SCHOOLS across the Borders have published homemade videos to entertain and comfort pupils.

Since lockdown began in March, social media has been flooded with footage of teachers and school staff.

Earlston and Gordon Primary Schools have released a variety of videos on their social media feeds – including an illusion video, a music video, and one with pupils sharing all they are thankful for.

"The first video we produced was titled ‘Mr Wilson’s ball pass challenge’," said Kevin Wilson, acting head teacher of Earlston and Gordon Primary Schools.

"This involved children and staff virtually catching a ball and passing it on to the next person. Across the two schools we had over 100 people take part in this.

"The video was uploaded to our schools’ Facebook pages and the comments from viewers were extremely positive. On the last count, these videos had gained around 5,000 views each.

"You just cannot help but smile when you watch these videos.

"On the back of this success I decided to set children and staff another challenge – this time to share something they are grateful for during these difficult times.

"The end product when these clips have been combined is quite moving."

And next on the list of videos to make, Mr Wilson has a VE Day special planned, with children's work highlighted to mark the occasion.

Mr Wilson added: "Despite these successes, we look forward to the day where we can come together again as a school (in real life, rather than virtually).

"No technology or creative ideas will replicate the buzz of a school, the sounds of laughter, the smiles and the eureka moments.

"However, we recognise that the health and safety of everyone is paramount and all decisions regarding schools being closed/open are based on the best possible scientific advice."

Chairwoman of Earlston Parent Council Sally Tait told us: "What a wonderful idea of Mr Wilson's, which allowed the children to feel connected while not in school.

"Parents have commented on how much the children enjoyed making their videos and seeing their friends in the final edit – it was quite emotive."

And pupils and staff of St Peter's Primary School, Galashiels, have also made their own videos.

St Peter's head teacher Pauline Copeland told us they were inspired by videos from schools across Scotland.

She added: "One of our teachers, Mrs Anderson, offered to co-ordinate our photos and videos and wrote the message we used.

"She chose the song You Can Count On Me by Bruno Mars as the soundtrack as this is a song we have been singing in our school assemblies, following it being introduced to us by Miss Murray and our school choir when we launched our new school values, ‘Kindness, Effort and Respect’ in December 2019."

The school's message to families has been 'liked' 56 times, and shared across the social media platform more than 30 times.

Pupils and their families have been able to enjoy other videos from the school too.

"Our PE teacher Mr Georgiev has made videos of our PE challenges to demonstrate to the children what to do," explained Mrs Copeland. "We have a school dog called Lou, a black Labrador who belongs to Mrs Murray-Bell.

"Mrs Murray-Bell has shared videos of Lou on the farm near Hawick and also made a video using an app called My Talking Pet where Lou shares a message with the children."

Mrs Copeland looks forward to welcoming pupils and staff back eventually.

She said: "It will be lovely to come back together as a school family in our school building once it is safe for us to do so."

To see the videos by Earlston and Gordon Primary Schools, visit www.facebook.com/earlstonprimaryschool/ and to see the videos by St Peter's Primary School, visit www.facebook.com/stpetersgala/