Portpatrick Primary

Grandparents and family friends joined the boys and girls of Portpatrick Primary for a Burns lunch yesterday. Olivia Schofield kicked off the proceedings by giving the Selkirk Grace, followed by Lachlan and Mr Ross giving the Address to the Haggis. We all then sat down to a traditional, delicious meal of haggis, neeps and tatties (or sausages!) cooked by Barbara, our school cook, followed tea and coffee for the adults and some shortbread.

After the pupils had a short break, the winners of our Scots poetry competition entertained our guests with some fabulous recitals and the classes each sang a Scots song that they have been learning – P4-7 even played the ukulele accompanied by Sean from Feis Rois.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the day such a success – everyone had a fab time!

Primary 4-7 were computer coding programmers today.  Ms Creighton, our RAISE teacher for D & G schools, visited us to deliver a workshop on Scratch programming.  The children built up coding blocks to control ‘sprites’ in animated sequences; using sound and graphics.  The pupils quickly got to grips with the conventions to create a ‘Ghostbusters’ scoring game to play by capturing the disappearing ghost to earn points.

Scratch helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.  All of these are essential skills for life in the 21st century.

#Successful Learners

 

Parents and family came together to celebrate our Scot’s poetry success in an open assembly this afternoon.  The children were challenged with producing their best handwriting, reciting aloud and creating accompanying artwork for the Scot’s poem they each were asked to learn.  There was a very high standard across each category.  Mrs Davidson, retired teacher, judged the worth winners.  Mrs Baillie was was proud to present the certificates to the children.

The children entertained the audience with the winners reciting their poems.  Each class then performed a traditional Scottish song.  There was even audience participation to add to the fun!

Class 2 have been exploring the world of electronics.  We have been constructing circuits for a range of purposes.  We have used components to light bulbs and identified ways to make the bulb brighter by increasing voltage.  We have also designed circuits to test conductors and insulators using the principles of a switch.  Today, we applied a range of STEM skills and knowledge to design a continuity circuit to make a ‘Buzz’ game.  The challenge was to use our dexterity skills to move a loop around a wire arch without touching it and risk lighting the bulb.  Some clever folk made it even harder by placing kinks in their arch and reducing the size of the loop.

#Successful Learners

Class 2 have also used their imaginations to produce equally fabulous artistic creations inspired by the Scot’s poems they have been learning.

P4: Last Nicht by Amiee Chalmers

P5: Nae Accoontin For Folk, Anon

P6: King O The Midden by James McGonigal

P7: Address To A Haggis by Robert Burns

I’m sure you will agree that they have been original and innovative with their ideas!

 

As part of our Scot’s poetry celebrations, the children of Class 1 have created fabulous pieces of artwork to accompany the poems they have been learning.

• P1: Ode Tae A Spider – Sheena Blackhall
• P2: Social Dancing by Anne Kelley
• P3: Jock  & Jean, Anon

I’m sure you will agree that there has been a lot of effort at home to produce these masterpieces!

 

 

Our responsible P7 pupils, Innes & Katie represented Portpatrick Primary at the annual Rotary lunch.  Whilst there, they chatted to Greg Drummond, the Olympic silver medalist, and learned about his experiences.

# Confident Indivuals

 

Well done to the four pupils from Portpatrick school who went to the Academy last week to represent their school at a fun Maths Transition challenge. The team consisted of Myles Hine, Rowan Harbottle, Lachlan Ross and Jenna Marshall. The challenge began with an Activity Pack full of Christmas themed maths puzzles and problem solving, as well as a complex cube building challenge and a ‘Tarsia’ hexagon challenge.

Following this, the teams were given a pack of spaghetti, tape and one sheet of paper and tasked with creating the tallest tower. This was very entertaining!
The event was a great success and we look forward to participating in the challenge again next Christmas. Kirkcolm and Leswalt School joined in the fun as well.

The pupils and staff of Portpatrick primary were treated to a delicious Christmas dinner today.  We enjoyed singing along to well known Christmas tunes as we tucked into roast turkey with all the trimmings.  Three cheers for the chef!

For the second year running, the Mount Stewart has very generously hosted a Christmas Party for all the boys and girls of Portpatrick Primary.  The children were treated to a party buffet.  This was followed by carol singing with Kenny kindly providing the piano music for everyone to enjoy and have a little dance to.  Olivia S. also treated us all to her skills on the piano!  The parents had a lovely opportunity for a pre-Christmas mingle.  Everyone received a present of a selection box before leaving tired but happy.  A very BIG thank you to Diane and Graham and all the staff who worked so hard to give the children such a special night.