Published 11 June 2021
Schools across West Dunbartonshire will take part in Picnic in the Playground with children and young people coming together to celebrate the end of term.
Celebrations will take place between 14 and 18 June with themed picnics which include a teddy bears’ picnic for children attending early learning centres, a super heroes’ picnic for primary pupils and an eco-friendly One Planet Picnic for secondary schools.
Schools will join the celebrations with a Flash Mob dance, bringing pupils and staff together in a fun performance specially developed to mark the occasion.
Staff from the Instrumental Music Service will perform a live selection of music from the String Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble and Brass Ensemble to three schools. All other schools can access a live stream from the ensembles which will be broadcast on YouTube bringing back live musical performances which have been absent recently due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Pupils will also take part in a range of other activities over the week, including a gardening challenge to create a miniature garden, art and design challenges to create environmental art, a science challenge to build rockets and solar ovens, and contribute to a community digital cookbook which includes picnic recipes.
Councillor Karen Conaghan, Convener of Educational Services said: “This is a fantastic way to mark the end of term. We have just come through one of the most challenging educational years on record and I am delighted children and young people will get the opportunity to end their term with such great celebrations. Having creative people to organise events like these and the talented musicians performing on the day will be a very memorable end to the year .”
Councillor Ian Dickson, Vice Convener of Educational Services, added: “These activities will bring children and young people some light entertainment which I’m sure will be thoroughly enjoyed by everyone at our education establishments. I hope the events are a great success and all the participants have a great time. I look forward to seeing the Flash Mob footage after the event.”
All schools will have the opportunity to register their picnics with the Keep Scotland Beautiful - One Planet Picnic initiative which supports schools and early learning centres organising eco-friendly, sustainable picnics.