On Monday 20th May, a group of 5-7s went to a Shinty developer to see if we were good enough to go to the tournament in Fort William and I think we got through. I really enjoyed it. We did different types of drills; passing drill, shooting and speed it was fun. We had a tiny break then we started to play a game at the very end and we had a massive game and it was 8 minutes a half. The developer said I was really good at dribbling with both sides of the stick. The best thing was the different drills i feel so much confident than I was before about Shinty. I have learned how you hold your stick in the ready position. In one of the drills we hold the stick on the ready position and the hit the ball on one of the sides. It was awesome but it was wooden sticks so if you hit someone in the shins it would really hurt badly.
Blar
On Wednesdays,Saturdays and Sundays we do Blar which is about a battle that happened many years ago. There is going to be a big display that lots of people are taking part in to show the battle that happened on Traigh Ghruinnart. We all have to practice all our songs, some of us sing and if we are in the band we have to learn when to come in and play. The battle is about two groups of people having a battle who are the McLeans and the McDonalds and in the battle they have to ready up, there is a spay wife that gives the McLeans 3 warnings, 1st one is don’t arrive on a Thursday, 2nd one was don’t drink from the well Tobair Neil and the 3rd was go 3 times round the hill before going into battle. But the only day that they could come was Thursday on a stormy day, the McLeans were very thirsty so their leader said go and drink out of that well and that was Tobair Neil well so they went into battle and they didn’t go round the hill, so the Dubh Shith which stands for Black Fairy came and shot McLean.
P6/7 Trip To Stirling
On Tuesday the 4th of May the primary 6/7s from Islay and Jura went to Stirling for 4 days. We left on the ferry and then got the bus at Kennacraig, we only stopped once on the way in Inverarey. When we arrived we went straight to the hostel before going bowling then we went back to the hostel for dinner. The next day we went to the Wallace Monument in the morning we then went to the university to do dissect some fish, we then went to the cinema to watch All Stars. On the Thursday we went to the Falkirk Wheel and got a boat ride from the bottom of the wheel up it then through the Rough Castle tunnel we then turned around and went back down. We went to Stirling castle after we had been to the wheel we walked around the castle speaking to actor/tour guides as we went we then went to the gift shop before going to Jimmy Chungs Chinese restaurant for dinner. On the last day we went shopping in the Thistles shopping centre before going to Stirling bridge before getting back on the bus we stopped at Duck Bay Marina to play about and eat lunch we then stopped again in Inverarey to go to the jail, finally we arrived in Kennacraig ready to go home.
Day of Dance
On Thursday 21st of March P6/7’s from every school on Islay and Jura went to Bowmore Hall to dance. We started at 10am and finished at around 12pm. We did the Canadian Barn Dance, Gay Gordans, Mrs McLeod and the Bamkin. We all liked the Flying Scotsman, Strip the Willow and the Virginia Reel. They were fun because they were fast and energetic. It was really fun dancing with children from other schools and we could meet the people we will be going to high school with. Thank you to Mrs Cameron and Mrs Shaw for teaching us all the dances and Bowmore primary for supplying juice and crisps for half time.
By Eilidh and Elinor
Blar
This year the whole of Islay are putting together a big thing where all the musical groups on Islay take part, like choirs, soloist and instrumentalists. the reason this project is taking place is because 2 years ago (2011) the Islay feis done a famous poem by an Islay bard(poet) called William Livingstone, the poem was called The Battle of Traigh Gruinart, a very talented lady called Clare Jordan put the poem to fantastic music. All the choirs will learn the song in different parts , the junior choirs will only learn some parts whereas the adult choir will learn all the songs. It will be very tiring yet very fun and exciting.
Art With Mrs Onions
On Tuesday 23rd April, Mrs Onions came in and talked to us about art. There was lots of different artists and paintings and we had to look at the styles and textures that the artists used. We researched lots of paintings, then we would pick our favourite one and then we had to choose what we would use to colour our pictures in. Mrs Onions also set out a bottle of wine and a bowl of fruit incase we wanted to pick that for our picture. So we all picked different ones and then we started to colour them in.
MAKING THE ECO FERRIES!!!!
Three weeks ago we started making Eco ferries for a competition. We had great time building them. We built four prototypes and four real builds as well. There was two well built boats and two boats that were falling apart. So the two best built boats were altered and entered. One was wind powered and one was paddle and part wind and propeller. They were both made out of recycled materials and glue. Lets hope one or the other wins. We tested them in the sea.
by Ewan and Cameron
Mrs Negretti
We have a visitor called Mrs Negretti and she comes from the south of Switzerland and she speaks Italian. Instead of cars to get to their house they walk or take the cable car but if they need to deliver furniture or get to the hospital they get a helicopter. They have take the cable car or walk because there are so many mountains. Mrs Negretti teaches 3 schools and teaches them all arts and crafts. Mrs Negretti loves walking, reading,cooking, singing and dancing.
GLOW MEET WITH INDIA
Today we had a glow meet, with our partner school in Delhi in India. We partnered up with P3/4 to ask children from India three questions. We wanted to find out about their life style, and ask quistions like, have they ever gone camping? Have they been out of India before? What is their living space like?
We found out that they live in three story buildings, their favourite food is burger and pizza, they listen to Taylor Swift and Western music as well as traditional Punjabi music, they like Hollywood films like James Bond and they do a lot of reading. Our Gaelic folk group also performed their first international concert playing traditional Scottish music. It was really interesting and next time we hope to do a Glow Meet where we can celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival, together.
Wave Power Devices
Primary 6/7 were learning about wave power and decided that we would make wave power devices and my groups name was called DUNLLY!!! and we tested it in the sea. Our device had one problem at the beginning of the design, we couldn’t get the LED light to work but managed to problem solve and sandpapered the wires to get the light to flash in the waves. We changed the light around until we managed to get it to flash, it was really hard to make it generate electricity but we managed it in the end. But I think every group had a problem. When we were making the designs we got better at our communication skills, also there was another group called The DOUGHNUT Device they had a problem it sunk instead of floating, but eventually they made electricity too.
Cycling Proficiency
In about three weeks p7 will be having cycling proficiency with there janitor Mr Gairns and another person who is trained to help us. Through the course we will learn to indicate and the skills we need to learn to cycle on the road. We all have a choice whether to do it or not. We will do some of it in our school playground and some out on the village road. I can’t wait till I start.
By Liam and Reece
Citizenship Award And Clubs
At Port Ellen we have talked to the parent council about a citizenship award. We now have a citizenship award for the Primary 7’s and we have been going over what makes a good citizen because everyone will vote towards the end of a school year. Each of the houses got together and discussed what makes a good citizen. We have just started the citizenship award this school year.
Port Ellen have started new clubs too, including rugby and bug clubs. These are run by the children at lunch time.
Science afternoon with Dave
One afternoon a scientist called Dave came to see use to tell us about light and lasers. It was fun. We made a thing that can see spectrums. We told the p3/4s about our day with a scientist. He told use about the laser that he built and the biggest laser in the world. I hope he comes back because it was really cool.
by Ewan and Scott
P7 Islay High School Visit
On Thursday 21st March every P7 in Islay and Jura went to the the Islay High School to do some science. The day started when Mr Kitchen filled a flask with water and placed it on a gas cooker. The water turned into steam which came out off the flask and then he put the lid on it. Then we went to Ms McNaughton who was talking about air in our lungs. She also showed us how to float a straw in water and measured in many different ways. We also found out how to get a boiled egg into a flask without touching it.
India Afternoon Food
INDIA!!!!!
![spices](https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ab/OurLearningBlog/files/2013/03/spices-300x225.jpg)
Food Experiments
Last week was science and engineering week.In school we were learning about food science. We tested for glucose, iron, fat, protein and starch. For the protein we got protein strips and food juices. We then got a test strip and dipped it into the food juice. We then looked on the bottle and seen what colour it matched to. For the iron we got different cereals and put them into a sandwich bag and then we sealed the bag tightly. Then we crushed the cereal with a rolling pin and then added a bit of water. Then we got a strong magnet and kept sliding it back and forth looking for iron(wee black dots). For fat, we got a piece of brown paper and drew a circle it, then rubbed what ever it was, and held it up to the light and the parts in it are fat. For glucose we used Benedicts solution.
India afternoon
On the 26th of march we had a India afternoon we invited parents and we had stalls ready for the parents to interact with. Like a food stall and a India quiz. To start of the day we showed power points on different celebrations in India we also made Indian God masks to show to our parents. In p3/4 there Rangoli patterns to do also hand paints and guess the spice. We also set up a build the Taj Mahal with lego stall.
by Robbie and Liam
Easter Egg Competition.
On Tuesday 26th March the Port Ellen Primary school and the Pre 5 unit took part in an Easter egg competition. We do this every year and if you take part or win 1st 2nd or anything else you would get points for your house and you would also get a Easter egg! Each class has it’s own competition and if you win you get 100 points and if you get 2nd you get 75. If you enter you get 50. This year Texa and Nave both got 1100 and Orsay got 975 points. There was Egg Craft, The ReserEGGsion of Christ and Eggie the Eagle. Everybody tried really hard and we all liked looking at the different eggs!
By Danni and Elinor.
Indian Gods and saris
In the primary 6/7 class room we have been learning about Indian gods. Mrs Clark has also been telling us Indian stories about the different god and what their job is. The whole class did a god mask for each Indian god there is, for example Ellen’s god was Brahma, and Alicia’s god was Annapurna. We found out that in most Indian stories there is a god.
We also learned all about saris. A sari is an outfit that women wear in India. We all learnt how to put on a sari( we thought it was hard).Mrs Clark and Miss Brown wore a sari on India day, the saris had very nice patterns on them. On India day we also designed a sari with the P3/4 class and our mums and dads. We designed it with rangoli patterns and it looked very pretty in the end. We had a very fun day.
By Alicia and Ellen
Eco Ferrys
In our class we are making eco ferrys for a science compition in Glasgow. We made them in our table groups. We did a practise speed boat which worked alright. But our real thing will have to carry cargo and the boat that is done in the fastest time will win. You can go back and forth as much as you want. The ferry can only be 18 cm wide as thats as wide as the tank is. You also will get extra points if it is powered by a renewable source . It is alot to think about when were building the real thing . We attempted to make a prototype out of junk some worked much better than others. Some tipped over when they started and others couldn’t go straight. Were are working on it and adjusting it so that it will go straight in the water.
By Maisie and Eilidh
Extreme Weather
Recently we have been having lots and lots and lots of snow and wind making power lines to snap and fall over, some of us were without power for over 24 hours. The isle of Arran are STILL without power and might not have power until Friday, workers and electricians are working hard trying to get power back on the road for everyone. Port Ellen Primary School’s internet is routed through Arran and since Arran is down the Port Ellen Primary has no internet, which means we missed our second Glow meet with India. There was a weekend with cold dinners and no toast and tea but thankfully everything (apart from Arran) is back to normal.
By Emily & Cameron
Swimming Gala
On the 8th march Port Ellen Primary had their annual swimming gala, for the first time everybody actually took part in some form of swimming a race!
From a young age of 5 to 12, everybody was able to swim a length, width or half a length!
In primary one there was 2 races for boys and girls each, and they had to swim front crawl,(with a woggel). Primary 2’s had to swim a width but had to swim front crawl as well as backstroke!
For the girls p6/7 championship, Emily Logan won the cup, and for the boys p6/7 championship, Ewan Mackinnon won the cup.
We have a relay race with our three houses, Orsay, Nave and Texa.
Orsay won! in the relay teams were for Orsay, Maisie Logan, Emily Logan, Reece Bowman and Cameron Clarke.
Texa- Eilidh Macmillan, Eleanor Macmillan, Scott Kinloch and Oliver Murhead!
Nave-Ellen Johnston, Elizabeth Macmillan, Ewan Mackinnon and Nicholas Weatherhog!
So in conclusion, everybody had a great morning and we had a really nice lunch to go back to!!
By Maisie Logan
World Maths Day.
On Wednesday 6th of March it was World Maths Day. This is when we go onto World Education Games and play maths games against people from all over the world. You can collect medals and try to get into the hall of fame. It’s really fun looking at peoples avatars because some have blue hair or are in the sea! Everybody loves seeing who they’re going to play against and we try to play a game against eachother.
By Elinor
World Book Day At Port Ellen
This years World book day started on the morning of Thursday 7th March and Port Ellen started by dressing up as your favourite book character and bringing in your favourite book. I dressed up as Tanya from bad Girls by Jacqueline Wilson. Elinor was Miss Marple from Agatha Christie, Ellen was Tracy Beaker from the Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson and Danni was Miss Bat, the chanting mistress from The Worst Witch Strikes Again by Jill Murphy. Lots more people were also dressed up as their favourite character. Port Ellen had a great day and we all stayed in character up until school ended.
By Emily
Wind Power
Wind power is a form of renewable energy. 24% of Scotland’s renewable energy comes from wind power. It is created when wind spins the turbine that in turn spins a shaft which leads into the generator where a magnet is turned around a coil of wire which creates energy. That is how you make energy from wind.
Scottish Country Dancing
For the the last few weeks P6/7 at Port Ellen Primary School have been doing Scottish Country Dancing. They have been learning lots of dances for a big dance up at Bowmore. At Bowmore they will be meeting lots of people from other schools and they will dance with them at the big dance off. They will be dancing the Bampkin, CircleWaltz, Flying Scotsman, Canadian Barn Dance, Strip The Willow,Virgina Reel, Gay Gordon, Saint Bernands Waltz and Miss Macloud. Dancing is fun.
By Asher and Danni
New Wave Power Machine Device designs
Our new topic in science is electricity and how it is created. During the February Holidays we had homework! It was to design on paper a new wave machine device (to create electricity). When we got back to school we put our ideas together into one big one. So far we have made a power point on our own device and lots of different devices we learnt about. We have also made a big version of our new device on paper and a prototype made out of K-Nex. The 4 designs are called: The Dunlly, The Doghnut Device, The ERCEE and The Super Sweeper! We are entering the designs into the Saltire Awards JR.
By Emily Logan
SHINTY TOURNAMENT!!!
There was a shinty tournament on Islay at Bowmore high school on the 24th of Febuary. Schools from around Islay came to the shinty tournament. It was a great turnout. There were heats and then there was a final. Our Port Ellen team won it for the 10th time in a row, and the Port Ellen younger team won their group as well. So it was a good tournament over all for Port Ellen as we took both of the trophies home and were very proud of it. It was very fun and was a good challenge for us. We want to thank all the people that prepared it and we thank all the people that came to the event.
By Ewan and Robbie
Rugby Training
On Tuesday 19th February 2013 p5,6 and 7 had a rugby trainer called Alan teaching us how to play tag rugby. We learned how to do a tag and to pass the ball backwards. We had mini teams of 5 and played some games. There were the greens the oranges the blues and the non bibs. We also had some races so we had to run to the bottom of the pitch and do a touch down and run back up to the top, turn to the side and then throw the ball to the other person. It was great fun!
by Reece and Connor