Harvest 2007

On the 25th October 2007 we held our Junior School Harvest Assembly in the Burnside Hall.  The weather was beautiful as we walked along to what was a fantastic assembly.

When we walked into the Burnside Hall, the harvest orchestra (led by Miss Horne) was playing.  We brought shoe boxes filled with tins and packets of food for an organisation called Fareshare.  When all the classes had entered the hall, Miss Goudie welcomed us and then we sang our first hymn.  After the hymn Miss Goudie introduced Mr Grainger (a Fareshare representative) and he told us all about Fareshare and what would happen to our food boxes.  After Mr Grainger had spoken, Miss Goudie stood and thanked him and we then sang our second hymn.  Then Miss Goudie introduced us to the ‘Tator’ family, a family of potatoes called Po, Spec, Commen, Imi and Facili.  We were like ‘Facilitator’ that day!  We then sang our third and final hymn.

After the assembly we all took our shoe boxes back to the Junior School ready for collection by Fareshare on Monday.  We were all happy that we had had the chance to help some people not quite as fortunate as we are!

Jack McNicol

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Harvest is celebrated at Dollar in a very formal way; the pupils of the Junior School gather at the nearest church hall.  They walked enthusiastically with their tins and packets towards the venue.

This year, everyone settled themselves on the floor around the hay bale which itself was surrounded by a huge mass of food in tins and packets lying neatly on the floor. Songs were sung and there were prayers to help people without food.  Some people brought in potatoes that they had grown.  There were many kinds such as Nicolas, Roosters, Desirees, Saxons and the Pink Fir Apple which was apparently the first kind of potato that all the others originated from.

This year, the Juniors were helping an amazing company called Fareshare.  A man called Mr Grainger came along to talk and told about how companies like Tesco and Sainsbury’s give them food so that it isn’t wasted.  Instead, food that is past its sell-by date but is still good to eat is given to those who cannot afford good food.   Not only do they help people in this way but they also help those who have no job.  If you are unemployed you can volunteer for a company like Fareshare.  The children of the Junior School had a great time rummaging through their cupboards for food items to bring in for charity.   They know their harvest gifts will make a difference to others.

Isabelle O’Bryen

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The Junior School pupils hastily walked down the Burnside with great excitement.  When they bustled in, they put their boxes of food down in the middle of the enormous hall.  It was a marvellous sight with so many musical instruments playing as they found their seats; violins, trumpets, recorders, guitars and cellos.  Miss Goudie put a hymn on the projector and the singing was magnificent.

The children were astonished by how many types of potatoes there are; pupils had brought in Nicolas Roosters, Desirees, Saxons and Pink Fir Apples.  Five pupils had each made a potato for the Tator Family.  This was a very interesting family.  Miss Goudie then introduced a man called Mr Grainger who explained what would happen to the children’s boxes.  Once he had finished, the classes collected their box and returned to the Junior School.  The orchestra were playing beautifully – it was a great success.  Fareshare will visit again on Monday to pick up the food and then distribute it to homeless and less fortunate people.

Nicholas Diston

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Every year, the pupils have a task which usually helps a charity.  This year their task was to fill a box with food which would be sent to Fareshare.  When all arrived at the Burnside Hall, the orchestra played a tune to welcome them.  But everybody’s eyes were drawn to the very attractive display in the centre of the hall which was surrounded by the Fareshare boxes.  There were masses of them!  Miss Goudie opened the assembly and introduced a man called Mr Grainger; he was from Fareshare in Dundee.

Miss Goudie told the children about a family of potatoes and the good member was the one called ‘Facilitator’.  That was the one who was helping others out.  The pupils sang a hymn before Mr Grainger talked to everyone in more detail about where all the boxes would end up.   Everyone sang another two hymns and was shown the potatoes that children had grown.  All were ushered out of the hall and headed back to the Junior School with their boxes from where they would be collected on Monday.

Emily Watson.

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Junior School
The Support for Learning Department