HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

I hope you all had a wonderful break and enjoyed time with family and friends. It was lovely to see all the children back last week and hear all their holiday stories!

Staffing Update – We were all sad to hear that Mrs Will has decided to move on this week. We are extremely proud of her achievements over her time here at Grange and wish her all the very best in her new role as Primary  and Early Years Service Leader.  We will all miss her but I am sure, in time, she will be popping in to visit us as she does view Grange as her home!

Mrs Shepherd has requested to be known as Miss McQueen from now on.

Whole School Topic – Our whole school topic “School of the Future“ kicks off this week and we are very fortunate to have Dave Smith join us for Learn 2 Learn tomorrow to talk to us and share images of the new Monifieth Learning Campus.  The main learning outcomes for this are computing science and social studies. We look forward to Sharing our Learning with you all in March.

Dates for the Diary:

• Learn to Learn – Friday 17th January
• Grange Gabbers (all parents welcome – to discuss school improvements as above) – Wednesday 22nd / Thursday 23rd January TBC
• Golden Table – Friday 24th January
• MAD groups – Friday 24th January 1.40-2.25pm
• Learner Led Conferences – Monday 10th and Wednesday 12th February 3.30-6.30pm. P4A Thursday 6th and Monday 10th.
• In-service day – Thursday 13th February – school closed to pupils
• Mid term holiday – Friday 14th and Monday 17th February
• Learn to Learn – Friday 21st February
• Golden Table – Friday 28th February
• MAD groups – Friday 28th February 1.40-2.25pm
• Progress Update 2 issued to parents – Friday 28th February
• GLEE Competition – 7th March
• CBM Netball Tournament– 12th March 9-12pm
• Sharing our Learning (for parents) & Usborne Book Fair – Friday 14th March 2.00-3.00pm
• Learn to Learn – Friday 21st March
• CBM Football Tournament – 21st March 9-12pm
• Golden Table – Friday 28th March
• CBM Girls Football Tournament – Friday 28th March
• Day of Dance – 31st March
• End of term 3 – Friday 4th April (3.00pm finish for ALL)
• Cross Country Event – Tuesday 29th April

Learner Led Conferences / Parent Meetings: A letter with information about our forthcoming Learner Led Conferences and P1&2 Parent Evenings is attached to this Groupcall message.

Parent Curriculum Group / Grange Gabbers – Thank you so much to those who have offered to join me to discuss curriculum, where we are currently, gather your thoughts and where we wish to go. From your responses the date that suited the majority of people was Wednesday 22nd January at 6pm in school. Any parent, who has not had a chance to respond, but wishes to attend is more than welcome. Please confirm your attendance by completing the form here:

https://forms.office.com/e/PG16CLhPQW

Stationary Replenishments: Thank you to those who have restocked their child’s/ children’s pencil cases over the holidays.
We are noticing that whiteboard pens and glue sticks are getting used more often and would ask that these are replenished more often.
Please could you check with your child regularly to ensure they have the following:

· Writing pencils x 2

· Small ruler x 1

· Eraser x 1

· Pencil sharpener x1

· White board marker x2 (minimum as used everyday)

· Glue stick x1

· Coloured pencils x 1 pack

· Fine felt tipped pens x 1 pack (not Sharpies/ permanent markers)

Please do not worry, if you feel this is a problem just contact us through DOJO and we will be able to help. We are finding that the children are using and respecting their own belongings more than when they were supplied by the school and the monies we are saving from not buying these resources are being used to enhance the learning for all children. Your help with this is very much appreciated.

Child Absences and Medical Updates: Just a reminder that if your child is going to absent from school, it would be really helpful if can call the school office and either leave a message or speak with Mrs Linton / Mrs McKee.

If you have anything medical that your child’s class teacher should know of a morning, please call the school office rather than using Class Dojo as this may be missed. Thank you!

Burns Celebration 2025
Our heritage is an important part of our curriculum and children across the school have already started learning Scots poems this week.
Burns Day is Saturday (25th) so we have decided to celebrate this Friday (24th) with a “Touch of Tartan”. This could be a hair clip or a piece of tartan ribbon pinned to their school uniform. There is no expectation for anything to be bought for this occasion. If you wish to dress with more tartan than this then please also feel free.

At lunchtime on this day, Scottish Country Dancing music will be played in the playground and some of our P6/7 dancers will be out helping and demonstrating a couple of dances for others to join in, if they wish.

The children will finish the day, after MAD Groups, with a piece of shortbread. If your child cannot have shortbread for any reason, please message your child’s class teacher by Wednesday so we can organise something as an alternative.

We hope that our nod to Robert Burns will be enjoyed by all!

Many Thanks

Pippa Landsburgh

Head Teacher (Acting)