Published: Thursday, 21st August, 2008 08:30
Groundbreakers
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EIGHT Musselburgh Grammar School students are the first in Scotland to take part in a new, adventurous education project designed to improve self-confidence.
The pilot scheme, entitled ‘C Project’, gives 14 and 15-year-olds the chance to try challenging activities – such as abseiling, rock climbing, canoeing, cliff jumping, hiking, mountain biking, bushcraft and archery – at a range of locations both county-wide and nationally, in a bid to develop self-esteem.
Organisers chose Musselburgh Grammar School to test-run the scheme because of the enthusiasm of depute headteacher Ollie Bray.
The 14-month programme, transported to Scotland following successful beginnings in New Zealand – where more than 15,000 students have already taken part – has three stages: ‘wilderness adventure’, ‘community challenge’ and ‘C Project mentoring’.
The first encourages youngsters to confront their fears through adreneline-fuelled pursuits, while the ‘community challenge’ segment will educate students on what sporting, recreational and cultural facilities are available to them locally. Participants then learn goal-setting skills through 10 months of one-to-one mentoring sessions.
C Project co-ordinator, Michael Wilson, explained that pupils were chosen because they lacked confidence and not on the basis of their economic background.
However, on this occasion, due to time constraints, a group of Musselburgh pupils had been selected because of their availability over the summer break.
Pupils will graduate from the first stage of the programme tomorrow.
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Honoured by Her Majesty