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Primary Schools Discover Orienteering

seanfallon Outdoor Learning, Robert Richardson

Throughout the winter months I have been helping the Midlothian Council Outdoor Learning team run a suite of Discover Orienteering courses for Primary 5 and 6 pupils. With 15 primary schools involved from across the region, a total of 743 pupils have had the opportunity to experience orienteering, learning new and transferable skills.

Pupils learning to orientate the map.

 

Using a variety of public parks across the county, pupils got the opportunity to learn navigation skills such as setting the map, feature identification, scale and route planning.

The learners all used our SPORTident computerised system to complete six progressively more challenging orienteering courses which helped to increase their knowledge and application of new technologies.

 

 

Testing out the electronic SPORTident system.

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). Below this post are a list of upcoming ESOC events you may wish to get involved with.

(4) Take part in the Mid/East orienteering festival on Wednesday 3rd May 2017 at Vogrie Country park. Book via your school.

(5) Take part in the Scottish Schools Orienteering festival on Friday 2nd June, held at Lanark Race Course.

ESOC

 

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.

 

Develop and Achieve Coaching Orienteering Sessions

seanfallon Outdoor Learning, Sean Fallon
Aim –
The aim of these coaching sessions is to support primary school athletes to develop skills which have already been introduced during the discover orienteering or elsewhere.   By offering these additional sessions we are helping athletes to enjoy orienteering and giving them a pathway to achieve in to the sport.
About Orienteering
There are many reasons to get involved in the sport from increased health and well being benefits to just having fun in wild places.  Orienteering is an inclusive adventure sport which offers great enjoyment through challenging and exciting training and competition opportunities. It is also a great family activity where you can have fun learning together.   You don’t have to be the fastest runner or the best navigator but you need the determination to develop skills in both areas.
These develop and achieve session will be supported by Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club as well as the Midlothian Outdoor Learning Services.
Dates and proposed venues
Group 1 –     (selected from the November Discover O sessions)
March – 10 (Dalkeith CP) and 17* (Penicuik Est),  24 (Bush Est)
Fridays 2pm to 3.30pm
*no transport available on this date.
Group 2 –      (selected from the March Discover O sessions)
April  21 (Bush Est) and 28 (Penicuik  Est)
Fridays 2pm to 3.30pm
All coaches will be British Orienteering Federation qualified and have a current PVG check. These sessions  will be insured by Midlothian Council.
Charges
FREE (Midlothian Outdoor Learning to cover any costs)
 
Entry prerequisites
Athletes in P5 to P7 are invited to join the Midlothian Develop and Achieve squad sessions.  The sessions are open to all but any pupil who have already been at a Discover Orienteering event will get priority.
Transport
Option 1 –  Parents/Guardians take responsibility for their own child’s transport
Option 2 –  Pupils are collected from the front of the Penicuik Leisure Centre and taken to the training and back at the end.  Not available on the 17th March. Transport will leave 15 mins before the session begins for Bush estate and Penicuik Estate and 30 mins before for Dalkieth CP.
If you would like to book a place or more information please contact Sean Fallon, Email sean.fallon@midlothian.gov.uk or phone – 01968 664117 or mobile 07786198407

Discover Biking – 400 Students Get Cycling

eoinkeane Uncategorized

 

IMG_0008Over 400 students attended the Discover Biking Sessions run over 10 days. The activities took place at various locations within Midlothian – including Loanhead Park, Penicuik Park and Dalkeith Campus. The P6 & P7 students came from 7 Schools.

During the sessions the pupils learned how to do a simple bike check. They learned how to change their gears and use their breaks affectively. They put these skills into use by ascending and descending some steep slopes safely. After this they had the opportunity to test their ability on the Bike Skills course – completing the slalom, rumble strip and track stand. Once they practiced that a few times they got timed – with penalty points for any mistakes.

The skills the students learnt were transferable. They could easily complete a simple bike check before a cycle at home, or cycling over the rumble strip is similar to cycling over tree roots in a forest. It was rewarding to see all students’ confidence improve in the two hour session.IMG_0005

There are a few things students and school staff could do to develop their skills further –

(1) Have a look at this web site www.gomtb.org.uk

(2) Attend the Primary Bike Festival

(3) The Outdoor Learning team regularly go into schools and provide Mountain Biking sessions, if this is of interest please get in touch.

(4) Keep in contact about future Discover Biking sessions

This year again, – Discover Biking was a great success. If your class participated in these activities – why not challenge them further with a journey on bikes next?

Discover Orienteering 750 Pupils Find Success

seanfallon Uncategorized

Penicuik 26.5.11 (1)Discover orienteering has continued to be a very popular outdoor learning event with around 750 pupils developing their knowledge and skills. These sessions took place at various parks across Midlothian during November 2015 and March 2016.  Pupils in Primary 5 and 6 participated from 12 different 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 Midlothian Outdoor Learning Services sportident computerised system to complete 6 different orienteering courses.   This helped to increase their IT knowledge and allow theIronmills 5.11.15 application of new learning through the use of technologies.

The results of the discover orienteering series and information on future events are now available HERE.

There are a few things Learners and school staff 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 wish to benefit from this curriculum support and you work in a school please get in touch

(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.

(5) Enter the Scottish Schools event on Friday June 3rd 2016, at Dalkeith Country Park.

(6) Staff can go on a course to get qualified as a teacher of orienteering.

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.

ESOC

Lasswade High School – 2016 S6 Outdoor Learning Challenge winners

billstephen Events, Outdoor Learning, Uncategorized

Congratulations to all the competing teams from the Midlothian Secondary Schools at the 2016 S6 Outdoor Learning Challenge. Incredibly close scores in the challenge this year. Lasswade High led the scores and also were successful in the final team challenge.


This years winners – Lasswade High School.IMG_20160323_143704932_HDR-1

School Challenge Scores
Lasswade High School 28
St David’s RC High School 27
Beeslack Community High School 25
Newbattle Community High School 23
Dalkeith High School 21

Navigating around the Vogrie Estate the teams completed a range of problem solving and team challenges.

Teams are scored on aspects of teamwork and successful task completion with high challenge scores gaining an advantage on the final challenge.

IMG_20160323_102550365-1The challenges are designed to encourage diverse thinking, facilitate effective leadership and encourage group collaboration to solve problems. Curriculum links embedded in the challenges add to the mix of learning.

All the teams showed amazing resiliance and character and visible learning was evident throughout the event.

We are looking forward to next event already – and as mentioned at the challenge – Good luck to all our S6 Learners in the coming busy months.

Thanks again to all the staff from our Secondary Schools who enable this event to happen and a support from Vogrie Country Park and the Active Schools Team