September 2022 Newsletter

On Friday, we were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Each school will leave a token of remembrance at the War Memorial in each village.

Go to this Sway

 

August 2022 Newsletter

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

Go to this Sway

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

 

I hope this newsletter finds you well.  We have had a lovely term and have enjoyed having you to visit for our Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations and for Sports Day.   I would take the opportunity to thank you for your support this year and we look forward to inviting you into school more regularly next session.

 

Diary Dates

Tuesday 28^th 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 30^th 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

 

Transition into P1

Over the past few weeks, we have invited our new P1 pupils in to school to visit their new classes and teachers.  We met with parents and had a meeting to discuss life in Crossmichael and Gelston Partnership Schools and what to expect when your child is in Primary 1.  It was so lovely to meet everyone.

Our new P1’s will visit again as follows:

Wednesday 22nd June 9am-10.15am: Morning visit and collect your child before play time.

Thursday 23rd June 9am – 11am:  Morning visit and stay for play time.

Friday 24th June 9am – 1pm:  Morning visit including play time and lunch time.

 

Transition into S1

Our Primary 7 pupils will be attending Castle Douglas High School from Wednesday 22nd- Friday 24th June.  We wish them luck and know that they will do well.  We are so proud of them all.

 

Transition for All Pupils

All pupils will have the opportunity to move into their new classes whilst the P7 pupils are at secondary school.

 

Staffing Arrangements for August 2022

We held interviews last week and have appointed the following members of staff:

• Gelston P1-4 PERMANENT Teacher (Mondays) – Mr M Houston
• Gelston P4-7 TEMPORARY  Teacher and Principal Teacher (Fridays) – Mrs T Martin
• Crossmichael P3/4 TEMPORARY Teacher – Miss K Maxwell

At Gelston this session, we were allocated 27.5 hours of Learning Assistant time and we used some Learning Assistant hours paid for by Pupil Equity Funding to support the ‘Closing the Literacy Gap’ intervention.

At Crossmichael, we were allocated 27.5 hours of Learning Assistant time per week from the Supporting Learners Team.  We were given an additional allocation of 27.5 hours and 11 hours from Supporting Learners.  I used the Scottish Government Covid-19 Recovery Funding that was allocated to our Cluster schools to buy in an additional 32 hours of support.  I also paid for an additional 11 hours through Pupil Equity Funding.  We also used some Learning Assistant hours paid for by Pupil Equity Funding to support the ‘Closing the Literacy Gap’ intervention.

We have received our Supporting Learners allocation for 2022/2023 and we have been given:

• Gelston Learning Assistant (full time): Miss McNeill
• Crossmichael Learning Assistants: Mrs Jennings (Monday- Wednesday and Mrs Cowan (Thursday and Friday).  We have also been allocated two days.  In addition, Mrs Clifton is our PEF Learning Assistant for 27.5hrs.

This his means that Mrs Jennings and Mrs Cowan are reducing their hours.  Sadly, Ms Horsley, Mrs Stitt, Mrs Galbraith and Mrs Dobbin are not having their contracts renewed in August.  We are so grateful to them for their hard work and dedication in building positive relationships with our children, staff and parents.  We wish them well in the future and look forward to welcoming them back where possible.

This is a challenging time for all schools across the region and I am liaising with the Local Authority to see is we can secure any additional hours for our partnership to meet the needs of our learners.

 

Communication

If you wish to discuss anything further then please contact me by email on gw08cruickshanksmary@ea.dumgal.sch.uk  or contact the schools.  (Unfortunately, my mobile is needing replaced so you cannot contact me on 07741 686730 unless I have it plugged in.)

Crossmichael Primary School – 01556 670282 

Email gw08officecrossmicha@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

 

Gelston Primary School – 01556 502415 

Email gw08officegelston@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

 

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

 

 

 

 

 

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

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

 

It has been lovely to welcome our children back into school for Term 4.  We have many exciting events planned for the term now that Covid restrictions are easing at last!

 

Covid-19 Update

• Face coverings no longer mandatory but it is recommended to continue wearing them in communal areas in school.
• We will continue with good ventilation (fans allowed), hand hygiene, physical distancing and CO2 monitors. 
• Touch point cleaning continues.
• No masks on school transport but masks are needed on public transport.
• Lateral Flow Testing no longer required.
• Symptomatic people should isolate and book a PCR test.
• Parents allowed to visit school – Sports Days/ parents’ evenings/ Leavers’ Assemblies (School Risk Assessment to be followed.)

 

Diary Dates

Monday 2nd May	May Day Holiday – Schools Closed
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!
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.
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.
Monday 4 July 2022 to Wednesday 17 August 2022 (pupils return Monday 22 August 2022)	Schools closed for the Summer Holidays

 

Crossmichael Parent Council Easter Egg Hunt – Friday 22^nd April

On Friday, Crossmichael Parent Council has arranged an Easter Egg hunt in the community woodland.  Pupils will be hunting for Viking Runes painted on stones.  They will then need to unscramble the message and each child will receive an Easter egg donated by TESCO, Co-Op and the Parent Council as a prize.  Thank you to everyone for organising this wonderful event.  I am sure the children will thoroughly enjoy themselves!

 

Bikeability Sessions for P7 Pupils

Next week, Crossmichael P7 pupils will participate in Bikeability sessions on Monday and Wednesday afternoons for a block of six weeks.  This will help them to cycle safely when on the roads.  Details will follow separately.  Many thanks to our parental volunteers for training our pupils.  We really appreciate your help.

 

Active Schools – Rugby (May 2022)

Active Schools are providing a four week block of rugby sessions in association with the Stewartry Rugby Club.  This will be provided for the following classes: Crossmichael P4-6 and P6/7 and Gelston P4-7.

 

Active Schools – Lunch Clubs

Gelston pupils are invited to participate in a lunch club focusing on mini athletics.  This is a free activity open to all ages and will be held on Thursdays for a block of four weeks.

 

Crossmichael pupils are invited to participate in a similar lunch club focusing on tennis.  This will be held on Wednesdays.

 

Paul Jones Football League (4^th May – 25^th May)

Pupils from both schools will come together to enter teams for this 7-aside tournament.  The event is aimed at P5-7 pupils from across the Stewartry and will be delivered in a league format planned over four weeks.  Mrs Glover (Principal Teacher at Crossmichael) has been in contact with parents of P5-7 pupils and now has a list of those wishing to participate.  She has arranged a few coaching sessions out with these times and special thanks go to parents who have volunteered their time to coach pupils.  We really appreciate it!

 

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

We hope to return to normal arrangements for transition where possible.

 

Primary 1 teachers will visit new P1s at their Early Learning and Childcare provider.  We hope to invite pupils in to school a few times this term.  Further information will follow.

 

We have not yet had confirmation of arrangements for P7s moving into S1 so I cannot confirm that pupils will attend Castle Douglas High School (CDHS) for three moving up days.  Currently, the enhanced transition programme has begun for specific pupils.  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 will be 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.

 

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.

 

Please remember that I will be based in Gelston Primary School every Friday as we have no Principal Teacher in post on Fridays.

 

Best wishes

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

 

Covid-19 Updates

On Thursday and Friday last week, we had to close Gelston Primary School and move to remote learning due to staff shortages.  Several adults and pupils tested positive for Covid-19.  (Unfortunately, I also tested positive meaning that we had no member of senior management available to work alongside supply teachers so we had no option but to close.)

I am delighted to say that we have re-opened this morning.  I wish all adults and pupils a speedy recovery and I look forward to seeing you soon.

At Crossmichael Primary School, Chicken Pox is doing the rounds again but the number of Covid-19 cases remains relatively low in comparison to those at Gelston.

 

Dates for your Diary

Wednesday 30th March – Cross Country Festival for P5-7 pupils (both schools)

Thursday 31st March – Crossmichael Easter Assembly for pupils

Friday 1st April – Gelston Easter Assembly for pupils

Monday 4th April – Monday 18th April – Spring Holiday.  (Pupils and staff return on Tuesday 19th April.)

 

Contact Information

For general queries, please contact the school office email or telephone number below.

If you have a question relating to your child’s learning or general health and wellbeing then please contact your child’s teacher via email or via the school office.

If you wish to discuss any matter with me then the best way to contact me is via email: gw08cruickshanksmary@ea.dumgal.sch.uk .

My mobile phone number is: 07741 686730.   I will be working from home for the next few days.

 

Have a restful Spring Holiday and I look forward to seeing everyone soon.

 

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

 

It is so lovely to see signs of Spring and to feel the sunshine at last!  In the last few weeks of term we are preparing for our Easter assembly and looking forward to the better weather.

 

Covid-19 Updates

There has been an increase in Covid-19 cases across our schools with Gelston being significantly impacted this week.   If your child is feeling well enough to work from home then remember that some work will be available on closed class Facebook pages.

Pupils  can access their SumDog accounts to practise maths and numeracy.  There are many useful materials on websites such as Topmarks, BBC,  Phonics,  etc.

We also have access to Numeracy Launch Pads.  Here is an example of a home learning grid for Early level (P1):

Click on the QR code and it will take you and your child to an interactive lesson.  We have these for all stages.

 

Dates for your Diary

Wednesday 30th March – Cross Country Festival for P5-7 pupils

Thursday 31st March – Crossmichael Easter Assembly for pupils

Friday 1st April – Gelston Easter Assembly for pupils

Monday 4th April – Monday 18th April – Spring Holiday.  (Pupils and staff return on Tuesday 19th April.)

 

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

 

 

 

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

 

I hope this newsletter finds you well.  I am delighted to see most pupils and staff have returned to school after the recent increase in positive Covid-19 cases across the partnership.  It is fantastic to welcome everyone back!

 

Online Payment System for School Meals

On Wednesday 2nd March, Crossmichael Primary School is moving to online payments for school meals.  All parents will receive a letter containing details of how to register for the service.  Please remember that pupils in P1-P5 receive free school meals from Scottish Government.

 

World Book Day – Thursday 3rd March 

On Thursday, pupils are invited to dress up as their favourite character from a book or they may wear their pyjamas to school.  Teachers will be planning some activities related to World Book Day and pupils will have a themed lunch.

 

Lockerbie Manor Residential Trip – Wednesday 2nd March – Friday 4th March

We are looking forward to our trip to Lockerbie Manor from Wednesday – Friday this week.   We will post updates to the class Facebook pages and send texts if necessary.

Miss Reid, Mrs Stevens and I will be attending the trip.  I am available on 07741 686730 if anyone needs me urgently about school matters.  Mrs Glover (Principal Teacher at Crossmichael) will be available on 01556 670282 to talk to parents from either school if required.

 

Reporting to Parents – Telephone Appointments

We are arranging telephone consultations with parents w/c 14th March and w/c 21st March.  Please complete the form below to indicate your preferred date and time.

 

 

P7 to S1 Transition Arrangements

In March a Pupil Support Teacher from Castle Douglas High School will visit or P7 pupils to share a ‘Welcome to CDHS’ PowerPoint and to answer questions.

 

All P7s have ben added to a P7 into S1 2021/2022 Microsoft TEAMs group.  A copy of the PowerPoint will be added to this group and our P7s will be able to talk to each other and staff via this TEAM.

 

We hope to go ahead with the three ‘moving up’ days in June (in person).  Further information will follow in due course.

 

Some P7 pupils may require an enhanced transition programme involving a few additional visits to Castle Douglas High School.  I have already been in contact with specific parents to discuss this.

 

Where a P7 pupil has a Child’s Plan, we invite Mrs Alison Cook (Depute Headteacher at CDHS) or Alison Kalotka (Acting Principal Teacher of Support at CDHS) to attend to suppot transition.

 

Stewartry Cross-Country Festival for P5-P7

On Wednesday 30th March, Active Schools are arranging a Cross Country Festival for P5-7 pupils across the Stewartry.  Pupils who register their interest will be invited to run 1200m races at the Stewartry Rugby Club.  More details will follow shortly and any help with transportation would be gratefully received.

 

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

 

Update on Absences

I would like to thank you for your understanding over the past few weeks  as we cope with an increase in the amount of positive cases of Covid-19 within our schools.  In the middle of January, this affected many pupils from Gelston Primary School.  I am delighted to report that attendance figures have nearly returned to normal again.  Unfortunately, Crossmichael is now experiencing a high number of cases and we had to send two classes home on Friday due to staff shortages.

 

Across the partnership, we have four Teachers and four Learning Assistants absent.  Two of our three Clerical Assistants have also been absent and the school offices are not manned during the day on a Tuesday or a Friday until everyone is able to return.

 

Supply staff are in high demand and covering classes has been challenging.  Our teachers have missed their RICCT (Reduction in Class Contact Time) as I have had to use the RICCT teacher to cover classes.  They are owed this time back.  Since Christmas, I have been teaching every Friday in Crossmichael and I have been teaching full time over the last two weeks (and again this week).

 

I feel very blessed to have such an amazing team around me and I am delighted that we have been able to keep both schools open despite the challenges.  Once again I must thank you for your understanding especially when it comes to communication.  I will endeavour to send you regular updates once things settle down again.

 

Lockerbie Manor Residential Trip for P6 and P7 Pupils

Unfortunately, we had to re-schedule the trip to Lockerbie Manor because over a third of pupils caught Covid-19.  Gelston pupils had recovered but Crossmichael pupils and staff were impacted.  I took the decision to postpone and was delighted when they were able to offer us the remaining dates from 2nd to 4th March.   We look forward to going!

 

Covid-19 Procedures

If your child tests positive via lateral flow test then they should isolate for 7 days.  If your child tests negative on day 6 and day 7 then they can return to school.  If they continue to test positive then they must isolate until day 10.  (They can return after that even if they test positive.)  You should log a positive test online.

 

If your child has symptoms then they should go for a PCR test and follow the isolation rules as above.

 

If your child tests negative but lives in a household with a positive contact then they can return to school provided that they record a negative lateral flow test each day for the next 7 days.

 

Staffing Changes Across the Partnership

In Term 2, Mrs Marscheider was appointed as Acting Principal Teacher from Mondays to Thursdays while Miss Reid was absent.  This term, she has been Principal Teacher every Friday at Gelston whilst returning to Crossmichael to teach her P1/2 class there from Mondays to Thursdays.

 

After the mid-term break, Mrs Marscheider will return to Crossmichael on a full time basis.  We thank her for her time at Gelston and wish her well.

 

Each Friday, Miss Holman was teaching P1/2 at Crossmichael.  She has kindly agreed to swap schools and will be class teacher in P4-7 at Gelston every Friday.  (Since Christmas, she has also been covering P6/7 from Monday- Thursday at Crossmichael.)  We thank Miss Holman for her time at Crossmichael and we are delighted to be keeping her within our partnership schools.

 

I have decided not to appoint a 0.2fte (one day) Principal Teacher at Gelston for the rest of this session.  The procedure would involve advertising internally and then externally.  If one of our existing teachers were successful then it would cause disruption to another class and I am trying to limit this where possible.  I also want to ensure that we get the right person for the job and I understand that many teachers are exhausted and may not be in the correct frame of mind to apply for a position at the moment.

 

Attainment Data

At Gelston Primary School, I have had meetings with teachers to discuss individual pupils’ attainment and we have identified universal or targeted support for each child.  Unfortunately, I had to postpone meetings at Crossmichael Primary School but I have had the opportunity to look over all attainment data and we already have targeted or universal support in place for each child.

 

Dumfries and Galloway Council has asked for a snapshot of attainment data to be provided by 11th February 2022.  We are reporting on which curricular levels have been achieved in Literacy and Language and in Numeracy and Maths.  I am heartened to see that our attainment data is improving despite the pandemic.  The quality of learning and teaching, the consistency in our approaches (including revised curricular programmes) are definitely having a positive impact on learning.  I look forward to sharing this information with you soon.

 

Reporting to Parents – Telephone Consultations

In March, teachers will be having 10 minute telephone consultations with all parents to discuss pupil progress.  (Dates and times to be confirmed.)  Please rest assured that we have already been in touch with parents whose children required targeted support for learning (such as Closing the Literacy Gap) and have been holding regular Child’s Plan meetings for others.  Some parents have already requested a telephone consultation with their child’s teacher and these discussions have been very useful.

 

Please remember to get in touch if you have any concerns as we can share a wide variety of assessment evidence with you to show you your child’s achievements and next steps in learning.

 

Dates for Your Diary

Monday 14th February – Wednesday 16th February:  Mid-term holiday.  Pupils return on Thursday 17th February.  (Staff training days on 15th and 16th February.)

 

Lockerbie Manor Residential Trip for P6 and P7 Pupils: Wednesday 2nd March – Friday 4th March

Monday 4th April – Monday 18th April: Spring Holiday.  Pupils return on Tuesday 19th April.

 

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

 

I hope this newsletter finds you well.  You may be aware that the number of positive cases of Covid-19 is increasing in our schools.  It would be really helpful if your child could complete regular lateral flow tests each morning to help us prevent the spread of the virus.

 

This week I will be teaching each day in Crossmichael.  Unfortunately, it is very difficult to secure supply staff as they are in high demand.  Much as I am looking forward to being in class, I do apologise for having had to cancel several meetings including Child’s Plan meetings.  I hope to reschedule these after the February mid-term holiday.

 

We are trying desperately to find a supply teacher to teach P6/7 at Crossmichael on Friday but if we are unable to  find someone then we may have to ask that our P6/7 class stay at home on Friday and engage with online learning.   I will be teaching P6/7 from Monday to Thursday and then P1/2 on Friday.   I will inform parents about arrangements for Friday as soon as possible.

 

I am looking forward to accompanying the P6/7 class to Lockerbie Manor from Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th February.   If you require any further information about the trip then please contact the school office.

 

 

Covid-19 Updates: 

1. Testing 

• If you have no symptoms but record a positive lateral flow result then you do not need to have a PCR.  Immediately follow self-isolation rules and ensure you record test results online for contact tracing to commence. 
• If you have symptoms, you should book a PCR test and follow self-isolation rules. 

 

1. Self-Isolation 

• If you record a positive lateral flow test then you should isolate for 10 days.  You have the option to end isolation after 7 days if you have no fever and have recorded a negative lateral flow test on day six and no sooner than 24 hours later, on day seven. 
• Close contacts (including household contacts) who are either under 18 years 4 months old, or who are older and are fully vaccinated (e.g. are double jabbed and have had one booster) need not self-isolate as long as they record negative lateral flow results on a daily basis for the next 7 days. 
• For those close contacts over 18 years 4 months who are not fully vaccinated, they must isolate for 10 days and take a PCR test.  
• People who tested positive before midnight on 5th January are still bound by the previously stated self-isolation and testing rules.  They must have a PCR and isolate for 10 days. 

 

Dates

7th – 9th February 2022: P6 and P7 pupils from each school will be visiting Lockerbie Manor for a residential trip.  Miss Cruickshanks, Miss Reid and a parent will accompany the children.

 

Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th February:  School is closed to pupils and re-opens on Thursday 17th February.  (The Tuesday and Wednesday are staff training days.)

 

Monday 4th April until Monday 18th April:  Spring Holiday.  School re-opens on Tuesday 19th April 2022.

 

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher