Portpatrick Primary

What an incredible day we had on our amazing partnership day between St. Joseph’s RC Primary and Portpatrick Primary! On this special occasion, Portpatrick pupils travelled to St. Joseph’s in the morning. There was time for a social break before kicking off our Wider Achievement Morning. Both schools came together to celebrate teamwork, creativity, and learning.

The children were grouped by year levels—Primary 1-3, Primary 4-5, and Primary 6-7—and participated in a variety of engaging activities:

• 🎄 Miss Scott led exciting Christmas coding sessions, where our budding tech experts unleashed their creativity.
• 🔬 Mr. Morrison delivered hands-on STEM activities and quiz challenges using iPads, sparking curiosity and teamwork.
• ✂️ Miss Lisi inspired our young artists with arts, crafts, and construction, all with a festive Christmas twist.

The children worked so well together, showing fantastic teamwork and collaboration whilst continuing to build new friendships across both schools.

After a fun-filled morning, we enjoyed a delicious lunch together, strengthening the bonds of our partnership. The children then got some fresh air and playtime outdoors, where they continued to mingle and share laughs.

To wrap up this memorable day, we headed to the Ryan Centre cinema for a special screening of the Disney film, The Wish. 🎥 The children were captivated by the movie and left with smiles on their faces.

It truly was a fantastic day of collaboration, learning, and fun, and we’re already looking forward to the next opportunity to join forces again.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this day so special. Particular thanks to Miss Lisi and Miss Scott for their kind organisation and support and to Elizabeth for feeding all those extra mouths today and to the Ryan Centre in partnership with Into Film. It’s days like these that create lasting memories and strengthen our community spirit. 🌟👏

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 15 – Joining Groups, 31 – Play

SHANARRI – Active, Responsible, Included

Sustainable Development Goal – 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

#Effective Contributors & Confident Individuals

Children in Need Day was a great success at Portpatrick primary this year, with students, staff, and families coming together to raise funds and awareness for a fantastic cause.

Students (and staff!) dressed in colourful outfits, some sporting the iconic yellow and polka-dotted theme of Pudsey Bear.

The day kicked off with a special assembly led by Mr. Morrison, where the importance of Children in Need was highlighted. Students learned how their contributions would directly help children and young people across the UK facing challenges such as poverty, illness, and disability.

The creativity on display was amazing, with children creating cupcakes in the afternoon with ingredients supplied by Miss. Whorlow. Our Pupils raised £30.00 through donations of non-uniform and seeing “how far our pennies go”.

Well done everyone involved!

SHANARRI – Safe, Healthy, Nurtured.

UNCRC: Article 27 – Food, Clothing, A safe home. Article 26 – Social and Economic help

Metaskills: Integrity, Feeling, Creativity

STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths

Our STEM leaders from St. Joseph’s travelled to Portpatrick today to meet with the STEM Leaders there. Our enthusiastic team got their heads together to plan how we can promote and improve our offer of STEM in the West Rhins Partnership.

The group agreed many action points are and keen to get started on their plan. We can look forward to a monthly lunchtime STEM club organised by our keen pupils.

Have a read of the minutes of the meeting to see what ideas and plans they have in store for us.

UNCRCR Rights of the Child: Article 15 – Joining Groups

UNCRCR Rights of the Child: Article 12 – Respect for Children’s Views

Sustainable Development Goals: 4 Quality Education

SHANARRI – Achieving, Respected, Responsible, Included

For Scottish Careers Week 2024, our P7 pupils had an exciting day of career exploration at Stranraer Community College. The day kicked off with a fun ‘Would You Rather?’ game, where pupils worked in teams to brainstorm different careers using a range of props. They then explored a range of job options on My World of Work, discovering everything from technical trades to creative fields, helping them get a better idea of what might suit their skills and interests. 

Pupils took a guided tour around the college, visiting various departments like the Hairdressing Salon, Beauty Rooms, Technical Workshops, Mechanical and Groundwork areas, Childcare Rooms, and the Kitchen & Café. At each stop, they learned about the practical skills and qualifications needed for these careers, getting a real feel for what it’s like to work in these roles.

The day wrapped up with a Shark Island challenge, where pupils worked together to solve problems and use key meta skills like communication,

teamwork, and critical thinking—skills that are essential for any career! The visit also tied back to the UNCRC rights, reminding pupils of their right to career information (Article 28) and education that prepares them for life (Article 29).  To top it all off, everyone received a goodie bag full of career resources, making it a fun and inspiring day for all involved! 

SHANARRI – Achieving, Respected, Responsible, Included

UNCRC: Article 3 – best interests of the child. Article 17 – Access to information

Metaskills: Initiative, Collaborating, Sense-making.

National Odd Sock Day marks the start of Anti-Bullying Week. Odd Socks Day 2024. Our children ‘chose to respect‘ by wearing a colourful array of different socks. We talked about how the world is a brighter place because of difference and our uniqueness.

The day sends an important message to pupils that they should be
allowed to be themselves free from bullying and helps us celebrate
Anti-Bullying Week in a fun and positive way.

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 2: No Discrimination, 29: Aims of Education

SHANARRI – Safe, Nurtured, Respected, Included

Pupils, staff, veterans and community members joined together today at our Village War Memorial to remember all those in the armed forces who have made sacrifices for us in the past, and for those who continue to do so today.

Rev. Breakey led a service with poignant poems and readings by the children. She recounted the story of Stoker John Smith who’s name is on our village war memorial. He was a local Portpatrick Primary pupil who lost his life at just 19 years of age when his submarine was hit by a torpedo. Lacey’s Daddy shared information on the campaign medals he has been presented with for his time in the armed forces. This helped make the Remembrance service personal for the children and deepen their understanding of the selflessness of those who protect us to keep us safe from war.

We were very touched to be joined by our local veterans and community members.

The children stood respectfully for the 2 minute silence, giving the occasion the dignity it deserves.

Here is a short animated storybook about the Scottish Poppy

The Poppy Story Book Animation (English)| Learning films | Poppyscotland

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 29: Aims of Education, Article 38: Protection from War

Sustainable Development Goals: 16: Peace& Justice

Metaskills: Integrity, Feeling and Sense Making

The Fire Safety Warden Robert came into our school to talk about how to keep safe during Guy Fawkes night. This included discussing the types of material that are allowed to be burned in a bonfire and identifying which substances aren’t safe for the environment. He conversed about safety procedures and what type of safety equipment should be used to keep us safe at this fun (but potentially dangerous) time of year.

George testing out safety equipment.

Carter performing the “Stop, drop and roll”

Article 3: Best interests of the child, Article 19: Protection from Violence, Abuse and Neglect.

Meta-Skills

Self- management: Focusing

Social Intelligence: Communicating

Innovation: Sense Making

Last Thursday we had a great day at Portpatrick primary school for our Halloween party! The house captains (Carter + Lacey) organised some party games and there were lots of treats provided by the school.

Some of our party games included musical statues, 4 corners and Skeleton, Skeleton, Zombie (a game made up by Carter).

After a brief intermission and some treats, the ghoulish games commenced with a mummy wrap (where the P7s were mummified!), a hot pumpkin game (similar to hot potato), pass the parcel and we rounded off the day with a judging of the best costume.

Thanks to all the parents who turned up, donated Halloween gifts and put a lot of effort into getting the children dressed in their costumes. It made it an afternoon to remember for the children.

Article 12: (respect for the views of the child)

Article 29: (goals of education)

Meta-skills: Self-Management: Initiative, Social Intelligence: Leading, Innovation: Creativity.

Our Digital Leaders from St. Joseph’s and Portpatrick met today at Portpatrick Primary. They participated in a Digital Leader training day to help them drive forward as Leaders of Learning.

After a tour of the school led by Adam and Arran, there was a lot to work through on the agenda from developing our digital literacy skills to working together to help our classmates keep safe online. Have a read of the minutes of the meeting to see what Effective Contributors and Responsible Citizens they are in planning.

Watch this space for a report written by our Digital Leaders on their training day experience.

There was time for socialising and making new friends during morning break. It was a great day of collaboration, leading and friendship.

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 15: Setting up and Joining Groups

SHANARRI – Achieving, Responsible & Included

The Portpatrick Community Development Trust kindly organised a fantastic Halloween party for our pupils from both Portpatrick and St. Joseph’s.

The hall looked amazing with creepy decorations galore. The refreshments were a frightful delight with vampire blood and ghost spirit drinks along with Halloween themed sweet and savoury treats.

The event was very well attended, particularly for such a wet and windy night – it all added to the mood.

The children looked fabulous in their costumes. They had a blast together with lots spooky Halloween games and activities organised to entertain. There were dangling sticky doughnuts to try to snare, bobbing for apples, disco moves and spooky corners to name but a few. The boys and girls didn’t stop from the moment they arrived till it was time to go home.

Our grateful thanks to the PCDT for generously organising this event for our partnership children.

UNCRC – Article 31: Play, Article 15: Joining in Groups

SHANARRI – Active, Included