MSP Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change Visits Sciennes

P6A pupils and Pupil ECO Group reps were delighted to have an opportunity to meet with Ms Roseanna Cunningham, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, on Wednesday 14th June, just ahead of the inaugural National Clean Air Day on Thursday 15th June, to share what they have been learning about air quality.

Ms Roseanna Cunningham Cabinet Secretary for the Environment listens to pupil views on air quality

Mr Gregor Hutchison with his P6A class, members of the Pupil ECO Group and JRSO Josh

Pupil ECO Group member Faye leading the march for improved air quality and increased active travel

James being interviewed by STV News

Lucy being interviewed by STV News

Principal Air Scientist Colin Gillespie and Senior Specialist Air Scientist Ian Wager from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) worked with Sciennes' Science Specialist, Mr Mark McKenna, and P6 Class Teacher, Mr Gregor Hutchison, to deliver practical experiments designed to help the children understand how pollution and emissions can adversely affect air quality.

Principal Air Scientist Colin Gillespie, SEPA

Pupils from Mr Hutchison's P6A class have been learning about air pollution using SEPA's educational  resources

Raising awareness of factors affecting air quality through practical science experiments

P6A have been using Colin Gillespie's excellent SEPA materials in class and have been analysing data from an air quality sensor installed in our playground a few weeks ago by Ian Wager.

SEPA's Senior Specialist Air Scientist Ian Wager installed an air quality sensor two weeks ago

You, too, can monitor the air pollution outside our school on the website http://www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/get-interactive/data/air-quality-primary-school-sensor/

We were delighted to receive a handheld air quality sensor, courtesy of https://www.cleanairday.org.uk/

The pupils have also undertaken traffic surveys in surrounding streets to try to see and offer explanations for trends in air pollution at different times of the day. For example, the children noticed that raised levels occurred on two very wet days and hypothesised that could be due to more people taking to their cars. They were also concerned about the high levels of pollution that can be pinpointed to occur during their playtimes.

ACTIVE TRAVEL - PROGRESS AND AMBITIONS
Sciennes has pioneered and sustained an Active Travel Policy for more than 20 years. https://sciennesactivetravel.blogspot.co.uk/

• Cycle Training for 100% of P6 pupils for more than 20 years. 
• High quality instructors funded by Parent Council for ten years 
• Curriculum cycling opportunities provided for P1-P7 
• P3 and P5 cycling opportunities identify pupils who then receive targeted support and are taught in school how to ride a bike 
• Regular and frequent Cycle to School Days 
• Class set of balance bikes for Early Years 
• Stock of bicycles and helmets for disadvantaged pupils 
• Annual second hand bike sales 
• Strong, parent led campaigns for improvements to surrounding streets sustained for many years 
• Parent funded bike racks 
• Current CEC School Streets pilot – road closed at drop off and pick up 
• Road closed for school fairs 
• Re-assignment of staff car park has seen an increase in active travel to work 
• SEPA air quality sensor installed two weeks ahead of National Clean Air Day – P6 class monitoring and using SEPA educational resources 
• Pupil ECO Group rep from each class P4-P7 leading on raising awareness of National Clean Air Day 

Permanent Road Closure - Tireless, unwavering, determined and ambitious campaigning from successive parents, Head teachers, staff, Parent Council and community groups now within tantalisingly achievable grasp
Outcome of road closure? Improved air quality, increased active travel, much needed playground space for current and successive generations of pupils and community


At Sciennes we are most fortunate to have pioneered and sustained an Active Travel policy and programme for more than twenty years, vigorously and tenaciously supported by successive parents, Headteachers and staff throughout that time period. Consistently maintained high profile curriculum Cycle Training, Cycle to School and Walk to School Days, curriculum Cycle Adventure Days to the Meadows and the Innocent Railway, support for cycling initiatives such as the Skelf Bike Park, the Bike Station, The Edinburgh Festival of Cycling, family cycling events, Pedal on Parliament, Dr Bike and national cycling events and races have, we believe, directly contributed to increased community awareness and engagement which has resulted in a vast increase in active travel since campaigns began. Re-assigning usage of our staff car park to a new Dining Hall facility has led to a change in behaviour in staff travel, with the majority now cycling and walking to school. Parents have successfully campaigned on our behalf over many years for improvements to the local area such as traffic calming measures in surrounding streets (road humps and pavement widening); suggestions which were considered at the time to be extremely radical.

Through the generosity of parental fundraising, annually we have been able to provide very high quality instructors for 'Bikeability' Cycle Training for 100% of our P6 pupils. Part of the training involves thorough safety checks of all children's personal bikes and helmets. Cycling opportunities have also been provided for pupils from P1 -P7, with a class set of balance bikes purchased for younger pupils and a stock of bikes and helmets
available to lend to disadvantaged pupils or those who live a distance away and cannot easily bring their own bikes to school. Cycling lessons in P3 identify non-cyclists who are then given targeted support to learn how to cycle. Last week 8 P3 pupils (10%) were identified and this week all can now ride a bike. Cycling lessons in P5 again pick up children who require further instruction, allowing our pupils in P6 and P7 to participate fully in off road mountain biking at Benmore and Lagganlia Outdoor Education Centres. Parental support through fundraising has for many years helped us meet our ambition of ensuring each pupil can not only cycle but also swim by P7.

 Sciennes has been a proud pilot school for City of Edinburgh's 'School Streets' project,  since October 2015 (working in partnership with Mark Symonds, City of Edinburgh's Road Safety and Active Travel Liason Officer) where Sciennes Road at the front of the school is closed to traffic at drop off and pick up times. This has produced an overall reduction in traffic, which will have an impact on improvement in air quality, and an increased engagement in active travel. However, 'School Streets' is reliant upon many parent volunteers to police it each day and is most effective when actual police can spare the resource to help enforce. Ultimately, we seek permanent closure of road, and with some urgency.

More than fifteen years ago, Sciennes' parent, Professor Wolfram, drafted a design for redirected traffic flow and since then closure of the road has gained considerable momentum with considerable community support. Closure of the Sick Kids' Hospital brings this ambition tantalisingly within our grasp but we seek to move at speed, ahead of any anticipated building works and associated traffic. SNP Local Councillor Alison Dickie recently visited school and lent her support to our goal to provide cleaner air, increased opportunity for active travel and expanded play space for our 655 pupils. Over the years we have been very grateful for support from local councillors of our ambitions from Steve Burgess, Ian Perry, Cameron Rose.

Recommended play area space is seven square metres per child, and our children currently have one square metre. Despite a dramatically improved playground and making use of the Meadows each lunchtime break for our P7 pupils we desperately need to provide our pupils with increased play area.

Our ECO Group, led by P6 Class Teacher Gregor Hutchison, and consisting 12 elected pupil representatives, three P6 Junior Road Safety Officers , supported by an active Parent Council ECO Group were recently awarded the school's fourth Green ECO flag. They have led involvement in our National Clean Air Day campaign alongside Mr Hutchison's P6 pupils who have worked closely with our Science Specialist Mr Mark McKenna to use the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency's (SEPA) air quality materials http://www.learnaboutair.com and National Clean Air Day resources https://www.cleanairday.org.uk/

Ian Wager, Senior Specialist Air Scientist from SEPA recently installed an air quality monitor in our playground and P6 pupils have already been analysing results, particularly noticing high levels of emissions which coincide with their playtimes. Colin Gillespie, Principal Air Scientist and designer of SEPA's educational materials, visited pupils on Wednesday 14th June to extend their understanding further by taking part in some additional practical science experiments.

This inaugural National Clean Air Day, we respectfully asked Ms Cunningham to lend her support in making the air cleaner - and more expansive - for Sciennes' current and future children and community by advocating the permanent closure of Sciennes Road at the front of our school.

Hope as many as possible can join Ms Angela Christie who is leading another Cycle to School Day on Friday 16th June, as part of Bike Week.

Take the Pledge on Clean Air Day!

As you may be aware this Thursday (15^th) is the first National Clean Air Day which coincides with Cycle to School week. This is a perfect opportunity to continue the great work that Sciennes has done in promoting safer, healthier travel to school and of course to raise awareness about the dangers of air pollution. Thanks to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) who have installed an air pollution monitor at the front of the school, you can monitor the air pollution outside our school on the website http://www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/get-interactive/data/air-quality-primary-school-sensor/ and use the drop down menu to visit Sciennes Primary School data. From here you can view the air pollution from each day, check the air pollution density times during each day, and track the air pollution to 5 minute intervals during school opening and closing times.

Please also check out https://www.cleanairday.org.uk/pledge to find out more ways to support National Clean Air Day. To get involved on social media please use the #NationalCleanAirDay

National Clean Air Day | Take a Pledge www.cleanairday.org.uk Latest. Free Resources for Scotland Download. Download free resources for National Clean Air Day in Scotland. Learn about air. Venturefest. Making the right choices ...

Another great website to check out at home is http://www.learnaboutair.com/  This is an interactive website with fantastic videos all about air pollution, the history, the causes and the solution to the problem.

Thanks for your continued support,

Gregor Hutchison (P6A)

Pupils Go Wild for Wild About Scotland!

Wild About Scotland sans bus!

Excellent sessions from the fabulous Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Wild About Scotland team which P4 and P5 classes loved, on Tuesday 2nd May and Wednesday 3rd May. Kirsty and Rosie expertly led thoroughly engaging and perfectly pitched sessions on wildcats and beavers, highlighting key conservation issues for our pupils. Grateful thanks to both teachers and to Clydesdale Bank for sponsoring the free workshops. The Wild About Scotland bus is currently off road for a service but that didn't stop Kirsty and Rosie from delivering their top notch, practical science investigations. We also admired the fetching 'Wild About Scotland' design of their car!

Alternative wheels and the Wild About Scotland Team are unstoppable!

Lovely to welcome back Wild About Scotland and thank you very much!

Napier University Robots Science Festival Preview for P6!

Grateful thanks to Brian Davison, Lecturer and Teaching Fellow at Edinburgh Napier University's School of Computing, and his students for fantastic robot workshops on Thursday 24th March for each of our three P6 classes.

Excellent feedback from pupils and staff ahead of the team's Edinburgh International Science Festival free workshops next week at the National Museum, and wonderful to link up with the University. Remember to say hello to the team if you get a chance to visit, P6. Thank you to our Science and Technology Specialist, Mr Mark McKenna, for co-ordinating and donating use of his classroom for the day!

Drop in sessions open to all ages.

Pop-Up Science: Robots

Monday 28 — Tuesday 29 March

Join us in this hands-on activity making LEGO® robots perform simple tasks using the Scratch programming environment. The drag-and-drop interface is easy to pick up with no experience – even parents can do it! You can also have a play with pre-prepared robot-based activities – robot sumo, anyone?
Presented by Edinburgh Napier University

Age: All Ages
Time: 10:00 –17:00 (drop-in)
Venue: Hawthornden Court, National Museum of Scotland

After exploring all the stations, pupils reflected on each of the activities in a feedback session

P4C Froglife Script Writing Competition Winners!

Congratulations to prize winning script authors in P4C who won absolutely fantastic prizes - including an android tablet! -  from conservation group Froglife when they visited the class on Thursday 18th June and gave the children a wonderful workhop about amphibians. Fantastic! What an exciting week for P4C!

Very proud of my class receiving their Froglife competition prizes today; they were so delighted to be awarded with a Froglife workshop, android tablet, personalised trophy and lots of other Froglife goodies! Together P4C wrote a wonderful play script and came overall first in the UK. Their play will be acted out to schools and youth groups to help teach children about nature conservation.

Miss Gladstone, P4C Class Teacher

Froglife is a national wildlife charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles – frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards – and saving their habitats. Download their free 'Dragonfinder' app.

See P4C's winning playscript and more photographs on the P4 Class Page. 

 

Froglife is a national wildlife charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles – frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards – and saving the habitats they depend on. - See more at: http://www.froglife.org/#sthash.zoAq0Tjv.dpuf

Froglife is a national wildlife charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles – frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards – and saving the habitats they depend on. - See more at: http://www.froglife.org/#sthash.zoAq0Tjv.dpuf

Froglife is a national wildlife charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles – frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards – and saving the habitats they depend on. - See more at: http://www.froglife.org/#sthash.zoAq0Tjv.dpuf

Froglife is a national wildlife charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles – frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards – and saving the habitats they depend on. - See more at: http://www.froglife.org/#sthash.zoAq0Tjv.dpuf

Sciennes Science Festival Celebrates Fundraising Success

Sciennes science fest celebrates fundraising success

Article Posted on 16 June 2015 by Children & Families 
City of Edinburgh Bright Futures website 

At the beginning of the month, parents, pupils and staff of Sciennes Primary School got together for a special science fair to celebrate the school’s successful fundraising drives. The event featured workshops provided by members of the University of Edinburgh faculty and activities offered by local businesses, as well as a programme of talks.

The fair saw the school reach their fundraising target of £55,000 for playground improvements, which means the figure will now be matched by SportScotland, to allow the work to begin.

A member of Sciennes Parent Council brings us the full story.


A science fair, organised and led by Sciennes Parent Council and supported by staff and pupils, was held on Saturday 6 June to celebrate a year of remarkable fundraising.

Free science, technology, engineering and mathematics workshops provided by Edinburgh University parents, their friends and colleagues – with PhD students including a former pupil – were highly engaging and enriching for our children. Local businesses and charities supported the event and

• The Scottish Wildlife Trust
• RSPB
• Scottish Badgers
• the Forestry Commission
• the John Muir Trust

provided free activities for the pupils.

Victoria Nelson from Mercy Corps, one of the City of Edinburgh Council’s partner charities, gave a talk on how science can help in dealing with natural disasters. Dr Andrew Murray provided an inspirational keynote presentation, which was so well attended and well received that he very kindly offered to deliver it twice.

Although the event was designed as a thank you and as an educational experience rather than a fundraising event, a remarkable £7,400 was raised on the day. This has enabled the school to reach our ambitious target of raising £55,000 which will now be matched by SportScotland for playground improvements.

Our entire school community has vigorously pursued a common goal throughout the year and we are incredibly proud of reaching that goal together by putting into practice our school motto ‘Believe – Achieve.’

See photos from Science science fair on the Sciennes Primary blog and watch a video created by Sciennes Parent Council below.

Astonishing £7000 Raised at Summer Science Fair!

This year's Sciennes Summer Science Fair has made over £7,000 - incredible! Thank you everyone for attending, contributing and supporting.

The precise amount raised by the Fair will be shared as soon as our finance team has processed final fair expenses. We'll be reporting back week beginning 12th June as regards the playground fundraising total. It is clear that as a school community we have either met the £55,000 fundraising target or that we're very, very close - we just need to ensure that we've had a thorough comb through of all the year's figures, expenditure and spending commitments so that the final announcement is fully accurate.

We'll be doing a final call this week for Swimathon donations, which continue to come in every day. The total for this pupil fundraising event is now over £12,000!

Our school motto couldn't be more accurate this year: Believe • Achieve! Well done everybody. Truly astounding.

Sciennes Parent Council

Given that this event was not primarily a fundraising event -  it was to be a thank you experience and an educational opportunity - the amount raised is truly astonishing.

 

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) contributors gave well over 1000 people a real insight into the exciting world of Science. The activities were so well presented, stimulating, so well thought through and also age appropriate.

Support for the Summer Fair from the entire community was staggering. To coin a Mrs Noble phrase, "Wow!" 

Aileen Nimmo, Convener of the Findraising and Events Group 

Grateful thanks to parent graphic designer Jimmy Chow for superb artwork in the Science Fair leaflet and poster and for kind sponsorship from the Grange Association, Papa John's Pizza,  Macsween's, Gift Experience Scotland, Sainsbury's, Homebase, Edinburgh University and Fan Duel 

as well as many other generous contributors. Thank you!

Fantastic Summer Science Fair Montage by Parent Council!

Remarkable Parent Led Summer Science Fair a Resounding Success!

At Sciennes, we recognise that we are incredibly fortunate to enjoy such strong partnerships with families and to have such ongoing marvellous parental support.

Saturday 6th June, saw the culmination of tireless efforts to create the most remarkable parent led Science Fair : organised and led by parents - supported by staff and pupils - with many workshops and presentations delivered by parents and also supported by the multitude of parents who attended.

Aileen Nimmo, as Convener of the Fundraising and Events subgroup of the Parent Council (assisted by parent Stuart Robertson) and Claire Wheeler, as Chair of the Parent Council, have worked innovatively with teams of parents, staff and pupils to achieve a most magnificent day of learning about Science, as well as providing all the fun of the summer fair. Meticulous planning ensured the entire event ran extremely smoothly on the day. Thanks also to Science Specialists Mr Mark McKenna and Ms Wendy French for their support.

We are indebted to all our contributors for providing FREE Science Activities for the children, as a thank you for all the incredible fundraising this year for playground inprovements. Special thanks to the huge and invaluable contribution made by the University of Edinburgh Scientists led by parents Dr Geoff Bromiley, Dr Pau Navarro and Dr Alison Hulme and their wonderful colleagues and PhD students.

These photographs are an attempt to capture just a glimpse of an extraordinary day:

Aileen Nimmo, Convener Fundraising and Events

Claire Wheeler, Chair of the Parent Council, with some of our P7 'Fair Makers' Leah and Ruyuan

Glossy leaflets designed by parent Jimmy Chow were issued by our P7 Fair Makers

Science Fair leaflet

Maps (produced by parents Stuart Robertson and Lee Healy)  helped everyone find their way round the many attractions -  all free!

KEYNOTE INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER

Dr Andrew Murray

Dr Andrew Murray is a highly accomplished athlete and sports/ expedition doctor.  He has smashed records and won races in some of the most incredible places imaginable, whilst working with some of the world's leading athletes in a range of sports.

BIOGRAPHY

 In 2011 Dr Andrew Murray ran from John O’Groats to the Sahara Desert in 77 days and 8 hours, covering a staggering distance of 2659 miles. This epic run was filmed by BBC Scotland for  1hr documentary ‘the Ultimate Marathon Man'.

In November 2012, Andrew was the first to run 7 ultra-marathons on 7 continents in just over 5 days. Travelling to Antarctica, Patagonia, Atlanta, London, Egypt, Dubai and Australia, he completed the challenge in a bid to promote exercise as part of his role as the Scottish Government’s Physical Activity Champion.

In 2014 Andrew broke new ground by running the 10 highest mountains in the UK in a day, while he has placed first overall in races in some of the world’s most extreme environments including the North Pole marathon, the Sahara Race, the Gobi Challenge, the 6633 Arctic Ultra, and the Indo Jungle Ultra. He has climbed the highest peaks in Europe, Australia, South America, and Africa.

His work as an expedition doctor has taken him from the Himalaya to the North Pole, working on 6 continents while in sport he has worked at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Ryder Cup, Commonwealth games, as well as an advisor for the Scottish Government.

His running has raised over £150k for charities he is passionate about, whilst his first book is called "Running Beyond Limits".

 

Inspirational Dr Andrew Murray encourages Luca and Jessica to try to walk in his shoes.

Keep on running, even in the North Pole!

Special desert running shoes.

 

Dr Andrew Murray very kindly delivered his fully booked presentation twice and has generously accepted Ms Anstruther's invitation to address our Assemblies next year. Thank you to parent Bruce Crawford, former Chair of the Parent Council, for introducing and hosting Dr Murray's presentations.

 

Victoria Telford from Mercy Corps delivered a presentation on how Science can be used to help deal with natural disasters. We are grateful to parent Jacqui Wright for re-establishing our link with Mercy Corps, City of Edinburgh's Partner Charity, and very grateful to Victoria for her time and ongoing support.

Aileen Nimmo and the Parent Council welcomed all our visiting guests and workshop providers.

Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions in the Sensory Room
Thank you to parent Andrew Johnson and his team from Camera Obscura for providing a hugely popular station in the Sensory Room.

Thank you to Andrew Johnson, Manager at Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions.

The Living World Zone featuring the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Badgers; Forrestry Commission, John Muir Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Thank you to parent Jo Pike (Deputy Chief Executive of SWT) and son Ben for manning the Scottish Wildlife Trust stall.

 

Thank you to the team from Scottish Badgers.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds with help from former pupil Oliver Grothey and parent Marian Grothey.

The Neuroscience Zone 

Led by Dr Pau Navarro, Dr Matthew Broadhead and their teams from Edinburgh University

Build your own cells. Learn about your Brain with Team Synapse from Edinburgh University.

Thank you to parent Stuart Robertson for assisting Aileen Nimmo with ideas for the Science Fair.

Thank you to parent Dr Pau Navarro, Dr Matthew Broadhead and the team from Edinburgh University's Neuroscience Department.

Thank you to University of Edinburgh Neuroscience Department
and to former parent, Professor Catherina Becker for her support.

 

Thank you to the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Science, Edinburgh University and to parent Dr Pau Navarro.

The Geology and Geoscience Zone 

Led by Dr Geoffrey Bromiley, Dr Kate Saunders and their teams from Edinburgh University.

The incredible edible earth: make your own models of the earth and different types of volcanos and eat them. Learn about volcanic eruptions with jelly and custard, plunge your hands into a box of sticky molten lava and learn about the different types of rocks lava can form. The Beauty of Rocks under the microscope.

Thank you to Dr Geoffrey Bromiley, Lecturer in Experimental Geoscience and Earth Materials Science at Edinburgh University.

Computing and Technology Zone: 

Led by Dr Eilidh Troup of Edinburgh University

Sort balls like a computer and race your own dinosaur.

Dr Eilidh Troup from Edinburgh University races dinosaurs!

Thank you to Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC),  Edinburgh University

EPCC

Fan Duel online software designed by parent and CEO Nigel Eccles. Children loved shooting hoops for free mini sports balls and sweets! Thank you to the Eccles family for their very generous donation of an iPad Air as First Prize in the Grand Raffle.

 

The Physics Zone:

Led by Dr Jayanthi Santhanam, Edinburgh University and Pauline Ritchie Have fun trying to make bubbles of all shapes; make your own sundials;see the p1A and 1B children show how capillary action works in carnations and play with ooze and see why breaking “Newtonian “rules can be fun. 

Learn about the exciting world of Geophysics with Sean Walker and find buried treasure with a magnetometer.

Wonderful examples of science experiment recording by P1 pupils on display, with Ms Carolyn Anstruther looking on ... and bubbles!

Sophia kept a careful score sheet for the magnetometer challenge.

Talented family! Thank you to Tanya Boughtflower for all her fundraising efforts and for superb promotion of the Fair and to her husband and daughter for providing a geophysics stall.

CHEMISTRY ZONE - 

Led by Dr Alison Hulme and her team from Edinburgh University

Make a rainbow in a box, write secret messages, spin Newton’s wheel of fortune and discover the magic of colour!

 If you look closely you can see the rainbow Isla is holding

 

Ellie's very own rainbow

Welcome back, Rachel Fisher, former pupil and now PhD student at Edinburgh University.

Thank you to parent Dr Alison Hulme, Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry at Edinburgh University, and her team.

Thank you to Edinburgh University's School of Chemistry.

The Maths Zone: 

Led by Dr Kristel Torokoff, Dr Ivan Cheltsov of Edinburgh University, Vanya Cheltsov

Magical maths and chess.

Welcome back to former pupil Vanya Chelttsov with his friend Charlie, mum and P6 brother Fedya. Thank you to Dr Ivan Chelstov from Edinburgh University

Thank you to former pupil Robert for assisting in the Chess Room

Thank you to parent Kristel Torokoff for setting up and supervising the Chess room

The 'Break Out' Zone: bodies and bones

Thank you to Amanda Hogg and Carlton Clinic and Fitness Studio  - based in the Grange and providing Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Massage, Pilates, Yoga, Fitness for Seniors and Personal Training.

CHARLIE AND THE SOUND FACTORY

Thank you to parent Charlie Silverton for his workshop on making and explaining noise.

Esther hands out tuning forks to help her Dad with his workshop

Inventor Donald Naylor brought his bike-powered kettle and invited people to boil their own water for tea before their burger was cooked!

And all of these wonderful science activities were free, as a thank you to all our amazing fundraisers.

As well as the magnificent Science Fair, there was also all the fun of the Summer Fair!

LUNCH : BBQ, Papa Johns Pizza, Asian Snacks, Noodles, Ice Cream, Teas, Coffees and Soft Drinks

Thank you to Papa John's Pizza for generous donations to Friends of Sciennes School Trust

 

Cooking up a storm - parents Alison Aitken, Jack Cadell and Stuart Sheehan. Grateful thanks to Sainsbury's Marchmont Road Local for heavily discounting BBQ foods.

Thank you to supercooks Linda Bjork and her husband.

Many thanks to the Ice cream Ladies in the  'Stanley Denvir Campervan.'

MAKEOVER STALL Face and nail painting

 Thank you so much to former pupils Lorna, Abi and Sophie

HOMEBAKING STALL

Thank you to parent Sarah McGregor-Norrie, for running the Bake Stall, to her friend Suzy Thomson (pictured above) for assisting and to everyone who donated such delicious, beautifully presented, sweets and treats.

TOMBOLA STALL

 Thank you to Bethan McEwan, Claire Marshall and P6C Class Teacher Ms Wendy French

PLANTS AND FLOWERS STALL

Thank you to parents Laura Bird and Nikki Crawford for organising and running the Plant Stall

Thank you to Homebase in St Leonard's Street for their generous donations of plants.

SCIENNES FOOTBALL STALL

Thank you to the Sciennes Football Club team for their ongoing efforts and commitment to working with more than a third of the school population!

CIRCUS SKILLS

Thank you, Susie!

BOOKS AND DVDs STALL

Lauren Peden mans the Book Stall

P4C Class Teacher Miss Gladstone lends a hand at the Book Stall

SECOND HAND UNIFORM

Thank you to parents Ms Phoebe Cochrane and Mrs Mary Ross

SECOND HAND BIKES

Thank you to parents Gillian Clarkson and Mr Andreas Grothey for manning the secondhand bikes stall

TOYS

Parent Lorraine Gormley and daughter Isla

 Lucy Casot with Jessica and Luca

Rhona McMurdo and Jessica

Class Teachers Mrs Fiona Barker 7C, Ms Bethan Owen P5A and Mrs Jane Maguire P5B (PTA Staff Rep)

 

Thank you to all staff who supported in preparing for the Fair and on the day itself, including Mrs Ford, Ms Dodds, Mrs Maguire, Mrs Barker, Ms Owen, Miss Gladstone, Mrs Helen Robertson, Ms Jenny Gaffney and Mrs Helen Anderson. Thanks to Mr Mark McKenna and Ms Wendy French for Science support and to Mr Forrest Howie for organising the P7 Fair Makers.

Mr Mark McKenna (Science Specialist) and Aileen Nimmo

 
RAFFLE TICKETS

Thank you to Lesley J Stewart, Fiona Anthony and Leanne Boyle.

Toby is hopeful!

Gathering for the Grand Raffle. Who will win the iPad Air? Grateful thanks to parent Emma Melvin for overseeing the Raffle and to all the families and companies who so generously donated prizes, including parent Mr Macsween for the haggis hamper and the Eccles family for the iPad Air.

Grateful thanks to Jimmy Chow for superb artwork in the Science Fair leaflet and poster and for kind sponsorship from the Grange Association, Papa John's Pizza,  Macsween's, Gift Experience Scotland, Sainsbury's, Homebase, Edinburgh University and Fan Duel  as well as many other generous contributors. Thank you!

HIGH FLIER PAPER AIRPLANE CHALLENGE: P1 Winner

Presented by Headteacher Mrs Alison Noble. Thank you to Business Manager Ms Angela Christie for all her support with the Fair.

WIN FAIR BEAR: Congratulations Rebecca! (We know Ian Murray MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, was also keen to win Fair Bear!) A winning week for Lauder!

And the total sum raised...? Will be announced soon, but yet again set to break all records!
 Thank you, Sciennes Family, for a fantastic day!

A special thank you to Mr John Reid, Service Support Officer and we are all sending our love and best wishes to Mr Neil Scott, hoping his recuperation goes well.