Goodbye & Thank You!

I'm about to handover the admin of the school blogs to Mrs McPherson & wish to take this opportunity to thank all pupils, parents & staff for the lovely gifts & kind wishes I received on my last day at St Fillan's.  I leave with many happy memories & look forward to an exciting new chapter!  Mrs McPherson has been leading the Media Team this session & they will continue to keep you updated on the latest school news. 

Whenever You're In Danger...

...dial 999!  All our pupils were entertained today by Hopscotch Theatre Company. They put on a fantastic show which helped remind pupils about keeping calm in an emergency situation, hoax calls & the various ways of dealing with emergency situation. 

Whilst the pupils were involved in the show our parents were given the opportunity to work with Mrs Cleary on a 'Heartstart' refresher so their focus was also on emergency situations.

George Wyllie Finale

We had the finale of our art project on Saturday at the new Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock. We took our paper boats we had made & watched them sail down the Clyde as they were launched from the Clyde tug boat. One of our ex-pupils , now in S1 boarded the crew of the tug to set off the water cannons. Artist Jimmy Watt  presented us with a special copy of his new book containing some of his paintings. We showed it to the rest of the school at assembly. Mike Russell spoke about George Wyllie & heard us sing in the schools choir. Our question mark sculptures which were donated to us by artist Alec Galloway were in pride of place at the entrance to the arts centre. We drew the articles of the Conventions of the Rights of the Child on them as part of our work as a Rights Respecting school. We did this to remind others to question if these rights are being met for children around the world today. We had a great day & the Waverley paddle steamer even dropped too! 

Preserving History

Our p6 class have been hard at work on their latest project. They have been working with members of Archaeology Scotland on the preservation project for Killalan Kirk. The project culminated in a community exhibition which was fabulous. Well done p6!

Farewell!

Good luck & goodbye to all our pupils who are leaving today. Our p7s have been a great asset to the school this year & will really be missed. Good luck at high school! 

Horsing Around

Off to see more animals before heading to the playbarn. 

Pre Lunch Fun

Pupils taking advantage of their last slides and climbs before meeting back up with the whole school for lunch. 

Llamas too!

Pupils have enjoyed seeing all the animals.

Feeding Time...

...at the zoo! All the kids are hungry!

Lunch!

Rain is off so some pupils have opted for an early lunch, al fresco! 

Wildlife

Staff are enjoying the wildlife too!

Fowl Play

Down on the farm it's hotting up! We are in the "chicken run" where our older ones are firing balls from cannons across the room. Mrs N stayed well behind the safety nets to take these photos. 

Funny Faces

Do you recognise any of these funny faces?

Fun In The Rain!

Not put off by the rain at all the pupils continue to enjoy themselves.

Arrived Safely

Pupils have arrived at Heads of Ayr Farm Park & were bouncing within minutes of arrival. The drizzle makes it more fun the pupils say!

Bug Hunt

P1 are in the playground with their big buddies on a bug hunt. P7 are showing the p1s great places to find bugs & are helping them to identify the less common ones on the computer. They found lots! Some insects are still babies so they look different which made identification trickier. A wide variety was found by all. 

Creative classrooms

P4 carried out several art projects this year. One of them, featuring the work of late Scottish artist George Wyllie featured    in a blipfoto/ Creative Scotland book. Our Wyllie reporter went along to receive his own copy of the book as well as receive a further copy for the school. Books were presented at a special ceremony in Glasgow by Mike Russell. Our St Fillan's boat from the very start of the project is still intact as you can see & waiting to sail down the Clyde later in the year. 

Final Photos

Mrs Munro has just sent a final few photos from today. All photos taken by staff will be dropped into the NAS device so pupils can select those they wish to be included in their yearbook & eportfolios. I'm sure pupils will have lots of personal achievements to write about. Hope you sang on the bus all the way home! 

Last Day

Pupils are on their way home with LOTS of dirty washing & heaps of memories too, I'm sure. The second group also made it to the summit today & a photo taken by Mrs Munro has just come through ( see above). Well done to all the pupils- you were a real credit to the school all week! 

P2's dino topic

P2 are doing a dinosaurs topic. So far they have painted a dinosaur that Mrs. Cleary (their teacher) drew. They also  wrote about the thypolaupiton (a dinosaur) on thier white boards and its quality's for example : thypolaupiton's have 35 spikes on thier sides and hips. Its also got a very very long tail!

By Anna (P2) and Michael (P6).

Evening 4 update

Not even getting phone calls through tonight so this latest update came by texts. Mrs Maher reports the pupils are still having a ball! I believe the boys however may be about to receive bed-making lessons before retiring for the night!  Mrs Maher said their room inspection was "interesting" - a definite euphemism unless they've improved drastically since Mrs Nicholson left on Tuesday evening!  

Today's events were thoroughly enjoyed by all. The activity on the Jacob's Ladder was a huge success with most making it to the very top level or second level. We have some very brave children!  The other favourite was the bell boat activity. Pupils worked together in teams to cross the loch in these larger boats. Once they reached the other side they visited the local shop for some ice creams. Well deserved I'm sure after some tiring rowing in the sunshine! After the ice cream it sounds like the children needed cooling down even further & they went jetty jumping off the pier again! The locals will be looking forward to reclaiming their pier when we leave tomorrow! 

The water slide tonight went down a treat & pupils really impressed the instructors by travelling further on the waterside than expected. Could be a camp record? Despite a midgie attack later on tonight the pupils continue in high spirits. They are currently trying to bribe Mrs Maher into letting them stay in Lochgoilhead for another 2 days. Their argument?  They don't need to be back in school till Monday! Great to hear they're enjoying their final night & relishing this great experience. 

Tomorrow's activities are the same as day 1 but the groups have swapped around. That sees one group taking their turn at abseiling / rock climbing with the other team hillwalking. Children will conclude their trip with lunch & a debrief on their week.  Pupils are expected back by the end of the day as they will be leaving immediately after lunch. 

Campaign Time

P5 have been busy exploring democracy as part of their work in social studies. The class split into political parties & prepared manifestos & election speeches. They canvassed their family members during our elections today & the two winning parties were the Health Party Scotland & the Scottish Employment Party. The voting was very close but as it was a tie for first place the parties realised they would now have to form a coalition. Well done to you all!

House Champions

Queen Margaret are this year's champs after winning sports day. Although they were out in the lead during the morning session the afternoon sports session saw a good chase by the other houses. For the next 12 months the cup ribbons will remain yellow but we still have the house shield up for grabs later in the month. 

Day 4 Update

Mrs Maher has phoned down with an update for our blog.  Everyone went over to sleep at 11pm & had a great night's sleep. Mrs Maher had to rouse everyone from bed this morning at 7.45am so the fresh air is definitely kicking in.  Weather looks great again so in for another fine day again. Pupils have all had a full Scottish breakfast & are ready for today's activities. Today's events are jacob's ladder (it's huge) combined with archery & for the second activity the pupils have the bell oats. These are larger boats where the pupils will need to work together to navigate in a straight line. Mrs Maher has warned there are lots of muddy clothes coming home after a rain shower yesterday. Tonight the pupils are looking forward to a huge water slide so hopefully we'll get an update later tonight.

Dance Off

During one part of the robot wars pupils had to collect resources by correctly answering questions. Pupils were played the first 2 seconds of each song during the music round. When 'gangnam style' came on the pupils treated the instructors & teachers to an impromptu dance which went down well. All unused photos now posted. We'll try & get new ones again tomorrow. 

Final Jetty Photos

You may notice pupils who wanted to jump in managed to squeeze in 3 jumps before they had to pack up the kayaks & head back to clean their equipment before lunch. They learned about the long term effect of salt on the equipment & wetsuits & were shown how to clean down their equipment to make it last longer. 

Jetty Jump 3

More photos from yesterday's event with group 1.

Jetty Jump 2

More photos from yesterday's jetty jumping.

Day 3

We've tried to send photos by email to add to the blog earlier today but unfortunately the photos haven't made it past the "Rest & Be Thankful"!  Boys fell asleep earlier last night with things settling down around 10.30pm. Girls had a bit more of a chit chat till 11.30pm then dosed off. Children had a hearty breakfast & continue to eat well at meal times. All pupils managed to successfully complete the challenging burn walk. All pupils then split into smaller groups to travel up Loch Goil via speed boat followed by a mountain bike trek. Everyone had great fun including the staff who loved the boat ride. Tonight pupils were treated to a Scavenger Hunt around camp followed by supper in the canteen before bedtime.  Mrs Maher reports that at the halfway mark pupils are still upbeat & enjoying the experience. Further update tomorrow. 

Jetty Jumping

Some photos above not posted from this morning's kayaking group. After the kayaking had concluded the children got to perform a variety of jumps from Lochgoilhead jetty. Points were awarded for style & execution & we had a variety of jumps. By the time the afternoon group came to the loch, the tide was further out so they didn't get a chance to jetty jump as the water around was too shallow. As the instructors reminded the children- danger never takes a day off!  This group however were compensated  by being further down the loch & spent slightly longer in the water playing team games in their kayaks. 

Swapsies

Mrs Maher is now in situ & Mrs N is happy not to be sleeping in a bunk bed tonight as back home for school in the morning. We've tried to get some photos emailed tonight to post but wifi/ phone reception in centre is sporadic, depending on phone service provider. We'll still try & provide some update though. Pupils had a fab day today & concluded the evening with an Olympic challenge which they gave their all to, as ever. When Mrs N left before tea time pupils were planning a 'Haribo Party' tonight (!!!) however by 9pm many were starting to feel the effect of a day of physical activities, fresh air & a full tummy & had started to wind down for the night.  Pupils have been really responsible in applying sun screen & midgie repellant before each activity. Activity leaders are impressed by their good behaviour & enthusiasm & have praised our pupils. Tomorrow sees another full day with both groups carrying out a 3 hour session in a "burn walk" (much of which is spent walking through water) followed by 3 hours spent on a boat trip & mountain biking. The village quiz planned for the evening is to be changed (pupils answered most of the questions collecting points for the robot wars) so the leaders are considering organising a scavenger hunt round the camp which should suit our pupils to a tee . 

A Good Day For Ducks!

And they're off, like ducks to water! Bushcraft group probably den building in the hills behind us at the moment. 

Taking To The Water

Kayaking group are kitted out & raring to go. Just about to receive further training. Bushcraft group have had a quick induction & are off into the forest to learn about survival skills in the wild.

Day 2

All slept well & had a good night last night. The fresh air helped! Boys have been having a pre breakfast game of football since 7am with the size of the team ever-increasing. The first boys woke up at 5am so it must feel like mid-morning to them!  The girls are taking things at a more leisurely pace. Breakfast is at 8.25 for our school. Today pupils will spend 3 hours kayaking & 3 hours on 'bushcraft'. Tonight both groups will come together again for the Olympic Challenge. Mrs Maher is heading up this afternoon & will be swapping over with Mrs N for the rest of the week. Pupils are looking forward to a good day. 

Carnage!

The Robot Wars were won by Ruadhri & Sean's teams. Ruadhri's team made the most innovative costume & Shaun's team made the costume which was most intact by the end of the water fight. There was much hilarity as the robots were guided by team members in this blind water fight. The grass was well watered by the end of the fight! Pupils have just had supper & are burning off their excess energy by playing football or tig before bed time. 

Little Robots

We now have 4 robots. Battles are about to begin! Staff have laid out an obstacle course of full cups of water & team members need to direct their robots via verbal instructions. Robots are blind. Robots can be directed to throw cups of water or wet sponges found on the course. Think we're all going to get very wet!

Robots In The Making

Pupils have spent a lovely evening outdoors earning team points in a group  quiz. Each correct answer earned them a point & we all know 'points make prizes'! The prizes were cardboard, paper & tape to be used to convert one of their team members into a robot.

Still At Work

Abseilers still hard at work.  The challenge is to abseil down then rock climb back up again. Scary coming down & sheer hard work going back up.  Almost finished but still have the steep downhill walk to go! 

On Top Of The World

Sitting in the sun encouraging our abseilers to go over the edge and what do we hear on the side of this hill? Is it bird song? Is it the breeze? No! It's the hillwalking group hollering at us from above, after having reached the peak!! Fab stuff - great work! See you at the bottom. 

Over the Edge

Ninian house were brave enough to head over the rock face first - well done! 

First Afternoon

Everyone is half way up a HUGE hill- either hillwalking or abseiling. Abseiling group just about to get their final induction from halfway up. The hillwalkers are on their way to the top with Hope, the resident black labrador. Views are fab from up here! 

Arrived Safely

All arrived safe & well. Pupils enjoyed the beautiful scenery on the way up. Currently on a tour of the site so pupils can find their bearings. Our scouts who have been here previously are being informative tour guides.

Off we go

P7 left for their outward bound trip this morning. We're off to Lochgoilhead activity centre. Mrs Maher came to wave us off & gave a helping hand with the cases. 

P7 Induction Days

P7 are visiting Gryffe High School on the 11th of June to the 14th for their induction days there will be S3 Guides to help us if we get lost,everyone is looking forward to it.

Scotland street school

P6 & p4 had a great time recently when they went to visit Scotland Street School Museum. Both were studying different aspects of Victorian life & endured a tough lesson with a "Victorian" teacher. They used slates, nib pens & ink, learned about corporal punishment & about education during the 19th century.

Hobby Showcase

P6 pupils invited all classes into their class to learn more about the clubs which take place in our local area. P6 pupils used persuasive language to showcase their preferred club or hobby. P4 used various questioning styles to find out more information. 

Crafty Kids

P3/4 were busy making models today. Recycled materials were used with paper mâché. We look forward to seeing the finished models in a few weeks.

Communion Rehearsal

Many of our primary 4 pupils went across to church yesterday to take part in their final rehearsal for receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist with Fr. Danny & their teachers. They are looking forward to joining their families & parishioners this Sunday for their First Communion mass. Good luck to you all!

Confirmation

Many of our primary 7 pupils made the Sacrament of Confirmation. A beautiful service was held in St. Mirrin's cathedral in Paisley. Well done to all the pupils & thank you to all who helped prepare our pupils.

Cook School

P7 had fun preparing fresh coleslaw yesterday as part of their learning in health & Wellbeing.

Rotary Club Winners

Well done to our p7 team who took first place in the recent rotary club local heats. The evening was exciting & a strong performance in the final two rounds helped the team scoop the trophy for 2013. They look forward to representing our local area at the national heats later this term (photo to follow).

On your bike!

The weather looked kindly on us at the end of last week & finally some warmer Spring sunshine broke through. Our pupils enjoyed their Bikeability training & are particularly looking forward to getting out & about on the roads round the school area as part of this training. Our particular thanks go to our squad of family helpers who will make our on-road training possible this year.

Nursery Ambassadors

Our 2 Nursery Ambassadors were out & about in Houston last week. They headed out to some of the local nurseries with Mrs Nicholson to meet our new Primary 1 pupils who will be starting in August. They will be visiting the other nurseries later in the term to meet the rest of our new recruits. They enjoyed chatting to the nursery children about learning in school, they showed them their school uniform & told them all about what they have to look forward to in August.