The Moray Badge - Helen Moore

THE MORAY BADGE

This week's speaker was Helen Moore Project Leader with The Moray Badge.

The Moray Badge Platinum Jubilee is a year long project to help primary and secondary age pupils who have been adversely affected by the Covid lockdown. It aims to encourage them to participate in and enjoy indoor and outdoor activities rather than competing against others. The project aims to have a positive impact on their mental health and well-being as well as on the learning in the classroom.

The original Moray Badge was started in 1937 by Kurt Hahn at Gordonstoun and Elgin Academy and was the forerunner of Outward Bound and then the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (DofE). The Moray Badge will celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and mark the contribution of The Duke of Edinburgh in encouraging the development of young people. The Badge is separate from the DofE but allied in values; it can reach children who might otherwise not consider this kind of scheme and could encourage primary pupils to carry on through to DofE later.

The project is open to all primary and secondary schools in the lieutenancy areas of Banffshire and Moray and the Project Leader works with the Active Schools Co-ordinators.

The three badges are age-related:

Brass for ages 5-9 (P1-5)

Copper for ages 9-12 (P5-7)

Platinum for ages 12-18 (S1-6)

Each badge has three levels. Pupils all started on Level 1 in September, completing at least five activities from a wide choice before moving on to Level 2 in November.

Schools have been sent Activity sheets for these Level 1 and Level 2 activities and these can be downloaded for each pupil or their parents to record the activities undertaken.

These Level 1 and Level 2 activities are all free and can be undertaken in school with teachers and with Active Schools or from home with families and friends. Level 3 will commence in February and there will be a small cost of £5-6 for these but assistance can be provided. There is a ‘must do’ reflection activity contained in level 3.

Several outdoor organisations have signed up to work in partnership with the Moray Badge to offer additional activities across the area.

The young people have expressed a great deal of enjoyment from these activities that include: circus skills; litter picking; archery; animal welfare; orienteering; RSPB bird count and making bird boxes amongst many others.

3,300 young people from 28 schools have signed up across Moray. Badges will be presented at a ceremony to mark the Platinum Jubilee in early June 2022.

www.moraybadge.org.uk