Category: Photo galleries

On Tuesday 29th January 2013, Leswalt Primary held its fourth annual Burns Supper.

 

The whole school sat down alongside invited guests, including staff and parents.  Cameron Walker, P7, was a very able and organised chairperson who ensured the proceedings ran smoothly.

 

Jack Rickard, P3, said the ‘Selkirk Grace’ before Mr Andy Ross piped in the haggis.  Iona Rickard, P1, proudly carried the haggis into the company.  The haggis was presented to Ben Cowan, P7, who confidently addressed it with great gusto.  Mr Douglas McClure educated the company about the early life of Robert Burns, in saying ‘The Immortal Memory’.

 

Recitations were also delivered from pupils in primary 1 to primary 7.   Classes also entertained by singing Scots songs.  The senior class sang “The Bonnie Ship the Diamond”, with every pupil playing an instrument to accompany. The younger pupils sang “You cannae shove your Granny off a bus”.

 

Craig Anderson, P5, proposed an amusing toast to the lassies before Abbie Mc Quillan in P5 gave him an appropriate reply.

 

Tommy Kerslake in Primary 5 provided an articulate and amusing toast to Leswalt School

 

The Burns Supper concluded with Erin Topping giving an appreciative vote of thanks. 

 

The company sang ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at the end of a highly successful and entertaining Burns Supper at Leswalt Primary.

Primary 1-4 at Leswalt Primary recently concluded their study of “People who help us” with a trip into Stranraer Fire station.  The boys and girls went in to learn all about the role of the Fire Brigade in the community.

 

The visit began with pupils learning all about the uniform and why the Fire Brigade wear it.  Some of the small pupils even got to try on the large uniform themselves.  Fire safety was also discussed, with pupils being reminded about the importance of having a smoke alarm in their home.

 

Tanya Ellis explained to the pupils all about the role of the Fire Brigade before they went outside to meet Tony Reid and see the fire engines up close.  Pupils learnt all about water hydrants before being allowed to use the fire hose.  The highlight of the visit for all was a seat in the Fire Engine.

 

It was a very active, informative afternoon for all.  Kathryn Topping in P4 summed it up by saying “It felt like I was a proper fire-fighter when I was using the hose!”  To which Jack Rickard in P3 added “Yes, the hose was awesome!”                

Primary 5-7 pupils at Leswalt Primary have recently been learning all about France.  As part of their learning experiences the pupils and their teacher Mrs Bathgate organised a French café for their parents and friends of the school.

Pupils created a menu which included croissants, pain au chocolat, tarte au citreon and des gateux.  The café was also providing Orangina and chocolat chaud to drink.  Pupils were encouraged to take orders from their customers by speaking French. 

 

                          

When the doors close at Leswalt Primary for the October holidays it will be a very special day for one person. On 12^th October 2012 Nina Agnew will retire from cleaning at Leswalt Primary School, having worked there for an amazing 44 years.

 

Nina has a very strong bond with her local school.  Not only has she been a very dedicated and loyal employee but she was herself a pupil at Leswalt – in fact 4 generations of her family have all attended the village school.

 

Mrs Agnew has seen many changes in the school building, teaching, pupils and staff over the years.   Nina remembers when she had to clean the toilets which were outside many years ago. And, she has even managed to out last 8 head teachers who have all came and gone during the time in which she has been working at Leswalt.  The current head teacher, Mrs Sheila Baillie, has nothing but praise for Nina “Nina will be a hard act to follow.  She is a wonderful woman who helps provide that extra sparkle to our little school.  I know I can speak on behalf of all current and former staff and pupils in thanking Nina for her hard work and kindness to all over the many, many years”.

 

If any former pupils, parents or staff wish to join in with the community of Leswalt in passing on thanks to Nina they can do via Leswalt Primary school or Leswalt village shop, before the farewell on Friday 12^th October.

Primary 1-4 from Leswalt Primary were recently delighted to have an afternoon with Julia Donaldson, author of “The Gruffalo” and other stories.

 The pupils from Leswalt travelled to Newton Stewart Library to meet Julia, in an event organised by the Scottish book trust.   Julia asked pupils to act out one of their favourite stories for her.  Leswalt pupils told the story of Elmer the elephant, with pupils taking on the roles of elephants, jungles animals, trees and narrators.

 It was a fun packed afternoon which had all actively engaged in listening to Julia, singing songs with her, and acting out different parts of some of her stories.  The pupils even enjoyed a performance of “The Gruffalo” in Scots language.

 The session finished with pupils getting their Julia Donaldson books signed by Julia Donaldson, the Children’s Laureate.  

As Children’s laureate, Julia visited Newton Stewart Library as part of a 6 week library tour which will take in 35 libraries across the country from Land’s end to John O Groats.