Dear Parents/Carers/Pupils,
Holiday Dates
Friday 9 February 2018 In-Service Day
Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 February 2018 Holidays
Friday 30 March until Monday 16 April 2018 Spring Break holiday
Parent Council
Tesco tokens – Please support our developing outdoor learning environment (OLE) by donating @Tesco tokens to Newmains Primary at Renfrew and Linwood Tesco stores. Please ask for a token when you shop. Thank you for your support.
The next Parent Council Meeting will take place on Wednesday 24 January at 7.00 pm in the school staffroom. All parents are welcome and I look forward to seeing you there.
The Valentine Disco will take place on 15 February 2018.
Head Teacher Award
Congratulations to the following children who received the HT Award on 16 January 2018.
P1a – Aiden De Goede;P1b –Max McCafferty; P2a – Sophie McCulloch; P2b –Callum Marshall;
P3/2 –Ellie Miller; P3 –Mia Caruth; P4/3 – Laci Young; P4 –Hannah Moore;
P5a –Alfie Graham; P5b –Sophie Marshall; P6a – Rayan Atif; P6b –Aimee McAlonan;
P7a –Megan McBean; P7b – Katie Booth Well done!
P1 Registration
We had an extra few busy days last week as parents registered their children to start Primary 1 in August 2018. It was so lovely to meet some of the children and their families. There will be a number of induction visits with the nurseries next term. Parents received a copy of the dates and times at registration. If you missed the registration days please contact the school.
Engaging with Parents
As we continue to enhance our partnership with parents, children’s language jotters will be sent home on Wednesday 24 January 2018. This will enable you to see how your child is progressing and also identify areas where you may be able to support your child at home. I would ask all parents to add a comment and sign the feedback booklet. The jotters should be returned by Monday 29 January 2018.
Scottish Week
All classes will be participating in our Scottish week starting on Monday 22 January 2018. The children will be learning songs, poems, dances, etc which we will share during a school assembly. Primary 4/3 and Primary 4 will be hosting a Burns Supper on 25 January 2018.
Police Visit
The pupils were visited earlier this term by our communities police officers who shared information with pupils about keeping safe online and the role of the police.
Links with West College
Once again, we are working closely with West College with children in P2 and P6 attending Renfrew Sports Centre to work with students from the College. This partnership with the PE department at West College is very successful, therefore we are delighted that once again our pupils are working closely with students at the College.
Change of clothes
At times children need a change of clothes for a number of reasons. When this happens, we give the children a change of clothes. Unfortunately the clothes are not being returned so we now have no clothes left for those children who may need them. If your child has had a change of clothes please return them freshly laundered to the school. If we do not have any clothes to change into we will have to phone parents to bring clothes to the school.
Weather
Now that the wintry weather is here, it is important that children come prepared suitably dressed with proper boots and jackets. Children could bring spare socks to school to change into if their feet are wet when they arrive at school. Children play outside at playtimes and lunchtimesunless it is raining very heavily or it is icy.
SSPCA
Members of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be visiting the school on Monday 29 January 2018 to share information with pupils about caring for animals.
Protecting Children
As many children were lucky enough to receive new electronic devices for Christmas, it might be the perfect time to think again about how we protect our children when online.
Thinkuknow (an online group who work alongside the CEOPs protection team) have produced a revised website for parents and carers at . The new site offers a completely refreshed suite of articles and guidance on topics as diverse as: challenging harmful sexual attitudes and promoting positive behaviours; helping a child with autism negotiate life online; various cybercrimes, dealing with a range of online issues as well as setting safety settings on devices. Please take some time to view this website, it is never too early to start thinking about and discussing these issues with your child. Please remember that if a pupil brings a mobile phone to school it must be turned off and kept in their school bags until they leave the school grounds.
Parking / Traffic
I am sure you will be aware that there is a large area of road works near the school, which along with the snow, is creating a lot more congestion at the school. I would once again ask parents to park well away from the school and walk when dropping off or collecting children. This will ensure the safety of our children and ensure that the school bus is able to drop off and collect pupils.
Our Road Safety Committee has produced a leaflet for parents/carers about School Parking. Please read our ‘guide to parking safely at our school’.
Head Lice
We strongly recommend that parents check their child’s hair and this should be done on a regular basis. Information from NHS Health Scotland is available from their website.
If there is anything you would like to discuss or clarify please contact me at the school and I will endeavour to answer your enquiries as soon as possible.
Carol Cooke Head Teacher
Events – further events will be added as they are arranged
Dates for Diary / Please add dates to your diary22-26 January 2018 / Scottish Week
23 January 2018 / P2a and P2b visit to Sport Centre with West College
24 January 2018 / Parent Council Meeting
25 January 2018 / Burns Supper with P4/3 and P4 – Parents invited
26 January 2018 / Pop-In and meet SMT
29 January 2018 / SSPCA visit to school
30 January 2018 / P2a and P2b visit to Sport Centre with West College
2 February 2018 / P6 attend event at Sports Centre with West College
6 February 2018 / P2a and P2b visit to Sport Centre with West College
9 February 2018 / In-Service Day
12, 13 February 2018 / Holidays
14 February 2018 / P4/3 and P4 trip to Burns Cottage
15 February 2018 / Parent Council Valentine Disco – Helpers needed
20 February 2018 / Visit from author Lindsay Littleson
20 February 2018 / P2a and P2b visit to Sport Centre with West College
22 February 2018 / World Thinking Day – Rainbows, Brownies,Guides, Cubs, Scouts etc can wear club uniform on this day
23 February 2018 / Pop-In and meet SMT
28 February 2018 / Parent Council Meeting
9 March 2018 / Pop-In and meet SMT
23 March 2018 / Pop-In and meet SMT
27 March 2018 / P6a and P6b trip to Hollyrood
28 March 2018 / P5a and P5b trip to Bannockburn
28 March 2018 / Pupil Report out to Parents/Carers
29 March 2018 / Parent Council Meeting
30 March – 13 April 2018 / Holiday – Spring Break
20 April 2018 / Pop-In and meet SMT
26 April 2018 / Parent Council Meeting
4 May 2018 / In-Service Day
7 May 2018 / Holiday
8-11 May 2018 / P7 Residential trip to Ardentinny
11 May 2018 / Pop-In and meet SMT
15 May 2018 / P3 and P3/2 trip to Tall ships
23, 24 May 2018 / Parent Meetings – Learning Conversations
25 and 28 May 2018 / Holiday
20 June 2018 / P7 Leavers’ Dance
22 June 2018 / P7 Valedictory - P7 Parents/Carers invited
27 June 2018 / Close at 1.00 pm for holidays
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