Author: Ms Whorlow

On the 27^th of March, Portpatrick pupils joined their friends at St. Joseph’s for another fantastic Wider Achievement Partnership Day! Just like last time, the children were split into three mixed-school groups: P1–3, P4–5, and P6–7, with each teacher leading a different creative activity.

• Mr. Morrison delivered a digital Easter project, which got the children buzzing with excitement as they used technology in a fun and engaging way.
• Miss Scott led a fun Easter craft session where pupils decorated Easter eggs using a variety of colourful and textured materials 
• Miss Lisi’s room, led construction, modelling, and Easter-themed artwork.

The children enjoyed a lovely break and lunchtime outside together.  There was lots of laughter and friendship across the two schools.

In the afternoon, both schools walked over to the Ryan Centre for a special cinema treat: Inside Out 2!  The pupils were brilliantly behaved and thoroughly enjoyed the film—what a perfect way to end the week before the Easter holidays!

Please note: The photos shared on this blog post are from Miss Lisi’s classroom. We didn’t manage to get pictures from the other rooms this time, but all groups had a fantastic time!

UNCRC Rights:

• Article 15 –Joining in groups together
• Article 29 –Aims of Education
• Article 31 – Right to rest, play, and cultural activities
  The day was filled with play, creativity, and an enjoyable cinema experience.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
  Pupils enjoyed active outdoor play and positive social interactions.
• SDG 4 – Quality Education
  Pupils accessed varied, engaging, and creative learning experiences.
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
  The event strengthened partnerships between St. Joseph’s and Portpatrick schools.

SHANARRI Indicators:

• Included
  Every child was given a voice and equal opportunity to participate.
• Active
  Children engaged in hands-on crafts, digital learning, and outdoor play.
• Responsible
  Pupils took responsibility within groups and respected expectations.
• Nurtured
  The friendly environment encouraged new friendships and a sense of belonging.

Meta-skills:

• Collaborating
  Mixed-school teamwork required listening, sharing, and working respectfully together.
• Creativity
  Art, construction, and digital projects encouraged pupils to express their ideas.
• Communicating
  Children shared thoughts and ideas during group work and social time.
• Adapting
  Children worked in new environments with new peers and activities.
• Focusing
  Each activity required attention to detail and perseverance to complete.

Portpatrick Pupils were environmentally aware today.  As part of our Eco Schools Scotland action plan on litter and waste, the children have been learning about the negative impact this has on biodiversity. 

The children have been working in partnership with our local Community Safety Wardens to design litter awarness posters.  These have been made into weather-proof posters to encourage everyone to be responsible to protect our environment &  wildlife, and to keep our beautiful village looking spotless for everyone to enjoy.  The community safety team escorted the pupils around the village to prominently display our posters for all to see. 

We are responsible citizens and effective contributors.

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

Sustainable Development Goals: 1 – Life Below Water, 15-Life on Land, 

SHANARRI – Responsible

For our final morning activities, the groups split one last time.

With the final activities complete, it was time for one last clean-up and a chance to reflect on the experience. The biggest success of the trip has been the way St. Joseph’s and Portpatrick pupils have come together as one team—showing kindness, encouragement, and support for each other throughout every challenge.

Now, as we head home, tired but happy, we’re filled with pride for how well the children have represented themselves, their schools, and their communities. New friendships have been formed, lifelong memories have been made, and every child leaves Barcaple having challenged themselves in new and exciting ways.

UNCRC Rights of the Child:

Article 15: Making Friends and Joining Groups

Article 31: Rest, Play

Metaskills: Collaborating, Sense-Making, Communicating

Our community came together to celebrate Mrs. Henry’s milestone of 25 years of wonderful service to Portpatrick Primary. Families and staff, past and present, joined us for a surprise get-together to recognise Mrs H’s fabulous contribution over the years.

There were speeches, a special poem, a song, messages, cards and flowers gifted to the special lady. Everyone enjoyed a buffet lunch with cake and treats galore with delicious home baking treats to enjoy for afters – yum!

Congratulations Mrs H. Long may your reign continue!

St .Joseph’s R.C. primary hosted an inter-schools K’nex engineering challenge today as part of the Glasgow Science Festival.  Two pupils from our cluster schools came together from the following primaries:

• St. Joseph’s R.C. Primary
• Portpatrick Primary
• Drummore Primary
• Sandhead Primary
• Park Primary
• Leswalt Primary
• Kirkcolm Primary
• Sheuchan Primary

The children were set an engineering design and construction project to make a free standing exercise bike for a gym.  The specification was that the exercise must have:

• 2 wheels that spin when the pedals are turned
• A length of no more than 2 grey construction rods
• A seat for the rider
• Handlebars
• Wheels fixed in a frame for static peddling

Marks Sheering from Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and Sheena, STEM ambassador joined us to be our judges.  It wasn’t an easy task, as the children had been very creative and inventive with their constructions.

The activity helped promote the development of metaskills for learning, life and work.

Adam said that the most challenging part was building the bike so the wheels turned. Arran enjoyed making the pedals.

First place was awarded to Leswalt with Sandhead runners up.

Everyone agreed that everyone was a winner with their sterling effort.

God’s Loving Plan – In the Image of God( RERC 2-02a)

UNCRC Rights of the Child: Article 15 – Joining Groups, 29 – Aims of Education

SHANARRI – Achieving, Responsible, Included

Representatives from Primary 7 from both schools went along to enjoy an afternoon at the annual Burns Rotary Club lunch at the North West Castle.  Pupils from each cluster school were there to share a lovely meal of lentil soup followed by fish and chips.  After lunch, guest speaker, Mr Alex Ross, shared some insights into Robert Burns’ life to entertain us.  He then recited To a Mouse with great gusto. 

There was an opportunity for partnership pupils to enjoy social time together, before returning to school for the end of the day. The pupils represented their schools well as responsible citizens.  Who knows, we may have some Rotary Club members of the future!

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

SHANARRI: Responsible, Included

4 Capacities for Learning: Responsible Citizens

Metaskills: Social Intelligence – Communicating

Portpatrick Primary hosted a great Scots Celebration Assembly to honour the life and work of Robert Burns and contemporary Scots poets and song writers. The event was a great showcase of the pupils’ talent, creativity, and hard work, and it truly brought our school community together.

The children were judged in three areas:

• Handwriting: Pupils carefully handwrote their entire poem, showcasing their dedication and attention to detail.
• Artwork: Pupils created or drew beautiful pieces inspired by their chosen poems, highlighting their creativity and artistic skills.
• Poem Recitals: The children performed their poem with enthusiasm and confidence in front of the school community.

We were delighted to have Mr and Mrs Ross as our judges again this year. Thank you to them for giving their time and expertise to this special event. Mr Ross gave an excellent recitation of To A Mouse and shared interesting context to the creation of the poem by Rabbie Burns.

All our pupils did a great job, and the effort they put in was clear to see. A huge congratulations to all the winners, and well done to every pupil for their hard work and commitment. You have made us proud!

The children added to the celebration by singing Scottish songs, filling the hall with joy and a sense of national pride. There was even a wee dance performed by some of our senior girls. As a highlight of the assembly, the winners from each class recited their poems for everyone to enjoy.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our families who supported their children at home and attended the event to make it even more special. Your involvement means so much to us, and we hope you enjoyed the celebration as much as we did.

Please see below for photos of this memorable event. We are already looking forward to next year’s Scots Celebration Assembly!

UNCRC Rights:

• Article 13: Freedom of expression – Pupils expressed themselves creatively through poetry, art, and performance.
• Article 29: Goals of education – The event helped pupils develop their talents and abilities.
• Article 31: Right to relax, play, and participate in cultural activities – Pupils engaged in cultural celebrations and artistic activities.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 4: Quality Education – Promoting literacy, creativity, and public speaking.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Ensuring all pupils had the opportunity to participate and be celebrated.
• SDG 16: Strong Institutions – Strengthening community ties through shared cultural appreciation.

Meta-skills Used:

• Focusing: Pupils worked carefully on handwriting and recitation.
• Integrity: They demonstrated honesty and pride in their work.
• Adapting: Children adapted to performing in front of an audience.
• Initiative: They took responsibility for preparing and practising their pieces.
• Communicating: Pupils expressed ideas effectively in their recitations.
• Feeling: They showed passion and enthusiasm during performances.
• Collaborating: Classes worked together to sing Scottish songs.
• Creativity: Pupils created unique artwork inspired by their poems.
• Critical Thinking: They interpreted poems to convey meaning during recitals.
• Sense-making: Pupils connected their learning to Scottish heritage and culture.

SHANARRI Indicators Covered:

• Safe: Pupils were supported to perform in a nurturing environment.
• Healthy: Engaging in activities that promote mental and emotional well-being.
• Achieving: Developing and showcasing their skills.
• Nurtured: Receiving encouragement to grow and succeed.
• Respected: Their contributions were valued and celebrated.
• Responsible: Pupils took ownership of their preparation and work.
• Included: Every child’s efforts were recognised as part of the event.

Portpatrick and St. Joseph’s primaries jointly decided to collect donations towards our local Galloway Action Team Christmas appeal. As part of supporting Children in Need day, our children and families have been sending in donations of money and presents for children from the very young to teens to help make sure that every child in our community receives a Christmas gift. Being close by, members of St. Joseph’s Enterprise Group delivered the presents and money this week. Thank you to our families for your generosity. We are glad to support our local community.

Capacities for Learning: Effective Contributors

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 26: Social and Economic Help

SHANARRI – Responsible

We are pleased to announce that the West Rhins Partnership has achieved Education Scotland’s The Promise award.

Our staff undertook a professional learning award programme to raise our awareness and understanding of The Promise (the commitment made by the Scottish Government to improving the experiences and outcomes for Scotland’s care experienced children and young people), and our responsibilities as corporate parents.

This training help us understand the needs of children and young people and what we can do to support them. The ethos and values aligns with our Rights Respecting School Award and helps us to better make our school a more inclusive and welcoming place for all.

Our team are dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of every child.

UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 3: Best Interests of the Child

SHANARRI – Nurtured, Respected, Included

Sustainable Development Goal – 10: Reduced Inequalities, 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

Portpatrick Community’s Santa boots were made for walking this week. Everyone came together in their festive jumpers and Santa hats, donated by Nikki to help raise funds for our wee school. Walkers young, and more senior, joined our pupils for a beautiful walk around the village. The boys and girls were accompanied by two of Santa’s most helpful elves, Steve & Morgan, from the Lifeboat station and Mr Cerexe was on hand to act as safety marshall.

After our very pleasant stroll, everyone met back at school for welcome hot chocolate, teas, coffees, biccies and festive mince pies served by Janice, Larraine, Kim and Mrs Henry, all to the sounds of Christmas tunes. It was a great community event and get together before our Christmas show on Friday.

UNCRC Rights of the Child: Article 15 – Joining with Groups

SHANARRI – Health, Active, Included