We would like to say a big “ Thank You “ to our amazing dinner ladies for a wonderful Christmas lunch yesterday. It was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone!

We are a very lucky school to have them👌🍗🍰🧁

We would like to thank Morrisons, Kilmarnock for their very kind donations of biscuits for the staff,  and also breakfast bars, juice and fruit snacks for some of the children. They are very much appreciated by everyone.

As we reach December we would like to say that our staff love nothing more than a BIG THANK YOU

We know that some parents/ pupils like to bring gifts, but a thank you is the best gift ever! Instead this year we would be delighted if you could add a donation to Father Martin’s :

“Advent Cycle Fundraiser”

You can sponsor him through his “Just Giving” page here:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martin-chambers32

This years annual Toy Appeal at the Masonic Hall, 45 London Road, Kilmarnock will be held over 2 days:

• Wednesday 16th December – 11am till 4pm
• Thursday 17th December – 11am till 4pm

This event is for families struggling at Christmas who need a little help.

Parents/carers can attend (no questions asked) and choose toys for their children this Christmas.

  Attendance is for adults only this year and masks MUST be worn. Social distancing will be in place, hand sanitising on entry and a one way system will be in operation.

As it is the beginning of December, it is time again for our

Reverse Advent Calendar appeal

Please bring items similar to those listed above into school by Friday 11th December. All items should be in a bag clearly marked for Reverse Advent calendar. 

***no perishable food stuffs please***

We are planning a P1-P3 Virtual Infant Nativity this year called:

“Bells Ring Out”

More information will be given out to parents/carers of P1-3 in due course by letter.

This year, each class will have their own post box where they can post Christmas cards to their friends. Children should bring their Christmas cards into school for posting on a Thursday and they will be delivered by the class teacher on the following Monday.

As today is the 1st of December, we are planning a PATHS home challenge through use of the PATHS Kindness Advent Calendar!

Try the kindness activities in the calendar above throughout the month of December with your child/children at home . Even if they only manage 1 it is a step of kindness in the right direction!

We would love to see any pictures you take of the children carrying out the kindness activities. Please send them to me at:

gillian.templeton@eastayrshire.org.uk   

and we will try and post as many as we can on our blog !

Our 2020 school Christmas calendars will be on sale shortly! They will be reasonably priced at £2 per calendar (£4 for 2, £6 for 3 etc).

This year we have used some of the fantastic colourful photographs we took of each class in front of our “Rainbow Wall ”  in the assembly hall. We are really pleased with how the photographs have turned out and hope they will brighten up the calendar in what has been an otherwise dreary year!

The calendars will be available to buy through ParentPay shortly.

Now that we have moved to Level 4 restrictions, we are no longer able to hold our class masses at the church unfortunately. However, Father Martin has kindly offered to visit each class in the school on the dates below to hold mass with each class individually.
P6/7 – 25/11/20 @ 11am
P6 – 27/11/20 @ 11am
P5 – 30/11/20 @ 11am
P4 – 02/12/20 @ 11am
P3 – 07/12/20 @ 11am
P1/2 – 09/12/20 @ 11am
P1 – 14/12/20 @ 11am

There will be a change to the original lunch menu this Friday(27th).

As part of our Rainbow Reward day on Friday we will be enjoying a Scottish themed lunch:

• Mince, tatties and turnip
• Haggis, neeps and tatties
• Macaroni cheese and garlic bread

followed by

• Scotty dog shortbread or
• Jelly

This Friday (27th) is our Rainbow Reward Day ! 

We are asking all the children to wear bright/rainbow colours please.  During the day each class will have their photograph taken in front of our wonderful rainbow in the assembly hall.

These class photographs will be used in this year’s school calendar!

We raised £98 in donations for Children In Need this year. Thanks to everyone who donated.

The children had lots of fun and looked great in their spotty outfits!

We raised £67 in donations for the Poppy appeal this year. 

Thank you to everyone who donated.

Now that we have moved to Level 4 restrictions, we are no longer able to hold our class masses at the church unfortunately. However, Father Martin has kindly offered to visit each class in the school on the dates below to hold mass with each class individually.

• P6/7 –  25/11/20 @ 11am
• P6      –  27/11/20 @ 11am
• P5      –  30/11/20 @ 11am
• P4      –  02/12/20 @ 11am
• P3      –  07/12/20 @ 11am
• P1/2 –  09/12/20 @ 11am
• P1      –  14/12/20 @ 11am

As we are unable to attend our annual pantomime visit to the Palace Theatre this year, we have arranged for M&M Theatre Company to come to the school for a production of The Wizard of Oz! This will take place on Wednesday 16th December 2020 with performances at 9.15am,10.45am and 1.30pm to allow us to follow safety procedures.

Friends of Mount Carmel are very generously subsidising the shows, enabling us to keep the cost down to £2 per pupil which will be available for payment through your child’s Parentpay account.

Please ensure the total cost is paid in full by Friday 11th December 2020.

(If you require a barcoded letter for payment please contact the school office)

We are in desperate need of the following items for our “Spare Clothing” collection-

Tights, socks (boys and girls) and leggings in any child sizes please!

If you have any of these items which no longer fit your child/children please  hand them in to a member of staff at the main door or give to your child to bring in with them, thanks.

Please note: We do not need any other form of children’s underwear, clothing or school uniform as we have a plentiful supply just now thank you.

Please click the link below to see the full information about

East Ayrshire Young Carers

and the different ways on how and where you can donate.

Tomorrow is Children In Need day!

Just a reminder that children are encouraged to come to school wearing something spotty. There is still time to make a donation of £1 via ParentPay. Please keep your donations coming in. Thank You.

Our whole school target for this month is :

“Fabulous Friends”

During our October target of “Marvellous Manners”, children received certificates and House Points for displaying good manners throughout the month, and in general there was a definite improvement in manners across the whole school. 

From Monday 16th November, indoor PE will resume and each class will be allocated a 1 hour slot. Children will not be required to change for PE but we ask that they bring gym/indoor shoes.

Strict hygiene measures will be in place to clean equipment and the hall will  be suitably ventilated. Outdoor PE will continue weather permitting.

You still have time to donate to the Poppy appeal via ParentPay. Donations will be accepted up until 3pm tomorrow (11th).

The Scottish Child Payment is a new payment for families on certain benefits or tax credits to help towards the costs of looking after a child. It is £40 paid every four weeks for each child UNDER the age of 6yrs.

It opens on Monday 15th February 2021, however applications are being taken now.

Full information can be found here:

https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment/

Just a reminder that Children In Need day is this coming Friday (13th)!

Children can come to school wearing something spotty….thank you to everyone who has donated so far and please, please keep your donations coming in via ParentPay .

A reminder for parents/carers that children’s Homework Folders should be returned to school on a Thursday please. This is to give enough  time for it to be quarantined and for the teachers to correct it.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Click on Pudsey below to donate quicker !!

Reminder that Children In Need day is Friday 13th November. We are encouraging the children to wear something spotty  on the day in return for a £1 donation via Parentpay.

+The theme for Dyslexia Awareness Week is:

“Unlocking Potential”

Children will be taking part in activities in class throughout this week

We are required to have adequate ventilation across the school. 

As we move into the winter months, children should dress warmly for being in class.

As we are now in Tier 3, face coverings must now be worn when dropping off and collecting children.

Thank you for your co-operation.