In Ballywalter Primary school, each classroom is equipped with a state of the art Promethean interactive panel and a large selection of iPads kindly donated by our PTA. Pupils are able to individually use a digital device when in the well resourced ICT room. We have a very well stocked PE store to enable staff to avail of a wide selection of sports equipment to follow all areas of the PE curriculum, as well as a range of after school sports clubs. Our two, large areas of outdoor play gym equipment are very popular and allow the pupils to improve their gross motor skills while playing with their friends. The foundation stage have the daily use of their bespoke outdoor play area, including a mud kitchen, wildflower garden and purpose digging area. Beach school plays a very big part of our school life and here in Ballywalter Primary, we are very fortunate as the beach is just a short walk away.
Primary 1 Highlights
We are so lucky to have the sea so close to our school. We like to take our learning down to the beach where we can do lots of exciting activities.
We love to learn in P1! We have a great play area where we can choose an area to work in. This helps us develop our literacy, numeracy and creative skills. It's great for problem solving and building resilience. Sometimes we get messy!
P1 enjoy using the different areas in the outside play area including the mud kitchen where they cook up a variety of delicious dishes!
Primary 2 Highlights
At Christmas we join with P1 and P3 pupils to perform a Nativity Play, as part of our whole school Carol Service. We love this opportunity to showcase our musical and drama abilities.
A highlight of our P2 year is visiting our local Fire Station. Here we discover all about the role of a firefighter in our community, learn about fire safety and even test out our skills with the hose.
In Primary 2 we discover, explore, create, imagine and experiment on a daily basis in a variety of ways. We develop our problem-solving skills and build healthy relationships with our peers.
Primary 3 Highlights
P3 enjoy having some of our lessons at the beach. We have learned about measurement, the environment, seals, we've re-created Circus pictures as part of our ABL (Activity-Based-Learning), along with many other lessons.
P3 are the big stars at the Nativity each year. They all get fully involved learning lots of lines, songs and dance routines to be performed for all of our parents. This year P1, P2 and P3 performed 'A Midwife Crisis'.
A big excitement in P3 is ABL (Activity-Based-Learning) where we learn lots about different topics through fun activities - Numeracy, Literacy, Arts and Crafts, STEM and ICT.
In P3 our topics include; The Circus, Cold Lands, Celebrations, Pirates and Africa.
Primary 4 Highlights
In gymnastics we learn about balances, jumps and spins. The children enjoy making up their own routines using the benches.
As part of our Rescue at Sea topic, we learn about Grace Darling and write dramatic diary entries from her perspective.
Minibeasts really are marvellous! We learn all about the wonderful world of a range of creepy crawlies.
Primary 5 Highlights
After learning about life as an Evacuee during WW2 pupils dress up as evacuees and spend the day participating in activities of the era.
Roald Dahl Day is celebrated annually by P5. Here we have one of our pupils as James and the Giant Peach!
We have terrific links with services in the community. Here Fireman Ivan speaks with P5 to teach them about ways to avoid fires and what to do should they come across a fire. A very informative visit.
Primary 6 Highlights
One of the highlights of the P6 year is the residential trip. This year we went to the Lorne Centre where we had the opportunity to try abseiling, archery and climbing.
P6 love their weekly beach school lessons. The children complete a different activity each time which help develop their problem solving, team work and information managing skills.
Outdoor learning is an important part of our curriculum. The pupils enjoy the opportunity to have their literacy and numeracy lessons outside, where they can move and explore the environment while learning.
Primary 7 Highlights
The fantastic Business Beginnings programme allows P7 pupils to get real business experience by setting up and running their own company. The pupils have fun while working on developing skills that will be useful to them as they move into big school, and eventually help them in their career.
P7 pupils always look forward to the residential. This time away compliments and extends the work children cover in school and provides opportunities to experience new challenges, helping them to develop and mature.
One of the highlights of P7 is the arrival of the hoodies! Pupils choose from a range of colours, have their initials on the front with their year of leaving primary school on the back, filled with all their classmates names.