IT'S been a busy year for primary schools across the Helensburgh and Lomond area – with more to come in the one remaining term of 2016-17.

A report presented to local councillors on Tuesday showcased just some of the activities undertaken inside and outside of the classroom by the area's primary schools since they returned from their summer break in August.

Highlights of the year so far include a range of environmental projects, targeted numeracy support for children, and learning about Scotland's geography, towns and tourism.

Other notable activities for pupils throughout the area over the last eight months have included:

* Primary 6 in Cardross Primary thought a lot about how they could help the local community and town during harvest time. Every day they collected tins and packets of food from the whole school for the Food Bank in Helensburgh, they were overwhelmed by everyone’s kind generosity.

* Primary 1 and 2 at Rhu continue to share their learning with parents and carers on Friday mornings. Pupils come in as usual followed by their parents who have participated in a variety of curricular areas including literacy, numeracy, craft and dance. These weekly sessions are the highlight of the week, giving parents, pupils and teachers an opportunity to learn together in a relaxed but purposeful fashion.

* The change in season in October provided an excellent opportunity for P2 at Hermitage Primary to visit Hermitage Park to look for the first signs of autumn. Once back in class, they spent time sharing some of the leaves, nuts and branches they had found. P2 then used the experience to write their first poem based on their five senses.

* Four children from Garelochhead PS took part in a Digital Leaders course along with many other children from schools in Argyll and Bute. The course was organised by the Education Support officer for digital technologies. Pupils learned new skills in coding, programming, managing ipads and computational thinking and will now cascade their knowledge to other pupils in the school.

* Luss Primary School pupils were crowned the Scottish champions of the Total Green School Awards. Their project, working with Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust not only took top spot in the totally active category, but was also declared the best project in all categories from the whole of Scotland, making it the Scottish Champion for 2016.

* Arrochar Primary's Eco Warriors are working hard to improve three areas – litter, water, food and the environment. They use bear bins to keep the playground tidy, and encourage everyone to bin their litter. They have been recycling lots of clothes and also paper, cans and pens, and they compost all peelings and cores and use the compost to grow vegetables.

* P4/5 at Kilcreggan Primary successfully organised a super Roald Dahl Day celebration for all pupils. The class worked in teams- publicity, finance, administration and events – and organised Golden Tickets for anyone who wished to dress up on the day and lots of Roald Dahl activities for all classes.

* Children at John Logie Baird Primary School have been working with Waitrose to develop enterprise and business skills across the school. The pupils planned, measured, built and filled their own beds and planted seeds donated by Waitrose – and returned in August to discover a huge crop was ripe and ready to harvest.

* The staff of St. Joseph’s Primary and Family Learning Centre has been working with Kirkmichael Community Development Group to get a new ‘Meet and Eat’ programme for the elderly in the local community developed at St. Joseph’s Family Learning Centre. Wednesday, October 12 saw the launch of this excellent initiative with the helpers from the Community Development Group setting up beautifully presented tables for the elderly to come along and enjoy some sandwiches, baking and a blether.