Category: Photo galleries

National Pigeon racing champions!

The pupils of Leswalt Primary have already achieved National recognition through their annual participation in The Big Pedal, virtual cycling race.  Now they have been added another National award – by taking part  and winning in Pigeon racing!

Mr Alec Wilson, a parent from the school, volunteered to enter 3 pigeons in the National One Loft Race, “Join our sport campaign”.  This event was designed to promote pigeon racing among children, and the birds were entered under the name of Leswalt Primary.  The pupils in school received photographs of their birds and a competition was held in school to name them.

A website was set up so that pupils could log in and check the progress of their pigeons www.scottishoneloftrace.co.uk/josc .  Aiyanna Wilson in Primary 6 was the pigeon expert in school, and she also provided regular updates as to how the birds were getting on.

Everyone was delighted when the final race was won by a racing pigeon from Leswalt Primary – winning the school the fantastic sum of  £350.  The school has since asked Mr Wilson what he would like the prize money spent on and all he asks is that the school provides a “treat for the children”.

Children in Need

At Leswalt Primary the boys and girls had a non-uniform day at school.  They donated money to Children in Need, not to have to wear school uniform. There was a cake sale at playtime and lunchtime and pupils also added copper coins to cover a giant Pudsey bear.  The exact final total is still being counted – as there was a huge amount of coppers brought into school – £158.29  has been raised for the charity.

Interactive Science workshop

The whole school at Leswalt Primary recently had a full day of interactive Science activities, from Rowanbank environmental education.  This science workshop was organised by PNE, a company who hope to build a wind farm at Larbrax, near Leswalt.
The pupils were all involved in practical and fun activities which aimed to raise their awareness of different forms of energy in their world.  Outside in the playground, pupils looked at wind and solar power, and the conditions which can affect both.   They took part in a practical experiment which involved the sun heating some water in the playground from 16 degrees to over 50 degrees, in just half an hour.

In school, all pupils contributed their artwork to two large canvas murals which now hang in the gym hall.  These murals demonstrate both eco friendly and destructive effects on the environment.

Older pupils took part in “the chocolate game” , and were horrified when the remains of  a huge bar of chocolate was thrown in the bin afterwards.  This highlighted to them that energy can be wasted, as they were particularly shocked to see the creamy chocolate being wasted!

It was a full day of interactive, eco-friendly fun for the pupils at Leswalt which enhanced the learning and teaching in classes on “Energy”.

Playmakers

Thirteen senior pupils at Leswalt Primary have successfully completed the Play Maker course led by Laura McClymont, the Active Schools Coordinator. This was a four week course created by Sports Leaders UK with the aim of teaching older children how to deliver a games programme to younger children. As part of the course they had to think about what makes a good leader, plan activities and evaluate their performance. They had the opportunity to carry out their activities as warm ups for PE lessons.

The children all passed their final assessment and achieved the following levels:

Gold – Emma Drennan and Craig Anderson, Silver- Freya Bathgate, Rhona Baillie, Abbie McQuillan, Mackenzie Keith, Tommy Kerslake, James Murray, Kieran Dodds, Gordon Johnstone and Kathryn Topping. Bronze- Finlay Cowan and Erin Topping.

Some of the pupils have already put their skills to good use by setting up lunchtime clubs for the younger members of the school.

Fabulous finds for p5-7!

On Thursday 14th February, P5-7 from Leswalt Primary had a treat  when they were invited to come and meet Andy Nicholson, who is an archaeologist based in Dumfries. His special area of expertise is swords and swordsmanship. As they found out, Andy is passionate about his subject and enjoys taking part in battle re-enactments in his spare time. (He has even had TV and film parts)

He impressed the cildren with tales the injuries he has sustained as part of his hobby!  The children went to Stranraer Musuem as part of their topic on “The Scottish wars of Independence.”

The first exhibit at the Musuem was the Lockerbie sword. It is 3000 years old and from the middle bronze age. It was ploughed up by a farmer and remained under his son’s bed for 50 years before it was handed over to a museum! It is one of the earliest swords in the region.

Swords from this era looked like daggers. They were wide and sharp and heavy for slashing.

Another find was at Barnhills Farm near Corsewall. This sword was found in three pieces by a spring. It was deliberately broken and given as an offering at this holy site.

 After the talk, some good questions were asked. Tommy Kerslake asked about gridstones and honestones. The children then all had the chance to try lifting all the swords. Kerr Renwick in p7 was the only one who could lift the claymore with one hand!

Careers in our community

At Leswalt Primary pupils are keen to learn more about skills for learning, life and work.  We have started a new initiative “Careers in our community” which sees different employment prospects being in the spotlight as people volunteer to come in and be in the hot seat.  Careers under focus this term include vet, police, Minister, British Telecom, Beauty therapy, engineering, nursing, Citizens advice and the Army.

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