Willowbank School, KilmarnockWelcome back! I hope everyone has had a safe and restful Easter break. 
With such beautiful weather upon us, it is a great opportunity to take our artwork outdoors.
Please find attached a link to Messy Little Monsters where you will find some fun activities which can be done in the back garden or out and about during your exercise time.
Stay safe! 
Mrs Macdonald.
https://www.messylittlemonster.com/2018/03/easy-outdoor-art-ideas-kids.html?m=1
HELLO!!!!!!
Gosh Pine Class it feels like so long since we have seen you all – we miss you all terribly!!! We are hoping that you and your families are well and getting into a routine at home.
I am going to let you know what we have all been up to. And then put on some ideas – things that you and your families could do at home – now this is not compulsory!!! Our main wish is that you are all safe and happy – but we realise that some families may want a weekly focus, or some different ideas, but also that some families may have an established a routine and that they are happy with that – do the bits you want or don’t do any at all!! Add some comments to the blog or photos (hoping that is something we can do – but if it doesn’t work Mr Campbell is the Superman of IT he will sort it out for us!!) , and that way we can all stay connected.
Well….Boyle has been busy studying her cookery book, so Mr Boyle is very happy indeed!! So we may need to get her to post some of her recipes – Boyle your are up for the Cookery slot when we return to school!!
Aitken has been keeping fit by dancing – so you know what we are going to be doing when we get back – Pine Class do Strictly!!!
Jardine and Alan have been on the Tic Tok!! – so we want to see the videos!!!!
Wilson has been getting crafty – knitting, crocheting and sewing- and with the help of wee Sadie making some useful bits and pieces.
Now yesterday I went for a walk with Carter, he is my Labrador and nearly 15 so we don’t walk very far – did you spot him in the Willowbank Video?? Anyway he had a bath on Saturday and he is a very hairy Labrador – and as we were walking some of his hair was coming out and a wee bird appeared – which did not observe the social distancing rules as it was very close and it took a beak full of his hair then came back for more – what a cosy nest that will be!! I wished I had had my phone to take a photo! What I think its nest might look like.
Carter on Saturday morning – Hairstyle by Andrew!!
So I decided that this weeks focus should be BIRDS!!!
Listening to the birds, especially in the morning, while the sun is shinning and if you can get outside and enjoy the calm and listen to them chirp. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has loads of information on there website. https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/get-in-touch/contact-us/
Feed the birds, make a bird feeder – now this does not have to be complicated, look on Pinterest or Google – there are loads of simple ideas out there using bits and pieces from our recycling – cans, jars, plastic bottles – lets be creative responsible citizens.
There is a section on the RSPB website telling you what you can and cannot feed birds.
CBeebies had some great ideas too!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/makes/bird-feeder?collection=easy-craft-activities-for-kids
Make a Bird, again you don’t need lots of crafty materials – get creative and use some recycling materials – and perhaps make your bird like a rainbow and put it in the window for others to enjoy – Reece the Ladies wants to see your Arty creation – your sister will help I am sure!!
Film choices …..Well it has to be “Feed the Birds, Tuppence a Bag”
The Old or New, you may have it on DVD or can watch it from another provider, or You Tube has lots of clips.
Dancing – the Birdie Song – lets have a boogie!!! – special request from Reece!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-60Pl4xdng
And now for some cookery.
This is a popular Australian recipe we have made it in class, we like the crunch of the cornflakes when mixing – I have sent a video with all the ingredients and steps – and the birds can have some cornflakes too! Before they are coated in honey and sugar.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Honey-Joys/
Update on Heather, she started her new Nursing job last Tuesday in Aberdeen and moves to a new flat tomorrow and she will send a photo when her and Willow the Bear are all settled.
Well have a great week little Pinettes!!!
Send us some Comments …and some photos!!!
Love the Pine Ladies xxxxx
P.S. If any of this disappears it will be because Wilson hasn’t observed copyright and is now in Jail!!! Don’t worry the rest of the Pine Ladies will bake her a cake with a file in it!!!
Hello everyone.
The Sunflower ladies and I are missing you very much and hope you are all well. We have been thinking and are going to post some activities on here for you to try with your family. You don’t need to try every one but if you do could you sent us a photo we would love to see your little faces again.
This week we thought we could all make something with different materials. We all made the beginning letter of our second names. You could do the first letter of your name, your whole name, a face or any design you want. Have fun you can do this indoors or outdoors. You can use any materials you want. I used sticks and flowers from my garden. Most of all have fun and involve all the family. 
BREAKING NEWS : We are delighted to announce that our very own Patrick is a finalist in the Community & Diversity Category of the Young Scot Awards 2020. Massive congratulations young man – you are an absolute star 🌟 #bethebestyoucanbe – super proud of you 👍
Hello everyone
We hope this finds everyone well and safe. I hope you have been enjoying the sunshine. The staff team and I are missing all of our young people and their families. Here is a wee message – from our houses to yours.
Stay home❤️ Stay safe ❤️ Stay positive ❤️
Press play IMG_1134
A nice calming tool for children and parents. Practise this technique with your child when both of you are feeling ok, then it will be more effective when it’s really needed!! 🌈 #breathe #coregulation #selfregulation
Dear Parents/Carers
We understand that some parents and carers are supporting pupils to use social media, Facetime and Zoom to make contact during these difficult times. It is great that you are able to keep in touch this way!
As previously communicated, we are looking at how school staff can maintain contact with pupils, through video calls or similar. We are looking at options for this, but it may take a bit of time to set up. Such contact between staff and pupils is permitted via the official Glow Scotland portal only, and not via Zoom, Facebook etc. This is to protect our pupils, staff and families in line with East Ayrshire policy and General Teaching Council for Scotland Code of Conduct.
In the meantime, we also have lots of resources, links and videos on our website and invite families to engage with us via Twitter.
Parents and carers must not attempt to communicate with school staff using any method other than official communication channels. As shared earlier today, we have an online contact form via the school app and on the homepage of our website, which you can use to securely contact the Senior Leadership Team.
If you are having any difficulties accessing any aspect of the website or app, please email kris.campbell@eastayrshire.org.uk and I’ll do my best to help.
Thanks very much for your cooperation.
Good Morning Pine Class – how are you all? And all those at home with you?
The Pine Ladies are missing you all, so I thought I would let you know what we are all doing.
Well Aitken has been getting her exercise and out running – not sure if Nathan has been joining her but I will check that out! So she will be super fit when we all get back to school!
Boyle has been supervising her husband, and strictly keeping him on task, he is working from home and his boss has also been setting him fun challenges – today’s is to make pancakes – Boyle says he is not a cook, and perhaps she is worried about the mess, but I am sure with her supervision this will be a successful learning experience!!!! I will report back to you all.
Jardine, with Alan for good company, has been keeping her steps up and walking 2 miles indoors – well done! And last night the two of them were going to learn dance with Oti Mabuse – she will be demonstrating her dance moves to us all when we get back – which will be great fun ! Poor Wilson it is hard being the only Pine Lady with two left feet…and no rhythm!! Did anyone else watch Oti in the morning?
Tonight is ‘Clap for our Carers’ at 8pm – so if you want to take part open your front door, or a window and clap, bang a pot with a wooden spoon, shout or sing – let’s show our appreciation and let off a wee bit of steam!!! #clapforourcarers
We are going on a Bear Hunt!!! Many houses are putting teddy bears in there windows, and children out on their family walks are having great fun spotting them!! This bear is in one of my upstairs windows, and while sitting in my dining room doing my school work I heard a child’s delight as she spotted it – little pleasures. Have any of you got a bear in your window or spotted any??
Lots of children have been creating beautiful rainbows and putting them in their windows, these are lovely to see – makes me smile!! Come on Pine Class create a Rainbow and get it in your window!!!!
Songs we like to listen to in class, in the Pine Class we listen to lots of music!! And there is loads posted on the app, but we also like Elizabeth South Disney Medleys – these are short snippets of different songs, Jessica, Melanie and Reece love them or perhaps it is me singing over them!!! Shannon and Jacob enjoy some of them, Adam pretends he is too cool for them – but secretly likes them, although with all those girls he really has no choice!! The Superman Song by Black Lace – catchy and we encourage all the actions!!
Well Wilson has been drinking far too much tea!!! I have burnt out my kettle – OH NO!! So I am boiling a pot of hot water just now – I will hopefully get a new one when I brave the supermarket for my shopping essentials on Friday!! Wilson’s daughter Heather is still in Aberdeen, waiting to see what is happening with the Student Nurses in their final 6 months – so I will get her to put Willow the bear in her window.
As families, friends, school families and communities we are all finding it difficult being apart, but this is so important. Take care everyone – do what you can from home. #staysafe #savelives
All Sungazers were able to hold a good position on all fours for quite a number of bounces. Some could even hold the position lifting up one leg which is seriously hard. Well done!
