TWO of Lochgelly High School's Arctic explorers have described their April adventure as 'life changing'.

Hannah Reid and Daniel Pratt were invited to tell Cowdenbeath Area Committee their reaction to the opportunities the Polar Academy gave them.

Committee chair, Councillor Linda Erskine, said: "This was a quite amazing project and it is excellent that we can welcome to our meeting the man who led the Polar expedition, Craig Mathieson, and pupils Hannah and Daniel, along with rector Carol Ann Penrose, who was also in the Arctic.

"This whole adventure saw the community rally around the ten pupils who went north along with Carol Ann and Craig and his team. They helped raise a massive sum of money to help make the adventure happen and it really was a tremendous success."

Hannah, 15, said: "This time last year I simply could not have handled coming to speak to the Area Committee.

"The training we went through lasted for the best part of nine months and had a lasting impact.

"I have learned that you can tackle anything if you have the right mindset and that has been an important part of being in the Polar Academy experience."

Daniel pointed out that he was originally original not in the ten pupils chosen to take part.

He said: "I was in the back-up group, but we had gone through every part of the preparation which had been very demanding mentally and physically.

"Then when one of the team had to withdraw I was delighted to be asked to step up and go to the Arctic.

"Naturally you imagined what it would be like in the frozen world but there was nothing like being actually there and it is something I will never forget.

"You really had to push yourself that extra mile to meet the challenges that arrived on your doorstep and you could see our confidence levels rising by the day.

"It certainly has been a life changing experience."

Craig Mathieson told the committee that he was absolutely delighted with the way the Lochgelly pupils took on the challenges.

He said: "From the moment the training started right through to the day they arrived in the Arctic they wanted to succeed.

"Also the support they received from their parents, family and friends was unbelievable and that played its part in lifting their confidence.

"They were a pleasure to work with and I have nothing but praise for the way they handled the training and the real life Polar experiences."

Rector, Carol Ann Penrose, was proud of the pupils: "This all made me realise that it in education sometimes we are frightened to pose too many stiff challenges for youngsters.

"This whole project asked so many questions, but through amazing commitment from our pupils, the school community, families and the public, the answers were found.

"I was truly humbled by the whole project and I cannot thank Craig and his team enough for the way they handled the preparations and then led us to the Arctic."

Councillor Alex Campbell said that there will be so many spin-offs for the young people from the Polar experience and he added: "This really was all about a great community effort."

Councillor Darren Watt commented: "The young people will have learned so much from their Polar visit with perseverance and resilience being key elements."

Benarty councillor Lea McLelland added: "I often say to myself, have I really taken on enough challenges but these young people certainly have challenged themselves and come up with the answers."

Councillor Erskine remembered how she had gone along to see the Polar team head for the frozen north in April and added: "The families of the children were very much a key part of whole project, their fundraising efforts were really unbelievable.

"I hope the pupils can now go out and tell their stories to their counterparts in other schools throughout Fife and provide inspiration to others."