13th June 2017 what a day!  250 pupils from 10 Midlothian Primary schools took part in the Midlothian Bike Festival 2017 at Beeslack High School.  Well done to all pupils at the event you really impressed with your skills.  Congratulation’s to Mauricewood Primary School who were the overall team winners. The results can be found here  –  Mid Bike Fest 2017 RESULTS   

The Scottish Schools Orienteering Festival on the June 2nd 2017 was a great success for the Midlothian Primary School squad.  This is the first time a Midlothian squad has participated in this event which was very exciting.  It was made up of 20 athletes from P5, 6 & 7  from 5 different schools.  They were selected through the Midlothian Outdoor Learning Develop and Achieve Orienteering squad who have been taking part in training sessions over the last few months.  After all successfully competing at the Midlothian Primary Schools event in Vogrie they were very keen to compete at the National level against Scotland’s best young orienteers.

Sean Fallon the team coach would like to thank all the school staff, parents and ESOC volunteers for their support.  He said “that he was proud of how all the pupils conducted themselves and importantly gave 100% effort in pursuit of glory”

Results can be found on the Scottish Schools Orienteering Association website – HERE.

If you want to find out more about Orienteering then visit Midlothian Outdoor Learning website HERE.

   After the success of last years Outdoor Learning leadership training, another team of S6 pupils from Lasswade High School took part in a team building exercise.  The group made up of the Head boy, Head Girl and four deputes took part in tasks designed around the activity of canoeing.

They spent two days training to enable them to plan and organise an overnight canoe trip.  This took place in June 2016 at Whiteadder reservoir and St Marys Loch led by teachers Sean Fallon and Eoin Keane from the Midlothian Councils Outdoor Learning services.  After an action packed 2 days of training the group set about planning an expedition along the Union Canal from the Falkirk Wheel to Ratho Bridge.  This took place in August 2016 with extra support from  three members of staff from the school Mr Marr, Mr Murray and Mr Dinwoodie.

It was a rewarding see the pupils develop their individual skills and learn how they can then contribute to a team aim.  Well done all involved.  All pupils were awarded with a 1 star British Canoe Union certificate in recognition of their hard work and effort.

To find out more about how Outdoor Learning could inspire your pupils please get in touch with us by clicking-  HERE.