Primary two have been working hard during their music time with Mr McLean.  We have enjoyed learning lots of new songs and actions.  Lots of us have been working extra hard to always ensure we are listening and concentrating.  Our favourite part is doing lots of different types of voices, for example high, low, slow and fast. 

“I loved playing the parachute when we were singing,” said Rebecca.

“We have been using so, la, mi and ray,” Ethan commented.

Meanwhile, Charlotte said, “ We have liked learning the different pitches.”

Primary 7 pupils are really excited as they begin their preparations for  their move to secondary and embark on the next phase in their education.  Each year, a programme of transition activities is planned to help our young people as they make this important step in their lives, one of which is the Healthy Transitions project, run by Jane Duthie who works at The Corner Youth Centre.

Jane is ably assisted by S2 pupils who talk through health related topics, and are available to answer any questions, or allay any worries, that our P7s might have.  It was certainly nice to see some familiar faces return  to Blackness for a visit.

We would like to give a huge well done to all of our P6 pupils who participated in the Primary Schools Cross Country event at Baxter Park on Wednesday 14th March 2018.  Our Primary 6 girls’ team won a silver medal for their event. Everyone involved gave a great effort and represented Blackness very well.

This term pupils from P4-7 have been working during lunchtimes and after school, as well as practising at home for the Tayside and Angus heats of the Primary School Glee competition 2018.  On Tuesday 27^th February, they performed their songs “Try Everything” and “We Are Young” to an audience of around 500 at the Whitehall Theatre.  Everyone performed exceptionally well, remember the lyrics and choreography and gave it their all, producing a great performance. 

Although we didn’t get through to the next round this time, we have gained a lot of experience if we decide we want to participate in the future.  A huge thanks to Mrs Gaynor Thomson for sorting out the application process, Miss Jenny Edwards for her choral work, and to Mr Ian Cameron for his choreography routines.  Well done to all who performed on the night!

We have been learning about Viking runes.  We made the 1^st letter of our names out of clay.  We have also been learning about Viking longboats.  Vikings travelled this way to raid houses in Britain.  We found out about artefacts and the job an an archaeologist.  In a Viking long house the fire was in the middle.  If it had been at the side their house would burn down! We also learned about Viking clothes.  The men wore long tunics with big leather boots whereas the women wore similar tunics but with a head dress or a hat.  The class enjoyed the opportunity to dress up in Viking clothes!  It has been a really interesting topic! 

By Kirsty Caddick

We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who attended our Spring Bingo on Wednesday 21st of March.  As always, it was a very well-attended event, with Miss Chapman turning in her usual expert performance as ‘Bingo Caller in residence.’  With lots of fun, and a fair few chocolatey prizes on offer.

P5 and P7 held a bake sale on Thursday the 22^nd March to raise money for the Uphill Trust.  Both classes worked really hard to create posters and advertise the event to the other classes.  Everyone baked or brought something to sell.  They raised around an incredible £560!  They hope that the church collection will add to this impressive amount for this very worthwhile cause!  A big well done to all involved! 

The Uphill Trust supports Uphill Junior School, a private kindergarten/primary school in western Uganda. Many of the children who attend the school are from poor rural families and a significant number of the pupils are orphans or come from single parent homes due to the devastating effect of HIV/Aids in Uganda. Uphill Junior School actively promotes the education of girls as well as boys.

Primary 5 and 5-4 were given the opportunity to visit the new Queensferry Crossing Bridge now that it has been completed and fully functioning. This linked to their project about bridges and structures and they found out about the newest innovations that has made the Queensferry Crossing an engineering marvel. On return to school they got the chance to build their own bridges inspired by some of the ideas on the visit to the bridge.

World Book Day was a success again in Blackness. All pupils were encouraged to, where possible, make costumes by recycling, repuropsing or reusing materials or old costumes. The results were spelndid with many Harry Potters, Matildas, Where's Wallys and a myriad of other book characters strutting their stuff around the school. Pupils were also encouraged to bring the book featuring their character in with them. There were many activities in classes to encourage pupils to access a variety of texts as well.

Once again this December, it was time for the annual school show which, this year, told the story of Dick Whittington and his Cat.  Pupils from Primaries 5-7 have spent a lot of time this term learning the songs, both during lunchtimes and at home, as well as learning lines and choreography.  We asked some of the cast about their experiences of being in the show.  James Coull (P7) said, “I really enjoyed it, I would definitely do it again because it was fun and it helped me with speaking in front of an audience.”

Jess Anderson (P6) who played Puss told us, “it was fun, but I was kind of nervous because there were a lot of people watching, but I think I did really well.”  Hannah Gibson (P7) who played the Queen said, “ I enjoyed it and would do it again because it was a great experience.

It got me out of my comfort zone and helped build my confidence.  Evie Young (P7/6) told us, “ I enjoyed it and it was fun.  I really liked having a bigger part with speaking and solo singing.  I was a bit nervous but when I was on stage I just pretended that I was on my own.”  We are really proud of the effort that the entire cast put into our production this year to make it what it was, and we would like to extend our thanks to all those who purchased tickets and came along to support the show.