Whalsay Primary Blog

One of our core values was demonstrated in abundance through our last play session with the pupil’s expressing high levels of creativity in many forms.  On show were pupils:

• creating their costumes in preparation for World Book Day;
• using the junk materials to make a ferry, an alien spaceship and a mini-Lucas;
• creating an eco-house;
• creating masks from craft materials;
• building towers from KAPLA including the Eiffel Tower;
• designing comic books with imaginative storylines;
• continuing a project that has been on the go since the first week where a whole house is being created out of craft material.

Research shows that play is one of the most powerful tools for developing creativity in children.  Through play, pupils are using their brains to support their critical thinking and problem-solving skills as children approach challenges from different angles and find their own solutions to problems.  Play gives the children the opportunity to express their emotions which deepens their imagination and understanding as well as enhancing their communication skills through collaborating, negotiating and building on each other’s ideas.  Play gives the children the permission to experiment through trying new ideas, making mistakes and trying again.

We, as staff, are observing and encouraging the pupils to take ownership of their learning and are seeing pupils actively engaging in their own projects.  It is lovely to see the different age groups bounce their ideas off each other and working together to problem solve their ideas.

Whilst creativity is clearly on display, covering a multitude of curricular areas, it is rewarding to see our other core values of belonging, responsibility, enjoyment and health being demonstrated through our weekly play activities.  Here are some photos showing our values in fine form:

Today we had our first play session with all pupils in Primary joining together across the different classrooms and corridor spaces to experience a range of play activities.  As expected, the first 30 minutes involved the pupils flitting around as they explored what was all on offer.  After that, the pupils fairly settled and we witnessed some lovely interactions taking place between the pupils.  A range of skills were on show in this first play session including: creativity; problem-solving; perseverance; team work; communication; fine and gross motor and imagination to name a few!  Some pieces of creative work have been put aside to continue next week.

We look forward to working together as a staff team, with the pupils, to develop these sessions over the next few weeks.  Overall, a very positive introduction to play across the Primary with some heartening feedback from the pupils and encouraging observations from staff.  Here are some photos to show you a snapshot of the play activities taking place:

_Mootie’s Hoos poster

Check out the link above which outlines an opportunity for pupils and families to go along and see a mixed media exhibition that will be running in the Shetland museum from the 17th August – 12th October.

The gardening group have really enjoyed our trips to the Polytunnel this term for Friday fun!

We have done lots of planting, weeding and watering over the past few weeks! The bairns have been extremely busy.

We began with lots of weeding and raking to get the flower beds ready for new plants!

Thank you to Miss Holzheimer and Carrie for all of their help and planning this term in the polytunnel. It has been lots of fun!

Throughout this term for music the children have been learning about the Robert Burns Tale of Tam o Shanter. They have been learning operatic songs and dances to retell the tale.

This week the children headed to Brae to work with Scottish Opera and other Shetland schools to bring together a performance for parents.

It was a busy day, as the children quickly learned the stage direction and how to enhance their performance, coming together as a group. The children work really hard and it was amazing to see the show come together.

All the children put on a great performance.

P4/5/6 had a super trip to the Heritage Centre this morning.

We learned lots about local history – including about the fishing, Symbister House and the lairds of Whalsay! We also got to have a look at the knitwear.

The pupils loved getting to have a look around at the photos and artefacts and watching the videos of fishing on the Azalea!

Thank you to David and Marina for such a super morning!