Celebrating Success
2023/24
Remembrance Day Service – Sunday the 12th of November 2023
Ballater School was invited to attend the Remembrance Service on Sunday the 12th November 2023. I was very proud of the 3 P7 pupils who turned up in their Ballater school uniform and stood with the members of the services to lay a wreath on behalf of the school. They carried out the wreath laying with great respect and calmness – well done. I am also proud of the P6 pupils who attended for the service too. They stood quietly – reflecting on the situation.
Jammin Andy – 30th November 2023
The pupils at Ballater had great fun when Jammin Andy came to school. They had a great workout experience and some Scottish Dancing on St Andrew’s Day. At the end of the session, Mr Christie played his bagpipes and piped them back to their classes. What a great afternoon.
December
Christmas Jumpers
This was a really busy month- with every Friday having the pupils wear Christmas Jumpers.
Breakfast Club
This was run by parent volunteers from Monday 4th to Friday 8th December. There was a few hiccups as there was a few late starts to the day due to the snow, but the pupils loved the breakfasts being served. Thank you for the Parent Council for funding this and to the parents for running it all week.
Christmas lunch, and parties
The pupils all enjoyed the Christmas lunch in the dining hall. It was a great school event. The parties went really well and everyone had a great time.
Christmas Shows
This year we had a Christmas Show on the afternoon of Tuesday 19th December and in the evening of Thursday 21st December.
The Nursery pre-school pupils and the P1/2 class performed The Little Red Robin
The P3/4 and P5/6/7 classes performed Panto Pandemonium
We were so proud of them all – how they learned the words, sung the songs and acted their parts so well.
Cooking Club
The Parent Council has very kindly paid for Cooking Club to restart. Parent Volunteers come in on a Tuesday afternoon and take a class each week to learn how to measure, prepare, cut and cook foods. Some items were made to be sold at the Ballater Winter Festival and others are for eating on the day. Learning in a real context.
Ski Week
The P5s and P6s went skiing on the week beginning 22nd January. Unfortunately Monday and Tuesday was cancelled due to the snow and the wind, but these dates have been rescheduled for March. The pupils really enjoyed getting up on the slopes and were a credit to their families and the school.
Robert Burns Day
The school was invited by the Organisers of the Burns Afternoon for pupils to read, recite or sing Burns poems or songs. This year, the Burns afternoon took place on Sunday 28th Jan 2024 – I was delighted to advise them that 3 pupils from the P5/6/7 class volunteered.
One pupil read – Ode to a Mouse
One pupil read – In the Morning
One pupil read – A Dug A Dug
Working with the Cairngorms Ranger
P3/4 and P5/6/7 have been given the opportunity to have 2 sessions each with the Cairngorms Ranger – learning about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. The first session was on 31st January 2024 and the 2nd session will be on 27th February 2024. The 2nd session being weather dependent, as the pupils, Ranger and staff will require to be outdoors.
In term 4 the Ranger will also be offering sessions for the P3/4 and P5/6/7 classes – looking at the Cairngorms National Park Special Qualities.
It is my intention to create a Statement of Participation Certificate from the Ranger/Ballater School, for the pupils attending the sessions in Term 3 and then another one for the sessions in Term 4 – to celebrate their undertaking of the learning.
They enjoyed the first session.