Happy Holidays Everyone!

There will be some sleepy heads this evening, perhaps even this afternoon, following a jam packed week of daytime and evening activities. It has been a genuine pleasure to escort this outstanding year group and we all truly enjoyed their company. P7s were universally recognised and applauded for their listening skills, team work, sporting ability and for their kindness to one another. They have made lasting bonds this sunny week - with each other - and with the staff.

The Sciennes staff - each one of them highly experienced in outdoor education - also gave it their all and sustained the 24/5 duty by working very closely as a team. The P7 teachers are a strong, talented and impressive unit and their pupils reflect that. Mr Forrest Howie is an accomplished camp leader and established a real community spirit with the boys in the Main Building. Miss Jenny Gaffney has had such a positive influence on the entire year group having worked with them over the last four years. Particular thanks to Ms Wendy French for major input to this blog, determinedly keeping families updated while we were away (despite little time, very slow connection speeds and no mobile reception) as well as Miss Gaffney and seasoned top camper Ms Angela Christie, Business Manager. (We will publish more photographs here after the holiday.) We were delighted to be accompanied by Learning Assistants Mrs Shahida Mehmood (also a P7 parent) and Miss Rachel Ingles (a former Outdoor Education Instructor herself). We were also fortunate to have Mr Barry Hewitt join us in his new role as Outdoor Learning Development Officer for City of Edinburgh Council. Mr Jonathan Wallace Active Sports Co-ordinator for JGHS Cluster really enjoyed getting to know all the children better, which will benefit all those who continue to work with him next year at James Gillespie's High School.

All the staff were high profile with all nine groups day and night. Grateful thanks to the entire team and also to the extended team back at Sciennes, particularly Mrs Noble, Ms Anstruther and Mrs Crolla who had a very busy week at school, as well as Mrs Atkinson and Mrs Ellis who help with the advance organisation.

We are indebted to Graeme and all the staff at Lagganlia who go out of their way to make our stay with them as comfortable as it can possibly be, always going the extra mile to accommodate our needs, and for the great skill,  expertise and dedication of the instructors. Certificates with hand written comments from each instructor were presented yesterday and will be carefully stored at school for pupils' JASS folders. All pupils who took part this week will also receive the 'Adventure' certificate; one quarter of the way towards full Silver award accreditation.

Thank you to Mrs Watson and Mrs Tariq who have ensured that the five pupils who remained also had an enjoyable and interesting week.

Thank you most sincerely to all the families who support us, not least of all financially, in providing what we believe to be an invaluable educational opportunity for our children.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday and we look forward to building on the success of this week throughout the final year at Sciennes. Well done, Primary Seven! Have a good rest - you really deserve it.  Ms Gallagher