A huge well done to our Primary 7 pupils who successfully completed their Bikeability Road Safety Training this week with the brilliant Mike Blakeman.
During the session, pupils took to the local roads to develop their cycling confidence and learn vital safety skills. From signalling at junctions to checking for traffic and managing road positioning, everyone rose to the challenge and made amazing progress.
Mike Blakeman was full of praise for the group, saying:
“They were all great and grew over the sessions, particularly individuals who overcame many challenges. Fantastic to see their confidence grow.”
Lacey, Carter, and Louise, who showed great determination throughout. Each of them overcame challenges and grew in confidence as the sessions went on. Their perseverance and positive attitudes were impressive!
It was wonderful to see the pride on everyone’s faces as they achieved their certificates and cycled away with new skills and self-belief.
Thank you again to Mike for leading such an engaging and supportive session, and to our P7s for being such fantastic role models.
Keep cycling safely, everyone! 🚲💪
UNCRC
Article 29 – Education should develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full
SHANARRI
Safe – Pupils learned how to stay safe while cycling on roads
Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing – Promotes active, healthy lifestyles through cycling
The next instalment in the adventures of Inky and Lion with the Rev…
Inky Mouse and Lion have been off on another exciting leg of their European adventure with Rev Breakey! This time, they leapt (or rather, snuck) into her bag to see a real volcano, Mount Etna.
From the city of Catania, they could see clouds of steam puffing from Etna’s top. Despite years of eruptions and earthquakes, people still live nearby because the soil is so good for growing things. Inky was a little nervous when they explored a dark lava tube, but Lion couldn’t wait to charge in! Lava had once rushed through the tunnel like strawberry milkshake through a straw, and now it’s a cool cave where people (and cuddly toys) can walk. In the olden days, clever Italians used these caves to store blocks of ice to make yummy granita, even before fridges were invented.
As the sun set over an old crater, the stowaways admired the view, with Etna steaming quietly in the distance. But their adventure wasn’t over yet…
Next, a railway strike meant big travel changes. The plan to head to Venice by train was halted, so a cunning plan was needed. A speedy bus took them across Sicily to Palermo, where the streets were buzzing and the scenery flashed by.
Then came a huge overnight ferry ride, full of trucks, tourists and even dogs! It reminded them of the Stena ferry to Belfast. After landing in hot and dusty Livorno (with delicious pizza!), they caught busy trains north.
Where to next? Switzerland, of course, if the trains behave!
On Thursday, our Primary 5 to 7 class from Portpatrick Primary set off on a truly memorable adventure to the awe-inspiring Garden of Cosmic Speculation, just outside Dumfries. We were joined by our friends from St Joseph’s Primary P5 to 7, making the day even more special. 🚌💫
We were lucky with the weather — warm, dry, and not a drop of rain in sight. Perfect conditions to explore the fascinating sights this unique garden had to offer. The gardens only open to the public one day every year and we were lucky enough to be able to granted an invitation to visit.
Designed by architect and theorist Charles Jencks and his wife Maggie Keswick, the garden is renowned for blending science, maths, nature and art in imaginative and thought-provoking ways. Every corner revealed spirals, patterns, sculptures and features that challenged us to stop, think and marvel.
🌿 Our pupils had a brilliant time exploring the different zones, from artistic landscapes and unusual buildings to cleverly designed spaces and curious plants. Each path seemed to lead to something unexpected.
🐌 A real favourite was Snail Hill, a spiralling grassy mound that plays tricks on your sense of direction. Made entirely from earth and grass, it was a gentle challenge to walk, but what a view from the top.
🌉 Another fascinating moment was learning about the two red bridges. The original Japanese-style red bridge is a striking feature of the garden, and when a railway had to pass through the grounds, the owners ensured the new bridge matched in colour and design to keep the garden’s harmony. This thoughtful mix of natural beauty and human impact really captured the children’s interest.
To top off our day, both schools took part in some fantastic STEM challenges:
🔍 Find the Fibonacci! – We searched for natural spirals and patterns in plants and surroundings.
🦆 Bridge Building! – Could we construct a bridge strong enough to support a rubber duck for 10 seconds? The pupils were up for the challenge.
🧱 LEGO Structure Design! – With one of the garden’s wooden structures damaged by storms, we were challenged to create a new version using LEGO. It had to be strong, creative and in keeping with the spirit of the garden.
It was a day full of learning, creativity and fun, and it was even better shared with our friends from St Joseph’s. A huge thank you to all the staff and organisers who helped make this joint experience one to remember. 🌟👏
🔹 SHANARRI Indicators:
Achieving: Pupils developed skills in STEM and problem-solving
Healthy: Outdoor learning supported wellbeing and physical activity
Included: Everyone participated and collaborated across schools
🔹 UNCRC Rights of the Child:
Article 28: Right to education
Article 29: Education must develop every child’s personality and talents
Article 31: Right to relax, play, and take part in cultural and creative activities
What else can you do when the temperature is very hot, but go swimming and eat ice cream?
That was exactly the plan for Inky Mouse and Lion. With their sunglasses perched firmly on their noses and a generous squirt of sunscreen (factor 50, of course), they headed out for a seaside adventure.
Now, this wasn’t quite like a day out in Portpatrick. There was no soft sand between their paws. Instead, the beach was made of dramatic black rocks, formed long ago when Mt Etna’s lava cooled and hardened at the water’s edge. No donkey rides here. But there were smooth steps leading right into the glittering blue sea.
And instead of staking out a spot with towels and windbreaks, everyone paid to enter a beach club where they could relax on comfy loungers under umbrellas. A lifeguard watched over everyone with a very serious pair of binoculars, although Inky Mouse suspected he was mostly making sure no one tried to dive in with their flip-flops on.
Lion decided swimming wasn’t really his thing and instead flopped onto a lounger to sunbathe with style. Inky Mouse tucked into a whole box of juicy grapes and declared it the finest beach snack ever. No sand in your sandwiches here!
Later, Rev Breakey, Claire and the stowaways wandered off in search of something cool and sweet. They found a local Italian café that looked like dessert heaven, with shelves stacked full of beautiful cakes and colourful tubs of ice cream. But the treat of the day was something very special indeed — a granita. It’s a cross between ice cream and sorbet, served with a soft, fluffy brioche bun. Lion wasn’t sure at first, but after one bite, his eyes widened and he refused to share. Inky Mouse dipped her brioche like a true professional.
Yum.
With bellies full and paws sticky, they chatted excitedly about tomorrow’s plans — a short (and hopefully safe) hike near Mt Etna. Rev Breakey mentioned getting a bit lost on Friday and bumping into some ladies in their undies, but no photos were taken and everyone agreed that was probably for the best.
More to come as the stowaways continue their Sicilian adventure. Stay tuned!
Well, it has been a busy few days for Inky Mouse and Lion.
They arrived in Sicily on Friday after a long, noisy but comfy sleeper journey all the way from Rome. They tucked themselves into Rev Breakey’s bunk and watched the world whizz by. It was exciting when the train coaches were disconnected and shunted onto a ferry. Lion and Inky Mouse took the chance to have a breath of fresh air up on the deck of the ferry. Even at 7am, it was a lot warmer than the Cairnryan ferries.
Once safely back on solid ground, the stowaways wasted no time. They went exploring in Catania, a small town near Mt Etna, an active volcano perched on the Eastern side of Sicily like a fiery guardian next to the ‘toe’ of Italy’s boot. The ancient Romans once called this place home and built a spectacular amphitheatre right in the heart of the city.
More than 2000 years later, the amphitheatre still whispers stories from the past. Rows of stone seats curve round the arena where people once cheered for races, mock sea battles, and gladiator duels. Inky Mouse tried to imagine what it would feel like to be in the spotlight, while Lion quietly decided he much preferred modern snacks to ancient swordfights.
The grand marble that once lined the theatre was taken away to build palaces and cathedrals, but the sturdy brick seating and dark, echoey passageways still remain. Much of it is hidden under houses and shops now, but our intrepid soft toy explorers found their way into the sunlit arena.
There was no danger of gladiators or runaway chariots, just the warm Sicilian sunshine and the perfect photo opportunity. Inky Mouse posed dramatically, while Lion tried to look brave but ended up lying flat on the warm stone, purring in contentment.
They agreed it was a very fine place for a stowaway adventure, and there may have been a gelato or two involved afterwards. What’s next for these mischievous travellers? Keep your eyes peeled — you never know where they’ll pop up next.
West Rhins Pupils Make a Splash with Watersports Adventure on Loch Ryan
Pupils from Portpatrick and St Joseph’s R.C. Primary Schools, both part of the West Rhins Partnership, enjoyed a thrilling morning on Loch Ryan last week, thanks to an action-packed session with Stranraer Water Sports Association (SWSA), kindly funded by the Rhins Educational Trust. We are continuing to build wider achievement experiences.
Senior pupils from St Joseph’s R.C. and Portpatrick Primary came together for the outing, which featured exciting watersports activities: kayaking and sailing. Despite the grey skies and occasional rain, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of the children or their sense of adventure.
Kayaking Challenge Brings Big Smiles
Working in pairs, pupils launched double kayaks onto the loch and took part in a light-hearted challenge that involved passing a tennis ball while navigating the water. The activity sparked plenty of laughter and showcased excellent teamwork and coordination.
Sailing Success with a Splash of Excitement
The pupils also had the chance to try their hand at sailing small, single-sail boats. With guidance from experienced instructors, the children helped launch the boats before setting off across the loch.
A Joyful Finish
The morning concluded with an opportunity for everyone to splash and play in the sea together. Rain or not, the smiles on the children’s faces said it all. It was a morning filled with energy, fun and adventure. Staff and pupils alike expressed their gratitude to the SWSA instructors for their expert guidance and support. Thank you to all who made the experience possible.UNCRC Rights of the Child
Article 31: Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in cultural and artistic activities.
Article 29: Education should develop children’s talents and abilities to their fullest potential.
SHANARRI Wellbeing Indicators
Active: Pupils engaged in energetic watersports like kayaking and sailing.
Included: Children from both schools participated together, building friendships and teamwork.
Achieving: Pupils learned new skills and challenged themselves in a supportive environment.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing – Promoting physical activity and mental wellbeing through outdoor learning.
Goal 4: Quality Education – Learning beyond the classroom in a fun, practical setting.
Goal 14: Life Below Water – Encouraging respect for marine environments through positive interaction.
Despite the rainy weather, spirits were high at yesterday’s Portpatrick Primary School Fundraising Coffee Morning held at the Portpatrick Hub, and what a fantastic morning it was! The event was kindly organised by our fabulous Parent Council and Community Members.
We were delighted to see such an amazing turnout of parents, family, friends, past and present pupils and members of the wider community. It was lovely to see everyone come together for a cuppa, a chat and some fundraising fun.
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who donated prizes for the ever-popular tombola. From home-baked goodies to generous gifts from local businesses and artists, your kindness helped make the event a great success.
We are thrilled to share that we’ve raised an incredible £761. 🎉
A special thank you to the Portpatrick Hub for kindly providing the use of their brilliant facilities. Your support made it all possible.
Once again, thank you to our fantastic school community for your generosity and support. Rain or shine, you always show up.
This event supported:
SHANARRI Wellbeing Indicators:
Included
Nurtured
UNCRC Rights of the Child:
Article 15 – The right to meet with other children and to join groups and organisations
Here’s the latest message we received from Reverend Breakey about Inky and Lion’s adventures:
The castaways have had a very busy day today. At tea time, they went to the central station in Milan, a huge, drastic building full of statues and busy people.
Later, they arrived in Rome and to fill in the time before the sleeper train to Sicily, Inky Mouse and Lion caught an open topped bus tour around Rome at night time. My goodness, they saw amazing things, but Rev Breakey held us tight so we didn’t fall.
Lion was impressed to see the Colleseum, where his ancestors bravely found the Roman gladiators.
Isn’t that amazing? Inky and Lion are having the time of their lives exploring new places, learning about history, and seeing wonderful sights. We can’t wait to hear what they get up to next!
Stay tuned for more updates from our adventurous stowaways!
The Adventures of Inky Mouse and Lion: Exploring Europe with Reverend Breakey
Hello from Europe! Our two cuddly friends, Inky Mouse and Lion, have been having the time of their lives as they sneak around with Reverend Breakey on an interrail adventure.
Reverend Breakey wrote to us with an exciting update:
What a day! It is VERY hot, over 30 degrees Celsius, so the stowaways have been taking lots of cafe breaks in the middle of their exploration of Milan.
They managed to sneak into the monastery that holds the amazing wall painting of the Last Supper (or Last Tea as Adam thinks it should be called).
They were only allowed in for 15 minutes and had to go through several climate controlled rooms until they reached the large hall that used to be the dining room for monks.
Onwards to Rome for dinner and then the sleeper to Sicily.
We can just imagine Inky Mouse and Lion sipping tiny cups of coffee and marveling at the incredible artwork! Stay tuned to hear where their adventures take them next. Who knows what other amazing sights they will discover on their journey across Europe?
Our two brave stowaways Inky and Lion are having quite the adventure . Here’s the latest update from Reverend Breakey.
“We’re crossing the border from Germany into France and then immediately into Switzerland. The hills are getting steeper and covered in grapevines. It’s like riding through a real-life postcard!
The stowaways think that 3 hours on the train is long enough, and they’ve snuggled into my knitting to get cozy. Oh dear, there’s still 5 hours to go until we reach Milan in Italy!”
It sounds like our little travellers are settling in for a long journey, but they’re getting plenty of snuggle time and enjoying lots of new sights.
Stay tuned for more updates as they explore beautiful Italy next! Where do you think Inky and will go after Milan?
