Monthly Archives: February 2015

Mrs. Stewart's News

First Day Adventures at Benmore

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Benmore 1

A very busy and eventful day at Benmore for all activity groups! Two of the groups were very successful in their orienteering. Megan Hunter was fast and efficient and could now give Mrs. Herman and Mrs. Reilly some lessons as they got lost momentarily looking for others in their group. The climbers and abseilers were brave. Amber was excellent in both and was particularly helpful to others – helping to adjust their clips and harnesses. Sean Burnett had an unexpected cold ‘dip’ during canoeing but completely recovered after curry and cake! Two groups accepted the cave challenge while another group worked as a great team encouraging each other on the high ropes. Leah, Erin, Emma, Sonny, Shaun Simpson and Ms Kennedy made it to the top of the podium and jumped off (fully harnessed) to catch the trapeze! After an evening scavenger hunt it’s off to bed ….. I’m sure by the time I’ve finished this Blog Post ….. They will all be sound asleep! P.7 – we miss you!

Mrs. Stewart's News

Burns Competition Winners

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Congratulations to all of our ‘confident individuals’ and ‘successful learners’ who performed Scots Language poetry in front of the whole school at the successful Burns Assembly organised and co-ordinated by Mrs. Murdoch, Principal Teacher. All adults in the school had a voting sheet and all participants scored over 200 points!
Adam Brown in P.3/4 was the overall winner of the school based competition with 265 points! His rendition of ‘The Wee Malkies’kept everyone in The Great Hall highly entertained with drama and performance from start to finish. Well done Adam!
The pupils who will represent Bankton at the West Lothian heat of the National Burns Competition are:
Kai Wilson – P.6/7 ‘A Parcel of Rogues in a Nation’
Katie Tripney – P.6/7 ‘The Joyful Widower’
Beth Kinroy – P.5 ‘Scots Wha Hae’
Eric McLeod – P.4 ‘Street Talk’ by JK Annand

One of our talented brass musicians, Louis Hartl Hazette, will also go through to the local heat, playing a confident rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ on his trumpet.

We have our fingers well and truly crossed for all of you! Some of our honourable runners-up will have another opportunity to perform their poem at this term’s assemblies

Mrs. Stewart's News

Message from Benmore

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Many thanks to staff who contacted me both last night and this morning to reassure me that all is well at camp. Our P.7s thoroughly enjoyed their soggy, muddy activities on Monday afternoon and relished the challenges of the Nightwalk in the pitch dark which proved to be a great team building and bonding experience. All children were exhausted and in bed by 9.30pm.

Needless to say, the girls were up early and organised for breakfast while the boys …….. had to be wakened and encouraged to get out of bed by the teachers! After scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast they were looking forward to a day of varied activities which included orienteering, climbing and abseiling, forest walk and mountain biking.

Ms Kennedy reported that there had been a light dusting of snow everywhere which made the landscape particularly beautiful. I look forward to the photographs!

P.7 who are not at camp have enjoyed William Morris art work and additional outdoor tyre park time with Mrs. Ferguson and The Supermarket project and French activities including singing with Mrs. Balfour.

Mrs. Stewart's News

The Bankton Learning Community send our love to Ms Barr

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The Bankton Learning Community have all been greatly shocked and saddened by the news of the death of Jak Trueman, son of Ms. Barr, our much loved Music Teacher. Today we send all of our love, thoughts and prayers to Ms. Barr and her family. There is great sadness across the school at this news today and children in all classes want to reach out to the family through cards, letters and drawings to show the depth of their love.

Throughout his treatment for a rare form of cancer, Jak has conducted himself with dignity and great strength of character, showing he is indeed an inspiration to many young people in the same situation.

As you are aware, we have already raised money for Clic Sargent, who supported Ms Barr and many other families during the early stages of  treatment. Pupils and staff would now like to contribute to Ms Barr’s fundraising efforts for leukaemia research through a ‘Game-a-thon’ organised by staff and some of our P.6/7 pupils.

This event will take place in school on Thursday, 12th February. Pupils should come to school dressed for P.E., wearing tracksuits, joggers, Tshirts /sweatshirts. Classes will be timetabled throughout the day. Pupils should bring a minimum of £1 to take part, but can bring anything your family wish to donate to Ms. Barr’s fundraising.

We know that everyone’s life is touched by this dreadful disease at some time or other, but we, in Bankton, have been especially touched by Jak’s dignified battle.

The Parent Council will discuss other possible fundraising at their meeting next week.

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Winter Fun

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Last week the children in nursery enjoyed playing in the snow. They were also making bird cake to care for the birds. The children spotted a Pied Wagtail, House Sparrows, Magpies, Crows and Blackbirds.

Making Birdcake
Making Birdcake
Playing in the Snow
Playing in the Snow
Playing in the Snow
Playing in the Snow
Playing in the Snow
Playing in the Snow
Snow Angels
Snow Angels
Running in the Snow
Running in the Snow
Mrs. Stewart's News

Safe and Sound at Benmore

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P.7 pupils and the staff team have arrived safe and sound at Benmore after a good journey in dry conditions. Weather at Benmore is dry, bright and cold and pupils were happily unpacking and organising their rooms ready for the programme of afternoon and evening activities. The teachers were looking forward to seeing which boy / girl would win the first challenge – BED MAKING! I’m sure they will all be experts after their residential preparation over the weekend!

I am looking forward to hearing all about the Night walk and seeing their photos when they return.

Primary 1

Scots Poetry

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A big well done to P1a who have worked hard to learn their Scottish poems over the last few weeks.  Everyone stood up in front of the class and recited their poems really well, making Mrs Lloyd really proud.  Well done to Josh and Aaron who were selected to perform in front of the whole school at assembly.  You did great boys!

Primary 1

P1 Class Challenge

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A big well done to P1a from Mrs Lloyd for all managing to complete this weeks class challenge of zipping up coats all by yourselves.  Don’t be fooled parents – they can do it!!  As a reward, the class earned an extra five minutes golden time.  I am looking forward to seeing how well you do with next weeks challenge of not running when we are lining up.  Good Luck P1a!