills
  • Camp etiquette
  • Making do with what you’ve got at your disposal

Giving Back

  • Community engagement
  • Farm management