We have been exploring weather and to explore wind, we made our own kites. We discovered that if we climbed up high, our kites flew better!
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Parent Council Zoom Meeting Minutes 24th August 2020
B o w m o r e P r i m a r y P a r e n t C o u n c i l
Zoom Meeting Minutes
24th August 2020, 5.30pm
Present – Lynn Campbell, Arlene Mckerrell, Maureen McDonald, Marcin Paradowski, Amy Hannet
Apologies – Jane Deakin, Gemma Donachie
Future Meetings – Last meetings minutes have not been presented. Mishap on the chairs behalf. In future these should be sent before or with the next meetings log in details. Ask Jane to send these to all members of the committee so we can sign them off.
Back to School Update – All children have adapted really well to being back in school surroundings and enjoying it. Teachers and parents have also found the transition has gone better than expected. A questionnaire will be going out to get wider feedback also.
Parent Questionnaire – There will be a questionnaire sent to parents to gather feedback on the return to school and how they feel. The school providing snacks has been working well, the children are trying new things, all healthy, and more children are finishing their lunches. Snacks are proving costly, and the suggestion of parents paying a small amount towards this could help. One pound per week was suggested, much less than it would cost parents to provide a snack all week.
School Meetings – These don’t happen in person as there are too many staff, going to be done through Google meet.
Internet Safety Week – There will be an internet safety week after the October holidays, week commencing Monday 19th October. Important to pupils, staff and parents with a higher volume of learning now done using online resources.
Bank Balance – Marcin reports there is just over 8000 pounds in the bank. About 5,500 is from the coop fund. [Worked out afterwards as 6,200 is coop money].
Coop Spend – Some parents had flagged up the remaining money could be spent now to purchase some new outdoor learning resources, as there is now more emphasis on outdoor learning in line with new guidelines due to Covid19. It was suggested we spend in the upper area of the school. Arlene and Maureen had some suggestions to what the school are needing and will work with the other teachers to create a wish list and present to the parent council to pick from. This included things like waterproofs for upper school, mini bus hire for woodland trips for upper school, hulahoops, chalk, outdoor paint brushes and other smaller items and sensory items for lower end of school. To date we have spent 3027.30 pounds on the nursery outdoor area, 1145.35 pounds on 5 new Ipads and are in the process of purchasing a shed for storage in the outdoor area for loose parts and toys. This is quoted around 800 and should be completed soon. Leaving around 5,500 for spend [later worked out as 6,200]
Covid Protocols – Maureen ensures us there will be full transparency with Covid cases within the school. Once there are 2 confirmed cases it will be classed as an outbreak, the Local Authority and public health service would step in to decide on School closure, local or island wide, and further steps. School maintains a record of staff and pupils who are tested.
Outdoor play equipment is used for each class bubble, if these change round, the appropriate 72 hours are applied.
The school can be randomly spot checked at anytime to ensure the correct procedures are in place. There is more extensive cleaning in place. A separate cleaner is available at lunch time and some mornings to cover Janitor breaks. Staff feeling very safe at work with all the protocols in place.
Seesaw – Seesaw will continue to be primary source of contact and used for homework for the children. Thanks to parent council and the authority there are now enough ipads for the children primary 1 – 4 to each have sole use, preventing any spread of germs between the children.
Technology – In case of any future lockdown the school can now provide an i-pad to families P1-4 requiring access school work at home. Results from the recent survey shows that only 1 dongle is required and everyone has sufficient access.
All Weather Pitch – Looking to use the all weather pitch for P5-7 EM and 4-7 GME, just have to work round high school timetabled use.
Cashless catering – Julie to send out information on how to use, so parents in P1- 3 receiving free school meals can pay any milk costs.
Outdoor Area – Primary 1 / 2 , Primary 3 /4/ and Gaelic Primary 1/2/3 teachers are working on developing the grassy area on the left when entering the school grounds for a new loose parts and sensory area. Arlene to show Mathew what is required to see if we can get the digger work done.
AGM – Our AGM is set after the October holidays. Monday 26th October, 5.30pm via Zoom. This will be sent to parents through Seesaw nearer the time, and we are to put in the Ileach.
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Schools Out…
Schools are officially closed from the 20th March until futher notice due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. This means much of your child’s learning will continue at home with the support of their family. Teachers will be available online via Seesaw in the weeks to come to support you with ideas and acitivities to maintain a semblence of normality, in what are decidedly not normal times, unless they are busy in school looking after vulnerable children and key worker’s children.
Here are some top tips to help you in the coming weeks:
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Parent Council Minutes – 12th November 2019
Bowmore Primary School Parent Council Meeting Minutes
12th November 2019
Present: Maureen Macdonald , Arlene Mckerrell, Lynn Campbell, Jane Deakin, Gemma
Donachie, Neill, Marcin, Susan Main, Marcin Paradowski, Neil WoodrowApologies: Jane Hanlon, Claire MacGregor, Leanne McTaggart
a) Seesaw App: Maureen reporting a majority of positive feedback from
parents following the roll out of the new system. Parents will be receiving
an email and text about GDPR.
c) Children in Need fundraiser on Friday 15th November with a Bake Off and
Coffee Morning
d) November: Early Years Inspection followed by Learning and Development
visit
e) 25th November In Service day for School NOT Nursery
f) Christmas Events:b) Gaelic Medium Education celebrates 30 years in Bowmore this year. In
recognition hosting 4 days of Gaelic Celebration:2nd December Coffee Morning
3rd December Bilingual Bingo
4th December Gaelic Learning Day
5th December Celebration Ceilidh
Christmas Dates
13th December Nativity
16th December Carols by Candlelight at the Round Church 6-7pm
18th December Christmas Lunch – Invitations to Parent Council and Comann nam Pàrant
18th December Bowmore Christmas Disco 7-8.30pm
19th December Christmas Party
g) Agreed by all for Parent Council to fund gifts for younger pupils and
selection boxes for P4+ children, the school will source the gifts. CNP will
be contributing for Gaelic Medium pupils.
h) New Pitch – Confusion over access and cost of using the new resource.
Discussed the possibility of equipment for the children to use in this space.
School has recently purchased a Tag Rugby set.
i) FANTASTIC NEWS that the Parent Council has been awarded £10221.75
from the Co-op Local Community Fund. Discussions on what these funds
can be used towards. As in the application money is to be spent on what the
majority would like, which falls to outdoor play equipment and technology.
5 x iPads @ 300 makes £1,500 2 x Kapla boxes @ £200 makes £400
Nursery outdoor area: we saw the multi-level water table was just under
£3000. Then leaves £5321.75 to purchase for the outdoor school
playground, which can be discussed.
j) Arlene Mckerrell £1000 Sensory Equipment agreed – funding from existing
funds in account. Jane Deakin to review ‘Wish Lists’ on file from other
staff.
k) Future Fundraising: Feis Fun Run Wednesday 27th May. Auction Mart
catering – bacon butties etc
l) POTENTIAL A&BC BUDGET CUTS TO SCHOOLS SWIMMING 2020-
21.Potential cuts to funding which provide swimming to the schools of Islay.
Being surrounded by water and having a vast fishing community, I’m sure
you would agree it is highly beneficial for our children to have the chance
to learn to swim.There is a questionnaire and a petition we would like to get you all to sign.
This will be at the Gaelic College along with copies of the questionnaire
from Wednesday, or both are available at the swimming pool.Future dates agreed:
Thursday 2nd April Easter Disco
Tuesday 23rd June Prom
Next Meeting: Tuesday 28th January 2020 6.30pm
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Bowmore Primary School Parent Council Members
Chair Person: Lynn Campbell
Vice-Chair Person: Gemma Donachie
Secretary: Jane Deakin
Treasurer: Marcin Paradowski
Teacher Rep: Arlene McKerrell
Find out about the purpose and role of a Parent Council here. Click on the link below:
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Being Good Digital Citizens
At Bowmore Primary School, it is important to use that our children have the knowledge and skills required to be good digital citizens.
The internet and digital devices offer a huge range of positive experiences for children and digital devices surround children from a very young age. It is important that we build positive and open relationships with our children and that we take an active interest in what they are doing online. Below are some online safety guides which will offer you some support.
Internet-Matters-Guide-Online-safety-for-parents-of-children-0-5-years-old
Internet-Matters-Guide-Online-safety-for-parents-of-children-6-10-years-old
The following website have a huge range of resources to support parents and carers:
• Parentzone: Digital parenting magazine (free copies for schools and some organisations working with children, young people and families):
• Childnet screentime guidance
• Parent reviews of apps, games, films, books etc
• Internet Matters website – Helping parents keep their children safe online
• CEOP resources for parents:
• Mencap guide for parents about learning disability, autism and internet safety:
• UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) leaflets for foster carers and adoptive parents:
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Swimming Sensations At Bowmore Primary School
At the weekend some people in Bowmore Primary School took part in Islay and Jura Dolphins swimming gala. Lots of children won medals, trophies and other awards. We are very proud of our pupils as they have been training very hard. Well Done!
Written by Ava, Primary 4
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Robot Alert in P3,4&5!
Primary 3,4,5 have enjoyed the new Robotics topic and we have been having lots of fun. We have got to experience lots of new things, everyone in Primary 3,4,5 loves robotics, its great. Every class in the school have been using the new technology, so far we have used Spheros and Code-a-pillars. we have got to use Kodu and scratch, we have learnt all about algorithms and determination wile using Kodu and scratch. We made our own algorithms on scratch and also got to make a game.
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Creative Coders
We are so excited to have been successful at securing The Digital Xtra Grant. The money received will be purchasing robotics equipment for Islay and Jura schools. Through teaching robotics, our children will learn to create algorithms, apply their maths skills, problem solve, use their intiative, collaborate, tinker with new and fun equipment and much more!Our Creative Coder boxes are ready to be used by all schools across the cluster.
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Primary Science Teaching Trust Conference
Our whole school focused on a plastics topic to increase our understanding of plastic pollution, we worked alongside Port Ellen Primary School on this topic. We conducted numerous beach cleans, collected data and shared this data with others. We also discussed how we, as a school could reduce plastic waste and we encouraged everyone to use a reusable water bottle and to recycle their plastic.
Following the success of our topic, we were invited to Edinburgh to present our findings at the Primary Science Teaching Trust Conference. Three children represented our school, they spoke confidently and informatively about plastic pollution and they presented the data that they had collected from across our island.
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Emotion Works
Primary 1 and 2 have been learning to use emotion words to describe what different characters are feeling throughout a story. We read Room on the Broom and used the emotion works symbols to help us to explain what each character is feeling.
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Curriculum for Excellence
Curriculum for Excellence aims to equip children with the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to succeed in life.
‘The world is changing fast, we are preparing our learners for jobs that don’t exist , use technology that hasn’t been invented and to solve problems that we can’t imagine yet’ (Education Scotland, 2010)
There are eight curricular areas:
- Expressive arts
- Health and wellbeing
- Languages (including English, Gaidhlig, Gaelic learners and modern languages)
- Mathematics
- Religious and moral education
- Sciences
- Social studies
- Technologies
These are taught through the four contexts of learning:
- Curriculum areas and subjects
- Interdisciplinary learning (Topics where we link in three or more curricular areas)
- Ethos and life of the school (ChangeMakers, Clubs, School Captains etc)
- Opportunities for personal achievement. (Sharing achievements at assembly and through Seesaw, personal targets etc)
Teachers plan for lessons to be challenging and to be relevant to the children. It is also important that children have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding in different contexts.
Levels with the Curriculum
This diagram shows a broad guide to how the curriculum is split into different levels. It is very important to us that all children work at their own pace and that their learning is pitched to the level that they are personally working within.
Active Learning
We aim for all of our learning to be exciting and relevant to our children. Active learning can be going on school trips and outdoor learning however active learning is also teaching our children to be inquisitive, to problem solve, to research and to work together rather than being fed information.
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Emotion Works
It is important to us that all children feel nurtured in Bowmore Primary School, we use Emotion Works to support children in recognising, coping and talking about their emotions. Emotion works is introduced in primary 1 and is used throughout the school to help us create a safe and caring environment for all of our children.
Emotion Works explored different aspects of our emotions through a system of cogs, the children are introduced to each cog and these are used together to support the children in developing a deeper understanding of different emotions and expressing these.
The Cogs:
Triggers: What triggers certain emotions?
Body Sensations: Where do we feel these emotions in our body?
Emotion Words: What words can we use to label our emotions?
Body Bevhvaiours: What behaviours do these emotions trigger in us?
Regulation Strategies: what can we do to help us feel better when emotions don’t feel good?
Intensity: How can we report the size and strength of our emotions?
Influencing Factors: The things that influence how we react to emotional triggers
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Pre-Writing
There are many skills that children are required to have developed before they begin to write. Fine and gross motor skills are very important and have a huge impact on a child’s ability to write. In Bowmore Primary School we follow The Highland Literacy guidelines for introducing handwriting. We feel that it is very important that children are physically ready to write so we spend term 1 of primary 1 developing the necessary fine and gross motor skills.There are lots of fun and active games and activities that your child can participate in at home to develop their fine and gross motor skills. Please see the links below to access these ideas.
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Primary 1 Homework Support
For information on how you can support your child’s homework at home:
https://sway.office.com/s/b4JEi4ruMroEqLSN/embed
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Standard and Quality Report 2018-2019
An evaluation of the 2018-2019 school improvement plan.
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School Improvement Plan 2019-2020
Here is a copy of Bowmore’s School Improvement Plan for 2019-2020.
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An Introduction to Seesaw
HOME LEARNING WITH SEESAW DURING SCHOOL CLOSURES
As a result of the school closures due to coronavirus we are going to start using Seesaw for learning at home. We will be setting Seesaw learning activities each week and children will be able to logon online at home to access their work. Seesaw helps us work together to provide students with meaningful learning experiences.
We’ll use Seesaw to share learning activities and resources, capture your child’s learning, and communicate about student progress and needs. We will be able to give feedback and next steps, enabling you and your child to see their progress.
Below are steps for setting up Seesaw at home and additional resources to help you support your child.
CHILDREN IN P67
If your child is in P67 they can already sign on to their class Seesaw independently at home using their glow google login: gw’****’@ab.glow.scot
CHILDREN BELOW P67
Set up your child in the Seesaw Class App:
- For devices like tablets or phones, download the Seesaw Class App-YOU MUST DOWNLOAD THE CURRENT VERSION FOR THE CODES TO WORK
For laptop or desktop computers, go to app.seesaw.me
- Click I’m a Student
- We have provided home learning codes in a PDF in children’s bags and on Seesaw: Enter the text code or scan the QR code
- These codes should be considered as passwords and are unique to your child and should not be shared with others. They enable access to your child’s learning journal.
If you have more than one child in the family sharing a device they will each need to log in separately to their Seesaw account and log out again when finished.
You and your child will now be ready for learning online.
Additional resources:
If you have any questions, please feel free to message your teacher on Seesaw.
Thank you for your support with your child’s learning.
MORE ABOUT SEESAW
Seesaw is used to record and share learning experiences in the classroom with parents and carers at home. Each child has their own profile where they can share their achievements by uploading photos, recordings, and drawings.
Parents and carers are invited to join Seesaw and will be notified when there are new posts to view. This is a great way of engaging with your child’s learnings as you can comment on your children’s work.
All data is safe and secure, you can follow the link below to read more about data protection.
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Kapla Challenges
Primary 1 and 2 have been learning to work as a team through completing various Kapla challenges. We have to listen to all ideas to make sure that everyone feels valued, we must talk about all ideas before making a decision and make sure that everyone agrees.
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Outdoor Learning
Primary 1 and 2 went on an outdoor adventure, they had to risk assess their surrounding area. We spotted slippery seaweed, wet stones, steep cliffs and very narrow paths and we talked about how to stay safe. We love problem solving and working as a team in our outdoor area.
