Welcome back! We hope you have all had an enjoyable summer. It has been fantastic to see P4 settle into their new classroom and routines.

We have had a great start to the term, and look forward to a fun filled term with lots of fabulous learning taking place.

Here is an update on the upcoming term.

Literacy

For our reading focus this term, we will be developing our comprehension strategies such as visualisation and metalinguistics through our class novel ‘Venus Peter saves the Whale’. This will also incorporate themes such as science, the environment, animals and friendship.

During writing, we will focus on building our characterisation through descriptive skills and language in our narrative writing. We will then progress our note taking skills using headings and paragraphs to present different types of information in a report.   Writing activities will also be based around a mini novel study on the ‘Mr Gum’ series of books.

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 review Place Value knowledge and will use this to build on their sense of number. We will look at 3 and 4 digit numbers and we will read, write order and recite these numbers. Through our place value work, we will be able to identify the value of each digit.

We will then progress to looking at our addition strategies. The class will participate in a daily number talk, to develop of mental maths strategies.

In Beyond Number, the class will start with information handling, looking at data, surveys and creating charts, graphs and tables.

Health and Wellbeing

This term we will be begin our PATHS programme for P4. Lessons will include setting up our class rules, looking at individual emotions, building friendships and community within the school, Self-Control and Anger Management.

PE

PE is on a Wednesday and Friday. This term we will be covering;

• Games
• Basketball
• Football

PE kit must be brought in and left at the start of each term. Before each holiday, the kit will be sent home for washing to be freshened up and returned on the first day back.  Please make sure your child is not wearing jewellery on these days as they will be unable to participate in the lesson for health and safety reasons. If your child cannot take part for any reason, please contact the school.

French

We will be revising the alphabet, basic French phrases and numbers this term through, songs, activities and games.

IDL

P4 will be learning about the Vikings. We will be looking at the Vikings in Scotland and life at the time. Writing, ICT and expressive arts lessons will link to our Vikings topic.

Expressive Arts 

This term, we look at the illustrations from our class novel and use these as inspiration to create our own artwork using a variety of materials.

As we move on to our Vikings topic, we will create Viking art and models.

Religious Education

This term we will be reflecting on our uniqueness and thinking about our God given talents. We will reflect on the importance of friendship and link this with various stories from the Bible. The children will take part of 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, signed and returned by Friday. Keep an eye on the class blog for regular updates to what is happening in class, recent learning and relevant upcoming events.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to a fabulous term with P4!

Mrs McIntyre and Mrs MacKinnon

Welcome back everyone and welcome to the P7 blog! I trust you all had an enjoyable holiday/staycation and I am delighted to welcome back the pupils of P7 who have settled well into the routine of school.

Here’s an overview of our learning that will take place in our first term (Aug-Oct).

Literacy

This term we will be focussing on a novel study, The Wilderness War by Julia Green. We will continue to develop our Active Literacy comprehension skills using the book as a context for learning.  As well as reading the book together, the class will participate in activities that relate to other areas of the curriculum including Art, HWB and plenty of outdoor learning.  As a result, children should bring in appropriate clothes such as wellies or old boots, waterproof jacket and warmer clothes (hat, scarf, gloves) as we move into the colder months.

For writing, we are concentrating on descriptive pieces using a variety of figurative language such as similes, alliteration, the senses and metaphors to interest the reader.

Spelling groups will continue to use Active Spelling strategies and follow on from previous work.

Numeracy

All groups this term have begun by investigating a mini money topic.  We will soon be working on place value before moving onto addition and subtraction.  The class will continue to develop their mental Number Talk strategies on a daily basis.

The class are also working on skills beyond number with Mrs McGregor and are currently developing their knowledge of quadrilaterals and properties of other shapes.

Health and Wellbeing

This year we will continue to use the PATHS programme to shape our HWB learning.  P7 have already started ‘pupil of the day’ and participated in discussions around feelings and how we manage our emotions.  We are also investigating the relationship of diet, rest and sleep upon our mental health and looking at ways we can relax and improve brain function.

Our PE days are Tuesday and Thursday and appropriate clothes must be brought in on those days to participate.  I have spoken to the class about personal hygiene and some pupils may wish to bring in deodorant or a roll-on on these days.

IDL

As our novel study is The Wilderness War, we will be looking at environmental issues for our topic.  We will be looking at the damage of single use plastics and what can be done about it.  We will also investigate the Leave No Trace campaign to conserve natural areas.

RE

P7 will continue to complete their journal for the Pope Francis Faith Award as well as reading from the New Testament.  We will be looking at the life of Jesus and how he associated with those who were marginalised in society.

French

P7 will continue to work with Mrs Donaghy from St Joseph’s for French for a 6 week block covering basic greetings, weather, and likes and dislikes.

Technologies

This term P7 will access and use more features of Glow, attach files to emails, save work to cloud locations and retrieve files using search functions.

I look forward to working with P7 in the coming year and hope to have lots of enjoyable experiences that will make learning fun and memorable.

Mr Bertoncini

On Friday 30th September there will be a change to our normal menu as we will be having a “Save the Planet Day ” menu as follows:

Climate Change Curry and Rainforest Rice ( Lentil Korma)

Planet Power Pizza (Cheese Pizza)

Green Fingers & No Waste Wedges (Vegetable Wedges)

Broccoli Trees & Rainbow Salad

Global Gateau/Save the planet sorbet

We will once again be accepting  any unwanted items of clothing for our Rag Bag collection. Previously, Rag Bag pre-printed bags were distributed to schools for donations, however, this is no longer the case. Please hand any donations into the school in a carrier bag or bin bag by 9am on Monday 3rd October.

Thank You.

On Friday 14th October, we will be holding a “Dress Down Day” in school.  We are asking kindly for a £1 donation for this via Parentpay.  As always, no football colours please.

Every pupil who donates £1 through Parentpay will be entered in a raffle draw to win a special prize organised by FOMC.

Due to the September bank holiday and Tuesday holiday our Meet the Teacher Sessions have been rescheduled.

These will now take place on:

Wednesday 21st September – Primary 5

Monday 26th September – Primary 6

Wednesday 28th September – Primary 4

Please complete the form below for attendance at these events.

Form

Kind regards

Mrs Fergusson

Dear parents/carers,

The public information is now available on the Council’s website in regards to closure of all educational establishments, as part of the national day of mourning and public holiday and is available here:

Additional public holiday arrangements for Tuesday 20 September 2022 (east-ayrshire.gov.uk)

East Ayrshire Council

A reminder, as you will have read in our September update, our Dress Down Day will not take place on Thursday this week and has been rescheduled to Friday 14th October.

Please see the attached update to our September news.

September Newsletter- update.docx

Friends of Mount Carmel will be holding a virtual meeting on Thursday 15th September.  If you wish to join the meeting online, please contact FOMC  on the link  below:

fomcfundraising@gmail.com

On Thursday, 15th September we will be holding a “Dress Down Day” in school.  We are asking kindly for a £1 donation for this via Parentpay.  As always, no football colours please.

Every pupil who donates £1 through Parentpay will be entered in a raffle draw to win a special prize organised by FOMC.

There will be a face to face Parent Council Meeting in the school on Tuesday 4th October at 7pm.

The Tempest photographer  will be in school on Tuesday 4th October. All children will have an individual photograph taken . P1 and P7 will also have a class photograph taken.

Pupils will be receiving their flu immunisations on Tuesday 25th October. Please return your child’s permission form if you have not already done so. Thank you.

We are very lucky to have Mark Devlin coming to work with us from next week (wb 12/09/22) , through to October holidays.  He will be offering P2 and P3 multi-sports sessions. This will mean a change to our gym days.

P2 will now have gym on a Wednesday and Thursday.

P3 will now have gym on a Monday and a Wednesday, to accommodate Mark Devlin and his multi sports inputs.

Sorry for any inconvenience.  We appreciate your continued cooperation,

Mrs Travers and Miss Maitland

We would like to remind parents and carers that there is no parking/drop-off/waiting in the school car park. There is additional parking across in the church car park. 

Thank you.

Please see this months newsletter attached below

September Newsletter

Please find enclosed link for August newsletter for East Ayrshire Primary Counselling service

East Ayrshire School Counselling & Psychological Wellbeing Supports Newsletter (office.com)

Homework will be resuming  this Monday 5th September for Primaries 2-7

A reminder to complete the form below regarding your attendance at our ‘Meet the Teacher Sessions’. Please see the dates below and follow the link to complete a form providing information on who will be attending.

We ask that only one adult attends this per child. This is an opportunity for the class teacher to talk to you about different items taking place in the class. This will include information about Homework, Literacy, Numeracy, Health and Wellbeing, RE and pupil expectations.

Please be aware that this is not a parent/carer appointment to discuss a child’s progress, this is an opportunity to meet the teacher and receive some school information.

The children will not be in the class during this activity.  Sessions will take place from 2.00pm

Monday 5th September – Primary 3
Tuesday 6th September – Primary 1
Wednesday 7th September – Primary 2
Thursday 8th September – Primary 7
Monday 12th September – Primary 6
Tuesday 13th September – Primary 4
Wednesday 14th September – Primary 5

Meet the Teacher Session (office.com)

Please see the letter below with details of an HMIE inspection taking place for our school.

HMIE National Thematic Inspection letter to inform parents

Before the holidays, Mount Carmel chose their new House Captains and Vice’s for the coming year.  Congratulations to Harry, Sophie, Skye, Maia, Kinga, Alfie, Megan and Emily.  After receiving their badges at Friday’s assembly they all said they are looking forward to carrying out all their responsibilities this year.

Well done and good luck.

A reminder that St Josephs will be running the first primary 7 parent information evening on Thursday 25th August 6.30pm until 7.30pm.  This information was originally shared via text to all Primary 7 parents last week.

Calling Young Dancers!

The Palace Theatre Search For The Fairest Babes in The Land

The Palace Theatre are holding open auditions to find Junior Ensemble for this year’s magical family pantomime Snow White on Saturday 27 August 2022.

The auditions are open to female dancers who must be at least 9 years old and in P5 of school on the first day of rehearsals and no older than 16 and in S4 on the last day of the performances*

 *For more information on the auditions please visit the website

Application forms do not need to be submitted in advance although where possible please complete them beforehand and bring with you to save time on audition day.

Snow White runs from Friday 25 Nov until Friday 30 Dec 2022 book now