Mearns Network
Welcome to the Mearns Network Active Schools web page. This page provides information about programmes and activities taking place in your area. The schools in the Mearns Network are Mearns Academy, Auchenblae Primary, Fettercairn Primary, Laurencekirk Primary, Luthermuir Primary, Marykirk Primary, Redmyre Primary and St Cyrus Primary.
Latest News
The Young Leader programme was introduced to all 7 Primary Schools in the Mearns area in Term 4. Congratulations to all pupils who took part in the programme and I look forward to assisting you all to introduce the programme of playground games and your new found leadership skills in the playground later this term! Cashback for Communities: The Active School Team in the Mearns have successfully secured funding from The Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities initiative. P4 – P7 pupils from all seven local schools have been attending sessions in the Mearns Area during Terms 1 and 2, and this opportunity will continue throughout this school year. Athletics sessions have been on offer at Mearns Sports Centre with Scottish Athletics coach Allison Gray, with participants now competing in a virtual competition with athletes from all over Aberdeenshire. Auchenblae Tennis Club have facilitated both indoor and outdoor Cashback sessions to pupils from local schools, with separate Academy sessions also taking place. The link with the tennis club is crucial to ensure that participants can continue to develop their skills in the future by attending club sessions in Auchenblae at weekends. Micro Fitness: The Active Schools Team in the Mearns has recently submitted a funding bid to support the Micro Fitness Project. The full roll out of this programme will depend on the success of the funding, bid but it is hoped that the project will go ahead in a similar format if no funding is secured. The Micro Fitness Project is an exciting new opportunity for primary pupils within the Laurencekirk CSN Network. Initially the project will be piloted with pupils at Marykirk School and expanded after the initial 5 week block to all pupils within the Network. Micro Fitness are a Scottish based company that will lead all sessions and participants will get the opportunity to use a variety of fun based fitness machines such as treadmills, bikes, rowing machines, steppers and twisters and combine them into a fully interactive, fun experience. Wii technology will also be utilised to deliver special workshops to the children. Each session will allow participants the opportunity to set ‘training targets’ and ‘personal goals’ that they will strive to achieve during the project. The qualified instructors will advise the participants on the benefits of being physically active and the importance that being active can have on your general wellbeing. |
Programmes and Activities
Active from the Start
Active Schools working in partnership with NHS Grampian, Early Years and the Intervention team at Aberdeenshire Council have developed the project, and it is aimed at nursery children and involves parents supporting the development of key skills such as rolling, catching, and kicking.
The programme will re-commence in nursery schools within the Mearns network in term 3 and it is designed so that children have ‘take home activity bags’ to encourage participation of physical activity at home with parents. Activity cards will also be provided to give parents specific ideas on how to develop each skill at home.
Young Leaders
After the successful roll out of the Young Leader programme in term 1 2010/2011, Primary 7 pupils have been developing their newly found leadership skills in the playground this term. Delivery Rota’s are in place for the programme to continue throughout the remainder of term 2 and in to term 3, depending on the snowfall! The programme helps develop participant’s leadership skills and allows them to fine tune these skills through delivery of a planned programme of playground games.
clubgolf
The clubgolf programme will be again delivered this school year in partnership with the local Visiting PE Specialist. In Term 3 this school year, each Primary 5 pupil will have the opportunity to attend a block of clubgolf sessions during school time before progressing onwards and upwards to clubgolf sessions at a local Golf Club.
SHOKK Gym
Various schools in the Mearns Network will have the opportunity to visit the SHOKK Gym at the nearby Montrose Sports Centre. The SHOKK Gym consists of CV and resistance machines specifically designed for children aged between 8 and 16, as well as interactive equipment, indoor climbing wall and a punch bag.
Bowling
The Active Schools Team in the Mearns are keen to make links with local clubs, with Bowling just one of the sports currently identified by schools and pupils as a sport they would like to try in their local community. Initial meetings with local clubs have been very positive and plans are being made for after school sessions to commence when the Outdoor Bowling season begins in May 2009.
Netball
After successful taster sessions during Health Week in Term 4 2007/2008, Luthermuir School are due to start a netball club in the coming weeks. Parent volunteers have committed time to help coach the participants with support from the Active Schools Team and School staff.
Morning YOGA:
Primary 2, 3, 4 and 5 pupils at Laurencekirk School have recently had access to Morning Yoga sessions at the School between 8.00am and 8.45am. Local instructor, Louisa Craig, has been working closely with the Active Schools Team for seven weeks during terms 1 and 2 to offer an alternative to mainstream sports. The sessions have proved popular with pupils and plans are afoot to continue the sessions in term 3 and potentially expand them to older age groups within the school.
Hip Hop Dance:
All Primary Schools in the Network are currently accessing free Hip Hop Dance taster sessions funded by the Active Schools Team. Julie Butler, Dancezone International, is offering pupils the opportunity to experience her fun dance sessions with a view to re-starting the Active Schools Cluster Club in early 2011.
“Kick Off” – Rugby Project:
All schools in the Network have recently benefitted from a partnership between the NHS, Scottish Rugby and Active Schools. All schools accessed free curriculum based taster sessions with the local Rugby Development Officer, who also supported pupils to complete the pocket sized tool “My Simple Steps To Being Healthier.” Key messages involved in the project included the importance of regular physical activity, swapping sugary snacks and drinks, 5 a day, and the eat well plate.
Flyers and Booking Forms
Some of the above Programmes and Activities are available to book by downloading the relevant form below.
Newsletters
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers form the backbone of extra curricular clubs and activities in the Mearns Network and are key to ensuring that these activities remain sustainable in the long term. Twenty volunteer deliverers have helped contribute to the success of the Active Schools Team in the Network this year, and many more volunteers have played their part in programmes in supporting roles such as all the staff and parents who have helped rotate and check Active from the Start equipment bags. Supporting current volunteers and recruiting and training new volunteers will again be at the forefront of our ambitions for the school year 10/11.
If you are keen to play your part and have an involvement in an Active Schools programme please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Contact Mearns Network
Derek Atkinson
Active Schools Coordinator (Primary)
Mearns Network
Fettercairn School
Distillery Road
Fettercairn
Laurencekirk
AB30 1YB
Tel: 01561 340668
Mob: 07917162071
