Portpatrick Primary

Primary 5-7 pupils from Leswalt, Kirkcolm and Portpatrick Primary Schools headed to Lockerbie Manor on Wednesday for a 3-day outdoor residential trip.

After stopping at Springholm Primary for some lunch and to stretch our legs, we reached Lockerbie Manor early in the afternoon. Everyone was given a tour of the building and grounds by the instructors and got shown to their rooms. After a quickly unpacking, we split into 4 groups and headed to our first activity. Activities included archery, rifle shooting, obstacle course, climbing wall, abseiling, orienteering, fencing, canoeing and kayaking. After activity one, some pupils required a shower as they were caked in mud after army-crawling on their bellies underneath netting! By this time we had worked up quite an appetite, and were served with the most delicious dinner – what a selection on offer! At night time, we had an evening activity before getting all cosy in our jammies and spending time getting to know pupils from the other partnership schools.

Day 2 saw an early morning wake-up call at 7.20am. We had 5 activities spread out over the day, with some pupils getting an early afternoon bath after falling into the lake whilst kayaking! That night, having been exhausted from all the physical activity, pupils were sound asleep before 11pm – much to the staff’s delight!!

On Friday morning, we were up early to get our rooms packed and emptied. Some rooms looked like a bomb had hit them, there were clothes everywhere! We then headed out for our final 2 activities before the bus arrived at 1.30pm to return us to Stranraer. It was a very quiet journey back, with lots of pupils catching some shut-eye!

Everyone had a brilliant time away, making new friends across the partnership and trying new activities.

Photos below from day 3:

 

Primary 5-7 have reached Lockerbie Manor on a 3 school, 3 day adventure of outdoor education and fun!

After a lunch stop at Springholm Primary they went onto Lockerbie and have unpacked and are now off on their first activity.  They are all very happy and excited campers!

P1-3 have been busy exploring inventions of the past today.  They have learned about how the ancient Egyptians built shadufs to help them lift water from the River Nile to water their crops.

The boys and girls constructed their own shaduf models using rods, Plasticine, string and containers. The children applied the principle of pivot points to lesson the force required to move water from one point to another.

The children used their engineering skills to create their concept designs, constructing and modifying through experience to ensure sufficient drop and counterbalance.  The stability of free standing design was tinkered with and a conclusion reached that the tripod method was the most stable for this purpose. Hands on learning, developing soft skills of cooperation, discussion and idea sharing was the order of the day!

#Successful Learners

 

 

We were treated to an interactive World War II session with History Alive today.  Catherine and Steven came in to school and delivered a very interesting and informative potted history of WWII to P4-7.  The children learned about many facets of the war such as what caused the conflict and how it impacted on the lives of people in Britain through blockades, rationing, evacuation, the Blitz and blackouts, to name but a few.  This led into a discussion on how life subsequent to the war had changed and why.

The children had the opportunity to have a hands-on experience with memorabilia such as weapons, photographs, gas masks, propaganda, rationing samples etc. They all relished the chance to try on authentic uniforms and have a little role play.  The class then posed insightful questions to gain even more knowledge of WWII, its causes and effects.  A very purposeful and enjoyable session was had by all.

#Successful learners

 

The Eco Committee organised and ran a Bring-and-Buy sale on Monday to raise money for the environmental charity, the Solway Heritage.

Pupils, families and friends of the school handed in unwanted books, toys, and household items that could be used by others. So far, we have raised a total of over £35! Well done everyone!

The sale will continue for the rest of the week, when we will announce the final total.

Today we celebrated International Safer Internet Day! This year the theme was: Together for a better internet. Over 160 countries participated, with over 2000 UK schools and organisations too.

The world wide web is a fantastic resource that our parents, grandparents and teachers did not have when growing up – but we do! But all great resources need to be used wisely and there are things to be aware of. We learnt today how to be super computer savvy…

1. Choose to be aware 

Make sure you know the rules about how to behave and stay safe on the sites, games and apps you like to use. Look out for buttons that let you block, mute and report other users who aren’t behaving and always ask for help if there is something you are not sure about.

2. Choose to make sensible choices online 

Always keep your personal information safe and any personal information belonging to your friends and family.  Check with an adult before signing up to a new game or online service and before downloading a new app or game .

3. Choose to ask if it’s okay 

Always think about how your online actions might make others feel. Be a respectful friend online and remember to ask for permission before sharing something about someone else. This could include a picture, video or piece of their personal information like where they live or their full name. Take a look at our Safer Internet Day film to see what other young people think about asking for consent online.

4. Choose to be a role model 

Always be kind to others online and support your friends if they are having a difficult time. You can help your friends by showing them how to block and report in games and apps or by going to talk to a trusted adult with them.

5. Choose to ask for help

If you are ever unsure about something you see online, or anything makes you feel worried, upset or confused then ask a trusted adult for some help and advice.

 

Remember! Think SMART – Safe, Meeting, Accepting, Reliable, Tell.

 

Check out www.saferinternet.org.uk for more information including a section with top tips for parents/carers.

 

Pupils can easily access the ThinkUKnow website via their GLOW launch pad. This has some fantastic games and a Parents/Carers section too.

 

P1-3 pupils learned all about Smartie the Penguin, who teaches them to be ‘Sensible like Smartie.’

Parents and family gathered together to celebrate our pupils’ success in this year’s Scot’s poetry activities in recitation, handwriting and artwork.  The winners in each skill category were presented with certificates for their achievement, with everyone praised for their hard work and effort.  The 1st place achievers recited their poems with expression and confidence.

The children then performed their Scot’s songs to entertain the audience with full audience participation encouraged.

# Successful Learners

 

Today saw the beginning of construction of a new addition to our playground space.  Sian,  local gardener,  has kindly brought in willow whip bundles from her own garden with which to build the dome. With the help of some very willing volunteers, she has rapidly got work underway to complete the structure. Enginnering discussion was had on the properties of materials and how best to interlace the structure for rigidity.

The boys and girls will have the opportunity to watch the bare sticks grow and transform into a lush, living creation.  They will then be able to practice gardening and pruning skills to maintain the dome throughout the year.

We are discussing the environmental benefits of the structure as willow absorbs carbon from the atmosphere, provides a habitat for wildlife and enriches the soil.

The dome will provide a magical den for the children to enjoy and use in their imaginative play and relaxation.

#Effective Contributors