This three-day retreat is an annual offering to our seniors in their last year at Lathallan, aimed to empower our students, and equip them with the necessary tools to become effective leaders in their S6 Leadership roles and beyond. From team-building activities to insightful training sessions, this residential provided a holistic approach to skills development.
Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Lunan Bay, Lunan House Hotel provided the perfect backdrop for our S6 Residential. The serene environment allowed students to immerse themselves in the retreat’s activities, spend quality time together, and fully focus on their personal growth.
To limber up for learning, the first day included a team-building exercise at Monikie Country Park, where students participated in the challenge of raft building. This activity not only encouraged collaboration but also instilled a sense of trust and camaraderie.
The residential also incorporated a bushcraft team-building session, where students learned essential survival skills in a natural setting. This hands-on experience not only taught them practical skills but also encouraged problem-solving abilities and resilience.
A key aspect of the retreat was the training conducted by Kate Cowie, a renowned expert in leadership development. Kate is the Founder and Director of The Chaos Game, an Aberdeen-based consultancy which designs and delivers leadership development programmes in association with the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioural Science. Kate is also a published author having written a book on the adult development journey ‘Finding Merlin’. Through her expertise, students delved into various topics such as force field analysis, stretching personal boundaries, and discovering oneself in the world of work.
One of the sessions centred around personality theory, where students explored their individual preferences and learned how to utilise them to their advantage in leadership roles.
Mr Fernandez said “The S6 Residential was established a few years ago to support the work of the Careers Team, helping our young adults prepare for their next step beyond their final year at Lathallan. The experience has proved to be very well received by our pupils as they not only learn and practice valuable personal and employability skills; but also develop strong positive relationships with their peers.”
As a school community, we are proud of the growth and development demonstrated by our S6s during their final year at school. We are confident that the skills and experiences gained will serve as a strong foundation as they embark on their academic and professional journeys, equipped with the confidence and leadership abilities needed to make a positive impact in the world.