The inaugural Society of Heads Orienteering Competition took place at Mendip Activity Centre on Tuesday 12th March 2024. Open to Junior School children in Years 3 to Year 6, it offered a connection between schools within the surrounding counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Somerset and Avon.
Orienteering is a sport designed for teams to navigate an unfamiliar terrain between checkpoints using a map and compass in the quickest time possible. It aids team building, leadership and decision-making skills in a fun and exciting endeavour that challenges teams to discover the most efficient route to win.
This year’s inaugural event saw local school Clifton High School participate under the leadership of Dr Mark Caddy, Senior Deputy Head, who informed us that "this competition is a highlight for our Junior School children and is a thoroughly enjoyable day for them to connect with each other whilst learning vital life skills in the sport of orienteering".
Luke Moore, Chief Instructor at Mendip Activity Centre, said "Orienteering carries many benefits and is a core outdoor pursuit. All students who took part showed bravery and self-reliance - well done!"
Clifton High School runs a full-year-round outdoor adventure program for their junior school; each term, students attend progressional outdoor adventure and outdoor education sessions with Mendip Activity Centre.
Mendip Activity Centre offers orienteering alongside a vast spectrum of other outdoor education activities for individuals and schools.
Find out more about Mendip Activity Centre: www.mendip.co.uk
Find out more about Clifton High School: https://www.cliftonhigh.co.uk/