New Eco Reps
Congratulations to our new Eco Reps who were elected by their classmates. This year P3 pupils will be working together on a separate Eco project throughout the year, so only P4-P7 Eco Reps will be involved in the Eco meetings. Miss Gallagher, P3 Class Teacher, will meet with new and old reps after the October holiday. Ms Christie and Ms Gallagher will also support the work of the Eco Committee and everyone looks forward to maintaining and building on all the excellent work undertaken by the group.
New reps 2014-2015
P4 Lucy, Alice, Calum
P5 Seamus, Eric, Ryan
P6 Peigidh, Jane, Esther
P7 Theo, Sahaj, Alexander
Reps from 2013-2014
P4 Evelyn, Sarah, Layla
P5 Rose, Sophie, Laiba
P6 Theo, Ava, Jessica
P7 Dylan, Eva, Iona
ChangeWorks Waste Reduction Workshops
Joe Alves from ChangeWorks provided interactive workshops for P7 pupils using voting tools at the annual P7 Conference on Thursday 25th September.
ChangeWorks Litter Assembly
Miss Kirsty Gallagher takes on the role of Eco Leader and will be working with the Eco Group after the October holiday.
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| Joe Alves, ChangeWorks |
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| Add caption |
Eco Meeting 24.10.14
What a wonderful and productive Eco meeting today. Thank you to all the brilliant Eco reps who came along to share their ideas for the upcoming year.
It was great meeting with you all.
Miss Gallagher
Eco 2014-2016 Planning
CLICK HERE FOR ECO PLANNING 2013-2016 which shows ECO progress to date and will be added to throughout the year.
A very productive meeting with old and new ECO reps led by Miss Gallagher in her classroom Hut 3.
The group has decided to maintain their work on Energy, Waste and Litter as well as tackling two new topics over the next two years:
SCHOOL GROUNDS
TRANSPORT
ACTION POINTS:
Think of a new name for the Eco Group
Meet Ms Gallagher on Monday to arrange RagBag Appeal
Ragbag Appeal
What an amazing response to the Eco Team's Ragbag appeal! Thank you very much to all families who donated and to our P7 helpers. All money raised will be used to contribute to Eco developments in the playground.
Ragbag Appeal £201.40 for the Playground
Thank you to all the families who supported the Eco Team's recent Ragbag Appeal on Wednesday 5th November which raised a fantastic total of £201.40!All money raised will be used for Eco developments in the school playground, decided by the Eco team. One suggestion is for a new Litter bin.
A parent has raised concern over the business model used by Ragbags. We have passed this concern to Eco Schools and will reconsider our use of the scheme.
Fantastic New Bamboo Plants in the Playground
A parent very kindly managed to obtain some fabulous bamboo plants, compost and tyres, at no cost to the school, so our Eco Team got busy planting on Thursday 27th November. A fabulous addition to the playground! Thank you!
New Eco Code
Eco Code Decided
Thanks again for all of those who submitted an Eco Code. The Eco reps had a very difficult decision to make as there were so many brilliant suggestions. After much deliberation a decision was made today. The winning Eco Code for Sciennes Primary will be announced at next week's assembly and published on the blog shortly after.
New Games in the Playground
Great to see pupils making up lots of new games in and around the hedging, bamboo and logs.
Eco - Where Are We and What Next?
CLICK HERE FOR ECO PLANNING 2013-2016 which shows ECO progress to date and is being added to throughout the year.Miss Kirsty Gallagher, P3 Class Teacher, is our new Eco Leader and she has made sure our Eco Team of old and new reps has had a very productive start to the year 2014/2015.
The group has decided to maintain their work on ENERGY, WASTE and LITTER as well as tackling two new topics in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016:
* SCHOOL GROUNDS
* TRANSPORT
WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND WHERE NEXT?
CLICK to see examples of Eco at Sciennes Primary School in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014
Litter
2012-2013 MAJOR FOCUS
* designated pupils to use new litter pickers in the playground and encourage use of bins
* new bins in playground
* raise awareness of reducing hand towel litter in toilets particularly
* clean up campaign, litter picking in surrounding area
* School bins replaced with much smaller bins and recycling facilities improved
Litter
2013-2014 MAJOR FOCUS
* Clean Up Campaign, litter picking in area surrounding school
* Food waste bins introduced in classrooms and playground as part of CEC pilot
* Poster campaign planned to reinforce anti-littering
* Designated pupils use litter pickers and encourage use of bins
* Clearly marked recycling facilities reduce litter in classrooms
* Anita Sharkey, Waste Officer CEC gave presentation to Eco Team about new food waste initiative
* Eco Reps and Business Manager addressed Assemblies about new food waste bins
Litter
2014-2016 MAJOR FOCUS
*Designated pupils use litter pickers and encourage use of
bins
*Clearly marked and plentiful recycling facilities reduce
litter
*Food Waste Initiative continues
*Food waste bins in school and playground
*Spring Clean Up
*ChangeWorks Litter Assembly
Sustaining Our World
2012-2013 MAJOR FOCUS
* Plant for the Planet Conference for Cluster Eco Reps
* Tree planting in wildlfe garden - cherry, rowan and birch saplings from Woodland Trust
* Plant for the Planet Climate Ambassadors spread Eco messages
* whole school Crazy Hat Crazy Hair fundraising for Plant for the Planet
* Recycling facilities improved, including clearer signage
* Ongoing efforts to reduce paper usage and to recycle
* ChangeWorks Waste Minimisation P7 Citizenship Conference
* P5 pupil inspired to unicycle across Forth Road Bridge to raise funds for Plant for the Planet Brianna Unicycles for P4P
Sustaining Our World
2013-2014
* Whole school Ragbag Collection
* Eco Team Ragbag
* Anita Sharkey, Waste Officer CEC addressed Eco Rep
* Food Waste pilot school for City of Edinburgh Council
* Food waste bins introduced at Assemblies by Eco Reps
* Reducing, Reusing and Recycling promoted in school to minimise waste
* New printers default to two sided printing, in black and white
Sustaining Our World
2014-2015
*New whole school Eco Pledge
*Whole School Rag Bag Appeal raised £200 for playground
*CEC Food Waste Reduction Initiative continues
*Food Waste bins in school and playground
*Double sided black and white default for printing
*ChangeWorks Interactive Workshop for P7 3Rs
*ChangeWorks Waste Reduction Assembly P4-7
*P5 Rainforest topic
*Fairtrade Fortnight
*Earth Hour
*Energy Reduction Initiative Continues
Transport
2012-2013
* Awarded Cycle Friendly School
* Cycle Training undertaken with P1- P5 (15 classes) in curricular time as new initiative
* 6 week Cycle Training for three P6 classes
* Cycle to School Days organised for families::Big Pedal Days
* Cycling Family Picnic organised
* Promotion of Pedal Scotland in press and in STV news bulletin
* Pupils promote Sky Ride Cycling in press and TV
* Pupil cyclists meet Keith Brown MSP - press and TV coverage
* Three P6 classes at Transgression Park cycling, scooting and skateboarding
* P5 Cycling in the Meadows
* New P1 Balance Bikes from Bike Trax
* Bike Week promoted and celebrated
* Walk to School Week promoted
Transport
2013-2014
* Extra Curricular Bike Club established
* 6 week Cycle Training block for three P6 classes
* Cycle to School Days for Families
* Bike Week promoted and celebrated
* Walk to School Week promoted
Transport
2014-2016 MAJOR FOCUS
*JRSOs
*Active Travel
*Cycle to School Days for Families
*6 week P6 Cycle
Training block
*P6 Cycle Adventure
*P6 Sustrans Heroes awarded
*Whole School Road Safety Week
*Park Safe Campaign
*20mph Campaign
*P1-3 Road Safety Magic Show
*Safer School Streets Initiative
*Bike Week
*P1 Cycling Sessions
*Active Travel Plan updated
*Active Travel Survey undertaken with parents/carers
*Hands Up Pupil Active Travel Survey
*Extra-Curricular Bike Club continues
*Tram Safety Talks at Infant and upper Assemblies from Road
Safety Officer
*Road Safety Officer at Road Safety Assembly during Road
Safety Week
*HT and Sciennes parents feature on STV News re School
Streets Road Closure
*JRSOs launched Brake's Road Safety Week at City Chambers
*P4 lead Road Safety Week Assembly - Be Bright, Be Seen
Energy
2012-2013
* Energy watchdogs - pupils monitor and report on energy use in classrooms
* Monthly Energy Watchdog competition - winning class posted on Eco Board and announced at Assembly
Energy
2013-2014 MAJOR FOCUS
* City of Edinburgh Energy Reduction pilot
* Smoothie Bike to demonstrate what energy is
* Energy Watchdog campaign - stickers and posters, Assemblies, Blog
* Information regularly updated on Eco blog
* Thermal imaging camera to show heat loss in builiding
* Energy use data monitored and analysed
* Switch Off Fortnight Campaign
Energy
2014-2015
*Sustaining CEC Energy Reduction Campaign
*ECO Leader attended Energy CPD
*Energy Watchdogs
*Switch Off Fortnight
*Promote Earth Hour
*If now available, analyse energy usage data
*CEC Small Steps Campaign
*November Energy Month
*Use of POD Resources
*Eco Team receive POD
'Switch Off Monitor' badges
*Thermal Imaging Camera Session with Eco Team
*Smoothie Bike Feb 2015
Health and Wellbeing
2012-2013
* The Edinburgh Green Trust work with P4 to plant strawberries, red currants and rhubarb
* P3 plant and harvest vegetables to make soup
* Apothecarist works with P7 to make potpourri using herbs from Herb Garden
* Fruit Group parents provide Fruit on a Friday for all classes
* Cluster Health and Wellbeing audit and programme produced
* Junior Award Scheme Scotland in P6/7 encourages pupils to Get Active, Stay Active
Health and Wellbeing
2013-2014
* Health and Wellbeing Cluster programme implemented.
* Food focus implemented in response to Health and Wellbeing cluster and school audits
* New kitchen built and fully equipped using supermarket vouchers and PTA funding
* Food Focus Interdisciplinary Learning week and ongoing use of kitchen by classes
* School Council Health and Wellbeing subgroup established
* Fruit Group parents provide Fruit on a Friday for ...
* Junior Award Scheme Scotland in P6/7 encourages pupils to Get Active, Stay Active
* Two hours of PE for all classes
Health and Wellbeing
2014-2015
*Health and Wellbeing is a School Improvement Focus
*Food Focus Fortnight established annually
*New kitchen well used by all classes
*Parent Council Health and Wellbeing Subgroup
*Parent Council Fruit Group provide fruit for all pupils
each Friday
*Junior Award Scheme Scotland recognises wider achievement
in P6/7
*Two hours of quality PE each week
*Two PE Specialist Teachers
*Swimming and additional lunchtime sessions for non swimmers
*Many sporting opportunities
*Lunchtime Running Club and after school Cross Country well
attended
*Health and Wellbeing Inservice led by Principal Officer
Mental Health Patricia Santelice
*Creating Confident Parent Sessions
*Most staff have attended Creating Confident Staff 8 week
CPD
*DHT led Mindfulness CPD with guest speakers and educational
psychologists
*Seasons for Growth in P5 and Infant classes
*Emotion Talk CPD
*P6 Benmore Outdoor Residential
*P7 Lagganlia Outdoor Residential
*Pupil Voice through Pupil Council, Eco Group and JRSOs
*New lunchtime basketball club for P5-7 girls Tuesdays and Thursdays
*Staff Massage
*Sensory Room established
*P6 Pupil Support Group
*Emotion Talk Inservice
*Staff using Emotion Talk in class; modelled by Rhona
Kennedy
Food and the Environment
2012-2013
* P3 make soup using vegetables harvested from Eco Garden
* New Herb and Fruit Garden created and planted in front playground
* The Edinburgh Green Trust work with P4 to plant strawberries, red currants and rhubarb
* ChangeWorks workshop at P7 Conference
* Harvest Appeal - Whole School Send A Cow to Africa Appeal
Food and the Environment
2013-2014 MAJOR FOCUS
* Health and Wellbeing Cluster programme implemented.
* New kitchen built in school and fully equipped
* Whole school Food Focus Week
* Ongoing use of kitchen by all classes
* Ration recipes recreated by P7 linked to WW2 project
* P5 Smoothie Challenge, "The Apprentice" style
* P3 make soup using vegetables harvested from Eco Garden and herbs from new Herb and Fruit Garden
* Harvest Appeal - Whole School North West Edinburgh Foodbank Appeal
Food and the Environment
2014-2015
*Health and Wellbeing Cluster (including healthy eating) programme
embedded
*Kitchen regularly used by all classes
*Whole school annual Food Focus Fortnight embedded
*P1-3 Free School Meals
*Parent Council prepare fruit on a Friday for all pupils
*Soil Association Standards in School Meals introduced -
first Council in Scotland to achieve Bronze
*P3 Soup making using vegetables harvested from Eco Garden
*P5 Smoothie Challenge, "The Apprentice" style
*P3 Food and Farming topic
*P3 led Harvest Appeal for NW Edinburgh Foodbank
*P7 Minsetrone Soup Making for JASS
*Extension to Dining Hall funded by CEC 2015-16
School Grounds
2012-2013
* New Quiet Area established in front playground
* Steven Lui Memorial Garden established
* School Council Buildings and Facilities Group continue to explore and develop plans to extend playground with land from Sick Kids
* Quadrangle beside Hut Classrooms developed
* The Edinburgh Green Trust work with P4 to plant strawberries, red currants and rhubarb
* Outdoor Learning Champions increase use of Wildlife Garden in curriculum, particularly P1 and P2
* Pupil Council replant tubs in playground
School Grounds
2013-2014
* New Playground Improvement Group set up
* School Council Buildings and Facilities Group liaison
* Parental and pupil surveys undertaken
* Playground Improvement Blog set up and maintained
* Area surrounding trees in playground resurfaced
* Playground around Amphitheatre resurfaced
* Amphitheatre wooden fence removed
* Architecture students work with pupils to develop playground
* Basketball net in rear playground used by P7 pupils by invitation
* P7 using Meadows park at lunch break earlier in session
* Use of Wildlfe Garden within curriculum promoted
* P3 and P4 pupils as well as Eco Reps and Pupil Council take responsibility for Eco Garden
* Pupil Council replant tubs in playground
School Grounds
2014-2016 MAJOR FOCUS
*Major Whole School Focus on Improving grounds
*Main focus for
school fundraising - £35,000 raised to date
*Playground Improvement Group regularly meet
*Grounds for Learning Funding Application
*Plans to redevelop rear playground
*Playground Blog maintained
*Outdoor Learning with classes in Eco and Wildlife Gardens
*Buildings and Facilities Parent Council group lobbying,
consulting and planning
*Pupil Council assisting with planning improvements
*Pupil Council and Parent Council visited Cramond Primary
*P7 using Meadows in Autumn term as well as in Autumn,
Spring and Summer
*Pupil Council replant tubs in playground
*Potential road closure in Sciennes Road Aug 2015
*1 of 5 pilot schools selected for School Streets timed road
closure
*Ragbag Appeal - funds raised to be used for Eco projects in
school grounds
*Eco Team planted donated bamboo
*Playground Info Evening held Nov 2014
*Information about playground shared with pupils and staff
*Donated hedging planted
*Sport Scotland application submitted
*Consultation on playground plans with pupils, staff and
parents
Biodiversity
2012-2013
* Plant for the Planet tree planting with Woodland Trust
* The Edinburgh Green Trust work with P4 to plant
* P4 classes working with Earth Calling as Wildlife
* attract more wildlife to the garden spaces at Sciennes
* P3 classes, Eco Reps, parents, PSAs maintain Eco Garden - plants and vegetables
Biodiversity
2013-2014
* New Herb and Fruit garden developed and planted in front playground
* P3 pupils, Eco Reps and Pupil Council maintain Eco Garden
* Herb and fruit garden maintained
* Wildlife Garden used by classes to support learning
Biodiversity
2014-2015
*Herb and Fruit garden maintained
*P3 pupils and ECO reps maintain ECO Garden
*Wildlife Garden used for Outdoor Learning
*P7 Water of Leith visit promotes awareness of Biodiversity
*P5 Botanic Gardens trip promotes awareness of biodiversity
in Rainforest,
*P3 Food and Farming includes planting, tending and
harvesting crops in Eco Garden
*Earth Calling After
School Club
Waste Minimisation
2014-2015
*Very good recycling facilities and procedures in school
*Waste reduction ongoing e.g small bins
*Reduce, Reuse, Recycle promoted in school
*ChangeWorks 3Rs Interactive P7 workshop with voting tools
*ChangeWorks 3Rs P4-7 Assembly
*Printers default to two sided printing, in black and white
Water
2014-2015
*P7 Flood Model workshops from Heriot-Watt
*P7 Rivers topic
*Pupils encouraged to bring reusable water bottle daily
*Tap and filtered drinking water available for pupils and
staff
*P7 World Water Week
* P3 'Just a Drop' safe water, saved lives workshop
* P3 'Just a Drop' safe water, saved lives workshop
P7C Eco Rap Tributes to Isaac!
Primary 7C were very impressed by the new ECO rap (written by Isaac in P5). Here are some of the videos they created using Isaac's words.
Sciennes Eco Pledge
Eco Rap by Isaac P5CYo, my name is Mr Eco
and I like no litter
If it's clean and green
It makes it all glitter
My mate called Bob
He's always in his car
Driving up and down
But he doesn't get far
The problem with the car?
It creates pollution
It looks really cool
But it's not a solution
So when you go to school
You better take your bike
And maybe your little sister
Can take her trike
And if your Mum and Dad
Always wanna drive
You gotta tell them,
They're polluting the skies
So walk or bike
And you'll be Eco
What does this spell?
E-C-O Eco!
Third Eco Schools Green Flag!
Wonderful news today that Sciennes received our third Eco Schools Green Flag!
Alastair Davidson and Briony McLaughin from Eco Schools (part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful charity) met with pupil Eco Reps on Tuesday 25th January to assess the Eco work of the school over the last two years. The children were absolutely superb and made an obvious impression, showing their knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, all the various Eco projects in and around school. Alastair gave us some very helpful feedback and advice for taking developments forward, including establishing air quality monitoring in Sciennes Road, and had a very positive and encouraging manner with the children.
A very special thank you to Mr Kearton for all his enthusiasm and drive with Eco - our reps from last year were particularly animated in relaying all their achievements with him. Miss Kirsty Gallagher, P3 Class Teacher, is doing an amazing job of leading the new and old reps this year and brings so much experience of Eco from Prestonfield (where she also secured a Green Flag for the school). The award is also in recognition of all the hard work of Miss Alison Mackintosh as well as Mr Kearton over the last two years and of the whole team efforts in supporting Eco throughout the school - Ms Christie, Mrs Noble, Ms Anstruther, Mr Scott and Mr Reid, with the entire staff, carrying on the great work done by Ms Emma Kidd in securing our first Green Flag and Ms Claire Phillips and Ms Mel Ross in securing our Second. Grateful thanks to Parent Council members Corrine and Phoebe who have provided such sterling support to the school over many years with the Wildlife Garden, planting and harvesting vegetables for P3 soup making, as well as helping pupils create our fantastic Eco Display board. It was wonderful to have Corrine attend the inspection visit. Alastair commented favourably on the great work in Food Focus Fortnight by Miss Shona Pearmain and thought Ms Anstruther's Sensory Room is an exciting, innovative resource. Mr McKenna's Science provision in P3-P7 was also credited during the inspection. Alastair was enthusiastic about plans to focus on 'School Grounds' and 'Transport' Eco topics over the next two years, recognising the tremendous existing achievements in Cycling and the ambitious plans for the Playground already in place. Great team effort - pupils, staff and parents.
Well done, everyone!
Eco Reps conducted a tour for our visitors and all were very articulate and passionate about sharing all their efforts with Eco:
When
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Where
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What
|
Who
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10am
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Gate
|
Meet Visitors
Meet Team
Overview on iPads |
P4 Reps; Miss Gallagher
Miss Gallagher; Ms Gallagher; All Reps; Corrine P7 reps: Sahaj and Theo. P4 reps return to class |
10.10am
|
Ms Gallagher’s Room
|
||
10.10am
|
P7C Classroom
|
Eco Rap videos; Classroom recycling;
ChangeWorks; technology
|
P7 reps: Jessica and Alexander (P7C
early break 10.25am)
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10.20am
|
P5 Classroom - Isaac
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Winner of Eco Pledge competition; Rainforest
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P5 reps
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10.25am
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New Kitchen
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Food Focus; Smoothie Bike
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P5 reps (then return to class)
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10.30am
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Eco Display board
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Phoebe and Corinne parent helpers helped
create display; Litter, Waste and Energy; Eco
Pledge; City Chambers presentation; Lauriston
Castle
|
P6 reps: Rose, Ava ; Corrine
|
10.35am
|
Science Base
|
Learning about the environment through
Science
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Sahaj; Mr McKenna
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10.40am
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P1 Classroom
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Daily fruit; fruit on a Friday; fruit waste bins;
water cooler; P7 flood workshops
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Theo
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10.45am
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Basement and
Boiler Room
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Recycling bins
Thermal image camera |
Theo, Sahaj, Jessica, Mr Reid
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10.50am
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ICT Suite
|
Default double sided/black and white printing.
Fewer printers. Automatic switch off of
computers at 5pm
|
Ava, Peigidh
|
Bike pods
|
For staff
|
Ava, Peigidh
|
|
10.55am
|
Eco Garden
|
Sowing, maintaining and harvesting
vegetables for P3 Soup; greenhouse
|
P3 pupils from Miss Gallagher’s class;
Rose, Sophie, Jane; Corrine
|
11.05am
|
Dining Hall
|
Food waste reduced – stickers for finishing
meal. Food waste bins
|
Esther, Peigidh
|
11.10am
|
Sensory Room
|
Health and Wellbeing improvements
|
Esther; Ms Anstruther
|
11.15am
|
Playground
|
Plans, Wildlife Garden; bamboo, hedge, herb
garden, litter bins; food waster
|
Laiba, Ava, Sahaj; ; Ms Christie
|
Playground
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Cycle Training P1-P6, Cycle Friendly School
Award, Cycle to School Days, bike sheds, loan
bikes and helmets; Cycle Adventures; Bike
Club
|
P6 reps– Sophie, Rose, Peigidh, Jane,
Esther; Ms Christie
|
|
11.30-12pm
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Ms Gallagher’s Room
|
Review documentation, question and answer
with staff
|
Miss Gallagher, Ms Christie, Ms
Gallagher
|
P4 Lucy, Alice, Calum
P5 Seamus, Eric, Ryan, Evelyn, Sarah, Layla
P6 Peigidh, Jane, Esther, Rose, Sophie, Laiba
P7 Theo, Sahaj, Alexander, Jessica, Ava
P5 Seamus, Eric, Ryan, Evelyn, Sarah, Layla
P6 Peigidh, Jane, Esther, Rose, Sophie, Laiba
P7 Theo, Sahaj, Alexander, Jessica, Ava
P4-7 Eco Green Flag Celebration Assembly
Sahaj from P7B, representing this year's Eco Reps, was confident and comprehensive in explaining our current Eco initiatives and how we have already begun, capably led by P3 Class Teacher Miss Gallagher, to aim for our fourth Green Flag by 2016. Thank you also to Theo from P7A who supported Jessica and Sahaj in preparing their presentation.
Well done all!
http://sciennespseco.blogspot.co.uk
http://sciennespseco.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/p7-eco-rap-tributes-to-isaac.html
Earth Hour 28th March 2015 8.30pm
Earth Calling After School Club at Sciennes
Spring is in the air! With all the new life emerging and the evenings getting longer and warmer, Earth Calling will provide the opportunity for some more great wildlife adventures next term….
The club will run for 9 sessions starting on Thursday 23rd April and finishing on Thursday 25th June. There will be no club on Thursday 7th May. Clubs run from 1515-1735, however there will be one evening club this term which will run from 1900-2100 instead of the afternoon session, allowing the chance to spot some nocturnal wildlife (date to be confirmed).
The cost of each session is £7; therefore a total cost of £63 (10 sessions, with £7 refund from cancelled club last term). Please make cheques payable to Earth Calling, and have payments ready by the first session along with the parental consent form. New members will be required to return our codes of conduct and bush craft protocol forms.
Please make sure children are appropriately dressed (outdoor clothes, waterproof jackets, old shoes or boots, hats gloves scarves, you know how muddy they can get and how unpredictable our weather can be).
Some of the activities may involve going to other locations or night time events. Details will be given before these activities take place. If you have any queries about club activities or if you need any info about Earth Calling call Sara on 07986993369
Email: sara@earthcalling.org
Website: www.earthcalling.org
P3B Safe Water Workshop from Just A Drop
Finn's
Mum Caroline came into P3B to share her experience of recent visit to a
Just a Drop safe water project in Uganda. The Just a Drop charity aims
to provide local, clean water supplies and sanitation to communities all
over the world. Finn was an excellent assistant and helped his mum to
deliver her presentation. We hope you enjoy looking at the photos.
Miss Gallagher, P3B
Pitching to Save the Planet - Please Vote Now
Nigel is Founder and CEO of Global Surface Intelligence (GSi) and seeks your help in voting for his pitch to win Virgin Business' exciting competition. Please share via social media networks and vote now to help Nigel's innovative software mitigate climate change.
We have developed a very powerful software platform which provides ‘Big data’ predictive analytics of satellite and other data. Using this platform, we can now observe our planet, more clearly and in new ways and on new scales. Using it, we have brought to market our first products which reduce costs and add value to a massive $1.2 trillion timber market. Put simply, we can tell how much timber is in a forest; which ones have grown quickest over time, and we can identify deforestation or even forest degradation. Our data covers the entire surface on the planet from the present year back to 2001 and this is the first time in the field of science this has been achieved. Our methods are totally unique and they allow us to deliver data cheaper, faster, better than is possible by any other means. We can solve real business problems the industry faces, and the only thing stopping us, is people not knowing about us. Winning this competition would change all that.
Our processing capabilities and analytics are unrivaled and right at the forefront of innovation. Our software platform has endless applications that will help businesses in any sector. The uniqueness of our data has enabled us to open up opportunities in six continents and all this from my kitchen table. Our data is also crucial to monitor our changing ecosystem and the effects of climate change and we have only scratched the surface of our capabilities. We are a small company that has developed unique technology that could be applied to help mitigate climate change. We need help to be heard and that is why we deserve to win.
GSi would really like your Vote. http://goo.gl/O4vPng To progress through the competition, we really need your vote and it will only take 5 seconds of your time. Please vote now. Many thanks.
Nigel Douglas, Sciennes Parent
See more at:
http://www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk/pitch-to-rich/start-up/global-surface-intelligence-ltd
Friday 24th April Cycle to School Day
Photos of one of our previous rides -
Additionally many children and parents/carers join from the side roads along the route.
Good practice for the next day -
"Save the date: 25th April 2015 – POP4 is go!"
Pedal on Parliament Saturday 25th April
The fourth annual Pedal on Parliament event takes place on Saturday April 25th congregating on the Meadows for a 12 noon start. Pedal on Parliament is a grass-roots group of people who want to see Scotland become a place where active travel is safe and enjoyable for everyone, whether they cycle or not.
Third Green Flag for Sciennes Primary’s Eco Work!
We are grateful for the invitation to contribute to City of Edinburgh Council' Bright Futures website:
 |
| Miss Kirsty Gallagher with pupil Eco Reps in the Eco Garden |
Sciennes Primary School Eco Team was thrilled to be awarded their third Green Flag award from Eco Schools Scotland recently.
Lucy Gallagher, Depute Headteacher of Sciennes Primary School, tells us the full story.
Alastair Davidson and Briony McLaughin from Eco Schools (part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful charity) met with Sciennes pupil eco reps on Tuesday 25 January to assess the eco work of the school over the last two years.
The children were absolutely superb and made an obvious impression, showing their knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, all the various eco projects in and around school.
Alastair gave us some very helpful feedback and advice for taking developments forward, including establishing air-quality monitoring on Sciennes Road, and also had a very positive and encouraging manner with the children.
A very special thank you to P5 class teacher Mr Iain Kearton for all his enthusiasm and drive with eco – our reps from last year were particularly animated in relaying all their achievements with him. Miss Kirsty Gallagher, P3 class teacher, is doing an amazing job of leading the new and old reps this year and brings so much experience of eco from Prestonfield Primary; where she also secured a Green Flag for the school.
 |
| Third Green Flag! |
The award is also a recognition of all the hard work of P1 class teacher Miss Alison Mackintosh, as well as Mr Kearton, over the last two years and of the whole team effort in supporting eco throughout the school, with
- head teacher Mrs Alison Noble
- business manager Ms Angela Christie
- depute head teacher (DHT) Ms Carolyn Anstruther
- Service Support Officers Mr Neil Scott and Mr John Reid
Thanks to parent council members Corrine Kirk and Phoebe Cochrane, who have provided such sterling support to the school over many years with the wildlife garden, planting and harvesting vegetables for P3 to make soup, as well as helping pupils create our fantastic eco display board. It was wonderful to have Corrine attend the inspection visit.
Alastair commented favourably on the great work in Food Focus Fortnight by principal teacher Miss Shona Pearmain and thought DHT Ms Carloyn Anstruther’s sensory room was an exciting, innovative resource. Mr Mark McKenna’s science provision in P3-P7 was also credited during the inspection.
Alastair was enthusiastic about plans to focus on the School Grounds and Transport eco topics over the next two years, as we head towards achieving our fourth Green Flag. He acknowledged that our fourth Green Flag would recognise the tremendous existing achievements in cycling and the ambitious, whole school community plans for the playground already in place.
Great team effort from pupils, staff and parents. Well done, Team Sciennes!
Successful Bid for SportScotland Funding for Playground!
The Minister for Sport, Jamie Hepburn, today announced that Sciennes Primary has been successful in its bid for match funding towards our ambitious Playground Improvements, receiving the full amount of £56,000. Thrilling news!
Sporting projects from across the country are set to receive a funding boost thanks to the success of last year's Commonwealth Games.
A total of 34 projects across Scotland will share over £1.5m from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund.The awards are the fifth and final allocation of the £10m project, which aided a total of 188 projects across every local authority in the country.
Jamie Hepburn, minister of sport, announced the projects to benefit from the final tranche of money at the Cumbernauld Centurions BMX Club, one of the first facilities to receive funds.
"These 34 new awards are part of almost 200 projects to receive investment from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund which is playing an important role in improving and creating excellent facilities all over the country.
"This £10 million investment has helped deliver an impressive breadth of community, school, outdoors, and sports-based projects and is an integral component of the significant and positive legacy."
Sciennes Community Active Play Experience
An innovative consultation process in 2013-2014 by the Parent Council Communications Group, driven by Parent Council Chair Claire Wheeler, led to a sector leading example of best practice in action planning. Surveying our families identified how our playground could be improved and focused minds on how to make improvements a reality. Fellow members of the Parent Council subsequently formed a Playground Improvement Group, working alongside Headteacher Mrs Alison Noble and Business Manager Ms Angela Christie to shape the vision and enlist the dedicated support of the Parent Council Fundraising and Events Group (FEG), led by Chair Aileen Nimmo.
Plans formulated by the group are indeed ambitious - £55 000 is our target for school based fundraising - and with today's announcement of our successful application to SportScotland to match fund that sum, we hope that our entire community will continue to see and seize this as a remarkable, long dreamt of opportunity. We are indebted to parent Tanya Boughtflower particularly for her assistance in preparing the successful bid. An incredible £38 000 has already been raised by the school and we hope our forthcoming Swimathon will edge us further forward towards our target.
One of our Playground Improvement Group drivers, parent Stuart Sheehan, has rightly acknowledged the wealth of talent and resourcefulness within our community and convincingly appealed to all to grasp this landmark project as an ideal opportunity to create a legacy for all Sciennes' pupils - current and future. Sports Minister Jamie Hepburn's announcement today fortifies Sciennes' motto that if we Believe we can indeed Achieve.
Earth Day 22nd April 2015
Greenpeace Earth Day video used at John Muir P4-7 Assembly on Friday 24th April.
John Muir Day 21st April
At Assembly on 24th April 2015 P4-7 pupils celebrated the life of John Muir and learned how small changes can have a big impact.
Fantastic Interdisciplinary Learning resources are available from Scottish Book Trust, including a graphic novel of the life and impact of one of the world's first environmentalists.
Sciennes Walking Bus 19th May 8.10am KB
As part of Walk to School Week,
come and join us for the Sciennes' Walking Bus starting at King's
Buildings on Tuesday 19th May 8.10am sharp. We will pick up people en
route, including our Junior Road Safety Officers and Eco Reps. We will be walking down Mayfield Road, turning left into Relugas
and right into Lauder Road. At the top of Lauder Road we will turn right
and cross Grange Road with Crossing Guide.
We hope the route (see below) will become the established 'walking bus route' which pupils and staff will continue to use during Walk to School Week and beyond.
http://sciennesactivetravel.blogspot.co.ukWe hope the route (see below) will become the established 'walking bus route' which pupils and staff will continue to use during Walk to School Week and beyond.
P4C Froglife Script Writing Competition Winners!
Congratulations to prize winning script authors in P4C who won
absolutely fantastic prizes - including an android tablet! - from
conservation group Froglife
who visited the class on Thursday 18th June and gave them a wonderful
workhop about amphibians. Fantastic! What an exciting week for P4C!
Very proud of my class receiving their Froglife competition prizes
today; they were so delighted to be awarded with a Froglife workshop,
android tablet, personalised trophy and lots of other Froglife goodies!
Together P4C wrote a wonderful play script and came overall first in the
UK. Their play will be acted out to schools and youth groups to help
teach children about nature conservation.
Miss Gladstone, P4C Class Teacher
Froglife is a
national wildlife charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and
reptiles – frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards – and saving their habitats. Download their free 'Dragonfinder' app.
See P4C's winning playscript and more photographs on the P4 Class Page.
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