Ellon Primary School Newsletter December 2025

Primary 4MM

Landmarks of Ellon

Local landmarks inspire these pieces in Ellon, specifically the Old Bridge and the Castle. The Bridge: This is an observational drawing that utilises a variety of line weights and shading techniques to create depth and texture. The Castle: This mixed-media piece incorporates newspaper, tissue paper, and paint to bring the scene to life.

Ellon Castle.

P4MM Are Making Their Voices Heard!

This term, our P4 class has been diving deep into the art of Persuasive Writing. Using our local community of Ellon as inspiration, the students have been coming up with brilliant ideas to make our town even better. From proposing a brand-new sports hall to stay fit, to suggesting a whale aquarium for local education, the creativity has been flowing! The children have been focusing on:

• Strong Openers: Using words like "Firstly" and "In addition" to structure their thoughts.
• Powerful Vocabulary: Using "bossy" verbs and persuasive adjectives like "outstanding" and "fantastic."
• Connecting Ideas: Using "because" to give clear reasons for their opinions.

We are so proud of how they are learning to express their viewpoints clearly and respectfully. Ellon’s future looks bright with these persuasive thinkers in charge!

Beyond the Page: Cultivating Higher Order Thinking in Literacy

In our classroom this term, we haven’t just been reading stories—we’ve been interrogating them. We have been focusing on Higher Order Thinking (HOTs) skills to transform the way our students engage with text. By shifting the focus from simple recall to critical analysis, we are helping our learners develop a sophisticated "toolkit" for listening, talking, and—ultimately—writing.

The Bridge Between Talking and Writing

You might wonder why we spend so much time on verbal reasoning and whiteboard work. This process allows learners to think critically and analytically before they ever pick up a formal writing pen. When a child can articulate a complex "why," that sophistication naturally transfers into their written work.

Why This Matters:

When we encourage learners to think analytically, we are preparing them for more than just a reading test. We are teaching them to:

• Evaluate information rather than just accepting it.
• Synthesize different ideas to create a new perspective.
• Communicate complex thoughts with clarity and evidence.

We are so proud of the progress our thinkers have made this term. They aren't just learning to read; they are learning to understand the world through text.

STEAM

During our recent STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Maths) sessions, Primary 1 stepped into the roles of little architects and engineers. Using the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs as their inspiration, the children were tasked with a big challenge: to plan, design, and construct a sturdy new home for one of the pigs.

The Design Process

Planning & Designing: The children began by putting their ideas on paper. They created detailed drawings of their proposed structures, deciding which shapes and features would provide the best shelter. Construction & Problem Solving: Using their blueprints as a guide, the children selected from a diverse range of materials—including wooden Kapla blocks, magnetic tiles, and colorful construction bricks. They had to navigate the physical challenges of balance, stability, and scale as they brought their 2D plans into the 3D world. Reflection & Iteration: Once the "builders" finished, they took a moment to reflect. They compared their final structures to their initial designs and asked themselves: "Does it look like my plan?" and "How could I make it even stronger next time?"

Skills in Action:

This activity encouraged more than just building; it fostered spatial awareness, fine motor skills, and the resilience to try again when a tower tumbled. Well done, Primary 1! You have shown incredible creativity and a proper engineering mindset.

STEAM Project

It is wonderful to look back on the incredible progress made during our four-week STEAM "Play and Learn" project at Ellon Primary School. This project was designed to foster teamwork, collaborative learning, and core STEM skills through weekly one-hour challenges.

Highlights from the Project

Engineering with K'Nex: Pupils used K'Nex kits to explore structural integrity, following complex diagrams to build bridges and geometric shapes. The Tallest Tower Challenge: Using wooden blocks, groups competed to see who could build the most stable structure, topped off with a "mascot" to test the balance. Creative Construction: From colorful LEGO landscapes to intricate towers made of interlocking cubes, students experimented with different materials to see how they fit together. Collaborative Problem Solving: It wasn't just about building; it was about talking through problems. Pupils were often seen huddled together, pointing out parts of their designs and deciding on the best way to move forward.

Reflections on Learning

The final "Big Test" of our structures allowed everyone to see the diverse range of solutions to the same problem. It was inspiring to see the pupils take pride in their work and explain their process to their peers and teachers.

Core Objectives

Skill Development: The project aimed specifically to develop pupils' teamwork and collaborative/cooperative learning abilities. STEM Focus: A central goal was to enhance core STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) skills through practical challenges. Cross-Stage Collaboration: By forming 12–14 mixed-stage groups, the project encouraged pupils to work with peers across different year groups, from Nursery through P7.

More Than Just a Melody:

Beyond the catchy pop tunes and the sentimentality, Christmas music has always had a deeper layer. From John Lennon to modern artists like Billy Bragg, music often reminds us to "stand with those who need the most," highlighting that the very first Christmas celebrated the birth of a refugee. There is something wonderful about how Christmas allows us to mix silliness with deep reflection. The Christmas story is spacious enough to contain all our hopes and fears, our joy, and our quiet prayers for peace. In many ways, the birth of Christ was the original "protest song"—a startling message of hope announced to people at the margins of society. The angels didn't sing to the powerful; they sang to shepherds, declaring: "Do not be afraid. There will be peace on earth."

Living Our Values This Season

At Ellon Primary and Nursery, we see that "core melody" of Christmas in action every day through our school vision: “We stand as EPS: Engaged, Positive, Supported”. This term, we have focused particularly on Honesty as part of our REACH values:

• Resilient
• Encouraged
• Achieving
• Connected
• Honest

Christmas invites the world to sing a different tune—one where curiosity drives learning and achievement is celebrated. We strive to ensure respect shapes our relationships and that every voice counts. We see these aims reflected in the kindness our pupils show one another and the way our school community comes together.

A Heartfelt Thank You

As we reach the end of a busy and productive term, we want to say a massive thank you to all our parents and carers. Your unwavering support is what makes Ellon Primary and Nursery such a special place to be. We wish you all a peaceful, joyful, and musical Christmas break. We look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for a new year in 2026! Merry Christmas from everyone at Ellon Primary and Nursery!