Portpatrick Primary

Pupils from Primary 1 to Primary 7 took part in a fantastic mini marathon, running an impressive 2 miles in support of our school fundraiser. The event began on the top football pitch, where pupils ran laps with enthusiasm and determination. After completing the first mile, everyone continued their journey through the village, finishing the final mile on a scenic walk filled with smiles, encouragement, and a great sense of achievement.

This event not only promoted physical fitness and resilience but also brought our school community together in a positive and energetic way. Children of all ages supported one another, showing teamwork, perseverance, and school spirit throughout the challenge.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all our friends and family who kindly donated in support of the mini marathon. Your generosity has helped raise valuable funds for our school and made the event even more meaningful for the children.

The mini marathon was a wonderful example of health, community, and fun coming together, and we are incredibly proud of all our pupils for completing the challenge with such enthusiasm and pride.

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4 – Quality Education
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

UNCRC Rights of the Child:

• Article 24 – Right to health and health services
• Article 29 – Right to develop talents and abilities
• Article 31 – Right to play and recreational activities

SHANARRI Indicators:

• Healthy – Promoting physical activity and well-being
• Active – Encouraging participation in outdoor exercise
• Included – All pupils took part and were supported
• Achieving – Children completed a physical challenge and contributed to a fundraising goal

Pupils from Primary 1 to Primary 7 enjoyed an exciting outdoor bowling session this week, where they learned and practised a range of bowling skills in a fun and supportive environment. The session began with a demonstration of basic techniques, followed by group practice where pupils worked on their aim, control, and teamwork. The younger children in Primary 1 particularly enjoyed playing small bowling games tailored to their level, helping them build confidence, coordination, and communication.

Older pupils explored more advanced skills, focusing on accuracy and strategy while encouraging and supporting their younger peers. The mixed-age setup promoted leadership, cooperation, and a strong sense of community across the school.

A special thank you goes to Jean, Linda, and Florence, whose support and enthusiasm helped make the day a great success. Their guidance and encouragement were appreciated by both staff and pupils alike.

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4 – Quality Education
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

UNCRC Rights of the Child:

• Article 29 – Right to develop talents and abilities
• Article 31 – Right to play and recreation

SHANARRI Indicators:

• Active – Engaging in physical play
• Included – Mixed-age, accessible activities
• Healthy – Promoting physical and emotional well-being
• Achieving – Learning and developing new skills

This Easter, students enjoyed a range of fun and engaging activities designed to celebrate the holiday while encouraging creativity, teamwork, and safety awareness. The day began with a fun cooking session where they made rice crispy cakes. Using chocolate, rice cereal, and mini eggs, students crafted delicious treats to take home. This activity allowed them to practice basic cooking skills while expressing creativity in decorating their cakes.

Following Mrs. Henry’s and Kim’s baking session, there was an exciting Easter egg hunt, where children eagerly searched for hidden chocolate eggs around the school grounds. This activity encouraged physical activity and teamwork as students worked together to solve clues and collect as many eggs as possible.

A special highlight of the day was a visit from the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) mascot, Stormy Stan. He spoke to the children about water safety and the important work of the RNLI. The mascot’s appearance was both entertaining and educational, reinforcing key safety messages in an engaging way (and he even brought the children and Easter egg each!)

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
Promotes physical activity (Easter egg hunt), emotional well-being, and healthy relationships through social interaction and teamwork.

SDG 4 – Quality Education
Supports informal learning through hands-on experiences like baking and safety education with RNLI.

SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
Encourages inclusive participation, ensuring all children are involved and valued regardless of background or ability.

UNCRC Rights of the Child Articles:

1. Article 12 – Right to express views
   Children are encouraged to share ideas and participate actively in the planning and enjoyment of activities.
2. Article 24 – Right to health and health services
   Activities promote health and safety awareness, especially through the RNLI visit.
3. Article 31 – Right to relax, play and take part in cultural and artistic activities
   All three activities support the child’s right to play and enjoy creative, recreational opportunities.

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SHANARRI Wellbeing Indicators:

1. Safe – The RNLI visit supports understanding of water safety.
2. Healthy – Physical activity during the egg hunt and conversations around safe behaviour contribute to overall health.
3. Active – Participation in games and cooking keeps children physically and mentally engaged.
4. Included – All children are encouraged to participate equally in each activity.
5. Nurtured – Staff and mascot engagement provides emotional support and guidance in a caring environment.
6. Achieving – Children gain new skills through cooking and problem-solving during the egg hunt.

As part of our Rights Respecting Schools action, our generous families and pupils collected donations for our local food bank. We are proud to support our local community.

UNCRC Rights of the Child: Article 26 – Social & Economic Help

SHANARRI – Responsible

Sustainable Development Goal: 10 – Reduced Inequalities

Metaskills- Collaborating, Feeling

We are delighted to announce that Portpatrick has been awarded it’s seventh first Eco Schools flag in recognition of our great environmental work over the last 10 years. We renew our status every two years.

Eco-Schools is the largest sustainable schools programme in the world with 19.5 million children, young people and educators engaged worldwide in 74 different countries.

Completing a Green Flag Application is recognised by the Green Flag Award which is a visible indication of a school’s commitment to Learning for Sustainability and is an internationally recognised accreditation for excellence in sustainable education.

This has been a team effort with the pupils, staff and partners such as ONUS and the Glasgow Science Centre.  The children have taken the lead in driving forward our action plan for the key target areas of:

Litter and Waste – Global Citizenship – Climate Action

We are proud of our pupils taking positive action as Responsible Citizens and Effective Contributors!

Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey.

Have a look at what we’ve been up to here:

Portpatrick Eco Schools Submission 2023-2025 updated 140425.ppsx

UNCRC Rights of the Child:

Article 24 – Health, Water, Food & Environment, Article 15 – Setting up and joining groups (Eco Committee), Article 29 – Aims of Education

Sustainable Development Goals

4 – Quality Education, 12 – Responsible Consumption, 13 – Climate Action, 14 – Life below Water, 15 – Life on Land, 17- Partnerships for the Goals

SHANARRI

Active, Included, Respected, Responsible

Metaskills

Collaborating, Leading, Initiative

Egg-cellent Easter Egg Display!

The school was full of colour and creativity this week as pupils took part in our annual Easter Egg Display Competition. Children were invited to decorate an egg in any theme they liked – and the results were absolutely egg-straordinary!

There were so many imaginative entries that it was almost impossible to choose a winner. One clever creation showed a rugby pitch, complete with tiny egg players in kit. Another celebrated Red Nose Day, with smiling red noses and charity messages painted on the shells. A group of eggs arrived dressed as superheroes, ready to save the day!

Some children looked to the stars, with a spectacular space-themed display featuring rockets, planets, and even an alien or two. Others kept their designs closer to home, with adorable farm animal eggs including sheep, pigs, and cows made from cotton wool, felt, and googly eyes.

The whole school had the chance to view the displays, and everyone was amazed by the effort and imagination on show. Well done to all who took part – you made this Easter one to remember!

This fun event supports UNCRC Article 31 (right to play and creativity) and links to SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing, encouraging happiness and expression through art.

World Book Day Fun!

World Book Day was full of excitement and imagination as children dressed up as their favourite book characters and celebrated the joy of reading. The classrooms were buzzing with stories, laughter, and colourful costumes.

One of the highlights of the day was when children paired up to read stories to one another. Some chose fairy tales, while others enjoyed funny books or thrilling adventures. It was wonderful to see the older pupils helping younger ones with tricky words and sharing the magic of a good story.

Later in the day, everyone gathered in the hall for a tasty treat – making Gruffalo Crispy Cakes! Inspired by Julia Donaldson’s famous story, the children mixed chocolate, cereal, and a few “terrible tusks” (marshmallows) to create Gruffalo-themed goodies. With a bit of imagination, the cakes looked just like something the Gruffalo himself would enjoy in the deep dark wood!

World Book Day supports UNCRC Article 28 (right to education) and Article 31 (right to rest, play, and cultural activities). It also links to SDG 4 – Quality Education, promoting lifelong learning and a love for books in every child.

On the 27^th of March, Portpatrick pupils joined their friends at St. Joseph’s for another fantastic Wider Achievement Partnership Day! Just like last time, the children were split into three mixed-school groups: P1–3, P4–5, and P6–7, with each teacher leading a different creative activity.

• Mr. Morrison delivered a digital Easter project, which got the children buzzing with excitement as they used technology in a fun and engaging way.
• Miss Scott led a fun Easter craft session where pupils decorated Easter eggs using a variety of colourful and textured materials 
• Miss Lisi’s room, led construction, modelling, and Easter-themed artwork.

The children enjoyed a lovely break and lunchtime outside together.  There was lots of laughter and friendship across the two schools.

In the afternoon, both schools walked over to the Ryan Centre for a special cinema treat: Inside Out 2!  The pupils were brilliantly behaved and thoroughly enjoyed the film—what a perfect way to end the week before the Easter holidays!

Please note: The photos shared on this blog post are from Miss Lisi’s classroom. We didn’t manage to get pictures from the other rooms this time, but all groups had a fantastic time!

UNCRC Rights:

• Article 15 –Joining in groups together
• Article 29 –Aims of Education
• Article 31 – Right to rest, play, and cultural activities
  The day was filled with play, creativity, and an enjoyable cinema experience.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
  Pupils enjoyed active outdoor play and positive social interactions.
• SDG 4 – Quality Education
  Pupils accessed varied, engaging, and creative learning experiences.
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
  The event strengthened partnerships between St. Joseph’s and Portpatrick schools.

SHANARRI Indicators:

• Included
  Every child was given a voice and equal opportunity to participate.
• Active
  Children engaged in hands-on crafts, digital learning, and outdoor play.
• Responsible
  Pupils took responsibility within groups and respected expectations.
• Nurtured
  The friendly environment encouraged new friendships and a sense of belonging.

Meta-skills:

• Collaborating
  Mixed-school teamwork required listening, sharing, and working respectfully together.
• Creativity
  Art, construction, and digital projects encouraged pupils to express their ideas.
• Communicating
  Children shared thoughts and ideas during group work and social time.
• Adapting
  Children worked in new environments with new peers and activities.
• Focusing
  Each activity required attention to detail and perseverance to complete.

Portpatrick Pupils were environmentally aware today.  As part of our Eco Schools Scotland action plan on litter and waste, the children have been learning about the negative impact this has on biodiversity. 

The children have been working in partnership with our local Community Safety Wardens to design litter awarness posters.  These have been made into weather-proof posters to encourage everyone to be responsible to protect our environment &  wildlife, and to keep our beautiful village looking spotless for everyone to enjoy.  The community safety team escorted the pupils around the village to prominently display our posters for all to see. 

We are responsible citizens and effective contributors.

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 24: Health, Water, Food & Environment

Sustainable Development Goals: 1 – Life Below Water, 15-Life on Land, 

SHANARRI – Responsible

For our final morning activities, the groups split one last time.

With the final activities complete, it was time for one last clean-up and a chance to reflect on the experience. The biggest success of the trip has been the way St. Joseph’s and Portpatrick pupils have come together as one team—showing kindness, encouragement, and support for each other throughout every challenge.

Now, as we head home, tired but happy, we’re filled with pride for how well the children have represented themselves, their schools, and their communities. New friendships have been formed, lifelong memories have been made, and every child leaves Barcaple having challenged themselves in new and exciting ways.

UNCRC Rights of the Child:

Article 15: Making Friends and Joining Groups

Article 31: Rest, Play

Metaskills: Collaborating, Sense-Making, Communicating