"Anchored in Excellence"
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 27th 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.
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:
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SHANARRI Indicators:
Meta-skills:
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
Rock climbing was an excellent activity for our young adventurers today. It helped our children improve their coordination, strength, and determination. As they navigated different climbing routes, they learned to set goals and overcome challenges—boosting their confidence with every step. Well done everybody!
Abseiling was a thrilling experience that taught pupils to trust themselves and others. As they descended a rock face with the help of a rope and harness, they built courage and learned the importance of following instructions carefully. It was a fantastic way to conquer fears and develop self-reliance.
From team-building tasks to logic puzzles, problem-solving activities encouraged creative thinking and cooperation. Whether pupils were working together to crack the code or solving riddles during their ‘rob the bank’ task, these challenges promoted communication, patience, and perseverance.
These adventure activities provided the perfect mix of fun and learning, helping children grow in confidence and teamwork. Well done on finding your treasures boys and girls!
We’ve participated in an orienteering session, and the echildren learned al sorts of life skills including shelter, sense of direction and teamwork and leadership. Watching the pupils race around forrest, solving problems, and working together was great to see.
The girls started off on the climbing wall. They tackled the wall fantastically well. For some, it was a chance to show their agility, while for others, it was a battle against self-doubt.
Wee stopped for a bite to eat at lunch. Everybody managed to get fed in some shape or form. The choices were chilli con carne and vegetable lasagne.
Wee finished off the night with some hockey in the games hall which the children really enjoyed. Here’s some photo’s of today’s activities.
Article 31: Right to Rest, Leisure, Play
Article 24: Right to health services
Article 29: Access to Education
Metaskills: self-management & Emotional Resilience, Critical thinking, Problem solving
Our community came together to celebrate Mrs. Henry’s milestone of 25 years of wonderful service to Portpatrick Primary. Families and staff, past and present, joined us for a surprise get-together to recognise Mrs H’s fabulous contribution over the years.
There were speeches, a special poem, a song, messages, cards and flowers gifted to the special lady. Everyone enjoyed a buffet lunch with cake and treats galore with delicious home baking treats to enjoy for afters – yum!
Congratulations Mrs H. Long may your reign continue!
