This term our Kayak sessions have resumed as part of our weekly P.E.. Pupils are building on their skills from last session and this week they were learning how to use their oar as a rudder. The pupils are working towards an accreditation ‘Paddle Sport Discover’.
Pupils were delighted to once again attend the monthly Community Kitchen Lunch at the Hall and help to serve the delicious lunch to all who attended. The lunch this time was even more special having been created completely from locally grown fruit and veg. Thank you to all the amazing cooks and volunteers who work so hard to make this happen.
On Monday 9th September, pupils in the Primary school undertook a workshop with Climavore. This was a creative activity which investigated local knowledge, carried through Gaelic song, folklore, traditions and recipes around shells and the island’s coast in a fun and creative way. The outcome of the activity was a design on a cotton flag which will be photographed as part of a wider Climavore project. The flag will then ‘come home’ to Raasay and will be hung in the Community Hall.
We are delighted to welcome all our pupils and parents back to a new term at Raasay Primary School. It is even more special this year as we have the Nursery up and running again with three new pupils. They are all enjoying getting to know their new Nursery setting and settling in to routines. We look forward to updating you with all the news of school and nursery as the term goes on. We also welcome Katie McFadzean as our Early Years’ Support Worker to our team.
We held the first of our Pupil Council meetings on Thursday 22nd August and the Office Bearers were elected as follows: Chair, Alexander; Secretary, Harrison; Treasurer, Eachann. The boys presented why they thought they might be good in certain jobs with Alexander making a very good case for being Chair, saying that he would listen, give everyone a chance to speak and would help other office bearers. Harrison said he would be happy to be Secretary but might need some help from the Chair and Treasurer – all agreed to this. Eachann identified that he would be good as Treasurer as he is very good at number and money and he thought he would make a good job of it. The boys created a playground rota to reflect the changes of pupils in the new session. After School Clubs were also an item on the agenda with this session’s first pupil-led club being a Science Club on some Wednesdays this term. This will be run by Alexander. There is a plan to run drama After School Club Sessions in term 2 and with support from the Parent Council, it is hoped that Eachann will be running a Music Club in term 3, with Harrison running a History Club in term 4. All boys are keen to develop their interests in these areas by running these clubs after school.
Alzheimer’s Scotland Community Ceilidh – on Friday 23rd August, our pupils were invited to attend a ceilidh in the hall organised by Alzheimer’s Scotland. In the morning, the pupils learnt about Alzheimers and how if affects people. In the afternoon, the boys enjoyed being part of the audience listening to some of the songs and music sets before taking to the stage themselves and singing some of their Gold Medal Mod songs. It was a lovely way to end the first week of term and the audience really enjoyed hearing the Gaelic singing.
As part of our school ‘traditions’ the P7’s get to choose how they would like to spend their last morning in Raasay Primary. This year was no exception with our P7 pupil choosing an ‘I’m a Celebrity’ themed last day. This was a take on the popular TV show with it being an ‘I’m a P7 Get me out of Here’ event. Before the events kicked off, all pupils started the day with a film which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. After break, the boys had lots of fun challenging the P7 to some of the dishes linked to our Christmas show – Pirates of the Hebrides. Dishes included: ‘Sea Wolf Seonaidh’s Fish Bones in an Octopus Jus’, ‘Peasan’s Bird Poo’, ‘Pirates’ Grog’, ‘Cailleach Liath’s Snot’ and the last course being ‘Eye, Eye Captain’ . These dishes were made up of a variety of foods that would challenge the palate, however, our Captain took them in his stride and, despite, ‘getting them down the hatch’ it is safe to say that he wouldn’t be going for seconds! There is little doubt that he challenged himself and surprised his fellow crew with his attitude and resilience to each dish.
The next part of his choice for the morning involved getting extremely wet (and not just with the weather!) – all the boys donned their wetsuits and spent the rest of the morning on the soapy slip-slide – organised by parents. The bubble machine was in full swing despite the wind and great fun was had by all.
After a quick dry off and change, everyone sat down to a much-needed hot lunch. There wasn’t an anchovy or octopus on sight for this (thank goodness!). As part of the P7 last day, pupils in P7 get to choose what they would like for their last lunch. This year’s choice was burger and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The day ended with our P7 being presented with a school year book, which documented our P7’s journey from Nursery through to the end of P7. There was time to reminisce and look back with laughter and fondness at the pictures before ringing the bell for the last time this year. There was the traditional P7 bumps and a small ‘Guard of Honour’ at the gate for our P7 as he left for the last time as a pupil of Raasay Primary. It has been a wonderful year and we wish him all the best on the next part of his journey.
“Thank you to everybody who supports our school throughout the year and special thanks to all Staff, Parents and the wider community – wishing everyone a wonderful summer.” Mrs Wilma Duncan, HT
Raasay Primary School annual Prizegiving was held on Wednesday 26th June. We were delighted to be joined by lots of friends and family who came along to celebrate the pupils’ successes over the year. Piping Tutor, Angus MacPhee was our special guest and he piped the pupils in to the tune ‘Damsels and Dragonflies’ which was composed by Iain Rhuairidh Finlayson in 2010 for the opening of our pond. Pupils received trophies, shields and certificates as well as a prizebook which was chosen to reflect their interests.
Guests were also entertained by the pupils who played their chanter and tin whistle and also performed their Gaelic songs, poems, choral song and instrumental pieces from the Mod.
This was also a chance to say farewell and wish good luck to our P7 pupil as he moves on to High School – the pupils had written a poem specially for the occasion, all about what makes him special and this was read out. We also had a special cake to share which was in the shape of a shinty ball and stick – reflecting his representing of Raasay Primary in shinty tournaments across Skye and Wester Ross. Thank you to all who came along to share our special day.
Our School Summer Picnic this year had an ‘Olympic Theme’ – a big thank you to Ann, our school cook, who produced a fantastic picnic buffet for the boys. There was a lovely variety of foods and this was the perfect lunch to set the boys up for their afternoon of kayaking which was part of the sports day this year.
Pupils at Raasay Primary School held a ‘Camp Out’ at the school as part of their end of term activities. The boys had to prepare and put up the tents and enjoyed a barbecue dinner. They had a lovely evening round the camp fire followed by a nighttime ‘bat walk’. Breakfast was a bacon roll and the boys loved the novelty of waking up at school and heading into class for the usual 9am start.
Raasay Primary School annual Sports Day was held on Monday 24th June at the Playing Field. The theme this year was the ‘Olympics’ so pupils had made their own Olympic themed t-shirts and flags. They also decided on which events they would like to have. Over the course of the afternoon, pupils took part in high jump, beat the goalie, wellie throwing, flat race, tattie and spoon and hurdles, among other things. We were delighted that so many friends and family were able to join us for the afternoon.
The next day, pupils took part in the Kayaking Challenge part of Sports – the events were: round the loch race, standing up race, self rescue challenge and kayak orienteering.
After one of their swimming sessions, pupils in Raasay Primary had the opportunity to visit Skye Skyns in Waternish to learn about what goes in to the production of the sheepskin products. Thank you to Becky the Tanner who showed them the tanning process and to Isabelle for helping us to organise the visit. The boys were delighted to receive a sheepskin keyring and they also bought a beautiful cushion for our reading area. Thank you to all for a very informative and engaging visit.
Raasay Primary School 