Pencaitland Primary Blog

Be Bright Be Seen

Gemma Lee — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:18:46 +0000

As it is getting nearer Winter, it is getting darker earlier in the evenings. Be careful when you go out in the dark and always carry a torch, when walking through dark spots. If you are playing out in the dark make sure you get back, before it gets too dark. If it is possible try to wear something bright or fluorescent.

We hope you all keep safe in the dark.

Andrew and Annabel (JRSO’s).

The First Signs of Christmas at PPS

Mr Kingsbury — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:04:38 +0000

All the classes in the school, including the Nursery, have started to get in the mood for Christmas by creating these winter houses:

Each one is 1m square and can be viewed in the School hall.

Deck the halls

M. Campbell — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:10:00 +0000

It’s almost the end of another year and the children in Nursery have had a busy time. There have been lots of celebrations which generated some very interesting chats and art work with the children. Some of our younger children chose to dress up on the 31st October. We had two witches,one with a less traditional mode of transport! We have also been learning about our different senses and had a tasting session which included lemon and grapefruit - the children were very adventurous and tried everything they were offered (as did Mrs Campbell and Mrs Ross) The children also baked Pudsy biscuits which they sold to raise money for Children in Need. Thanks to those who supported them in this good cause.
Some of our children enjoyed the Bedtime Story event during our book festival week and we were lucky enough to have lots of volunteers to read to the children in nursery, so lots of thanks to the committee for organising this.

In the lead up to St Andrew’s Day the children have been listening to Scots stories and the afternoon children have been learning to sing “Wee Willie Winkie” which they performed at the school Scottish Assembly on the 28th November. We will begin learning our Christmas songs, which the children will sing to parents and carers at our Christmas party on the 18th December. You will also get to see the super displays which the children made to decorate the hall. Hope to see you there!

Primary 1 update

Emma Kerr — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 07:58:38 +0000

P1 have learned a lot since our last post. We used torches, globes and lots of books to find out why it really goes dark at night, and now we know!

“The earth turns and the sun stays still” Josie SF

“At night, Scotland is looking away from the sun” Rory

We have also been practising for our nativity “Born in a Barn” and getting ready for St Andrew’s day.

Children in Need

Mrs Murdoch — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:09:30 +0000

Last week Primary 2/3 decided to raise money for Children in Need. We completed an obstacle course and were sponsored by family and friends. We also asked P1 and P1/2 to donate coins to cover a picture of Pudsey bear. After counting the money that was collected we led an Assembly for pupils and parents where we talked about the charity and some of the children they have helped. We sang “You, me just the same which was a song about accepting differences. We were very proud to have raised £320.

Packed Out Dance

Mrs Berry — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:40:35 +0000

P3/4 were very lucky today to have a dance session with the East Lothian dance specialist Beth Noble. As you can see from the photos we had lots of fun. Read the comments to find out what we did.

Parent Council Draft Minutes 2008

Angus Finnie — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:34:11 +0000

The Pencaitland Primary School met on the 3rd of November.

The Council were shown a video on Curriculum for Excellence. The minutes contain a link to the Parent Zone website for more information.

The meeting also discussed the Parent Council Action Plan as well as the issues regarding safe transit for those using the narrow footpath adjacent to the church on the way to and from school.

If you require any more information or have a topic you consider should be addressed by the Parent Council please feel free to approach one of the members to discuss.

Draft Minutes November 2008

Enterprise Month - Challenge 2

Mrs Berry — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:33:53 +0000

Well done for all your entries for challenge 1.

We really enjoyed hearing all your fantastic ideas and are looking forward to announcing the winner next week.

Challenge 2: We are going to make an online eco-friendly, interactive Scottish recipe book and would like you to be the authors. We would really like you to give us a recipe for your favourite Scottish dish (or drink).

Please give your entries to Mrs Berry or Miss Lee by Friday 28 November 2008.

Be Safe Be Seen

Mrs Elder — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:12:10 +0000

Look out for our reflective lettering!

P5 sorted out materials according to how good they are at reflecting light.

We then cut our initials out of reflective tape and now plan to stick or stitch them onto our school bags or jackets. It will help to keep us safe on the dark, winter evenings.

The Bedtime Story

Kim Bartlett — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:32:13 +0000

Last night was quite magical at the school. The hall was decked with fairy lights and moon and star balloons, seven soft areas were covered with cosy cushions, and beakers of milk and yummy biscuits were prepared. Then our Nursery and Primary 1 children arrived in their jammies with a teddy and a grown-up! We all snuggled up and listened to stories chosen by the story-tellers - and it was quite funny to see all the teachers in their jammies as well! As each story-teller finished the bedside lamps were turned off, and when all were out and we were just lit by the twinkling fairy lights, we all sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, and then went home to our beds.

The evening was a huge success. We have had lots of wonderful comments from the teachers, parents and children and we are already talking about what we could do for next year, so we can include more children! A big thank you to those parents who have already sent in notes or written comments in reading records - they are much appreciated. Please keep them coming about the Bedtime Story and the Book Festival in general!

Pencaitland Book Festival Week has begun!

Kim Bartlett — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:15:57 +0000

The first day of our Book Festival was very successful. Five parents came in to read to pupils or to listen to them read, and they left some lovely comments about the event and how well our pupils can discuss the books they are reading. Thank you to all involved.
Today we start the Swapshop Bookshop and tonight we have the Bedtime Story for Nursery and Primary 1 children.
In school today we have lots of parents again, and Karen Robertson, an East Lothian Education Quality Improvement Officer. Councillor Ruth Currie is joining us to work with Primary 6 and 7, and Scottish author, Garry Paulin, will be presenting his book, Voytek the Bear, to Primary 5, 6 and 7 this afternoon.

This album is powered by BubbleShare - Add to my blog

Enterprise Month

Mrs Berry — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:44:33 +0000

November is enterprise month and we would like to encourage you to use your enterprise skills to participate in some Scottish themed challenges.

Challenge 1

Flower of Scotland is the current alternative anthem and your challenge is to choose a new one that you think would be good.

Write a comment in this blog detailing your choice and explain why you have chosen it.

The closing date is Friday 21 November. We will announce the winning anthem at the assembly.

Good Luck. Mrs Berry and Miss Lee

2008 ECO mascot

Margaret-Anne McBean — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:14:05 +0000

Congratulations go to Rachel in P5 who was the overall winner of the Eco competition to design a mascot for this year’s campaign to save water.

We received lots of entries and it was very difficult for the ECO reps to choose a winner.

Rachel’s mascot is proudly displayed in school at the noticeboard at the front of the school.

Rachel won her very own water saving device for toilets called a water hippo and appropriately enough her friends helped her name the mascot Waterloo!

The Eco reps have been busy installing water hippos in some of our older style school toilets. We will let you know how much water we are saving.

What do you think of Waterloo?

Remembrance Poems.

Gemma Lee — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:03:59 +0000

P7 spent time on Remembrance day, remembering all the lost soldiers and writing Remembrance Day poetry. Once we had shared our ideas and listened to some famous poems we got to work writing our own.

We then worked together to make a huge class display of our poems.

This is an example of our work, with a poem by Rachel B and a poem by Eilidh M.

The men who fought for us now lie, In Flanders field where they did die. Once a place where men’s brave cries, Echoed round throughout the skies. It now lies silent, but listen now, The Larks are singing as people bow, Towards the graves of the men, Who fought so bravely way back then. By Rachel B

Falling, falling, falling down, My heart is set in Flanders fields. Flanders fields, o’ the bonny fields. They shimmer in the summer breeze, The red blanket in which I breathe, My heart is happy where it is, Set in Flanders fields.

Flanders fields, o’ Flanders fields, We fought with dignity, My brother and my father too, Fought with their hearts in two.

In Flanders fields we all fell down, In Flanders fields. By Eilidh M

More sporty 7’s!

Gemma Lee — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:30:21 +0000

On Monday we had our second rugby session, and we’re absolutely loving it! We get the chance to do lots of different activities that help us develop our rugby skills and also raise our fitness.

As we played tag rugby last year, this year we get to learn touch rugby. We’re enjoying how physical the lessons are but some of us are feeling a little worse for wear! Not because we get too tired, but because we keep falling over. We have quickly realised that in rugby, falling over is just part of the game!

This is some photos of us being put through our paces…

PTA Fireworks - Update

smacpherson — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:34:28 +0000

Again, a big thank you to all parents and teachers who gave up their time or donated equipment for the Fireworks display on Saturday night. The event was a great success and has raised approximately £2,000 for the PTA. So thanks again to all involved and to everyone who braved the weather to support the event.

Pencaitland PTA

P7 Poppy Appeal!!

Gemma Lee — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:06:17 +0000

P7 have been selling poppies from Thursday to Tuesday for the Scottish Poppy Appeal

We decorated T-shirts and put up posters around the school about the poppy.

The stemmed poppies have all sold out but there are plenty of the sticky ones left.

If you want to buy a poppy you can bring in any amount of money and the P7 selling team will happily take your donations!

By Lydia and Eilidh, P7

Pencaitland Fireworks!

pencaitland — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:34:41 +0000

Thanks once again to Pencaitland Primary PTA, who organised another very successful firework display on Saturday night.

If you couldn’t make it, you can get some idea of what you missed from this slideshow - just add your own firework noises! (To view the slideshow full-screen use the button in the bottom right corner.)

P6 visit New Lanark

Primary 6 — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:19:03 +0000

Yesterday we had a day off school to visit New Lanark as part of our Victorian topic. It was a long drive but we had our DS’s, PSPs and ipods to keep us occupied. When we got their we went into a victorian classroom with a victorian teacher. She was very strict. We had to stand to answer a question and say “mam”. We had overalls to wear too. We did handwriting, maths, geography and saw a crocodile !. We also did drill (marching) and had a dance lesson. It was different to school.
We then had a short lunch and then a guide showed us round Robert Owens buildings. First the mill workers house where the whole family had to live in one room. Bed, toilet (bucket) and kitchen (an open fire) all in one room. Then we saw a house about thirty years later. It had two rooms, electricity (but no switches), a toilet and a wireless (an old fashioned radio).
We also visted Robert Owens house (much fancier !) and the worlds first co-op. After this we went on a ride that took you back in time to see what life was like then. After this there was just time for a toilet stop and a visit to the gift shop before we were back on the bus and heading for home.
If you want to find out more information (and see more photos) then check out our class blog .

George & Hannah - P6 Blogging team

This album is powered by BubbleShare - Add to my blog

P1 space project

Emma Kerr — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:47:44 +0000

In P1 we have started our new project about Night and Day. Mrs Kerr asked “Why does it go dark at night?” We said -

“So you know when to go to bed.”

“It goes dark because everyone is tired.”

This week we are going to be learning a bit more about it. Our reading tent is covered with balck material and we have torches inside it to try some experiments in the dark.

We have also been looking at textures in art work, and we looked at some sculptures by Andy Goldsworthy. Then we wanted to have a try! We went down to the woods to gather some materials. We brought it all back to the playground and spread it out to see what we had found, then we got creative! What do you think? This kind of transient artwork is very temporary so it was great we had our camera with us to capture the works of art.