Author: Ms Whorlow

Our boys and girls have been enjoying the outdoor life today, planting all the kind donations of plants we have received from Home and Gardens & Tesco.  The children have written thank you letters to Tesco and Lidl today

Ever creative, Mrs Richardson has been repurposing tubs and containers to help make our grounds look blooming good.

 

We even found a larve.  We are not sure if it’s a moth or a butterfly.  We put it back carefully to keep it safe.

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, Aiden (P7) had recently written to the RSPB asking for a donation of literature.  They have replied today by kindly sending us a pack for each school.  It contains ‘best for bee’s’ annual flower seeds along with  bird identification guides and gardening with wildlife in mind helpsheets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, everyone joined in with a Big Bug Hunt

# Effective Contributors

 

We are delighted to announce that the North Rhins Trio Partnership has been awarded our Anti-Bullying Ambassador Respect Badge!

Our Primary 6 pupils along with our house captains underwent anti-bullying ambassador training as part of the Diana Award.  As a results, and in combination with our Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award, our pupils have completed an action plan of 6 activities to gain this award.

• Educating students on children’s rights through a year long, whole school assembly programme focussed on UNCRC Rights of the Child, Rights Respecting Schools and Global Goals 
• The creation of Rights As We See It Video showcasing children’s views on their rights and their importance
• Whole school awareness events such as anti-bullying week and a week of kindness etc.
•  Diversifying our school library through digital book readings
• The creation of a new monthly Respect award, as defined by our pupils
• The creation a whole school diversity and inclusion pledge by our pupils

We have been highly praised for our work in key areas that demonstrate and support a culture of respect. Have a read at our award feedback to find out how well all of our pupils have worked in key areas:

Respect Badge Letter

The Diana Trust wrote this lovely comment:

Thanks so much for sending over your evidence form for the Respect Badge. We’ve reviewed your evidence and we were overwhelmed with how much thought and effort you’ve put into your anti-bullying initiatives. It seems like all of the activities have had a great impact on the students in your school and we really like that you use such creative ideas to support your campaign. The video is amazing and the diversity and inclusion pledge is a fantastic action which I am sure will be a long term feature in your school.

Congratulations, we are awarding you the Respect Badge! This is a fantastic achievement and the team should be very proud.’

Here is a link to a Sway explaining more about our new respect award:

North Rhins Respect Award Blog

As part of our work with the Diana Trust, we have created a new RESPECT award certificate.

Go to this Sway

Our senior pupils created a collection of inclusion pledges. These were shared with the whole school community and everyone voted for the one they would like us to adopt.  Here is our winning pledge from Rose, Struan, Faye and Tristan.:

 

 

 

 

 

Well done to our anti-bullying ambassadors AND all of our pupils who have been involved as whole school communities to promote RESPECT FOR ALL!

# Responsible Citizens

# Effective Contributors

All three school communities came together on Saturday for our annual Kirkcolm Mini Walk to raise funds for our schools and to enjoy a social fitness activity together.

Despite the threat of rain, the weather stayed dry enough to allow our walkers to enjoy a run or a stroll around the beautiful scenery of our Kirkcolm coastal area.

First, second and third places are awarded for the boys and girls completing the course in the quickest time.  The first boy and girl tied, crossing the line together. The results are as follows:

Boys:

1. George Keith – Kirkcolm P6
2. Danny Dougan – Kirkcolm P5
3. James Turtle – Kirkcolm P6

Girls:

1. Olivia Turtle – Kirkcolm P7
2. Izzy White – Portpatrick P7
3. Miley Adams – Kirkcolm P7

Our Winners: Olivia & George

 

 

 

 

 

 

The route followed along the Corsewall Estate Coastal Path. A very well done to everyone who walked or ran the course.  There was great camaraderie and high spirits as everyone progressed around the route.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are very grateful to those who were sponsored to take part in the event.  Each school has raised their own total, which will be announced shorty.   The money will be put to very good use for the children.

Our schools would like to thank:

• Our parents and families who planned and organised the mini-walk
• The Carrick-Buchanan and Milroy family for their kind  permission to walk on their land
• The volunteer  marshals & photographers
• Lidl and Tesco  for the donation of refreshment
• and to ALL the children and families who fundraised and participated to raise money for our three fantastic wee schools!  We applaud each and every one of you who took part.

Enjoy these photographs from the event:

The children in Primary 1 – 4 have been working hard on producing a radio show transmission with Dumfries and Galloway Youth Music Group as part of our Feis Rois traditional music programme.

This radio show is the culmination of a block of sessions which focussed on the development of early music and communication skills and health & wellbeing and promotes the enjoyment of music. Singing games, exploring musical instruments and games were included in each session.

We are pleased to introduce to you, the Leswalt Lads and Lassies.

# Confident Individuals

Our gardening volunteers were super-keen to complete our bug hotel, or should we say ‘bug mansion’ as it’s so impressive.  The children worked hard to gather natural materials and construct the bug hotel ready for residents.  They mixed STEM engineering construction with Learning for Sustainability.  Not content with just that task, they also got stuck into tidying and weeding, ready for even more gardening challenges to come.  Thank you to Mrs Richardson for coordinating the activity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Biodiversity Eco Schools Target achieved!

# Effective Contributors

As part of our Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award, our P6’s and House Captains from across our partnership took on some responsible training today.  The Diana Trust delivered a workshop on developing our older pupils as Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.

This is supported by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Campaign engages schools to change the attitudes, behaviour and culture of bullying by building skills and confidence to identify and deal with different situations.

The aims of the session were:

• I know what bullying behaviour is and how to identify it
• I understand how bullying behaviour can make someone feel
• I can support students in school who are experiencing bullying behaviour

We defined what is meant by bullying behaviour as:

Repeated negative behaviour that is intended to make others feel upset, uncomfortable and unsafe.

The children had lots of rich discussion around this topic with our online trainer, Clio.  We talked about situations to determine whether they were bullying or not.  Pupils were shown that there are three steps to support a peer who might approach us with a problem – S.A.D.:

• Say – Thank you (for trusting us)
• Ask – Tell me what’s been going on?
• Do – What do you want to do?

Everyone was reminded that all school staff are always here to manage and deal with any situation that might arise. Our Ambassadors are there to help anyone experiencing bullying access support from an adult.  There is scope for our Ambassadors to work together to achieve 4 different challenge badges.

 

Childline is available for any child to call 24/7, 365 days a year on 08001111.  The Diana Award Crisis Messaging service provides a free text support service for children, also available at any time.  Simply text DA to 85258!

# Responsible Citizens

Primary 5 to 7 were keen to get outdoors to combine using their maths and technologies skills this morning.

Through a practical activity which included the use of
technology, children developed their understanding of the link between compass points and angles. The children logged on to Google Maps and used the shared location function to access the compass function.  They were able to use the app to identify the directions of the 4 points of the compass namely, North, South, East and West and relate them to their immediate location.

They then applied their knowledge of angles to calculate and draw their own chalk compasses, extending the task to create some 8-point compasses with accuracy.

As the Sun was shining, we decided to go outdoors to enjoy some cross-country distance running in the afternoon too – an active day all round!

As part of our journey towards Rights Respecting Schools Silver status, the children have been discussing all of the rights within the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). They have discussed what rights they feel are most important and have explained their views. Here is just a sample for you to see what responsible citizens we have!

RRS-Silver-Our-Views-On-Rights-video

If you would like to find out more about Rights Respecting Schools, here is a link to their website.

 

 

 

Whilst the older pupils were spending time outdoors at Lockerbie Manor, the younger pupils got their ‘eco’ hats on to support our local bird population.

Everyone pitched in to help make apple bird feeders using foraged sticks and string.  It was then time to get outside to hang up the tasty treats for our feathered friends.

The final day has dawned crisp and bright for another rotation of exciting activities.

There were a few sleepy heads this morning, but everyone soon shook of the zzzz’s and were raring to go.

Blaze treated everyone to a beautiful song to start the day – A Million Dreams from the Greatest Showman – so lovely!

The last day was crammed packed with more adventures.  A very weary, but happy bunch piled on the bus for the journey home.  A few zzz’s could soon be heard from the back of the bus. 😉

What a fantastic time was had by all!

 

Photos:

dd