Windygoul Primary School
** March 2016 **
Dear all,
Please could you include the link to this event in your parental/carer communications:
http://www.callscotland.org.uk/professional-learning/seminars-and-events/family-fun-day/
Blurb:
“Saturday 16th April 2016, 11am - 4pm
Location: CALL Scotland, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh (More detailed directions to venue)
Run by specialist staff (CALL, FAACT, KEYCOMM, SCTCI, TASSCC and others) and funded by Augmentative Communication in Practice: Scotland, this is a chance for families of children with additional support needs to try out and learn about software, hardware, and specialised communication technologies. If you are a professional you are welcome to come along with a family you work with.
The day is FREE, but please book a place in advance, and tell us the ages of the children you are bringing.”
I have returned to work after the February break after a period of absence due to a family bereavement and would like to thank the staff and parents for the support and understanding given to me at this difficult time.
Covering classes during teacher absence is a challenge due to a national shortage of teaching staff but we have been creative wherever possible and have managed through the dedication of staff to ensure that the classes whose teachers are absent through ill health, or who are awaiting new members of staff to be cleared to start with us, have had continuity and stability and I would like to pass on my thanks to them. The children and their needs as always will remain our first priority.
Staffing Update
We have been delighted to welcome four new members of teaching staff to since Christmas. Miss Lucy Watson as indicated in our last newsletter joined us as our new teacher in Primary 2A. Miss Alana Rowland has also joined us on a permanent basis returning home to East Lothian from Aberdeen. Miss Rowland will take over the shared responsibility of leading the learning across several classes in conjunction with their current teachers in Primary 1E, P4C, P5/6 and P6A. Miss Joanne Love has taken over the responsibility of leading the learning in Primary 2B as Miss Lindsey Stewart transferred to Wallyford Primary at the end of January. Mrs MacKenzie and Mrs Blair have ensured that there has been a full transfer of information and will continue to support the new members of staff as they get to know the children fully. Finally we have enjoyed getting to know Mrs Claire Seymour who has joined us for 3 days a week as PE teacher supporting Mr Thomas to deliver a strong and enviable PE curriculum across Windygoul Primary. Mrs Seymour will be with us until 6th May when she will return to her native New Zealand.
Sadly, Miss Lauren Bremner will be leaving us at the end of this term and moving to Glasgow, we are currently recruiting for her replacement and we will keep parents of Primary 1D fully informed of the progress.
We have been in the position to welcome several extra members of support staff on a temporary basis and we extend a warm welcome to Mrs Lynn Grigg, Mrs Penny Cullinane, Mrs Jo Dunton and Mrs Kathleen Hoy. They have quickly integrated into the school and we are delighted to be sharing in their talents to support the learning and teaching across the school.
Primary 7 Camp
Great excitement mounts as our Primary 7 pupils get ready to leave for camp next week. They will be accompanied by myself, Mrs Idle, Miss Lee, Mr Mitchell, Mrs Murdoch, Miss Macdonald and Mrs Bell. Primary 6B will be taught by Miss Rowland next week with Mrs Duke working fulltime in Primary 1E and Primary 5B will be taught by Mr Thomas who isn’t accompanying us to camp this year as he has just welcomed a new baby boy into his family. PE will still be available through class teachers or Mrs Seymour and Mrs Murdoch’s’ remit will be covered by other members of support staff.
Celebrations
We are very proud that 6 of our teachers along with a group of pupils from stages across the school have been involved in filming their Numeracy lessons as examples of good practice that have been shared through Glow and endorsed by Education Scotland. Well Done!
Congratulations to everyone for their amazing efforts in our Scots Competitions (pupils and parents). Our Scots Night was reported as always, as a very enjoyable evening and I would like to extend a huge thank you to Mrs Blair and Miss Lindsay for taking over the organisation and running of this event in my absence. Both staff and pupils did me proud!
Our winners for 2016 were as follows:
Anna Thomson Infant Poetry Champion Runner Up Connor Nisbet
Stuart Inglis Junior Poetry Champion Runner up Corey Redshaw
Logan Ritchie Senior Poetry Champion Runner Up Chloe Bell
Keira McCartney Junior Solo Singing Champion Runner Up Leah Nisbet
Skie Dobie Senior Solo Singing Champion Runner Up Sam Baillie
Logan, Sam, Kiera and Skie, are going on to represent Windygoul at the annual Edinburgh and Lothian Burns Competition on Saturday against pupils from across both Authorities and we wish them the best of luck.
Windygoul Swim Team made up of Eve Craigmile, Ellie Hardie, Emma Archibald, Grace McManus , Luke Henderson, Euan Robertson, James Knox, Dylan Allen, Kiera Anderson, Madison Hardie, Keira McCartney Caitlin Peebles, Stefan Krawiec, Calum Peebles, Finlay Gutenscwager and Connor Ferguson, represented us very well at the East Lothian Championships. The team were a credit to the school and although I was unable to accompany them this year I was with them in spirit and proud of both the end result and their encouragement of each other.
Eve Craigmile won Breast Stroke event and our boys P6 and under Relay made up of, Stefan Krawiec, Calum Peebles, Connor Ferguson and Finlay Gutenschwager were also winners. Congratulations!
Every week at Assembly we share in the talents of our pupils across a wide range of interests and would encourage you to ensure your child lets us know of successes outside of school as well as in.
Events
We will be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 3rd March. The children will all received a £1 World Book day token today which can be used in some shops to buy particular books or can be used as money off token at our upcoming Scholastic Book fair in school.
To celebrate World Book Day we are encouraging the children to dress up as their favourite book/story character and we will be having special school assemblies this week with Primary 5B and next week with Primary 3B.
All ante-preschool children in the Nursery will also receive their fantastic Scottish Booktrust Reading Bag featuring top children’s titles. The Book Bug Bag for 3 year olds has a pirate theme and the stories are just right for reading together with your child. The gifting of the bags will happen on Thursday 3rd March and the children can dress up as pirates or their favourite book character to enjoy some reading, singing and pirate fun at nursery!
Sports Relief Day is on Friday 18th March and we will be reflecting on what makes us feel proud about ourselves as individuals and as a Windygoul team. Pupils are encouraged to dress up as a sporting hero and bring a £1 donation to school. We will be asking them who they have chosen and what feats they have to be proud of with spot prizes going to the best responses. Morning Nursery children can start us off a day early on the Thursday! Wrist Bands will be on sale in the school on a first come first served basis from Monday 7th March at the cost of £1.
Parent Council
Spring Fling 18th March
Save the date! Separate information will be issued directly from the Parent Council but this event will follow on from our Sports Relief Celebrations earlier in the day. Tickets will be on sale soon.
May Fair 28th May
Date for your diary more information to follow, but your support for this major fund raising event is vital. It is a real family day with the whole community coming together. Everyone’s help is needed and we look forward to another successful, sunny day!
Parking
We continue to ask for everyone to act responsibly and with consideration when they are dropping off or picking up by car. It is essential that disable bays are respected as we have children and parents who are Blue Badge holders and need these spaces. It is sad that difficulties have arisen for these families through people illegally parking in these designated areas. Police are aware of the problems and will be patrolling on a regular basis. Yellow lines and neighbouring driveways should also be avoided.
Health & Wellbeing
Hopefully we are heading for warmer weather and with it boosted immune systems but could I remind everyone of the importance of the children being fully fit before returning to school after any illness. The 48 hour rule is a directive from the Authority in conjunction with NHS Lothian after any incidents of vomiting or diarrhoea and must be adhered to. If you feel your child would not be able to go out for breaks there would need to be a discussion with the Management Team and an arrangement made if possible as there might not be staff available to supervise.
We will also be back out completing our Daily Mile now that the weather has improved and will be having PE lessons outdoors whenever possible. Please make sure your child has a change of footwear and appropriate clothing for these activities.
February
26th P5B Class Assembly 945am, Parents/carers of P5B are very welcome
March
3rd World Book Day
4th P3B Class Assembly 9.00am, Parents/carers of P3B are very welcome
7th Head Teacher Surgery 5.00-6.00pm ( Book in with the office )
11th P4C Class Assembly 9.45am, Parents/carers of P4C are very welcome
15th Parents/Carer/Pupil Consultations 4.00-7.00pm
17th Parents/Carer/Pupil Consultations 4.00-7.00pm
18th Sports Relief Day
P1D Class Assembly 9.00am, Parents/carers of P1D are very welcome
P7A Class Assembly 9.45am, Parents/carers of P7A are very welcome
24th School breaks for Easter
April
11th Summer Term Starts
Class Assembly Dates: All P1-3 Assemblies are at 9.00am and all P4-7 Assemblies are at 9.45am
29th April P1C / 6th May P1B & P5/6 / 13th May P3C & P7B20th May P2C & P5A / 27th May P2/3 & P7C / 3rd June P1A & P4A
10th June P2A & P6B / 17th June P1E