Sunday, 25 February 2018

Connect with Respect


'Create, Connect and Share with Respect' is this year's Safer Internet theme and ties with our City of Edinburgh Health and Wellbeing 'Be Resilient' topic - 'Be Kind to Others'.

On Friday 23rd February we welcomed P.C. Alan Jenkins (Schools Liaison Officer for James Gillespie's and Boroughmuir High Cluster Schools) to give a presentation on safer, respectful use of the Internet as part of our schoolwide Digital Safety month. P.C. Jenkins described the Internet being a place rather than a thing and used a clever analogy, comparing it to a Library, which was perfectly pitched for our P4-7 pupils to understand, in terms of benefits and risks.

P.C. Jenkins and P.C. Fowler delivered a Safer Internet presentation

P.C. Jenkins is soon to begin a secondment to Barra in the Western Isles so introduced us to P.C. Amy Fowler who will take over from him in working with our schools over the next six months.

Nine P6 pupils spoke confidently and articulately about the impact of our recent residential to Benmore Outdoor Education Centre and the entire year group was thanked and praised for an outstanding week of team work, cooperation and kindness to one another.

Special tribute was paid to our very own Outdoor Learning Queen, Business Manager Ms Angela Christie, who is retiring at Easter having given her sterling support on countless residential trips to both Benmore and Lagganlia for countless young people.

Article 17

You have the right to collect information from the media.

Article 19

You have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated.

Mr Howie's Activitists Assembly


Sunday, 4 February 2018

Think Global, Act Local #showthelove


Sciennes Think Global, Act Local Assembly 2.2.18 from Sciennes Primary School

On Friday 2nd February we were delighted to welcome a delegation of eight teachers and staff from Laugarnesskóli Primary School in Reykjavik. Laugarnesskóli is the first Icelandic school to gain a Silver Unicef Rights Respecting Schools Award and we welcomed the opportunity to share practice and ideas.  After a tour of the school and classrooms, the Headteacher (Sigridur Heida Bragadottir) very kindly spoke at Assembly and gifted a beautiful book about Iceland for our Library. We are really looking forward to establishing a new International partnership between our schools. Like Sciennes, Laugarnesskóli is working towards its fifth green ECO flag and it would be wonderful to link on Eco topics too.

As global citizens, pupils were encourage to participate in this year's Climate Coalition #showthelove climate action campaign, by noticing and recording evidence of climate change over the next few weeks.

We concluded Week Three of our City of Edinburgh 'Be Resilient' Health and Wellbeing topic 'Have a Goal' by sharing pupil examples of goals they have recently set as a family.

Sigridur Heida Bragadottir, Headteacher of Rights Respecting School Laugarnesskóli, Reykjavik, Iceland addressing Assembly


Thursday, 1 February 2018

Participate! in the Year of Young People #YOYP2018



On Friday 26th January we celebrated the many ways pupils are already participating and making their voices heard.

P6 pupils Eve and Hannah told everyone about their recent visit to the 'Burns Unbroke' Exhibition at Summerhall, including an ‘Oor Rabbie’ performance by Andy Cannon. This was a follow up to two wonderful art workshops with the artist Ciara Veronica Dunne where the class explored the poem Tam O’Shanter, chose favourite scenes from the poem and used Indian ink to create final masterpieces now on display at Summerhall. Huge congratulations to James H, Hugo and Oscar whose recreation of Alloway Kirk was chosen as the winning design for a Burns Unbroke tote bag. A wonderful opportunity to pARTicipate in one of the first Year of Young People events.

P7 Grange Captains Flora, Iain, Maisie and David explained their plans for a House Quiz and P6 pupil Dylan encouraged everyone to take part in the RSPB Big Garden Watch at the weekend. P7 pupil Camille explained her idea for creating Bug Hotels with the ECO Group. We are grateful for advice and encouragement from Anne O'Connell and Sarah Tolley organiser of the Meadows Community garden and head of community group "Greening our Street." P4 Fern and P7 Alejandro showed their new ECO Suggestion Boxes and siblings P5 Sam and P6 Eliza encouraged us to participate in forthcoming Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club events.

P7 pupils Isaac and Nils explained their Marathon in a Month idea to raise awareness of Asthma UK which will be supported by PE Specialist Mrs Walker at P7.

Pupil Council members were at Blackwell's Bookshop with Ms French today and will report back on their suggestions for purchases. P7 pupil Niamh shared examples of books which provide strong female role models and will also contribute her ideas for future book purchases at school.

Sports Captains congratulated the P7 Basketball Team on their recent win in the first round of the Hope Trust Basketball Cup and presented certificates. Thank you to PE Specialist Mrs Walker for organising and running the event and to Mrs Tariq for accompanying the team.

Everyone was encouraged to continue to 'Participate! 'and 'Have a Goal' this session, sharing and celebrating achievements with us.

Article 12

You have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously.

Article 15

You have the right to be with friends and join or set up clubs— unless this breaks the rights of others.

Article 29

You have the right to education which develops your personality, respect for others’ rights and the environment.

Article 31

You have the right to play and relax by doing things like sport, music and drama.