St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Bo’ness

This week, our school proudly celebrated Book Week Scotland, and it has been a wonderful few days filled with excitement, imagination, and a real buzz for reading. Pupils enjoyed a range of special activities, including our much-anticipated Mystery Reader sessions, where surprise guests appeared in classrooms to share their favourite stories. The children loved guessing who might walk through the door next, and hearing different voices and reading styles made each visit feel special. Our Book Swap was another highlight, giving pupils the chance to exchange books they had finished with for new stories to enjoy. Many were delighted to discover books they might not have chosen themselves, helping to broaden their reading experiences while also giving pre-loved books a new home. The Reading Leadership Group also hosted a Reading Café, where classes relaxed with snacks and a good book, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that helped children see reading as something enjoyable and calming.

All of this week’s activities offered valuable benefits: they encouraged a love of reading, boosted confidence, allowed children to explore new genres, and strengthened communication as pupils eagerly shared recommendations with one another. Most importantly, the children thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The excitement on their faces and the lively conversations about books showed just how much Book Week Scotland inspired them. It has been a memorable celebration, and we look forward to continuing to nurture a passion for reading throughout the year.

Last Tuesday morning,  our Head Boy, Girl and Deputes attended a moving Remembrance Service, and we are pleased to share the video link for anyone who was unable to attend in person.

Our pupils demonstrated exceptional respect throughout the service. Our pupils who went forward to lay a wreath did so with great dignity, pausing to bow at the Memorial in a moment of quiet reflection. Their behaviour was exemplary, and it was a privilege to witness such maturity and sincerity.

Both Lauren and Walter expressed how proud they were to be part of such a meaningful occasion, and we at St. Mary’s feel equally proud of the pupils who represented the school so admirably.

Although the weather was less kind this year, we remain hopeful for clearer skies next time.

You can watch the full Remembrance Service here:
https://youtu.be/0Orx8uEXhLI?si=6z673s43VlF1uuU9

On Friday, our Primary 6 pupils delivered a truly beautiful assembly based on the theme “Pilgrims of Love.” With confidence and compassion, they invited their parents to reflect on the many ways we can share love, kindness, and understanding with others.

As part of their presentation, the pupils shared personal reflections on what makes them feel loved- ranging from encouraging words and time with family to simple acts of friendship and support. These heartfelt moments helped us all think more deeply about how we can nurture a caring school community.

We are incredibly proud of our Primary 6 pupils for leading such a meaningful and reflective assembly. Their message encourages us all to continue our own journey as “pilgrims of love,” spreading kindness wherever we go.

This week, a group of our pupils rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into an exciting project: helping to transform one of our old cloakrooms into a brand-new Sacred Space for reflection, calm, and creativity.

Armed with paint rollers, trays, and plenty of enthusiasm, the children worked together to freshen up the walls and begin shaping the atmosphere of this special area. The golden afternoon light streaming through the windows made it an even more memorable experience!

Throughout the activity, the pupils demonstrated a wonderful range of skills:

• Teamwork: Collaborating with classmates, sharing tools, and supporting one another.

• Communication: Discussing ideas, offering help, and problem-solving as a group.

• Practical Skills: Learning how to use rollers and brushes carefully and safely.

• Responsibility: Taking pride in improving the school environment and understanding how their contribution will benefit others.

• Creativity: Visualising how the space will look and taking the first steps in bringing that vision to life.

We are incredibly proud of their hard work and positive attitudes. Our new Sacred Space is well on its way, thanks to the efforts of these thoughtful and dedicated young people. We look forward to sharing more updates as the transformation continues!

Today, our Senior pupils set up a Treat Tuck Shop for the younger children to enjoy. Families kindly donated sweet treats, and the pupils also bought extra goodies to sell in order to make a profit.

The event was a great success and a lot of fun! The pupils worked together to organise the stall, display the treats, and handle the money throughout the day. They demonstrated a range of important skills, including teamwork, communication, thinking skills, and everyday numeracy (money management).

Everyone enjoyed the delicious selection of treats, and all funds raised will go towards improving the Primary 6/7 Learning Space.

A huge thank you to everyone who donated and supported the Tuck Shop- we really appreciate your kindness and enthusiasm!

We’re delighted to announce that our much-loved Cakes and Carols performances are coming up soon! This special festive event is a wonderful way to celebrate the season together as a school community.

Each class (Nursery & P3-7) will be performing two Christmas songs, filling the hall with festive cheer. Families are invited to enjoy cakes and refreshments while watching the performances, making it a truly warm and joyful occasion.

Please check your emails for full details about tickets. We can’t wait to welcome you all and share the joy of Christmas through music, laughter, and a few sweet treats!

Today, Tuesday 11th November 2025, our Head Boy, Head Girl, and Deputes proudly represented our school at the Bo’ness Cenotaph for the Remembrance Day Service.

The ceremony brought together members of the local community to pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed in conflicts past and present. Our pupils laid a wreath on behalf of the school, showing our respect and gratitude for the courage and dedication of the Armed Forces.

It was a moving and meaningful occasion, giving our young leaders the opportunity to reflect on the importance of remembrance and to represent the school with dignity and pride.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”

Primary 2 have been busy creating some spectacular firework pictures to celebrate the season! The children worked carefully to design eye-catching night sky scenes filled with bursts of colour and excitement.

Before creating these wonderful pieces, the class learned about firework safety and discussed how to enjoy Bonfire Night responsibly- keeping a safe distance, wearing gloves when using sparklers, and always having an adult present.

This activity helped pupils develop a range of art and design skills, including cutting, layering, and blending colours to show movement and light. They also practised their fine motor skills and creative expression while experimenting with different textures and materials.

We think their finished artwork looks amazing on display! Well done, Primary 2- your firework pictures are truly dazzling!

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This week, our nursery was filled with colour, light, and joy as we celebrated Diwali – the Festival of Lights!

We were delighted to welcome one of our wonderful nursery parents, who kindly came in and helped to decorate our nursery with beautiful, festive decorations. The children loved seeing all the bright colours and sparkling lights that transformed our space!

To help our pupils learn more about Diwali, we enjoyed a range of fun and creative activities. The children made their own lanterns and diyas (small lamps), which they decorated with glitter, sequins, and vibrant paints. We also had a special Diwali-themed Bookbug session, where we read stories that helped us understand the meaning behind the celebration.

Throughout the day, the children coloured in pictures, sang songs, and explored the idea of light, love, and togetherness that Diwali represents. To finish off our celebrations, everyone got to take home some tasty treats to enjoy with their families.

It was a truly magical day full of learning, laughter, and community spirit. A big thank you to our wonderful parent helper and to all the children for joining in so enthusiastically.

Happy Diwali! 🪔✨

Our Primary 1 children have been busy developing their creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills at the tinkering table this week!

Wearing their safety goggles, the children carefully explored different tools and materials, including bolts, screws, and wooden pieces. They experimented with how things fit and move, showing wonderful curiosity and perseverance.

Through this hands-on learning, the children are developing early engineering and thinking skills, as well as everyday numeracy. This experience is also helping them build confidence in using real tools safely and responsibly. It was fantastic to see their focus, creativity, and excitement as they explored and constructed at the tinkering table.

Well done, Primary 1!