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‘One Out – All Out’ with Law Primary P6

Not a strike by pupils but a planned walkout and overninght camp by all three P6 classes.

Law Primary P6 classes looked to develop their planning and preparation; physical stamina; independance; social cohesion by walking from the school for 3 mile to a coastal camping spot.

Here the pupils were required to put up their own tents; unpack their own rucsacs and prepare their own sleeping quarters. After which they took part in activities organised by their own class teacher – ‘Capture the flag’; Tiny shelter building; Night Line; Stories (true stories concerning the local North Berwick Witches)

After a hearty meal – all organised and managed by the school staff and a small camp fire the pupils then attempted to ensure they had a good nights sleep (the most challenging part of the whole adventure for some!) ready for the clear up and return walk to school for the next day

Well done to all pupils who seemed to take to their new venture with relish. Thanks to patrent helpers who assisted with the walk to and from school. But the biggest congratualtions and thanks must go to the school staff – being prepared and willing to take the whole class camping and making it a valuable learning experience for all is no more feat. It was a pleasure to be able to help.

More photos below – click on image to view fullscreen

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School of Hard Knox

An intrepid group of students as part of their activity week elected to explore a little of their beautiful country on foot.

After a preparation day in East Lothian (the students were responsible for organising food and kit), including a little navigation training and planning of their route, the pupils set off north to the Cairngorms

Ruighe-aiteachain bothy in Glen Feshie was one the groups plans to visit and the group camped a reasonable distance away and were introduced to the bothies; how to respect them; how to look after them; yet enjoying the cameraderie of bothy life.

The group also acheived their planned objective of ensuring that they summited a Munro – managing to avoid the snow on the way!

All in a great well planned by S3 studnets from Knox Academy developing resilience, fortitude and planning skills and ready now to have a lifetime of adventures

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Sea to Summit with Prestonpans Primary

Prestonpans Primary have a reward system in place for those students who make that extra effort in all aspects of school life. It was a pleasure to help deliver one of those reward lessons by accompanying the students from ‘Sea to Summit’ at North Berwick – just a little way along the coast from their school.

The students were tasked with looking after themselves and each other for trhe day whilst exploring closely the coastline and striving to reach the summit of North Berwick Law all within the school day.

Resilience; stamina; empathy; supportive were all qualities and behaviours that were evident throughout the day.

Seashore explored; Summit achieved; resilience shown – a very successful day.

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Waves of Empathy with Longniddry Primary

Longniddry Primary School P5 follwed up work that they had previously done on the seashore by joining the creatures and plants in trying to survive and thrive in the impact zone. ‘Littoral-ly a great day!’

The pupils took to the seashore armed with all their previous knoweldge which they shared with everyone and marvelled at the power of the sea and how the plants and creatures of the intertidal zone cling to the rocks day after day. On a relatively calm day the students were amazed at how difficult it was not to get swept off the rocks!

The students adapted themselves to surviving in this environment by spending time and effort getting into wetsuits; wetsuit boots; gloves; buoyancy aids; helmets. All participants agreed that this had been time well spent.

The pupils showed great responsibility in looking after one another in such a harsh and unforgiving environment.

Well done all

“Just wanted to say thanks very much for taking P5 Coasteering this week.  They all had a great time and a really positive experience.  Just gutted I didn’t get to come!”

More photos below

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Dunbar Primary P6 Kayaking Day

The sun was out and the pupils from Dunbar Primary P6 class were keen and eager to use the fantastic weather to their advantage. They had heard loads about what they would be doing from their classmates who had attended on previous days. It was clear from their questions that these young people were not going to be staying dry. “Will we get to jump in?” and “When will we get to jump in?” were asked with enthusiasm.


What followed were two receptive and enthusiastic groups learning the basic skills of kayaking. Forward paddling, back paddling, turning their boats and capsizing were accomplished without any problems. Games which put these new skills to the test were then undertaken.

The groups took responsibility for themselves and the equipment they were using and each participant recievied their Paddlepower Start Achievement Certificate. A brilliant (and soggy) day was had by all, including the OL staff member facilitating the day.

Great day team 😛

More photos below.