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.