Raasay Primary School

Last week pupils had been learning about the story of Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot and the week ended with a bonfire in the fire pit and toasted marshmallows!

On Thursday 5th November Sarah Ross, Active Schools’ Co-ordinator, undertook orienteering training with the pupils. Firstly, the pupils created their own table maps where they had to carefully draw (from a bird’s eye view) where objects were placed on their desk and from that ‘set’ their maps. The importance of setting their map was further developed when out in the school grounds, using the school orienteering maps, pupils were tasked to place their controls within the grounds and mark it on their map. They then swapped their map with a partner who was then challenged to follow the plotting on the map to retrieve the control. Pupils understood the importance of plotting accurately and understood that using the map and plotting correctly was the key to a successful circuit. Many thanks to Sarah for organising the session, we look forward to developing these skills over the course of the year both within the school grounds and further afield.

Halloween might not be quite the same this year but this didn’t stop pupils having lots of spooky Halloween fun at Raasay Primary School! Pupils had a full week of a Halloween themed curriculum with Halloween literacy, numeracy, arts and crafts and lots more. This was topped off on Friday 30th with a full day of challenges, games and activities including a pumpkin treasure trail and fancy dress party. The icing on the cake – literally – was Iona very kindly turning up to deliver some amazing Halloween cakes for pupils and staff! Very much appreciated by all!

Pupils created their own outside den using tarpaulin, tent pegs, rope and the trees in the bluebell wood. Once completed it was decorated with fairy lights. We hope to use it during the winter term as part of our winter festivals topic.

Sarah Ross, Active Schools’ Co-ordinator visited the school on Wednesday 28^th October to deliver a workshop on ‘Leadership’ to the pupils. Pupils discussed what is required of a leader, what makes a good leader and what skills they can bring to leadership. Pupils then had to create their own game with its own set of rules. They had to then demonstrate this and communicate the rules to the other pupils. Lots of fun was had in the playground, trying out the various games!

On Saturday 10^th October the children of Raasay Primary School and their families took part in the Countryfile Ramble 2020 to raise money for Children in Need.

Rather than all walking together as usual, in order to comply with Covid Guidelines the families completed the 13 miles along the length of the road from Arnish to Eyre in relay style. Each of the 5 families had a 2.5 mile section to complete before handing over to the next family. All the children then joined together to walk through the village and they decided to carry on together to complete the final leg of the walk.

The day was a mix of grey skies, wind and showers but everyone thoroughly enjoyed the walk and they raised an amazing £500, so thank you to friends, family and the Raasay community for all your support.

In previous years, pupils from Raasay Primary have given of their time to undertake the door to door collection in aid of Poppy Scotland. Unfortunately, this year that won’t be possible due to COVID restrictions and we will therefore leave the tin and poppies in the shop for people to donate as they wish.

The writing focus this week was ‘Autobiographies’. Pupils brought in photographs from home to share with the class and wrote their own ‘Autobiography’. All enjoyed learning about their different families and their experiences growing up.

Pupils are using natural materials found in the garden to create their own ‘Rainbow Art’.

This term the school will be following the Recovery Curriculum with a major focus on Health and Wellbeing and settling back into school after being out of school for five months. One aspect of this will be Outdoor Learning – and, to this end, pupils have been undertaking lots of garden clearance, walks and exploring the local environment and outdoor P.E.