ANNUAL REPORT 1978/79 by J. SMITH,.Headmaster

AS ALWAYS, in a busy modern primary school, last year was an extremely busy year for the pupils and staff at Gardenrose Primary School, Maybole. In a very full programme I have picked out some of the highlights so that you can see the type of activities which the school engages in, in addition to its normal teaching programme.

During. September we had a visit from Mr E. Miller, the Director of Education from Strathclyde Region and also a travelling Puppet Show, Paul Hansard and his Puppets visited the school. In November, a group from the Scottish Opera Company presented Hansel and Gretel to the pupils of the school and three police constables came to speak to all classes on Road Safety. During December the cultural programme of the school was continued with an addition to the normal Christmas Parties, visits for many of the school classes to the Pantomime at the Gaiety Theatre, as well as this Third Year pupils at Carrick Academy presented the musical Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

In 1979 the school year began with, during January, a 12-day course because of shortage of fuel. This was much appreciated by the pupils. In February we had an Open Evening for the parents of Primary 1 children, then jumping to March the Annual Area Festival of Dancing was held in the school hall, taking part were pupils from Cairn, Straiton, Doonfoot and Minishant Primary Schools plus ourselves. Also during March the new infant enrolment took place and we had a visit from an Officer of H.M.S. Gannet talking to pupils on Helicopters and the Rescue Service.

In May the school had a visit from the Borderline Theatre Company, which is based in Irvine, and financed by the Education Department. They presented a play about Mary, Queen of Scots. During May, as well, we had a visit from the Carrick Academy Guidance Staff who spoke to the Primary 7, who were due to go to Carrick Academy after the summer holidays and at the end of May we had an Open Night for parents to give them an opportunity to visit the school and see the work that goes on. Also during May we had a visit from Mr Woods who is a Maori. He gave two illustrated talks on New Zealand. Two of our pupils during this month, Anne Dunabie and John Dewar represented Gardenrose at the Carrick Academy sports. They both came third.

At the end of the month those pupils who were to begin the school after the summer holidays visited us. During June we were active on the sporting front. We had two Sports Days and our netball team were beaten in the finals of the Carrick Academy Feeder Schools Tournament, as well as this, Maidens Primary School sent two Netball Teams and a Football Team to play us. One Netball Team won and the other lost. The Football Team drew and at night our school team was runner-up in the Primary Schools Quiz held in Maybole Town Hall. As well as this some pupils from Primary 4 visited Springgarden Farm and some pupils from Primary 6 visited the Old Collegiate Church and the Cemetery. Also during June all the annual trips were held. Primary 1 went to Belleisle, Primary 2 and Primary 3 went to Culzean, Primary 4 visited the Livingstone Memorial Centre at Blantyre, Primary 5 had a trip to Loch Doon, Primar,y 6 also visited the Livingstone Memorial Centre at Blantyre and Primary 7 went to Edinburgh.

Gardenrose Primary School had ten entries exhibited at the 1979 Maclaurin Art Competition held in Ayr. Alan Huxtable had an entry, Graham McQuillan two, Callum Coulter two, Angus McGawn two, Primary 5 had an entry as did Primary 6 (2) boys and Primary 7 (1) and one of these entries entitled "At School Our Open Area" won Angus McGawn second prize in the 8 years - 11 years age group. I am sure that this will give you a picture of just some of the activities which a busy primary school engages in during the year.