|
Welcome to our last newsletter of the 2023-24 school session.
We want to leave you with some ideas and inspiration for the closing weeks of the school year, links to further news and support from partner organisations and training information. Keep a special lookout for links to resources for Outdoor Classroom Day, taking place on 23rd May.
Finally, in School shoutouts, we share news of some of the great outdoor learning practice in East Ayrshire schools.
Have a very good late spring and summer outdoors!
|
|
Join in Outdoor Classroom Day
Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to inspire and celebrate outdoor play and learning at school and at home.
We are all aware that children spend less time outdoors than ever before. Time outdoors makes children happier and healthier and equips them with skills for life.
In May and November each year, teachers take their students outdoors to celebrate the benefits of outdoor learning and play and celebrate Outdoor Classroom Day. Learn more about how you can take part and find suggestions for activities to get you and your students outdoors. Almost all of the ideas you find in this term’s LOST Newsletter can be used as part of your own Outdoor Classroom Day!
Get children outdoors to play and learn, on Outdoor Classroom Day and all year round!
|
|
|
It's No Mow May!
|
The charity Plantlife asks us to put away the lawn mower away in May each year. Leaving lawns and fields uncut for a few weeks allows nature to take over to provide a feast for pollinators, tackle pollution, reduce urban heat extremes and lock away atmospheric carbon below ground.
We have lots of ideas about how you can turn this into opportunities for great learning in Numeracy, Sciences and RME outdoors in the section on Changing Grass Cutting Protocols on our Rewilding pages.
 Leave no trace
Many of us will be making the most of the improving weather to get out outdoors with pupils as often as possible. Be mindful of the impact you can have and introduce pupils to the principles of Leave No Trace.
National Trust for Scotland
Aware that many of our young people will want to explore the great outdoors independently, the National Trust for Scotland have produced films and resources for secondary age and older learners to prompt in depth discussion about how we can reduce our impact on natural spaces .
EAC LOST blog
You can read more Social Studies suggestions on our blog
 Maths at the beach
For those lucky enough to be based near a beach or planning a trip to the beach Maths Week Scotland have produced a collection of Maths activites. Of course, many of the activities could be adapted for use in any outdoor space including playground spaces.
|
The next planned Maths Week runs from 23 until 29 September. Visit the website and for the latest new resources
|
|
 |
|
|
DofE Scotland (DofE) have a host of new training sessions and meetings coming up through the month of May. They're also trialling a new webinar format. Please note, these webinars are not recorded.
Sign up
Visit the Scotland: Training, Meetings and Updates pages to sign up using your eDofE number.
Training is suitable for new and experienced Leaders, there is an ASN Network meeting and a Spotlight Q and A session on Assessor Accreditation.
|
You can also head to the DofE Scotland Noticeboard at any time for news and updates
 The Outdoor Partnership (TOP) Ayrshire
The Outdoor Partnership, Ayrshire is very happy to receive funding from Hillhouse Quarry and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award along with TOP Ayrshire Adventure funding to deliver a 5-day Gold DofE sailing residential. This will be a combined Ayrshire schools DofE project.
Pupils sailing on the “Taiping”, a sixty foot trans-Atlantic yacht, will receive instruction in navigation, sail training, helming and teamwork. The June voyage will start at Inverkip Marina and sail for five days down the Clyde and around the Mull of Kintyre and up the west coast of Scotland to Oban
Natural beauty
The yacht will sail in areas of natural beauty and see Scotland magnificent marine life including bottlenose dolphins, basking sharks, whales and puffins.
Thank you
Many thanks to with each of our funders and to Ocean Sailing Scotland for a very generous charter discount. This opportunity is only possible through their support!
 Important John Muir Trust Award update
Like many other charities, the John Muir Trust is operating within a challenging financial environment.
Consequently, the Trust cannot accept any new proposals for the John Muir Award.
For updates go to the Trust’s John Muir Award pages.
|
|
|
|
Evolve training is available for Evolve leads and managers working on the East Ayrshire system.
One to one training and refresh sessions are available each Tuesday between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Send a Teams meeting invitation to Willie White to find out if a training slot is available at your chosen time
 SAPOE news
Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education (SAPOE) is the forum for representatives from Local Authorities across Scotland to consider and debate best practice in the development and safe delivery of Outdoor Learning.
Training in person and online is provided.
The online SAPOE modules are:
 SWEIC Outdoor Learning CLPL
South West Educational Improvement Collaborative (SWEIC) outdoor learning Career Long Professional Learning (CLPL) 2023/24 training sessions have now been completed. You can still see recordings of these sessions and access an SWEIC collated bank of outdoor learning resources via MS Teams. Join with the code gxyg9xu.
 New portal from Education Scotland
Education Scotland and their partners have now created a new learning, teaching and assessment portal.
 Eco schools Scotland
|
Eco Schools Scotland are introducing a new topic on 6 June. The "Heritage Live" lesson will look at:
- what Heritage is
- why it is important to explore, record, value and protect our heritage
- how we can do this through Eco Schools
|
|
 |
|
|
Netherthird PS
P4/5 had a great day out at the Festival of Farming at Dumfries House.
|
 |
|
Logan PS
P6/7 pupils produced wonderful art work inspired by a visit to the Ballochmyle rock art with the Archaeology Scotland Learning Team
|
James Hamilton PS and Sgoil na Coille Nuaidh
Pupils spent a fun but exhausting time at Lochwinnoch practicing their kayaking skills.
|
|
 |
|
|
Park School DofE Silver Award kayaking practice expedition
Claire Matthews from Park School has written a report for us which will appear on the EAC LOST blog as a Case Study in the future.
In the meantime here is just a taster of what a fantastic experience this expedition turned out to be...
‘It is impossible to put into words just how transformational this expedition was for the boys without sounding cheesy, but it was a truly wonderful experience for all concerned.
"The adventure began in November with a block of 10, very cold, training sessions at Castle Semple with their instructor Neil. On more than one occasion the boys had to break the ice with their paddles in order to progress!
"However, luck was with the group and the practice expedition itself was completed in beautiful sunny, but windy, weather at Loch Leven.
"Claire was keen to do the expeditions up North as one pupils is from Palestine and has not had any opportunities to travel since being in Scotland. All of the boys were noticeably impressed by the scenery and wildlife.
"Phones were banned, for many reasons, but freedom from phones allowed the boys to bond and engage with the moment. The boys learned a lot about each other and about themselves.
"LOST’s own Willie White supported the group with planning and Risk Assessment. He was there at Loch Leven to provide pastoral support and practical tips – ‘a fantastic role model’."
|
|
|
|
