Reflections
Angus MacRury
Friday 17 February 2006
Wednesday 8th February
I am in class all day today. I cancel a meeting with on the reduction of teaching time to 22.5 hours as we still have a member of staff off and I am reqiured to cover. The class are not at their best today as the last few days have seen a variety of supply teachers covering. By the afternoon we are all back in the groove, despite there being no music in the afternoon. (Marion is at the above mentioned meeting)
Thursday 9th February 2006
I am in class today an the class are working really well. The Core Maths Programme is being followed very well and the children are responding well to the activities and increased level of pace in the class. In the afternoon I meet with Colin Rodgers to discuss individual pupils and how we are supporting them. We also look at how much support we can give here in comparison to a larger school. We discuss IEPs and IAPs and mushy peas! We are doing well with the individuals, a further meeting is arranged.
Friday
I am in class this morning. We catch up on Maths Assessments which the class enjoy. I have to remember to Mark and File them now!!
After break I show a visitor, Mrs Catriona Brown, Principal Teacher
Battlefield Primary School in Glasgow round the school. She has heard of our success in developing our School grounds and was keen to pick up tips and suggestions in how we have approached this. She leaves at 12:30 very impressed with the school and all the improvements. This is what we have achieved so far.
In session 2004/05 It was agreed that the bulk of the monies allocated under the scheme would be to provide the essential components of allowing the school to continue its steps to Gold award in the Eco schools programme. A plan by the eco schools group was collated and worked through.
The wider community now benefits greatly as it helps to enhance the whole village as well as providing a secure and tranquil place for picnics or play. We also established good links with Virador who provided us with topsoil and transportation.
Creating Boggy area
Despite landscape services creating a boggy area over the summer break 2004/05 the bog appears to have failed. This is due after investigation to the fact that the area was not lined sufficiently if at all. The area is a partial success in that it is evident that is not the same as the grass around it. This project will be further investigated in the future.
Planting of Trees
We have had great success with all our tree planting we have planted 6 large trees including an Oak tree. These trees are as follows: Apple, Crab apple, Golden Cornet, Winged Spindle, Snowy Mespilus, Mountain Ash Pink Pagoda, and an Oak tree.
We were also successful in obtaining shrubs from the Woodland trust. Unfortunately Grounds Maintenance accidently destroyed these plants in May 2005.
The wild forest area has been allowed to grow with freedom and is soon close to being ready to form a tree search path for pupils. This area is very popular with the pupils and the next logical step is to use this area as an area for teaching about trees and forests as part of the science programme. We have seen increase bird life around the school including nesting for three pairs of Swallows
Vegetable Garden
This is a complete success with 5 raised beds being laid in 2 areas of the school. A gardening club has been formed and planting took place in March and April 2005.We grew Strawberries, Rosemary, French Onions, Onions, Beetroot, Artichokes, Sweet peas and Parsley. Two of the beds have formed a flower planting area at the drive of the school which gives visitors a colourful arrival at the school. Flowers planted are Love in a mist, Poppies, Cornflower, Lobelias, Chrysanthemums, Fusias, Dalais, Bizzie Lizzies, and Begonias.
The children tend and water the plants on a regular basis and it is hoped that in the future Crunchy Carrot in Dunbar will sell some of produce in the future.
Educational Benefit/ Community Benefit
Picnic area/ Outdoor classroom
This has been an unqualified success. The new benches are not only hardwearing and practical; they have provided the school and community with a focus area for picnics and gatherings. In June 2005 a BBQ was held to plant 5 trees and officially open the Picnic area. Pupils use it the area for packed lunches and some classes are held outdoors. This has linked in well with a new focus in the school on Science and Environmental Studies. We are using the new resource to support the Living Things and the process of life Outcome in Science for all levels.
Two tiled murals were also erected on the exterior wall of the school; these were commissioned by the previous Headteacher but were not completed.
Development plan link Determined to Succeed Link
To continue Eco – School initiative encouraging parents and wider community to become involved. This has been successful in that parents were actively involved in the planning and building as well as the planting phases of the improvement. Parents are now helping to keep the areas well maintained and planted.
We have also established good businness relationships with Virador, La Farge, and Community Windpower
The Future
In the next couple of weeks we are expecting the completion of a Basketball court and are in the process of securing 100% funding for this project. WE are also working with Community Windpower on a planning application to erect a small wind turbine and generator on the roof of the school. Full plans are available to view in the school reception area. We will also be looking at a way to enhance the Nursery Garden and possible build an adventure trail for the pupils within the school grounds.
After break it is Assembly which is taken today by Anne Lithgow. During Assembly and while I am showing Catriona around I have to find out where the Electricity Meters for the school are and spend 10 minutes with an engineer who tells me that the meters are going to be replaced today. We agree that 12:30 would be a good time as the children would not be at school. Remember in a small school thre Headteacher just about does everything.
On Saturday I reflect that I have not been at my best this week and that I have upset a number of people, I vow to try to improve this. Negative feelings are very easy to accept. I had been thinking about Dan MacFarlane a colleague who died recently. Dan was a fantastic PE teacher and one of the most positive teachers I have ever met. At his funeral a couple of weeks ago I was asked to sing a song for Dan. I sang the Voyage by Christy Moore as Dan was a Sailor and Mags was his mate. The feeling I had after the funeral was one of real anger that yet again a teacher who contributed so much to the children of Edinburgh should be taken from all those who loved him so early. All of his colleagues from St Mary’s East London Street could not believe he was not here yet as I swear I could hear his laugh all around…
Dan and tres
Richard
Sunday 19 February 2006