Author: Mrs Baillie

Following on from Mr Ross kindly helping tidy up the school grounds, we have had staff and volunteers from Apex at school to help out . 

The Apex team have done a fantastic job.  They  have power washed and cleaned all the concrete, they have sanded and varnished benches, they have totally replaced rotting wood one on one picnic bench and they have even put up bird boxes and made a bug hotel for the school grounds, using leftover wood from the bench.

The school is now looking a far tidier place outside thanks to all the help from these volunteers. 

The photograph shows some of the Apex team with the bench they have restored.

All the staff and pupils would like to say a huge thank you to all at Apex for their help!

On the first day back after the October Maths, Ms Whorlow tooke her p5-7 class outside to investigate angles and compass points.  Armed with Ms Whorlow’s phone to provide compass points the children soon plotted out the points on the football pitch and took part in a variety of activities;

1. Investigate how to estimate, create and measure angles
2. Explore how right angles can be measured in degrees and how this links to fractions and compass points

1. I can use my knowledge of right angles to estimate the size of an angle
2. Know that that a right angle is the same as a turn of 90°
3. Demonstrate knowledge that an angle of 180° is the same as a straight line
4. Demonstrate knowledge that a whole turn is the same as 360°
5. Recognise angles which are 270°
6. Relate 90°, 180°, 270° and 360° angles to quarter, half, three quarter and one whole turns

There was a whole lot of learning taking place, with just one mobile phone and several children in an open space!

Portpatrick Primary pupils have recently made some new friends from across the water in N Ireland.

Mr Gary Blair from the Ulster Scots agency, got in touch with the school and asked if they would like to be part of this innovative twinning project.  Mrs Baillie (head teacher) jumped at the chance to develop literacy skills and forge a bond with a school,  which could almost be seen across the water from Portpatrick.

Once it was established the project would go ahead, both sets of pupils exchange a mini cv, which told each other a little more about themselves.  Pupils in Portpatrick p5-7 were matched, by their class teacher Ms Whorlow, to a buddy  from Ireland who had similar interests.

On Thursday 24th September 2015, 13 pupils from Kirkistown Primary arrived at Portpatrick Primary.  the had an early start, having left school at 5.30am to get the 7.30am boat to Cairnryan.  On arrival at Portpatrick Primary they were give a tour of the school and grounds, by their buddy.

Soon, both sets of pupils were off on a bus for a fun filled afternoon of chocolate and socialisation at The Cocoa Bean factory at Twynolm.  The children got to know each other and enjoyed a workshop making chocolate goodies and playing outside in the adventure playground.

The Irish visitors spent the night at the Mount Stewart Hotel in Portpatrick, before getting up early again to head off with Portpatrick pupils to Wigtown Book festival.  Both schools heard from authors Phil Earl and Cathy Mc Phail, before a final farewell ceremony was held in a marquee at Wigtown.

Mr Gary Blair from the Ulster Scots agency presented both sets of pupils with a certificate for their participation in this twinning project.  Mrs Baillie from Portpatrick Primary asked the Portpatrick pupils to hand over a goodie bag  of souvenirs, to their new found buddies.  The bag contained pencils, sharpeners and a rubber from the RNLI shed at Portpatrick, as well as a pen from the school.

All staff and pupils voted the experience a massive success.  It was thoroughly enjoyable and enabled children to link up socially through a literacy project.  It is hoped that the links will continue as pupils from Portpatrick have already written thank you letters to their new friends and will aim to keep in touch in the future.

The school would like to express thanks to Mr Blair from the Ulster Scots agency for making this all possible.  Have a look at the photographs our Irish friends posted online-  http://www.kirkistownps.com/primary-7.html

 

This morning Primary 5-7 went outside for their maths, and were searching for different angles in the school grounds.  Armed with protractors they went looking for a range of acute and obtuse angles to estimate and measure.

Primary 5-7 spent a morning a the Ryan Centre participating in a mini triathlon even, organised by Scottish Triathlon.  After being in the swimming pool the children jumped on a bike to cycle, before running to finish the event.  It was a taster session for the children and they all received a medal for their efforts.  Well done to all the little athletes!

Primary 1-4 have been learning all about “our community” and yesterday they had a visit from the “Blood bikes” and learned more about what this charity does in the local community and across the region.  Mrs Cameron had invited the charity to come and speak about their work, after her husband made a donation to the cause recently.

 

Rowan in P4 reported “The whole school got to see where the blood was stored on the motor bike, to allow it to be transported to where hospitals need it.  David told us they sometimes have to take blood from an ill person in Stranraer and take to Dumfries to get examined in a lab.  He explained he had between 12-14 hours to reach his destination with blood – and this could be as far away as London or the Isle of Wight.  Blood bike riders do not get paid to do it – they are all volunteers.  David that visited us with his motor bike was a retired policeman who lives in Dumfries now”

 

 

This week Atticus, Max, Charlene and Tracy have been lending a hand with the weeding in the school grounds.  Over the summer there was a tremendous amount of growth which resulted in the weeds getting out of control.

Today we had a real help in the form of Mr Alec Ross. Mr Ross came armed with his strimmer and tackled “the mound” cutting back the grass and disposing of ragwort.  He then completed the weeding and moved away all the rubbish and clutter which had gathered up at the pupil entrance. 

Some of the senior boys popped outside and gave Mr Ross a hand for an hour or two – they were up and down the playground with wheelbarrows and were a real hardworking team – and they were even rewarded with a pay packet from Mr Ross for their assistance!

Mr Ross was at school from 9am until after 2pm – and was rewarded for all his hard work with a plate of mince an tatties from Barbara at lunch time to keep his energy up!

Great work!

Primary p5-7 from Portpatrick , joined up with pupils from their partnership school of Leswalt, and pupils from Sheuchan to rehearse and perform “Warriors!” .  This was made possible with support from Scottish Opera. 

Children had been learning the songs in school all of this term,  and they all came together to perform at Sheuchan Primary.  The story was based in ancient China, with Leswalt and Portpatrick pupils taking on the role of peasants.  It was a brilliant performance to parents and relatives, with expressive acting and wonderful singing from all.  Have a look at the photographs to see the energy and enthusiasm for yourselves.

Well done to the Stranraer cluster Rotary Quiz winning team of Magnus, Lara, Ruth and Connor who travelled to Glasgow yesterday to compete in the West of Scotland Rotary quiz area finals.

The children were accompanied by a member of Stranraer Rotary club, and some of their parents.  It has been reported that all the children (and adults) found the questions they were asked were very challenging!   Sadly, they were not placed, but they can all  be proud of their achievements in reaching the final,  and happy in the memories that the experience provided them all with.

Well done little  team Portpatrick!

 

The whole school recently enjoyed a day trip to Glasgow Science centre.  While at the science centre,  the children took part in various experiments as well as visiting the planetarium, taking part in a forces workshop, learning more about magnets and even launching rockets and standing on people on a bed of nails!

Have a look at our photographs which demonstrate some of the learning which took place!