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

It has been fantastic to see our football team back in action after the Christmas break. The energy on the pitch has been brilliant, and there is a real sense of excitement as the boys return to the sport they love.

Mr McPeake and Mr Heatherington are leading the sessions this year, and they have been incredibly impressed with the commitment shown by everyone involved.

We are looking forward to a successful season ahead and can’t wait to see this hard work pay off in upcoming matches. A huge well done to all the players for a flying start!

Our school came alive with music and poetry this week as pupils joined together to celebrate Scotland’s rich culture. Each class performed a variety of Scottish songs and poems with confidence, enthusiasm and lots of smiles.

It was wonderful to see everyone supporting one another and taking pride in their performances. A big well done to all our pupils for making it such a special and memorable event.

We had an amazing time today when M n M Productions came to our school to perform the pantomime Cinderella for pupils from Nursery to P7.

The show was full of fun, music and lots of laughs. Everyone loved joining in, cheering for Cinderella and shouting at the Ugly Sisters! The colourful costumes, familiar characters and silly moments kept all the children engaged, from our youngest pupils right through to P7.

It was great to see the whole school enjoying the magic of live theatre together. A big thank you to M n M Productions for a brilliant performance that gave us plenty of smiles and memories to talk about!

 

This term, Primary 2 have been learning all about canals. To bring their learning to life, the children took part in an exciting STEM challenge, designing and building their own boats!

Working in teams, the pupils used a variety of materials to create boats that could float and move along water, just like boats on a canal. They discussed their ideas, shared roles, and worked together to solve problems as they tested and improved their designs.

This hands-on activity helped develop key STEM skills, including planning, experimenting, and evaluating, while also encouraging teamwork, communication, and creativity. The children showed fantastic enthusiasm and resilience, especially when designs didn’t work first time.

Well done, Primary 2, for your brilliant teamwork and imaginative boat designs!

This week, our Primary 5–7 pupils had a special opportunity to come together in prayer with members of the Legion of Mary. It was a beautiful and meaningful experience that brought our school community closer in faith.

During the session, pupils learned more about the Rosary- its history, purpose, and the importance of quiet reflection and prayer. With guidance from members of the Legion of Mary, the children prayed together in a calm and respectful atmosphere.

We would like to thank the members of the Legion of Mary for visiting our school and sharing their time, wisdom, and devotion with our classes. Their presence helped our pupils grow in their understanding of prayer and the power of faith within a community.

Primary 7 recently had the pleasure of hosting our Burns Supper. We were delighted to welcome Primary 6 as our special guests, along with invited guests from the parish and our breakfast club.

The hall was filled with enthusiasm as both Primary 7 and Primary 6 pupils confidently performed a range of Burns poems. The children spoke clearly and proudly, showing great respect for Scotland’s rich literary heritage. It was a pleasure to see their hard work and preparation come to life in front of an appreciative audience.

The event was a wonderful opportunity for pupils to come together, celebrate Scottish culture, and share their learning with others. A huge well done to all the children involved for their fantastic performances, and thank you to our guests for helping to make the day so special.

Some of our Primary 6 and 7 children have recently been involved in painting the walls in our new P6/7 learning space, helping to bring this exciting area to life.

By taking part in this project, the children have played a direct role in shaping the environment where they will learn, collaborate and grow. The fresh colours will help to create a welcoming, calm and purposeful atmosphere, supporting focus, creativity and a sense of pride in the space.

Throughout the process, the children developed a range of important skills. They showed teamwork by working cooperatively, responsibility by caring for equipment and the space, and practical problem-solving as they planned how to complete the task effectively. They also demonstrated resilience and perseverance, recognising that transforming a space takes time and effort.

We would like to say a big thank you to Mr Heatherington and Mr Bett for supporting and guiding the children throughout this project. Their encouragement and supervision helped ensure the work was carried out safely and successfully.

We are very proud of the effort and commitment shown by our Primary 6 and 7 pupils, and we are looking forward to seeing the positive impact this refreshed learning space will have on teaching and learning.

As our work continues on developing the Holy Space within our school, some of our Pope Francis Faith Award children have taken on a special responsibility within this project.

The children were given the responsibility of choosing suitable blinds for the Holy Space. They worked thoughtfully with a local business, who will be supplying the blinds, considering how light, colour and atmosphere can support reflection, prayer and calm.

Throughout this process, the children demonstrated a wide range of valuable skills. They practised decision making by weighing up different options, communication skills by discussing their ideas and listening to others, and critical thinking as they considered how their choices would affect the overall purpose of the space. They also showed teamwork, responsibility, and an understanding of how their actions contribute to the wider school community.

This experience links closely to the values of the Pope Francis Faith Award, encouraging pupils to take an active role in caring for their environment and making thoughtful choices that benefit others.

We are very proud of the children for the maturity and care they showed throughout this process, and we look forward to sharing the finished Holy Space with our school community soon.

We are delighted to celebrate the pupils who received Headteacher’s Awards during the last term, covering October, November and December. These awards recognise pupils who have gone above and beyond in their learning, relationships, faith and/or wider achievements.

We are extremely proud of all the pupils who received Headteacher’s Awards last term. Their achievements reflect our school values and highlight the positive, supportive environment we strive to create every day.

Well done to all of our winners, keep up the fantastic work!

We would like to wish all our pupils, families, and staff a very happy New Year. We hope you enjoyed a restful and joyful break, filled with special moments with family and friends.

As we begin this new term, we are excited to welcome everyone back to school and to continue our learning journey together. The weeks ahead are full of opportunities for growth, curiosity, and success, and we are looking forward to all the exciting learning experiences, events, and achievements the term will bring.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to working closely with you to ensure every child feels happy, supported, and inspired to do their very best.

Wishing you all a positive and successful year ahead.