Richard Wilson

I’ve been working with our P5 class using ICT to engage the pupils in learning situations that have a visual result. Through the use of Powerpoint and a super programme called I Can Animate we have explored collaborative writing and working together. The pupils very quickly became engrossed in the task and produced great work. We used powerpoint to make a joint presentation about world myths and legends. I am getting the pupils to work to the 10,20,30 principle to avoid really long winded presentations, the so-called death by powerpoint. It was also great fun to do and this can sometimes become a lost art in the drive to reach attainment targets. The use of ICT can be a fantastic tool to motivate pupils and sometimes it has the added bonus providing learning when the pupils do not consider it to be so. It can be amusing to hear pupils saying that we did no maths or writing today whereas they have volunteered to stay in at break to do extra work on their storyboards or their Powerpoint presentations. Ah! The innocence of trusting youth and the conniving underhandedness of their sly Heidie! A joy as ever.

This movie was made by Cameron and Beth, Caitlin made the Powerpoint about an Indian Myth. Enjoy.

dog-drive-thing.mov caitlin.ppt

As part of our Eco School Silver Status we try hard to be responsible and do our bit for the environment. This year we took the opportunity to take part again in the Yellow Woods Challenge . The aim is to recycle last year’s Yellow Pages. We collected over 600 copies and made a sculpture that would grace any modern art gallery. Our P3 and P4 class, along with Miss Donaldson and the Classroom Assistant, Mrs Lynne Yule made a fabulous seahorse on the gym hall floor. We won first prize last year and hope to repeat the success. The sculpture is for sale/display at reasonable rates, just contact us and have your cheque book ready!

East Linton Seahorse

The Parental Involvement Bill and all that it entails will soon be upon us. To date we have had five open meetings with parents to explore the issues and to seek a way ahead over the next few months. I will use my blog to keep a record of our progress and chart our success. The first four meetings were held over a period of time to raise awareness and to disseminate as much information as possible about the Bill and its implications for the existing structures. The School Board will cease to exist in its current form, the last five meetings to be held in school, finishing up in June. We will mark its passing with some cheese and wine on the final night and invite ex-members along to help drain the bottles and remember some choice moments.

During the last ten years or so the School Board here have had many interesting meetings and have had a significant impact on the life of the school. As a consultation body it was great and I personally found all of the members had the best of intentions and tried to promote the positive aspects of the school. Any problems were fully discussed and all parties had an opportunity to express their opinions. I found Board members to be of great assistance during recruitment and selection matters. I always used a representative to aid us at interview, the parent perspective was always useful and made the selection process a success.

We had a meeting in school today, a working lunch, with the school providing soup and sandwiches. I feel that we turned a corner today and am very positive about carrying forward the main items laid out in the Bill and being successful. The parents who attended were very positive and have agreed to get the ball rolling and set up a steering group who will help to establish the East Linton forum.

Our next meeting in February will establish a working group who will drive the process and set up our first forum.