South Ayrshire Council News

Members of Dundonald Primary School Pupil Council who organised the showcase event are pictured with Councillor Andy Campbell

Members of Dundonald Primary School Pupil Council arranged a special afternoon at their school to showcase some of the exciting projects that they are involved in. Pupils shared with their guests what they learned during the schools ‘Enterprising Health Week’.

The Pupil Council promoted their showcase event in a newsletter, on posters and at school assemblies. Parents/carers, local Councillors and members of the local community were invited to the school to see demonstrations and displays. Guests had an opportunity to sample healthy food and drinks, with the aim of encouraging them to consider healthy eating options, especially when giving their children snacks to take to school.

Amongst the guests at the school were a group of residents from the Sheltered Housing Unit in Dundonald. Since the beginning of this year the residents have been travelling to the school every Friday and meeting with a group of P7 pupils. Together they are ‘Helping Unite Generations’ and call themselves the ‘HUG’ group. During the showcase event the members of the ‘HUG’ group took part in an exercise class for older people, which is run by Active Health Scotland, and explained why it is important to keep exercising.

Councillor Hywel Davies, the Council’s Portfolio Carrier for Lifelong Learning said: “I was very impressed with the diverse projects that are taking place in the school, and I was particularly pleased to see the pupils interacting with the residents from the Sheltered Housing Unit in Dundonald. Bringing people of different ages together benefits everyone involved, the older people can pass on their knowledge, skills and experience and the pupils can keep their ‘HUG’ friends up to date with what they are doing.

“All the displays and demonstrations by the pupils, from the nursery class to the P7’s , were outstanding. I would like to thank all the pupils and staff that worked so hard to make the open afternoon such a success, it was very enjoyable.”

The members of the schools Inclusion Squad explained to their guests how they provide opportunities for pupils of all abilities and backgrounds, and members of staff, to discuss the requirements of people within the school with additional support needs. They demonstrated Boccia and New Age Kurling which were specificially designed for people with additional support needs.

An internationally renowned contemporary artist, Margaret Hunter, who was born locally but is now living in Germany, is working with P1 and P2 pupils to encourage their artistic development. Margaret retains strong ties with South Ayrshire and her next exhibition ‘South by Southwest - The Story of art in Southwest Scotland’ between 3 June 2008 and 21 September 2008 will be shown in many galleries across Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

Guests were able to watch a country dancing display and then invited to learn some country dancing steps and try them out.

Everyone at Dundonald Primary School was involved in the event and told the guests about activities at the school:

• Nursery Class - demonstrated in the nursery playground what they have been learning about road safety and keeping safe outside.
• Primary 1 - demonstrated fun ways of keeping physically healthy with by a gym display.
• Primary 2 - created a healthy eating café in the playroom to show what they have learned about healthy eating.
• Primary 3 - displayed work showing what they have learned about Police dogs.
• Primary 4 - concentrated on emotional health with a presentation in the music room.
• Primary 5 - talked about ‘Travelling Green’ and displayed their road safety knowledge.
• Primary 6 - this age group are most at risk of being knocked down and these pupils summarised their experience of ‘The Journey’ which specifically targets their age group.
• Primary 7 - information and education on oral health and on smoking.

View more images from the showcase event.