Harry, Arran and Adam represented our school proudly at this week’s inter-school badminton challenge at the Ryan Centre. As Mrs Ross and Mr Morrison watched proudly on, the boys gave it their all in their challenge games.
There was great sportsmanship and team spirit from all. Arran was just one point away from achieving a medal. The boys performed so well and we’re super proud of them.
UNCRC Rights of the Child: Article 15 – Joining Groups, Article, 31 – Play
SHANARRI – Healthy, Active
Four Capacities for Learning – Confident Individuals & Effective Contributors
What an incredible day we had on our amazing partnership day between St. Joseph’s RC Primary and Portpatrick Primary! On this special occasion, Portpatrick pupils travelled to St. Joseph’s in the morning. There was time for a social break before kicking off our Wider Achievement Morning. Both schools came together to celebrate teamwork, creativity, and learning.
The children were grouped by year levels—Primary 1-3, Primary 4-5, and Primary 6-7—and participated in a variety of engaging activities:
🎄 Miss Scott led exciting Christmas coding sessions, where our budding tech experts unleashed their creativity.
🔬 Mr. Morrison delivered hands-on STEM activities and quiz challenges using iPads, sparking curiosity and teamwork.
✂️ Miss Lisi inspired our young artists with arts, crafts, and construction, all with a festive Christmas twist.
The children worked so well together, showing fantastic teamwork and collaboration whilst continuing to build new friendships across both schools.
After a fun-filled morning, we enjoyed a delicious lunch together, strengthening the bonds of our partnership. The children then got some fresh air and playtime outdoors, where they continued to mingle and share laughs.
To wrap up this memorable day, we headed to the Ryan Centre cinema for a special screening of the Disney film, The Wish. 🎥 The children were captivated by the movie and left with smiles on their faces.
It truly was a fantastic day of collaboration, learning, and fun, and we’re already looking forward to the next opportunity to join forces again.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this day so special. Particular thanks to Miss Lisi and Miss Scott for their kind organisation and support and to Elizabeth for feeding all those extra mouths today and to the Ryan Centre in partnership with Into Film. It’s days like these that create lasting memories and strengthen our community spirit. 🌟👏
UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 15 – Joining Groups, 31 – Play
SHANARRI – Active, Responsible, Included
Sustainable Development Goal – 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
Our STEM leaders from St. Joseph’s travelled to Portpatrick today to meet with the STEM Leaders there. Our enthusiastic team got their heads together to plan how we can promote and improve our offer of STEM in the West Rhins Partnership.
The group agreed many action points are and keen to get started on their plan. We can look forward to a monthly lunchtime STEM club organised by our keen pupils.
Have a read of the minutes of the meeting to see what ideas and plans they have in store for us.
For Scottish Careers Week 2024, our P7 pupils had an exciting day of career exploration at Stranraer Community College. The day kicked off with a fun ‘Would You Rather?’ game, where pupils worked in teams to brainstorm different careers using a range of props. They then explored a range of job options on My World of Work, discovering everything from technical trades to creative fields, helping them get a better idea of what might suit their skills and interests.
Pupils took a guided tour around the college, visiting various departments like the Hairdressing Salon, Beauty Rooms, Technical Workshops, Mechanical and Groundwork areas, Childcare Rooms, and the Kitchen & Café. At each stop, they learned about the practical skills and qualifications needed for these careers, getting a real feel for what it’s like to work in these roles.
The day wrapped up with a Shark Island challenge, where pupils worked together to solve problems and use key meta skills like communication,
teamwork, and critical thinking—skills that are essential for any career! The visit also tied back to the UNCRC rights, reminding pupils of their right to career information (Article 28) and education that prepares them for life (Article 29). To top it all off, everyone received a goodie bag full of career resources, making it a fun and inspiring day for all involved!
SHANARRI – Achieving, Respected, Responsible, Included
UNCRC: Article 3 – best interests of the child. Article 17 – Access to information
National Odd Sock Day marks the start of Anti-Bullying Week. Odd Socks Day 2024. Our children ‘chose to respect‘ by wearing a colourful array of different socks. We talked about how the world is a brighter place because of difference and our uniqueness.
The day sends an important message to pupils that they should be allowed to be themselves free from bullying and helps us celebrate Anti-Bullying Week in a fun and positive way.
UNCRC Rights of the Child – Article 2: No Discrimination, 29: Aims of Education
Pupils, staff, veterans and community members joined together today at our Village War Memorial to remember all those in the armed forces who have made sacrifices for us in the past, and for those who continue to do so today.
Rev. Breakey led a service with poignant poems and readings by the children. She recounted the story of Stoker John Smith who’s name is on our village war memorial. He was a local Portpatrick Primary pupil who lost his life at just 19 years of age when his submarine was hit by a torpedo. Lacey’s Daddy shared information on the campaign medals he has been presented with for his time in the armed forces. This helped make the Remembrance service personal for the children and deepen their understanding of the selflessness of those who protect us to keep us safe from war.
We were very touched to be joined by our local veterans and community members.
The children stood respectfully for the 2 minute silence, giving the occasion the dignity it deserves.
Here is a short animated storybook about the Scottish Poppy
Our Digital Leaders from St. Joseph’s and Portpatrick met today at Portpatrick Primary. They participated in a Digital Leader training day to help them drive forward as Leaders of Learning.
After a tour of the school led by Adam and Arran, there was a lot to work through on the agenda from developing our digital literacy skills to working together to help our classmates keep safe online. Have a read of the minutes of the meeting to see what Effective Contributors and Responsible Citizens they are in planning.
The Portpatrick Community Development Trust kindly organised a fantastic Halloween party for our pupils from both Portpatrick and St. Joseph’s.
The hall looked amazing with creepy decorations galore. The refreshments were a frightful delight with vampire blood and ghost spirit drinks along with Halloween themed sweet and savoury treats.
The event was very well attended, particularly for such a wet and windy night – it all added to the mood.
The children looked fabulous in their costumes. They had a blast together with lots spooky Halloween games and activities organised to entertain. There were dangling sticky doughnuts to try to snare, bobbing for apples, disco moves and spooky corners to name but a few. The boys and girls didn’t stop from the moment they arrived till it was time to go home.
Our grateful thanks to the PCDT for generously organising this event for our partnership children.
UNCRC – Article 31: Play, Article 15: Joining in Groups
Portpatrick Primary came together in partnership with Portpatrick Hotel to hold a McMillan Cancer Big Coffee Morning on Friday 2th of September. The hotel kindly hosted the event for our local village school.
There was an impressive array of delicious home baking donated by the community. Supporters came out in force to attend the charity event. It was great to see everyone enjoying the atmosphere and the sweet treats on offer. The boys and girls gained valuable experience of working in the hospitality industry by meeting and greeting, waiting tables and taking on the role of hosts. This helps develop those important Metaskills which are the skills we need for learning, life and work. The raffle proved very popular with tickets sold right up to the last minute. The children are very proud to have raised £470 for this worthy cause.
Our grateful thanks go to all of the Portpatrick Hotel staff who helped the event run so smoothly. We are also very grateful for all the kind donations and support we received to make the coffee morning such a successful community occasion.
UNCRC – Article 15 Setting up and Joining Groups, Article 26 – Social & Economic Help
Pupils from Portpatrick primary rolled up their environmental sleeves to take part in the Great British Beach Clean 2024. This is a week-long citizen science event, where hundreds of beach cleans take place up and down the UK.
Portpatrick pupils went down to our local harbour and cleaned along the shoreline removing lots of plastic which can be a danger to wildlife. The children removed lots of discarded and washed up rubbish, making the beach a cleaner and safer place. They also chose to clean up around Ewan’s Space playground and village areas. They were supported by community volunteers Sian & Heather and Brenda from ONUS (Our Oceans Need Us).
Our children are responsible citizens who always like to do their bit to protect our environment and help our communities.
UNCRC Rights of the Child: Article 24 – Looking After the Environment
