MERKINCH Primary pupils are in the forefront when it comes to learning about how to be good citizens. For in line with the government policy of developing good citizenship the pupils have readily taken part in a number of projects.

Already there is a highly successful School Council up and running, and most classes have class councils who send delegates to the School Council. In addition the school has three other projects with their own committees.

• First, the Safety Team considers all aspects of safety within the school ranging from road safety to food hygiene. Two of the Safety Team have undergone formal training as Junior Road Safety Officers, and with their team colleagues they are drawing up a Safety Plan for Merkinch Primary. It is hoped that this document will help attract funding for a number of safety projects, among them a safety cage for bikes, so that pupils can cycle to school.

 

• Second, there is an Eco Group and the school is well on its way to becoming an official Eco-School which will entitle the school to fly a green flag. This takes account of their composting project, their anti-litter campaign, their recycling programme and, of course, the highly successful Garden Club.
  Those passing along Telford Road this summer cannot have failed to notice the way the garden has come on, with a lovely display of flowers and shrubs. It is also proving productive in the way of fruit and vegetables.
  Altogether it adds up to an impressive range of interesting activities to help youngsters appreciate their surroundings and nurture their environment.
  So when you see the green flag you’ll know they made it!

 

• There is also been a SNAG nutrition group operating at MPS. This has been on the go for the last two years, looking at everything to do with food, to help combat the poor dietary habits of the Scots which has made us one of the noticeably unhealthy countries in Europe.
  Next month there are national projects being introduced all across Scotland to provide younger pupils with fresh fruit every day, and a scheme to train children to brush their teeth properly is also in the pipeline. Pupils who attend the Breakfast Club have already been benefiting from such daily reinforcement of good health habits.
  All the school committees or groups have representation from pupils, teaching staff and parents and sometimes interested members of the wider community or officials. The school also has other responsible posts that youngsters participate in, such as House Captains and Vice-captains, librarians and those with computer and admin responsibilities.

THEY may look sweet 50-ish years on, but we bet these Merkinch Primary School hockey players were right little warriors on the pitch! Picture kindly lent by Marie, seated extreme left. Have you any photographs from last century that would be interest to readers. Remember, they have to be actual photos, not newspaper copies.