A massive well done to our Mount Carmel Football team. They played their first friendly game against Blacklands Primary school today. Although they didn’t secure a win this time, they representedtheir school brilliantly. A great big thank you, as always, to Ricky (our football coach) and Faye (our active schools co-ordinator) for all of their hard work in getting the team game ready. Well done everyone!!
Primary 1 Blog Post (Term 3 Update)
Hello and welcome to our term 3 blog post. Primary 1 pupils were very bust last term, organising and performing our Nativity show, ‘Hey Ewe!’ They did such a great job and all pupils enjoyed the festivities, parties and the pantomime before we stopped for Christmas break.
UNCRC – Class Charter
The focus of children’s rights this term will be: We will be looking at the articles and rights involved and associated in Holocaust Memorial Day in late January, Safe Internet Day and Children’s Mental Health Week in February, and World Book Day and World Water Day in March.
Literacy
Our focus in term three will be to learn the next set of initial sounds/phonemes through songs and actions. Through this, pupils will explore words that begin with each sound and start blending sounds to create 2- and 3-letter words, supporting word building and recognition of common words. This will allow pupils to begin accessing early writing skills as they use their knowledge of sounds to word-build and structure a sentence.
Our reading and spelling activities will allow pupils to access early reading books, starting with those that incorporate the sounds we are learning and progressing to those with simple sentences and picture clues. As their knowledge of common words increases, children will be exposed to more books and rhymes to support these developing skills. We will begin to ask and answer simple questions about the books we are reading.
Our focus in writing will be increasing our use of descriptive words to give more detailed sentences about characters or objects we come across in our reading books. As we progress, we will become more independent and use our knowledge of sounds and common words to write sentences with more confidence.
Numeracy
Our focus in numeracy will be early addition skills and familiarising ourselves with the number stories to 10, as well as doubles and near doubles to 10. Children will build on recognsing number figures for 11-20 whilst subitising and identifying number patterns through hands-on activities that will increase their knowledge and confidence in using numbers.
In beyond number, we will look at basic fractions of whole and half shapes and finding a half of a whole number. As confidence builds we will introduce the idea of quarters too, then we will link this with time, the seasons and the idea of o’clock and half past.
Health & Wellbeing
Our Paths Pupil of the Day will continue as will growing a deeper understanding of emotions, building friendships, and meeting our Paths animals again, who will help the children navigate the many different feelings we may experience.
In PE, our sessions will be on Mondays and Wednesdays, and our focus in term three will be racquet skills, fitness and gymnastics. Children will have the opportunity to take part in some fun activities that support teamwork whilst developing their skills in what keeps us fit and healthy, in categories of exercise and foods/nutrients our bodies need.
R.E
Our focus during R.E. sessions will be on prayer, the routines of the church and the celebration of Mass. We will also spend some time reading and discussing Bible stories relating to friendship and love, whilst considering the Easter Story as we near the end of term three.
IDL
We will be focusing on ‘Weather’ and ‘Plants’ in term three, gaining an understanding of how weather affects the world and how weather changes depending on where in the world you stay and what season we are in. We will look at climates and the conditions necessary to grow plants and crops successfully, which will tie in beautifully with our ‘Plants’ topic. Pupils will learn to label and name different plants of a plant and describe the growth process from seed to plant.
Modern Languages (French)
In French lessons, children will continue to build on basic greetings. We will learn songs and rhymes to help us retain this information and begin looking at weather in French too.
Homework
Homework will continue in term three. Please check your child’s homework bag weekly to ensure all homework is completed. Homework will consist of sounds/spelling, common words, reading and number activities as the children’s knowledge and skills increase. Homework will be issued on a Monday and should be returned to school on Friday.
We hope this is the start of a very successful third term and that the pupils will enjoy all that we do.
Take care,
Mrs Travers and Mrs Strachan
Welcome back!
Our Eco committee are proud to share that we arrived at our astro base camp for Journey # 1 and completed 5801 S-Miles (110 S-Miles by Parents/Carers). Thanks to the Parents/Carers who helped add S-Miles and scanned the QR or clicked the link to record their journey, as they alone are worth 10-S-Miles to the school!
We are now starting our Journey # 2 to the Lunar base camp via the Scorpio route selected for our school. Please support us by helping us log our S-Miles by walking to school or taking public transport over the car. We would love to see more parents get involved. Please use the QR Code below or link. It takes less than a minute. All you need to do is add your name and your child’s school. Even grandparents can get involved by adding their journey too!
Voyage to Venus – Parent Supporter Link
MC Eco Committee
@EACdigi_LfS
Primary 7 Term 3
Happy New Year! We hope all our Primary 7 families had a restful and joyful holiday. It’s great to have the pupils back in school, we can’t believe we’re in Term 3 already. Many children will be looking forward to their Primary 7 residential to Lockerbie in February. We can’t wait for more learning this term and more preparation for moving to Secondary.
Literacy
Reading – We start Term 3 listening and responding to Scots poetry, songs and stories. P7 will look in depth at the Scots poem ‘The Auld Broon Troot’ by Sandy Thomas Ross and some pupils will recite this at our Scots Assembly later in January. through our WW2 IDL topic we will be focussing on non-fiction reading skills; notetaking, summarising, topic specific vocabulary and finding the main idea.
Talking and Listening – This will also be taught through Scot’s language with the children also developing their presentation skills as part of this learning. St Joseph’s currently have big focus on quality talking and listening and questioning. In preparation for S1 this will also be our focus in Term 3. Pupils will be taught to not just listen but respond or respectfully challenge each other’s ideas and opinions.
Spelling – The spelling groups will continue to experience the Active Literacy spelling program; this will introduce common words and focus phonemes pertinent to their level and stage. Most P7 will focus on including varied punctuation in their writing.
Writing – At the start of the term Primary 7 will experience writing in Scots using the Scots word kist. This term the focus writing genres are report and recount writing. These genres will be modelled and taught through our IDL WW2. Pupils will read chronological reports and identify features before writing their own. We will then read recounts from people who lived through WW2 and use this to write our own recounts. P7 will also have opportunities to write across the curriculum. There are two focussed handwriting lessons per week.
Numeracy
We will continue with the use of number talks which helps to encourage different learners to use and understand different strategies. The children show an excellent understanding of the strategies taught so far and are always eager to share their understanding with their peers.
Mrs Terras will concentrate on the core number processes and will concentrate on all four operations within whole number and decimals. Links will be made with money and finance. There will be a focus on learning multiplication tables as these permeate all other areas of Numeracy at second level and beyond. Some pupils will experience 3rd level Numeracy skills through extension and challenge tasks.
Mrs Canning continues to teach the Beyond Number topics and will start the term refreshing knowledge of Data Handling and then will move onto Time.
Health and Wellbeing
Our P.E. days are Wednesday and Friday and pupils are required to have a full change on these days. The focus for P.E. this term will be gymnastics and fitness.
Primary 7 participate in mindfulness after lunch every day, this settles them for learning and teaching in the afternoons.
Our PATHS programme will continue to help the children to develop positive relationships within the class and school. Delving into the emotions that the children feel will help them to understand why they are feeling this way as well as giving them the tools to cope with these emotions.
Our core health and wellbeing teaching will focus on food and health. Through this topic Primary 7 will understand about different nutritional needs and that some people may eat or avoid certain foods. They will also discuss the important of cleanliness, hygiene and safety and apply these principles to their everyday lives.
IDL
As P7 move to Secondary, they often begin to explore more complex topics in history, including World War II. This period in history is full of fascinating stories of courage, resilience and community. It can also involve themes that can be upsetting, such as conflict, loss and evacuation. Our WW2 IDL will be taught in ways appropriate for the children’s age.
At Primary 7 the focus of our IDL will be on:
Primary 7 will have the opportunity to lead and plan their IDL by giving suggestions about what they would like to learn more about during this period of history.
Spanish
Mrs Canning will lead a block of Spanish lessons on a Monday. Primary 7 will learn basic greeting, colours and numbers in Spanish and finish the block with focus on Salvador Dali.
Science/Technologies
Mrs Canning continues to lead Science in Primary 7 and will learn about Separation, the properties and use of water. Lessons will be practical and hands on.
Primary 7 are excellent at using Chromebooks to enhance their learning. Primary 7 will learn how to organise emails to make their inboxes efficient. They will also continue to uplevel their skills in using MS Office apps. Primary 7 are reminded about the appropriate use of digital technology both in and out of school and to have the confidence to speak out of they witness cyberbullying.
Expressive Arts
Expressive Arts will be mainly taught through the WW2 IDL
Music – Primary 7 will listen and learn to sing wartime songs and discuss how music supported morale through the war years.
Art – Pupils will create persuasive propaganda posters and continue with their stitching skills by stitching their own ration books. Mrs Canning will also be lead lessons on the Spanish artist Salvador Dali.
Drama – Focus will be on Freeze-frames of home-front scenes, role-play evacuee experiences and hot-seat characters from different viewpoints.
RME
P7 will finish collecting their final pieces of evidence for their Pope Francis Faith Award. Parish commendations have been sent to SCES and Primary 7 teachers in the cluster will be reviewing the PFFA journals at the end of February and awarding pupils accordingly. Pupils will continue to develop their understanding of the liturgical calendar, exploring key events and celebrations. In Term 3 P7 will look at what life was like for Jesus, the history of Judaism and explore The Ten Commandments.
UNCRC
As a school we are working towards our Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award. We will review the Class Charter from Term 2 and adapt if required. A focus this term will be on quality listening and talking and respecting others’ views and opinions.
As a school community we will be looking at the articles and rights involved and associated in Holocaust Memorial Day in late January, Safe Internet Day and Children’s Mental Health Week in February, and World Book Day and World Water Day in March.
Linking in with the Class Charter, Primary 7 enjoy using the Reward card system however we feel it needs a refresher. Primary 7 will have opportunity at the start of Term 3 to share how they would like to use the Reward card system and gain reward cards.
Learner Journals
Pupils will continue to Learner Journals to reflect on their progress and celebrate achievements. We encourage parents and carers to login to Learner Journals as it provides a valuable link between home and school.
Personal Target Setting
This term, pupils will reflect on their Term 2 targets and focus on setting their own personal targets for Term 3. They will reflect on their strengths, identify areas to improve on, and create achievable goals. Regular check ins will help them track progress, celebrate successes and develop confidence and responsibility in their learning journey.
Thank you for all your support,
Mrs Terras and Mrs Canning
Happy New Year! I hope Santa was good to you all and you had a restful Christmas break. Good to see all the pupils back after the holidays. Here is a brief overview of our learning focus this term.
Literacy
Firstly, we will be looking at Scottish texts, using Scots language and looking at Scottish poems and authors in preparation for our Scots Assembly. Our focus then will aim to develop all reading skills through Bug Club guided reading texts. For writing, we are concentrating on poems and narrative writing, before moving onto the report genre via biographies.
Numeracy
The emphasis of our numeracy this term is on fractions, decimals and percentages and how they interlink. Having completed the set Number Talk discussions, we will continue to use Number Talk strategies to develop mental strategies using all four processes.
Health and Wellbeing
The PATHS focus this term is on goal setting and investigating the lives of several people who are viewed as inspirational goal setters. Then we will look at the skills needed to make and maintain friendships. We will also continue to praise and compliment children through Pupil of the Day.
Our PE days are still Monday and Thursday and pupils must bring in their PE kit on these days to participate fully. We will be first concentrating on fun fitness, creating personal fitness plans and setting personal goals. We also aim to develop our team game skills through netball where we will understand different roles within the team.
IDL
The topic this term is geography based, and we will be looking at Scottish landscapes including lakes, rivers and mountains. We will also be investigating famous landmarks and observing maps to identify these features.
RE
This term we will begin our Pope Francis Faith Award journals, giving a brief overview of all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit before focussing on the first 2 gifts: Knowledge and Piety. Pupils will be aiming to give evidence of them being used in the school, at home and in the community or Parish.
French
The focus for this terms French is “My Family” and pupils will be learning vocabulary to discuss different family members.
Technologies
This term P6 begin to use 3D graphics and use software to create and design simple models.
UNCRC
We will be looking at the articles and rights involved and associated in Holocaust Memorial Day in late January, Safe Internet Day and Children’s Mental Health Week in February, and World Book Day and World Water Day in March.
Mr Bertoncini
Welcome back! We hope you had a lovely Christmas and we wish you a very Happy New Year. Term 2 was a busy time for Primary 3 and they all worked really hard. Below is a curriculum overview for this term.
Literacy
Reading – This term, Primary 3 will continue to develop their questioning skills with particular focus on inferential questioning and creating their own questions. They will continue to extend their knowledge of retelling events from texts using what they have already learned about who, what, where and when to support this. In addition to this, pupils will work on identifying the purpose of notes as well as creating their own based on shared texts, personal readers and linked to IDL. Bug Club readers will continue to be used. Daily opportunities for reading will continue to be provided through personal reading time and where possible visits to the library will take place.
Writing – This terms writing genre will be explanation and report writing. Pupils will begin to identify the key features of a fact file whilst composing their own including diagrams and tables. Primary 3 will also be encouraged to continue to extend their writing through use of connectives, adjectives and openers to make their writing more interesting. In addition to this, weekly handwriting lessons will continue.
Spelling – New phonemes and common words will be introduced weekly. Active spelling activities will be used to support this learning.
Listening and Talking – When developing talking and listening skills, P3 will focus on asking and responding to questions as well as retelling stories and events in their own words.
Grammar – Primary 3 will continue to recognise and use speech marks and will be introduced to commas within texts.
Numeracy and Mathematics
This term, multiplication and division skills and strategies will be reviewed and revisited before building on this. Primary 3 will be learning to multiply and divide by 2,3,4,5,6 and 10. In addition, P3 will extend their understanding of number patterns, time and shape. Daily number talks will continue to be completed, to develop mental maths strategies.
UNCRC
Primary 3 continue to be mindful of the UNCRC Rights of the Child. We will be looking at the articles and rights involved and associated in Holocaust Memorial Day in late January, Safe Internet Day and Children’s Mental Health Week in February, and World Book Day and World Water Day in March.
Health and Wellbeing
Primary 3 will continue to access our whole school PATHS programme this term to develop their understanding of emotions. Pupils will also continue to learn about ‘Zones of Regulations’ focussing on energy levels and strategies to support this. Each child will continue to have the opportunity to be “Pupil of the Day”, receiving compliments from their peers. We will also continue with the Do Be Mindful programme which will allow us to be mindful each day, taking time to find calm and regulate during the busy school day. Furthermore, as we continue with our Germs topic at the start of the term, pupils will continue to develop their understanding of health and hygiene.
In addition to this, Primary 3 will learn about how to keep themselves safe in emergency situations, including medicines and people who can help them.
Physical Education
This term, Primary 3 will develop their stamina and endurance through fun fitness as well as their ball skills. Pupils will also continue to develop their gymnastic skills.
PE days are Monday afternoon and Thursday afternoon. All children will require a PE kit on these days. Please ensure any jewellery is taken off and left at home on PE days. If your child cannot take part for any reason, please contact the school.
Religious Education
In R.E. this term, Primary 3 will learn about the life of Jesus, learning more about his life through his parables and miracles. Pupils will also begin to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as learn more about Lent and the Easter story.
IDL
This term, P3 will complete our learning all about Germs and Micro-organisms and extend this learning by linking it to our HWB outcomes focusing on medicines, what to do in an emergency as well as learning about the importance of personal hygiene. Pupils will also learn about The Romans through IDL. They will investigate Roman artefacts, research Roman lifestyles as well as create their own Roman items including shields, chariots and mosaics. A number of cross curricular links will be made during this topic including social studies, expressive arts and literacy.
Music
This term Primary 3 will develop their musical performance skills by learning to sing with confidence and play various instruments. Pupils will learn about pulse and rhythmic accuracy as well as pitch control and expression. Primary 3 will have opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings about what they hear, responding to different pieces of music through voice and instruments.
Homework will continue to be distributed on a Monday and should be completed and returned on a Friday each week.
As always, Primary 3 look forward to sharing their fabulous learning with you throughout the term! Check out the Learner Journal app for regular updates from P3 where we will continue to share some of your child’s amazing work.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding, we are really looking forward to another wonderful term in Primary 3,
Mrs Dunsmore and Mrs Hope.
Primary 2 Curricular Blog Post – Miss Livingston and Mrs Strachan
Welcome back after the holidays. The pupils all had worked very hard last term on the Nativity, so we hope all pupils and their families/carers had a fun festive period and a lovely new year.
Literacy
This term we will begin a book study, “The Snorgh and the Sailor”. Pupils will be developing understanding of new features of text such as punctuation and vocabulary. They will also look at sequencing and retelling the story. This will help develop with our reading skills, in addition to our weekly reading books.
We will also continue to develop our understanding of phonics and practise spelling common words. This term we will also revisit the sounds we have learned so far to consolidate these. Within writing, we are focusing on narrative writing, as we start to write stories. This will be connected to our book study.
Numeracy
This term for numeracy we will be focusing on multiplication and division with Miss Livingston. This is a new skill we are introducing, pupils will focus on counting in 2’s, 5’s and 10’s and sorting numbers into equal groups. This will help before we start to look at the 2 times table. Mrs Strachan will focus on looking at fractions, this will help us when we introduce division.
We will continue to practise our addition and subtraction skills that pupils had worked hard on in term 2.
Health and Wellbeing
This term, our Health and Wellbeing topics will focus on our bodies and safety. We will look at what to do in an emergency and what to do if we feel unwell. This will be in addition to our PATHs inputs which focus on understanding our feelings, emotions and friendships.
Within PE, we start with a short block on fitness, and progress on to do Gymnastics with Mrs Strachan and racquet skills with Miss Livingston. Our PE days will remain a Tuesday and a Thursday.
UNCRC
This term we will be looking at the articles and rights involved and associated in Holocaust Memorial Day in late January, Safe Internet Day and Children’s Mental Health Week in February, and World Book Day and World Water Day in March.
Religious Education
This term we will begin by looking at the life of Jesus, focusing on his family and early life. We will then start learn about the importance of Lent and the lead up of Easter.
Pupils will continue to attend mass on the first Friday of the month.
Topic
This term we will focus on our book study till the February break. This will involve a lot of opportunities of inter-disciplinary learning. For example, we will be designing a boat and considering the materials we use to make it float or sink.
Pupils will then be involved in a mini-topic, “My Town/My school”, exploring our town, the local area and the school. We will be looking at our local area, as well as comparing Kilmarnock to other countries.
We hope this term is an enjoyable term for pupils, with lots of new learning taking place.
Miss Livingston and Mrs Strachan
Welcome back and Happy New Year! We hope you and your families had a relaxed, enjoyable holiday. 2026 already! Primary 5 are making excellent progress and establishing themselves as sensible, reliable upper school pupils. We are also glad to welcome back a familiar face to our class, Miss Grimley!
During term 3 our focus will be:
Literacy
We will be using Bug Club and Giglets as our differentiated reading resource and will be developing our fluency and comprehension skills through the use of these resources both in class and as homework. In addition, some pupils may use independent novels, poems or books as their literacy focus to aid reading and writing skills. This term we will be focussing on the genres of ‘persuasive’ and ‘report’ writing using our reading skills and IDL topic work to inform our pieces. In reading, fluency, expression and comprehension will continue to be our priority; some groups will continue to look at inference and creation of questions. We will also look at Scottish poetry this term as a class. We will explore and extend our knowledge of plurals and apostrophes, as well as, refine and develop our use of punctuation. Spelling will continue to take the form of active activities related to the ‘Active Spelling’ resource, the children will continue to experience phonemes and blends pertinent to the ability and stage.
Numeracy
Pupils will continue in their working groups focussing on 1st and 2nd level concepts. The circles and rectangles groups will be tackling multiplication and division with remainders. The squares and rectangles will also focus on these areas at their level focussing on quick recall of facts. This will include learning new multiplication and division strategies for longer multiplication.
All pupils will also look at Money with Miss Grimley, with links to addition and subtraction and will later focus on Fractions and Decimals as part of their Beyond Number topic on a Friday.
It is essential that times tables should continue to be practised at home regularly to ensure quick recall, as this will aid our learning in multiplication this term. Please also allow your children to experience ‘real’ money and chat with them about finance and budgeting appropriate to their age/stage.
Health and Well-being/ P.E
Pupils will continue to focus on our PATHS programme in class with Miss Grimley, building knowledge of our strategies relating to emotional regulation. Pupils are aware of their place within the upper school and the responsibility that goes with it. We will also look at substances that can damage our physical and emotional health, appropriate to our age and being Cyber Aware to protect ourselves online.
In P.E., we will be looking at
Tuesdays – Badminton/Tennis (Mrs McI) **Football input potentially**
Fridays – Hockey (Miss G)
RRS
We will be looking at the articles and rights involved and associated in Holocaust Memorial Day in late January, Safe Internet Day and Children’s Mental Health Week in February, and World Book Day and World Water Day in March.
R.E
This term we will look at daily life in Jesus’ time and First century Palestine. Also, we will be learning about Judaism to link in with this. During the term, we will also be preparing for Lent as we approach Easter time. Pupils will also continue to learn prayers and focus on reflection this term in class. As the term proceeds, we will prepare for and observe Lent in the approach to Easter, looking at this closer in class and assemblies.
IDL
Our IDL focus this term is ‘Continents’; pupils will use their previous skills and knowledge from our ‘Living things/ Climate change’ topic to take a closer look at individual continents. We will look at countries within continents, surrounding oceans, mapping skills, examine population, weather culture and traditions. Writing, ICT and Expressive arts lessons will also relate to this. We hope to share some of this learning with you.
As always, we are enjoying our time working with your children. Here’s to another fantastic term!
Thanks for your on-going support.
Mrs McIntyre & Miss Grimley
Welcome back, I hope that you have a peaceful Christmas. It has been great to see Primary 4 back, ready to learn and enthusiastic about all the wonderful learning that will happen in term 3.
We will continue to explore the UNCRC Rights of the Child, and refer to the Class Charter which we created together, to ensure that our classroom is a place where we feel safe, where we can learn and grow together. This term pupils will be looking at articles and rights involved and associated in Holocaust Memorial Day in late January, Safe Internet Day and Children’s Mental Health Week in February, as well as World Book Day and World Water Day in March.
Literacy
In addition to our Bug Club readers, we will access a range of texts including ‘Inside Edinburgh Castle’, which will link into our writing and Social Studies learning this term. We will investigate the features of a range of types of text and will continue to develop our reading fluency and reading with expression skills. We will also use a range of comprehension strategies as we show our understanding of the texts we have read and will talk about implied messages from clues in the text as we answer literal and inferential questions.
During writing, we will explore report and explanatory writing, looking at the structure of these genres and creating our own pieces of writing. To support us with our writing, we will be looking at the difference between fact and opinion and the importance of notetaking.
Spelling will take the form of active spelling activities, and the children will experience phonemes and blends at their working level.
Numeracy & Maths
The class will continue to participate in daily Number Talk activities, to assist in developing a range of strategies for solving mathematical problems.
We will look at multiplication and division, using a range of strategies and materials as well increasing our mental agility when recalling the 2,3,4,5,8 and 10 times tables. We will look at the patterns and links between these and use this knowledge to solve multiplication problems. We will also show our understanding of the concept of division, making connections with multiplication facts, as well as showing understanding of the concept of a remainder.
Health and Wellbeing
As we continue our PATHS programme for P4, we will be reflecting on friendship. We will also investigate ways of staying healthy and having a healthy lifestyle. This will link with our learning in Science, during which we will look at the human body and some of the important organs and their functions.
We will continue with the Do Be Mindful programme which will allow us, through the use of a range of strategies, to look at ways that we can take a mindful moment each day.
PE
PE is on a Wednesday and Friday. This term we will be covering;
Children will require PE kit each PE day. Please make sure your child is not wearing jewellery on these days as they will be asked to remove these items. Jewellery is not allowed during PE for health and safety reasons. If your child cannot take part for any reason, please contact the school.
IDL
We will look at all things Scottish this term, beginning with the geography and landscape of Scotland, as well as our culture including music, poetry and food. We will then move on to focussing on Scottish castles, looking at the importance and features of these historical buildings. We will use our developing digital skills to help us research and present our findings using Microsoft word.
Expressive Arts
As we explore Scotland, we will be looking at some traditional Scottish music, investigating instruments and some well-known Scottish songs.
We will also reflect on the work on well-known Scottish artists, and will create our own pieces focusing on presenting a range of visual information using various materials.
Religious Education
We will be exploring Palestine at the time of Jesus and will compare the features of a synagogue with that of our Catholic Church. We will also begin to look more closely at the significance of the Sacraments as we being our preparation for First Holy Communion. As the term progresses, we will consider the Holy Season of Lent, as we look forward to the great Feast of Easter.
During assembly, the children will reflect on Jesus as a teacher and healer and will become more familiar with some examples of Jesus teaching and healing in the Gospels.
The children will take part in class prayers and School Masses, and we will continue to build on our knowledge of common prayers and Mass responses.
Homework will be distributed on a Monday to be completed and returned by Friday.
Keep an eye on the School App and your child’s Learning Journal profile for a snapshot of some of our wonderful learning!
Thank you for your support, I am looking forward to a really great term 3 with Primary 4!
Mrs. MacKinnon.
If your child is in P3 and you wish them to receive the Sacrament of First Confession, ( in preparation for First Holy Communion when they are in P4.) you must register your child at your parish.
When e-mailing please include the name of your child and the church where you would like your child to receive First Communion. Please e-mail the church with these details no later than Friday 30th January.
The e-mail address is stephen.mcgrattan@rcdg.org.uk
On Tuesday 3rd February there will be a parents’ meeting in St Joseph’s Hall (for all three Kilmarnock parishes) at 7pm to explain more about the sacraments and the process of preparation.
This information can also be found in the Sunday bulletin for the Kilmarnock Parishes.
The upcoming dates and times for the church preparation sessions for P4 children who are preparing for First Communion are as follows;
Session 6 – Sunday 25th January
Session 7 – Sunday 22nd February
Session 8 – Sunday 22nd March
Session 9 – Sunday 26th April
Session 10 – Sunday 10th May
Retreat day – Saturday 16th May ( 10am-2pm)
These monthly ‘I Belong’ sessions will take place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church before Sunday Mass. The sessions will begin at 10:15 in the Norbert Room in the church.
Fr Stephen will meet with parents to discuss the programme on Sunday 25th January at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 11:10 prior to Sunday Mass.
For children who turn age of 5 years between 1 March 2026 and 28 February 2027and whose parents and carers wish them to attend school should be registered for education during the week Monday 12 January 2026 until Friday 16 January 2026. To register you should complete an online application and submit no later than Friday 16 January 2026.
Register at: – https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions
To register your child you will require to upload a copy of your child’s birth certificate and two proofs of your residence in the catchment area in the form of a Council Tax Notice or Utility Bill. Should you require a copy of your child’s birth certificate for Registration, this can be obtained at www.certificates.scot
If you are unable to register online then please phone your local school who will assist you to register your child.
Parents and carers who wish to make a placing request must first enrol their child/children at their catchment school. Placing requests for the session beginning August 2026, should be received by 31 January 2026.
Requests must be completed and submitted online at: https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/schoolplacingrequest
We will be holding a Wider Achievement Assembly on Friday 16th January. If you would like us to celebrate your child/children’s recent achievements, please send any photos and information to the school inbox at eamountcarmel.ps@eastayrshire.org.uk by Wednesday 14th January.
Thank you
A huge thanks to everyone who donated to the reverse advent calendar this year. We had lots of amazing things to give to the foodbank! Have a lovely Christmas and thanks again for your generosity.
Mrs Hope and the Mount Carmel in the Community group
The Children from Mount Carmel Primary would like to thank FOMC for the donation of selection boxes each child has been given and for organising the delicious party food we all enjoyed at our Christmas Parties.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our pupils and their families a very happy and peaceful Christmas break and look forward to seeing everyone again when the school reopens at 9am on Monday 5th January 2026.
As tomorrow is our last day before the Christmas break, children can come into school in their own clothes or their pyjamas.
This week has been a special one for Primary 7; their last Christmas Mass and Christmas party at Mount Carmel.
The Mass was a time to reflect and the party was packed with laughter, games, questionable dance moves and memories with friends.
I wish all the P7 families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Mrs Terras
School will close for the Christmas Holidays on Friday 19th December @ 2.30pm. Taxi children will be collected at 2pm
A huge congratulations in Alayiah in Primary 4 who is a winner in the Missio Scotland Christmas Card Competition! She designed and carefully drew a beautiful angel and, as a winner will receive a fabulous prize from Missio Scotland and her design will be made into a Christmas card for next Christmas! Well done!
Thank you to our Missio Champions from the Friends of Jesus Community group, who encouraged all the classes to enter the competition, there were lots of amazing designs sent off for this Scotland wide competition.
Well done to the boys and girls in Primary 4, who designed lovely Christmas cards and wrote special letters sharing a Christmas greeting, to our priests, sisters and members of the UR Welcome Seniors group at Our lady of Mount Carmel Church.
Your beautiful cards and letters will spread lots of Christmas joy!
If you were unable to manage to either of our performances of our P1-3 Nativity (or you just want to see it again🤩), please click on the link below.
A password to view has been sent via text to main contacts.
We will be holding a Wider Achievement Assembly on Friday 16th January.
If you would like us to celebrate your child/children’s recent achievements, please send any photos and information to the school inbox at eamountcarmel.ps@eastayrshire.org.uk by Wednesday 14th January.
Thank you
The winning House for this term is………….. AIR
Pupils from AIR house will enjoy an outing to Jungle Madness in Kilmarnock on Wednesday 17th December 2025. Children will enjoy 2 hrs soft play and a selection of snacks & juice.
Pupils will walk to Jungle Madness and will leave Mount Carmel PS at 9am. Please ensure your child arrives in school on time, with a jacket, as we will be unable to wait for any latecomers.
We are aware this is the same day as the P1,2 & 3 Christmas party so please note the following:
If your child is in P4-7 they can come to school in leggings or joggers with school uniform on top. (Please bring school trousers/skirt to change into on return to school)
If your child is in P1-3 they can do the same and bring their party clothes to change into when they return from Jungle Madness.
To avoid any unwanted visitors can we suggest that any children with long hair come to school with their hair tied up. Research has shown that the instances of infestation are lessened with this.
Thank you, as always, for your co-operation.
Our end of term Mass will be on Tuesday 16th December at 10am in OLMC.
A reminder that our P1-3 Nativity performances of “Hey Ewe” are on today and tomorrow at 2pm. Doors open at 1.30pm for tea and coffee. 1.45pm entrance to the main hall.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Dear Parent/Carer
As you are no doubt aware, your child is due to transfer from primary to secondary education at the beginning of the new school session (August 2026).
Secondary school hand books are available at: https://eastayrshi.re/SchoolHandbooks
You must complete the online P7 transfer application at http://eastayrshi.re/p7transfer no later than Friday 12 December 2025 to ensure your child is allocated a place within their secondary school.
