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Socially-distanced send-off for departing Keith Primary School P7s


By Jonathan Clark

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Keith Primary School hold a socially distanced leavers assembly before teachers formed a guard of honour as the Primary Seven pupils were piped out of the school...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Keith Primary School hold a socially distanced leavers assembly before teachers formed a guard of honour as the Primary Seven pupils were piped out of the school...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

DEPARTING pupils at Keith Primary were given a socially-distanced send-off as they left school for the final time.

Two pipers from Keith Grammar School, Doddie Simmers and Cassie Findlay, played the 47 departing children out of the school after they had spent the morning partaking in a number of safely-organised activities.

Keith Primary School hold a socially distanced leavers assembly before teachers formed a guard of honour as the Primary Seven pupils were piped out of the school...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Keith Primary School hold a socially distanced leavers assembly before teachers formed a guard of honour as the Primary Seven pupils were piped out of the school...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

Usually, primary sevens prepare for moving up to secondary school by taking on various activities – including a trip with Outfit Moray.

While all recent activities were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, head teacher Susan Buchan stressed the importance of saying a final goodbye to the pupils.

She said: "When it came to lockdown we didn't want to assume it was the end.

"We promised we would get them back to say cheerio properly and we wanted to do something proper to mark the end of their time at Keith Primary School.

"It's about closure and giving them a chance to say goodbye.

"Normally we have a leaver's assembly with certificates handed out. They have kind of missed out on that so this was just to say well done and thank you."

Keith Primary School hold a socially distanced leavers assembly before teachers formed a guard of honour as the Primary Seven pupils were piped out of the school...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Keith Primary School hold a socially distanced leavers assembly before teachers formed a guard of honour as the Primary Seven pupils were piped out of the school...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

Ms Buchan, who has been head teacher at Keith Primary for a year, had some words of encouragement for what she described as a "successful" year group.

She added: "They have been a good year group for us and were good role models. They are well behaved and achieved academically.

"We had 30 kids who were prefects and gave up some of their break and lunch times.

"My message is for them carry on in that vain and continue being the best they can be. They should have confidence – they are successful but quiet.

"We said it's sad to leave but without change we would all be stuck. Change is needed and is inevitable. Don't be sad and look forward.

"Kevin Pirie, depute head at Keith Grammar, came across and answered some questions from the pupils too. It was a nice way to bridge the old to the new."

Keith Primary School hold a socially distanced leavers assembly before teachers formed a guard of honour as the Primary Seven pupils were piped out of the school...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Keith Primary School hold a socially distanced leavers assembly before teachers formed a guard of honour as the Primary Seven pupils were piped out of the school...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

The pupils will get to know Mr Pirie and Keith Grammar School when they move up after schools return full-time from the coronavirus lockdown on August 11.

He said: "I was delighted to speak to the pupils.

"We have been providing virtual tours and allowing pupils to meet the teachers that way.

"Going up to S1 is a big move and I'm looking forward to welcoming all our new S1s after the holidays."

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