Orienteering

By Clair Hill - October 30th, 2022 | Posted in Article

During the Autumn term, KS3 and KS4 students have been given the opportunity to develop their orienteering skills and immerse themselves in new learning which has included setting and aligning maps, tackling different terrain, persevering with treks in the unpredictable weather conditions, and identifying symbols on a map. Students played a significant role in planning and preparing for walking activities and identifying routes.

Students were able to outline potential risks and hazards and discuss alternative pathways to meet a given destination.

As part of the whole school objective to continue to promote healthy active lifestyles a range of students in KS3 and KS4 have demonstrated the importance that walking and physical activity can have on our physical and mental wellbeing.  As students grew in confidence over the 6-week programme they were able to meet personalised goals and targets are develop their self-esteem and confidence.

In addition to their own personal endeavors, it was evident to see that students were developing their character, behaviour, and attitudes positively with enhanced opportunities to communicate effectively with peers to reach a shared purpose. Whilst out in the community students were able to interact with members of the public and share their expertise whilst accepting support and guidance. They were resilient in the face of physical and mental challenge demonstrating compassion for one another and recognising that working as a team will allow you to navigate, work as a team and problem solve to reach positive outcomes.

An integral theme which was running through the AQA unit in orienteering was the comradery between students and the positive language used when uplifting one another to reach their individual and shared objectives.  Whilst on the 5K summit to a viewpoint students would wait for one other to at refuge points and independently recognise that assistance may have been needed for their peers and through encouragement, motivational language and continued support students continued to uplift, encourage, and achieve their shared experience together.