Author: Mrs Baillie

As part of our work learning about the UNCRC and Rights of the Child, we  participated in a campaign to allow pupils to see that they can put their rights into action and make a difference in our local community. At our most recent Pupil Council meeting, we decided on 4 different campaigns that we’d like to run and then each school took a vote on their favourite. The campaign that had the most votes was the Police Scotland Youth Volunteer’s (PSYV) Christmas Shoebox Appeal. This campaign collects food and warm clothing for elderly residents in and around the Stranraer area.

We are asked our families if they could send in some donations to go towards the appeal. Items sent in included: tinned food , jars or jam,  sweets, biscuits , tea, coffee ,  gloves and hats .  Our families were very generous!

The photograph shows Erin Topping from the Police Young Scotland Volunteers uplifting boxes which had been collected by Kirkcolm, Leswalt and Portpatrick Primary schools.

After the disappointment of the Gaiety cancelling the pantomime performance for today late last night (due to cast illness) , Mrs Mc Knight made sure her class had a fun festive day at school today instead.  

Instead of being sad at missing out on Cinderella, the boys and girls had some fun making some mini “gingerbread” houses, doing some Christmas arts, crafts and puzzles and watching some  of Cinderella on the big screen in the classroom.

And thankfully Cinderella and Buttons hope to be better by next week so all can look forward to going to Ayr on Tuesday to enjoy the show!

Our local Community Safety Officer, Andrew Hay, visited the boys and girls this afternoon.  As part of our ongoing Eco Schools work, we are working on our target of managing litter and waste.  Andrew gave an informative and interactive talk to the children on our rights and responsibilities for our community and how best we can look after it.  We discussed the impact litter and dog fouling has on wildlife and the environment .

The children gave lots of suggestions on what we can do to improve the situation. We believe that everyone can do their part by not dropping litter and putting any litter in the bin when we find it.  We have agreed to create litter awareness posters.  We hope to display these prominently in our area.

UNRC Rights of the Child – Article 24 Health Water, Food & Environment

Leswalt Primary parent council organised the first ever Santa Dash round the streets of Leswalt today – all to raise funds for school based activities.  This event was supported by lots of Santas of all shapes and sizes from Leswalt, Kirkcolm, Stranraer – and even Drummore!  All were given a Santa hat and dashed round a route in the village to the Christmas tunes being played by Jacky Robinson and Jill Millar.  It was even snowing at the start too – just to add to the festive atmosphere!

On return to the hall, mulled wine, mince pies and cakes were provided to all the Santas.  Medals were given out to all and this kicked of the festive season in style for Leswalt community.

Many thanks to Leswalt Stores for sponsoring this event and providing all the hats and medals for competitors.

The final fundraising total will be calculated once all donations are in. 

Thank you to all who supported this!

 

 

All the boys and girls at Leswalt Primary were delighted to receive a treat of an advent calendar for them all to open every day in December.

Leswalt Community association kindly provided all pupils with a chocolate treat.  Many thanks to them for thinking of us all at school.

The photograph shows Primary 1 pupils happy with their gift!

On the first day of December, we opened our advent calendars and kicked off the  the festive season with some input from the Scripture  Union and “Christmas Unwrapped!”

Owain Evans joined our class to lead P5-7 through fun activities such as the Christmas Quiz, and and excerpt from “The Star” movie.  In groups we tried some code breaking activities to crack the Christmas code.

We all went on to “Shine a light on Christmas” by making our own beeswax Christmas candles.

It was a fun filled festive morning which reminded us all of the true meaning of Christmas.

Despite the windy forces at work on Wednesday, 11 hardy P5-7’s took themselves off to run the annual school’s cross country competition out at Green Valley.  This was re-scheduled after rain postponed the event planned before the holidays.   Wednesday  had glorious sunshine, slightly over shadowed by some harsh headwinds (or excellent tail winds if you are facing the right way…?) 

After a warm up activity, pupils waited patiently for the schools to gather and then the races began – half a mile for p5 and one mile long for p6 and p7 pupils.   Every single pupil tried their absolute best and the most evident thing  was the team work the pupils displayed – cheering each other on as loudly as they could! 

Well done to all for their efforts #effective contributors

 

Last year Emma Shirley was diagnosed with Leukaemia, and was unable to start Primary 1 at Leswalt Primary school with all her wee friends.  Emma has subsequently missed lots of school and had months of treatment at Glasgow Children’s Hospital.   

In December, all the boys and girls from Leswalt Primary decided when they moved back to their newly refurbished school they would hold an open afternoon , with donations to support Emma.  £320 was raised in just over 2 hours at Leswalt Primary with visitors all donating generously. 

Emma is now feeling a lot better and has been in school for a few mornings.  All her friends from Leswalt Primary school handed over the money  raised.  £200 was given to the hospital for helping Emma and £120 was given to her parents to help with the costs of them having to go back up and down to Glasgow.  Emma still has to attend Glasgow Children’s hospital on a weekly basis.

The photograph shows Leswalt Primary pupils handing over the money to Emma and mummy, Joanna Shirley.

 

 

 

Leswalt Primary was delighted to welcome 2 very special guests to see the news and improved Leswalt Primary school.

Dawn Roberts the new Chief Executive for Dumfries and Galloway council was accompanied by Dr Gillian Brydson, Director of skills Education and Learning to see how all the money has been spent on the refurbishment of Leswalt Primary school.  They arrived at Leswalt Primary school with the Scrapbook the Pupil council made many years ago to request some work on Leswalt Primary.  Hamish Mc Gregor recalls he was in Primary 1 when this was compiled.  Hamish is now in Primary 6 and delighted to see the huge change from the photographs in the scrapbook!

While at the school, our visitors had a tour from Alexander and Faye, our most senior pupil council members now.  The school also sang to them and Mrs Ferguson was also surprised when they handed over a certificate to her for working with Dumfries and Galloway council for over 25 years!

Click here to read the letter we received after the visit – Sheila Baillie 20230221