We are excited to inform all S1 parents/carers that all S1 pupils have the opportunity to achieve the Discovery John Muir Award at Boclair Academy. This is a fantastic opportunity to encourage young people to enjoy the outdoors. Another clear benefit of the Award is that employers look favourably at candidates who have achieved the John Muir Award(s), as it is evidence of respect for wild places, working on conservation projects as responsible citizens, working as part of a team and reflecting on their own experiences.
The main aim of the project is for all of S1 to discover, explore, conserve and share their experiences with their own environment or further afield. We want pupils to be aware of natural landscapes, enjoy spending time in them, whilst protecting and conserving these spaces.
The first part of the Award will be a day trip to Mugdock Country Park to discover and explore this local wild space. Pupils will spend a day doing a number of related activities such as orienteering and den building. For this day, pupils must bring a packed lunch and be dressed appropriately for all weather – warm clothing and shoes/wellies that can get muddy/wet are essential.
Pupils have been split into 4 groups. The dates for each Group are as follows:
Group 1 – Wednesday 14th March
Group 2 – Thursday 15th March
Group 3 – Wednesday 21st March
Group 4 – Thursday 22nd March
Groups lists are situated on the 3rd floor notice board outside the Geography department. It is your child’s responsibility to check which group they are in.
From the end of April to the middle of June, pupils will be involved in a large number of John Muir lessons across many curricular areas including English, Modern Languages, Social Subjects and Science. This allows pupils to meet the time requirements to achieve the Award. This time will include 4 half day trips to wild areas local to Boclair Academy, for example Temple Woods. Pupils will be given time to change into appropriate outdoor clothing for these trips, but must be in school uniform when they are not on the trip.
To gain the award pupils must complete a minimum of 25 hours. One important element is that pupils create a folder of evidence. This will be started in school but will also be completed as homework. By encouraging and ensuring the folder is completed and up to date by Friday 22nd June you will be helping your child attain this excellent award.
One strong message from the John Muir Trust is that commitment and enthusiasm towards the involvement in the John Muir Award must be evident. Pupils must be responsible for their own work and if they are not fully committed during the John Muir time in school they will not be successful in achieving the award. I have spoken to all of S1 during an assembly so they should all be aware of the commitments expected of them. Pupils will also have the opportunity to be awarded a gold, silver or bronze certificate of community achievement from Boclair Academy depending on levels on commitment and enthusiasm during the Award.
If you would like more information on what you can do to help please visit the relevant page on the Boclair Academy Learning Blog: www.tinyurl.com/boclairlearning
If you have any comments, questions or concerns about the John Muir Award please do not hesitate to contact me at Boclair Academy.
Dr Ross
