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From 2nd to 12th June 2025, we’re quietly marking the Empathy Festival—a celebration of how stories help us see the world through other people’s eyes. Research shows that as well as improving literacy and attainment, reading can help build empathy. When we read, we step into someone else’s experience—feeling their fears, hopes, challenges, and joys. It can stretch our perspective and reminds us that every life is complex, valuable, and worth understanding. In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, reading offers a moment to slow down and connect—with ourselves and with others.There is also an opportunity for pupils and staff to send ‘Empathy Messages’ to other pupils or staff in the school with message slips and ‘post boxes’ available in the library and foyer. This can be to thank them for being kind, caring and helpful towards them, or for something nice they did. It is an opportunity to show appreciation.On Empathy Day, Thursday 12th June, there will be a low-key event in the library at lunchtime: a space to reflect, discover books that promote empathy and wellbeing, and maybe find a story that speaks to you in just the way that one might need.Our Empathy Collection reading list can be found here on OLIVER, our Library Catalogue: tinyurl.com/26qmna7u #EmpathyDay #ReadForEmpathy #WellbeingThroughReading #EmpathyFestival
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Geography

Staff

Ms A. Lidwell (PT)
Mr O. Grieve

Department

“ Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future. It is a living breathing subject, constantly adapting itself to change. For me Geography is a great adventure with purpose.” Michael Palin

Geographers are observers and analysers of the world around us. Our courses encourage pupils to think about both physical and human environments and current global issues. We equip pupils with skills to gather, process and analyse so that they can suggest, discuss and communicate solutions that prepare them to be the future custodians of this planet.

We are a busy, active and creative department. Passionate about the environment and equipping our pupils to understand and appreciate how their decisions impact other people and places, now and in the future. We work hard to get out to see and explore new environments that will inspire. Geography comes to life when it is experienced and we aim to give all pupils at all level opportunities to learn outdoors.

Courses

Course Choice

Geography BGE

Geography N4 N5

Geography H

Geography AH

BGE S1-S3

Topics are linked to LearnPath guides on the library catalogue, OLIVER, and LiveBinders (being phased out), which contain links to relevant websites. These can also be found on the School Library Blog.

S1

Map Skills
Weather (Wild Weather news report)
Farming
Natural Environments (Model making)

S2

Environmental Issues (IDL with RME)
Earth Forces
Global Development (Fair trade essay)
Landscapes
Geographical Assignment (West Mainland field trip IDL with Art and Biology)

S3
Geographical Skills
Human Environments: Settlements
Geographical Assignment (Kirkwall field trip)
Glacial Landscapes: The Cairngorms
Global Issues: Climate Change

Senior Phase S4-S6 (SQA)

National 4	Higher
National 5	Advanced Higher

Local field trips are a part of all courses.

Pupils are also required to plan and carry out their own fieldwork for geographical assignments.

Extra-curricular

Supported study for Senior Phase after school
Environmental Action in Activities time
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Field trips at all levels

Links

BBC Bitesize – N5

BBC Bitesize – Higher

Scholar – N5 Geography

SAGT

Geographical Society – Choose Geography

Information can be found on OLIVER, the library catalogue, in the LearnPath Geography Guide. Topics are added as required.

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Disclaimer

Stromness Academy seeks to ensure that the information published on its website is up-to-date and accurate. However, the information on the website does not constitute legal or professional advice and Stromness Academy cannot accept any liability for actions or consequences arising from its use. Stromness Academy cannot be held responsible for the contents of any other website accessed through a link on our site. Stromness Academy provides these links as a convenience and inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement by Stromness Academy of an external site.

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