Argyll and Bute Kodu Competition

Learning Tech,

Kodu is a free application developed by Microsoft to introduce young people to computer games design.  This visual programming language allows students to design and build three dimensional games.  Kodu can help young people to learn the core concepts of computer science within the context of a project which includes narrative writing, design and maths.

The Learning Technologies Team is pleased to announce the 1st annual Argyll and Bute Kodu Competition. The competition is open to all Argyll and Bute schools and entries must be received by Thursday 1st May 2014.

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Dalintober PS Allotment wins ACHA ‘Garden In Boom 2013’ Competition

Awards, Communities, Communities and Culture, Eco Schools, Events, Health and Wellbeing, Interdisciplinary, Outdoor Learning, Primary schools, Projects

Dalintober Primary School pupils and staff were delighted to hear that they had been awarded first prize in Argyll Community Housing Association’s ‘Garden In Bloom 2013’ competition. Members of the Mid Argyll & Kintyre Area Committee scored allotments independently and Dalintober’s allotment was judged the best. Members of the Eco-Group, staff and parent and partners have all helped to maintain the allotment, growing a wide range of fruit and vegetables which has been used in school meals and for ‘Green Days’.

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Lochgilphead Primary – The Cardboard Classroom

Interdisciplinary, Primary schools, Secondary schools, Topics, ,

Lochgilphead Primary 1 pupils arrived back from the Christmas Holidays to find their classroom covered in cardboard boxes. Through imagination, exploration, thinking creatively and working together they came up with some wonderful ideas, models and play spaces. Watch our video below……

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DPS Fundraising at Morrisons!

Communities, Events, Fundraising, Primary schools

Dunoon Primary School took the opportunity to collect funds for ‘Text Santa’ at our local Morrisons Supermarket. The enthusiastic pupils packed the festive shoppers bags to raise funds for the charity. They also set up their own fundraising stall at the back of the checkouts and asked shoppers to take part in the various prize winning events such as ‘Guess the number of sweets in the jar’ & ‘Guess the Birthday’ . The money raised will go towards the transition weekend to Benmore Outdoor Centre for Primary 7. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed this new challenge! Well done. Continue reading DPS Fundraising at Morrisons! →

DGS: Youth Achievement Award (YAA) Bronze

Awards, Secondary schools

The YAA is now in its second year at Dunoon Grammar. The Bronze Award is the equivalent of General Standard Grade and is offered to S5/6 pupils who wish to develop skills and qualities useful to them in the future. The YAA involves the members on the group negotiating and planning 4 projects. This session the projects are Teambuilding, Trying New Things, Have Your Say (discussion) and Fundraising.
If you ask one of the young people taking part “What have you done so far?”, they will probably say “Play cards!”. Continue reading DGS: Youth Achievement Award (YAA) Bronze →

Young Learning Centre Designers Take a Trip to The Printers

Communities and Culture, Events, Interdisciplinary, Learning Centres, Learning Tech, Topics, Training,

Five pupils from Dunoon Grammar’s learning centre designed an eye-catching range of Christmas cards as part of their contribution to the Learning Support Department’s annual Christmas Fayre. The designs were so colourful and original that learning centre teacher Liz Miller approached local printer, E&R Inglis, to see if they would print the cards to give them the professional finish they deserved.

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Nativity Hoe Down at St. Mun’s

Communities and Culture, Events, Expressive arts, Interdisciplinary, Learning Tech, Literacy, Primary schools, Projects, Topics, Training,

Wednesday and Thursday of last week saw the children of St. Mun’s Primary School perform their annual Christmas whole school show to two full houses and their new Acting Head Teacher Mrs. L. Fisher.

The School’s choir took to the stage first with a carol concert, which included festive readings and monologues as well as soloists and festive favourites, which had the audiences joining in.
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St. Mun’s Choir Entertain Residents At Ardenlee

Communities and Culture, Competitions, Events, Expressive arts, Fundraising, Interdisciplinary, Literacy, Primary schools, RME, Topics

It’s always good to give back to the community and when the children of St. Mun’s Choir were asked to entertain the residents at Ardenlee Care Home in Dunoon, they jumped at the chance to do just that.
Resplendent in their uniform and festive Santa hats the children sang a selection of their favourite carols for residents, staff and visitors who clapped along and joined in with their own personal favourites.
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‘Icons’ and ‘Idols’ at Dalintober PS

Communities and Culture, Events, Expressive arts, Fundraising, Interdisciplinary, Literacy, Primary schools, Social Enterprise, Topics

Parents and family members flocked in their hundreds for three sell-out performances of this year’s school show at Dalintober PS. As well as traditional Christmas items, from our instrumentalists and choir, the crowds were entertained by each class paying tribute to some icons and idols – a wide range from Elvis Presley to Katy Perry! The PTA held very successful raffles and between these and the show a massive £2400 was raised for school funds. Thank you to all – and a Happy Christmas and New Year from all at Dalintober PS!

Dalintober Primary Entertain the Elderly

Communities, Communities and Culture, Events, Expressive arts, Interdisciplinary, Primary schools, Topics

Primary 7 pupils from Dalintober Primary spent two days on a Christmas Roadshow. Their objective was to entertain elderly men and women from the local hospital, care homes and sheltered accommodation.
They were appreciated by their audiences who thoroughly enjoyed their performances. Following each performance the pupils talked to all in attendance and wished them a Merry Christmas.
Well done Primary 7!

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HIGHER FRENCH TRIP TO GENEVA

Communities and Culture, Events, Geography, History, Interdisciplinary, Literacy, Modern languages, Outdoor Learning, School trips, Secondary schools, Social Enterprise, Topics

After having sat their exam in May, the Higher French class of 2012-13 benefited from the ability to keep up their speaking and language skills, through travelling to Geneva in Switzerland the following term. Although none of the pupils carried the subject on to Advanced Higher level, they were all keen to not lose the attribute of knowing a foreign language.

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Help for the Philippines

Communities and Culture, Fundraising, Interdisciplinary, RME, Secondary schools, Topics

We had a pop up collection on Tuesday 3rd December at break and lunch time. S1 pupils carried the buckets and everyone dropped in some coins. We raised £117.22 which has been sent to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to help with much needed short-term aid such as water purification tablets, food supplies and shelter. As we approach Christmas, we try to imagine the hardships which many people in that part of the world are facing.
A big thank you to the pop up helpers and thanks to everyone for donating!

Dunoon Grammar School – Learning Support Festive Fun Raises Funds for Children and Communities all Over the World

Communities and Culture, Events, Fundraising, Geography, Health and Wellbeing, Interdisciplinary, Learning Centres, Literacy, Projects, RME, Secondary schools, Social Enterprise, Topics,

Every year in Dunoon Grammar School, The Learning Support Department hosts a Christmas Fayre to raise money for their chosen charity, ‘World Vision.’ ‘World Vision’ is a charity that helps children and their community to achieve success in far less privileged parts of the world than ours. This year’s event was similar to previous years but unlike previous years, when teachers have organised everything, this year S6 pupil Rebecca Westwood played the coordinating role.
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A Little Bird Told Rhunahaorine…..

Communities and Culture, Events, Expressive arts, Fundraising, Interdisciplinary, Literacy, Primary schools, Topics

A Little Bird Told Rhunahaorine…..

Thank you very much to everyone who supported our Christmas Concert, “A Little Bird Told Me “on Tuesday 17th December.

The children really rose to the occasion and sang like little birds! We raised £177 for School Fund.

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Sunshine Nurture at Parklands

Communities and Culture, Early Years, Events, Expressive arts, Interdisciplinary, Learning Centres, Primary schools

Creative Play Day at The Sunshine Room

On Wednesday 11th December the parents and new pupils of The Sunshine Room Nurture Group were invited to Parklands for a creative play day. Parents and pupils enjoyed a number of activities together such as vegetable printing, decorating biscuits, role play and games. This allowed the new pupils to visit The Sunshine Room for the first time with their parents. A fabulous time was had by all!

The Drovers

Communities and Culture, Events, Gaelic, Geography, History, Interdisciplinary, Literacy, Outdoor Learning, Primary schools, Projects, Topics

Mrs. Watson’s P5/4 and Mrs.Kersel’s P5/6/7Gaelic classes have been learning about the Drovers in the 1700s. Using a new storyline being piloted for Storyline Scotland and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society the classes have followed the journey of two young teenage boys, Rob and Angus, on their first Drove. Engagement with the characters has brought the story to life for the pupils as they learned about sheiling life, hardships on the drove and the joys of the Tryst.
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Porridge! At Port Charlotte

Communities and Culture, Early Years, Events, Expressive arts, Interdisciplinary, Literacy, Primary schools, Topics

When a crime wave hit the Nursery Rhinns, there was a caseload of mysteries to be solved! Who stole Ma Hubbard’s recipe book? Who kidnapped Marigold the cow? Who nicked a peck of pickled peppers? And what dirty secret was Papa Bear hiding behind his Porridge empire? It was down to Private Detective Jack Spratt to uncover the terrifying truth in this tale of mystery, mayhem and breakfast cereal!

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