Darren Frampton and Ginnese Johnston

We, the International School of Amsterdam, have been working with African Conservation Experience (ACE) for several years and have always had positive experiences. This trip is a valuable part of our programme and we are excited to continue this tradition. 

Ginnese: One of the highlights of this trip was all of the engaging discussions and presentations the team held for us. They all really enhanced our understanding of South Africa. We loved learning about the work the anti-poaching team do as it gave us a deep insight into their daily challenges, and how incredibly impactful their work is. 

We also visited Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre which was eye-opening, as it showcased the importance of wildlife rehabilitation and the passion of those involved in conservation.

Darren: A highlight for me was seeing the students grow throughout the trip. They gained a solid introduction to Johannesburg and modern Africa, learned about field biology and conservation, and participated in meaningful activities. Observing their engagement and development in a real-world context was incredibly rewarding.

We also enjoyed observing the students adapt to camp life. Some of them were hesitant at first, especially with the bird-watching activities, however, they all quickly got used to it. It was impressive to see their enthusiasm for tasks like kitchen duty, wire removal, and bird identification.

Having ACE run these types of trips is great.

Darren: While I could manage trips on my own, the level of coordination and execution that ACE offers allows me to focus on working with the students without worrying about the details. The timely delivery of information and the seamless organisation made a significant impact on the student’s understanding and experience.

Ginnese: Their support helped us effortlessly integrate all the elements of the trip, which would have been difficult to achieve on our own.

The trip also aligns with the CAS principles. It involved substantial service work, including practical conservation efforts like removing harmful wire and eradicating invasive species. The learning aspect was crucial, as students were educated about the reasons behind these actions. Understanding the rationale behind conservation efforts was essential.

We believe that schools involved with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme would find this type of trip valuable. It offers a unique and enriching experience that complements the IB curriculum.

Darren: In the future, it will be interesting to see how these experiences influence their actions and perspectives.

Ginnese: I’m looking forward to incorporating what we learned into my curriculum, using South Africa as a case study. Darren and I both found the trip incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to see how the students apply their new knowledge.

Overall, this was another successful trip!

Darren Frampton - IBDP Biology Teacher, International School of Amsterdam

Ginnese Johnston - IBDP Environmental Systems and Societies Teacher, International School of Amsterdam