Winter Reminders from Orkney Islands Council

Orkney Islands Council have issued their winter newsletter for 2015-16 which gives helpful information and advice relating to school closures, school transport as well as general safety advice as the darker nights rapidly approach.
High visibilty vests will once again be issued to all our P1 pupils just before the October break.

To view a copy of the OIC's Winter Newsletter click here

Worlds Largest Lesson

On September 25th 2015, 193 world leaders will commit to 17 Global Goals to achieve 3 extraordinary things in the next 15 years. 

1. End extreme poverty. 
2. Fight inequality & injustice. 
3. Fix climate change.      

The Global Goals for sustainable development could get these things done.  
In all countries. For all  people. 



These goals were discussed with the children at this weeks Business Meeting and both Infant and Primary Assemblies. 
They also watched a short cartoon film called The Worlds Largest Lesson which helped to highlight the issues.  

For more information go to the Global Goals website    

Parent Council give the IT provision at Papdale a massive boost

We recently took delivery of two wireless trolleys housing 32 new iPads and 2 air printers. The total cost of the equipment came to over £12,000, which was entirely funded by the Papdale School Parent Council.

Head Teacher Mrs Bruce said, “we are indebted to our Parent Council for the tremendous support they have given to enhance both the children’s learning and their school experience at Papdale. Over the past few years they sought finance and managed the £160,000 Papdale Play Area Development Project which transformed our playground. The latest provision of iPads ensures that the IT provision available to our children will be excellent, thanks once more to the Parent Council”.

The ipad trolleys should be set up and ready for use after the October break.

Papdale's Big Family!

Mrs Rosie gets started on the marathon task 

A feature of recent years which has proven very popular is Papdale's Big Family Notice Board located in the gallery corridor which has displayed pictures of every child and adult working at Papdale School. 

You can appreciate the enormity of this task when you see the size of the notice board needed to contain the 600 photos of the"family" members. 

Mrs Rosie, one of our auxilliary staff, is pictured getting started with the class of 15-16 with parents night as the deadline for completion!

P6 Classes off to Hoy

The P6 Residential trips to Hoy have been taken forward from Term 4 to Term 1 this year which gives the classes an excellent opportunity to strengthen their friendships and learn exciting new skills early in the school session.
P6E had a great time last week in some beautiful weather and Wednesday 16th September heralded the start of 6Ms Hoy experience!

6M head off  suitably dressed for that tropical paradise called Hoy  

As you may be able to see from the photograph the sun was not very prominent when they departed school but I am sure this will not manage to dampen their enthusiasm as they set off on their exciting adventure.
Whatever the weather they will return home on Friday brimming with stories of bravery, daring, fun and general silliness!


 

Class Photographs 2015-16

 Tuesday 15th September was a very busy day for photographer Leona Allan who was asked to do our Class Photographs this year. The PE hall was set aside as the studio and classes came through in turn throughout the day to get their photographs taken.

Preparing for the onslaught!

The day went very smoothly with the children being very patient and helpful making Leona's challenging job that bit easier. After 6 hours and seventeen classes the photographs had been completed!

P2/3S get into position

The photographs will be displayed at the Parents evenings on 30 September and 1 October.
Order forms will also be available for those who would like to purchase copies.

Janitors show off their latest inventions!

Our enterprising Janitors unveiled their latest inventions this week.

The "Crisp Bag Muncher" bin was an idea suggested by the eco club to try and address a problem of crisp bags being removed from bins by birds after break and then dropped causing litter in the playground. A prototype was made last year which is still in use but this new version has some improvements on the original which should make it more durable and user friendly. The idea is not only to the stop the birds from stealing crisps bags but also to free up space in the normal bins for all the other litter which should help keep the playground nice and litter free.

Prototype 2 in the Crisp Bag Muncher Range

The Playground Equipment Trolley was custom made to hold the hoops, skipping ropes and stilt walkers to make it easier to tidy up and store equipment at the end of break times.

The Equipment Trolley is wheeled out ready for use

Not only are these new inventions well made, showing off some serious carpentry skills, but they are also very eco friendly as they were made largely using odds and ends of wood and other scrap scavenged from around the school. A round of applause please for our innovative, eco friendly Janitors, Mr MacKinnon and Mr Linklater!

Lidls Health Bus Comes to Papdale

The Lidl Health Factor bus came to Papdale on Friday 4th and Monday 7th September to do some health promoting activities with all our P4,P5 and P6 classes.
Each class had a one hour long session which was divided into two halves. One group went on the bus to learn how to make smoothies using a selection of fruits while the other group took part in some physical activities in school.
The positive benefits of healthy eating and physical exercise were stressed throughout the sessions to try and encourage the children to make healthier choices in future.
As a thank you for hosting the sessions Lidl gifted each child with a banana and some money off vouchers for their store so if you want to avoid some sticky school books please remember to check you child's bag when they get home!

The Lidl Health Factor bus ready for business in the main car park

4E show off their Smoothies

P6 Bikeability Cycle Training

P6M get ready for day 2 of their cycle training

  The P6 Bikeability Level 2 Cycle training is underway again with both classes settling down to learn the basic skills needed to cycle safely. The training will continue for most of this term with an on road assessment the final part of the training. Parents will also get details of the assessment so that they know what progress has been made and what areas may still need to be worked on.

While we recommend that children should not cycle to school before doing this cycle training it is ultimately the parents decision to decide whether their child is safe to cycle to and from school.