The pupils' three sheep that were purchased at the Thainstone Christmas sales - Bab, Jess and Snoopy - are in lamb and the pupils are eagerly awaiting their arrival at the end of April.

As previously reported in the Herald, the P5 pupils along with their teacher Graeme Mollison are taking part in an Enterprise Project on farming. After launching a share issue, with each pupil paying £2 to become a shareholder in the company that they named "Sheep School", the pupils bought the sheep and arranged for them to be looked after at croft near Castle Fraser owned by Thainstone auctioneer Colin Slessor.

The company pay shepherding fees and the cost of the sheep's upkeep, and regularly visit to check on their progress. They have also benefited from Colin's expertise and have been learning as much as possible about all aspects of sheep farming.

The pupils make up all the positions in the company, and all have specific tasks including accounting, advertising, website design and liaising with local businesses who are supporting the project, including Booth for Better Service, Minto, Northsound and the Mitchell School of Dance.

Pupil Abbie Freer, who is Head of Accounts, told the Herald: "The project is really good. We get to hold the sheep, sometimes pet them and help cut their toenails, and I am really enjoying everything about it."

Head of Farming, Craig Mackie added: "I usually go to the farm with my assistant Ahmed and help to feed the sheep, look after them including clipping their nails and check that they are fine."

Helping to keeping the project at the cutting edge of technology is Assistant of ICT Owen Wright who commented: "Part of my job is to keep the website updated and deal with all the computing. It can be difficult and hard work but I'm really enjoying it."

Managing Director of "Sheep School" is Kirsty Findlay, who said: "I am really enjoying the project a lot. The other directors and myself make sure we communicate all about the project to the rest of the school, keeping everyone up to date. It is hard work but also fun."

Headteacher Colin McLean added: "All the pupils are so enthusiastic about this project and it gives them a perfect opportunity to have hands on experience in an industry which plays an important part in the North east.

"This project also provides an excellent example of vocational and enterprise education and proves how successful it can be."
The pupils aim to prove that north-east farming is a thriving industry that is home to world class produce, and also that the next generation of "captains of industry" will hail from Aberdeenshire.