Mr Gray | The Kells Chronicle

Welcome Back!

I hope you all had a relaxing holiday and are set for another busy session at Kells Primary.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new pupils and their families to Kells. I am sure the pupils, parents and friends of the school will make you feel most welcome.

I am delighted to inform you that there have been no changes to the staff in the school from last session. For the benefit of the new families here is a staff list –

Acting Head Teacher: Mrs Smith (based at Dalry School)

Depute Head: Mr Gray

P1-4 class teacher: Mrs Muir

P5-7 class teachers: Mrs Deshayes & Miss Scott

SfL Teacher: Mrs Hermon

Classroom Assistants: Mrs McIntosh & Mrs Brydson

SfL Assistants: Mrs Jones & Mrs McClelland

Playground Supervisor: Mrs McIntosh

Clerical Assistant: Mrs Best

(Mon, Wed all day and Fri until lunchtime)

Catering Manager: Ms Russell *

Janitor / Cleaner: Mrs Daly

Cleaner: Ms Rennie

*Mrs Pringle has recently been appointed as Catering Manager and she will be starting at Kells on 27^th October.

Dates for Diary

Thurs 4th September Start of P7 Transition mornings at Dalry

Fri 12^th September P6 Active Games

5 pupils from Kells playing in joint team with Dalry

Fri 19^th September Day of the Region

Friday 26^th September P1 Galloway News Photograph @ 1.30pm

Mon 29th Sept – Fri 3rd Oct Autumn Walk to School Week

Wed 8^th October Macmillan Coffee Morning @ Cross Keys Hotel

Fri 10th October Harvest Thanksgiving Assembly (9.30am in Hall)

Last day of term 1

Looking Ahead

Mon 27th October Start of term 2

Wed 13^th November Pupil / Family photos (Tempest) @ 1.15pm

Mon 24^th& Tues 25^th November P5 Carlingwark Residential

Thurs 27^th & Fri 28^th November Pupil Mid-Term Holidays

P7 / S1 Transition

P7 pupils will be going to Dalry School every Thursday morning, starting on 4th September. Over the course of the session the pupils will study French, Social Subjects, Science, Technical, IT and Sports / Health & Wellbeing. PE kit will be required every week. P7 pupils who travel to Kells on Amanda’s bus will stay on it on a Thursday morning. The rest of the P7 pupils from New Galloway will be picked up by Amanda at 8.35am. All the pupils will return to Kells on the GCAT minibus at 12.30pm.

Primary Football

Kells P4-7 pupils have been invited once again to attend the regular coaching sessions from Mrs McCall at Dalry. This takes place on Tuesdays from 3.30 – 4.30pm. Parents would need to transport their children to and from Dalry.

Parent Board / PTA

Please could you let the school office know if you are interested in being part of the Parent Board and / or PTA. Thanks.

Galloway Young musicians

Mrs Kate Picken, Primary Music Development Officer, contacted the school to highlight a free music opportunity for primary pupils. The Galloway Young Musicians start on Monday 8th September, 3.45 – 5.15pm at Penninghame Primary School in Newton Stewart. Please contact the school if you would like more information.

Gardening Club

There will be a Gardening Club at Kells this term. All interested pupils are welcome to attend on a Monday night 3.00 – 4.15pm.

Bikeability Training

June Hay and Mrs Laye, our volunteer cycle trainers for the Glenkens Schools, are offering Level 1 cycle training on Tuesday afternoons between 3.15 – 4.15pm for P3 – 7 pupils.

Level 1 Bikeability training consists of games and activities that improve cycling skills in the playground. Children will need bikes that are in working order and appropriate clothes for the weather on the day. Only ten pupils can receive the training in this block. The training starts on Tuesday 2nd September and is on every week until the last session on 7^th October.

School Lunches and Tuck Shop

Just a reminder that a school meal costs £1.75. It would be very helpful if all dinner money could be paid on a Monday morning. Thanks.

The tuck shop continues to be a great success at break time each morning. Prices are as follows –

Toast 21p, yoghurt 42p, milk 20p apple juice 42p, fruit 42p, biscuit 47p and aqua juice cuplets 32p. Pupils place their order before 9.30am on the day.

P.E. Kit

All the pupils have now settled in to the new school session and are getting used to their class timetable. Please could the pupils bring in their P.E. kit on a Monday and take it home on a Friday so that it can be washed at the weekend if necessary. This means the pupils always have their kit available to them and will not miss out on their regular P.E. with Mr Carmichael or with their class teacher.

School Uniform

Last session several visitors to the school commented on how smartly dressed the pupils were. Please continue to encourage your child / children to wear the school uniform. The school keeps a small supply of polo shirts, sweatshirts and cardigans for purchase during the session. Thanks. .

Reading Books Amnesty

Please could you have a look at home for any school reading books that have not been returned to the appropriate class teacher. Thanks.

Autumn Walk to School Week

Walk to School Week is taking place from Monday 29th September – Friday 3^rd October. We would always encourage the children to walk to school if they can, but appreciate that this is not always possible.

Update Forms

Update Forms were sent home recently asking that you check the information that is held by us for your child/ren and make any necessary changes. We have received a number of these back, but not all. It would be appreciated if these forms could be returned to school as soon as possible, please.

Book Club

All orders to be received by Wednesday 10^th September, please.