During her summer, S6 pupil Madison received a Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) which she completed as part of her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Madison did this by spending a week at a residential camp designed to enhance leadership, problem solving and teambuilding skills.The programme featured a range of outdoor challenges and adventurous activities. 

Speaking about her experience, Madison shared: “We got to take part in exhilarating outdoor activities which pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to think on the spot and brave fears whilst also providing me with ways to gain new skills. Through the discussion with my team at the end of every day I was able to take the learning forward, set new challenges for the activity ahead and adapt my approach for the next task.

“RYLA is a wonderful experience. Although it was nerve-racking to get on the bus with 20 people I didn’t know, I soon realised that, upon arriving with the other 50 applicants, we were all in the same boat and it was nowhere near as awkward as I had expected. Within the first couple of hours, I met my group, my roommates, and participated in some icebreakers. Throughout the week, I formed new bonds, made new friends, and worked with my team to complete all the challenges to the best of our ability. The bus home was not quiet and saying goodbye to the people you spend 7 days with was quite hard. Each day also featured talks from speakers with leadership experience and evening activities to socialise and get to know the others even better.

“Overall, RYLA is an amazing experience for everyone as you discover new strengths and get to test yourself daily whilst having loads of fun. Furthermore, you learn to become a fantastic leader and at the same time how to be a valued team member and to trust in your own skills through the support of your team. RYLA is a great way to learn new things about yourself, especially how you work in a team of people that you’ve never met before, which helps build confidence and abilities employers look for. Through the experience, you form new skills and can build on growing as a person, there are no limits to your development. For me, it was a great opportunity that I used as my Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Residential, and I would highly recommend it.”

Mrs McAvinue said: “As part of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, pupils must complete a Residential for 5 nights. Within this element, their resilience and curiosity are tested which pushes them out of their comfort zone building a community of new friends and colleagues along the way!”