Portpatrick Primary

Today P4-7 had a visit from Lisa who works for the NHS ‘Quit Your Way’ service (formerly known as Smoking Matters) as part of their Health and Wellbeing topic. She shared with pupils the government’s target of having less than 5% of the population classed as smokers by 2034, so we all need to spread the message: ‘Let’s be smoke free!’

Pupils participated in a true or false game, where they found out that nicotine is as addictive as heroin and cocaine. Our 2 forensic scientists Alba and Rowan (all suited up with lab coats and rubber gloves!) then poured some of the different chemicals contained in a cigarette into a mixing jug. The result was disgusting!! Pupils were shocked to find out that a cigarette actually contains over 4000 chemicals!

Rhian and Finlay volunteered to demonstrate the effects of smoking on your skin (with a little help from some technology) – they were unrecognisable in the pictures and Finlay thought that he looked as old as his Gran!! Everyone then had a go at the fitness test – we jogged on the spot for 20 seconds, then repeated this but with a straw in our mouth to breathe through and our noses pinched. The boys and girls couldn’t believe how tricky this was!!

Considering the effects on your health, your bank balance and your appearance, everyone agreed that smoking is definitely not for them!

 

Portpatrick Primary was selected to participate in a workshop from Professor Lockheart, Director: Institute of Biomedical & Environmental Health Research (IBEHR)of the University of West Scotland on the theme of ‘Breath’.

He is part of a team of scientists in Scotland and Ireland that have EU funding to establish training and school links for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is particularly prevalent in our area.

All of the children enjoyed participating in an interactive workshop of activities to raise their understanding of factors that can impact on our lung health.  They used models of lungs to observe the damage smoking and vaping can have on our bodies.  There was lots of ‘goo’ and tar in jars!  The children tested their lung capacity by puffing into measuring tubes.  I’m pleased to report lots of healthy readings.

#Successful Learners

A huge well done to Rhian, Lewis, Liam, Max and Ruby who completed the Maths Week collage challenge at home. What a colourful and creative ways to show that maths really is everywhere!

Portpatrick Primary have been busy celebrating Maths Week Scotland which ran from 10^th – 16^th September. The aim of the week was to raise the profile of maths and awareness of how maths is everywhere. Each day was given a different theme for pupils to explore.

The week kicked off with pupils getting creative and exploring ‘Maths in Art.’ The younger classes studied artist Paul Klee’s work which uses various 2D shapes and then designed their own ‘Castle and Sun.’ The older pupils created some parabolic curve line designs, creating curved shapes from the intersection of straight lines. Some beautiful artwork was produced by pupils!

Pupils then explored ‘Maths in ICT’ and participated in the D&G RAiSE team’s Beebot challenge. The younger pupils programmed a Beebot to draw specific letters and spell out a given word, and the older pupils used Lego We Do to develop their skills in computational sequencing.

In the middle of the week parents and family members were invited into school to bake some tasty treats alongside pupils. The younger pupils practised counting out ingredients to make Rugby Slice, and the older pupils were practising weighing and reading scales to make Rocky Road.

Later in the week, pupils participated various active games exploring how Maths is in PE, exercising both our bodies and our minds! The older pupils calculated the distance, speed and time of some running races.

We had planned for ‘Maths Outside’ to finish off the week, but unfortunately the weather was against us! So instead we participated in some practical maths challenges around the school building, involving estimating and measuring.

Over the course of the week, some families were busy taking part in our ‘Maths is Everywhere’ homework challenge, finding examples of Maths in and around the home. Pupils brought in some fantastic and very creative collages.

Pupils had a great week of fun exploring Maths and we can truly say that Maths is everywhere!

(P1-3 photos to follow!)

The whole school was treated to a musical experience today when we were visited by two members of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.  The two gents peformed musical pieces on the cello and the violin.  The session was predominately aimed at our P4 pupils who are being offered the opportunity to enrol in a block of 16 teaching sessions from November until June both at Stranraer academy and online.  The RCS Stranraer Music Centre Programme is funded by the Youth Music Initiative and tuition will be free. This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to begin to learn how to play a musical instrument.

The children enjoyed listening to the classical performance and asked many probing questions about music and learning to play an instrument.

#Successful Learners

Keep Scotland Beautiful awards Green Flag Award for environmental action

Portpatrick Primary has yet again been awarded the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful. Eco-Schools Scotland aims to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of all schools, for both pupils and for staff. It also provides a framework to engage the wider school community in action and support aligned with the purposes of Curriculum for Excellence and Learning for Sustainability. Eco-Schools Scotland offers schools a choice of ten topics to engage with, from food and the environment, to litter, to energy. Portpatrick Primary chose to focus on Litter, Biodiversity and Health on its Green Flag Award journey.

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Congratulations to the Eco Committee, and all other pupils and staff at Portpatrick Primary who worked so hard to achieve and maintain their Green Flag Award Status.” “Keep Scotland Beautiful is committed to supporting all our children and young people to develop the capacities, skills and attributes required for learning, living and working in a changing environment and world.

The pupils’ community and environmental action was commended by Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland Region.  She personally wrote to the boys and girls, to congratulate them on their commitment and endeavours ‘to make our region a pleasant place to live and visit.’

Mrs Baille, Head Teacher commented that, “This award recognises another two years of continued environmental achievement by our responsible pupils.  The whole school has engaged with our local community to bring about positive action.  Our special thanks go to the Community Safety Wardens and Portpatrick Community Council for their support”.

The Scottish Eco-Schools programme is regarded as world-leading; with almost every young person in Scotland playing a part in driving environmental excellence forward. Now the pupils and educators of Portpatrick Primary can proudly say they are engaged in a real movement, across over 60 countries in five continents, striving to improve our environment through learning for sustainability.

# Responsible Citizens

As part of learning how to be Responsible Citizens and Effective Contributors, Class 2 are receiving a block of workshop lessons to become Playmakers.  Here, they are taught skills to allow more effective interaction with their peers.  Soft skills such as cooperation, negotiation, sharing and listening are developed through collaborative play activities.  Today, Class 2 were using effective communication and organisational skills to instruct Class 1 on a range of independently designed play activities.

#Responsible Citizens  & Effective Contributors

 

P6 pupil Lola has been selected to play for the Wigtownshire netball team!  Lola is making her mark with this great achievement, having just joined us from over the pond.  We will all be cheering Lola on.

# Effective Contributor

Our new P1 pupils are settling in well at Portpatrick.  They have been very busy learning in all sorts of contexts.  The class went on an active learning 2D shape hunt using our outdoor areas.  To help with writing recounts, the children went on a Teddy Bears picnic.  They applied healthy eating to create their own sandwich snacks.  They enjoyed story time with ‘We Are Going On A Bear Hunt’.  The children played games with their bears to learn social skills.  All this was used as a stimulus to write about their adventures with their favourite teddy bears.

# Successful Learners

 

The Portpatrick Primary End of Year awards ceremony of 2018 was held amidst smiles and tears.  The great achievements of our pupils were recognised today in front of a packed hall of family and friends.  The children performed lively songs to entertain the audience between certificates and awards being presented.  There were many adults to thank for their continuing help and support throughout the year. We said a tearful goodbye to our wonderful Primary 7 pupils and to Miss Kerrr, who is leaving to take up a teaching post in Edinburgh.

The children took full advantage of the sun on the final afternoon by visiting the lifeboat station for a guided tour. Thank you to Alli and Robert for being our genial hosts.  The boys and girls then had a game of putting and enjoyed an ice cream before returning to school for the countdown bell for our holidays.

Goodbye and good luck to Innes, Jenna, Katie, Lachlan, Mia & Olivia!

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Primary school is over now with the Academy coming fast.

We have to tell you that the last 7 years have simply been a blast.

Shortly you’ll be moving on to somewhere fresh and new,

This school will be so different when we do not have you.

We’ve watched you grow and turn into the person that you are,

To read and write and count with ease, you simply are a star!

We want you to remember, a message from us all,

Live your life and chase your dreams, whether big or small.

You are unique and wonderful and sadly, will be missed.

So, grab life and forever hold it tightly in your fist.

Goodbye from  us and thank you, as it has been so much fun.

Remember you are special and you’re simply number one!