Month: November 2017

As part of our ‘People who help us’ topic, P1-4 enjoyed a fun filled trip to Stranraer Police and Fire Stations. At the Police Station, we got to try on the uniform, book in some criminals and spent some time behind bars in an actual police cell!  At the Fire Station we had a tour of the fire engine and found out what all of the equipment is used for.  We also got to try on the firefighting uniform and even got to use the fire hose!

 

“I loved getting to use the fire hose. It was really funny!”  Jack P4

“The siren was so loud and I loved the colours it made.” Maisie P3

“I really liked getting to hold the police equipment like the shields and batons. It is all really heavy!”  Robin P4

“Getting locked in a police cell was fun but it really stank!” Alexander P2

Many thanks to Anne and Susan from Feis Rois for their 12 week input on Gaelic music-making, singing and the tin whistle. This was brought to a fabulous conclusion this morning with a concert to P1-4 and parents!

The children learnt many songs in English and Gaelic, counted in French and Gaelic, as well as playing the tin whistle in three musical parts, in descant, using drums to add to the rhythmic pattern of the tune and memorising simple tunes to be able to play their whistle by heart, copying complex clapping patterns and a very fun Penguin song which involved audience participation!

The pupils all responded so positively to this experience and gained so much musical awareness and confidence from this. I hope everyone who came along to their mini-concert enjoyed this as much as the children enjoyed performing it!

 

This morning, all pupils gathered together in the hall for the launch of 2017’s Read Write Count gift bags for all pupils in P1, P2 and P3.

Fantastic gifts were inside including books, magnetic boards, number games, card games, dice and lots more!  There is also a guide for all parent and carers with lots more exciting ways to use the materials.  Each child gets a drawstring bag to keep all their new gifts in and can take with them in the car, for long journeys, when visiting family etc.

We welcome any photos of these gift nags being used at home 🙂

 

The boys and girls enjoyed a super Pudsey Spotacular day to raise money for Children in Need. The pupils rocked up in the morning wearing non-uniform with a donation to pop in the Pudsey bucket. Some children had gone to lots of effort to create their wacky and very creative ‘spotty’ outfits. Spotty sweeties (AKA Smarties!) went to the winners of each year group with several family groups really demonstrating their artistic talents.

Yummy cakes and pancakes were on the menu for interval when the pupils bought some home-baking for the Friday playpiece. Unsurprisingly, there was nothing but crumbs left!

Throughout the week, the boys and girls had been buying Pudsey and Blush ears and wristbands too.

All of their donations will be counted up and a final total will be announced next week. Well done to all! It was a Pudsey-tastic, spotacular day all round!

P.C. Pellett popped in to speak to P5-7 this afternoon about staying safe online. The internet is a marvel – but it is something which us teachers didn’t grow up with as the young of today are!

Just like any new thing though, it is important to be aware of what is ok and what is not ok.

We looked at the ThinkUKnow website. This is a tile on every pupils’ GLOW homepage. It is packed full of fun educational games to help children be more internet aware. There is even an information page for parents to access too.

Certain social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (to name just a few) have age restrictions on them. They are there to guide parents and carers. It is essential to remember that people who you accept as ‘friends’ on these sites MUST be people you already know. People who you would chat to if you met them in the street.

If at any time you are unsure about the privacy settings on one of these sites, ask an adult to check them for you. They should be set so that only the people who you want to see your posts, are the ones who can see them!

Why not check out the ThinkUKnow website to learn out more. Enjoy the internet – it has so much to offer but just be aware of what to do if you are ever unsure. Whether it be internet safety, road safety or drug safety – they all have looking after ourselves and each other as their main goal. Stay safe online!

 

 

Today Lesley and Rhona from NSPCC came to speak to us all about Childline and the Speak Out – Stay Safe campaign as part of our Health and Well-being curriculum.

P1-4 listened to and chatted about the importance of sharing their worries with a trusted person and met Buddy the Childline mascot who is there to remind us all that it is good to talk. Don’t keep those worries to yourself.

P5-7 then watched an animated video clip which was designed to get the pupils thinking about…

• Lightening their Sack of Worries by talking about their worries and problems.
• being aware of and understanding what’s right and what’s not.
• the 5 types of abuse: neglect, physical, sexual, emotional and bullying.
• Abuse is NEVER okay and is NOT the child’s fault.
• Speak to someone you can trust. Childline is ALWAYS there – no problem is too big/small.
• Keep speaking out until something changes.

The pupils learnt a way of remembering the Childline number 0800 11 11 and were encouraged to chat about what they had heard and watched.

Remember:

Speak Out – Stay Safe!

 

 

Thanks to Kirstie, Charlotte, Megan and Finlay for planting the winter pansies in our front door tubs. They are looking much prettier now!

Today, Wednesday 1st November, we all got to work planting crocus bulbs at the Wetlands. Why I hear you ask?

Well, this was in collaboration with the Rotary Club who are working hard to raise awareness about the continued fight against polio. Neville Wright, chairman of Stranraer Rotary, came to speak to us all about the latest drive to ensure polio is eradicated throughout the world. Huge strides ahead have been made over the last 23 years with polio cases falling from 300,000 in 1985 to just 37 in 2016! But without continued understanding and immunisation programmes, this devastating disease threatens to multiply once again. The ‘purple for polio’ crocuses are to remind people to give what they can to help the continued fight – just 20p is enough to immunise a child. That’s nothing!

The boys and girls were all up for the challenge so, donning their wellies and waterproofs, they headed for the Wetlands and met up with other Rotary members to plant the 4000 bulbs (yes – 4000!) Surprisingly quickly, these purple crocus bulbs were planted quickly by the children in the soil trenches prepared by the Rotary members. With grubby hands, very mucky boots but much bigger smiles, the children headed back to school. We are all looking forward to seeing the crocuses bloom next Spring – and don’t forget the importance of supporting polio immunisation around the world!