Animation fun

Art

Pupils at Dundee’s St Luke’s and St Matthew’s Primary are learning from an artist who worked on Oscar-nominated animation The Illusionist. Kyla Tomlinson is explaining the power of cartoons to pupils by assisting in the primary’s animation club. She has displayed flick books, hand-drawn animation and a zoetrope and the children have been storyboarding and modelling with plasticine.

Climbing high

Outdoor learning

Pupils at Eddleston Primary near Peebles have celebrated the opening of their new play area, the result of a pound;10,000 National Lottery grant. The school had applied with proposals from a P4-7 project highlighting the need for more outdoor play. P5 pupil Sam Cunningham said: “We can do more in the new playground like swinging, balancing, climbing and jumping off the structures.”

A bit of limelight

Drama

Primary and secondary pupils in Scotland are being invited to write a one- act play for performers of 11 years and under, or for an audience of 12 to 16-year-olds. Winning entries to the competition, run by Trinity College London, will each receive a prize of pound;1,000 and their plays will be performed at a London theatre. www.trinitycollege.co.ukplaywriting

Fairtrade treats

Health

Highland Council has backed new guidance on the sale of Fairtrade foods in local schools. It advises that sweets, most crisps and some soft drinks should only be made available as part of Fairtrade educational activities, and no more than twice a term.

Train of thought

History

Pupils from Burgh Primary in Galashiels have spent the past week involved in a project exploring the past and future of the Waverley Line. They took part in music and drama workshops about the railway, and worked with an artist to create a 3D “time travelling train” as part of the “Living Room - Exploring Sense of Place in the Scottish Borders” initiative.