Like so many other communities, families here have been hit by the current cost of living crisis, and we want to make sure that every pupil who attends Dunvegan Primary has access to breakfast each morning. Lots of our children are bussed and taxied into school from quite a distance, and some of them feel it is too early in the morning to eat breakfast before leaving the house, so our breakfast club is a huge asset for them. Part of the fund helps to pay for our school trips during the school year, including the Primary 7 residential trip to Raasay where they have stay over for 3 nights and take part in an action packed break.
During discussions with pupil voice groups, it was discovered that some children liked to be outside even during wet play times, but would like to have a secure ‘hang out space’, so we have decided to put in an outdoor shelter in our forest area. This is currently on hold at the moment, due to the inclement weather and until our joiner is free to undertake the project. The outdoor shelter will provide a space where children can play ‘outside’ even in the wet and windy weather. It will also be a space that can be used by teachers and staff as an outdoor classroom, and become a fundamental part of our Forest Schools ethos.
Studies have proven that children who eat a healthy breakfast their concentration, behavior, attendance, punctuality and achievement at school all improve. By having breakfast at school this can massively reduce the stress of the morning routine for families and children. It also offers pupils an opportunity to relax and socialise with peers before starting their school day. The Primary 7 residential trip is immensely important for pupils. As we live in such small communities, our schools do not have huge class sizes, and transition up to Portree High School can often be a daunting time when you come from a small school. This trip gives pupils the chance to meet up with children from across the island that they will then be in classes with when in high school.
DCT have given Dunvegan Primary £5000.00 as a yearly grant.
