Our whole school crosscurricular project involved all stages and departments. Click on links below to find out what each stage or department were up to. The project was brought to a conclusion on Fri 20th March with an Open Evening see
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It may take a while to open depending on your connection)
A number of guests have visited the school in connection with our sea project. We are indebted to them for giving of their time and in sharing with us so many of their experiences. They were all most interesting and informative.
Donald W MacLeod & Laura Jane Johnstone- Barra Lifeboat crew
Kenneth Maclean crew member of MV Loch Portain
week 1
Room 1 and 5 pupils have set sail with their Under the Sea topic! Week 1 started with a visit to Hosta and Hougharry beaches with the staff and pupils of Lochmaddy School. Mr Andrew Rodgers, Mrs Anne MacLellan and Mrs Katherine Wilkie also joined us. We were given lots of interesting information about seaweed and sea life at Hougharry beach, and were lucky enough to see an otter! There were lots of tasks to take part in at Hosta,
which included a shoreline collection and practice using the digital camera and camcorder. We were very lucky to have a sunny day for our visit!
We used lots of paint to complete our under the sea learning wall. We have enjoyed finding out about the animals that live there.
We all took part in a screen printing workshop with Sarah MacIntyre from Taigh Chearsabhagh. We learnt about screen-printing techniques to create beautiful sea pictures. The results were, as you can see, fantastic!
More from Primary 1-4 Pupils from Rooms 1 and 5 have had another busy few weeks of their ‘Under the sea’ topic. On Tuesday 4th of March, Margaret Joan MacIsaac, a parent, came in to help us to create seascapes. We used lots of lovely materials, and the results were beautiful! You will have to wait until our open evening to see for yourselves!
We were very lucky to have a lovely sunny day for our trip to Kyles beach on Wednesday 5th March with the staff and pupils of Lochmaddy School, and our guide, Jamie Boyle. We walked the length of the beach (and were joined by some big, hairy highland cows) to see what we could find. We collected lots of different shells, and Jamie gave us the names for these. Back at school after a well deserved lunch, we sorted the shells, and took rubbings with crayons. We thoroughly enjoyed working together.
On Thursday 12th of March, we all enjoyed a day-trip to Lochmaddy school. After some toast, we all set off for Taigh Chearsabhagh to meet Dr John. We went down onto the shore and he told us all about Lochmaddy bay, and the wildlife and shellfish that could be found there. We also saw the fish sculpture made from shells, and the salt dome. It was all very interesting! The fish tank in Taigh Chearsabhagh was filled with seaweed, shellfish and fish, all found in the bay, and a lobster called Rory! We were also lucky to see the Hebrides coming into the pier. The new ticket office gave us a great view!! Back at school, we all tasted some fish and shellfish, and even made some sushi!! In the afternoon we sang some Gaelic sea songs together with Mrs Burgess, and Mr Iain MacLean came in to tell us about the work that was done at the seaweed factory in Spoinish, where he was a worker, before it was closed down. It was very interesting!
We visited the Hebridean Smokehouse on the afternoon of Tuesday 17th of March. We had a guided tour of the factory to see the different processes the salmon went through from being caught to being sent away in the post. We were able to see the workers gutting, filleting, smoking and packing the salmon. Back in the shop we got to taste some hot and cold smoked salmon, and were given lots of information to take back to school. We all enjoyed our visit.
Titanic
As part of the sea project Room 7 pupils (P4-7) have been focussing on the study of the Titanic. This project has an Environmental Studies theme but has linked with many other curricular areas – in particular, language, art and technology. The theme has provided a stimulating context for learning and the class have been motivated by exciting activities. Throughout the study various types of methodology have been used e.g formative assessment, co-operative learning, as well as a range of Curriculum for Excellence developments. Pupils have had to research various areas of study going back in history. They have worked as individuals, in groups and as a class. Their learning has been “active” and they have set high standards for themselves. Citizenship, problem solving, teamwork and taking responsibility have all been key factors of success. As well as these areas of learning the class, Mrs Matheson and the support staff have had fun!
Titanic Fact file. Some trivia from Room 7
The Titanic sank overnight on the 15th April 1912
She was owned by a company called White Star
The Titanic had 2 sister ships called the Olympic and the Britannic.
Thomas Andrews designed the ship
There were only 2 baths for 700 third class passengers
The Countess of Rothes helped row lifeboat 8 and was later presented with the lifeboat number mounted on a plaque.
She weighed 45.000 tons
One of her four funnels was a dummy.
705 people survived the sinking
There were only 16 lifeboats
Some first class passengers ate 10 course dinners.
The Titanic snapped in half as it went down.
Baking
During week 2 of the Sea project, P7 pupils joined Cirsty and Morag Ann for baking. The end product was a collection of good looking sponge cakes to be eaten by our parents and friends on the school ‘Open Night’ on Friday 20th March. The photos show how busy and focussed we were! Top of page
Visit to Car Ferry Hebrides As part of our sea project room 7 primary 4-7 visited the Hebrides car ferry in Lochmaddy .
What a brilliant time we had!
We were shown round the vessel and spent nearly an hour looking at loads of interesting places. Our favourite places were the bridge,
the gangway and the shop.We sent thank you letters to all the staff who spent time with us and the photographs we sent are now on display on board! Top of page
School assembly Kenneth Maclean from Berneray, a well known crew member on the Loch Portain, addressed the school assembly on Monday 2 March. Kenny who has spent all his life at sea- merchant navy, fishing and now with CalMac- used his vast experiences to highlight the importance of knowing the direction we take in life.
Grimsay Boat
On Wednesday 25th Feb, we were delighted to take delivery of a very special 9' dinghy from the Grimsay Boatshed. It will take pride of place in the main school foyer for the next couple of weeks.
This dinghy was built in 1962 by the Stewarts in the old Grimsay boat shed. The boat was made out of larch because it does not rot easily. The dinghy would have taken about two months for one man to build. It was used to carry crew and supplies out to the owner William Stewart’s big boat The Crystal Sea.
The Stewarts originally came from Appin (in Argyll) and started building boats about 1840. This became a family tradition but regrettably the 4th generation stopped building in the 1960s.
However, boat building started again in 2003 when William Stewart (the fourth generation of the old boat builders) taught Ronald John (the new boat builder) the skill and art of boat building.
A Grimsay boat would now cost about £1000 a foot per boat.
We are delighted to have this boat on loan for our sea project. Top of page
Merchant Navy Tales
Mr. Ken Maclean visited the school on Wednesday 25th February 2009 in connection with our Sea Project. Mr. Maclean, who lives in Muir of Aird, Benbecula, is a former seaman and is a member of the Merchant Navy Association. He spoke with the pupils of P7, S1 and S2. He shared a lot of merchant navy stories with us and spoke of the sacrifice that these seamen made especially in wartime. He spoke of losing his father when the SS Clan Macfadyen was torpedoed off the coast of Trinidad in 1942. Mr. Maclean was only seven years old at the time and remembers receiving the sad news by telegram. He also showed us his father's medals and spoke of visiting Trinidad with His wife Annie in 1992 to commemorate the sad event. Mr. Maclean donated a Red Ensign to the school and spoke of the career opportunities that exist in the Merchant Navy for both boys and girls. We learned a lot from Mr. Maclean's and are grateful to him for accepting our invitation to visit Paible School. Top of page
The Iolaire (we are indebted to John for not only giving of his time but submitting this excellent report of his visit to Paible)
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Sgoil Phaibil to talk about the
Iolaire disaster– partly because it’s always good to plug one’s new book but mostly because I was made a great fuss of and naturally felt most important.
The excursion was arranged by Mrs MacDonald (Maths/Computing) and executed by Ms Campbell (English) and Mrs Townsend (RME)... she babysat me in a past life, but let’s not talk about that. In the last morning period I took Secondary 2X and had come armed – a dvd of underwater footage of the Iolaire wreck today; a few artefacts from the sunken hulk (these were retrieved, and the film shot, by my friend Chris Murray, recently retired winchman of the Stornoway Coastguard Helicopter and an authentic local hero); an Admiralty chart; some family claim-forms from the Iolaire Disaster Fund and of course several copies of my book. Class 2X were very quiet – save for the helpful and unnervingly
authoritative Ewen Campbell – but attentive and well behaved. We
focussed largely on ‘The Iolaire’ poem by Iain Crichton Smith – a
remarkably mystical, demanding piece of deathless verse, even for a fat little 43-year old journalist – and shared our thoughts about the sea and our defencelessness before it, enriched by Ms Campbell’s recollections of her own grim bereavement in the January 2005 hurricane.
After rallying our energies over lunch (mince and tatties; rice pudding and fruit; best tap water) Ms Campbell and I braved Secondary 2Y, again with Iain Crichton Smith as a hook. Now I felt much more relaxed, we interrupted each other less often and the discussion fairly got going, the girls being especially exercised over the feminist angle and the dreadful vulnerabilities – and limited opportunities – for women in 1919..
The day ended with Mrs Townsend’s RME classes and, oddly for wee First Year pupils, these were the most confident and outgoing of the lot. The brief now was simply to tell them the story of the disaster, its human impact and the awful vulnerabilities of time and Providence. One lad from Berneray was a great help and another boy could personally relate – his great-grand uncle had died with the Iolaire.
Mrs MacDonald surfaced once or twice to photograph me in double-chinned splendour with the students and Secondary 2Y solemnly presented me with a genuine Paible School key-ring and pen. The classes seemed genuinely moved to be able to handle various forlorn little bits of the ship herself, by Chris Murray’s chilling underwater photography, by the sufferings of the bereaved and were, besides, stirred to real anger at the contempt of Lowland and Admiralty authority for Highland life.
This was my fourth visit to Paible School in five years and, as always, it seems a most relaxed, happy and very professional learning environment, with serene teachers and very friendly pupils. The day was capped, besides, by gorgeous spring weather and the novelty of seeing school dinners so good even the teachers eat them.
There was only one chilling moment, immediately sweeping me back thirty years – a brutal, whipping noise from the classroom next door. I was quickly assured it was only a staple-gun, but it sounded exactly like someone getting the belt. And I was quietly amused by the eagerness of certain male pupils to assist teachers with 21st-century technology – to evident staff appreciation and lip-curling contempt from their own female peers.
Ninety years on, the Great War and the Iolaire are now at the very edge of living memory – only three British World War One veterans and one Iolaire orphan are still living. In another decade, these dreadful matters will survive only in the pages of history. It is so important the Iolaire, her passengers and crew are not forgotten. As my grandparents in their day related it all to me, it was a privilege, this Tuesday in March 2009, to share the Dark Ship’ and her fateful voyage with a new generation.
This photograph shows John Finlay Macleod (Port of Ness) and
John Murray (South Dell) by the Iolaire Monument, overlooking the
Beasts of Holm, in the summer of 1965. It was the first time either had visited the scene since the day of the disaster. Neither would ever return and, by the following summer, Mr Murray - the first man ashore by John Finlay's rope - had passed away. Top of page
Fishermen's Mission
Mr John Anderson from the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen visited the school on Tuesday 10th March. Mr Anderson told us about his work in the Fishermen's Mission and also about his life as a fisherman. he shared his life story with us and told us of a terrible accident he had at sea. Mr Anderson who has been based in Lochinver, Sutherland is now moving to Devon. We all enjoyed his talk and learned a lot from him. Top of page
Life at Sea
Captain Donald Gunn’s visit to the school on Tuesday 10 March took the form of a most interesting question and answer session. He told the pupils that he had left school at the age of 15½ with no qualifications to join the Loch Mòr as a deck hand, but had worked his way up through hard work and perseverance. He recalled his first ever voyage and informed us that Scalpay had been his very first port of call. He travelled the globe, before returning to Uist to captain the Cal-Mac ferries. He was captain of the Hebrides until he retired a few years back and had previously skippered the Loch Brusda when it was on the Sound of Harris crossing.
He encouraged the pupils never to give up when confronted with setbacks, but to keep going as eventually they would be rewarded. He spoke of the career options open to both men and women and commended the Merchant Navy as a career choice, saying that he would do the same thing all over again given the opportunity. He also referred to the importance of personal qualities such as patience when working aboard a ship with people from many different backgrounds.
Captain Gunn recalled some of the ships he had sailed in and some of the experiences he had at sea. He spoke of being in three violent storms and of experiencing engine loss on more than one occasion. He was asked many interesting questions such as: “Were you ever sick?” “Were you ever scared?” “What was the biggest ship you were in?” Top of page
Barra Life Boat
On Wednesday 11th March, Paible School welcomed two members of the Barra Lifeboat crew who had given up some of their time to come over to Uist to speak with us. Coxswain Donald (Domhnall Uilleam) Macleod and crew member Laura Jane Johnstone spent an hour with us, sharing their experiences of life aboard the Barra lifeboat. Both are volunteers on the lifeboat and when not on call Domhnall Uilleam works as a fisherman and Laura Jane as a nurse.
They told us that lifeboats have improved a lot over the years. The current Barra lifeboat is a Severn Class craft and was officially named the RNLI “Edna Windsor” on 24th April 1999.
The Barra crew spend many hours of their own time training and can be called out to a rescue at a moment’s notice. They need to be very fit because they can sometimes be out for long hours in very rough seas; some waves are up to 15m. Some of the volunteers are still in school and can get called out in class time.
Domhnall Uilleam was awarded the RNLI’s Bronze Medal for Gallantry in 2006. The medal was awarded to him for his command, leadership and initiative in the use of local knowledge to save a capsized yacht in atrocious sea conditions. For the first time his life boat also capsized. When we asked him if he was scared, Coxswain Macleod said that he had been more nervous about going to London to collect the medal than he had been on the lifeboat!
We learned that the Barra lifeboat had been called out to rescues as far north as the Isle of Taransay. The lifeboat is fuled for 12 hours and it can go up to 25 knots. They also showed us some of the gear they wear and allowed us to try it on. We were also allowed to inflate the lifejackets and to handle the pager.
We are very grateful to Domhnall Uilleam and to Laura for coming over to Uist. Their visit coincided with our school fundraising Titanic lunch for the RNLI which raised £130. We hope to present the money raised to a member of the crew later in the year. (Visit report compiled by S2 Sandy Davidson, Catriona Fyfe and Colin Macleod ) read Ryan Simpson's (pr 7) report
Top of page
Boatshed
The Boatshed opened in 2003 on the old Kallin School site and combines the functions of boat museum, repair workshop and educational unit for Sgoil Lionacleit. We learned much about the history and traditions of Grimsay boatbuilding and the skills that have been passed down through generations. A fantastic experience.
Thanks to Ronald John and Mary Norton. Top of page
Kallin Pier
This box type harbour was first upgraded in 1985 and further developed in 2008 through Government Funding. It provides support for the local fishermen in terms of buildings, storage and a safe anchorage for their boats. In our guided tour of the harbour we looked at different fishing boats and were shown how creels are used to catch lobsters and prawns.
Thanks to Nick Ingledew (Harbour Manager) Top of page
Kallin Shell Fish
This clam processing business provides work for 18 crew and 12 factory workers. In a year approximately 100 tons of clam meat is produced and sold mostly to the south of England (Manchester, Liverpool, London). We had our packed lunch in the workers canteen – cool!!.
Thanks to Hector Stewart (Manager)
On Wednesday, 11, 2009 Primary 4,5,6,7 made a 3 course French lunch for all the staff in the school. Unfortunately some staff couldn’t make it. The lunch was chosen as it was similar to the French Menu served to the First Class Passengers on board the S.S. Titanic in 1912.
It was a 3 course meal. For starters we had lentil soup made by Morag Ann. For the main meal we had croissants, baguettes and salad with a choice of fillings. For pudding we had homemade gateau cake with strawberries or biscuit and cheese.
The whole point for this French lunch was because we were fundraising for R.N.L.I and to practise talking French.
At 1.00pm people started to come in. Iain MacBain and Calum MacRitchie were standing outside room 4 at the door checking the guest list and showing them to their table.
The staff who were there were:
Table 1 M.H. Macdonald, M.Hocine, Mme.Ellwood, Mme Erskine and Mme.M Macdonald
Table 2 M.MacLean, Mme.Grant, Mme.Veverka, Mme Cairns and Mme.Czuchnicka
Table 3 Mme.Matheson, Mme.R Macdonald, Mme.MacIntosh, Mme.Townsend and M.D Macdonald
Fazel and Iain F were being waiters at table 1, Laurence and Craig at table 2 and Hannah and Andrew at table 3.
I was playing the accordion for everyone at the lunch.
Primary 4, 5 were doing the washing up for the French lunch.
At the end I played happy birthday on the accordion and we all sang it to Cirsty as it was her birthday. Then Mme Dick and Mme Grant sang it in French for her. Before we knew it, the day was over and everyone was exhausted.Report by Ryan Simpson pr 7
Technology
As a part of the sea project, pupils in Home Economics were working with technical and I.T to make a 2010 calendar which would include recipes relating to the sea.
Pupils brought traditional fish and shellfish recipes from home, to be included in the project.
Twelve recipes were chosen which were suitable for each month of the year. It was also important to include a good variety of dishes.
Most of the recipes were tested in H.E and sampled by pupils. Changes were made to the recipes as required. The recipes were typed in I.T and a suitable frame/background was chosen.
In Tech pupils were working on recipe stands which will be useful for holding the recipes and calendar.
It is hoped to have the calendar recipes for sale on our Open Night
French Department
The Sea Project has given S1 a chance to look more closely at the Mediterranean seaside resort where their pen friends live. In finding out what water sports are available in la Seyne Sur Mer in the South of France, they have been learning Il y a and Il n’y a pas (“ there is/are” and the negative); also the phrases On peut faire and On ne peut pas faire for things they can and can’t do, compared with North Uist. This fits in perfectly with their current learning of the verbs avoir and faire. They have made posters about this and have been filmed reading aloud their comments. watch S1X and S1Y and S2 La Mer en Bretagne
S2 did not realise until now that in Brittany a Celtic language is spoken and that Brittany has many similarities with us, being also situated on the Atlantic. S2 pupils chose their own area of research in Brittany, ranging from the trawling industry to myths and legends of the sea. Each pupil produced a booklet of what they had found out. They summarised the main points in French, using regular verbs from the three main groups of endings, in order to present orally to the rest of the class.
The Sea Project inspired P7 and S1 pupils to focus on the very contentious subject of the Whaling Industry for their Debating Unit. BIG DEBATE on Thursday 26 March 1.45 - 2.45
(P7 & S1- Could all pupils please attend the BIG DEBATE practice to be held in RM 6 on Tuesday 24th Periods 8 & 9. Please ensure you have your research, speeches and arguments fully prepared.)
They learned the debating terms: House, Motion, Proposition, Opposition, Point of Information, Rebuttal, Floor and Adjudicators.
Pupils were then divided into 2 groups; the Proposition declaring that ‘This house would ban hunting for whales’ and the Opposition declaring that ‘This house is in favour of hunting for whales’. Both ‘houses’ prepared their motions and selected their main speakers; 3 from each group, representing S1x, S1y and P7.
Much research was done, many arguments were prepared, brainstorming took place and strategies formulated.
Finally we held a practice debate. Pupils became animated and engaged as they explored the wide variety of issues thrown up by each of the motions and they learned a lot from their participation in this very carefully structured method of argument. Points of Information were offered, and accepted or declined by the present speaker. Pupils were encouraged to listen carefully to the opposing team’s speakers, take notes, and then when it was their turn to strongly rebut the opposing argument. Pupils quickly learned the merits of conducting good, solid research as well as the need to think quickly on their feet if defending an argument effectively. The debate will be repeated next week, this time with P6 pupils present on the Floor. This debate will be judged by a team of teachers and P6 pupils and each member of the winning team will be awarded an Easter egg. Motivation indeed! Top of page
English S2
S2 pupils have been studying poetry with the main focus being on understanding poetic technique.
We have used two poems; The Iolaire by Iain Crichton Smith is a rich source of imagery and powerful language, while Cearcall a Chuain by Calum MacDonald explores the themes of life, death and commitment.
Both poems complement the main theme for the Sea Project wall display which looks in-depth at the Iolaire disaster which occurred on January 1st 1919.
Pupils have engaged in a wide variety of tasks relating to this main theme, for example, some have written imaginative responses to the tragedy by placing themselves in the persona of a dependant of one of the lost seamen.
The
Easter egg prizes for best work on Poetry Unit go to; Ewen Campbell for his excellent poem ‘Donald Morrison’ about a father from Eoropie, Stornoway, lamenting the loss of his son, Angus Morrison, in the Iolaire disaster and Lauren Nicolson for her moving account of the loss suffered by Mrs Kate Smith, widow of John Smith, South Shawbost, who lost his life in the Iolaire disaster.
Other pupils have researched the various theories surrounding the course chosen by the Captain of the Iolaire and created a display which shows the alternative (and safe) routes.
Pupils have looked at other wartime tragedies at sea and learned how the western Isles in particular had a disproportionate loss of life in both WW1 and WW2, a testimony to the patriotism and bravery of our ancestors.
We were privileged to receive a visit from author John MacLeod, whose authoritative text ‘When I Heard the Bell’ (2009 Birlinn Ltd) covers every aspect of the Iolaire disaster in breathtaking detail. John brought with him found artefacts from what remains of the wreck of the Iolaire which a diver friend had given him. Pupils were thrilled to handle these items and listen to John describing the significance of the disaster on the lives of so many. This project has enabled pupils to understand historical events in a very personal manner and has resulted in a series of written and visual pieces which they can feel very proud of.
Well done all of you for your excellent effort in producing the ‘Iolaire’ visual display!
Maths
Maths work over the last 3 weeks has been based on our sea project with each class having a different theme.
For each theme, pupils worked in groups, researching, making decisions, budgeting, doing calculations, scale drawings and reviewing their plans.
1X were involved with the Seaweed Industry, 1Y with Tourism, and 2Y went with Fishing. Each of these groups had to purchase a suitable boat, buy the right equipment, find the right deal to finance 70% of their boat, keep a spreadsheet of their finances, decide what area they were going to work in, make scale drawings of their vessels and accurate scale drawings of their trip using distance and bearing. From their spreadsheets they had to come to conclusions about their ventures as to its viability. 1Y had to plan a 2 day car trip, to and from Uist, for a family of 2 adults and 2 children to see who could travel the farthest on Cal Mac ferries, keeping a note of all expenses. Angus MacInnes came up with an amazing 2 day trip involving 11 ferry journeys and covering approx 370miles by car. 2X’s theme was the Oil Industry where they researched the size of oil rigs. Hannah, Margaret and Stephanie drew up this graph comparing 5 large platforms to our school turbine- you can barely see our turbine! Rest of the class did various calculations on the Brent Pipe line and worked out that the volume of crude oil in the pipeline at any particular time is approx253,385,820 litres.
Student Teacher
Hello there,
My name is Miss MacIntosh and I am a student teacher, on placement at Paible School . I have been working with the Primary 1 - 4 class, on their project - ‘The Sea’.
We have been very busy over the past few weeks! You can come and have a look at all the work we have been doing, which is displayed on the walls outside our classroom.
Some of my favourite activities so far, have included trips to the shore, marble painting, sponge painting the giant octopus and helping the children learn all about different habitats around the shore.
Although one of the most interesting activities, was experiencing sushi for the first time, on our trip to Lochmaddy School!
I will be at Paible School until the 27th March, but I will be back for another two weeks in May. Please come and say hello, if you see me around the school.
Sara MacIntosh Top of page
Social Subjects
The sea topic chosen by Social Subjects was the Atlantic Slave Trade. Pupils investigated this trade through the use of the Internet, books etc to develop a better understanding of how and why the trade existed. They tried to imagine the feelings of both the slaves and slavers through the use of videos, contemporary written material and their own imaginary diaries. By the end of the topic the pupils should now be aware of a shameful period of British History and how it helped to produce Britain’s multi cultural society. Top of page
Gaidhlig/RME
Mar phairt de phroiseact na mara, thadhail Eoghainn Caimbeul S2 agus Graham MacIlle Dhuibh S2 air clas an darna bliadhna ann an Sgoil Lionacleit. Thug iad seachad da oraid an sin - Graham mu dheidhinn Hiort agus Eoghainn mu dheidhinn Heisgeir. Dh'eist na sgoilearan ri na bh'aca ri radha agus chuir iad ceistean orra. Chord an turas ri na gillean agus fhuair iad cothrom coinneachadh ris a'chloinn a bhios air a'chlas aca an ath bhliadhna. S1 RME
We studied four biblical storms at sea in our RME class. We also explored several aspects of biblical sea imagery such as waves, reefs, harbour, anchor etc. We discussed what these represented and how they related these to our life experiences. Nicki Spears S1 S2 RME
We studied the life of the Rev. John Harper, the Titanic’s last hero, in our RME class. We discovered that personal belief influences behaviour and often involves costly sacrifices. We also explored the loss of the Iolaire and its aftermath. We were privileged to have a visit from John Macleod, who shared valuable information concerning the island’s response to the tragedy. Catriona Fyfe S2 S1 and S2 Gaelic Learners
We created imaginary sea creatures using ICT. We invented details about the creatures and learned a lot of new words. S1 Gaelic Learners
We studied the popular Gaidhlig poem, Cearcall a’Chuain. We saw that it contained familiar and unfamiliar language. We explored the images used by the poet and also studied the words he uses to describe the sea. We discovered that the poet feels strongly about Uist. S1 Gaidhlig (Fileantaich)
Fhuair sinne a-mach moran fiosrachaidh mu bhàtaichean ainmeil agus chleachd sinn Powerpoint airson am fiosrachadh sin fhoillseachadh. Top of page
Science Secondary Science As part of our sea project secondary pupils carried out a study of a small rocky island ‘An t-eilean glas’ in the bay to the front of the school.
We considered the importance of plants in sustaining life on land and in the sea.
As a group we researched each living thing on the island in terms of habitat/ feeding habits and produced food chains and food webs. We also predicted the consequences of habitat changes. We also found out that energy is lost at each link of the food chain and how this scientific knowledge can be used in feeding the Earth’s population in times of famine and hardship.
We set up a marine tank in the science classroom. It was great fun!!
Primary Science
We chose as our topic ‘in the sea’ and studied a variety of things such as:
Expressive Arts
P.E., Music and Art joined forces to produce a spectacular multimedia performance based on a Selkie Tale from Orkney. All secondary pupils took part in this sea production and were split up into groups for drama, lighting, narration, sound, photography, art, set design, costume design, dance and mime.
The night of the show was very successful. We got positive feedback and everyone thoroughly enjoyed them selves.
By Catriona Fyfe 2X Top of page
Work in the fishermen's misssion 
Life at sea 
Merchant Navy Tales 
Pupils from Rooms 1 and 5 have had another busy few weeks of their ‘Under the sea’ topic. On Tuesday 4th of March, Margaret Joan MacIsaac, a parent, came in to help us to create seascapes. We used lots of lovely materials, and the results were beautiful! You will have to wait until our open evening to see for yourselves!
for our trip to 
he told us all about Lochmaddy bay, and the wildlife and shellfish that could be found there. We also saw the fish sculpture made from shells, and the salt dome. It was all very interesting! The fish tank in Taigh Chearsabhagh was filled with seaweed, shellfish and fish, all found in the bay, and a lobster called Rory! We were also lucky to see the Hebrides coming into the pier. The new ticket office gave us a great view!! Back at school, we all tasted some fish and shellfish, and even made some sushi!! In the afternoon we sang some Gaelic sea songs together with Mrs Burgess, and Mr Iain MacLean came in to tell us about the work that was done at the seaweed factory in Spoinish, where he was a worker, before it was closed down. It was very interesting!
We were able to see the workers gutting, filleting, smoking and packing the salmon. Back in the shop we got to taste some hot and cold smoked salmon, and were given lots of information to take back to school. We all enjoyed our visit.
The theme has provided a stimulating context for learning and the class have been motivated by exciting activities. Throughout the study various types of methodology have been used e.g formative assessment, co-operative learning, as well as a range of Curriculum for Excellence developments. Pupils have had to research various areas of study going back in history. They have worked as individuals, in groups and as a class. Their learning has been “active” and they have set high standards for themselves. Citizenship, problem solving, teamwork and taking responsibility have all been key factors of success. As well as these areas of learning the class, Mrs Matheson and the support staff have had fun!
car ferry in Lochmaddy .
Class 2X were very quiet – save for the helpful and unnervingly 
This photograph shows John Finlay Macleod (Port of Ness) and 
they wear and allowed us to try it on. We were also allowed to inflate the lifejackets and to handle the pager.
We learned much about the history and traditions of Grimsay boatbuilding and the skills that have been passed down through generations. A fantastic experience. 
This box type harbour was first upgraded in 1985 and further developed in 2008 through Government Funding. It provides support for the local fishermen in terms of buildings, storage and a safe anchorage for their boats. In our guided tour of the harbour we looked at different fishing boats and were shown how creels are used to catch lobsters and prawns. 
Iain MacBain and Calum MacRitchie were standing outside room 4 at the door checking the guest list and showing them to their table. 
Report by Ryan Simpson pr 7 
The recipes were typed in I.T and a suitable frame/background was chosen.
and the Opposition declaring that ‘This house is in favour of hunting for whales’.
Both ‘houses’ prepared their motions and selected their main speakers; 3 from each group, representing S1x, S1y and P7.
Points of Information were offered, and accepted or declined by the present speaker. Pupils were encouraged to listen carefully to the opposing team’s speakers, take notes, and then when it was their turn to strongly rebut the opposing argument. Pupils quickly learned the merits of conducting good, solid research as well as the need to think quickly on their feet if defending an argument effectively.
The debate will be repeated next week, this time with P6 pupils present on the Floor. This debate will be judged by a team of teachers and P6 pupils and each member of the winning team will be awarded an Easter egg. Motivation indeed!
This project has enabled pupils to understand historical events in a very personal manner and has resulted in a series of written and visual pieces which they can feel very proud of.
1Y with Tourism, and 2Y went with Fishing. Each of these groups had to purchase a suitable boat, buy the right equipment, find the right deal to finance 70% of their boat, keep a spreadsheet of their finances, decide what area they were going to work in, make scale drawings of their vessels and accurate scale drawings of their trip using distance and bearing. From their spreadsheets they had to come to conclusions about their ventures as to its viability. 1Y had to plan a 2 day car trip, 
to and from Uist, for a family of 2 adults and 2 children to see who could travel the farthest on Cal Mac ferries, keeping a note of all expenses. Angus MacInnes came up with an amazing 2 day trip involving 11 ferry journeys and covering approx 370miles by car. 2X’s theme was the Oil Industry where they researched the size of oil rigs. Hannah, Margaret and Stephanie drew up 
thadhail Eoghainn Caimbeul 
S2 agus Graham MacIlle Dhuibh S2 air clas an darna bliadhna ann an Sgoil Lionacleit. Thug iad seachad da oraid an sin - Graham mu dheidhinn Hiort agus Eoghainn mu dheidhinn Heisgeir. Dh'eist na sgoilearan ri na bh'aca ri radha agus chuir iad ceistean orra. Chord an turas ri na gillean agus fhuair iad cothrom coinneachadh ris a'chloinn a bhios air a'chlas aca an ath bhliadhna.
We chose as our topic ‘in the sea’ and studied a variety of things such as:
All secondary pupils took part in this sea production and were split up into groups for drama, lighting, narration, sound, photography, art, set design, costume design, dance and mime.
