The Foggie Gossip

May 2008 Edition 

Aberchirder Primary School pupils in classes 5/6 & 7 have won the inter-schools netball league beating teams from Banff, Macduff and Whitehills.

Picture courtesy of Andy Taylor, Banff

Team players, showing their medals, were presented with a shield by Active Schools Co-ordinator Susan Mackintosh (front)
Back row L to R:  Teachers Grace Beattie, Deborah Coghill and Fiona Alexander who helped with coaching.
Middle:  Daniel Wilson, Craig Shand, Jaimee Lampon, Sean Chalmers, Dean Nicol, Lyn Esslemont, Chloe Auchnie, Alexander Bowie.
Front:  Lindsey Beaton, Aiden Stewart, Abbey Esslemont, Murray Inglis, Paul Kaniowski, Danna Paterson.

The 'Salmon in the Classroom' project was pioneered in Scotland by the Galloway Fisheries Trust and one of their Biologists, Jackie Graham, is a former pupil of Aberchirder Primary School.   The project has been rolled out to schools throughout Scotland and Robin Vasey of the River Deveron District Salmon Fishery Board has introduced Foggie Primary School pupils to the work of breeding salmon.

In brief, after illustrated talks about the life of a salmon and the environment they require to survive, pupils are provided with a hatchery tank and around 100 salmon eggs which are close to hatching. The pupils will have to look after the eggs, remove any which die and ensure the water is kept at the correct temperature and away from light. A short time after the fish have hatched, pupils will release them back into the same river where the parent fish were caught and the hen fish stripped of her eggs.  Later the pupils will revisit the river and catch the fish they released and see how they have grown.

A detailed explanation of the 'Salmon in the Classroom' project can be seen here.

Former Foggie Primary pupil, Biologist Jackie Graham
holding a male salmon.

Stripping eggs from a female salmon to put in one of the
hatchery tanks.

Pictured above:  Aberchirder Primary 7 pupils holding young salmon in their cups before releasing them back into the river where the parent fish were caught.

Right:  Pupils gently releasing the fish into the water.

Edith Durno celebrated her 80th birthday on 7th May 2008.
Earlier her family took her out for a meal at the Italian restaurant 'Roma' in Market Square, Inverurie.
Edith, of North Street Aberchirder, is seen above with husband Bob (91) enjoying a wee dram - their secret to long and healthy living.
Edith is still a very active member of the Bowling Club and can be seen in the picture of the green opening above.

Picture courtesy of Andy Taylor, Banff

Aberchirder Primary School Parent Support Group recently launched a Sponsor-A-Book project.  Due to temperature differences and the resulting condensation in the library, a large part of the library collection became damp and mouldy and these books had to be discarded.
 

Since then, the library walls have been lined and the shelves put back. The school is now looking for funding to replace the lost collection of books.

Through the Sponsor-A-Book project, parents and others will be able to pledge an amount to buy books or decide to sponsor a specific book from the “wish list” compiled by the teachers and pupils.

The Parents Support Group are asking for help to raise enough funds to fill this library to capacity and make it a proper place to enrich the young minds in Foggie.

If you can help in any way, no matter how small, please contact the school - Tel: 01466780241

Pictured right: Parent Support Group members Linzi Shand, Helen Fowlie and  Michelle van Sittert at the launch of the Sponsor-A-Book- evening.

Foggie Gala

Saturday 31st May
& Sunday 1st June

at McRobert Park, Parkview, Aberchirder
 

Saturday
Under 13s, 15s & 17s Girls N.R.G.F.L Football
Kicking off at 11am

Sunday
Primary, 5-A-Side Football
Kicking off at 11am
 

Burgers, Teas, Ice Cream
Stalls, Sales Tables
Wheel of Fortune
Raffle
Fun for Kids, Refreshments

"Good with Food"

The following Special Offers are available at your local Aberchirder Co-op Store
from 2nd - 22nd June  (whilst stocks last)