Fishermoss School sent in the following details of their Homecoming activities...
The SALT (Song, Art, Literature & Theatre) Festival organised by Portlethen Schools Network in Aberdeenshire, in close partnership with our local community, has had a strong Scottish theme to mark Homecoming Scotland this year and has been a real celebration of our culture, heritage and local environment. The following are just some of the memorable events and experiences that have made up SALT 2009.
We have had school-based and public sessions with authors such as Allan Burnett, who specialises in Scots history for children, Matthew Fitt of Itchy Coo Press who carried out class workshops and staff CPD sessions on using scots language in the classroom and Linda Strachan who brought along 'Hamish McHaggis' to meet our younger members of the community. There was an evening of photography and song to celebrate Robert Burns' link with the Mearns. Local storyteller and singer Grace Banks has worked with children in each of our primary schools.The local pipe band played at our launch and then held a packed-out workshop for beginners (adults & children) on both the chanter and drums. Pupils have had opportunities to learn different scottish country dances and songs.
There has been a lyrics competition to create a bothy ballad or sea shanty to a specially composed piece of music as well as a local arts competition. Some of our pupils are working with the local heritage group and the business woman who runs the North East Treasure Trails franchise to produce a historic mystery trail here in Portlethen which can be enjoyed by all when it is complete. Families enjoyed a performance by Sleekit Productions of 'A History of Scotland in 60 Minutes or Less!' and our schools will see Hopscotch Theatre's 'The Life of Burns' this coming week.
The main aim of SALT is to get pupils enjoying the written word in its many forms in a truly cross-curricular context and once again this year, we have seen the children enthused by the festival and revelling in Scottish tradition and culture.
Pupils from all our network primaries and the secondary school have had opportunities to collaborate and share experiences. We have worked closely with local business, the childcare partnership, community learning, the community development group and our library to produce these opportunities. As we near the end of this year's SALT, we celebrate the wealth of talent and expertise we have within our own schools and community by showcasing just some of our achievements in our Festival Finale at the end of this term.
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