Island youngsters ‘better friends’ after completing leadership challenge
Third-year Arran High pupils enjoy week-long stay at outdoor centre
Third year pupils at Arran High School have become the first youngsters on the island to complete an intense leadership course.
A total of 27 pupils have recently taken part in the week-long residential course at the Arran Outdoor Education Centre in Lamlash.
Led by Darryl UrquhartDixon, the course aimed at the youngsters being able to identify leadership skills in themselves and in others.
Tasks and opportunities were set to take them out of their comfort zone and challenge them physically, mentally and environmentally in solving problems, both individually and in teams.
In the evenings, they all got together to reflect and discuss the day’s events improving their communication skills.
As well indoor work, the pupils spent a good deal of time outdoors hillwalking, abseiling, kayaking and bridging a gorge to improve their core skills. Darryl said the week had been: ‘Very successful and very beneficial for the pupils who may have put in 100 per cent but they took out 500 per cent.
‘They were all better friends at the end of the week than they were at the beginning and they have found out things about themselves they were not going to find in the classroom.
‘The course is an ongoing process as, in two years’ time, they will be the senior pupils and will be there to help provide leadership at the school,’ he added
The youngsters received their certificates at the presentation ceremony at the centre to which parents and family were invited.
Darryl was assisted during the week by Amanda Hogge. Robert McNeish, Jack Simmons and Mara Gosman.
The course has been running for five years and has been attended mainly by schoolchildren from North Ayrshire.
The course is also suitable for adults and has been used by them too.
S5 and S6 at Arran High will be coming to the outdoor centre before their final exams in a bid to better equip them to perform on the day.