Schools' Project

After the initial visit programme of 2006, the programme continued and groups of primary pupils now enjoy our Museum in a carefully scheduled programme each spring.

Visits to primary schools by Club Directors

In 2006, typical of the current programme, 26 classes in 10 schools were visited during January and February. Each class was given a talk on the life and work of Burns. Emphasis was placed on particular aspects of his life and works e.g. his life in Irvine, his education (his father and John Murdoch), his love of Lallans and his great contribution to the song writing heritage of Scotland. Many questions were asked of the Directors who took part in these visits and these showed that the children are very keen to learn as much as possible about their National Bard. Some 1000 children were involved in these school visits.

The 2006 photo shows Aaron Stevens-Gray, P1/P2 Boys Winner, with President Raymond Fitzgerald, Director M Murray and Headteacher Margaret Boyd at Castlepark Primary School

Visits by primary classes to the Museum at 'Wellwood'

In 2006, typical of our continuing programme, 17 classes from 8 schools visited Irvine Burns Club during January and February, when they learned much about Burns’ time in Irvine (in the Burns room) as well as learning about the history of the Club (in the Directors' Room). They were also shown many of the Club’s valuable artefacts. The visits, each lasting just over an hour, ended in the Music room. Here they were given a short talk on Burns the Songwriter and excerpts from a variety of songs were played. Each group was then given the opportunity to find a third verse for “Up in the Morning Early”. Burns had added two verses to the chorus of this old song and the children were asked to write (in groups of 4) the “missing” third verse. They were asked to write a verse similar in thought to the existing two verses or to write a verse which looks forward optimistically to Spring. This was to be completed in school. Around 90 verses were returned and a prize is being given to the best received by the end of March.

The curators, originally the late David Smith and Ian Wight, now Ian and his colleague Graham Hyslop, plus at least one Director are present at each visit. One curator takes the groups in the Directors’ Room and the other works with the groups in the Burns Room. It was obvious that they have their audiences in the palms of their hands from the number of interesting questions that were aimed at them. However David was once less than delighted when one boy asked him “Did you ever meet Robert Burns?”

Some 400 children were involved in these visits. The photo on upper left shows a group sitting down for our audio-visual presentation - the Burns Room.

Verse Speaking Competition March 2010

The Primary Schools competitions took place as arranged, on 23 and 25 March at Wellwood. Only six schools were involved this year, but the general standard was very high. Of the fourteen competitions two were won by Annick PS, two were won by Castlepark PS, two were won by Glebe PS, two were won by St Mark’s PS and six were won by Woodlands PS. The other school taking part was John Galt. Again Irvine Lasses Burns Club supplied a judge for each of the four session of competitions and directors of IBC supplied two judges for each session. Thanks to all who helped to make this a relatively easy programme. Certificates for all participants have been prepared and delivered to all schools involved.

The 2010 winners were:

This photo, from a previous year's competition, shows Jake Barbour, Burns Club Past President M Murray and 2006 President R Fitzgerald at St Mark's Primary School.

Each competitor was presented with an Irvine Burns Club Pin, and the winners were each presented with a quaich, suitably inscribed with his/her name.
The presentations of the quaichs were made by Club President Raymond Fitzgerald at school assemblies during March.

Photo: Burns Club Director M Murray and President R Fitzgerald with Ainsley Templeton, Gregor Cairns, Rosie Meikle and Katie Barlow of Lawthorn Primary School.

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