P1s begin new chapter

A new chapter began for many young children in Orkney this week as most primary schools welcomed Primary 1s into their classrooms.

In total, 203 P1s started within the county’s primary schools.

Stronsay saw a bumper crop of seven P1 starters and Westray welcomed eight new faces. There’s good news also at Papay with the peedie school seeing three P1s get underway.

Stronsay Junior High School Head Teacher, Dr Petra McLay, said: “It is wonderful to welcome these seven youngsters into P1. I hope they gain a huge amount from taking this next step on their learning journey at Stronsay Junior High School.”

Papdale, Orkney’s largest primary, has 50 new P1s, with Glaitness playing host to 35. This is followed by St Andrews Primary and Dounby who both welcomed 18 P1s and Stromness Primary 17.

Evie’s P1s stand at 10 this year and Firth is eight, followed by Orphir and Burray each with five, and four at St Margaret’s Hope and North Walls.

Stenness, Rousay and Sanday each have three P1s, with Shapinsay and Eday on one. Flotta and North Ronaldsay have no new starts in P1 this year.

The gender split was fairly even – with girls just pipping the boys on 104 to 99.

Good luck to all the P1s – and others – as they begin or return to school this week. It can be very exciting for some and daunting for others – so let’s wish them all well.