We have had a great week finding out about the STEM subjects including experiments and challenges in the classroom; visits to Culzean and workshops with the rangers; workshops in school from engineers and Belmont teachers and visiting Ayr college. We finished off our week with our STEM Fayre. Here are a selection of photos further photos can be found on the twitter feed.
A copy of the latest newsletter is available here
There has recently been a lot of information in the media and on social media about ‘MOMO’. Please click on the link below or from the side bar on the right for parental information on a range of online and app safety including MOMO, Fortnite and Snapchat
https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/
We have been informed by our campus cop that there have been a number of incidents recently at schools in the local area whereby pupils have been using the internet/social media to communicate indecently with other pupils, and even adults unknown to them. Pupils, some of whom are of mid Primary School age, are downloading various apps such as Snaphat, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, Whatsapp, Kik and Holla to name a few. Some of the content is sexualised in nature, which is gravely concerning and places the pupils at risk of real harm. Our Campus Officer, PC Blackmore, has already been in schools to talk to classes about keeping themselves safe online. He will be continuing with this in the coming weeks. It is imperative however, that parents are aware of these issues and keep a close eye on their child’s use of devices capable of accessing the internet and limit/remove their use of such apps. We would ask that parents also speak with their child about online safety and the dangers of communicating with strangers online. PC Blackmore is happy to help with any advice should you require any.
P5, 6, 7 had great fun today rehearsing and performing 1719! with the Scottish Opera.
1719! travels back to a key moment in Scottish history to tell the story of the Jacobite Scots locked in a desperate struggle to restore the House of Stuart to the throne of Great Britain, while the Hanoverian King George argued with other European rulers over the lands and riches of the New World. King Philip of Spain sent troops and money to help the Jacobites in an attempt to distract the British government from this dispute.
Pupils went back in time 300 years when the Jacobites and their Spanish allies gathered in Glen Shiel for battle with King George’s forces, in what was the last close engagement of British and European troops on British soil.
It was an amazing way to learn about one of the most dramatic and exciting periods in Scottish history.
Our P3 are taking part in a project this term with Southcraig School. Our pupils are working together to play a variety of inclusive games and challenges and learn from each other. They had lots of fun as you can see!
Yesterday, our Primary 6 visited Dumfries House. They found out all about satellites and then worked in teams to design and create their very own. Each group tested how far their satellite flew. There was even time for a play in the snow!
One of our parents came to school today to share his collection of World War 2 uniforms and artefacts with the P7s as part of their Social Studies topic this term. It was fascinating to hear some of the stories behind the items. Thank-you, Mr McIntyre!
Earlier this week our P7s went to visit the Sky Academy to find out how a news report is put together. They had the opportunity of putting their creative and collaborative skills into action to produce an information report about the damage plastics are doing to our oceans and what we can do to help this.
A copy of the January newsletter is available by clicking here.
Primary 5 and Primary 6 entertained the parents and families at ‘The Big Sing’ this morning. They performed a selection of rock anthems and festive songs. Thanks to Ms Nelson for all her hard work.
P4 were fantastic at leading today’s Christmas Service at the Auld Kirk in Ayr. The service was a joint service with Southcraig School. The pupils re-told the Nativity story and we all sang a range of Christmas songs. Our P4s also learned to sign ‘Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer’ so they could join in with the Southcraig Choir. Christmas is definitely here now!
Well done to our Digital Leaders for taking part in the Lego Mindstorm competition at Kilmarnock College. The team built and programmed their Lego robot to perform challenges related to the theme of ‘Space’. The also delivered a presentation on the effects of isolation on astronauts. The judges were impressed with their teamwork.
As always, this time of year is very busy. Last week, our P7s enjoyed their Christmas Party with all the P7 classes from across the cluster at Belmont.
Our P1, 2 and 3 Nativity, ‘Prickly Hay’ was thoroughly enjoyed by parents and families and the pupils enjoyed themselves too!
Meanwhile, members of P5 and P6 went to Bellevue Nursing Home to perform a selection of songs for the residents.
Our colleagues in Sport and Leisure have organised a family fun day at the Citadel on the 24th December.
“Join us at the Citadel Leisure Centre on Christmas Eve for some FREE festive fun for all the family. Activities include inflatable fun in the swimming pools, bouncy castles, arts and crafts and a Santa treasure hunt!”
The Day‘s Festivities!
11:00 – 12:00 – Inflatable Fun Run (Main Pool)
11:00 – 12:00 Fun & Floats (Diving Pool)
12:30 – 14:00 Inflatable Slide (Diving Pool)
12:45 – 13:45 Family Float Fit (Main Pool)
12:45 – 14:00 General Swimming (Main Pool)
11:00 – 14:00 Arts & Crafts (Main Hall)
11:00 -14:00 Bouncy Castles & Soft Play (Main Hall)
11:00-14:00 Santa Treasure Hunt – with prizes!
Will also be providing free refreshments on the day. First come, first served, as stocks are limited!
A copy of the latest newsletter for December is available by clicking here or on the snowman.
Santa may well be bringing laptops or mobile devices to well-behaved boys and girls this Christmas. We would just like to make parents aware that Microsoft Office can be downloaded for free for all students through their GLOW log in.
Pupils in South Ayrshire are eligible to be part of the Microsoft ‘Student Advantage’ initiative. This initiative gives all pupils access to Office 365 ProPlus (a full version of the Microsoft Office suite) for free to use on up to five of their own machines being Mac or PC and they can also run Office Mobile for Android or Office Mobile for iPhone on up to 5 mobile devices.
To install Office 365 ProPlus on a personal PC or laptop pupils should login to Glow and click on the Download Office Now tile on their school launch pad.
During the setup process pupils and staff will be required to enter their Glow email address details. Full instructions on how to download the software are given once they click on the tile.
To install Office 365 ProPlus on a phone or tablet device pupils and staff need to download the Office apps individually from the app store and then they will be asked to enter their Glow email address.
If your child is unsure of their GLOW username please contact the class teacher.
Further information can be found at http://products.office.com/en-GB/student/office-in-education?tab=schools
Please note that South Ayrshire Council is not responsible for this initiative. Once Office 365 ProPlus is installed any technical issues or questions should be directed straight to Microsoft.
The updated school handbook for 2018 – 2019 can be accessed by clicking the picture or clicking here
Earlier this week, Holmston hosted the final of the Primary Engineer competition. Schools from all over Ayrshire participated in partnership with GE Caledonia and we had two successful teams. Our P5 team achieved Best Communicators at the Engineer Level and our P3 team were runners up in the Apprentice Level. The cars they made had to go through a series of challenges. The engineers also arranged a visit from a jet engine for us to look at.
Local people are set to have their say on exciting proposals that will help transform Ayr town centre for many years to come.
The Council want the public to have their say on ideas which include high-quality and attractive public spaces, a new town centre leisure facility and redressing the residential/retail balance on the High Street.
The Council is holding two consultation events in Ayr Town Hall on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 November between 2:00pm and 7:30pm.
The proposals on show will complement the consultation work which has taken place so far and people will be able to discuss their views with Council Officers and have their say.
As well as the consultation events, there is a short online survey available at south-ayrshire.gov.uk/ayr-your-views. The deadline to complete the online survey is Friday 14 December at 5pm.
Information gathered from the consultation events and the online survey will be used to inform the decision making process. The intention would be to hold further consultation events in the future providing more detail on agreed projects including designs, costs and timescales.
