Author: Miss Dale

Pupils asked me to blog about my training course earlier this week – I think they were trying to get their own back for weekly blogs about learning!

The two day residential was designed to make Head teachers reflect on their approach as a leader and how they take their school forward. Time to read and discuss important issues affecting education at this moment.

One of the most interesting parts of the day was on Monday evening when Sue Brookes spoke about her leadership role at the Polmont Young Offenders Remand Centre. She spoke about the practical ways they help young men get back on track. She spoke about the need for schools to look at the wider curriculum – life skills and practical skills as well as maths and language skills.

I met some very interesting head teachers from as far away as Orkney and Shetland – but it was very nice to come home to Holywood on Wednesday!

More work still to do – I am sure I’ll keep you posted!

Miss Dale

Big Thursday is back on the timetable at Holywood and it is one of our favourite days of the week.

On a Big Thursday our four teachers each teach one curricular area to all the pupils in school.

This term Miss Stapleton is teaching Computer Science – this is new on the Big Thursday subject list. Think of the coding and digital literacy skills pupils will have by the end of the year!

Miss Brockie- Donald is teaching P.E. this term and has gymnastics plans for everyone!

Mrs Jardine is teaching Art and Design – one of her favourite subjects.

Miss McIntyre is heading out for Outdoor Skills sessions  – pupils will be using their senses and their knot tying skills this term.

Next term Art switches for Music and Outdoor skills switch to STEM lessons – exciting times.

Pupils need to wear their old clothes and bring their P.E. kit with them.

Have fun learning on Big Thursday Team Holywood!

Miss Dale

Last week our new Keder Greenhouse was constructed in the playground.

This incredible structure is going to be the home of STEM learning at Holywood. We have big plans for our big greenhouse.

Greenhouse film

Watch our short film to see the greenhouse being constructed.

Thanks,

Miss Dale

The most exciting thing was Spotting the climbing jungle in Brugges because is would be exciting for school.

Went to Europe for 2 weeks. To France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. ”It Was Too Hot for The First Week.”

Was Totally delighted to be on holiday. Love a Holiday!

Is content to be back. ”It was Nice to Be Back Again.”

MASSSIVE movie night with all her friends. ”It Was Good To Catch Up With Them All.”

She Wanted another weeks holiday.

 

By Charlie K

Interviewing Miss Dale.

Charlie went to Auchenlarie Holiday Park for his holidays. He stayed in a caravan. Unfortunately, he had to take his annoying sister too!

On site he played in the woods, visited the gem rock museum where he earned some gems for completing tasks BUT did not steal anything!

Charlie took swimming lessons during the holidays – he can now kneel and dive and sit and dive!!

Charlie has a new puppy it is a girl. She is called Selkie (a Selkie is a mythical Scottish creature) and she is a tiny wee Border terrier pup! Is officially the cutest puppy in the world according to Charlie!

Charlie says that the summer holiday was far too short!

 

By Miss Dale

Static Electricity:

We got a balloon and rubbed them on our jumpers. This built up static electricity. We then held the balloon over some rice crispies.

The rice crispies jumped onto the balloon and stayed.

We made a tissue paper ghost and it floated and stayed on the balloon.

Then we made our hair stand on end! It was hair raising!

Try out your own investigations at home!!

But be careful as your hair might end up on the balloon like Skye’s 🙁

By P1/2

More next week…

Kids are saying ‘ No more guns’ in America because some kids were killed in a gun shooting in Florida, in America. It was a teenager who killed 14 people when he open fired in a school.

I think no body should have guns – only armed forces.

I would tell American gun owners that people are dying from their weapons every day.

Did You Know? You can buy guns from the supermarket in America.

This is not fake news!

By Kye

Yesterday we opened the largest collection of art we have ever had at Holywood Primary School. With over 50 local artists showing work (some of them for the very first time) it was a feast for the eyes for our parents and families.

The pieces were varied with some pupils re-creating the masters such as Picasso and Van Gogh. Others choose street artists such as Core 2 and Lady Pink. Sonny selected a Scottish artist Ken Currie who produces some very sombre work – dark!!

Thanks to all who visited this 24 hour pop-up art gallery. We have taken lots of photos and will get pupils to post about it next week.

We may also try to get some of our work in the local press.

Art work will be coming home over the next couple of days – enjoy!!

 

Miss Dale

Today in class we discussed homework. Pupils completed a PMI chart on the subject of Homework. They put down the plus points, the minus points and asked and Interesting questions about homework.

Most pupils know that homework allows them to share learning with home, improves their skills and moves learning forward.

Most pupils felt that they spend a long time working in school.

We discussed the difference between homework at primary and secondary. Some pupils with older siblings told us that that homework gets done because of the consequences  – pupils with de-merits for not doing homework miss out on school trips!

Funnily enough, the pupils who complete homework thought this was a good idea. The pupils who do not complete homework did not like the idea.

Two of our pupils informed us that their older siblings don’t do the homework or cheat.

Is this really moving learning forward?

Let us know your views!

Best wishes for 2018 to all members of the school and wider community!

Miss Dale