This afternoon P5-7 welcomed police officer, PC Amy McGregor into our classroom to talk to use about harmful substances and keeping ourselves safe and healthy, to support our HWB learning – substance misuse. 👮♀️🚨🚓
She spoke to us about the dangers linked to smoking and vaping, alcohol and drugs and warned us about the effects that these substances can have on our bodies and choices and most importantly the importance of making safe, healthy choices. PC Amy encouraged us to think about peer pressure and the importance of looking out for each other and encouraging our friends to make positive choices.
It wasn’t all serious, though – PC McGregor had a warm and friendly way of explaining things and made sure that everyone felt comfortable joining in the discussion.
Thank-you to PC McGregor for taking the time to visit us!😃
Meta Skills
Collaborating Cora
Curiosity Carlos
UNCRC
Article 13 – Share what you think, unless it harms others
Today all the P3 to P6 pupils across the cluster were invited to Stranraer Academy to attend au author visit from Martin Stewart! This was done through The Scottish Book Trust organisation and we are very thankful to get this opportunity.
Martin Stewart is is a Scottish author, and former teacher, from Glasgow whose works are influenced by his upbringing near Scottish seaside and maritime towns and cities! Martin has wrote many books over the years but today’s session was mainly focussed around his new novel; Sandy Finn: Operation Splash Landing 🌊🏖
During today’s session pupils learned how Martin came to write novels (boredom during a knee injury!) and how he uses his ‘imagination soup’ and derives his ideas from real life to help fuel his novel writing. Martin also read a chapter of his Sandy Finn series to the pupils as a bonus treat!
A great session which really got the creative juices flowing – some freshly inspired authors -to-be after today!? Who knows! 🖋
Today we welcomed Chris Smith (Harrison’s Dad!) into the class to discuss with us all things photography based! Photography has been the art focus for the upper class for this term and we have already explored what photography means and looked at some Macro photography in the playground. This week our focus has been on Landscape photographer and Chris, as a professional photographer, was just the man for this! 📸
Chris was able to show the boys and girls some of his camera kit and discussed with them how he goes about taking his photos and the effort that goes in to taking a good landscape photo. We had no idea! The times you have to get up at in the morning, to drive to the ideal location, to then climb where you need to be, to get the perfect shot at the perfect time… and it’s still not guaranteed! The pupils had many many(!) questions for Chris, all of which he patiently answered, and we are all left feeling fairly inspired to dig out our cameras from the back of the cupboard and have a go ourselves!
After this chat, we all went a walk down Fisher’s Lane, armed with our iPads, to try our hand at taking our own landscape photos. Thankfully in this little corner or Scotland, we are fairly blessed with some good views to take advantage off! 😍
Many thanks to Chris for coming in today and speaking to the children, hopefully he has inspired some budding young photographers of the future!
Today the brave P1-4, accompanied by Miss Agnew and Mrs MacPherson and the nursery toots, braved the rain and puddles to walk up to the Local Kirkcolm Community Hub to enjoy an input from the Lighthouse Musicians! 🌧🎼
Pupils learned all about Keeping the Beat! They did this through some beatboxing and using some hands on musical instruments like sticks before they all took their chance to be conductors themselves. Armed with some very sensible glow sticks they attempted to weave them in air in time to the music!
We are super grateful to Gillian and the Hub for holding this session for us and look forward to P5-7 going down for their visit later this month!
Wow! What a fast Summer Holiday break we have had! Now August is here and it is time to get back to business and old routines! 😎
We have been buzzing to welcome the boys and girls back into the classrooms! P1-4 have been very excited to start their year off with a former Kirkcolm pupil turned teacher; the lovely Miss Agnew and she has had a wonderful day getting to know all their little faces! 😀
Our new P1’s were tired but loved their first at school and may this continue as we get stuck in over the course off the year. P5-7 were business as usual and we made sure we wished our former P7 turned S1’s the best of luck today on their first day at the Academy.
A big day of firsts for everyone but how lovely to be all back together, well rested from our break and ready for the year ahead! 🤩
Today we had our closing ceremony which marks the end of another school year here at Kirkcolm Primary! It has been a year of a lot of changes and new staff and new pupils joining us but it is another excellent one ticked off for us all! ✔
We celebrated all the success and achievements of all the pupils at the school and praised their hard work and effort over the course of the year! Whether this be in sport, math, literacy or even just being showing up as a smiley happy wee buddy everyday and lifting everyone else’s mood – we were here to recognise it all! 😃
As always, this also draws a close to our P7 pupils time here at Kirkcolm, we had 6 excellent pupils leaving us this year to move onto the Academy and their next steps in education so we were sure to bid a special farewell to Brook, Phoebe, Hayden, Archie, Ivan and Alistair! Pupils received their yearbooks, appropriately donned in their leaver hoodies, and were able to see a Photostory of their best bits over the course of the year! ❤
We said goodbye to both Miss Douglas’s this year as one leaves us to return as Mrs Adams and the other takes on a role as our partnership school Leswalt, and we welcome Miss Agnew to teach P1-4 the coming year! 💍
A special thank you to all the parents, careers and anybody who has supported the school over the past year. We had done a lot of fun things in this time and we are extremely grateful to everyone for giving us their time, donations and support. Thank you to Sheila McGrory for her excellent running of the parent council and the funds he helped raise to acquire new laptops for us! 💻
I hope we all have a good break over summer, rest and enjoy our time, ready to go again in August! 😎
Here are the Awards:
Excellent attendance – Henry Wilson Ewan Clarke Rebecca Manson Jessica Johnstone Ivan Turtle Orla Neil Phoebe Manson Jamie Dougan Callum Dougan
Accelerated reading star readers – pencil (as of 1 June 2025)
P2 Harlow – most books, Orla – most points
P3 Sally Warwick – 45 books
P4 Rory Calvert 135 books 378 points
P5 Rebecca – most books (41), Fallon most points 53
P6 Arran most books (14), Lyle most points (31)
P7 Ivan 20 novels and 76 points
Responsible citizens – nominated by class teachers
P1
Kendall Alexander – We are so thankful to have Kendall to help keep the P1 boys in check. She is like little mother hen, keeping them organised and their tables tidy – that table definitely needs a woman’s touch and luckily we have Kendall on hand to do just that. Kendall is a very resilient little lady who doesn’t give up without a fight, like everyone, there are things that come more easily than others but if one things for sure, Kendall never gives up and will try, try and try again until the job is done!
P2
Harlow Brunton – Harlow is one of the most enthusiastic little ladies I have ever met, she arrives at school with a smile on her face and a bag full of show and tell items (usually Taylor Swift themed) excited for the day ahead. She is such a positive ray of sunshine with a driven and determined head on her shoulders who takes every new challenge in her stride, often seeking herself for ways to improve. Her positive mind set and motivation for everything and anything that comes her way is one of the many qualities we both love about you Harlow
P3
Ewan Clarke – Ewan plays a very big part in helping to make our school the fabulous place that it is – both inside and out. Mrs Richardson always commenting on how helpful Ewan is at gardening club, how well he listens and his genuine interest in ways that he can help to make the school grounds the best they can be! We are very lucky to have you here at Kirkcolm Ewan.
P4
Harrison Smith – Harrison Smith, never one to complain, never one to be involved in drama, never one to break the rules – he really is every teachers dream – perfect manners, a strong work ethic and most importantly a heart of gold! He is a kind, caring and considerate boy who is a fantastic friend to everyone in the class, always looking out for others and making sure they’re ok. He is trust worthy member of the class, my right hand man when a job needs done as I know he will do it to the best of his ability!
P5
Fallon – Wow Fallon. You have had such a fantastic year in Primary 5, but more so, a fantastic year for your first year here with us! You have worked so hard over the course of the year and have always went above and beyond for the school!( eg the school show and Children’s rights defenders project)
We are so happy to have you part of our team and community here at Kirkcolm Primary. I am sure you will go on to keep doing great things in your senior years!
P6
Arran – 2 years running Arran – well done! But jokes aside Arran, I just had to give it to you because you have once again proven yourself to be a pupil who exemplifies respect and trust. Arran you have many times come through for us and for me (I will never forget the last-minute math competition stand in you did!) you are always a good sport and you always get involved!
P7
Hayden – Hayden is one of the most helpful and kind boys you could ever wish for in a class of pupils. He is always there and happy to help, share and support in class. I can always count on Hayden to come in with a happy face and friendly smile into class. Hayden gets along well with all the pupils in the school and staff alike, he is always open and warm and willing to chat away and share. Keep up the good work just being you Hayden!
Mini walk shields/certificates
Girls –
3rd – Kendall Alexander
2nd – Paige Neill
1st – Phoebe Manson
Boys –
3rd – Lyle Mc Culloch
2nd – Freddie Adams
1st – Ivan Turtle
Sports champions – certificates
P1 – Kendall Alexancer
P2 – Oral Neil and Parker Clive
P3 – Scott Mc Kinstry
P4 – Joey Neil
P5 – Paige Neil
P6 – Lyle Mc Culloch
P7 – Ivan Turtle
Sports Champions – Boy – Ivan Turtle Girl – Paige Neill
Most merits in p5-7 – Ivan Most merits in p1-4 – Rory
Intervention effort ( Prize from Mrs MacPherson) Ian Buzasi , Rebecca Manson
Additional awards
Garden Guardians – Ross and Arryn
Enthusiasm for after school activities – Cameron Clarke
Nurture / care for others – James Johnstone
Respect / politeness – Frankie Buzasi
Perseverance/ doing everything with a smile – Arryn Shankland
P1-4 (and why)
P4-7 (and why)
Literacy award
Orla Neil- Orla is an all-rounder when it comes to Literacy – her spelling, reading, writing, she is a high flyer, that’s for sure! She enjoys Literacy and it shines through in her work, particularly in her spelling homework which is so creative and imaginatively presented. I look forward to her handing it in each week to see what unique, wonderful work she’s been doing at home! She definitely goes the extra mile, at school and home, and it’s no surprise that her test results reflect all of her hard work – well done Miss Orla!
Ruby – Well done Ruby! You have been silently working, with very little fuss, but you have just been a sponge this past year. I get such a wee leap of joy when I see that you have taken on feedback of mine and used it all as ways to improve your literacy! It is such a talented skill to be responsive and want to improve yourself and your writing. You have made such a stand out effort in all your literacy tasks this year and you are very well deserving of this award.
Numeracy award
Joey Neill Joey’s Numeracy has come a long way this year, from the beginning of P4 to now the improvement in Joey’s learning and confidence has been amazing to see! And there is no one here that Joey can thank for this but himself. He works hard at home and school, always puts in the time and the effort to practise and improve and it is fair to say that this has most definitely paid off – from his Mini Multipliers to his Big Maths and everything in between Joey is a clever wee cookie when it comes to his Maths and I have no doubt that next year he will dazzle Mrs Morrison with these skills and new found confidence too! Well done Joey! J
Allyssa – Wow Allyssa, I know you have only been with us for half of the year but the effort you have made since you have been here in incredible. It is such a delight to teach you and watch your improvements – especially in your numeracy. The leaps you have made over such a short space of time is amazing and I am excited to see this continue into next year.
HWB award
Parker Clive – Parker has come a long way this year and for someone so small, he has overcome a lot of big obstacles. It is fair to say that at the beginning of the year school was a bit like love at second sight for him – from being carried in each morning at 9 o’clock by Mum and persuaded to stay, to now, not wanting to go home at 3 o’clock- we love to hear this Parker. Now when the bell rings each morning he is standing in the line, crocs in one hand, pack lunch in the other with a smile on his face ready for the day ahead still not wanting to leave at the end of the day. Well done Mr Clive J
Paige –Paige you have been a little superstar in the upper class this year. The way you have adjusted to the new roles and responsibilities and works so hard and so diligently every day in to be admired. You are a very kind girl and you get along with everyone in the class. I can always trust you to help others and complete a task in school. Not only this but you excellence in sport and your consistently in always giving everything your best shot in fabulous! Keep up the excellent work Paige, you are an excellent role model to other pupils
NRP Award
Kaylyn Davidson There’s no one who deserves this award more this year than Kaylyn, she is the perfect mix of Nurture, Respect and Perseverance. She’s the most kind-hearted, nurturing girl who gets genuine please from helping others and being a good friend to everyone. She is sensible and trustworthy and loves to lend a hand to both us Miss Douglas-es and for that we are so grateful. She is a brilliant resilient who never backs down from a challenge, no matter how tricky, she will always do what she can to stick it out to the end! It really is fair to say that we’ll miss Kaylyn next year, our loss is Mrs Morrison’s gain and I have no doubt she will continue to be the amazing, nurturing, respectful perseverer that she is through in the big class
Bryleigh – Bryleigh is a great example of hard work and kindness. Bryleigh gets along well all her peers in class, she is friendly and respectful to everyone and always happy and smiley. Bryleigh shows a great work ethic, she will persevere with things and always give every task her best effort. Bryleigh is fantastic with younger pupils, she can be nurturing and will happily play with pupils of all ages in the playground along! She is very deserving of this award as he really does present a great example of the vision of Kirkcolm and what we love to see in all our pupils! Well done Bryleigh
Sandra Heron Salver for Conservation Champion – Archie Ashton – Excellent effort with conservation.
Not just within the school but also out with! Eg at weekends in the school grounds or Aldouran Wetland watchers. Archie, you give up so much of your personal time to helping this school. You helped Mrs Richardson with the chickens to get them back in their home and you have always done so much for the gardening club! This is an extremely well deserved award – well done!
Endeavour award – Ivan Turtle
Ivan you are just a super star. What a hardworking and diligent young man you are, you have always been so focused and driven to be the best. Ivan you have done an amazing job at representing the school many, many times over you time here at Kirkcolm and we could not ask for a better spokesperson. You are polite, well spoken, kind, respectful to everyone you come across. You have had so many amazing achievements and most of the time we have to pry them out of you because you are so modest about them! You are truly deserving of this award and we are all so proud of you and everything you have done in the time you have been with us.
This afternoon we welcomed our friends from Leswalt over for our annual Partnership Sports Day! The afternoon was filed with smiles, laughter and all round good vibes as the boys and girls competed together in some of our favourite races:
The Sprint
Egg and Spoon
Sack Race
Skipping Race
Distance Race
It was so lovely to see and hear all of the good sportsmanship from both schools as they cheered each other one and congratulated everyone for their fun and just had good fun together!
The final race of the day was the relay races, Leswalt boys v Kirkcolm boys and Lewalt girls v Kirkcolm girls – with very little time to practise the pressure was high, the nerves were real and the runners were absolutely flying!! 😄🏃♀️
The boys’ race was won by Kirkcolm’s team and the girls’ race was won by Leswalt’s team but a huge well done to everyone who took part!
After the races Miss Gordon had the very difficult job of counting up all of the points before coming to the conclusion of what school were the WINNERS.
This year, our partnership sports day score could not have been closer and with only two points between them, the results were..
Leswalt – 153 points
Kirkcolm 155 points
Making Kirkcolm overall winners! 🏆🥇 Everyone should be super proud of their efforts and most importantly we are glad that everyone had fun!😄
Article 31 – The right to rest, relax and play!
Meta Skills
Focussing Fergus
Feedling Felix
Leading Li
On Friday, to round up the end of a fabulous school year and the summer term coming to a close, pupils of Kirkcolm Primary embarked on their school trip to Ayr!
All pupils (and staff!) had an amazing fun filled day which kicked off with the train journey up the road where pupils wasted no time whipping out the snacks and getting stuck in. Once up we trekked down to LA Bowl for some laser quest 😎 and bowling fun 🎳 A couple of strikes later and we settled down with our food to fuel up for our next stop…
Sadly, due to unpredictable weather, instead of making use of the park at the beach, we made a swift right turn to Pirate Pete’s (our back up plan) and WOW – What a treat that was. The pupils (…and some staff…) threw themselves right into the fun, climbing and sliding all over the place. 🏴☠️
Finally, we made our way back to the train station and settled in for our trip home. In a shocking turn of events, our pupils still had bundles of energy and were bright eyed and full of the chat the entire way home but I am sure the fun of the day caught up with them when they made it to their beds that night! 😴
Another fantastic trip organised by our lovely Miss Gordon, Mrs Baillie and the hard work of the parent council for raising the funds to take us there! 🥰
This afternoon the whole school joined together to go a jaunt down to the beach to put their STEM and outdoor learning skills to the test! It’s been a wee while since we descended upon the sand and thankfully the weather was just right to be able to make the most of it! 🏖
Pupils split into teams of roughly about 5/6 and came up with a den building plan! They had certain criteria to follow…
Has to have a front and back entrance 🚪🚪
Has to have a roof! 🏠
Has to be made of all natural materials (no cheating!!) 🌿🍃🍂
Has to be able to have a small figure stand up inside of it 👫
Safe to say, by the end we were pretty amazed with the creativity and genius engineering that came from them! Pupils did their best to follow criteria and smashed it out the park while getting to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine! 😎
Jamie Farquhar came in to speak to the boys and girl this afternoon about his job as a head teacher; he had a tough act to follow after sister in-law’s careers in the community assembly only minutes before! Jamie didn’t need any introductions, we were all familiar with him from transition days to the academy, from events at Kirkcolm school and of course for his favourite job of all – being Fallon’s daddy! 😄
The talk itself was a whirlwind of excitement as the boys and girls took on the role of headteachers! Jamie give them a list of jobs and responsibilities from budgeting, to dealing with staff, parents, pupils and resources and asked them to rank these basked on order of importance and to top it off, they has a very limited time to make these important decisions – so as you can imagine there was just as much stress in the room as I imagine goes on in Mr Farquhar’s office on a daily basis, perhaps just a little less boujee furniture!
This task captured the skills needed to be a successful head teacher perfectly as the pupils demonstrated their ability as:
Collaborating Coras – they worked together to decide on was the most important priority, often having to negotiate their feelings and gut instincts.
Communicating Cates – there was plenty of discussions in the room, lots of heated debates and interesting conversations between the class of wanna-be headteachers.
Leading Lis – as a Headteacher Jamie explained that important decisions fall onto you and often this can seem scary! He used the example of everyone ordering their priorities different as a means to show that regardless of the decisions you make, you are always going to upset somebody, as much as you want to try and avoid it!
Feeling Felix – He said that as well as doing plenty of thinking with you head, it’s always important to show compassion to others! ❤️
Overall, I am glad we have Mrs Baillie and Mr Farquhar as our heads/ soon to be heads as I don’t think I would like to work for any of the mini wanna-be headteachers!! 😮🤭
A huge thankyou to Jamie for his time this afternoon, I think its fair to say we learned first hand how busy a head teacher is so we are very grateful that he managed to squeeze us in this afternoon! The boys and girls all had an absolute blast! 🙂
