Thanks to all our readers and particularly to those who leave us comments.  We are now closed for the Easter holidays but will see you all on 14th April!

Congratulations to the following pupils who won the Easter Egg competition for their year group:

P1 Glen

P2 James

P3 Danny

P4 Robbie

P5 Rowen

P6 Yve

P7 Lorna

Congratulations to the following pupils who received their certificate at Friday’s award assembly.  One pupil from each class was chosen by the pupils, the other was chosen by the teacher.  Pupils were chosen for being either a responsible citizen, successful learner, effective contributor or confident individual.

P1 Andrew E, Rhianna

P2 Jennifer, Ryan

P2/3  Ellie C, Dylan

P3  Sandra, Eilidh

P4  Katie G, Ross C

P5  Matthew, Lewis A

P5/6  Jenny, Kenny

P6/7 Katie , Kyle

P7  Ellie, Rachael

On Monday 16th March Ryan, Neil G, Struan, Neil S and Rachael helped the janitor put the rag bag collection onto Nathan Waste Saver’s truck.  We raised £44.70.  We didn’t raise as much as last time but we know we need to advertise more.  Thank you to everyone who helped us.

Ryan P7

P5/6 have been learning Gaelic songs and practising accompanying these with music.

Congratulations to Lewis G who won the P5 Easter egg competition.  Well done to Cailin, Jill and Danni who organised this event all by themselves along with other Easter activities for P5.  What effective contributors you are!

What do you think of this fantastic interactive Glogster poster by Nathan A in P5?  Please visit our new Glogster page for some more examples of interactive posters.

Today at forest School we had an Easter egg hunt.  We had to find 6 pine needles, a brown leaf , a pine cone eaten by a squirrel a bracken leaf and 2 small stones.  Me, Campbell and Kyle were the only ones who got all of the Easter eggs.  Once we found all the things Mrs Reiss, Mrs Jenkins and Euan checked if we had all the things which I did.  After Campbell helped Euan to light the fire.  He had to use a match.  He only used two of them and normally it takes three or four.  Once Euan helped Campbell to get the fire started he took out the saw and cut down a tree.  Then Euan helped Morgan cut down another tree.  then we had to tidy up and head back to the bus.

Lewis S.

P4 have been very busy delivering their talks on the Vikings.  Here is a short clip of Megan delivering her talk.  What a super talk, Megan! 

 Please support us! 

The main area to be developed is the “mud bath” at P4/5 door! We need a group of hardy adults to prepare ground so the children can plant bushes etc donated. This is planned for 9 am Saturday 28th March. Refreshments will be provided!  We also need equipment, including sleepers, bark chips, temp fencing, cement mixer and rotavator.  It would be a huge bonus if anyone can help with any of these. We would also love donations of plants/cuttings from your own gardens. 

Please also visit our new Parent Council page on the blog to see what the Parent Council (Friends of Tarradale) have been up to.

Robert, from the ICT Citizenship Group spent his time last Friday preparing and conductiong an interview with Mrs Blair our school secretary.  Great work, Robert!

What is the first thing you do when you get into school in the morning?

First I check all the emails.  As soon as school starts I need to check that all the children are here.  Each teacher sends me a pink jotter with the names of the pupils who are not in school that morning.  I then have to find out why they haven’t come to school.

How many hours do you work in school each day?

Each day I work 7 hours and 15 minutes.

What is the most important job of the day?

The most important job is paying the bills!

What is the last job of the day?

Taking the money to the bank.

What is your favourite part of the job?

My favourite part is seeing the children.

Why did you choose to be a secretary?

Because I’m good at it and I enjoy it!

Do you like your job?

Yes I do.

Please visit our Citizenship Group page to see what each of the groups have been up to.

What do you think of our work in ICT?

Today we went somewhere new.  We had some hot chocolate and some biscuits and next week we are going to make a hat.  It is going to be fun.  And I am putting the fire out next week.  And we are going to have an Easter egg hunt and we have to find chocolates.  Then we get an egg.  We have to watch in case we trip over so we don’t hurt ourselves.

Kyle W

On Wednesday 18th March, Dingwall Area String Club which includes four pupils from Tarradale  Primary (Lorna, Katie, Nathan and Becky) competed in the Inverness Music Festival.  They played “Scottish Medley” and won 2nd place with 86 points.  Well done to everyone – what an achievement!

Tarradale students performed very well at the Inverness Music Festival this week.  Alice P and Abigail C gained equal 3rd for Grade 1.  Former pupils, Iain P and Ross T won categories Grade 3 and Grade 6-7 respectively.

The Tarradale trio won the ensemble categories.  Two other Tarradale Primary groups “Strum Chums” and “Ord Chords” assisted by pupils from Beauly and Culbokie were place equal 3rd.

Alice P and Abigail C have both obtained Copper Guitar medals and certificates through the Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).  They are assumed to be the first in the region, certainly in Ross-shire to do so.  Congratulations to both.

AA Eaton       www.hopscotchguitar.com

Update – from Friends of Tarradale  (Parent Council)

We thought it would be great for everyone if we, the Parent Council kept you updated on all our activities. As you know our main project this year is upgrading of the playground.  Our focus is on the following headings:

Fencing-We have money now for a fence to enclose the eco garden. This has come from the Highland Council, Community Council and F O T funds. Work should start next term letting any hard work by the children now be protected. The P7’s also have asked for a gate for primary 6/7 area( quoted £750) Watch this space!

Football pitch- this is to be sited at the side of the play park. The football club are helping us chose the equipment.

Murals and signs, Road markings, clocks and hopscotch painting- Local artist is to provide us a welcome sign at the front of the school (children are participating in the design) with a clock and hopscotch ground painting to go at the P1 area.  Once we get confirmation on price these are to go ahead. Northern Constabulary are helping with the road safety markings at the P2 entrance.

Trees and plants- The Forestry Commission to donate young trees to plant at the back of the playing field.

DIGGING DAY!

The main area to be developed is the “mud bath” at P4/5 door! We need a group of hardy adults to prepare ground so the children can plant bushes etc donated. This is planned for 9 am Saturday 28th March. Refreshments will be provided!  We also need equipment, including sleepers, bark chips, temp fencing, cement mixer and rotavator.  It would be a huge bonus if anyone can help with any of these. We would also love donations of plants/cuttings from your own gardens. 

Seating-. Fettes Sawmill sent in competitive prices and will supply logs too. Need confirmation of funds available. We hope to have 2 table and chair sets and a bench soon.

Sandpit area- in P1 area to be completed and will buy play equipment and sand..

Tyres- These are donated to use either as play equipment, seating or garden borders. 

Might want these to use as borders and put in on “digging Day”.

All these projects need MONEY so here are our fundraising ideas for next term…

PAMPERED CHEF EVENING Friday 24th April at the school. A fun evening for the adults with a chance to buy kitchen goods as well as be entertained by a ‘ready steady cook’ game between two mystery  staff members!!

SUMMER FETE- 6th June between 2pm and 4pm.  All hands on deck for a great fun day! Activities and stalls to be (subject to change and/or addition!)-

REFRESHMENTS- bbq: hot and cold drinks, juice and crisps, homebaking	SPONGE THROWING-teachers to volunteer
BOUNCY CASTLE AND SLIDE	FIREBRIGADE/POLICE
SUMO WRESTLING	SHINTY CLUB ACTIVITY
ENTERTAINMENT thought we could have display from highland dancers. Pipers, drummers, disco dancers etc	GAMES STALLS- play your cards right; lucky dip; treasure map Guess the doll’s birthday etc
FACE PAINTING-	BEAT THE GOALIE

Donations needed for any of above and particularly

GRANTS –AS a charitable trust we can apply to various organisations for grants.

IF ANY ONE HAS NEW IDEAS, HELP TO OFFER OR JUST POINTS OF VIEW TO VOICE PLEASE LET US KNOW! 

Contact:

Nicola Dingwall nicolaszwed@hotmail.com

Ian Cameron squirrels@meadows028.freeserve.co.uk

Madeleine MacLeod madeleine.macleod@highland.gov.uk

Well done to all those who contributed to Red Nose Day at Tarradale Primary.  Together we have raised the fantastic sum of £528 for Comic Relief! 

Particular thanks to the members of the House Captains group, the Pupil Council, Mrs Jack and Mrs Cooke.

The following pupils are playing the violin at the Inverness Music Festival on Wednesday 18th March.  We wish you all the best!

Lorna C P7

Nathan H P6

Becky M P5

Katie R P6

Last week Primary 4 enjoyed a talk by Mr Owens who came to tell them all about the Vikings.  Mr Owens thought the P4s knew a lot about the Vikings and was very impressed.  Tell us about your talk, P4.