Portpatrick Primary

Mr Alistair Orr-Ewing joined us today to give us a very informative chat about his experience in property development.

He explained that after qualifying as a Chartered Surveyer, he was able to travel all over the world working in this industry.  He talked about the wonderful places he has been to and the interesting job history he has had working in property. He even sold a building for nearly £100 Million pounds!

Mr Orr-Ewing explained how he found that all of this was possible through making sure he always worked hard, studied and by reading as much as he could to help him learn.  He encouraged the children to pursue their own dreams and work towards achieving their goals, whatever they may be.

Thank you Alistair for taking the time to visit the boys and girls.  It was  a thoroughly interesting careers session.

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 17: Access To Information

As part of our  Careers In The Community initiative, PC Todd joined us today to give us an insight into the world of policing as a career option.

He began by explaining the skills and attributes a police officer needs to be able to serve their community:

• Good communication skills
• An interest in people
• Problem solving
• Empathy
• Assertiveness
• Resilience
• A good listener

PC Todd told us that it’s never too early to start thinking about what we want to do when we leave school.  He was the youngest police officer to begin his career in Scotland at 17 1/2 years old.

He explained that there are many different roles within the police force from dog handlers to helicopter pilots.  The children asked many questions on what life is like as a police officer.

PC Todd showed the equipment a police officer has such as a radio, handcuffs, leg restraints and a tazer.  He explained that officers have to be specially trained to use all of this equipment, which is only used if absolutely necessary.

The officer then gave the children a road safety and awareness talk, discussing how to keep ourselves safe by being seen and crossing in sensible places.  He also explained how we should take care when out and about on our bikes and scooters.  He shared the information that electric scooters are illegal on public roads.

The children thoroughly enjoyed PC Todd’s visit and we thank the officer for taking the time to share his insights with us.

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 17: Right to Information

Where did the sun go?

Despite it deciding to hide behind a cloud today after a cracking spell, the temperature was just right for an afternoon of sporting fun in the fresh air.

There were cheers and hoots galore from our family and friends audience as our eager participants took to each competitive challenge with a smile and good sportsmanship.

The order of the day was as follows:

• Sprint
• Skipping
• Sack
• Egg and Spoon
• Throw
• Obstacle
• Distance
• Pre-school
• Parents
• Staff

Mrs Henry and Kim are busy totting up the scores to find out the winning house team for the day.  Although, we can agree that everyone were winners with their great attitudes, positive spirit and camaraderie.

Photo Dump!

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 31:  Rest, Play, Culture & Arts

Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing

 

We were lucky to have Bobby Lammie visit us today to talk about his very special career as a professional, world class curler.

Bobby chatted to the boys and girls to share his experiences about this unique career.  He advised the chidren to follow their dreams and aim high.  He explained that his success has come as a result of hard work, practice and dedication, practicing at least five days a week to develop and maintain his skills.

The children were extremely interested to hear all about Bobby’s experiences travelling the world and competing at Olympic level.  He and his team won silver at the Bejing winter olympics in 2022.  He has also won a  gold medal at the world men’s championships in Ottoah this year.  Everyone was excited to try on his very special medals.

It was a very informative and insightful talk that has inspired our children to aim to be the best they can be.  Thank you Bobby for coming along to spend time with our boys and girls.  We would like to offer our congratulations and wish you continued success.

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 17 Right to Information

As part of our learning about the world of work,Carolyne Cerexhe joined us to give us an insight into her career as a health visitor.

She gave a very informative talk telling us all about her role and responsibilities. She explained that health visitors visit new families in their homes to check on baby development.  She used very willing volunteers to demonstrate how to weigh a baby and young children as well as measuring growth.  She shared how this is tracked in a child’s personal red book that all the boys and girls will have at home.

The children were eager to learn more and asked lots of questions such as necessary qualifications and training and the best parts of being a health visitor.

Thank you to Carolyne for taking the time to share her experience with us to help us learn about the world of and possible career choices for our future.

UNCRC Rights of the Child – 29 Aims of Education

Primary 5 – 7 have been learning about human body systems this term.  We have linked with the Glasgow Science Centre as part of their Body Systems Learning Lab.

We are studying how the following systems work, their related diseases and illnesses and how to prevent these through a healthy lifestyle:

• Reproductive System
• Digestive System
• Circulatory System
• Reparatory System
• Skeletal System

The boys and girls  have been busy preparing class talks to share their knowledge and understanding of a system of their choice.  We are learning from  from each as ‘research experts’.  Each child has made a model to further illustrate the system for their audience. Their ingenuity and creativity is impressive, as you can see for yourself!

 

The class presented to their peer audience for friendly feedback to help improve our delivery skills.

Thank you to our families for supporting this project.

# Successful Learners – Family Learning Opportunity

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 24 Health, Water, Food & Environment & Article 29: Aims of Education

Primary 5 – 7 received a visit from Fire Officer Robert McCrory today.  This was a follow up session from Operation Safety that our P6 pupils attended last week.

Robert led discussions on hazards and risks that we would find in different scenarios in the home.  The children were able to use photographs to identify potential risks in each image and explain why they were of danger.  Electrical applicances left switched on were the main risk with trailing cables and the potential to overheat.

We chatted about having a safety evacution plan at home as a safety measure.

Robert discussed the folly of raising false alarms and how this impacts on emergency services being able to attend to where they are really needed.

This fits in with Curriculum for Excellence Health and Wellbeing experiences and outcomes – I am learning to assess and manage risk, to protect myself and others, and to reduce the potential for harm when possible.

We explored what3words app and learned how we can use this to provide our location to the emergency services if we don’t know where we are.

It was a very informative session.  Our thanks go to Robert for coming to help keep us safe.

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 29: Aims of Education

We were treated to a fabulous clan gathering celebrating our Scottish culture today.

Primary 1 – 4 pupils have been taking part in an 11 week block of music input from Feis Rois.  Today saw the culmination of this expressive arts learning experience as the pupils put on a fabulous show for friends, family and classmates.

The children took on leadership roles, acting as comperes to introduce each performance for our audience.  Rebecca and Freya carried in the Clan Flag, introducing our selected name of the Lighthouse Legends. Adam began proceedings by informing our audience that his class would be peforming songs, solos and dances to entertain.  Steven introduced Galloway Hills, which the children sung beautifully. Harry and Adam then recited Jock and Jean before the boys and girls sang such a lovely Gaelic lullaby.

Next up the children, sang Gillie Beog O before Steven told a joke.  Freya announced the next song titled Cat, Cat, Tunnag which was about animals before Steven announced the last song called Bananas are the Best.  This was clearly the children’s favourite as they performed it with great gusto!

 

It was then time for audience participation.  Primary 5 -7 joined in with a Canadian Barn dance and a self-created dance, accompanied by the violin.

Our thanks go to Feis Rois and to Miss Lammie for presenting such an entertaining show and for all their efforts teaching the children these songs and dances which build confidence and enjoyment in our culture.  Our audience thoroughly enjoyed the clan event.

Despite their small numbers, our pupils are mighting in talent!

UNRCR Rights of the Child – Article 31: Rest, Play, Culture, Arts

Report by Atticus & Lewis –

On Thursday 25th May all of the P6 pupils from Portpatrick went to Operation Safety . The event took place at Stair Park football grounds in Stranraer. There were lots of workshops that we visited. This is a list of the workshops in order:

• Fire brigade to spot the different hazards to make them safe, lie a knife in a toaster or too many plugs in a lead.
• Scottish Power workshop where we spotted electrical hazards outside.
• Stranraer Coastguard for water safety and how to save someone if they are drowning.
• Alcohol and drugs presented by PC McCutcheon where we got to try on beer goggles.

We then had our lunch in the stadium seat and afterwards we visited our last few workshops:

• Anti-social behaviour where we played a song really loudly and the council came and said he was going to fine us £20.
• Ambulance where we learned how to do CPR.

My favourite workshop was the drugs and alcohol one because the drunk glasses were fun and felt weird.

Portpatrick pupils participated in a day of Climate Ready Classroom activities, as part of our ongoing Eco Schools work. This was a whole day event of online sessions and follow-up activities that schools right across Dumfries & Galloway took part in.

During the morning session, we learned all about what climate change is and why it is happening. Pupils went on a hunt around the school for different emissions and Atticus got dressed up in as many items of clothing as possible to demonstrate how greenhouse gases are affecting the planet.

Between break and lunch, the focus was on how climate change affects biodiversity. Pupils went outside and used string to create a food web to demonstrate how everything is interconnected. They then worked in groups to complete a scavenger hunt, identifying things in the playground that breaks down plant waste, things that produce oxygen, etc. Pupils had to stop and use their senses to also find something that had an interesting texture, an interesting sound and something that looked beautiful – to which Lewis identified himself!!!

Our afternoon session looked at how we can take action to help climate change. Pupils brainstormed the various things that we could do at Portpatrick Primary to reduce climate change and we developed a school action plan to take forwards.

We had a fun day learning all about climate change and are looking forwards to carrying out our action plan to help make a difference.