Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

We have had a lovely few weeks where our children are thriving as they participate in a variety of sporting events organised by Active Schools.  We have two teams representing the partnership in the Paul Jones Football League and they are doing themselves (and us) proud!  Some of our older pupils are involved in the Netball League.  Pupils are participating in lunch clubs and after school clubs and John Muir is coaching our senior pupils in Rugby.

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing children from across the Stewartry coming together again.  It has also been lovely to catch up with our families in person.  I have missed you all!

 

Diary Dates

Tuesday 31st May- 12pm onwards	Crossmichael Garden Party for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  Parents and families will be invited to join us for a picnic lunch and for a variety of activities in the afternoon.  Non-uniform day for pupils and they may wear something ‘Jubilee’ themed!
Tuesday 26th April – Tuesday 24th May	Paul Jones Football League Training Session based at Crossmichael Primary School from 3.15pm – 4.15pm.  Only for those P5-7 pupils at Gelston and Crossmichael who confirmed their places with Mrs Glover.
Wednesday 1st June –          12pm onwards	Gelston Garden Party for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  Parents and families will be invited to join us for a picnic lunch and for a variety of activities in the afternoon.  Non-uniform day for pupils and they may wear something ‘Jubilee’ themed!
Thursday 2nd June and Friday 3rd June	Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Holiday – Schools closed
Tuesday 7th June	Crossmichael Sports Day – Parents and families will be invited to attend in the afternoon.
Monday 13th June	Gelston Sports Day – Parents and families will be invited to attend in the afternoon.
Monday 27th June at 6.30pm	P7s Leavers Meal at Nikos Restaurant in Castle Douglas (as a partnership).  Further details to follow.
Tuesday 28th June at 2pm	Crossmichael End of Term assembly.  P7 parents invited.  We have 98 pupils so do not have enough capacity in our hall.
Thursday 30th June at 2pm	Gelston End of Term assembly to be hosted in the village hall.  All parents invited.
Monday 4 July 2022 to Wednesday 17 August 2022 (pupils return Monday 22 August 2022)	Schools closed for the Summer Holidays

Crossmichael Parent Council Update – AGM was on 9th May 

Please see the ‘Crossmichael Primary School Parent Council’ Facebook page for updates.  Minutes of the AGM and the subsequent meeting will be uploaded here to the Parent Council blog as soon as possible.

 

Gelston Parent Council – Thursday 19th May at 7.30pm

Any parents wishing to attend the Gelston Parent Council meeting on Thursday 19th May at 7.30pm  should join the ‘Gelston Primary Parent Council’ Facebook page and request to access their room.  Alternatively, email the Chairperson at gelstonprimaryschoolparentcouncil@outlook.com

 

Student Teachers (23^rd May – 1^st June)

We are delighted to welcome three student teachers into classes across our partnership.  They will be allocated to the following classes:

Crossmichael:  P2-4 and P4-6

Gelston:  P4-7

 

Transition Arrangements

I have sent a letter to parents of new P1 pupils setting out arrangements for transition.  New pupils will be invited into each school for visits prior to the summer holidays.

P7s will attend three ‘moving up’ days from Wednesday 22nd June – Friday 24th June.   All P7 pupils have been added to a Microsoft TEAM and a PowerPoint has been shared with them.  A member of the senior leadership team from Castle Douglas High School has visited P7s already and has had/ will have a meeting with P7 teachers this term.  In P7, any pupil who has a Child’s Plan will have had a representative from CDHS attend meetings to ensure a smooth transition.

All pupils will have a chance to move into their new classes from 22nd-24th June too.  Soon, I will be in touch with parents whose child may be in a split multi-composite class.  E.g. where a class such as P4 are split over two registration classes.

 

Staffing and Classes from August 2022

I can confirm our classes and staff for August 2022.

Crossmichael:

• P1-3 – Mrs Marscheider
• P3/4 – Vacancy (temporary) for a year
• P4-6 – Mrs Glover
• P6/7 – Mrs Stevens

Gelston:

• P1-4 – Vacancy (Mondays) and Miss Scott (Tuesdays – Fridays)
• P4-7 – Miss Reid (Mondays- Thursdays) and Vacancy (Fridays)

In Crossmichael, Miss Drummond has been granted a career break to Australia and we wish her well in her new adventures.  I will be advertising her job as a full time, temporary position for the year.  Interviews will be held prior to the school holidays and I hope that pupils will have the opportunity to meet their new teacher prior to the summer break.  I hope that this will provide pupils with continuity in their learning.

 

In Gelston, I will be advertising the one day per week in P1-4 as a permanent post for a teacher.  I will also be advertising the one day per week in P4-7 as a one day temporary post for a Principal Teacher.  Interviews will take place before the summer holidays and I hope to introduce pupils to their new teachers before schools close for the session.

 

End of Year Pupil Summary Reports

All pupils will receive an end of year written report at the end of June.  This will provide information on curricular levels achieved, attendance and progress in Numeracy & Maths, Literacy & Language and in Health and Wellbeing.

 

Contacting the Headteacher

Please remember that I will be based in Gelston Primary School every Friday as we have no Principal Teacher in post on Fridays.  (I tend to be in Gelston on Mondays and Fridays and in Crossmichael Tuesdays-Thursdays.)

 

Please note that my mobile (07741686730) is in need of repair and only functions when plugged in.  If you need me urgently then telephone the school or email me on gw08cruickshanksmary@ea.dumgal.sch.uk .  I pick up emails every day.

 

Best wishes

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher