Kirkcowan Primary school took part in the annual Scottish Dance competition at DEHS. The team performed ‘Come What May’ and were placed first out of the seven competing teams. Mr Little was the adjudicator and commented,
“The team’s entry was nice, easy with good wide set. The bow and curtsey were well together, but try to get more up on your toes for the skip change of step. The hands were well given and helpful and when everybody was dancing the covering was quite remarkable!”
The team were given a score of 89 out of 100 and all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The school last won the Scottish country dancing trophy in 1992!
The team would like to give special thanks to Cilla Strain for organising the competition.

The Scottish Opera visited the Machars on Thursday 22nd March to organise a play ‘The Dragon of the Western Sea’ focused on the Chinese age. Pupils in P5-7 from Kirkcowan, Wigtown, Whithorn and Garlieston all had different roles in the play. Wigtown were the Pirates, Whithorn were Africans, and Kirkcowan and Garlieston both joined together as Indians.
On the day all four schools had their own song to sing plus various other songs which the whole group sang together. They learned actions to the songs and even got to dress up in amazing, eye catching costumes. After jam packed rehearsals all morning, pupils ended the day with a performance to their family and friends.
Here are some quotes from Kirkcowan pupils: Jessie Wallace: “I thought it was really good because everyone knew what they were doing and we all enjoyed it!”
Skye Wallace: “I loved it because we didn’t make any mistakes! The opera singers were absolutely amazing to listen to”
Ruby Ellis: “It was really good and we were really good at singing the sound was so loud because there were so many of us!”
As you can tell the pupils had a brilliant time and so did the audience …we won’t be forgetting the experience anytime soon!

Pupils celebrated World Book Day by dressing as their favourite book characters and taking part in a character parade. Winning costume designs, judged by Mrs Twit (aka Mrs Murray), were:

Iona Cochrane as ‘Jumblebum’ from the book, Jumblebum

Gemma Burton as ‘Moon face’ from The Magic Faraway Tree

Jonty Gray as ‘Odd’ from the book Odd and the Frost Giants

Pupils then split into groups and took part in three space themed activities to fit in with their whole school topic, which saw them create a whole school alien story, design an eye catching front and back cover and book mark and act out their own alien space craft sketches for drama.

Following these activities older pupils then read to younger pupils, extracts from their favourite books. The celebrations finished with the whole school listening to their whole school story and feeling proud of their creative writing talents! Here are some thoughts from pupils about the day. Ally Faulds said “It was well organised and lots of fun” Rosaleen Colhoun said “I really liked the school story and seeing all our work put together” and Pixie McKie said “I liked everyone’s costumes”.

Article by Finlay Rodger, Duncan Adams and Sophie Dickinson.

On the 2nd of February 2018 p5-7 pupils of Kirkcowan and Wigtown School went to Edinburgh to visit the Parliament Building and Dynamic Earth. We all woke up super early, everybody was so tired even the teachers! It was a long tedious drive to Edinburgh with a few stops. We finally got to Edinburgh and we parked next to Dynamic Earth and we went in we put all our bags in a box and we ate our snack. Then we went down stairs in to a classroom and we talked about climate change and global warming, it was really interesting. After that we went on an amazing tour, starting with the big bang and how the Earth was formed, right through the dinosaur era, ice age, climate zones and finishing in the rainforest. The most spectacular part of the whole experience was the 4D cinema where you actually felt like you were flying a plane over the world!
After lunch we moved on to Parliament where Finlay Carson (MSP) met us and gave us a tour of the building and told us about his job. It was really cool when we got to sit in the debating chamber seats where real MSPs would sit. It helped us to remember what we had learned about Parliament and elections during our class topic. It was a great experience. Even better, the sun shone all day. We returned home around 7.30pm tired but happy.
By Lennon and Jonty (Kirkcowan Press Committee)

On the 1st of February Kirkcowan school held its first Burns Supper organised by P5-7 pupils. A few weeks of hard work all came together in an hour and a half of entertainment good food and laughter. At the beginning of lunchtime the pupils and staff were piped in by former pupil Nathan Paterson – it’s fair to say everyone was blown away by his talent on the Bagpipes. Once seated, the supper began with a warm welcome from the Chairperson Charley. Next we had the traditional Selkirk Grace and Address to a Haggis recited confidently by Finlay and Duncan. Following this we had a delicious meal of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (Yum! Thanks Mrs Stewart and Miss Gray).
After the meal the school choir entertained guests singing Caledonia and Loch Lomond. Duncan also played Auld Lang Syne on his violin. Then we had Caleb, Emily and Iona reciting their Scots poems with fantastic expressions and actions! Following this it was time for the Immortal memory, given by Hugh and Lennon.
Next it was time for some light hearted speeches with Jonty and Callum toasting to the lassies and Kendra replying on behalf of the lassies. “I thought the speeches were really funny” (Emily p4).
The school choir then entertained everyone singing Caledonia and Loch Lomond. The supper was rounded off with a vote of thanks given by Hawkai and then everyone singing Auld Lang Syne together.
“I was sad it had to end” (Kadie P4)
Following the Burns Supper pupils went into assembly where the scots poem finalists were judged by Mr McColm (member of the Burns association). The results were as follows:
1st
Primary 7 Finlay
Primary 6 Hugh
Primary 5 Caleb
Primary 4 Ally and Emily (joint first)
Primary 3 Jayden
Primary 2 Bethany
Primary 1 Pixie
Nursery (Pre) Angus
Nursery (Pre pre) Hamish

Article written by Sophie and Emily

(Kirkcowan Press Committee)

Day 1 & 2 fun for group A. More photos of group C & Mr Sullivan later!

We will try & update our site too but remember to check Wigtown’s blog for all our exciting adventures!

We can’t wait!!!

On Thursday 23rd March, delicious, eye catching cakes entered through the doors of Kirkcowan Nursery and School, all in aid of a great cause! Parents and pupils donated £1 to get involved and baked cakes and/or cupcakes with the theme of ‘Funny Faces’ for Comic Relief. The entries were judged by two very well respected bakers from the local Women’s rural, and the following pupils won prizes of baking utensils:

First Places:

Hugh and William (below)

Duncan and Lois (below)

Molly (below)

Runners up:

Charley (below)

Iona (below)

Many pupils chose to reserve their cakes and bought them back to take home and enjoy, for another £1 donation, whilst other pupils chose to donate their cakes into a silent auction/ cake sale. Pupils also enjoyed a pyjama day at school on Friday 24th March and gave a small donation for coming in non uniform. Altogether the pupils, parents and staff managed to raise £220,including the sale of red noses throughout the week. Well done everyone! ~Great Effort.

During Internet Safety week, our Health and Wellbeing Committee gave a very impressive power point about how to stay safe on the Internet. They then questioned the pupils on what they had learned. This is a very important topic for staff, parents and pupils to know about.

Pupils have worked hard over the last month to learn Scots poems. In class earlier this week, short leets of pupils were drawn up to go through to be judged by a local councillor and member of the Burns Federation.

Here are the results of the judging:

P7 1st-Nathan, joint 2nd- Jake and Hamish

P6 1st – Lennon, 2nd- Finlay, 3rd -Jonty

P5 1st- Molly, 2nd – Hugh, 3rd – Kendra

P4 1st- Sophie, 2nd – Ruby, 3rd – Hawkai

P3 1st – Gemma, 2nd – Ally, 3rd – Kadie

P2 1st – Jayden, 2nd – Halle

P1 1st – Sarah-Louise, 2nd – Bethany, 3rd – Archie