Orchard Brae Clothing Exchange

Thanks to everyone that has sent in items for our Clothing Exchange. Please remember that you’re welcome to pop in and browse any time. It’s a great way to save money and help the planet by passing things on that our children and young people have grown out of.

We’ve got clothing in a wider range of sizes now. All sizes of clothing are welcome as our pupils go from age 3-18.

Out and about with Alan in Outdoor Education

Room 8

Room 8 took part in a scavenger hunt at Duthie Park.  We were looking for various items, including fish, flowers and the big frog in the pond.

Some pupils were able to read the words and reinforce their numeracy skills by counting what they had to find.

Sadly, the turtles were being shy and we only saw 3.

 

Room 10

Room 10 pupils were exploring a farm path near Orchard Brae.  We were exploring to see what we could find.  Some of the pupils loved splashing in puddles so it was just as well they were wearing wellies!

 

Room 14

It was too cold to go out, so we did our outdoor learning indoors!

We looked at pictures of trees of trees silhouetted against a winter sunset, and then tried to recreate this on paper, using natural materials.

We used charcoal to rub over leaves and twigs to create the trees, then used various materials to make clouds.  We stuck this down on a dark blue background, which looked very effective!

 

Room 18

Room 18 have been helping to dig over the sandpit.

The sandpit needed to be raked and dug over.  We also needed to brush sand from the playground.  The class used rakes to move sand, and the progress was amazing. Sand was moved from the edge back into the middle, where it was needed.

 

Uniform Exchange: Save money and help the environment!

We are pleased to announce that we now have a Uniform Exchange in the front reception area of Orchard Brae. We have a small stock of clothing at present including footwear, trousers, school sweatshirts and polo shirts. We also have some bodysuits in smaller sizes. Free sanitary products will be available at all times.

You are welcome to come in and browse at any time, taking what you need for your child.

Donations of clothing (footwear, outdoor jackets or trousers, school uniform) are welcome and can be sent in with your child – please pop a note into the diary so that we know they are for the Uniform Exchange. Our pupils are aged 3 – 18, so all sizes are welcome including adult sizes.

Let’s help ourselves by saving money and passing on clothes that our children have outgrown, and help the environment too by re-using good clothing.

Reindeer Decorations in Room 14

Room 14 have been getting into the festive spirit and been making some beautiful Christmas decorations. We have been making little reindeer faces using pieces of wood we have been drying out. The pupils did some planning before the decorating to choose how to personalise their reindeer. Everyone decided to go for a red nose! We also decorated some cute mini Christmas trees to take home!

Secondary Futures Event

We would like to thank everyone that attended the Secondary Futures Event this week. It was a successful evening with a wide range of partners attending – some who support pupils through work experience at Senior Phase, and others who support our young people on leaving school. The evening was relaxed with plenty of time to chat and find out about services following a talk from Elaine Thomson, Head of Secondary, on the senior curriculum.

Fun Science in Room 14

Room 14 have been doing some fun Science experiments in class recently. We have been learning about how we can mix two things to make something new! We took turns to mix baking soda with vinegar to inflate a rubber glove. Everyone enjoyed giving high fives to each other hands! Nobody liked the smell of the vinegar but it was worth it for the fun!

Christmas Fair: 30th November 2019

Room 12 are holding another doll raffle, to be drawn at the Christmas Fair on 30th November 2019, all proceeds to Orchard Brae.

Included in the prize is a beautiful wicker basket bed, bedding, the doll and several outfits – from a bride’s dress, to clown’s outfit to pyjamas and matching dressing gown and more. Doll donated and bedding and outfits beautifully made by the mum of one of Room 12’s class teachers.

Tickets to win all this are £1! Come and see us at the fair to buy your ticket!

There will also be many dolly clothes at our stall available to buy separately. These are unique, handmade and better than any dolls clothes you’ll see in the shops!

Halloween Fun at the Pupil Council Disco

The pupil council decided they wanted a Halloween disco and a pumpkin carving competition on Halloween. We enjoyed a whole school disco, with all the tunes being selected in advance by the pupils.  There were lots of fantastic costumes too.

Moving Science in Room 14

Room 14 have been honing their scientific and research skills.  We have been investigating things that move and what makes them move.  Earlier in the term we investigated wind power.  We tried blowing some things over and found that the hairdryer could blow harder than we could.  We decided that we did not want to stay in a windy hurricane town as it was dangerous.

We also looked at whether the shape of something made it easier to move.  We experimented with things we found in school.  The pen rolled if you took the cap off but not with the cap on. The scooter rolled when upright but not if we put it in it’s side. The box of tissues did not roll but the tumbler did.  We found a tyre in our playground and we all had fun rolling it.

Potted Sports

Everyone enjoyed the Potted Sports organised by our PE Department on Wednesday. Thank you to everyone involved for the hard work that went into this, including our Howes Hoose pupils who supported at the stations. We all had a great time moving around in our class groups, finishing up with a running ‘marathon’ for any Secondary pupils wishing to participate. They were well supported by those opting to spectate.