TEN pupils from Lochgelly High School are preparing for a life-changing expedition to Arctic Greenland next March after being selected for the expedition team by the Bo’ness based charity, The Polar Academy.

The seven girls and three boys (all between 14-16 years of age) now face eight months of tough training with The Polar Academy to ensure all are physically and mentally equipped for the 10-day, 100km expedition in Eastern Greenland.

In the Arctic, each youth will haul his or her own 45kg sledge, navigate, camp on the sea-ice and undertake scientific experiments in support of the Scottish school curriculum.

An additional nine youths from the school have been selected for the leadership team. They will benefit from much of the same life-enhancing training as the expedition team.

The Polar Academy 2017/2018 Expedition Team: will include Kieran Burns - 14,
Morgan Adam - 14, Carla Masterton - 14, Megan Hargrave - 16, Lauren Scott - 14, Josh Farmer - 15, Conner Harper - 16, Daisy George - 14, Carrie Wetherspoon - 14 and Hannah Reid - 15
Also joining them will be Lochgelly High rector Carol Ann Penrose. 

The pupils, who in mid June undertook a final challenging selection process at Glenmore Lodge by Aviemore, are the fourth expedition team to be annually selected by the self-funded charity that aims to inspire youth through exploration.

Craig Mathieson established The Polar Academy in 2014, determined to help positively transform the lives of young people he describes as ‘invisible’ at school and devoid of self-confidence, direction and self-esteem. 

Craig (48), described selecting the ten pupils for the latest expedition team as 'an agonising decision.' He explained: “I have no doubt that all twenty of the short-listed pupils would benefit immensely from going to the Arctic – I wish I could take them all.

“The pupils selected should be proud of their decision to bravely step forward and aim to make their lives better. The months ahead promise tough, relentless training and a need for immense individual effort.

However, with the support of their school and parents, each youth has already started their life-changing journey and can now seize the chance to shake off the shackles of self-doubt and despair.

"I am very confident they will return from the Arctic bursting with pride, emanating with self-confidence and ready to inspire their peer groups across the country. Their lives are about to get better.” 

Carol Ann Penrose, rector of LHS and a mother of three children, also experienced the selection process and will be part of the expedition group and training.

She commented: “One of our big messages as a school and as part of the local community is not to be afraid of challenge but to take it on and believe you can succeed if you are prepared to work hard, pick yourself up and keep going after every setback. I am very proud of the twenty pupils at Lochgelly High School who have been selected to be part of The Polar Academy. They now have a powerful opportunity to put into practice the school’s belief that with real commitment and determination it’s possible to achieve".