What a lovely term we are having so far! As always the weeks are flying by and before we know it we will be at the October holidays. Please find below some information and updates for the coming school year:

School improvements 2024-25 – please use this link to find out about our Standards and Quality report and priorities for improvement this session:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/an/public/grangeprimaryschoolblog/uploads/sites/955/2024/08/25135352/Grange-SQ.docx

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/an/public/grangeprimaryschoolblog/uploads/sites/955/2024/08/25135354/Sketchnote-2024-25.docx

Car park safety – We have experienced a few near misses recently with cars entering the car park via the exit gate. The barrier at the entrance continues to lowers at 8.00am because this is when the car park starts to get very busy with staff arriving and we want to ensure the children’s safety. Where possible, children should not be in the car park after this time to keep them safe.

Turn off your car engine! – Across Angus  parents and carers are being encouraged to turn off their car engine while waiting at school and have a wee video (thanks to Ben, Aylah and Flo who were in P7 at Friockheim PS) which can be found on this link our YouTube channel

Playground security – To ensure our school grounds are safe and secure the playground access gates will remain locked until 2.55pm. This will still allow time for parents to come in for pick up at 3pm but will help us to monitor the school grounds for classes who are doing PE etc.

Medication – As we approach the colder weather it is worthwhile reminding everyone that school staff can only administer medication that has been prescribed e.g. a course of anti-biotics. Everyday medication for cold symptoms and minor ailments, such as Calpol or Piriton, should be administered before and after school.

Our school day – As a reminder the timings for the school day are as follows:

Nursery – 9.00-3.00pm

P1-4 – 8.50-3.00pm (break 10.30-10.50 and lunch 12.10-1.00pm)

P5-7 9.00-3.10pm (break 10.55-11.15am and lunch 12.40-1.30pm)

If children arrive after the above start times the doors will be closed and so they should come inside via the school office.

Absence procedure – If your child is absent from school please phone the office on 01382 768101 (please leave a message if the office is not yet open) or email the office grange@angusschools.org.uk. Please do not use Class Dojo to report absence.

Playground equipment – Our playground equipment is for children to use under the safe supervision of staff during the school day. We understand that parents/ carers might allow children to use the equipment from 3.00-3.10pm while they wait to pick up older children. If this is case please be mindful that parents/ carers are entirely responsible for supervising the children’s safety. The equipment should not be used after 3.15pm as the after school club then has use of the playground and the janitors need to secure the grounds. Your help with this is greatly appreciated!

Parent Council – We are hoping to recruit parents for our Parent Council in the near future. In the meantime I would like to extend the following invitation:

We would like to invite you to Angus Parent Voice meeting on Tuesday 24 September 2024, 6.30 – 8.30pm at Arbroath High School. This is a great opportunity for Parent Council Chairs across Angus to come together, hear from colleagues in Education and Lifelong Learning and contribute to discussions.

Agenda

• Angus Education Plan – Kelly McIntosh- Director of Education and Lifelong Learning
• Framework For Improvement – Neil Lowden – Service Leader – Education and Lifelong Learning
• Angus Parental Engagement Strategy – A Conversation – Jim Hammond- Service Leader – Education and Lifelong Learning

Anyone interested in attending should contact the school office.

School fund – Our school fund is used to provide resources and activities for the children. Money is raised by our MAD Fundraisers and by staff and parents. We have a committee of staff who oversee the income and expenditure and the minute of our most recent meeting can be seen here:

School Fund Finance Committee AGM 18.9.24

Dates for your diary:

• Settling in meetings – Wednesday 25th September and 2nd October 3.30-6.30pm
• MAD groups – Friday 27th September 1.40-2.25pm
• Golden Table – Friday 27th September
• End of term 1 – Friday 4th October normal finishing times
• Term 2 starts – Monday 21st October
• Netball tournament – Wednesday 30th October
• Halloween Silent discos – Thursday 31st October (during school day with more info to follow)
• MAD groups – Friday 1st November 1.40-2.25pm
• Rights Respecting Schools Class Meetings – Friday 8th November 2.00-2.30pm
• Sharing Our Learning – Thursday 20th November 6.00-7.00pm (tbc)
• MAD groups – Friday 22nd November 1.40-2.25pm
• School photographer – Wednesday 27th November
• Flu vaccinations – Thursday 28th November
• Golden Table – Friday 29th November
• In-service days – Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th December
• Holiday – Friday 6th December
• Christmas school lunch – Friday 13th December
• Christmas Cheer – Friday 13th December (see below for timetable)
• Cinema trip – Wednesday 18th December P1-7
• End of term 2 – Friday 20th December 3.00pm finish for all children

*Christmas Cheer timetable: 9.00am Nursery, 9.30am P7, 10.00am P6, 10.30am P5, 11.00am P4, 1.40pm P3, 2.10pm P2, 2.40pm P1 – please note that children P5-7 who play strings will perform just before their classes sing!

Thanks to you all for your ongoing support of our wonderful school. Your children make us smile everyday and we are grateful that we can all work together to ensure they all get the most out of being a Granger!

Lorraine Will and Pippa Landsburgh