Portpatrick Primary

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.

To be continued…

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
• UN Sustainable Development Goals:
  • Goal 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing
  • Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

Here’s the latest message we received from Reverend Breakey about Inky and Lion’s adventures:

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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.

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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!

Your friendly school blog team 🐭🦁✨

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?

Well, what a journey Inky the Mouse and Lion are having! These cheeky stowaways have managed to sneak into yet another adventure, this time dodging a train strike in Holland and hopping aboard a long distance FlixBus all the way to Germany! 🚍💨

First stop: Cologne (or Köln, if you’re speaking German!). Did you know this amazing city was started by the Romans? It’s super old and full of incredible buildings, including a cathedral so big it makes Inky the Mouse’s whiskers twitch with excitement! Cologne is also famous for its sweet smelling perfume called, yes, you guessed it—Cologne! What a sniff-tastic stop! 👃💐

After a good night’s rest (well, maybe just a quick nap, these stowaways are always on the go!), Inky the Mouse was up early checking out the breakfast buffet. What’s on the menu in Germany? Juicy sausages and crispy pretzels, of course! Lion preferred the pretzel… less messy in the mane. 🥨🦁

Next, it was all aboard the train again, this time zooming to Frankfurt. Reverend Breakey tells us there were even more sausages along the way. Frankfurt is known for its shiny skyscrapers and delicious apple juice called “Apfelwein” (though don’t worry, Inky and Lion just stuck to water and biscuits!). 🍎🚆

But before you could say “ticket inspector!”, the train rolled on again, this time to beautiful Zurich, in Switzerland! The stowaways managed to squeeze in a speedy lunch (cheese, anyone?) while enjoying views of sparkling lakes and tall mountains. Inky the Mouse is now convinced he’s a mountaineer. 🧀🏔️

And tonight? Well, Rev Breakey says they will have tea tonight on Milan in Italy! Mamma mia! Will they try pizza or pasta? Or maybe both?

Stay tuned for more adventures from Inky the Mouse and Lion, the fluffiest explorers ever to cross Europe by bus, train and snack stop. ✨🇪🇺

More later…!

Reverend Breakey has been in touch to say that Inky and Lion had a brilliant time exploring Amsterdam city today. First, they posed with their trusty map to plan the route. 🗺️ Then it was off to see the sights!

🛶 They balanced carefully on the back of a bicycle (don’t worry – paws and tails tucked in!) and rode past Amsterdam’s famous canals.
🌬️ They even found a proper windmill – a must-see in the Netherlands!

The fluffy duo have said that, “We decided to stretch our paws and walk to the bus station along a network of canals and lush parks. 12,000 steps later,  we were glad of the sit down in the bus. 🌳🌊

After all those steps, Inky and Lion were very happy to flop down on a bus seat and rest their paws for the journey to Germany.

Guess who’s sneaked their way into a European interrailing adventure? None other than our cuddly classroom companions Inky Mouse and Lion!

Last week, Reverend Breakey was getting ready for her exciting summer travels around Europe when she noticed her backpack felt just a little bit… fluffier than usual. To her surprise, she unzipped it to find two very familiar faces peeking out: Inky Mouse and Lion, complete with their own tiny passports and big smiles!

Reverend Breakey emailed the boys and girls to share her surprise. “What? I just found Inky Mouse and Lion in my bag!” She said that since they’ve gone to all the trouble, they might as well come along for the company and the experience.

And so, the adventure begins! Inky and Lion have just sailed in to Amsterdam Harbour, the very first stop on their European tour using eco-friendly travel options. They’re excited to explore the canals, try some local snacks (cheese for Inky, of course), and see what this big, wide world has to offer.

We hope to follow their journey right here on the blog, so stay tuned for travel tales, fun facts, and plenty of photos as they make their way across Europe with Reverend Breakey.

Inky and Lion have sent us a postcard:

POSTCARD FROM: Amsterdam
📅 Date: 10th June 2025

Dear friends at school,

Greetings from Amsterdam! 🐭🦁

We’ve just arrived and are already having a wonderful time. Today we saw a cat wearing clogs. Inky tried eating a tulip, which he found wasn’t his favourite snack ever, and Lion was very brave when we took a trip on a canal boat. Even big cats don’t like water!

The people here are so friendly, and there are lots of sights to explore. We can’t wait to tell you more! We’ll share where we are heading soon, so stay tuned for our next postcard.

Lots of love,
Inky Mouse & Lion 💕

Thank you for taking good care of them Reverend and Happy Travels!

🗺️ Where in the World Are They Now?

We hope to follow Inky Mouse & Lion as they travel with Reverend Breakey across Europe!

🇪🇺 Country	🏙️ City	📍Current Status	📸 Highlight
🇳🇱 Netherlands	Amsterdam	Just arrived! First stop on the trip	Awaiting their first stroopwafel and canal stroll