The experience offered an opportunity for 12 S1 pupils to meet new friends, discover ways to lead healthier lives and consider coping strategies to improve their mental health. (Image: NAC) It was also a chance to find out what sports they enjoy via the sports centre’s nationally renowned facilities and professional coaches. The trip was organised by the North Ayrshire Active Schools community partnership team, a dedicated service working closely with schools and communities to develop sporting opportunities in school and beyond the classroom. (Image: NAC) A highlight of the recent residential was exclusive use of the impressive gymnastics facility. About the same size as a professional football pitch, the gymnastics equipment explored included a sunken trampoline with two foam filled safety pits, coaching blocks, a sprung floor and a host of aerial apparatus used by the enthusiastic young people to learn the basics of gymnastics. (Image: NAC) The pupils also had the chance to try out archery, boccia (a kind of lawn bowls for the ASN community), pickleball, the climbing wall and many more activities. Archie McNicol, active schools and communities participation officer, said: “I am so proud of the young people for giving it their all at the recent residential trip to Inverclyde. (Image: NAC) “Everyone at Active Schools takes pride in placing young people at the centre of our efforts to promote sports and physical activity in schools and communities, right across North Ayrshire’s six localities. “We are delighted that the Inverclyde residential for this inspiring group of young people was so impactful and we look forward to working with more schools going forward on similar residentials and experiences.” (Image: NAC) Headteacher Stephen Colligan added: “We are lucky enough to have a brilliant partnership with Active Schools at St Matthews. “Our young people thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities this experience presented. However, the true success of this work with Active Schools is the increased sense of belonging, self-confidence and self-esteem evident in the pupils who participated. (Image: NAC) "Strong friendship groups have been established and the S1 pupils involved feel more settled and secure in the school as a result.” Active Schools aims to provide more and higher quality opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity before school, during lunch and after school. (Image: NAC) The team have engaged with 332 young people across 47 opportunities, with an impressive 67 per cent continuing to participate in frequent sports and community activities afterwards. During 2024, participants have enjoyed activities at locations such as the Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre, Gowanbank Outdoor Activity Centre, Arran Outdoor Education Centre, and Above Adventure Climbing Centre, among others. Councillor Shaun Macaulay, cabinet member for education and young people, said: “Well done to this inspiring group of young people for stepping up to the challenge of their recent residential trip to Inverclyde’s national training campus. (Image: NAC) “This is a brilliant example of how we are working closely with young people to help them to overcome barriers and provide them with scaffolding and support needed to gain confidence and unlock their potential. “Active Schools has been working alongside our primary and secondary schools for the past 20 years. "They are a vital partner helping the council to uphold our statutory studies to Get it Right for Every Child. “Not only are they providing opportunities for pupils to get involved in sports locally, they are taking the time to invest in them as individuals, so that our young people can stay involved in sports longer term. Thank you to everyone involved.” If you want to be part of the action, speak to the Active Schools Coordinator in your school or drop the team a DM on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NAActiveSchools or X https://x.com/NAActiveSchools.

The event provided a chance for 12 S1 students to forge new friendships, explore methods to lead healthier lifestyles, and think about coping mechanisms to enhance their mental well-being. (Image: NAC) It was also an opportunity to explore which sports they find enjoyable through the sports centre’s nationally acclaimed facilities and expert coaching staff. This […]

The event provided a chance for 12 S1 students to forge new friendships, explore methods to lead healthier lifestyles, and think about coping mechanisms to enhance their mental well-being.

(Image: NAC) It was also an opportunity to explore which sports they find enjoyable through the sports centre’s nationally acclaimed facilities and expert coaching staff.

This journey was coordinated by the North Ayrshire Active Schools community partnership team, a committed service collaborating closely with educational institutions and local communities to expand sporting chances both within and outside of the classroom.

(Image: NAC) A standout feature of the recent retreat was the exclusive access to the remarkable gymnastics facility.

Comparable in size to a professional football pitch, the gymnastics equipment included a sunken trampoline with two foam-filled safety pits, coaching blocks, a sprung floor, and various aerial apparatus that excited the eager youth as they learned the fundamentals of gymnastics.

(Image: NAC) The students also had the opportunity to participate in archery, boccia (a variant of lawn bowls for the ASN community), pickleball, climbing, and numerous other activities.

Archie McNicol, the participation officer for active schools and communities, stated: “I am incredibly proud of the young individuals for fully committing themselves during the recent residential trip to Inverclyde.

(Image: NAC) “Everyone at Active Schools is committed to centering our efforts around young people as we encourage sports and physical activity across schools and communities in all six local areas of North Ayrshire.

“We are thrilled that the Inverclyde residential for this inspiring cohort of youths was so significant, and we eagerly anticipate collaborating with more schools on similar retreats and experiences in the future.”

(Image: NAC) Headteacher Stephen Colligan remarked: “We are fortunate to have an exceptional collaboration with Active Schools here at St Matthews.

“Our students thoroughly relished the chances this experience afforded. However, the true success of this endeavor lies in the enhanced sense of community, confidence, and self-worth evident in the pupils who took part.

(Image: NAC) “Strong social ties have been formed, making the S1 students involved feel more at home and secure within the school environment.”

Active Schools is focused on delivering more and higher-quality chances for participation in sports and physical fitness activities before school, during breaks, and after school.

(Image: NAC) The team has successfully reached out to 332 young individuals across 47 opportunities, with an impressive 67 percent continuing to engage in frequent sports and community events afterwards.

Throughout 2024, participants have undertaken activities at venues such as the Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre, Gowanbank Outdoor Activity Centre, Arran Outdoor Education Centre, and Above Adventure Climbing Centre, among others.

Councillor Shaun Macaulay, cabinet member for education and young individuals, commented: “Congratulations to this inspiring group of young people for rising to the occasion during their recent retreat at Inverclyde’s national training campus.

(Image: NAC) “This serves as a fantastic illustration of our collaborative efforts with young individuals to assist them in overcoming obstacles and providing the structure and encouragement required to build their self-esteem and unlock their potential.

“Active Schools has been collaborating with our primary and secondary institutions over the last 20 years.

“They are an essential partner in assisting the council in fulfilling our statutory responsibilities to Get it Right for Every Child.

“Not only are they creating opportunities for students to engage in sports locally, they are dedicating time to develop them as individuals, ensuring that our young people can maintain their involvement in sports over the long term. Thanks to everyone who has contributed.”

If you want to get involved in the action, contact the Active Schools Coordinator at your school or send a message to the team on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NAActiveSchools or X https://x.com/NAActiveSchools.