On Friday, P7 pupil Bruce Evans travelled to the Dollan Aqua Centre in East Kilbride to participate in the Scottish Schools Swimming Finals.

Bruce competed in the 50m Fly final and achieved a PB with a time of 37.76seconds. He was placed 11th overall and was pleased with his result.

Congratulations Bruce 🙂

His swim can be viewed by following this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K844M8B-4_w (his swim is about 28minutes in)

On Friday, P1M, P1/2KH, P2/3E, P4FL, P4/5C, P6/7M and P7H visited the Town Hall to participate in some Chinese New Year Activities.

On arrival the pupils were all given Red Lucky Money envelopes containing a Chinese coin, during Chinese New Year it is tradition to give children these. There were displays of Lion Dances, Tang Soo Do, Fan Dancers, a Trapeze Artist and Parkour. There was also the opportunity to try out some Chinese letter writing, learning to say chinese numbers, plate spinning and colouring actitivites based on Chinese symbols and pictures of Chinese New Year. Many also mastered the skill of using chopsticks and got to take a piar home!

Many thanks to The Shen Foundation for putting on this wonderful experience.

P6 and P7 celebrated the life of the Bard, Robert Burns with their very own Burns Supper this evening.
They have spent the last two and a half weeks planning and preparing the evening for themselves and a guest – a total of 150 people!

After learning all about a Burns Supper and the life and works of the great man himself, a programme of traditional entertainment was devised. Letters were written to local business for the provision of the food and drinks. Many thanks to Frasers Butchers for the Haggis, Mr Ker for his kind donation of the Neeps, Mr Rhind for the Tatties, Walkers for their kind donation of the Shortbread and Oatcakes and Tesco for their kind donation of the drinks. Mrs Maclennan, Mrs Stables and Mrs Stalker also kindly offered their time to prepare and cook the meal.

In the afternoon, the hall was organised and the tatties prepared. Tables were set with placemats, Bill o’ Fayres and displays of work the pupils had produced were around the room. Everything was set for the evening ahead.

Once everyone had arrived the evening began. Cerys, the Master of Ceremonies, welcomed everyone and called for the Haggis. This was piped in by former pupil, Lily Carmichael. Lewis and Annmarie then gave the ‘Address tae the Haggis’ followed by the Selkirk Grace. The teachers became the waitresses and everyone was served their Haggis, Neeps and Tatties which went down very well. Connor then gave a humorous ‘Reply fae the Haggis’.

This was then followed by the ‘Immortal Memory’, a tribute to Robbie, given by Chloe, Leigh and Josh. The choir then beautifully sang ‘The Deil’s Awa’ wi’ the Exciseman’ which was written by Robert Burns. Next came the ‘Toast to Lassies’ given by Zack, swiflty follwed by Caitlyn’s ‘Reply fae the lassies’. P7H then took to the stage to give a recital of Tam O’Shanter.

Erin, Lauren and Olivia then gave a Highland Fling display which was followed by Harris, Ben, Samuel, Mckenzie, Dylan, Diarmuid and Finlay reciting their own poems in the style of Burns. Aidan then recited a poem in Gaelic called Alba. Next was time for some more dancing as Morgan, Claire, Elle, Katie, Talia, Leah, Roslyn, Abbie, Bruce, Aidan, Cameron, Maryann, Caitlyn, Rebecca, Anya and Alisha performed an Eightsome Reel.

Everyone then joined in with Auld Lang Syne to round of a ‘richt guid nicht’!

This photo shows Bruce Evans, P7, competing at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh on January 7th.  He was selected to represent North District at the Inter District Cross Country.  Bruce trains with Forres Harriers and is a loyal member of Applegrove’s Running Club.  Bruce had a strong run on a testing course.  Mrs Sircus and Mrs Wright went along to cheer Bruce and other former Applegrove pupils who represented the North of Scotland.  We were very proud of you all.

Running Club starts up on Monday 16th January at lunchtimes.  It is open to P4 – 7 pupils.

Happy New Year. We hope you all had a fun and relaxing time over the Christmas break. We are hopefully all feeling refreshed and ready to get going for the start of a new year and a new term. It is going to be another busy one….