AUGUST NEWSLETTER
Dear Parents/Carer
Welcome!
A warm welcome is extended to our 31new pupils who all appeared spick and span and eager to join the happy family of St Mark’s. The 28 Primary 1 pupils will attend from 9.00am-12.30pm until Monday 24th August when they will be in for the full day as part of South Lanarkshire Council’s Flying Start Policy. There will be a “soft start” approach for Primary 1 every morning from 8.50am when the pupils will be allowed to settle in class before the bell rings. The Primary 7 buddies will bring your child in to the Primary 1 class at the front of the school where their teachers will have set up some activities. Mrs Kirkwood will assist with these arrangements.
New Staff
We are delighted to welcome newstaff to St. Mark’s Primary School this session. We have been joined by teachers, Miss Speirs, Miss Talent, Mr. Ottolini, Ms. Jones, Mrs. Cochran and Ms. Brown who has joined the support staff.
We also express a warm welcome to Mr Lawrence Curran who will take over from our beloved Mrs. Greenan as janitor on her retirement on the 24th August.
Mrs. Laureen McCallum will take over Mrs. Cummings responsibilities as Principal Teacher and we are happy to welcome back Mr. Brownlie and Mrs. Barrie.
Classes for this session are:
Room 1Primary 1Miss Speirs/Miss Talent
Room 3Primary 2Mrs. Bailie /Mrs Donnelly
Room 4Primary 3Mr. Brownlie
Room5Primary 4Mrs. Smith
Room 6Primary 5/4Mr. Ottolini
Room 7Primary 6/5Ms. Jones
Room 8Primary 6/7 Mrs. Barrie
Room10Primary 7 Mrs Lennon
Mrs. McCallum and Mrs. Cochran will be doing Class Contact Cover.
School Uniform
Once again, you are to be congratulated on the way the pupils of St. Mark’s are presented. Every pupil is looking very smart in their brown and pale blue uniform. Please make sure that your child’s name is marked on all uniform garmentsincluding ties. This will help us return lost items to the rightful owner. Parents are reminded that items of value should not be allowed to be brought to school. Please encourage your children to look after their own property as this is part of growing towards independence.
Swimming Kit
This year Primary 7 & Primary 5 will again get swimming lessons. The swimming kit consists of a towel, a hat and trunks/ swimsuit. We are attempting to get all of our pupils used to wearing a swimming hat…if it is good enough for our National Team…! Each child will need a £1 coin for their locker (this is refundable) and the cost of the bus will be £3.50 per week. Our aim is that all children will be able to swim before they leave primary school and so we are attempting to move the lessons to Primary 5. I hope that those who learned in Primary 5 last year will continue to develop their skills this year.
Medication
The administration of prescribed medicines is a matter of the discretion with the Head Teacher. No medicines will be administered to pupils unless the proper procedures are followed. If your child requires prescription medication, you should come to the school office to complete the necessary forms. If your child has a condition that we should know about please let Mrs. Devanney know as soon as possible as she is currently producing our Care and Welfare notices.
School Meals / Packed Lunches
Please note that, in the interest of safety, glass bottles are not allowed in packed lunches. Parents of children in Primary 1 will have an opportunity to sample the school meals with their child on Thursday 20th August at 12 noon. Parents are asked to ensure that children bring their lunch money or packed lunch every day. All Primary 1, 2 & 3 pupils are entitled to receive a free school meal.
Please see attached the school menu and talk it through with your child. Our meals are made on the premises and we are very proud that our catering staff received the Eat Well award last session.
Assemblies
Our celebration of success assemblies are a regular feature of the school and celebrate the successes of individuals and classes. Assemblies will normally take place at 2.15pm on Friday afternoon. Parents are invited to attend special class led assemblies throughout the year. See the Annual Calendar of Activities for dates and classes.
Physical EducationUniform
Just a reminder that there will be two blocks of PE each week.
PE uniform is pale blue polo shirt, navy shorts and black plimsolls.
Primary 1 pupils are encouraged to wear their PE uniform to school on PE Day.
ALL other pupils, Primary 2 to Primary 7, should wear their SCHOOL UNIFORM every day and change for PE.
I would appreciate it if you would send into the school any PE uniform that your children have out grown. As you can imagine children do occasionally forget theirs and it is a help to have some spares.
Jewellery – children should not wear jewellery on PE day.
School clothing
As part of encouraging children to be active and to enjoy outdoor play it is essential that children are properly clothed for the weather. Please send your child to school with a jacket every day as we will be taking them out in light rain and as the winter approaches in the snow.
Permission Forms
The forms listed below are being sent out to parents/carers. It is essential that you return these as soon as possible as NO pupils will be permitted to attend school outings without the completed EV5 excursion form and relevant permission slip. The first outing for Primary 7 will be to swimming TOMORROW.
The Scottish Government
has a national website offering help and support to vulnerable children and families on child protection issues. The site - childprotectionscotland.org - includes clear, accessible information on what the public should do if they are concerned for a child’s welfare. It will also feature a range of information and links to downloadable materials for children themselves, including cartoons and online games providing child safety tips.
The site can be found at It was developed in conjunction with the Scottish Child Protection Committee Chairs Forum (SCPCCF) and the Multi Agency Resource Service (MARS). It follows recommendations from a Ministerial Working Group for a more coordinated approach to public awareness around child protection issues.
Residential Education
Primary 7 pupils will be taking part in residential education on Monday 31stAugust. This promises to be a first class educational experience and I am grateful that so many parents have been able to give their children this opportunity.
Extra Curricular Activities: Parent Helpers
If you have a skill that you could offer our children please contact me. Already our children are asking for girls’ football and the gardening club needs a gardener! We have a range of activities, some at lunchtime, and some after school. Please volunteer.
Every year we offer a range of experiences that enrich the lives of our children. Many of these would not be possible without the help of our parents and grandparents.
We have a meeting on the 26th August @2pm in the Staffroom where you can hear all about volunteering in the school, whether you can do two hours a week, only school trips or 12 weeks at the Swimming. Some parents and grandparents are happy to help with a project…this year the library is a priority. Come along and find out…no need to commit on the day.
Individual Photographs
The Parent Teacher Association has arranged for all pupils and families to have their photograph taken on the 25th August by Caireen Harvey Photography
And finally… I have attached:
- Dates for Parents / In-service Days and Holidays for the Year
- The Menu for School Dinners (All Primary 1, 2, & 3 pupils entitled to free meal.)
- Parent/Community Events Calendar
- Annual Data check
- EV5 excursion form
- Internet access –responsible use agreement
- Photograph and Video Permission Form
I appreciate how busy you are and know that you will want to know this information in advance.
I look forward to working in partnership with you this session and am confident that we will have a very successful year.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Caroline Campbell
Head Teacher
T:\Admin\Office\Newsletters\August 2015.doc
Sherry Drive, Little Earnock, Hamilton ML3 8XF
Phone: 01698 283727 Fax: 01698 207490 Email: