Category Archives: Citizenship

Achievement, Citizenship, Pupils

Skye’s Amazing Fundraiser!

skye

Skye Murray from P2b, pictured her wth her mum and Susan Harrison from Marie Curie when they dropped off a cheque to the Glasgow hospice in June,

Skye  held a fundraising event during the school holidays; a “blooming great tea party” in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. She invited friends and teachers from school, family, friends and neighbours and managed to raise £520 for the charity. It was all her own idea, she made decorations, posters, wrote invitations, baked cakes and collected money. We are very proud of what Skye has achieved!

Citizenship, Latest News

Earth Hour

East Renfrewshire Council celebrates WWF’s Earth Hour

On Saturday 19 March 2016, at 8.30pm East Renfrewshire Council and ‘Think Green’ will join millions across the world to celebrate WWF’s Earth Hour and switch off their lights for one hour to show they care about the future of our brilliant planet

By joining the global celebration, East Renfrewshire Council and ‘Think Green’  will take part in a symbolic moment, not designed to have impact through an hour of energy saving, but to help put a spotlight on the issues facing the planet and to remind us that, together, we have the power to make change happen.

The future of our planet is at risk, particularly from the effects of climate change. Many of the world’s most threatened species like tigers and orang-utans live in areas that will be severely affected by climate change. For many, WWF’s Earth Hour is a chance to show they care about our brilliant planet and is the first step to helping to protect its future.

To celebrate the global event, we will be:

  • Switching off non-essential lights at 8.30pm, Saturday 19 March:
    • The Clarkston Tree in front of the Library, Clarkston.
    • The floodlight at the Cenotaph in Mearns Cross.

Encouraging residents of East Renfrewshire to do the same via our Social Media channels.

    • Request an Earth Hour ‘Selfie’ from residents to be sent to our Facebook and Twitter Channels.

Organising a ‘Switch-Off for Earth Hour’ campaign across our council estate and schools.  For the week running up to earth hour and beyond, we have developed a campaign to remind everyone to switch off lights, appliances, chargers, screens and computers, when leaving their home or work.

    • Distributing Earth Hour and campaign posters and materials to all council buildings and request that they place them in their staff rooms, class rooms and foyers.

Jennifer Clements, spokesperson for WWF-UK, said: “We’re thrilled that East Renfrewshire Council and ‘Think Green’ will be taking part in WWF’s Earth Hour this year and hope that they’ll inspire many others to get involved. By taking one simple step to switch off, WWF’s Earth Hour is a chance for all of us to come together and send out a global message about protecting our planet.”

Over the last decade, WWF’s Earth Hour’s unique display of darkness has become a global phenomenon with hundreds of millions of individuals coming together each year. In 2015, a record-breaking 172 countries and some of world’s most famous buildings including Big Ben, Hong Kong’s skyline and the Sydney Harbour Bridge joined the global celebration. In the UK alone, over 10 million people took part, along with over 4,800 schools, 200 landmarks and thousands of businesses and organisations

Everyone can join the celebration for WWF’s Earth Hour on Saturday 19 March 2016. For more information and to sign up please visit wwf.org.uk/earthhour

 

earth hour

Citizenship, Latest News, Pupils

Convoy to Calais

The ER Convoy to Calais has had magnificent support from the schools and nurseries in our communities. I’ve been amazed and made proud by the generosity of schools and parents.  The convoy leaves this Thursday evening and, as we promised, there is an open invitation to pupils, staff and parents to come along to the departure. We leave after school hours, so I know this will be a decision for each family to make.

“The East Renfrewshire Convoy to Calais leaves this Thursday at 8pm from the car park of ER Council HQ in Eastwood Park, Giffnock. They are taking the largest single donation from anywhere in Scotland.  Schools and nurseries from all over East Renfrewshire responded with overwhelming generosity to the appeal.  All parents, children and staff are invited to be there for the send-off. The convoy organisers want to give the families who contributed the opportunity to see their donations leave, and to send the convoy off in style. 

We hope you can join us.”

Margaret Pettigrew

Members Services Officer/Leader’s Secretary

Members Services/Corporate and Community Services

East Renfrewshire Council HQ, Giffnock, G46 6UG

Citizenship, Health and Wellbeing, Latest News, Pupils

Educational Visit to Manor Adventure

As you may be aware, each year Primary 7 pupils attend a week long residential trip with pupils from St Thomas and St John’s. This year it has been booked with Manor Adventure, Lockerbie for Monday 30th November – Friday 4th December 2015.

An information evening for parents of pupils in Primary 7 has been arranged for Monday 31st August starting at 5:30pm in St John’s Primary School, Commercial Road Barrhead. A member of staff from Manor adventure will deliver a presentation about the centre, illustrating the range of outdoor activities, followed by a question and answer session.

Achievement, Citizenship, Health and Wellbeing, Latest News

Brake’s Giant Walk

St Mark’s participated in Brake’s Giant Walk to raise awareness of road safety  We were joined by parents, the police, ambulance crew and the fire brigade. The children showed their banners and posters as they marched to the Main Street. The school was joined by St John’s and then continued the walk to Cowan Park where Pulse FM provided music and Tesco generously offered every child a snack and drink.

You can hear our BBC Radio Scotland interview by following the link below. The interview begins at 2:25:30

BBC Scotland Interview

A Note from St Mark’s Junior Road Safety Officers:

“We have enjoyed planning and taking part in the Giant Brake Walk this year. During the walk we handed out leaflets promoting road safety and collecting donations for the charity Brake. We enjoyed speaking to members of the community about road safety and joining up with St John’s. Once we had arrived back in school we counted the money and we raised a total of donations which was £33.22. Tesco also gave us some food and drinks, so we are very grateful for that.”

 

For more information visit Brake Road Safety

Citizenship, Latest News, Pupils

Opening Week at Barrhead Foundry

This week, Primary 6 and 7 pupils visited the new Barrhead Foundry. Pupils were provided with a tour of the facilities and were especially impressed with the new library. The children were shown how to use the new self service check in and out. The children obviously listened very well because they were able to offer assistance to some members of the public as they tried to return their books.

Barrhead Foundry Website

Citizenship, Latest News, Pupils, Science

Clyde in the Classroom 2015

Primary 6a are participating in Clyde in the Classroom. It is a hands-on project which uses the life history of a native Scottish species, the brown trout, to promote awareness of river ecology among young people across the River Clyde catchment.    Over the next seven weeks, P6 will engage with nature and develop a sense of pride in their local environment. The children will be responsible for the care of brown trout within their classroom and will work weekly with Clyde River Foundation scientists. The twin outcomes of developing citizenship and personal confidence will be illustrated by their personal and group work. Yesterday, P6a  visited the Science Centre in preparation for the project. They also had time to explore the Science mall. You can read P6’s Blog on the trip by following the link.

 

Citizenship, Latest News, Pupils

Robert Burns Celebration

On Friday 23rd January we will be celebrating the Bard’s birthday with songs, dance and treats.School uniforms should be worn however pupils are invited to wear something tartan e.g kilt, tie, scarf.

Parents/carers are welcome to join the celebration from 1.45pm when classes will provide entertainment and light refreshments will be served.

Citizenship, Latest News, Pupils

Kind-hearted Pupils

A masssive well done to two very compassionate St Mark’s pupils, Josh and Noah of P6b. The boys raised £255.71  for  Chas Charity. The two thoughtful boys decided to sell their own old football cards for charity. They also held a raffle to win a signed Celtic strip, 4 St Mirren match day tickets and 2 footballs. The boys gave up their own time at break and lunchtimes over 5 weeks to the raise the funds.

Achievement, Citizenship, Expressive Arts, Latest News, Pupils

Christmas Choir

In the lead up to Christmas, our school choir brought festive cheer to the staff and customers of Tesco in Barrhead!  They sang a fabulous medley of Christmas hymns and songs and raised a whopping £109.42 for Yorkhill Children’s Charity.  Well done and thank you to all of the children in the choir for their fantastic effort!