Students Leadership Experience on the Isle of Skye
Categories: School News
The trip was designed to bring together students and staff to engage in positive leadership experiences through a programme of activities set on the beautiful Scottish island.
The group participated in two preparatory sessions at the Academy before flying out to Staffin on the Isle of Skye to begin their 6-day experience. The week was made up of a mixture of discussions, activities and reflection, aimed at exploring the six elements of leadership: creativity, awareness, integrity, focus, service and perseverance.
Each person was expected to keep a learning journal in which they could write down positive leadership qualities they recognised both in themselves and in others. Students slept in rooms of 3, which encouraged camaraderie and helped them to form new friendships and relationships, and the peaceful surroundings provided much opportunity for reflection and contemplation.
Students took part in a range of active tasks like orienteering and hands activities such as crafts, which encouraged teamwork, good communication skills and creativity. One such activity involved identifying the leadership qualities that each person felt they possessed and representing these as symbols which they each painted onto a mug.
Academy Director for Year 8 and 9 Neil Tamlyn said: ‘The trip to Columba 1400 was an eye-opening experience for our students and one which I’m sure they’ll never forget.
“It represented a significant event in the lives of many of the students, some of whom had never flown on an aeroplane or been away from home before. The positive experiences and the opportunity for quiet reflection in such a peaceful setting really inspired personal growth and I think all of the students came back with a strong sense of self belief.
‘Here at Merchants’ Academy we believe in the importance of personal development and feel that experiences such as this help to encourage our students to develop into successful and responsible citizens.”
Yr 8 student Molly-Jo Sullivan wrote the following piece about the trip:
"As everyone met at Bristol Airport, excitement was building between the 12 students and 4 members of staff. The family and friends of those departing were continually hugging and kissing the 16 lucky people who were about to embark on one of the most inspiring trips they were to take in their lives.
As the tickets and luggage was handed in at the counters, everyone said their final goodbyes until we were due home 6 days later. We made our way onto the plane around an hour after we said goodbye and took to our seats.
After about an hour and a half later we landed in Inverness Airport and collected our bags. We met our coach driver and prepared ourselves for the next 4 hours of travel to meet our final destination of Staffin, on the Isle Of Skye.
After a stop at Burger King and the toilets we made our last stretch across the joining bridge.
We arrived at the Columba 1400 centre at approximately 11:30 and listened to our welcome speech performed by Luci. When we arrived at our rooms we were greeted with a letter written by Roxy, another of the workers. We then enjoyed our first sleep in Scotland.
We were woken around 7 o’clock and had a shower and got ready for the day ahead.
The toughest of all the challenges was when we were told we had to go and find a 30 kilo mannequin in the rocks by the river, a challenging 20 minutes away. Winds were hitting the speed of 70 miles an hour and made the walk even more treacherous. We were split into 2 groups and given our equipment; a rope, 2 long poles and a thermal sheet. Once we found our casualty we had to make a stretcher and carry it home.
Above all the trip was a rewarding yet challenging and I would gladly do it again."
-ENDS-