Happy new year everyone! It has been lovely to see the children and to hear all about the festivities and celebrations over the holidays. It has also been great to get back to the usual school routines and to look forward to a new term of learning at Grange. Here are some updates and information that might be helpful as we head into 2024…
Rights Respecting Schools update – We continue to work towards our Silver Award in the Rights Respecting Schools programme. We have an accreditation visit in March and this is helping to focus our efforts to make sure that everyone is ‘rights aware’. Each of our Make A Difference (MAD) groups is raising awareness of different children’s rights (articles) and we talk about the articles in our Monday Messages and at Learn to Learn. This week at Learn to Learn we will be thinking about the ABCDE of children’s rights:
A – Rights are for ALL children
B – Rights are there at BIRTH
C – Rights CANNOT be taken away
D – Rights DO NOT have to be earnt
E – Rights are EQUALLY important
National Youth Choir of Scotland – The National Youth Choir of Scotland starts back in Angus on Thursday evenings at Forfar Community Campus. Please use this link for more information:
Grange Gabbers – Our first meeting of 2024 is scheduled for Thursday 25th January 6.00-7.00pm in school. At this session we will discuss our school improvements and Pupil Equity Funding. All parents are welcome and should just come to the main offce door on the night. This link can be used to access a summary of our school improvement plan for this year and our last Standards and Quality report.
If you would like to come along please use this link to book a place:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/grange-gabbers-tickets-801498592867?aff=oddtdtcreator
Pupil Equity Funding – Pupil Equity Funding is money that is given to the school to help us support children who might not get the same chances in their education because their family is experiencing financial difficulties. This money is given to the school as part of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Attainment Challenge. Before the summer holidays we gathered the views of parents, staff and children to inform our use of the funding. As a result, for school session 2023-24 the funding is being used as follows:
- Additional staff to provide targeted support in literacy and numeracy
- Lead Specialist Literacy to support improvements in learning and teaching of literacy across the school
- Outdoor learning oportunities to widen children’s experiences
- Music therapy to enrich children’s school experience
Later this term we will gather views once again to help us direct the funding effectively next session.
Sound Reading System for parents – We are keen to share information with parents about Sound Reading System, the programme we use to teach reading and spelling. While the event is targeted at the early years of primary, all parents are welcome. The event will be held on Monday 18th March 6.00-7.00pm in school. If you would like to come along please use this link to book a place:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sound-reading-system-tickets-801505132427?aff=oddtdtcreator
The Solihull Approach – free online course for all parents, carers and grandparents – Parents, carers and grandparents of children and young people in Angus who want to learn more about sensitive and effective parenting and building a positive relationship with their child can access free Solihull Approach online courses.
The Solihull Approach promotes emotional health and wellbeing for all children, their parents, carers and grandparents, so that they can thrive as kind, sociable and emotionally aware throughout their lives.
The courses have been developed by registered professionals within the NHS, working with practitioners and parents to develop new resources to support emotional health and wellbeing in children, families, and adults. You can complete the courses in your own time and at any time.
Find out how more about the Solihull Approach and how to get access to the free courses on the Angus Council’s website.
Dates for your diary:
- Learn to Learn – Friday 19th January
- Grange Gabbers (all parents welcome – to discuss school improvements) – Thursday 25th January 6.00-7.00pm
- MAD groups – Friday 26th January 9.30-10.20am
- Learner Led Conferences – Monday 12th and Wednesday 14th February 3.30-6.30pm
- In-service day – Thursday 15th February – school closed to pupils
- Mid term holiday – Friday 16th and Monday 19th February
- Learn to Learn – Friday 23rd February
- MAD groups – Friday 1st March 9.30-10.20am
- Sharing our Learning (for parents) – Friday 8th March (arrangements tbc)
- Sound Reading System for parents – Monday 18th March 6.00-7.00pm
- Learn to Learn – Friday 22nd March
- End of term 3 – Friday 29th March normal finish time
As always it looks set to be a busy and productive term. Please remember that although we have our Learner Led Conferences in February, you can arrange to speak to or meet with staff at anytime. We all want the very best for your children!
Lorraine Will
