Beyond the Classroom: Education for Life
“I regard it as the foremost task of education to ensure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial, and above all, compassion.”
— Kurt Hahn, Founder of Round Square
These core principles underpin the Wider Classroom philosophy at Bridge House. We firmly believe that true education extends beyond four walls. Through immersive experiential learning, we empower our students to unlock their full potential—preparing them to lead, innovate, and serve with confidence in a rapidly changing world.
Experiential Learning & Global Exposure
Our Wider Classroom curriculum offers transformative opportunities that build character, resilience, and global perspective:
Servant Leadership Model: Our inclusive student leadership program shifts the focus from traditional authority to ‘servant leadership’—fostering empathy, responsibility, and community action.
International Exchange Program: Grade 10 students can immerse themselves in foreign cultures through our global exchange network, gaining firsthand international experience.
Global Conferences: Students represent Bridge House at prestigious national and international Round Square conferences, engaging with global peers on critical world issues.
Camps & Outdoor Education: Every grade participates in an annual adventure camp, complemented by regular educational excursions designed to spark curiosity, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.
The Grade 8 camp takes place on the banks of the Breede River. The aim of the camp is to build up friendships and integrate new students into the Grade. This camp fulfils the requirements for the Bronze Expedition for the President’s Award Programme.
Students spend seven days hiking through the surrounding mountains under the guidance of Outward Bound Instructors. The aim of this camp is personal development. The benefit of using Outward Bound is that it is part of an international organisation that has high standards of safety and a philosophy based on the teachings of Kurt Hahn, founder of the Round Square Schools Association. This camp fulfils the requirements for the Silver Expedition for the President’s Award Programme.
These outings and camps provide a cross-curricular experience for the students. This is a non-residential camp and the pupils are immersed in the issues facing the Franschhoek community e.g. economic development, poverty, town planning, architecture, etc. The students are then divided into cross-curricular groups and must develop a business plan that meets the requirements of the triple bottom line i.e. profitable, environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.
This camp focuses on leadership and the philosophy at Bridge House is that all seniors are leaders and must learn the principles of ‘servant leadership’. The camp prepares the students for their responsibilities as seniors of the College. The camp is held at the High Africa campsite on the Breede River.
At Bridge House we are committed to sustainable campus practices and teaching our students about environmental stewardship. Our Garden Farm is situated in the centre of the Campus where a vegetable and fruit garden serves as an outdoor extension of our classrooms. The Garden Farm provides vegetables for our tuckshops and dining rooms and for various community feeding programmes.
