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Welcome back to all pupils and a particular warm welcome to our new Primary 1s and the following new pupil to Primary 2:-
Aaliyah Ali (P2/1)
We wish them ever success and happiness in our school.
I am looking forward to once again working closely with the whole school community this session to take the school from strength to strength. This will not be achieved without the valuable support of all staff, pupils and of course all parents, guardians and extended family members.I look forward to working in partnership with you to ensure the needs of your children are fully met and that your children are not only achieving, but feel safe, happy and nurtured within our school community.
Please ensure that you contact any member of the senior management team at the earliest opportunity if you have any concerns related to your child’s academic progress, health and wellbeing or social and emotional needs and we will always endeavour to resolve any issues to your satisfaction as swiftly as possible.
PARENTZONE INFORMAL DROP IN:
The first Wednesday of every month will be once again timetabled to provide a one hour drop in facility in the meeting room( from 2-3pm) for any parents who wish to come in and have an informal chat with myself or Mrs Hardie. Please use this allocated time to either raise any concerns you may have or to come along and give us some positive feedback about school initiatives or suggestions as to ways in which we can become more involved with parents and the wider community.
STAFFING 2015 – 2016
We have welcomed several new members of staff this session on a permanent appointment: - Miss Nolan in P6/5, Miss McNaught in P5/4 and Mr Farrell in P4.Joining us also this session to complete their probation year are: Miss Cuthbert @ P4/3 and
Miss Doughty in P3/2. We hope all of our new staff very much enjoy their time here as part of the school community and I’m confident that both parents and pupils will welcome them and work very much in partnership with our new teachers.
This is our class structure for 2014-2015
P1Mrs Gibbon
P1/2Mrs Donati
P2/3Miss Doughty/Mrs Hardie
P4/3Miss Cuthbert/Miss McGhee
P4Mr Michael Farrell
P5/4Miss Hannah McNaught
P6/5Miss Eimear Nolan
P7Miss Jaclyn Livingston
On the week beginning 8th September, we will be running “Meet the Teacher” Sessions to provide you with information about your child’s curriculum for the coming session. Please see diary dates at the end of the newsletter.
SUPPORT STAFF
Ms Zangrande will support pupils in P1/2 and P2/3
Mrs Carnochan will support pupils in P4 and P5/4
We are currently awaiting confirmation of a full time 27.5 PSA post
Mrs Carnochan is the designated first aider for the school.
OFFICE STAFF
Mrs Duffy is our full time Clerical Assistant
Mrs Cochrane fulfils office duties on a Wednesday and Thursday afternoon
Mrs McGonagle fulfils office duties on Thursday afternoons
Our office staff will be happy to assist you with:-
- All clothing/free meals grant enquiries
- All uniform ordering
- Arranging appointments you may require with senior management or staff
Our office staff will be the first point of contact for you and will assist you with any general enquiries.
I would respectfully ask that all parents access the building via the school office to request appointments with teaching staff or promoted staff.It is Glasgow City Council’s Policy that all visitors should sign in via the office in order to uphold Health and Safety /Child Protection and Fire Safety Procedures.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
As children often remove sweatshirts for PE etc. and in order to identify your child’s sweatshirt, polo shirt etc. PLEASE ENSURE ALL CLOTHING IS CLEARLY LABELLED.
Thank you for your continued support of the school uniform. Once again I would like to promote the purchase of a school tie (£2.50) which should be worn for special occasions throughout the year.
Please supply black plimsolls or lace up shoes for indoor use.
Pupils should bring football boots in a bag to use during playtime if required.
We currently have one bag of LOST PROPERTY left over from last session, containing unlabelled jackets etc. If you are still searching for items please call into the school office by Friday 28th August. Thereafter all items will be placed in our clothing bank.
PE KIT REQUIRED
The wearing of jewellery is discouraged in school and should not be worn in PE lessons. Glasgow City has a policy which clearly states that noearrings should be worn in PE lessons.
In order for your child to fully enjoy and participate in PE it is essential that appropriate kit (shorts, t-shirt/polo shirt and suitable footwear) is provided.
PE
From August until December 2015 P4-P7 will enjoy one hour of lessons on Wednesdays from our visiting PE Specialist, Mrs Clements. The second session will be delivered by their Class Teacher or by Visiting Specialist Coaches.
P1-P3 will have two PE Sessions timetabled, both being provided by their class teacher or by visiting Specialists where appropriate.
From January 2016 P1-P3 will attend sessions with our Specialist Teacher, Mrs Clements.
Classes have PE this term on the following days
P1Monday (am)Mrs Gibbon
P2/1Monday (pm)Mrs Donati
P2/1Friday(am)Mrs Donati
P3/2Tuesday(pm)Miss Doughty
P3/2Friday(am)Miss Doughty
P4/3Tuesday(am)Miss Cuthbert
P4/3Thursday(pm)Miss Cuthbert
P4Wednesday(pm)Mr Farrell
P4Friday(am)Mr Farrell
P5/4Wednesday(am)Miss McNaught
P5/4ThursdayMiss McNaught
P6/5Wednesday(pm)Miss Nolan
P6/5Miss Nolan
P7Tuesday(pm)Miss Livingston
P7Wednesday(am)Miss Livingston
P4Wednesday Mrs Clements (Specialist Coach)
P5/4WednesdayMrs Clements (Specialist Coach
P6/5WednesdayMrs Clements (Specialist Coach)
P7WednesdayMrs Clements (Specialist Coach)
A Planning Meeting is scheduled for the end of August with our Active School
Co-ordinator. Miss McGhee will jointly plan the session’s timetable for visiting coaches and health and wellbeing events.
MOBILE PHONES/ELECTRONIC GAMES/NINTENDO/D.S. PLAYERS ETC.
In order to allow older pupils to contact parents after school to confirm arrangements, pupils are permitted to bring mobile phones to school. They must be clearly labelled with thepupil’s name and must be handed into the school office at the start of the school day. Phones will be re-issued to pupils at 3:00pm.
This is to ensure that the phones will not:-
- Cause disruption to lessons
- Be a source of inappropriate downloaded materials
- Be utilised to photograph pupils
- Be utilised to text pupils during the school day
As the staff is unable to monitor the content of games/films which are loaded in consoles and this may result in pupils accessing inappropriate material during break times.
All handheld electronic game consoles are not permitted to be brought to school.
The support of parents will be appreciated in ensuring pupils refrain from bringing such items to school.
ICT POLICY
All pupils will shortly receive a presentation on the acceptable use of ICT policy in schools.
Forms will be issued to parents and carers to countersign with their child to ensure pupils and parents are clear with regard to our policy in relation to the use of ICT facilities in school.
BREAKFAST CLUB SCHOOL MEALS
Breakfast Club will be available from 8:00am. Fruit juice, milk, cereal and toast are served at a cost £1.00.
School meals are served daily at a cost of £1.70 with pupils enjoying a variety of choices.
All pupils in P1-P3 will receive free school meals.
Pupils should only attend breakfast club if they intend taking breakfast as we have no staff or supervision to occupy children for 45 minutes prior to the start of the school day.
CAFETERIA
There will be an American Theme Day in the Cafeteria on Monday 24th August where children will be served burgers, hotdogs etc. Please encourage your child to uptake a school dinner on this day.
PANTOMIME
We have booked a trip to the pantomime “Aladdin” at Eastwood Theatre on Monday 21st December @ 1pm. We will notify you the cost of this outing, including buses in the next few weeks. Additional adult supervisors will be required on that day and if you are free to assist from 12.30-3.45pm, please call the school office to add your name to the volunteer list.
Please note, children will return to school around 3.45 pm and will be dismissed from their classes.
As the theatre requires full payment shortly, we will be issuing forms for payment next week
SCHOOL CHOIR (P4 – P7)
School Choir will recommence on Monday 7th September after school
(3.00 – 3.45 pm). We have around 20 spaces.If your child is in P4-7 and is interested in joining the choir please complete the pro forma at the end of the newsletter and hand it in to the school office as soon as possible. There is a cost of £2 per class and money for the term (£12)should be handed in during the first lesson on 7th September..
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
The school photographer will be taking P1 – P7class photographs on Tuesday 22nd September. P1 and P7 will also have individual photographs taken. Full school uniform should be worn, i.e. shirt and tie.
Primary 1 will have their photograph taken by the Evening Times early in September. The date will be confirmed to all parents via a note in schoolbags.
AUGUST ROUTINES
Over the first few weeks pupils will settle back into classes and familiarise themselves with new routines.
Formal spelling and writing assessments will be carried out at this to allow us to focus on pupil’s specific needs.
Revision of maths previously covered will be completed over the first few weeks.
HOMEWORK
Full homework routines will commence on Monday 24th August.
ESPRESSO
Pupils can enjoy using Espresso from within school and from home by going into:-
- and entering Username: student13704
Password:Monday
PARENT COUNCIL: welcome and first meeting
A big welcome back to everyone at OLA, with an extra warm welcome to our new pupils, parents, carers and staff.
The Parent Council (PC) liaises with school management to ensure that parents have a voice when it comes to our children's education, safety, wellbeing and social/recreational needs. The PC also plays a crucial role in organising social functions and activities to raise funds for improvements to school facilities as well as help pay for school events held throughout the year. In recent years we have raised funds to improve ICT facilities, sport and music equipment and playground improvements.
The PC is only as successful as those who get involved or help out. The PC meets around 6 times per year, on an evening at the school to discuss school issues (with the Headteacher) and to organise fund raising events. Our first meeting of this term (and AGM) is on Monday 31 August at 7pm. Please get along if you can.
We are always looking for more volunteers. If you can help in any way by attending meetings, helping to organise fund raising and social events or by donating prizes, baking cakes or assisting with our website and communications please let us know. This year we want to continue to make improvements to our playground and are especially eager for people to get involved with that. Every contribution is welcome.
We will issue a newsletter soon but please note the date and time of our first meeting and AGM on 31 August at 7pm. If you require any further information please get in touch by email to or visit our website at or follow us on Facebook at OLA Parent Council or on Twitter @OLAParent.
Best wishes for the new term.
OLA Parent Council
DISMISSAL AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY
From Monday 18th August until Monday 1st September P1, P1/2 and P2/3 will be dismissed from the corridor at the infant extension. Parents of pupils in these classes should gather at the infant wing in the rear playground. Staff will escort pupils to the playground where they will be handed over to your care.
I would respectfully request that all pupils are then escorted from the school grounds promptly in order for us to ensure the security of both the grounds and the school building.
Children should remain with their parents and refrain from playing within the school grounds on playground equipment.
P4/3, P4, P5/4 will exit via the back exit at the rear playground and be escorted by their teachers to the main gate.
I would like to remind all parents that family pets are not permitted within the school grounds.
The janitor will lock both gates at 3:10pm and the playground facility, will, from that point, be solely for the use of the after school care staff and pupils.
In line with Glasgow City Council Policy and Procedures, no adults should have access to the school grounds unless under direct supervision of staff. Furthermore to ensure that Child Protection Policies are adhered to, only school personnel should have access to the school grounds.
For your information we have attached a calendar of events and list of school holidays this session.
PLEASE RETURN ALL ANNUAL DATA CHECK LETTERS TO THE SCHOOL BY FRIDAY 28th AUGUST AT THE LATEST.
If you have not provided us with your current e mail address, please complete the pro forma at the end of the newsletter. This will assist us with providing you with information quickly.
Finally, we are very much looking forward to an exciting and productive school year with a new school team who are committed to providing your children with the best possible experience during this school session. Next week, you will be issued with a pro-forma to complete to advise your new teacher of any questions you wish to raise at Meet the Teacher sessions and this will allow us to clarify all information for you on the day. Overleaf you will find a comprehensive list of opportunities for you to become more involved in the life of the school. Please consider if you can afford us any time across the week, no matter how small, as we very much appreciate your contribution as parents to enhancing our work as a school community
Ann Watson
Head Teacher
PARENTAL PARTNERSHIP VERY MUCH WELCOME
WORKING HAND IN HAND TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN
Last session, the teaching staff were delighted to receive the support of so many parents who took on board a number of roles to support the school community. Please indicate whether you can continue with this support or if you are a new volunteer, which area you would like to contribute to.
We hope to expand our army of parental volunteers during session 2015 – 2016.
Please tick the appropriate box and sign the pro-forma below.
PAIRED READINGMonday – Friday (9.00 – 9.30 am)
To support younger pupils in P1 – P3
Building confidence in reading & increased self esteem.
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri / GOLDEN TIME ACTIVITIES
Friday (1.45 – 3.00 pm)
P4 – P7
Football
Badminton
ICT
Art
Games/Construction
Craft / PUPIL VOICE
We are extending our group led by children this session to encourage their participation in the life of the school.
We are looking for a parent to assist children in the following area.
ELO
Librarians
Liturgy Group
Science Group
Health Group
FIRST AID LUNCHTIME COVER
Basic First Aid – plasters – cut knees etc. and recording of details.
12.30 – 1 pm in Medical Room
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri
/ HELPING HANDS GROUP
Photocopying
Mounting Pupil Work
Wall Displays
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri
/ BREAKFAST CLUB ACTIVITIES
(8.15 – 8.45 am)
Board Games
Reading
Arts & Crafts
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri
P1 & P2 PLAYGROUND
LUNCHTIME ASSISTANCE
Skipping/ball games
12.30 pm - 1.00 pm
Mon
Thurs
(3 Parents) / Parent/Carer’s Signature
______
Child’s name
______
Class ______
Tel No. ______
FORTHCOMING DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Cafeteria Taster SessionsThursday 27th August- 11.30 am(P1s and
Parent/adult)
Parent Council/AGM MeetingMonday 31st August- 7.00 pm
MEET THE TEACHER
Monday 7th September / Meet the teacher P4 @1.30pm and P4/5@2pmTuesday 8th September / Meet the Teacher P3/2 @1.30pm and P4/3@2pm
Wednesday 9th September / Meet the Teacher P2/pm and P1@2pm
Thursday 10th September / Meet the teacher pm and P6/5@2pm
School PhotographsTuesday 22nd September
PARENTZONE DROP IN SESSIONS FOR SEPT-DECEMBER 2015
Wednesday2nd September2-3pm
Wednesday7th October 2-3pm
Wednesday3rd November2-3pm
Wednesday 2nd December2-3pm
PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PAGES FOR ANNUAL CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT DATES THROUGHOUT THE SESSION AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
PLEASE PRINT OFF THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND REFER TO IT FOR IMPORTANT EVENTS.
Our Lady of the Annunciation Primary School
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS / IN-SERVICE DAYS
2015/2016
Return Date for Teachers / Tuesday 11 August 2015Return Date for Pupils / Thursday 13 August 2015
September Weekend / Friday 25 and Monday 28 September 2015
First Mid-Term / Monday 12 to Friday 16 October 2015
(inclusive)
Christmas/New Year / Wednesday 23 December 2015 to Tuesday 5 January 2016
(inclusive)
* Please note that schools will close at 2.30pm on the last school day before the holiday
2016
2016 Return to School / Wednesday 6 January 2016
Second Mid-Term / Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 February 2016
Good Friday
Spring Holiday (Easter) / Good Friday 25 March 2016 and Easter Monday 28 March 2016
Monday 4 to Friday 15 April 2016
(inclusive)
* Please note that schools will close at 2.30pm on the last school day before the holiday
May Day / Monday 2 May 2016
May Weekend / Friday 27 and Monday 30 May 2016
School Close / Friday 24 June 2016
* Please note that schools will close at 1pm on the last school day before the holiday
In-Service Days
Day 1 / Tuesday 11 August 2015 / All SchoolsDay 2 / Wednesday 12 August 2015 / All Schools
Day 3 / Thursday 24 September 2015 / North West Area
Tuesday 29 September 2015 / North East Area
Monday 19 October 2015 / South Area
Day 4 / Wednesday 17 February 2016 / All Schools
Day 5 / Thursday 5 May 2016
(To coincide with Election) / All Schools