Carmunnock Primary School Newsletter
November/December 2010
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Headteacher’s Letter
Dear Parents,
November is a month when there is always a lot of very hard work done in classes, followed by time to relax a little bit before Christmas to make time for all the festivities. This November will be no different, starting off with Science Week.
All the children are continuing to work very hard in all aspects of the new Curriculum for Excellence and, although there will be no National Assessments used this year, teachers are still able to judge progress by using class based assessments. I hope parents evening will reassure you that your children are continuing to do very well in all areas of their learning. I’m sure you are as proud of your children’s achievements as we all are.
Kind Regards,
Margaret Macleod
Margaret Macleod
Headteacher
Spotlight on Primary 7
Primary Seven are our spotlight class this month. As well as bamboozling Mrs Frazer and Miss Macleod with some very hard maths work they are embracing the challenges and extra responsibilities that P7 brings. They are being brilliant buddies and monitors for the younger children, leading the Committees very well and modelling good behaviour and positive attitudes to learning.
The class always display good teamwork and this was obvious in their zoetropes they designed and made for a Determined to Succeed technology competition. Their next project is the organisation of the Christmas Fayre – good luck with that P7!
Staff Success
This month’s staff superstar is Miss Emma Aitken, who teaches P6. Miss Aitken joined the school in August for her probationary teaching year and has been impressing pupils, parents and staff with her energy and enthusiasm. As well as preparing and assessing interesting work for her class she has also been involved in a number of training opportunities including Additional Support Needs, Active Learning and Global Citizenship.
Well done, Miss Aitken – we’re all very glad your part of the team!
Primary One drop off/pick up
Most of our P1 children are children are already happily being dropped off and picked up at the school gates - it is great to see them becoming so independent. If your child is still reluctant to come into school without a known adult, please make an appointment to speak to his/her teacher or Miss Macleod.
Please remember for security and safety of all our pupils no unauthorised adult is allowed in the playground at any time.
Attendance and Latecoming
You will have now received last term’s attendance print-out for your child which shows their current level of attendance. Our minimum target attendance for each child is 97% across the session.
There have been an increased number of latecomers over the last few weeks. This is very disruptive for the teachers and office staff. If your child is not in their class line at 9am they will be marked as late by their teacher. Persistent latecoming will result in loss of Golden Time.
Parking
I have again requested the presence of the Police outside the school at 3pm. This follows complaints by our neighbours about careless parking – on this occasion blocking access in and out of the village at the new chicane just past Waterside Gardens. The Police can ticket anyone who park without due care or causes an obstruction. There is always plenty of parking further from the school at Kittochside Road. Please park and walk a bit further.
Parents’ Evening
Our first Parents’ Evening will be held on Thursday 18th November between 3pm and 8.30pm. Appointment choice slips have already been issued and should be returned to the office by Friday 5th November. Slips returned after that shall be allocated the remaining time slots.
Each appointment is for ten minutes; should you require more discussion time with a teacher please make an appointment for another date. This is essential to ensure everyone’s appointments are punctual.
Personal Learning Logs
The children are very proud of their Learning Logs which help them identify and reach specific targets. Progress towards their goals in their Personal Learning Logs will be discussed at the parents’ evening. The Logs will then be sent home for you to discuss with your child and then be returned to the school on Monday, 22nd November.
Science Week
The first week of November is “Science Week” at Carmunnock Primary. This gives each class time to focus in depth on aspects of the science outcomes in the new Curriculum for Excellence and practice their skills of investigation, experimentation and hypothesising! The topics to be covered include Water investigations, The Senses, The Solar System and Substances and Solutions.
P5 Assembly
P5 will be presenting their St Andrew’s themed assembly on Thursday 25th at 9.30am. All family and friends are welcome and tea and coffee will be served afterwards.
Staff Changes
Mrs Paterson will be reducing the hours she works from January. This will mean that she will continue to teach French and health and Wellbeing to cover teacher’s non-class contact time on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. A long term supply teacher will work with Mrs Din in Primary 2 on Mondays and Tuesdays, as yet we do not know who this will be.
Christmas Fayre
This year’s Christmas Fayre will be on Thursday 3rd December between 7 and 9pm. Primary Seven will be in touch soon to let you know how you can help!
Visiting Student teachers
We welcome teaching students working with classes until Christmas. Miss Julie McGregor is in Primary 5 and Miss Amy Funk is working with Primary 4. We are sure both will enjoy their time at Carmunnock.
Secondary School Consultation
By now you will have received a summary of Glasgow City Council’s proposal to have Castlemilk High School as our associated secondary school. There will be a consultation meeting on Tuesday 9th November at 7pm in the school hall.
PTA news
Our PTA are as busy as ever with a full calendar of events planned for the year. The Hallowe’en disco was a great success and there is a Christmas disco planned for Thursday 16th December.
The Dinner dance at the Hilton on Saturday 6th November is proving to be very popular with only a very few tickets left. Contact the PTA or the school is you would like a ticket. Raffle and auction prizes are still needed for the night – please help out if you can!
All the fundraising the PTA does goes straight back to help the school provide a better quality of education for your children. The money they contribute have helped us to put a Smartboard in each class, let us to top up expensive art and technology materials, as well as providing fun treats such Christmas party presents, prizes and juice. The cost of this year’s Christmas Panto is also being subsidised by the PTA.
What’s On?
November
5th – School Committees Afternoon
8th – Yoga session starts for P7
P1 “Manfred The Baddie” story workshop
9th – Secondary School Proposal consultation meeting – 7pm
11th – P5 trip to Science centre
18th – Book Fair
Parents’ Evening
24th – P7 internet safety talk
25th – P5 assembly
December
1st – P5-7 go to “Marriage of Figaro Unwrapped” at the Theatre Royal
2nd – Christmas Fayre 7-9pm
3rd – School Committees Afternoon
16th – Sleeping Beauty Pantomime – 1.30pm
PTA Christmas Disco
20th – P6&7 Party 1-3pm
21st - P4&5 Party 1-3pm
22nd – Nativity 10am. P1-3 Party 1-3pm
23rd – Church Service at Carmunnock Church 10am
School closes 23rd December at 2.30pm
Re-opens Wednesday 5th January 2011
If you have any comments, compliments or concerns about the school you would like to share with us, please return the slip below to the office.
Carmunnock Primary School
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