Don’t forget to purchase you raffle tickets via Parentpay to win a fabulous prize!  Tickets are only £1 per strip. The chance to purchase tickets will close tomorrow (23rd May) and the raffle draw will take place on Thursday 25th May.

A reminder that all permission forms/lunch forms should now be in for our Blair Drummond trip. If you have still to hand your child’s form in please do so by the end of this week at the very latest, otherwise there may not be a seat available on the bus.

Dear Parent/Carer,

I would like to welcome you to our St Joseph’s Academy community, I hope your young person has enjoyed the transition events so far and they are looking forward to the transition days which will take place on 22^nd May, 6^th June, 7^th June, 15^th June and 23^rd June 2023.  Pupils have received their timetables alongside other important documents which are required to be returned to St Joseph’s Academy.  Documents which require to be returned will be collected on the22^nd May during the first full induction day.

In preparation for your child starting at St Joseph’s Academy in August I would encourage you to familiarise yourself with our school handbook: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/public/stjosephsacademy/uploads/sites/2043/2023/05/16200807/Handbook-May-2023.pdf Within this document you will find information on key members of staff involved in your child’s education as well as our uniform policy, lunch portal and our assessment and reporting policy.

If you are eligible for Free School Meals, I would urge you to apply for this prior to starting at St Joseph’s. Please also note that if you are eligible for Free School Meals, you then gain access to the school clothing grant. However, you would need to complete a separate application form, I have attached both below:

https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/Benefits/Benefits-EducationAndSchool/Clothing-grants-and-free-school-meals/Apply-online.aspx 

Check out our crazy hair styles for crazy hair day.

We hope you enjoyed our crazy hair styles.

Remember this week:  

Friday – walk with crazy hair/special hair accessory.

Remember this week:  

Thursday – walk wearing something bright to be seen.
Friday – walk with crazy hair/special hair accessory.

We are pleased to inform you that our proposed changes to morning break and lunch times have now been approved by Education.

This means that as of Wednesday 31st May our morning break and lunch times will now be as follows:

Morning break: 10.40am- 10.55am

Lunch break: 12.35pm – 1.20pm

Thanks to everyone who took the time to complete our online survey in relation to this.

Remember this week:  

Wednesday – walk wearing sunglasses.
Thursday – walk wearing something bright to be seen.
Friday – walk with crazy hair/special hair accessory.

Many cast members of our summer show, Wizard Of Oz ,have been practicing  their scenes and working together to put together a fabulous show!

Our terrific tech team has been busy sorting out the lights and discussing lighting affects for our show.

The advertising team have been creating some fantastic posters and front covers to be put around  the school to help advertise our show!

Our art and design group have made a start on some fantastic props and have been using tinkercad!

Everybody has been working very hard and we are very excited to see our show come together!

By Cole and Emily W

P7

The show is underway  and the props are being made.  To create the props we are using tinkercad and 3D printing!

Take a look at the progress so far:

This is the good witch’s wand being made in the 3D printer!

Bye Emily W, Cole, Rohan and kinga

If you have not already done so, please return your child’s permission slip asap for our whole school trip to Blair Drummond Safari Park. If we don’t have this in we cannot guarantee a seat on the bus.

Our Sports day will take place this year on Thursday 8th June!

The format will be the same as last year where we will provide parents/carers with a 50 minute time slot to attend to see their child’s class races.

Further information re class races etc. will be posted in due course.

Do you have your tickets for our school show yet?

If not, please return your request slip asap as tickets are selling fast!

All of our children will be taking part in the show in some form. The  closing date for getting your tickets is now Friday 26th May. Those who have made a request for additional tickets via our ballot will be informed in due course after this date.

Don’t forget to purchase you raffle tickets via Parentpay to win a fabulous prize!  Tickets are only £1 per strip. The chance to purchase tickets will close on Tuesday 23rd May and the raffle draw will take place on Thursday 25th May.

Has your child recently celebrated a special event outside of school? If so, please send a photograph into the school so that we can celebrate those achievements at our Wider Achievement Assembly on Thursday 25th May. Please have any entries to the main school email address below by Tuesday 23rd May.

Children are also encouraged to bring their medals. shields, certificates etc into school with them on the day of the assembly.

Please send your photographs to: eamountcarmel.ps@eastayrshire.org.uk 

Primary 6 pupils should bring their bikes and helmets to school with them on Monday 22nd May as there will a bike check taking place.

Remember this week:  

Tuesday – walk singing your favourite songs.
Wednesday – walk wearing sunglasses.
Thursday – walk wearing something bright to be seen.
Friday – walk with crazy hair/special hair accessory.

Through our work with Mission to the Moon we have been learning about the many important reasons to walk to school and the difference it can make for individuals, communities and the planet!

Walk to School Week begins on Monday 15th of May and we would like to invite you to make an extra effort to walk to school if you can – remember this can include park and stride as well as coming to school on your bike or scooter.

Each day will have a different theme –

Monday – walk wearing odd socks.
Tuesday – walk singing your favourite songs.
Wednesday – walk wearing sunglasses.
Thursday – walk wearing something bright to be seen.
Friday – walk with crazy hair/special hair accessory.

Bonus S-Miles will be awarded for those who take part each day.

We hope you enjoy Walk to School Week!

Father Martin would like to invite you to a mass to celebrate 60 years of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 7pm on Friday 12th May.

Come along and join the celebration, tea & coffee will be served in the Norbert Room afterwards.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Next week, week beginning Monday 15th May, is walk to school week. We will post more information regarding this in due course.

If your child wears earrings, please make sure they do not wear them to school on their PE days.

Please also can children leave their PE kit in school during the week rather than taking it home with the chance of forgetting to bring it back in.

Thank you

Please remember the importance of bringing glasses to school with you if you need them.

Primary 6 and 7 got together recently to reveal the cast for our Wizard of Oz show.  Many people were feeling nervous but they were delighted to get their parts.

We also began reading through the  script while the other pupils discussed important activities for the show such as tech, advertising and art and design.

Summer is nearly here and we’re into our last term.  The last term for our P7’s.  Where has the time gone?!  Here is a brief overview of our learning this term.

Literacy

We are continuing to develop all reading skills through Bug Club guided reading texts but paying attention to summarising.  For writing, we are looking at responding to texts and will be conducting reviews of things we watch and read and giving personal opinions.

Numeracy

The emphasis of our numeracy this term is on algebra, number patterns and time.  We will continue to use Number Talk strategies to develop mental strategies using all four processes as part of our daily routine.  The class are also working on skills beyond number with Mrs MacKinnon and will be investigating measurement.

Health and Wellbeing

The PATHS focus this term is ­­­­­­­­­continuing to develop and use de-escalation techniques during conflicts as well as looking at transitions.  Pupil of the Day will also continue.

Our PE days are now on a Tuesday and Thursday.  We will be first playing cricket enhancing our throwing, catching and fielding skills.  We will also be participating in athletics activities in preparation for Sports Day.

IDL

The topic this term is politics.  We will be investigating how laws are made, the role of an MP and identifying the main political parties and some of their policies.  We will also receive a visit from MP Alan Brown for a Q and A with the class.

RE

This term we will be aiming to complete God’s Loving Plan activities.  As this subject is sensitive, please discuss these issues with your child at home.

French

Mrs MacKinnon will continue teaching French with P7.  Through a range of talking, listening, reading and writing tasks, this term the focus will be on the French culture and other French speaking countries.

Summer Show

Preparations are already underway for the upper school show.  Pupils will be participating in lots of drama, art, technology and enterprising activities to make the show a success.  Keep your eyes peeled for further updates of our show

Mr Bertoncini

As you are aware our School Improvement Plan forms the basis of our school developments.  It is essential that parents and carers are fully involved in the creation of this plan.

Please take some time to put forward your views on the progress we have made with our plan for this year and share your views on what should happen next. This survey will remain open until Friday 12th May.

Please complete the survey below:

You will also require to review a copy of our Family School Improvement Plan.

Family SIP 2022-2023

The children are encouraged to bring with them a picnic cover/blanket  to sit on when we are outside enjoying our garden party on Friday for the King’s Coronation.