The Primary Enterprising Maths Challenge has been successfully held across other local authorities in Scotland and this year we brought excitement and buzz about maths to Dumfries and Galloway.  

This challenge was held across 4 localities (Wigtownshire, Stewartry, Nithsdale and Annandale and Eskdale) last month. Teams of 3, made up of Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils from 40 schools competed across the 4 localities. Whilst there was an element of competition between schools, the emphasis on the day was about working together, mathematical thinking skills and enjoyment. 

The day consisted of a poster round where the teams had to combine creativity with mathematical knowledge. This year’s poster theme was 'Codes and Cyphers' which the schools were given ahead of time so they could research with their classes. The posters were then judged by our invited guests and pupils from St Josephs College, Stranraer, Kirkcudbright and Annan Academies.   

They then went into a Team Challenge where they had to work together to complete a series of mathematical problems, before lunch they participated in the 'Round Table Challenge' where teams worked their way around the room trying to solve different mathematical games.  

After lunch, it was time for the 'Head to Head' where team members battled individually with another team to get the highest number in a game called Sequencium. You could hear a pin drop when this was going on! The silence was soon shattered when the day moved into the 'Relay Challenge' where running and solving problems was combined. 

On the day prizes were awarded for the best team poster and the most successful team at the mathematical challenges, and all participants received certificates of participation. The D&G Enterprising Mathematical Challenge trophy was then presented to the overall winning team from the region.   

Thanks go to Dumfries and Galloway Developing the Young Workforce (DG DYW) who kindly sponsored the challenge events; funding the Trophy for annual presentation and the maths themed, problem solving prizes. Caroline Davidson and Mark Sheerin, Programme Managers from DG DYW, attended the events, helping out with the running of the day and presenting the certificates and prizes.

Results were:

Nithsdale

Poster Winner – Loreburn Primary

Mathematical Challenge Winner - Loreburn Primary

Wigtownshire

Poster Winner – Glenluce Primary

Mathematical Challenge Winner - Rephad Primary

Stewartry

Poster Winner – Twynholm Primary

Mathematical Challenge Winner - Kirkcudbright Primary

Annandale and Eskdale

Poster Winner – Canonbie Primary

Mathematical Challenge Winner - Gretna Primary

The overall winners who were presented with the D&G Enterprising Maths Trophy were Kirkcudbright Primary.

Well done to all the pupils and adults who attended the day with enthusiasm, we are looking forward to welcoming teams in 2026. 

With the exhibition dedicated to Mary, Queen of Scots in full swing at Kirkcudbright Galleries, the art gallery has just opened with a stunning exhibition of works by the renowned ‘Glasgow Girl’ Jessie M King (1875-1949).

This exhibition celebrates the 150^th anniversary of King’s birth with one of the most comprehensive displays of her work for 50 years.

Over her career King disproved the saying ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ by mastering many approaches to art and craft. Her work ranged from book illustrations to batik, jewellery to ceramics. Examples of all these approaches are on display in Kirkcudbright Galleries now.

In 1892 Jessie M King entered the Glasgow School of Art. The strong affiliation with the Art Nouveau and Glasgow School movement can be seen in her early art, book illustrations and her jewellery designs. As a student, she received a number of awards, including a first silver medal from the National Competition, South Kensington (1898). Her link with the Glasgow School was cemented when she was made tutor in Book Decoration and Design at Glasgow School of Art in 1899.

Throughout her life she intuitively created unique designs where she did not literally translate the real world. As a young teenager she recalled falling asleep on a hillside and feeling inspired by the fairies. Her joy in the magical world never left her and was present in all her work in all its forms.

King showed an eagerness to adapt to new styles throughout her lifetime and in book illustration she soon began to temper her experimental style with a more commercial naturalism and romantism and her myopic pen and ink drawings gave way to looser watercolours and coloured inks. Although she would return to the Art Nouveau style regularly throughout her life for commission work.

After the First World War Jessie M King, and her husband E.A. Taylor, became key members of Kirkcudbright’s artistic community, now known as ‘The Artists’ Town’. She was well-known and well-loved by both townsfolk and visiting artists alike, supporting both with her unrivalled energy, enthusiasm and artistic talent. Over half the works on display at Kirkcudbright are held in the nationally recognised collections there, but there are many hidden gems from private collections as well as new acquisitions some of which have not been seen in public for over 100 years.

As one of the first visitors to the JMK150 exhibition Cllr Maureen Johnstone, Chair of Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee, said:

“Visiting the JMK150 exhibition I was overwhelmed by the depth of talent shown by Jessie M King. Such a variety of work! I knew she was an amazing lady, but this exhibition will no doubt engender a new level of respect for her and her work.”

The exhibition is free admission and a must-see for all Jessie M King fans.

JMK150: Jessie Marion King runs until 22 June, and the Mary Queen of Scots Casket Exhibition runs until 27 April.

Kirkcudbright Galleries is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11.30am to 5pm.