Dear Parent/Carer
This week has certainly seen the colder weather with bright frosty mornings. The children have been enjoying exploring the ice in the bird bath and pots and tyres during their time in the playground. It is also lovely to see all the warm coats, hats and gloves too. I certainly needed mine.

This week P5 had their first of three visit to the River Cree hatchery on Wednesday. They all seemed very enthusiastic and were full of chat. They learned about the life cycle of the salmon and were amazed at the numbers of eggs. Cold toes were the only negative I heard and they are also looking forward to future visits.

Our school concert rehearsals are well underway and the children are learning songs and lines extremely well. It has been a pleasure to hear their enthusiasm when singing. I am really looking forward to it all coming together. Next week starts the practices in the village hall so look out for information about different drop off and pick up information to reduce the double journey to the hall in case we return to wetter weather.

Today’s assembly Gracie & Blake shared information as part of Scottish Book Week. Tarff committee have planned a favourite book character activity and Mrs McWhirter has been encouraging P1-4 to bring in their favourite book. They have also been writing their own stories too. P1,2 &3 were also presented with their read, write count book bags at assembly from The Scottish Book Trust. These are full of lovely books, games and activities to foster and build on the love of reading and the importance of counting too. We thought all the books looked great but staff & P4-7 were really keen to hear more about Holey Moley by Bethan Clarke. We also shared our November Article of the month Article 23-If I have a disability, I have the right to special care and
education. We talked about disabilities that can be seen like someone in a wheelchair, with a hearing aid etc or disabilities that can’t be seen like Autism, Dyslexia and ADHD. The children discussed the most important thing is to be kind and respectful when meeting and talking to new people and we linked it to our meta skills of communicating, integrity and feelings.

Looking ahead to next week as well as concert practices in the hall, we are also off on our adventure to Wigtown. All of the children will visit the library, have an event with an author, share and discuss their favourite book with children of the same age at Wigtown and have time to play and chat together. I always really enjoy our partnership days as it allows our children to build confidence in mixing and building on friendships they have already formed at clubs and events outside school.

As always please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need anything at all email me on
gw08andrewskirsty@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

‘Together we succeed’
Kirsty Andrews
Partner Headteacher