Yesterday, the boys and girls of Portpatrick had a visit from our local Community Safety Team for the West of Dumfries and Galloway!
The Safety Officers took this opportunity to remind pupils about how they can stay safe in and around the community and keep their community and surrounding safe for others.
We discussed issues related to dog fouling and litter – things that just don’t make for the nicest surroundings… Pupils were reminded of the laws regarding these issues and were informed of what can happen to offenders. We also discussed the rising issue with Gulls in the area – no longer seagulls but urban gulls!
The officers introduced a competition to design a ‘gull proof’ bin, which we could certainly do with at our school. The winning design might even actually be constructed by D & G council! The officer promised to send details very soon
We had a lot of great discussions based around how we can keep ourselves and our community safe and the boys and girls proved to be superstar listeners.
This term, Primary 5 – 7 are participating in a series of workshops organised by the Glasgow Science Centre, where we will be exploring the future of energy.
Through investigation of renewables technologies and the pathway to net zero, our pupils will discover opportunities in the energy sector and explore how their skills could change the world.
Our first learning experience focussed on electricity generation by wind turbines. The blades of a turbine rotate when they are moved by the wind. The slow rotation of the turbine blades can be transformed into a fast rotation needed for a generator.
To model this process, we created gears of different circumferences. We aligned them on boards so the cog teeth interlocked when turned. We were able to predict and test the direction of travel of each gear (clockwise or anti-clockwise). We also calculated the r.p.m. of the gears to identify the increase in rotation rate from the larger to the smaller gears. We used observation with a digital stopwatch, compared results and calculated our class average r.p.m. to make a fair test.
School children across Scotland have taken part in a national growing project. Everyone grew potatoes both at home and in school.
Here is our School harvest!
We planted different varieties of tatties at home: Caledonian Rose & Gemson. We applied maths to weigh our crop of both types.
We grew 2.7kg of Gemson.
We grew 0.6kg of Caledonian Rose.
Our families have been sending in photographs of their home harvest. Feel free to share any snaps of your gardening success. Here is Arran and Lewis with their green fingered Grandad.
This week sees the start of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight. This event celebrates locally grown food. We will be making ‘tattie’ soup with the potatoes we harvested in school on Friday and everyone will come together as a partnership soon to host a Harvest Festival. Watch this space!
It was great to see everyone back to school this morning with such enthusiastic and smiling faces. There was lots of excited chatter from the boys and girls. Everyone was particularly thrilled to welcome our two wee new P1 boys – Josh and Zak.
The boys were a wee bit camera shy first thing, so didn’t join in our group photo. However, they soon came out of their shells and enjoyed their classroom activities, playtimes with friends and also tucking into lunch with their classmates.
Our Primary 7 pupils had a blast at a Stranraer Watersports Association activity day at Loch Ryan today.
First order of the day was being kitted out with wet suits (which was a fun experience trying to squeeze into tight lycra).
Our initial challenge was a couple of team problem solving puzzles. Gripping a rope, the children had to get everyone inside the rope without crossing their arms. Next, they had to sort themselves from tallest to smallest whilst keeping one foot on a rope line. Through giggles, discussion and teamwork, both challenges were solved.
Everyone then waded out into the water to get acclimatised. Super resilient, all the children were soon dunked, with just a few screams to be heard on that initial dip!
Once suitably used to the water temperature, the pupils came back out, split into two groups and had a quick land-based instruction with the equipment before having a go at paddle boarded and kayaking. Our ‘gung-ho’ water heroes were quickly performing like water sports pro’s. The paddleboards were ditched and everyone balanced on the kayaks in a cooperation challenge.
Paddleboards
Kayaking
A Bit Soggy
Soon, the rumbles from famished tums could be heard from some distance away. So, lunch was called and everyone tucked in with gusto. Luke even managed to squeeze in a quick power nap, soaking up the glorious sunshine.
Lunch
The wind picked up a little in the afternoon so we left the kayaks on the beach and created a giant paddleboard raft by linking the individual ones together. Everyone piled on-board as a balancing challenge.
There was enough time for a splash about to see how which team would be the first to get all their members on one paddleboard. The laws of physics caused a topple or two before one team was declared victorious with no less than 7 pupils making it out of the water balanced on one raft!
Rafts
There was even a wee treat at the end of the day courtesy of Mr White, who bough everyone a choc ice lolly to enjoy. There was even enough for the adults to indulge. Thank you Mr White!
Our adventurous P7s were invigorated and highly motivated throughout the whole session. We couldn’t fault the enthusiasm and professionalism of our instructors Zack and Max, and also the volunteer helpers. Our thanks go to the watersports team for allowing us to experience such a thrilling and enjoyable day!
On Friday the 17th of June children were delighted to welcome Kathryn from History Alive back to school. With her enthusiasm and incredible props, she brought the children’s Castle topic to life. It was like being transported back in time and suddenly having a medieval playground emerge on a hilltop classroom in Portpatrick. It was clear some of the children would have happily stayed in the time portal of 1066AD – 1320AD as they used fake swords, helmets, shields and REAL chainmail to help discover what life would have been like in a real castle. Nobody would have stood a chance given the energy and excitement of P2-4… a scary army had definitely emerged.
A huge thank you must go to Kathryn, for once again, taking the time to come and visit us at Portpatrick Primary School. We had an amazing morning!
Today marked a special occasion in being able to invite our lovely families and friends to come and watch the boys and girls give their sporting best!
The children were raring to go from the outset. Everyone cheered very loudly with great camaraderie and sportsmanship, supporting every participant.
P2
P3
P4
P5
P6
P7
Our sporting challenges were:
Sprint
Skipping
Sack
Egg & Spoon
Throw
Obstacle
Distance
The rain decided to descend on the very last race, but that didn’t dampen the mood, with a fantastic display of team spirit from our Primary 7 girls. As the girls approached the finish line in their final ever race with Portpatrick Primary, they joined hands, crossing the finish line together; each one of them a winner! We are so proud of our girls.
Regardless of placings in the races, everyone has achieved today with determination, smiles and waves.
The results will follow shortly. Enjoy the photos of our fun day.
Today was a day fit for royalty at Portpatrick Primary as we celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The flags were flying at our entrance to greet everyone on arrival. Miss McGeogh and Mrs Dignan had been busy, busy displaying all the lovely decorations the boys and girls had made in preparation for the day, along with a few enhancements.
Dressed in a red, white and blue theme, our children arrived looking dapper in their chosen outfits.
Not to be outdone, Miss McGeogh got into the spirit of the festivities in a rather splendid outfit, complete with orb and sceptre – our very own Queen E from Port-P 😉
First up was elocution lessons to prepare our subjects to converse appropriately with royalty.
No royal event is complete without an afternoon tea. So, the next order of the day was for the children to prepare their own afternoon delights with lots of tasty treats. They made dainty sandwiches with a whole host of fillings; not forgetting the cucumber! The children enjoyed making marshmallow and fruit skewers and even whipped up some cream for some strawberry meringue cakes. It doesn’t get much more British than that!
Don’t mind if I do!
Yum
Can’t wait…
Afternoon Tea Is Served!
Our Elected King & Queen
In a democratic process, the upper class were asked to present why they should be King and Queen for an hour. Lilly and Jack were the most convincing and were elected by our ‘parliament’.
Why I should be Monarch
Planning Our Persuasive Ideas
Our Elected King & Queen
Royal Parade
Everyone went on a royal parade of the village with our two newly elected members leading the way. The children waved to their subjects as they went. Queen Elizabeth joined in and visited some local sites on tour with the children.
Royal Parade
The boys and girls entertained delighted onlookers with a sterling rendition of ‘God Save The Queen’ before returning to school for a garden party lunch.
Our Queen Visits Portpatrick
It was then time for everyone to enjoy al-fresco dining, combining the event with our annual One Planet Picnic. We raised awareness of waste and made sure that we minimised our plastic waste by:
Using reusable dinner trays
Using compostable spoons
Using ‘no straw’ juice cartons and multi-use water bottles.
Recycling our plastic waste for Council collection
Recycling our food waste in with the kitchen collection
We compared our waste types and determined that it was a successful recycling activity. Our thanks to Kim, our lovely catering assistant for preparing platters of sandwiches, fruit cocktails and more!
Snacking in the Sunshine
Social Eating
Just Chillin’
Responsible Recycling
Steven knows what to do
Processing our waste
Commonwealth Games
Everyone participated in very sporting game of rounders to build camaraderie and team spirit in the sunshine.
Royal Visitors – Selfie Style
Can you guess the face behind each photo?
Our thanks go to Miss McGeogh, Mrs Dignan and our two Kims for all of their hard work and preparation to give the children such an enjoyable day to remember!
Children at Portpatrick Primary enjoyed a trip to Dumfries House on Friday. Pupils took part in two workshops during the trip. The first was focused on being energy engineers, exploring the different ways we can create renewable energy. Children spoke about wind turbines and solar panels before heading outside. Once outside, children had fun making a water wheel which explained how hydropower worked. The children were able to use the outdoor water park to learn and explore. The children discussed the different energy transfers and where we can find natural energy in the outdoors. It was agreed that while electricity is the primary type of energy used by humans, but recognise that it is rare to find it in our natural environment. Pupils gave examples of lightning and electric eels. The children all agreed that we have enough natural resources to create electricity, but we need to do more to encourage sustainable energy.
The second workshop focused on weather, which tied in well with our last topic. We spoke about different weather systems and how the wind blows in the various systems. We then discussed how we record wind, the speed of the wind and the different scales we can use. The children had fun with parachutes to show wind resistance and then enjoyed finding the find direction using bubbles.
After all the education was done, it was time for some fun. Pupils didn’t need to be told twice to go out and explore the fantastic treehouse outdoor adventure area. JUST WOW! We will be back!
We are delighted to announce that the North Rhins Trio Partnership has been awarded our Anti-Bullying Ambassador Respect Badge!
Our Primary 6 pupils along with our house captains underwent anti-bullying ambassador training as part of the Diana Award. As a results, and in combination with our Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award, our pupils have completed an action plan of 6 activities to gain this award.
Educating students on children’s rights through a year long, whole school assembly programme focussed on UNCRC Rights of the Child, Rights Respecting Schools and Global Goals
The creation of Rights As We See It Video showcasing children’s views on their rights and their importance
Whole school awareness events such as anti-bullying week and a week of kindness etc.
Diversifying our school library through digital book readings
The creation of a new monthly Respect award, as defined by our pupils
The creation a whole school diversity and inclusion pledge by our pupils
We have been highly praised for our work in key areas that demonstrate and support a culture of respect. Have a read at our award feedback to find out how well all of our pupils have worked in key areas:
Thanks so much for sending over your evidence form for the Respect Badge. We’ve reviewed your evidence and we were overwhelmed with how much thought and effort you’ve put into your anti-bullying initiatives. It seems like all of the activities have had a great impact on the students in your school and we really like that you use such creative ideas to support your campaign. The video is amazing and the diversity and inclusion pledge is a fantastic action which I am sure will be a long term feature in your school.
Congratulations, we are awarding you the Respect Badge! This is a fantastic achievement and the team should be very proud.’
Here is a link to a Sway explaining more about our new respect award:
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