HUNDREDS of primary pupils from across Helensburgh and Lomond have been getting ready for the transition to secondary school at a day of team-building and physical activity.

All the youngsters who took part in the 'Hooked on Hermitage' programme will leave primary school for the last time at the end of this month, ahead of starting out in first year at Hermitage Academy in August.

To make sure those P7 pupils don't go in to the new term in August completely 'cold', the Hooked on Hermitage initiative is a long-established feature of the transition from primary to secondary school in Helensburgh and Lomond, giving the young people a chance to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings and to make some new friends.

And judging by the looks on the faces of the 240 or so pupils who took part this year, the programme is going from strength to strength.

(Image: LiveArgyll) (Image: LiveArgyll)

Organised by Live Argyll's Helensburgh and Lomond Active Schools programme co-ordinator, Martin Caldwell, the day opened with a presentation from the Academy's head teacher, Douglas Morgan, and depute head teacher Claire Kennedy welcomed pupils and staff to the Academy before Martin explained how the day was going to work.

(Image: LiveArgyll) (Image: LiveArgyll)

He said: "Prior to the day the pupils were divided into mixed school groups and allocated a different coloured sports bib depending on the group they were in.

"This provided the children the opportunity to work alongside pupils from different schools and make new contacts and friends prior to transition to Hermitage Academy.

(Image: LiveArgyll) (Image: LiveArgyll)

"The day is split to allow the pupils to participate in a range of fun team building and problem-solving sessions for part of the day with the rest dedicated to more strenuous physical activity and sport.

"This year Active Schools worked in close partnership with Mr Malcolm, primary science development officer for Argyll and Bute, with an exciting revamp of the team building sessions.

(Image: LiveArgyll) (Image: LiveArgyll) (Image: LiveArgyll)

"The stations incorporated different science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activity and challenges.

"A particular favourite on the day seemed to be the Sphero Remote Robotic challenge.

"The sport sessions included tag rugby run by Helensburgh RFC community club coach Dougie King and Live Argyll Active Schools coach Mark Ashdown.

(Image: LiveArgyll) (Image: LiveArgyll)

"Hermitage Academy PE staff were on hand to run some fun short tennis, basketball and dodgeball sessions which we hope to run as lunch or after school club activities and offer to the new S1 in August."

Martin added: "A thank you also to the fantastic S5/S6 sports leaders from Hermitage Academy and Thomas Guy-Conroy, from Live Argyll Community Learning, who gave their time to support the team building and sports sessions on the day."