Category Archives: Community

Community, Events, Interdisciplinary Learning, Primary 5, STEM 2017

Cracking the case with the Constable

March 28, 2017 Miss Sherlow Leave a comment

Today, Primary 5 had a special visit from Constable Graham McKenzie who gave us an insight into the different roles the police would play in an investigation similar to the one in our IDL context, Kidnapped. He explained different useful ‘intelligence’ or clues that the police would look for at a crime scene, and how they would gather the evidence. He also explained how he and his colleagues might use this to solve a crime and catch a suspect.

Constable McKenzie also gave examples of the different roles he has taken on within the police, and examples of crime scenes he has attended. We also had the opportunity to touch some of the vital equipment an officer requires to keep themselves and others safe. We even got to try some of it on- the body armour was much heavier than we expected it to be!

A big thank you to Constable McKenzie for coming to talk to us and help us with our investigations.

Community, Events, Nursery, Primary 1, Primary 2, Primary 3, Primary 5, Primary 7, STEM 2017, Useful Websites

Building Site Safety

March 21, 2017 Miss Sherlow Leave a comment

Today, Mid Calder Primary had an important talk from Stephen from Hadden Construction, the company who are building our new nursery. He showed us the plans for the nursery, described what it will look like, and spoke to us about some of the equipment that will be used to build it. We also learned about the different careers people can have in the construction industry. He also taught us, very importantly, about the potential dangers found on a building site, and how to keep ourselves safe.

Stephen also introduced a whole competition to design a poster about building site safety. Hadden Construction have very kindly donated money to the school for prizes, so we are very excited to take part and to share what we have learned about how to stay safe.

If you want to learn more about building site safety, visit Ivor Goodsite’s website: https://www.ivorgoodsite.org.uk/kidszone/

Anytime Anywhere Learning, Community, Events, Technologies

West Lothian’s LAL Day Event

March 17, 2017 Miss Sherlow Leave a comment

Today, Mid Calder Primary School were invited along to West Lothian’s Literacy Across Learning Event to share how we improve literacy using digital technologies. Calum, Ben, Grace and Kirsty joined Miss Burton and Miss Sherlow to present to Head Teachers, teachers and a range of other practitioners from across West Lothian. They did a fantastic job in sharing how we use a variety of digital platforms and tools to enhance learning in our school, and received positive feedback about how confidently they presented. Well done Calum, Ben, Grace and Kirsty!

Anytime Anywhere Learning, Community, Events, Maths & Numeracy, Nursery, Primary 1, Primary 2, Primary 3, Primary 5, Primary 7, Sciences, Technologies, Uncategorized

STEM Sharing the Learning Afternoon

March 15, 2017 Miss Burton Leave a comment

This afternoon we opened our doors to parents, carers and friends to come and explore our STEM interdisciplinary learning. In the different areas we had:

Nursery: STEM activities
P1 and P2/1: Building our Nursery
P3/2: Bike Challenge
P3: Baby Gym
P4: Project Planetarium
P5: Kidnapped: CSI
P6-7: Cool Chemistry

Visitors had an opportunity to take part in a range of science, technologies, engineering and mathematical activities with their children including chemistry experiments, designing the front of our new nursery, making parts of a bike, trying out toys for our baby gyms, making star constellations, fingerprint analysis and showcasing how we use digital learning.

The Nursery used this opportunity to try out their Go Pro, and Scarlet and Archie recorded the STEM afternoon through their eyes.

Our Technical Troopers also tried out using Microsoft Forms to collect information about out visitors’ experiences. This was a fantastic and instant way to gain feedback. You can complete the form by clicking here if you did not have time to do so during your visit.

Some of our feedback so far has included:

The most popular Science, Technologies or Mathematical skills evident during your visit:

Creativity
Observation
Problem Solving
Scientific inquiry and investigation
Discussion

We use a range of ways to involve parents/carers in their children’s learning. The methods you prefer are:

Newsletter
Parents Night
Sending jotters home
Sharing the Learning Afternoon

At Mid Calder we use digital technologies in a range of ways to enhance learning and teaching experiences. How do you feel the use of digital technologies enhances your child/ children’s learning?

To enhance learning for the future and modern living. Knowing what is safe and secure online. Learning new things that I may not be able to help with or understand.
Excellent , as technology is the future and will be used more and more as my child gets older and becomes an adult. I would encourage more use of technology in school and support the use of all types of digital technologies.
The use of digital learning will enhance their learning experiences and translate to real life.
I think they find it more engaging and interesting. Technology is everywhere, in leisure and the world of work and it helps to learn about it now. In the case of Sumdog, learning can be continued at home.
I feel that the digital technology used in the nursery is a great way to help the children’s understanding of how the things in the real world work. Everything is digital now and learning to use these technologies at a young age is beneficial as these can be used in a range of ways. We have a range of different devices in the household and although used more as a treat, I feel that my child knows how things work and can’t believe how quickly things can be picked up.

Thank you to everyone who came along to support the event.

Achievements, Community, English & Literacy, Events, Outside of School, Primary 5, Primary 7

West Lothian Burns Competition

March 8, 2017 Miss Burton Leave a comment

This evening Niamh, Cailin, Zach and their parents went along to St. Kentigern’s Academy to represent our school by reciting their Burns poems at the WL Burns Competition.

A big congratulations to all three pupils for being confident individuals.

Community, Events, Outside of School, Primary 5, Primary 7, Pupil Council, Self Evaluation, Uncategorized

Pupil Council Learning Walk … Take 2!

March 7, 2017 Miss Burton Leave a comment

Today our Pupil Council went along to Addiewell Primary School, along with Woodmuir Primary to continue our Cluster Learning Walks. The Pupil Council gave us a presentation about their school and showed us a video.

We asked the Pupil Council some questions about their school:

What IDL topics are you learning about?
How do you use digital technologies in your school?
What kind of outdoor learning do you have?
What is your school motto and values?
What type of whole school events does your school have?

We also asked Mrs MacMillan, their Principal Teacher some questions about her job:

What is your favourite part of your job?
What are you most proud of in your school?
How do you deal with behaviour in your school?
How do you plan your assemblies?

There were lots of things that we found interesting about Addiewell Primary:

Together Time
How they eat their snack together
Wheelie Wednesdays
Improvements they had made in their playground
Their school motto
Everyone was very friendly
Cozy Corners in their classrooms
Their movie models in P5/6/7
That it was a combined school with St. Thomas Primary

Thank you to Charley, Jessica-Lee and Ryan for being our tour guides and answering our questions.

Community, Events, Fundraising, PSA

PSA Family Bingo Night

March 6, 2017 Miss Sherlow Leave a comment

On Friday night, the PSA held their first Family Bingo Night. It was a huge success, with a fun evening of games, prizes and lots of laughs for the whole family. The bingo night raised the fantastic amount of £429 which will be added onto our playground fund. A big thank you to everyone who supported the evening, and to the PSA for organising another fun event for everyone to enjoy.