by The Editor | Feb 4, 2016
With the implementation of the new online Midvisits/EVOLVE system offsite visits planning, monitoring and approvals numbers are more visible, trackable to learning aims and outcomes & increasing. The latest approved visit numbers using the new system can be seen in graph above for the 2015-16 school period*
It’s amazing to see so many trips taking place and using new system from our Schools in Midlothian and establishments but how good are they? – using the new Midvisits/Evolver’s system to track and monitor learning outcomes to visits can be used to make sure you plan brilliant visits and maximise the impacts and benefits that visits and residential can bring including;
Intensity of experience
A new context for relationships
Different and varied opportunities to experience success
New ways of learning
(Brilliant residentials and their impact on children young people and schools, making the case for high quality residential learning – 2015 Paul Hamlyn Foundation)
It’s understood that visits and residential experiences can have an impact on attainment but as visit leaders often more awareness is needed in making clear links on “resilience, confidence, and grit” and the current focus nationally on character education.
Click here for the full article and information about the LATEST TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
by The Editor | Jan 14, 2016
For the last 18 months staff and pupils from Strathesk Primary School have been working together with parents and the local community in the fight against bullying and in the week before Christmas Strathesk became the first school in Scotland to achieve ‘The Big Award’. BIG (Bullying Intervention Group) is a nationally recognised award for excellence in tackling bullying in schools. Schools are required to provide specific evidence to show they are providing specialist support and at Strathesk they did just that. Primary 7 pupils had rigorous training to become ‘Peer Mediators’, helping to resolve disputes between children. Older pupils also run playground activities – calling themselves ‘The Fun Ones’ they organise and support various motivating playground games, ensuring children respect each other, take turns and share. The school even has it’s own Anti-bullying mascot ‘Purpleman’ who visits from space to support the children in the fight against bullying and to ‘Help everyone respect others’.
As well as these specialist programmes Strathesk staff and pupils worked on curricular programmes specially designed to support anti-bullying, and they re-designed policies and procedures – together so that everyone played a part in making the vision real.
A spokesperson from BIG stated:
Strathesk Primary School have just achieved the BIG Award for excellence in challenging bullying. Bullying can occur in any school, but some schools really work hard to ensure that their pupils can learn in a safe and happy environment. Strathesk Primary School have an excellent and up to date anti-bullying policy, they involve pupils and their parents in their strategies. They even have a mascot superhero “Purpleman” who helps to get the message across from outer space! I am delighted that this school has now received the recognition they deserve for having a whole school approach to tackling bullying.
Val Mcfarlane, Director, Bullying Intervention Group.
Headteacher Ms Vicky Donaldson said ‘We are absolutely delighted to achieve this award. It has been hard work but involvement from parents and members of the local community has helped spur us on to success. Of course the children have been instrumental in our fight against bullying and initiatives such as Peer Mediation and The Fun Ones have helped to strengthen relationships. Also children have a very clear understanding of bullying, what it is, why it occurs and ultimately how to stop it and seek support if needed. This was a fabulous Christmas present for us and we look forward to retaining our excellence status into the future.’
by The Editor | Dec 10, 2015
During November the Midlothian Council Outdoor Learning team led another successful series of Discover orienteering sessions (formerly know as “come and try orienteering”). These sessions took place in Ironmills and Penicuik Parks where almost300 pupils in primary 5 and 6 participated from St Davids, Kings Park, Cuiken, Strathesk and Mauricewood schools.
During the sessions the pupils and staff learned transferable orienteering skills such as setting the map, feature identification, scale and route planning. The learners all used our sport ident computerised system to complete 6 different orienteering courses which helped to increase their knowledge and application of new technologies.
The results of the November discover orienteering series and information on future events are now available HERE.
During the events we had a chance to talk to lots of pupils, staff and volunteers and many were very keen to learn more about this fun and challenging sport. There are a few things you could do to develop your skills further –
(1) Access the free resource called “tri-O” published by British Orienteering which anyone can use to develop orienteering skills.
( 2) In addition to this our Outdoor Learning team regularly go into schools to support the curriculum through orienteering, so if you work in a school please get in touch if you wish to benefit from this curriculum support.
(3) Join a local club such as Edinburgh Southern orienteering club (ESOC).
(4) Take part in the Mid/East orienteering festival on the 4th of May 2016 at Vogrie Country park. Book via your school.
We would like to thank all the pupils for taking part in an enthusiastic and energetic way. Many thanks equally to the school staff and parent volunteers for helping to make our events such a great success. Finally a special thank you to the members of ESOC who gave up their time to share their expertise. All much appreciated by the teachers in outdoor learning team.
by The Editor | Oct 5, 2015
As one of only sixteen members of the National Young People’s Sport Panel, Rachel Law – Head Girl at Penicuik High School – has taken her panel role to the next level. Last Thursday, Rachel made the opening speech at the Regional Networking Day for the sporting work force at Ratho Climbing Arena in Edinburgh. An audience of 150 P.E. teachers, Active Schools coordinators, community sports hub members and sport club coaches listened to Rachel open the event and present her sporting journey and the various accomplishments she has achieved with the panel before handing over to Stewart Harris, CEO of SportScotland.
Rachel said of the event ‘It was fantastic to open the event and my role as a member of the sport panel promises so many similar opportunities’
Rachel is no stranger to speaking at events and conferences in front of large audiences. In April 2015, she opened the Young Scot Awards at the Usher Hall, giving the opening remarks to a crowd of over 700 people. As part of her role as the Chair of the judging panel, casting the deciding vote of each award category.
‘Opening the Young Scot Awards was a bi responsibility. The iconic Usher Hall made it even more special. For Rachel, as added attractions is “meet(ing) so many inspiring people and travel(ing) all over the country.’
Young Sport Ambassador at Penicuik High School, Rachel herself is a keen sportswomen and hopes to pursue her career playing rugby.
by The Editor | Sep 30, 2015
Outdoor Learning = an approach to learning embedded in the curriculum (HGIOS4).
We are delighted to see the new version of HGIOS4. It mentions Outdoor Learning many times across the cycle of improvement in the new publication emphasising the impact and importance of Outdoor Learning in supporting several areas. Click here for the full article.
by The Editor | Jun 2, 2015
With the construction of the Borders Railway due to be completed soon, Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP) have engaged with 26 local primary schools throughout Midlothian and the Scottish Borders to help communicate the dangers of living near a railway as part of their Rail Safety Reps education programme.
The programme, which works with teachers to organise fun and educational rail safety awareness activities, saw a poster competition take place in primary schools throughout both areas, whilst two schools were also awarded for their efforts for going above and beyond to educate pupils on living safely near a railway.
The winning poster designs came from Eilidh Taylor, P6, from Gorebridge Primary School and Annabelle Lugton, P7, from Tweedbank Primary. Not only were their posters very colourful, it was evident that a lot of time and effort also went in to promoting the Rail safety message. Click here to read more.
Meanwhile Gorebridge Primary School and Stow Primary School were both highly commended for their efforts in communicating and engaging with pupils to communicate rail safety messages. Both schools were awarded with £250 cheques which will be put to great use.
Activities at the schools included a visit to Gorebridge Primary from Aileen Campbell, Minister for Young People who launched the Scottish Youth Theatre’s Drama Safety workshop. Stow Primary has been enthusiastic supporters of the railway; there has been a whole school project entitled ‘Life on the Line’ which has examined the history of the railway, as well as a series of thought-provoking assemblies which helped pupils understand all the hard work invested in the project.
The Borders Railway Schools Safety Awareness activities will continue into August and September, with summer sports activities and Scottish Youth Theatre high schools workshops.
Katie Vollbracht, senior programme development manager, Network Rail, said: “The team were very impressed with the creativity and inspired poster designs from the pupils and with how much effort the schools themselves put behind the rail safety scheme. Engineering trains are already travelling along the line so it is essential that young people are aware of the risks. We are committed to continuing to work with schools along the route to underline the safety message.”
