December 4, 2015
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Comments Off on Christmas Fair
Thank you to everyone who came along to our Christmas Fair on Wednesday night. It was great to see so many people on such a cold, wet night. Total raised £1460 All funds raised are for playground improvements. After resurfacing work, we have lost our playground markings. The children would like a range of new playground […]
December 4, 2015
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Comments Off on This week in P3G…
We have been learning: how to write about our made up super heros how to make reindeer dust how to spell tricky words to sing Petit Papa Noël
December 4, 2015
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Comments Off on Christmas Book Recommendations
Are you in need of a last minute Christmas present? Stuck on what to get a fussy relative or friend? Well, don’t worry, everybody goes through the same struggle you are enduring. Sometimes it’s hard to find that good gift – and no, those dodgy socks simply will not do – so to help you with your search for the most envied bookcase around, here is the ultimate guide to books anyone from S1-4 would love to find under their tree on Christmas morning.
First up is the compelling novel “Private Peaceful” by Michael Morpurgo. This book takes you through a tale of two brothers who once lived a very simplistic life before their future was turned upside down. Forced to join the raging First World War they quickly realise not everyone is going to make it back alive and surviving is going to be a very difficult battle to overcome. This book touches on the true meaning of love and how it can carry us through the toughest of times. It opens the mind to the horrors of war and teaches us that family should be treasured, no matter what.
Not many people have heard of the Roman Mystery series but I guarantee once you start reading, you will not be able to stop. Each book is set in ancient Rome and follows the tales of four friends: Flavia, Johnathan, Nubia and Lupus. “The Thieves of Ostia” is first in the series and it starts with a very intriguing mystery of a dog slayer. The four friends are determined to catch them, without fail, and throughout the book continue to solve the mystery many others had not yet achieved to crack. You follow them through their exciting adventures and near enslavement before finally coming to a well-deserved conclusion. The excitement and thrills of this grand adventure are continued through the rest of the series and Lawrence can most definitely captivate anyone’s imagination. These books are a great Christmas present for anyone who loves a good read with a great mystery to go along with it.
I don’t believe there is anyone out there who,as of yet, have no read or watched the film adaptations of the Harry Potter books. A riveting read for any age which will send you into a world of magic and provide a great present for anyone in search of a good book to read this Christmas. To start the series you meet Harry, an exceptionally ordinary boy who lives with his aunt, uncle and their ridiculous son Dudley. Not until Harry’s remarkably unusual eleventh birthday does he find out that he is a wizard, and not only that, he is destined to attend Hogwarts – a legendary school of witchcraft and wizardry. A whirlwind of adventures creep into Harry’s life as he meets his newly made friends Ron and Hermione, who go on to accompany him on his many escapades and watch as he discovers his true past. However, while learning of his past he becomes aware of a man so powerful, so evil, he manages to cloak the entire wizarding world in fear, and he is after one thing; Harry.
Anyone out there who loves a good fantasy novel which is full to the brim with vampires, werewolves and extra talented humans will love “The Mortal Instruments.” You can really get your teeth stuck into this six book series and be a part of a bigger world where it’s normal to watch fairies fly through the park or hear the howls of werewolves at night. Through these books you become a part of Clary’s story and travel with her through the confusing realisation that she is not as normal as she seems. Watch as she becomes more than the artist she thought she would be and instead treads a much more dangerous path of weapons and demons. After years of her mother hiding her from the world she grew up in, Clary discovers everything from a boy named Johnathan who takes her to an institute of shadowhunters. From there you can watch Clary blossom into a role she was destined to fulfil and fight a battle that she never knew existed. This is a wonderful gift for those with a wide imagination and a liking for mythical beings so be sure to add these books to your list of present ideas as it will brighten up everybody’s Christmas.
“Twilight,” a book no one should live without. Stephanie Meyer outdoes herself with these extraordinary books; intertwining a love story with incredible fantasy that would make anyone jealous. Isabella “Bella” Swan arrives in Forks, a small isolated town in Washington, with little expectations; that is until she meets Edward Cullen. Edward is a vampire who finds himself more enthralled with Bella as the days go by and, unfortunately for Bella, also has a strong craving for her blood. Bella couldn’t have hoped to find true love in a place do dreary but as she tries to break her way into Edward’s heart she eventually stumbles upon the unknown truth of Edward and his family. Only now does she realise who he is and why he has been hiding from her. Throughout the books Bella and Edward find themselves in countless dangerous situations while also having to face the truth that one wrong move from Edward could mean Bella might never breathe again. A book worth investing in, “Twilight” could never displease anyone on Christmas morning.
Last but not least, the “Infernal Devices” is by far one of my favourite reads this Christmas. It tells the tale of what happened before “The Mortal Instruments” and carries you through a few unanswered questions that were left after the last series. I would like to introduce you to Theresa “Tessa” Gray, an orphaned teenage girl who only wishes to find her lost brother and decides the best place to start is 19th Century. Here she discovers a world of fantasy filled with shadowhunters, a race she must befriend to keep herself from the growing danger that surrounds her. Here she discovers Will and James, the two men between whom her love is split, and she struggles with herself trying to come to a conclusion as to of who she would rather love. Tessa grows up faster than she would have done in the human world and she comes to appreciate true friendship and loyalty. Once again, these books would light up the faces of those who open their presents to find them there and I promise this series is worth every penny.
I sincerely hope this has helped you past the struggle of last minute present ideas and assisted you in the search for the perfect gift to send at Christmas. Each of these books have the ability to brighten everyone’s Christmas while simultaneously providing the best reads out.
December 4, 2015
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Comments Off on Christmas Book Recommendations
Are you in need of a last minute Christmas present? Stuck on what to get a fussy relative or friend? Well, don’t worry, everybody goes through the same struggle you are enduring. Sometimes it’s hard to find that good gift – and no, those dodgy socks simply will not do – so to help you with your search for the most envied bookcase around, here is the ultimate guide to books anyone from S1-4 would love to find under their tree on Christmas morning.
First up is the compelling novel “Private Peaceful” by Michael Morpurgo. This book takes you through a tale of two brothers who once lived a very simplistic life before their future was turned upside down. Forced to join the raging First World War they quickly realise not everyone is going to make it back alive and surviving is going to be a very difficult battle to overcome. This book touches on the true meaning of love and how it can carry us through the toughest of times. It opens the mind to the horrors of war and teaches us that family should be treasured, no matter what.
Not many people have heard of the Roman Mystery series but I guarantee once you start reading, you will not be able to stop. Each book is set in ancient Rome and follows the tales of four friends: Flavia, Johnathan, Nubia and Lupus. “The Thieves of Ostia” is first in the series and it starts with a very intriguing mystery of a dog slayer. The four friends are determined to catch them, without fail, and throughout the book continue to solve the mystery many others had not yet achieved to crack. You follow them through their exciting adventures and near enslavement before finally coming to a well-deserved conclusion. The excitement and thrills of this grand adventure are continued through the rest of the series and Lawrence can most definitely captivate anyone’s imagination. These books are a great Christmas present for anyone who loves a good read with a great mystery to go along with it.
I don’t believe there is anyone out there who,as of yet, have no read or watched the film adaptations of the Harry Potter books. A riveting read for any age which will send you into a world of magic and provide a great present for anyone in search of a good book to read this Christmas. To start the series you meet Harry, an exceptionally ordinary boy who lives with his aunt, uncle and their ridiculous son Dudley. Not until Harry’s remarkably unusual eleventh birthday does he find out that he is a wizard, and not only that, he is destined to attend Hogwarts – a legendary school of witchcraft and wizardry. A whirlwind of adventures creep into Harry’s life as he meets his newly made friends Ron and Hermione, who go on to accompany him on his many escapades and watch as he discovers his true past. However, while learning of his past he becomes aware of a man so powerful, so evil, he manages to cloak the entire wizarding world in fear, and he is after one thing; Harry.
Anyone out there who loves a good fantasy novel which is full to the brim with vampires, werewolves and extra talented humans will love “The Mortal Instruments.” You can really get your teeth stuck into this six book series and be a part of a bigger world where it’s normal to watch fairies fly through the park or hear the howls of werewolves at night. Through these books you become a part of Clary’s story and travel with her through the confusing realisation that she is not as normal as she seems. Watch as she becomes more than the artist she thought she would be and instead treads a much more dangerous path of weapons and demons. After years of her mother hiding her from the world she grew up in, Clary discovers everything from a boy named Johnathan who takes her to an institute of shadowhunters. From there you can watch Clary blossom into a role she was destined to fulfil and fight a battle that she never knew existed. This is a wonderful gift for those with a wide imagination and a liking for mythical beings so be sure to add these books to your list of present ideas as it will brighten up everybody’s Christmas.
“Twilight,” a book no one should live without. Stephanie Meyer outdoes herself with these extraordinary books; intertwining a love story with incredible fantasy that would make anyone jealous. Isabella “Bella” Swan arrives in Forks, a small isolated town in Washington, with little expectations; that is until she meets Edward Cullen. Edward is a vampire who finds himself more enthralled with Bella as the days go by and, unfortunately for Bella, also has a strong craving for her blood. Bella couldn’t have hoped to find true love in a place do dreary but as she tries to break her way into Edward’s heart she eventually stumbles upon the unknown truth of Edward and his family. Only now does she realise who he is and why he has been hiding from her. Throughout the books Bella and Edward find themselves in countless dangerous situations while also having to face the truth that one wrong move from Edward could mean Bella might never breathe again. A book worth investing in, “Twilight” could never displease anyone on Christmas morning.
Last but not least, the “Infernal Devices” is by far one of my favourite reads this Christmas. It tells the tale of what happened before “The Mortal Instruments” and carries you through a few unanswered questions that were left after the last series. I would like to introduce you to Theresa “Tessa” Gray, an orphaned teenage girl who only wishes to find her lost brother and decides the best place to start is 19th Century. Here she discovers a world of fantasy filled with shadowhunters, a race she must befriend to keep herself from the growing danger that surrounds her. Here she discovers Will and James, the two men between whom her love is split, and she struggles with herself trying to come to a conclusion as to of who she would rather love. Tessa grows up faster than she would have done in the human world and she comes to appreciate true friendship and loyalty. Once again, these books would light up the faces of those who open their presents to find them there and I promise this series is worth every penny.
I sincerely hope this has helped you past the struggle of last minute present ideas and assisted you in the search for the perfect gift to send at Christmas. Each of these books have the ability to brighten everyone’s Christmas while simultaneously providing the best reads out.
December 3, 2015
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Comments Off on This week in P5
A great big thank you to all the parents who supported us by coming to watch our assembly. We hope you felt very Scottish when you left. Jingle – jingle It is officially December and P5 have started practicing for our part in the Christmas concert. Learning a new language is exciting and a lot of […]
December 3, 2015
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Comments Off on Percy Visits Primary 1
On Tuesday Primary 1 welcomed a special visitor into the classes. Percy the Park Keeper arrived with his friend Mrs Stewart. We have been reading stories about Percy the Park Keeper and his animal friends, hedgehog, rabbit, fox and badger. We particularly enjoyed the story After the Storm and we were keen to tell Percy […]
December 2, 2015
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Comments Off on NHS Lothian Information for Primary Schools – Flu Vaccination Second Opportunity
NHS Lothian Primary School Flu Vaccination Programme 2015 Second Opportunity for Flu Vaccination There will be another opportunity for pupils to attend a clinic for flu vaccination if they have not already received the flu vaccination at a school/clinic. We should be grateful if all West Lothian schools could remind parents / carers of the […]
December 1, 2015
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Comments Off on Message from our Parent Council….
Murrayfields Ceilidh was a roaring success and raised a staggering £1,170 I would like to thank each and everyone who attended and donated raffle prizes for this event, it was greatly appreciated !!! Special thanks to Murrayfield Parent Council who helped make this a successful event!! They really are …”The Dream Team”!!!
December 1, 2015
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Comments Off on A Mass Exodus – The Refugee Crisis
On Thursday the 26th of November the senior school got together to partake in this year’s Big Issues Day (Baird talks more about this in his own article on the day). This year the issues were Should we allow the genetic manipulation of embryos?; Should GM crops be grown or used in the UK?; Should the UK be accepting refugees and Should the UK intervene in the war in Syria. These are all very prominent issues today in the UK with an influx of refugees entering Europe; increased tension in Syria and its surrounding countries; new laws being passed on the genetic manipulation of embryos and Wales and Scotland putting in an outright ban on the growing of GM crops. However, it didn’t just get the students partaking in the event thinking, it also got us – members of the Big Issues Day committee – thinking. After all the organised chaos of the day had subsided and we were left standing together, we collectively had a moment to consider the days topics.
During a presentation on ‘Should the UK be accepting refugees?’ the Reverend Campbell – one of our school chaplains and a presenter at this years Big Issues Day – opened up the floor to allow those attending the presentation to express their view and start a discussion. Being teenagers, a great silence fell and the Rev. Campbell turned to me to start up the discussion. What did I think about refugees coming to UK? With a bit of quick thinking I came to the conclusion that it was, in fact, a good thing. The UK is a multicultural nation. One of the nation’s favourite dishes is Tikka Masala, a dish which is said can trace its roots back to the great and ancient city of Glasgow. But would this dish ever have existed if we had not embraced other cultures and made them part of our own? Of course not.
For centuries we have embraced other cultures and taken them into our day-to-day lives. England, and Scotland for that matter, have strong ties with the French which date back for many a century. Orkney, Shetland and the north of Scotland have strong Norse connections from the integration of Norse travellers into Scottish society. Even tea, the drink the world associates with being British, is not from our country. The anti-refugee group Britain First like to place Christianity at the centre of their twisted views but do they not understand that Jesus was not born in the UK? He, as many of the refugees flocking to European shores are, was from the Middle East. If they could read their own religious texts they would know of oppression and exile. Moses and the Israelites suffered in Egypt under Pharaoh and were not allowed to leave. After 10 vicious plagues he eventually permitted them to leave thus marking the start of their mass exodus to the promised land. However, this is not all that different from the current refugee crisis. For these refugees the UK is a promised land – it promises hope, safety and freedom – and they too are running from tyrannous leaders and corrupt ways.
We as British people are from one common place, whether we are black or white, Muslim or Jewish but we are a nation of people so diverse it is awe inspiring. For centuries we have embraced the world and offered it a place in our society, in our homes and in our hearts, so why stop now?
Before we start bickering over the fact that these people, who are in desperate need of safety and care, will somehow ruin what it means to be British, we should first define what British is. The Oxford dictionary defines British as:
Adjective
1 Relating to Great Britain or the United Kingdom, or its people or language.
It can therefore be said that if we act compassionately, if we allow these people to seek refuge in our little island nation, they can therefore become British through integration. They will weave their ways and traditions into our vast and colourful tapestry of Britishness as many have done before them; enriching our culture and diversifying our daily lives.
Britishness
Noun
The quality of being British or having characteristics regarded typically as British.
In these people’s time of need understanding must overthrow ignorance; acceptance must vanquish prejudice and compassion must dethrone pride. Only after all of this can we be caring and humane.
December 1, 2015
by
Comments Off on A Mass Exodus – The Refugee Crisis
On Thursday the 26th of December the senior school got together to partake in this year’s Big Issues Day (Baird talks more about this in his own article on the day). This year the issues were Should we allow the genetic manipulation of embryos?; Should GM crops be grown or used in the UK?; Should the UK be accepting refugees and Should the UK intervene in the war in Syria. These are all very prominent issues today in the UK with an influx of refugees entering Europe; increased tension in Syria and its surrounding countries; new laws being passed on the genetic manipulation of embryos and Wales and Scotland putting in an outright ban on the growing of GM crops. However, it didn’t just get the students partaking in the even thinking, it also got us – members of the Big Issues Day committee – thinking. After all the organised chaos of the day had subsided and we were left standing together, we collectively had a moment to consider the days topics.
During a presentation on ‘Should the UK be accepting refugees?’ the Reverend Campbell – one of our school chaplains and a presenter at this years Big Issues Day – opened up the floor to allow those attending the presentation to express their view and start a discussion. Being teenagers, a great silence fell and the Rev. Campbell turned to me to start up the discussion. What did I think about refugees coming to UK? With a bit of quick thinking I came to the conclusion that it was, in fact, a good thing. The UK is a multicultural nation. One of the nation’s favourite dishes is Tikka Masala, a dish which is said can traces its roots back to the great and ancient city of Glasgow. But would this dish ever have existed if we had not embraced other cultures and made them part of our own? Of course not.
For centuries we have embraced other cultures and taken them into our day-to-day lives. England, and Scotland for that matter, have strong ties with the French which date back for many a century. Orkney, Shetland and the north of Scotland have strong Norse connections from the integration of Norse travellers into Scottish society. Even tea, the drink the world associates with being British, is not from our country. The anti-refugee group Britain First like to place Christianity at the centre of their twisted views but do they not understand that Jesus was not born in the UK? He, as many of the refugees flocking to European shores are, was from the Middle East. If they could read their own religious texts they would know of oppression and exile. Moses and the Israelites suffered in Egypt under Pharaoh and were not allowed to leave. After 10 vicious plagues he eventually permitted them to leave thus marking the start of their mass exodus to the promised land. However, this is not all that different from the current refugee crisis. For these refugees the UK is a promised land – it promises hope, safety and freedom – and they too are running from tyrannous leaders and corrupt ways.
We as British people are from one common place, whether we are black, white, Muslim, Jewish but we are a nation of people so diverse it is awe inspiring. For centuries we have embraced the world and offered it a place in our society, in our homes and in our hearts, so why stop now?
Before we start bickering over the fact that these people, who are in desperate need for safety and care, will somehow ruin what it means to be British, we should first define what British is. The Oxford dictionary defines British as:
Adjective
1 Relating to Great Britain or the United Kingdom, or its people or language.
It can therefore be said that if we act compassionately, if we allow these people to seek refuge in our little island nation, they can therefore become British through integration. They will weave their ways and traditions into our vast and colourful tapestry of Britishness as many have done before them; enriching our culture and diversifying our daily lives.
Britishness
Noun
The quality of being British or having characteristics regarded typically as British.
In these people’s time of need understanding must overthrow ignorance; acceptance must vanquish prejudice and compassion must dethrone pride. Only after all of this can we be caring and humane.
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