Dates for Your Diary
All of our young people are settling well into school life
To help parents/carers plan for some of the different activities that will be happening throughout our school year we would like to provide you with dates for some of these events:
| Date | Event | Time |
| Wednesday 07/10/2026 | Winning House Prize | 10.00 am – 12.30pm |
| Friday 23/10/2026 | Tempest Photography | All Day |
| Thursday 29/10/2026 | Halloween Disco | TBC |
| Friday 06/11/2026 | Flu Immunisation | All day |
| Wednesday 11/11/2026 | Pupil progress meetings | 5.00pm – 8.00pm |
| Thursday 12/11/2026 | Pupil Progress meetings | 3.30pm – 6.30pm |
| Friday 20/11/2026 | Children In Need | All Day |
| Tuesday 08/12/2026 | P1 – P3 Nativity | 1.30pm |
| Wednesday 09/12/2026 | P1 – P3 Nativity | 1.30pm |
| Thursday 10/12/2026 | Christmas Jumper day | All day |
| Thursday 10/12/2026 | Christmas lunch | 12.30pm |
| Friday 11/12/2026 | Pantomime | 10.00am |
| Tuesday 15/12/2026 | Christmas End of Term Mass | 10.00am |
All Dates are subject to change
Primary 1 Curriculum Update Term 1
Hello and welcome to our very first blog post. Primary 1 have been very busy settling into our new classroom. Children have been working hard to learn our routines and curriculum areas whilst accessing the dining hall and other areas of the school.
UNCRC – Class Charter
Primary 1 have worked on creating a class charter, focusing on rights we will uphold as a class. Our class rules and procedures centre around these rights, as we agree that we should all have a right to be healthy, a right to learn and a right to play. We have used our Teddy Bear theme from the transition visits as our theme for our charter.
Literacy
Our focus in term one will be nursery rhymes and fairy tales. Through these rhymes and stories, pupils will explore rhyming words, familiar patterns in words and begin to examine initial sounds, which will later support 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 orally structure sentences.
Our reading and spelling activities will begin later in the term, and children will access early reading books, starting with textless books, and progressing to reading books 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 be using our predictive skills to think about what may happen in books we read as a class, based on information on the cover.
Our focus in writing will be practising writing our names and formation of initial sounds. As we progress, we will begin with oral structuring of sentences with pictures, building skills to enable the writing of a short sentence with support. This will extend into term two as pupils become more familiar with initial sounds and common words. As pupils’ skills increase and their motor skills improve with practice, we hope they will write with less support.
Numeracy
Our numeracy focus will be number recognition, starting with numbers to five, then increasing to numbers to 10. Children will build on forming their written number figures, whilst subitising, recognising number patterns, and sequencing numbers within five, then to 10, and will be exposed to hands-on activities that will increase their knowledge and confidence in using numbers. Number quantity and how this is represented using concrete materials will then build to recognising quantity in pictorial and grid form.
We will look at numbers in everyday life, where we see and find them, and link this to 2D shapes as we learn about the properties of shapes and where we might find shapes in our environment.
Health & Wellbeing
Our Paths Pupil of the Day will begin soon, and our Pupil of the Day will receive lots of compliments. All children will have the opportunity to be Pupil of the Day. We will begin exploring emotions, building friendships, and meeting our Paths animals, who will help children navigate the different feelings we may experience.
In P.E, our sessions will happen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and our focus in term one will be developmental games and large and small ball skills. Children will have the opportunity to take part in fun activities that support teamwork while focusing on developing our listening skills and awareness of space.
R.E
Our focus during R.E. sessions will be on prayer, its meaning, the routines of the church and the celebration of Mass. We will also spend time reading and discussing Bible stories about friendship and love, while considering how each of us is unique and has our own God-given talents.
IDL
We will do a mini topic on Fairy Tales, and a second topic on the History of Me. Fairy Tales will link directly with our literacy and numeracy focus for term one, and History of Me will allow pupils to learn more about each other as their friendships develop.
Modern Languages (French)
In French lessons, children will begin to understand basic greetings. We will learn songs and rhymes to help us retain this information.
Homework
Homework will begin in September. Please check your child’s homework bag weekly to ensure all homework is completed. Homework will consist of sounds/spelling, common words and number activities as the children’s knowledge and skills increase. Initially, it may be topic- or R.E.-related as we begin to build the children’s knowledge and skills in literacy and numeracy. 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 term and that the pupils are enjoying their very first term at school.
Take care,
Mrs Travers and Mrs Strachan
P4 Term 1 Curricular News
Primary 4 Blog – Term 1 2026/27
Welcome back! We hope you have all had an enjoyable summer. It has been fantastic to see Primary 4 settle into their new classroom and routines. During our first few days, we explored the UNCRC Rights of the Child and together created a meaningful Class Charter to ensure that our classroom is a place where we feel safe, where we can learn and grow together.
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
We will be looking at a range of texts this term, including our Bug Club readers. We will be focusing on continuing to develop reading fluency as well as becoming more confident using word attack strategies for unfamiliar words. We will also use a range of comprehension strategies as we show our understanding of the texts we have read.
This term, Primary 4 will be following the National Improving Writing Programme. As part of this programme, the children will write for 15 minutes up to 4 times per week. This writing will focus on one aspect of tools for writing. Each child will have their own individual targets related to the writing focus and this one focus area is assessed daily. This term we will be starting with a focus on the accurate use of punctuation. As the term progresses, we will incorporate other genres of writing.
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 and subtraction strategies. The class will participate in a daily number talk, to develop mental maths strategies.
We will also explore 2D and 3D shapes learning to sort and describe shapes based on certain criteria.
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. We will also continue with the Do Be Mindful programme which will allow us, through the use of a range of strategies, to look at ways we can take a mindful moment each day.
PE
PE is on a Monday and Wednesday. This term we will be covering;
- Team Games
- Football
Children will require PE kit each PE day. 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.
IDL
This term we will investigate Scottish Castles, looking at significant castles in our area as well as finding out about the importance and use of these historic buildings. We will create some interesting line drawings of various castles using the visual elements of line, shape, form and colour.
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. We will explore life at the time of Jesus, in particular the role of the Synagogue and the importance of the Sabbath in first century Palestine.
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 as always for your support and I’m looking forward to a really great term with P4!
Mrs. MacKinnon.
September Newsletter
Please see below link for September Newsletter
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Primary 5
Hi everyone,
The class have asked if they can have an outside play afternoon for their rainbow reward tomorrow (4th September).
As always, they are welcome to bring their bikes, scooters and anything else they would like to play with outside (no electric scooters/bikes) but they must bring a helmet for this. The school have a limited number that can be borrowed if need be.
Thank you, Mrs McCreadie
Welcome to our Class – Parent/Carer Views
If you have been able to attend one of our Welcome to our Class sessions please complete the form below sharing your views on how we can continue to improve.
Kind regards
Mrs Fergusson
Can You Help?
We’re looking for a Netball Coach!
We’re looking for a parent/carer/friend to help coach our school netball team. You don’t need to be an experienced coach, just knowledge of the sport and enthusiasm for working with children and a willingness to support our young players develop their confidence and skills.
Our Active Schools coordinator, Faye Meikle, will be able to assist you in getting started. All that is required is giving up an hour of your time (per week) for an afterschool club. Having a netball coach for the school team will allow them the chance to participate in friendly and school competitions, something that is often asked of by the young people.
If you’re interested or have any questions, please contact: Faye.Meikle@Ayrshire360.com or speak to a member of staff at the school.
P4 First Holy Communion Meeting
A reminder that there will be a meeting tonight Tuesday 1st September at 7pm in St. Joseph’s Parish Hall for parents of children in Primary 4 (from all Kilmarnock parishes) who will be making their First Communion.
Pantomime 2026
It’s that time of year again !….”oh yes it is…….
Live on Parentpay now!
On Friday 11th December the whole school will be attending The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr this year to see the morning performance of the Pantomine “Dick Whittington“.
We will soon be sending home a letter about the trip which also includes information on how to pay via Parentpay, and a tear off slip to return stating whether or not your child wishes to attend. Please be aware that this is a whole school outing, if your child does not wish to attend they should be dropped off at school after we have returned from the performance.
The cost per child this year is £17 this includes the ticket and transport.
If anyone has any concerns re the cost, please contact the school office in confidence before Monday 14th September so we can discuss possible supports.
Thank you
Important Information
Children have today been issued with an envelope containing all of the yearly forms parents/carers are legally required to complete in order for an up to date record of all essential information for our young people are maintained.
This should be completed and returned to school ASAP.
East Ayrshire Council also require parents/carers to complete certain forms online links to these can be found below.
If you require any help to complete any of the forms please contact the school office.
Thanks
Mount Carmel Primary School : EAC Acceptable Use of Computer Facilities 2026-2027 – Fill in form
FOMC & Parent Council Information
St Vincent De Paul
Class PE Days
NEC (Bus Pass) Application Form for Children 11yrs+
Please complete the form below if your child is at Mount Carmel Primary, is 11+ and you wish to apply for free bus travel for them:
EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL – EDUCATION SERVICE – NEC APPLICATION FORM 2 – Fill out form
NEC (Bus Pass) Application Form for Children 5-10yrs
Please complete the form below if your child is between 5-10yrs,at Mount Carmel and you wish to apply for free bus travel for them:
EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL – EDUCATION SERVICE – NEC APPLICATION FORM 1 – Fill out form
Welcome To Our Class 2026
We will be holding our Welcome to the Class sessions between the end of August and September. This is an opportunity for parents/carers to meet their child’s class teacher and learn more about their year ahead.
All sessions will be at 2pm.
|
Class |
Date |
Time |
|
Primary 4 |
Monday August 31st |
2pm |
|
Primary 5 |
Tuesday 1st September |
2pm |
|
Primary 3 |
Wednesday 2nd September |
2pm |
|
Primary 2 |
Thursday 3rd September |
2pm |
|
Primary 6 |
Monday 7th September |
2pm |
|
Primary 7 |
Tuesday 8th September |
2pm |
|
Primary 1 |
Wednesday 9th September |
2pm |
Wider Achievement Assembly
A reminder that our Wider Achievement assembly takes place this Friday, 28th August. Please send any photographs/information of your child’s achievements ouwith school to our school email address please:
eamountcarmel.ps@eastayrshire.org.uk
Welcome Back
Welcome Back Newsletter
Please see our Welcome Back Newsletter.
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School Crossing Patrol
As you will no doubt have noticed, the crossings on Meiklewood road have been upgraded to Zebra crossings. Due to this there will be no patroller at our school crossing.
Administration of Medication 2026/27
If you require medication to be Administered to your young person during the school day you MUST completed a new Administration of Medication Form and hand in the required medication to the school office.
Thankyou
Wednesday 19th August
We are looking forward to welcoming all of our young people back to school tomorrow (Wednesday 19th August)
Gentle reminder that the school days starts at 9am prompt until 3pm
New Primary 1 Pupils should attend at the times given to parents/carers before the summer holidays. New primary 1 children should access the infant playground after 9am.
Primary 6 & Primary 7 should line up in the front playground
Primary 4 & Primary 5 should line up in the middle playground
School Lunches will begin on Week 3
Thanks
School Lunch menus 2026/27
Please see below link for School Lunch menus for Session 2026/27
Pupils will return to school following the menu for Week 3
Goodbye Primary 7
Yesterday we had a lovely day celebrating our leavers , even if it was the hottest day of the year!
We started with a special Leavers’ Mass led by Bishop Frank, followed by a fun and emotional leavers’ assembly full of memories and smiles (and some tears!)
I will really miss them all – it’s been such a pleasure to be their teacher, and in the words of their song, “when you finally fly away, I’ll be hoping that I served you well.” 💫
Love Mrs Terras
School Uniform
A reminder about our school uniform – shirt, tie or a polo shirt, blue crew or v neck jumper (not hoodies even those that are sold in the school wear shop as they are not part of our school uniform.) Leavers hoodies will be available to P7 during the school year.
P7 Leavers Assembly
This is a friendly reminder that our P7 Leavers Assembly will be take place TOMORROW (Thursday 25th June) at 2pm. We would love to see our all our P7 families and carers join us for this memorable occasion.
And don’t forget to bring some tissues, there might not be a dry eye in the house!
Music instruction
A gentle reminder that all woodwind tuition letters should be completed and returned by the 30th June.
Thank you
Lunch Order 26/6/2026
Friday 26th June will be a limited menu of Soup and Sandwiches, Cypad will be updated accordingly to enable you to select your childs lunch
Early School Closure
A reminder that the school closes at 1pm next Friday (26th June) for our Summer break.
Children who travel by taxi will be collected at 12.25pm
