Middie reis oorsee First-years welcomed at Grootfontein

MIDDELBURG — Karla Schoonwinkel, ‘n Graad 12-leerder van Hoërskool Middelburg, het vanaf 28 November tot 9 Januarie as uitruilstudent ‘n toer na Duitsland, Oostenryk en Nederland onderneem.

Hierdie geleentheid is moontlik gemaak deur die plaaslike Rotariërs wat aan leerders die geleentheid bied om hul horisonne te verbreed. Verskeie besienswaardighede is besoek waaronder die Cologne Katedraal wat die hoogste twee-toringkerk ter wêreld is.

Dis dan ook die gewildste toeriste aantreklikheid in Duitsland.

Nog ‘n besoekpunt was die Hohenzollernbrug wat oor die Ryn strek waar duisende kleurvolle slotte vasgemaak is deur geliefdes wat die brug besoek het. Karla het ook ‘n besoek aan Berlyn gebring waar sy Oujaarsaand die vuurwerkvertoning by die Brandenberghek bygewoon het. ‘n Verdere hoogtepunt was die Berlynse muur wat aan die een kant versier is met helder, kleurvolle kunswerke terwyl die ander kant grys vertoon.

Daarna is ook ‘n besoek gebring aan die Mercedes Benz museum waar sommige voertuie sommer teen die mure uitgestal word. ‘n Besoek aan Neurenburg, Dachauw en die martelkamers onder die kastele het herinner aan diè verskriklike tydperk in die geskiedenis terwyl die spierwit sneeu en pikswart woude in Oostenryk gesorg het vir ‘n onvergeetlike ski-ervaring in die Alpe.

Karla het reeds in SA bande begin bou met haar Duitse familie en sy het hul vir hul gasvryheid beloon deur hul te leer hoe om te sokkie. MIDDELBURG — During the welcoming ceremony at Grootfontein College of Agriculture on Friday, January 19, principal Themba Cebani, addressed the new first years and their parents with these encouraging words…

“Today onwards you will be called Grooties and I wish to assure you that you will not regret the decision of choosing Grootfontein College of Agriculture as an institution of choice. We always strive to be a leading Agricultural Training Institute in Southern Africa by producing capable and competent professionals in the sector. This is achieved mainly through the commitment that is always demonstrated by the team of dedicated lecturing and support staff. You are required to repay your family and the community by doing what is expected of you at the college; get as much knowledge and skills that will add value not only to your life but to those around you as well. Students are also encouraged to be actively involved in activities that are beneficial to the body and mind. As they say, a healthy mind comes from a healthy body.

Our training approach focuses on three aspects of student development mainly: Technical skills, Knowledge and Attitude. You can have all the skills and knowledge of this world but with bad attitude, you are doomed. Parents have taken a decision to invest in you by bringing you to Grootfontein. It is up to you to make use of this opportunity by getting as much knowledge from Grootfontein as possible so that you may become relevant in the society. Thank you parents once again for showing confidence in Grootfontein. You will not regret your decision.”

Students from all over South Africa and even Namibia have enrolled at the College this year. Lothar Cloete with his mother Maryna van Zyl and Chané Coffee and Henri Mostert with his parents Elaine en Pieter Mostert from Outjo. Both Lothar and Henri matriculated in Outjo, Namibia. A group of new first year students from all over SA at Grootfontein College of Agriculture.