To celebrate the start of the Paralympics P4/5 has been practicing different yoga posses that relate to different sports in the Paralympics. Jessica and Evie told us that they love doing it because “It’s really relaxing and you feel like you’re going to fall asleep”. Their class are going to try and make a weekly slot in their classes to practice some of their poses. After their first practise they have already learned the cycling pose, weight lifting pose, rowing pose and the equestrian (horse riding) pose. The pupils said that it was a great way to calm down and relax even if it does hurt a little bit.

Experts say that yoga doesn’t just have physical benefits, it can also have educational benefits too. It can help with children’s concentration, self- confidence and relaxation. Yoga can also help young people with the stress and worries of exams. Its been said that a simple exercise such as breathing can make all the difference and really help your mind and body to relax.

As many of you know, we have a new librarian.

Zuzanna may have only been here since the nineteenth of August, but has already become an important part of the school. We asked Zuzanna some questions about her life:

Where did you grow up? : I grew up in Poland.

What kind of books do you like?:I like complex and comedic with a twist.

Where did you work before?: I worked in the Anderson high school.

Did you work in any previous libraries?: I worked in Anderson high library.

Do you like it in Sandwick School?: I love it in Sandwick!

Recently Sandwick Junior High School decided to create Media Room, This meaning that we can have pupils act out plays as news presenters.

Some of the new things we got were: Panasonic Camera (4K Quality), Shotgun mic’s (Microphone with a furry thing on it), 4 Studio Lights, and Lastolights for them (Umbrellas), Light reflectors and a green screen.

We are still yet to get more equipment like a computer, possible another microphone and decorations to make the scene look better.

Now that we have this Media Room it gives us loads of great opportunities like being able to interview people and do class presentations. This is a great opportunity for the people in Sandwick Junior High School.

At the end of July 2016 Jasmin Smith in S4 went to the British Summer Swimming Championships which was in Pondsforge, Sheffield.

She was competing in the 50m Breastroke which is her favourite and best event she got 35.3 seconds which wasn’t a pb but she came 18^th in the 15 year old  age group.

When she was there she also went shopping, visited the canal, tram lines and she saw The Royal Lyceum Theatre.

She said it was a great experience and great to be in a competition with so many amazing swimmers.

Now Jasmin is aiming for The Island Games which is 2017 Gotland Australia.

At the start of term 13 pupils went to Bressay to do their practice Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition. The bronze trip included having to set up their tents, toilet, cooking and using their map and compass skill they have learned at school to walk a total of 10km. They stayed in Bressay for 1 and a half days and one night just on their own with the teachers watching from a distance. Max Orr, Nina Price and Joe Fraser described the experience as “wet” but said it was fun and are looking forward to their next trip.

Here and some of the pupils thought on the trip:

“The Dofe trip to Bressay was fun.  It was challenging with the fog and you could only see 30m in front of you, so you had to rely on your compass and map skills.  You couldn’t let anyone else do it for you because everyone led once or twice.  It was a good learning experience because of the conditions and we learnt a lot from it.” Joe Fraser, S3 Bronze Expedition.

“We did our Silver Practice Duke of Edinburgh expedition on the same days as a Bronze group. On the third day we had a breakfast of pancakes full of midges and packed up our tent before we got the ferry to Noss. We spent the day hiking around the island and enjoying the birds, the cliffs and the amazing view.  We got the ferry back to Lerwick at 3:45 and had some chips before we went back home.”  Cormac Mathieson S4, Silver Expedition.

The Skipathon took place just before the summer holidays and raised a total of £809.04 for charity. The charity was the British Heart Foundation.

They went around the games hall 8 times (roughly 700 meters). The whole of primary took part in the activity.

Well done to everyone who took part!

Recently Mr McGinlay has recently accepted a new post at the Anderson High School in Lerwick and we went to ask him about his time at Sandwick.

What will you miss most about Sandwick School?

‘The thing I will miss most about Sandwick is pupils playing music in the corridors.’

What was your best memory from Sandwick?

‘My best memory from Sandwick was going with the school camping group to Fair Isle and getting stuck for a week.’

What do you look forward to doing in your new post at the Anderson?

‘I’m looking forward to doing a Physics Higher & Advanced higher & starting a camping group.’

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened in Sandwick?

‘In a Science class I blew all the hair off my arm and the class thought it was hilarious.’

Everyone from Sandwick Junior High School wishes Mr McGinlay the best of luck at his new post.

Recently over 20 members of pupils and staff did the Mind Your Head Fun Run. We talked to Lee Smith.

Where did the run take place?

The run was around Cunningsburgh. It started at the Cunningsburgh hall, up the old Fladdabister road then down through Fladdabister then through Aithsetter and Gord then back to the football pitch for Three and a half laps.

How far did you run?

10k.

How did the run feel?

Good, it was quite hilly at times.

Did you enjoy it?

Yes, the atmosphere was very good. Everyone was happy and jolly.

What was your time?

57mins 5secs.

How many people took part?

450 people took part.

Hi everyone, welcome to the Sandwick Junior High School News blog. This is where we plan to publish news, events and features, with content mainly created by our Thursday flexi-time news group.