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

Our school was full of cheer today as children enjoyed their Christmas lunches. The lunch hall looked bright and joyful with everyone wearing colourful Christmas jumpers, and festive music playing as the children ate together. It was a lovely way to celebrate the season and share some Christmas spirit across the school!

We are delighted to share that our school community has raised £83.67 for the Scottish Poppy Appeal 2025.

A huge thank you to all pupils, families, and staff who contributed so generously. Your kindness helps support veterans and their families across Scotland, providing vital services and making a real difference in their lives.

Well done, everyone!

Today, our school was buzzing with excitement as coaches from the a local boxing gym, GCB, joined us to deliver a series of BoxFit taster sessions for our pupils. And what a knockout experience it was!

The children were fully engaged – laughing, learning, and pushing themselves in ways many had never tried before. The sessions blended basic boxing techniques with fun, energetic fitness activities, giving every child a chance to experience the sport in a safe and supportive environment.

The coaches introduced the fundamentals of boxing footwork, simple combinations, and agility drills. They then mixed in high-energy fitness games that had the kids bobbing, weaving, jumping, and working together.

We’re incredibly grateful to the GCB team for giving their time, energy, and expertise.  The feedback from pupils has been overwhelmingly positive – many have already asked when the coaches are coming back!

Our Pope Francis Faith Award children have been putting their leadership skills into action this term as they take on the role of Playground Leaders. After completing their training, the group has been confidently delivering lunchtime activity sessions for some of our Primary 3 pupils.

The children have shown wonderful responsibility, enthusiasm, and care as they plan and lead games that encourage teamwork, inclusion, and active play. Their commitment to serving others truly reflects the values of the Pope Francis Faith Award.

Well done to all our Playground Leaders for being such positive role models in our school community!

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!