Author: Mrs McIntyre

George, Tomas, Kevin, Archie, Maya, Francesca, Sam and Jason all competed with the S1 finalists at the final on Wednesday evening.  The judges were amazed by the displays and also by the science and engineering background to many of the projects on show.  The children were able to speak knowledgeably about variables and their final results.  We were thrilled after a long process of marking and discussion, to discover Sam and Jason had won the Science shield for 1st place and Maya and Francesca won 3rd place with their project ‘Go Nuts!’ Well done to all of our P7’s who got through to this stage your work was of a fantastic standard.  Bring on the challenge again in S1!

There was further Outdoor Education for Primary 7 this week when Alex and Ian (Outdoor Education Instructors) led us in a session of skills development in rock climbing and abseiling.  The weather, particularly on Monday, was fantastic, while enjoying our picnic in the sun you could have mistaken it for a Spring day!  I was so pleased with how well the children listened, behaved and worked.  Very brave and determined young people!  The children had so much fun and learned a lot, even scrambling on the low levels, getting used to balance and finding hand and feet holes.  A fantastic spot just on our doorstep for you all to go and enjoy together!  Well done again P7!

Primary 7 say a big thank you to Dumfries Ice Bowl and the Parent Council today for a fantastic treat.  We had a fabulous hour of ice skating, some people learned to skate for the first time and Maya and George treated us to a great display showing us their figure skating competition routines to Disney music and to Spanish music.  It was absolutely fantastic, well done all. P7 were such a credit to St Andrews brilliant behaviour, big smiles and all so helpful and encouraging to one another on the ice. Back in class we watched Home Alone and enjoyed our choice of treats with the money we got from the Parent Council for Christmas. The chocolate ice cream and the sweet chilli Sensations were very popular.

Primary 7 were split into two groups last week to spend 2 days each at Carlingwark.  While they were there the instructors took them up Screel hill, orienteering and mountain biking in Dalbeattie Forest.  The children all worked well in their teams, supporting and encouraging one another.  They learned many new skills and faced some challenges – particularly the weather! At night we had teddy bear competitions, dinner out, drama games as well as some crazier activities involving jelly babies and flour!  The children were all a real pleasure to be with and had brilliant manners and listening skills with the instructors.  Well done everyone! It certainly was an action packed week and I’ve really enjoyed reading your recounts on the experience in writing this week.  It sounds like you all had a great time and took so much from it.

 

hello we are the publicity crew our names are Alister, Jokubas, Argyle, Marley and Jack.

We will be updating you on what’s happening with the Primary School Christmas Musical, which will be performed on the 18th and 19th of December in our school hall at 6.30pm. All of Primary 6 and Primary 7 will be taking part in the show even if its backstage. The show will be about some school pupils that do not want to do  a Christmas musical and drive the teachers mad. there will be a raffle on the night, and lots of songs. The pupils will be acting as some of the teachers and children (not children from the actual school, however the teachers will be from the school!).Hope you come to our amazing show and bye from the publicity crew. here are some pictures of us rehearsing.

As part of our mini topic on WW1 commemorating the 100 years since the end of the war Primary 7 visited Dumfries Museum to meet characters from WW1  (The Colonol and Mrs Stackpool) and to learn about being a spy.  They took part in different group activities which encouraged them to look at World War 1 critically. They also found out lots about propaganda when looking at the photographic exhibition upstairs realising what is real and what is “fake news.”  The children were all a credit to themselves and the school and seemed to have a great afternoon. Maya remembered learning that custard powder was highly explosive from the true/false quiz she did.   Shea remembered that the football rattle was used to warn the men that the gas had been released as it was a very loud noise all would hear and recognise!

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A huge thank you to everyone who attended the concert at St Andrew’s Parish and to the many people who donated clothing, including school uniforms for the children and their families/peers back home.  It was an exhilarating evening, the children sang with so much passion and love for each other and for those supporting them.  An incredible 54 suitcases of clothes were collected for them overall whilst on tour and 16 of those where from our school alone!  Well done also to P7 who did a great job with the publicity campaign.  It was fabulous to be on Border news and WestSound radio.  Lucy, George, Lewis and Niamh spoke so well.  Hopefully some people may consider sponsoring a child (only £20 a year) or being a host family when they come next time.

Thank you once again.

This is a update on our work with the Singing Children Of Africa.

By Sam

We’ve been doing a lot of work getting donations of clothes and have been going round some charity shops.

 

 

We are trying to get some things into the newspapers, Mrs McIntyre was on West Sound speaking about our project and we have spoken to Border TV who are getting back to us. We had  a bake sale which raised £94.51. Some Parents have offered their sewing skills to turn the trousers into shorts for the children in Africa.

 

There’s a board outside with info on about what  we are doing and a countdown to the  concerts and a performance you’ll never forget.

 

Pictures by Jason

        

 

This week the children in P7 experienced a Chinese cookery lesson (as part of their learning about China)with Mrs Chalk and Mrs Farrell from St Josephs Home Economic Department.  They followed instructions carefully and had a super time learning how to use cooking equipment, stir fry vegetable, roll filo pastry and importantly clean up after themselves! I was really impressed at how well they worked with their partners and how effectively they used their time.  The finished results looked and tasted so good.  Maya took hers home for tea whilst Tyra couldn’t wait and was quick to tell us it was the best thing she had ever tasted! We as always are very appreciative to the Secondary for sharing their facilities and expertise with us as well as providing really good learning experiences and transition work for our pupils. Here are a few photos of a very successful afternoon.

Hi this is a report from Sam and Jason all about our class project for Pope Francis!

Educate the KIds are a charity  based on supporting poorer children in the world in gaining an education. The Singing Children of Africa is just one of their many projects.  Their work is FANTASTIC they’ve  already built a private school, an orphanage, a kinder garden and are working on building high school but to go to high school at the moment you need to sponsor a child to go to high school .

      We  had a visit from Mrs Crawford. She works very closely with the charity and has met some of the children in Africa .

We are working on  publicity and trying to get some donations of school clothes and some loose change with collection boxes at the front of the school.    PS look out for further info.