St. Joseph’s Pupil Scoops International Prize!

Awards, Competitions, Events, Expressive arts, Interdisciplinary, Primary schools, RME

Charlotte was overcome with emotion when John Evitt of Mission Matters Scotland came to St. Joseph’s Primary School for what she thought was an assembly on the international charity which the school supports. However, earlier this year Charlotte and her classmates had entered an art competition to mark the 170th birthday of the Catholic Church’s global mission charity and John’s real reason for visiting school that day was to present Charlotte with the Scottish prize.

Continue reading St. Joseph’s Pupil Scoops International Prize! →

PRIMARY 6&7 VISIT MESOLITHIC DIG ON ISLAY

Communities and Culture, Events, Geography, History, Interdisciplinary, Outdoor Learning, Primary schools, Science, Topics

On Tuesday 27th August Primary 6&7 went on an archaeological dig to Rubha Port an t-Seilich on Islay because they are doing a topic on life in Mesolithic times. The dig was run By Professor Steven Mithin from Reading University and a team of archaeologists.
The site that they were visiting was found when a gamekeeper bought pigs to dig up the bracken, but instead the pigs dug up a piece of flint that was over 9,000 years old. Continue reading PRIMARY 6&7 VISIT MESOLITHIC DIG ON ISLAY →

HERMITAGE STREET DANCERS

Competitions, Events, Expressive arts, Health and Wellbeing, Interdisciplinary, Outdoor Learning, Primary schools

Pupils from the Hermitage Primary School Streetcheer club have enjoyed recent success at the UDO Scottish National Schools Street Dance Championships. The pupils attended dance workshops over their Summer holidays to help prepare for the competition held at the SECC in Glasgow on Friday 23rd August. Their hard work and dedication paid off as they were placed 6th amongst 25 other primary schools for their energetic dance routine. Continue reading HERMITAGE STREET DANCERS →

Dalintober PS Assist First Minister in Housing Development Opening

Communities, Events, Interdisciplinary, Outdoor Learning, Primary schools

Pupil members of the outgoing Pupil Council of Dalintober Primary School were delighted to be asked by Argyll Community Housing Association to assist Alex Salmond MSP, First Minister of Scotland at the opening of a new housing development in Campbeltown, Park Terrace. Pupils helped bury a time capsule on the site and were delighted to receive a signed copy of ‘The Gruffalo’ in Scots’ language from Mr Salmond.

Continue reading Dalintober PS Assist First Minister in Housing Development Opening →

John Logie Baird visits their Art Exhibition at Victoria Halls

Events, Expressive arts, Primary schools

On only the second day back to school John Logie Baird Primary 2 – 7 had an exciting walk to see their artwork displayed in the Victoria Halls. The local Art Group incorporated their work into their annual art exhibition, the first time any Primary has worked with the group to put on such a professional display. Many comments were written in our Celebration of Young Art book complimenting the creativity and quality of work. Learning journeys written by the children were available to view detailing the challenges and successes of producing their pieces of art. Continue reading John Logie Baird visits their Art Exhibition at Victoria Halls →

Musical Delight at Achaleven

Events, Expressive arts, Interdisciplinary, Primary schools

A huge thank you to Andrew Dunlop and Jemma Brown for a wonderful peek into the world of music-making on Monday morning. They are in the middle of the 2013 LornLive Chamber Music Festival and took time out to visit us and give as an insight into the life of a professional performer. We learned about the importance of warming up and did some vocal exercises and then it was time to be the conductor and we took turns making Andrew and Jemma sing and play very loudly and very quietly. Continue reading Musical Delight at Achaleven →

Dalintober PS Links With Explore Campbeltown

Communities and Culture, Enterprise, Events, Expressive arts, Geography, Interdisciplinary, Literacy, Outdoor Learning, Primary schools, Projects, Social Enterprise

Pupils from Dalintober PS have been working closely on enterprising projects with local organisation Explore Campbeltown. The organisation is a website which promotes local businesses and their products. Pupils have made posters which will go on display around the town and on the new ferry which links Campbeltown to Arran and Ardrossan. The next enterprise activity for Dalintober PS pupils is to decorate ‘Penny Jars’ to be placed in local shops to raise funds for Campbeltown Christmas Lights Group and CGS4Gambia. The school is delighted to be linked to this very worthwhile venture.

Success at the Appin Show

Awards, Communities and Culture, Competitions, Events, Interdisciplinary, Outdoor Learning, Primary schools

Three children from Barcaldine Primary School enjoyed success at the 56th Agricultural Appin Show held on Saturday 17th August.

Katie and her twin siblings, Abi and Ben entered the ‘ Salt Dough Craft Animal’ category. After the salt dough was made the children set to work!! After making, baking and painting the animals were finally ready.
Continue reading Success at the Appin Show →

Work Experience Opportunities: Over 16 and interested in a career in music?

Expressive arts, offers, Secondary schools

imageJoin the Scottish Chamber Orchestra for a week to experience the life of an orchestra from the inside. You will have the opportunity to spend time with all the departments of the SCO administration and attend rehearsals and concerts where possible. The SCO offers two placements that each last one week. If you are successful, you will be based at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra offices in Edinburgh. Week 1 beginning 14 October 2013, Week 2 beginning 25 November 2013 Download the application form HERE and return by Friday 6 September.

‘Raising the Bar in Core Physical Education’

CPD, Early Years, PE, Primary schools

Early Years and Primary Practioners….. you are invited to ‘Raising the Bar In Core Physical Education in Argyll and Bute’ on Saturday 21st September in Inveraray Primary School, 9.30am for 10.00am till 3.30pm.
The day will include finding out about the ‘Significant Aspects of Core PE’ and practical workshops in Better Movers, Better Thinkers (BMT), Athletics, ‘ Let’s Move’, Athletics, PE in the Outdoors, ICT in PE.
Go to SALi for full information

Glowing inspection report praises Kirn Primary School’s ‘high standards’

Primary schools

ESKirn Primary School has received a glowing report from Education Scotland. The head teacher is described as providing ‘inspirational leadership’ and pupils’ behaviour at all stages as ‘impeccable’. HM Inspectors found that ‘There are major strengths in the way that staff across the school support children to develop and learn’ and that ‘Staff show very high-quality care and support to children in the school’. Continue reading Glowing inspection report praises Kirn Primary School’s ‘high standards’ →

Clyde begins his tour of Scotland at Colgrain

Active Schools, Early Years, Events, Geography, Health and Wellbeing, Interdisciplinary, Outdoor Learning, Primary schools, Sport

On 19th August, Colgrain Primary School celebrated tickets going on sale for the Commonwealth Games, with a visit from Clyde the Glasgow 2014 Mascot.
Colgrain were joined by Clyde on the first day of the schools tour, for an afternoon of fun learning about the games. Colgrain were also joined by Clyde’s friends Susan Eglestaff the Badminton player who represented Great Britain in the 2012 Summer Olympics and David Carry, the swimmer who won two gold medals in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Continue reading Clyde begins his tour of Scotland at Colgrain →

Iona Primary welcomes a very special VIP

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

Iona Primary School children were amazed when the Northern Ireland Minister for Justice popped in yesterday to thank them for a gift. David Ford from Stormont Castle came to thank the children for the very special book about Iona that the pupils had lovingly made from scratch (including the paper).
Former Head Teacher, Liz Kennedy, had had the inspired idea for this special book to be transported in the coracle that was sailing to Ireland as part of the St Columba’s Celebrations at the end of term. In memory of the journey of the famous Book of Kells. Continue reading Iona Primary welcomes a very special VIP →

Kodu programming – getting started

Learning Tech

Kodu is a visual programming language for creating games!  Kodu can be controlled using an Xbox controller or a mouse and keyboard.

  • Kodu provides easy tools to create elaborate 3D landscapes, and control the lighting and camera.
  • Kodu programming involves selecting visual tiles for a condition (WHEN) and an action (DO).
  • Students can learn about cooperation, logic and creativity, not just about programming.

Continue reading Kodu programming – getting started →

Argyll and Bute ipads for teaching and learning: Educators Event.

Conferences, CPD, Events, Learning Tech

Argyll and Bute, in partnership with Apple and XMA, invite you to a day with Keynote Guests and hands on workshops to explore the potential of this technology to transform learning. Topics include: Assessing with iPad – A hands on workshop exploring assessment. Creating Content with iPad – A hands on workshop looking at how to use content creation tools. Teaching with iPad – A hands on workshop focusing on how the iPad can transform learning and teaching.
Go to SALi for full info

Kilmartin’s amazing coloured potatoes!!

Awards, Communities, Competitions, Early Years, Interdisciplinary, Outdoor Learning, Primary schools, Projects, Social Enterprise

It’s great to start the new school year with exciting news! Kilmartin Primary’s Early level class grew some amazing coloured potatoes in our garden and this summer the potatoes won 1st prize in their category at the Mid Argyll Agricultural Show.The potatoes are a dark purple all the way through. Later in September, the school will be holding a vegetable sale with all of our garden produce and, of course, we will be making some very tasty soup! Continue reading Kilmartin’s amazing coloured potatoes!! →

Lochdonhead Winners

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

Lochdonhead Primary School has been very successful recently in two national competitions.
In June we were told that we were the winners of the Total Green School Award run by the Young People’s Trust. In our entry we recorded and reported all the work we have done over the year to improve our school grounds. The results were reported as ‘excellent and the judges were all extremely impressed’. Almost 44,500 children took part in the Award for 2013 which emphasises the scale of our achievement. We were given a certificate and a cheque for £500. Continue reading Lochdonhead Winners →