Our new school year started off with Outward Bound Germany team-building activities for our Grade 6 to 12 students. Some grade levels went hiking and swimming in the Dresden Heide and others built soapbox vehicles together as a team. It was quite fun to see them test the cars’ drivability. Our Grade 11s paddled in self-made rafts on the Pratzschwitz lake—they were very happy to be in the water on this hot day!
By exposing our students to these team-building and bonding activities, they learn how to successfully take on projects in a team. It helps them develop essential life skills such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration. These days are also a lovely way for the teachers to get to know their students in a context outside of the classroom, for new students to meet everyone in the grade level and for all students to re-acquaint themselves with their peers. Dresden and the surrounding area make a wonderful classroom and the learning that takes place on these days is just as important as everything that is happening inside the school gates. It was a great time for new experiences and new challenges.