Pupils show they are wild about Arran
Kids win John Muir award
For the sixth year in a row, P6 and P7 pupils at Whiting Bay Primary school have attained the John Muir Award which requires them to spend at least four days out of the classroom to explore ‘wild places’.
Each year there is a different focus, but the objectives are the same, to engage with the natural environment and to encourage involvement in conservation. This year the focus was on moor and mountain areas on Arran. Pupils had been challenged to discover a wild place and explore its wildness, conserve a wild place and share their experiences.
Almost all of pupils completed the challenge and received their certificates at a presentation about their experiences that was held at the school.
Some of the locations visited by the pupils were the standing stones at Machrie Moor, Glen Rosa, Lag a Bheith (The Roots of Arran community woodland) and the Arran Community Land Initiative in Whiting Bay. The activities involved the children using all of their senses to explore each different area and there were numerous games to encourage an enjoyment of the natural environment.
Studies of local flora and fauna were also undertaken, both outside and inside the classroom and once back in class, pupils were inspired to produce creative writing and art works. They found out about the importance of bees to human survival and learned all about conservation which included helping to measure and mark pathways in Whiting Bay, planting fruit trees and growing bee-friendly flowers.
Teachers thanked all the organisations that helped make the outings possible, including the National Trust Scotland Ranger Service which led the day exploring Glen Rosa.