The school Open Afternoon will take place on Friday 15th December. Prospective P1 parents for 2018 are very welcome from 2.15-3.15pm.

It was another early start today with bedroom doors being knocked at 7.40am. Some tired P7s made their way to the dining area to refuel with a selection of cereals, toast and a cooked breakfast. The group boarded the bus at 9.15am and our itinerary today took us back into Edinburgh to visit Dynamic Earth in the morning and then onto Butterfly and Insect World in the afternoon. This was definitely the highlight of the day with the group getting to grips literally with hissing cockroaches, stick insects, giant millipedes, a python and of course a tarantula. The group were very brave including the teachers!!!!! I must also mention that the group were set a challenge of trying to find the notorious and nearly extinct three legged haggis. They're still looking!

Following a tea of chicken nuggets, beans and chips we headed off to the cinema at 6.45pm to watch Pirates of the Caribbean. This of course required a quick top up of treats in the from of 'pick n mix', popcorn and some sort of cold coffee ice cream drink from Starbucks. This was very popular. The film was over two hours long and very funny. A short journey back to the hotel and the group were preparing for bed at 10.00pm. Lights were out for 10.30pm. Another full but exciting day. Goodnight everyone!!!

The weather was great today. An early wake up call at 7.30-7.45am had the children heading for breakfast at 8.15am. A choice of apple/orange juice, with cereal, toast and a cooked breakfast of sausage,bacon,fried egg and potato bread was wolfed down in double quick time. By 9.15am the group were on the move and heading for Edinburgh. Edinburgh was extremely busy today due to a recently docked cruise liner and we eventually picked up our guide in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. We were entertained by tales from historical times, Harry Potter and of course Greyfriar's Bobby. The guide then brought the group through Edinburgh Castle, encountering the dungeons (some temptation encountered here) and of course the one o'clock gun. This was a special treat as we were invited to bring six children into the secure firing area. A very loud bang and serious vibration!!!! 

We then headed across the spectacular Forth Road bridge to Deep Sea World. A quick journey around the aquarium on the moving walk way brought us to a scheduled talk on sharks. The group then watched the seals being fed and explored the exhibits and inevitably the pick'n'mix in the shop! A tea of burger or hot dog with beans or vegetables and chips or potatoes was polished off with swiss roll and ice cream.

There was also a special event at tea today as it was Callum's birthday. A chorus of happy birthday was followed by presents and cake. The evening activity of ten pin bowling was really enjoyed by the kids. However, it was a dark day in the history of bowling as Mr McC lost to Mrs D by 1pt! A travesty! A tragedy of Ancient Greek proportions but another great day was had by all. In bed for 10.00pm for a group of very tired kids. Good night everyone.

It was an early start this morning with the group assembling at 5.15am. A quick wave goodbye and we were on our way to Belfast harbour. The sailing left promptly at 7.30am and it was a very calm crossing. After a stop in Girvan we got to the Glasgow Science Fair for 12.30pm. Lunch was followed by a 3D iMax show on 'Under the Sea' which was quite spectacular. Two hours in the Science Mall and a trip to the shop finished off this part of day. Some very tired legs!!! A lovely tea and a walk/football session around Callendar House and the group was ready for bed at 9.30pm with lights out at 10pm. Great first day.

17 pupils  travelled to Cascades Swimming Pool today for the Annual Large Schools Gala.  I would just like to say a huge thank you to all children who put themselves forward for selection. Some individual pupils attained medals for their races and the P6 boys relay team secured a third place medal position. Well done pupils!  Everyone gave of their best and were a credit to our school and most of all to their parents.  It was lovely to have a class of spectators with us to support our swimmers and wonderful that some of our parents were able to attend the event also.  Thanks to all staff involved.

The Traffic Management System will open on Tuesday 2nd May from 8.00am. The new arrangement involves a one way system with a drop off zone and a short term parking area. This should help remove a number of cars from the Ballymore Road and ease congestion. I would ask parents and guardians to follow the guidance and help provide a safer environment for our pupils.  Further guidance and a site guide can be found in 'About Us-Key Information'.

It was a much brighter day as the children organised themselves for their final activities. A quick breakfast followed by some organisational duties, returning all unwanted equipment to the stores and then  we were off to the low ropes course before tackling the daunting high ropes course. The other two groups took on the orienteering course and the archery targets. After these challenging  activities the groups had a lunch of sausage roll, beans and chips. A tidy up of the changing rooms and play room and a final talk from the instructors and the group was heading for the bus and the journey home. A great trip full of fresh air and activity. Well done P6!

On Tuesday the weather deteriorated greatly and after a breakfast of cereal and toast the groups prepared for their first activity of the day. As in the previous day one group went bouldering in very trying conditions. This group were incredibly brave battling their way up the river against the elements. The other groups rotated to take on the high rope/low rope course and a combination of archery, orienteering and adventure walking. Lunch was a healthy portion of spaghetti bolognese or cottage pie which was eaten in double quick time. After lunch there was another adventure walk activity with some interesting twists in the area of learning how to survive in the wild by making a fire and indeed one group actually managed to do it. Tea was pork chop, peas and roast potatoes followed by a delicious cup cake dessert and this brought us up to the notorious nightline activity which requires the children to be blindfolded whilst navigating a route through the forest. This was a real challenge for the group but they handled the adversity admirably. A quick bite of supper and the kids were in bed for 9.15pm. They were very tired and ready for sleep.

On Monday 27th February 36 intrepid P6 pupils headed off to Shannaghmore Outdoor Pursuits Centre for three days of activity. The group left Tandragee at approximately 9.40am and arrived at sunny Newcastle just before 11am. A quick health and safety session taking account of fire alarm procedures and centre rules was followed by a gathering up of equipment and clothing. A quick lunch of bacon roll, omelette, salad and chips was polished off quickly before the groups got ready for their first activity. As the weather was great and the water temperatures quite mild for the time of year one group headed off 'Bouldering' whilst another group went on the high and low ropes course. The final group got wet and mucky on an adventure walk. After a quick shower and change the groups returned to the centre for a tea of chicken pie, carrots and potatoes followed by a dessert of meringue and fresh cream. The final action this evening was a beautiful moonlit walk by torchlight along Murlough beach with the stars out in their full glory. A quick stop for supplies at the local garage, toast and juice for supper and ready for bed at 9.45pm. Lights were out by 10.00pm for 36 very tired pupils.  The kids were great and had a really enjoyable day.