30 Sep 2009 - Newsletter - Sept 2009

               NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2009            
 
Another busy term is well under way and so I thought it would be helpful to update you on some of the activities we have planned and to ask for your help with some of them.  I have also mentioned some things we are planning to roll out in the coming weeks.

Results of the Questionnaire

Thank you very much to everyone who completed the questionnaire at the end of last term.  As you will see from the results below, the response was extremely positive and there were some good suggestions for one or two areas that we could improve upon.  The main one was that people would like us to use email to communicate with parents.  We are very keen to try this however there are some things we will need to consider before we do this.  The school office team are liaising with other schools that are already doing this successfully and so we hope that we can manage to put a system into place in the coming months.

Summary of Results (numbers indicate number of parents responding)

 

Statement	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Don't Know
The School is welcoming	210	99	1		1
The School responds helpfully and promptly to parental views and enquiries	168	124	8	3	8
I am satisfied with the opportunities that I have to contribute to my child's learning and development	163	132	11	2	3
The school provides appropriate information to parents and others on key aspects of its work	168	131	6	2	4
The school uses effective mechanisms for communicating and consulting with parents	167	132	9	1	2
The pupil reports and folios provide clear information on my child's attainment, development and progress	197	98	9	5	0
The school invites parents to take an active part in discussions about their child's progress and next steps in learning	170	125	9	1	6
Overall I am happy with the school	222	86	2		1

 

 

Help Required

Story Boxes One of the new ideas we tried last year was to introduce Story Boxes for the children to use in listening and talking activities.  The boxes are themed and have items inside them that are linked to the topic.  For instance a box on 'Under The Sea' could contain a shell, a mermaid doll, a model ship, a treasure chest, some treasure, a pirate's eye patch and so on.  The children work in small groups and choose 3 or 4 items which they then use to create a story.  The boxes were very successful and had a positive impact on literacy skills.

The boxes that we had last year were on loan from a story teller and had to be returned.  We would like to make up our own boxes.  This is where you could help us! If you have any items at home that you no longer want and they fit in with the topics listed below, we would love to have them.  As you can imagine buying commercially produced boxes is very expensive and so we are trying to make our own without having to spend too much.  The topics are P7 - World War 2, P6 - Space, P5 - Scottish Stories, P4 - Heroes, P3 - Around the World and P2 - Animals. P1 have already created a box on Traditional Fairy Tales and so do not require any items but they would be very grateful to receive any books of fairy stories that you may be finished with.

Magazines /Comics

The school is well stocked with both fiction and non fiction books and we continually add to and update this.  Mrs Waggott, one of our learning assistants looks after the library and has asked for donations of good quality childrens comics or magazines.  Comics, magazines and newspapers are often a good way to engage reluctant readers and while we subscribe to an educational newspaper we do not have access to comics or magazines.   Please send any donations in to the class teachers who will pass them on to Mrs Waggott.

Parent Helpers

We are also looking for parent helpers again this year to accompany the classes on trips and to help in school, making resources, helping with computer or sports and art activities at Golden Time.  If you are interested in helping in any way please contact the school office.  All helpers will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure Scotland check.  

PE Kit

This session we are trying very hard whenever possible to give the children two slots of PE.  While the majority of pupils have their PE kit in school, Mrs Ramm and the class teachers are concerned that not all children are bringing in a gym kit.  Please help us by ensuring that your child has their kit in school at all times.  We realise that at times it will be at home being washed but it would be helpful if this could be done at the weekends.  Mrs Ramm has also requested that children with long hair tie it back on PE days as a safety precaution.

Water Bottles

We are trying very hard not to use paper cups in school and so may I remind everyone to bring in a water bottle that can be filled from the water coolers.
Thank you for your help with these requests.

Harvest
Our Harvest assembly this year will be on Friday the 9th of October. This year we are supporting the charity 'Home-start'.  This is an organisation of volunteers who support parents who are struggling to cope by providing them with basic items such as toiletries, cleaning materials and food.  Look out for a letter from Mrs Pearston DHT giving more information nearer the time.

African School Lunch Day
As you may remember our school is linked with Kienganguru Primary School in Kenya.  At key points in the year we exchange information on our daily lives and what we are learning.  On the 29th of September the kitchen staff are hoping to cook us an African themed lunch.  This is still in the early stages of planning and we will give you more information as soon as possible.  Even if your child does not normally take a school lunch they may like to take part on that day.  

French Assistant
I am delighted to say that we have been very fortunate and have been given the opportunity to host a French Assistant who will be with us for most of the session. Her name is Karine Bouchet and she will start to work with the French classes next week.  This will be a wonderful opportunity for the children to talk with a native French speaker and Mrs Pearston and Mrs Good our French teachers are looking forward to her support.

Emergency Wet Weather Arrangements
As I'm sure you will have noticed since we returned to school we have had a huge number of wet days.  I would like to clarify the morning routine on wet days. The doors are opened at 8.45am to allow the children to come into school.  We have support staff on duty to monitor the children.  However, if you would like to bring your child just at bell time on these days that is really helpful.  If your child is a minute or two after the bell that is not a problem on a wet day.  We realise that this may be preferable to you.  

I would also like to mention that from the beginning of November (our next timetabling block) we will leave the drama base free at pick up time, so that P1 and P2 parents who want to wait for their older children can come in and shelter from the rain.  I would like to stress that this facility will only be available on wet days or when the weather is extremely poor.  More information will follow nearer the time.  I hope that this is helpful to P1 and P2 parents who wait for older children.

Local Event 

We have been asked to publicise the following fundraiser for St Columba's Hospice.

 

 

Uniform Sale
There will be a nearly new uniform sale in the school entrance hall on Wednesday 23rd September from 2.30 to 3.30pm.  This will be an excellent opportunity to pick up good quality nearly new school uniform and help raise funds for the school, so please come along and give us your support.  If you are unable to attend on this date there will be another uniform sale in the school on Wednesday 25th November.

World's Biggest Coffee Morning
On Friday 25th September 2009 we will be holding a Coffee Morning as part of the Macmillan Cancer Support World's Biggest Coffee Morning.  We would love as many people as possible to join us and support this worthwhile cause.  Fairtrade products will be used, and pupils will receive refreshments in return for a 50p donation.  The event will be held in the gym hall from 10.30am to 12 noon on the 25th and everyone is welcome to come along.

SCHOOL TERM DATES 2009-2010

Autumn term
Monday 21 September 2009 - Autumn Holiday, schools closed
Tuesday 22 September 2009 - All resume
Friday 16 October 2009 - Mid-term, All break
Monday 26 October 2009* - Staff resume
Tuesday 27 October 2009 - Pupils resume
Tuesday 22 December 2009 - Term ends

Spring term
Tuesday 05 January 2010* - Staff resume
Wednesday 06 January 2010 - Pupils resume
Friday 12 February 2010 - Mid-term, All break
Monday 22 February 2010 - All resume
Thurs 01 April 2010 - Term ends

Summer term
Friday 2 April 2010 - Good Friday
Monday 5 April 2010 - Easter Monday
Monday 19 April 2010 - Spring Holiday
Tuesday 20 April 2010 - All resume
Monday 03 May 2010 - May Day, schools closed
Monday 17 May 2010 - Victoria Day, schools closed
Tuesday 18 May 2010* - Staff resume
Wednesday 19 May 2010* - Staff only  
Thursday 20 May 2010 -  pupils resume
Thursday 1 July 2010 - Term ends

* Six In-service days for all schools

 

 DIARY DATES SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2009

Friday 25 September	World's Biggest Coffee Morning	10.30am - 12 noon
w/c 28 September	World of Work Week
Wednesday 30 September	Parent Council Meeting	7.00pm
Saturday 10 October	Big Tidy Day
Wednesday 14 October	Parent Consultations	6.00 to 9.00pm
Thursday 15 October	Parent Consultations	4.00 to 6.00pm
Thursday 29 October	Parent Council AGM	7.00 to 9.00pm
Friday 30 October	Rag Bag Day	8.45-9.15am
Monday 2 November	Benmore Outdoor Ed PSA Meeting	P7 7.30 to 9.00pm
Wednesday 4 November	Parent Council Meeting	7.00 to 9.00pm
Thursday 12 November	PSA Quiz Night	7.30pm
Tuesday 17 November	PSA Xmas Crafts Fair
Wednesday 25 November	Curriculum Evening	Details nearer time
Tuesday 1 December	PSA Meeting	7.30pm
Thursday 3 December	Parent Council Meeting	7.00pm
Saturday 5 December	PSA Childrens Activity Morning	10.00 to 12.00
Tuesday 15 December	Xmas Service Wardie Church	Details nearer time