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 RP's inaugural Freshnmen Orientation Program (1st
to 4th July 2003) has finally passed us by. It was
an amazing week. Everyone in RP pitched in and everything
worked out really well. As with all events, there
were some hitches. But there were nothing we could
not cope with and everyone. Everyone gave their best,
from the students to the facilitators to all the
non-academic staff.
The Beginning
Planning began in May but there were many changes
as we tried to accommodate elements like the precautions
taken for Sars. That made things difficult as it
meant the difference between planning a FOP for
a population of 800 students versus planning one
for 2-300 students if the FOP was conducted by
the schools. Finally, in order to faciliate student
increases, Sars precautions and the talks specific
to the three schools, it was decided that the FOP
will be conducted according to the schools.
 The Student Leaders’ Camp (SLC)
There was no way OSG could run the FOP by themselves.
We are a school, we need the students. The SLC
took place in the middle of June. Specially selected
students picked from the 800 and more names we
have were invited to attend the 3 day 2 night camp.
There the students quickly bonded and embraced
the student leader roles with much enthusiasm.
School started for the SLs two weeks before the
other students as they made their way down to RP
almost everyday to help set up the games, familiarise
themselves with the FOP proceedings and do dry runs.
They were impressively unflagging in the enthusiasm,
and was a great source of encouragement to the staff
who were worried about student participation and
apathy.
D-Week
It was hard work and it was fun. Staff and SLs arrive
at 0730 hrs to prepare the registration procedures
for the incoming students. Many SLs and some OSG
staff also stayed overnight, working till the wee
hours of the morning. All the departments and schools
worked hard together. The SLs shouted themselves
hoarse that week, trying to rara the students and
running around making sure all the students are
included. The students enjoyed themselves too – new
school, new environment and new system. It was
heartening seeing all the students rallying together.
It was a great and public example of how RP staff
and students come together to make a success of
the FOP.
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