Published on:
13
June 2003
Around two hundred children from Hillfoots primary schools are taking part in an ambitious Transition Project during the last two weeks in June to help them prepare for secondary school.
The project is designed to reduce any anxiety about going to secondary school, recognise and increase skills - and boost self confidence.
Like most other schools in Scotland, pupils in primary seven from the six Hillfoots primary schools will meet at Alva Academy for three days of secondary school life. They will follow an S1 timetable, get to know the routines of the school and meet their new teachers.
However that's where the similarities end!
The following two days are Personal Challenge Days based partly at the Academy, partly at Tillicoultry primary school and also at two local golf clubs. Each P7 pupil will have chosen four activities to pursue over the two days from a menu including team and individual sporting activities, arts and crafts and music and dancing.
They can gain personal points and 'house' points and will be marked not just for their sporting or artistic prowess but for their fair play, effort and enthusiasm. They can try something new or build their skills in an area they already enjoy. Importantly, they will be learning with children from across the primary schools with lots of opportunities for socialising and building friendships.
Brian Fearon, Convener of the Learning and Leisure Committee said: "This project demonstrates, yet again, the huge level of commitment shown by head teachers, their staff and education authority officers in supporting youngsters. Pupils in the Hillfoots are being given a wonderful opportunity to start the next phase of their education in a most exciting and challenging way. I cannot pay high enough tribute to all of the people who have worked so hard to make this hugely ambitious project get off the ground."
The second week begins with a three day residential experience for all P7 pupils with primary and secondary staff at the Dounans Activity Centre in Aberfoyle.
Activities include canoeing, raft building, archery and orienteering with a similarly packed programme of evening treasure hunts and problem solving activities. Returning on Wednesday afternoon, the children have only a few hours to freshen up before returning to the Academy for a Grand Ceilidh. For the last day and a half of the week, the children return to their primary schools for end of term activities and to say their final goodbyes to younger pupils and to the staff.
The project has been welcomed by secondary and primary staff alike.
"We want these children to hit the ground running when they come to the Academy in August," said David Hughes, Acting Rector at Alva Academy. "The Transition Project is designed to make sure they will feel at home and take part in all aspects of school life.
"Spending time together in all these activities is an ideal way to help the children enjoy being part of the larger year group and look forward with confidence to going to Alva Academy."
A planning group has met regularly over a year to design the programme with all the right elements for successful transition.
Marjorie McFarlane, Sports Development Officer of Clackmannanshire Council, took responsibility for designing and supporting the Personal Challenge Days. She said: "The entire Hillfoots cluster is hugely committed to this project. We have been delighted to help them plan such a varied programme of challenges in which all children can be winners."