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Primary 4 – Term 2 Curricular update.

Welcome back, I hope that you have had a restful October break. It is good to be back with Primary 4 as we start a busy second term.

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 Article 38 for Remembrance Day and the right to protect children from war as well as articles 4, 41 and 45 in celebration of World Children’s Day and Human Rights Day.

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 and will talk about implied messages from clues in the text as we answer literal and inferential questions.

During writing, we will explore narrative writing, looking at the structure of this genre, and will then write our own pieces of narrative 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 continue to participate in daily Number Talk activities, to assist in developing a range of strategies for solving mathematical problems.

We will continue to solve a range of subtraction problems, as we link this to our place value and addition knowledge.

We will also explore information handling, looking at a variety of ways in which data is presented as well as the methods for collecting, sorting, reading and organising various types of data.

 

Health and Wellbeing

As we continue our PATHS programme for P4, we will be reflecting on various emotions such as calm, surprised and angry. We will think about what these emotions might look and feel like, and we will participate in some problem solving activities relating to these emotions.

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 Wednesday and Friday. This term we will be covering;

  • hockey
  • gymnastics

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

This term we will continue with our comparison of the climate zones of the rainforest areas and the Arctic. We have really enjoyed this in term 1, exploring the location of the areas and looking at the environments in each area.  We will continue to consider how these environments affect living things in each area. We will also look at environmental issues in these regions, including the melting of icebergs and deforestation.

 

Expressive Arts 

We will look at texture, shape, form and pattern as we create some pieces of artwork relating to polar and rainforest regions. We will also use of creative skills as we move towards the Christmas season, as we design and create some interesting Christmas crafts.

 

Religious Education

We will be exploring the lives of the saints and reflecting on how they listened to God’s word and responded to it. As the term progresses, we will consider the Holy season of Advent, as we prepare for the coming of the Jesus at Christmas.

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 2 with Primary 4!

Mrs. MacKinnon.

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Term 2 Curricular Update – Term 2

Primary 7 Term 2 Curricular Update

P7 have settled brilliantly into their role as ‘top of the school’. They have embraced the responsibility of being positive role models, setting an excellent example for the younger classes through their behaviour, effort and enthusiasm. The House Captains have been doing an excellent job in their roles and our younger pupils respond well to them. We are very proud of the start they’ve made to their final year. As we move into Term 2 it’s hard to believe this will be their last Christmas at Mount Carmel; one last round of carols, Christmas jumpers and festive cheer!

Below is an overview of the exciting learning and teaching taking place this term.

Literacy

Reading

P7 will start Term 2 with a focus on exploring poetry. Most pupils will learn how to identify and discuss a range of poetic devices such as rhyme, rhythmic patterns, assonance and figurative language. Most pupils will use these skills to analyse and compare two poems that share a similar theme, considering how each poet expresses ideas and emotions through language and structure.

Moving into December P7 will focus on playscripts: how they are written and performed. They will learn about the key features of a script including stage direction, dialogue, and character cues. Pupils will read and act out short scripts to develop their understanding of dramatic structure, expression and performance.

Writing

Writing this term will be closely linked with our Reading focus. Most P7 will start Term 2 by focussing on critical essay writing; learning how to write a critical essay based on the poem they have been studying. Pupils will be guided in planning, structuring, and writing paragraphs that include evidence and explanation to support their points. Critical essay writing is a skill they will need as they move to S1, this writing block will help them build confidence in forming opinions about texts, using comparative language and linking their ideas and opinions back to the texts.

Moving into December, P7 will plan and write (in groups) their own short Christmas play, focussing on clear dialogue, character development, and creative storytelling. This writing unit will build confidence in writing for performance and support teamwork, communication and expression.

P7 will also have opportunities to write across the curriculum.

Spelling and Grammar

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 complex Grammar rules this term:  nouns (abstract and irregular), complex pronouns and extend knowledge and use of adverbs.

Numeracy

Mrs Terras continues to focus on Number Processes. All groups will begin Term 2 with a focus on whole number place value and rounding. Our place value focus will end with learning about negative numbers in application. Most groups will learn about decimal place value. Using their decimal place value knowledge, P7 will learn to add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals of varying decimal places. Some groups will make links between decimals and money and measurement.

Mrs Canning will focus on Data Handling on a Monday.

Primary 7 are encouraged to revise their multiplication tables as these permeate all areas of Numeracy.

Health and Wellbeing

Our PE days have been changes to a Wednesday and Friday due to works in our school kitchen. Pupils are required to have a FULL change on these days. P7 will start Term 2 with a block of gymnastics lessons with the focus on leaps and jumps, rolls and balances. P7 will also have full responsibility for safely setting up apparatus and putting it away. As December approaches, P7 will be swapping pencils for pas de basques as we take to the floor for Scottish dancing. Pupils will be brushing up on their Strip the Willow and Gay Gordons steps! I know they can’t wait!

Through a H&WB mini IDL focus P7 will discuss Substance Misuse of Drugs and Smoking/Vaping. Focus will be on how the media can influence young people’s attitudes and choices. They will explore how advertising, social media, and popular culture can use persuasive techniques to promote certain behaviours. The aim is to help pupils make informed and responsible decisions.

French

Towards Christmas P7 will complete a four-week block comparing a French and Scottish Christmas. We will research similarities and differences. We will learn new vocabulary, use French dictionaries, and increase confidence with writing and reading French.

Science/Technologies

P7 will be investigating Space and Forces. They will be researching features of our solar system and identify the planets. P7 will recognise that the Sun is a star and the largest object in our Solar System. They will identify that objects on Earth fall to the ground due to gravity. P7 will recognise that the Moon doesn’t change shape, we see it differently at different times due to its position in relation to Earth and the Sun. They will recognise that different places on Earth experience night and day at different times due to the Earth’s rotation on its axis. P7 will investigate by creating models and taking part in experiments. They will make predictions, record results, and explain findings.

 

Expressive Arts

Dance

P7 will continue to build on their knowledge of popular Scottish dances, we are hoping to join in with P6 for more ‘ceilidh’ style lessons. Pupils are encouraged to give it a go as it is part of our Scottish culture and identity.

Drama

Through Drama, P7 will bring their playscripts to life through performance. They will explore how to use voice, movement, and expression to convey character and emotion. They will need to work collaboratively to rehearse and perform their short script.

 

RME

P7 continue to work towards their Pope Francis Faith Award. This award encourages children to live out their faith at school, at home and in the Parish. Pupils will continue to develop their understanding of the liturgical calendar, exploring key events and celebrations. P7 will take part in activities and prayers linked to Advent as we prepare for Christmas.

UNCRC

As a school we are working towards our Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award. We have reflected and reviewed our Class Charter from Term 1.  P7 asked if they could include that every child has the right to nurture their gifts and talents. We agreed as a class community that listening could be better and have included the responsibility to engage and listen to everyone without interruptions.

This term pupil will be looking at Article 38 for Remembrance Day and the right to protect children from war as well as articles 4 and 41 and 45 in celebration of World Children’s Day and Human Rights Day.

Linking in with the Class Charter, Primary 7 enjoyed the Reward Card system last year and asked to use it again in P7. The reward card system allows pupils to gain reward cards for Wonderful Work, Amazing Attitude, and being a ‘Superstar.’ When the pupils gain five cards, they can choose an individual reward. They can also choose to go for a class reward once everyone reaches five reward cards; this promotes teamwork within the class.

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 focus on setting their own personal targets. 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

Primary 3 blog, Whole School News

Primary 3 Term 2 Curriculum Overview

Welcome back! Primary 3 have worked very hard during the first term, consolidating previous knowledge as well as lots of new learning. They continue to work well together, displaying the school values in all that they do. We look forward to this next exciting term together and all that it brings. Below is a curriculum overview for this term.

Literacy

Reading – This term, Primary 3 will develop their questioning skills with particular focus on who, when, where, why and how questions to enable the pupils to retell main events. Find it, Prove it, Talk about it strategies will also be developed to support understanding of texts. In addition to this, pupils will be able to recognise key features to non-fiction texts.  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 – In writing, Primary 3 will continue to work on sentence structure ensuring the use of capital letters, full stops and finger spaces as well as use connectives such as “and”, “but” and “because” to add more detail to sentences.  This terms writing genre will be narrative. Pupils will begin to use a variety of openers and powerful verbs 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 begin to learn about verbs linking this to prior knowledge about nouns and recognising speech marks within texts.

Numeracy and Mathematics

This term, addition and subtraction skills and strategies will be reviewed and revisited before building on this. Primary 3 will look at adding and subtracting 2 and 3 digit numbers using number lines, partitioning and the column method. Word problems and equations will continue to be explored as their knowledge of addition and subtraction expands. In addition, P3 will extend their understanding of money including recognition of notes and coins as well as adding to find totals and subtracting to find change. 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. Pupils will be looking at Article 38 for Remembrance Day and the right to protect children from war as well as articles 4 and 41 and 45 in celebration of World Children’s Day and Human Rights Day throughout this term.

Health and Wellbeing

Primary 3 will continue to access our whole school PATHS programme this term to develop their understanding of emotions. Alongside this, Pupils will learn about ‘Zones of Regulations’ with a particular focus on energy levels. Each child will continue to have the opportunity to be “Pupil of the Day”, receiving compliments from their peers. P3 continue to enjoy this experience. We will also continue with the Do Be Mindful programme which will allow us, through a range of different strategies, to think of the ways we can be mindful each day. Furthermore, through our Germs topic, pupils will learn about the importance of health and hygiene.

Physical Education

This term, Primary 3 will develop their football and gymnastic skills. In addition to this, Pupils will have the opportunity to develop their social dance skills as we approach Christmas.

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 Creation story, discovering the great diversity of plant and animal life created by God and how we can help care for it. We will learn about the lives of several Saints such as St Francis of Assisi and the season of Advent, where we will learn more about the Christmas story, particularly the role of King Herod and Joseph.

IDL

This term, P3 will learn about Germs and Micro-organisms as well as participate in a Christmas Enterprise project. As Primary 3 learn about germs they will gain an Understanding what germs are, how they spread and how we can stay healthy. Cross curricular links during this topic include science, health and wellbeing and literacy. Through the Christmas Enterprise project, pupils will develop their enterprise, creativity and teamwork skills. They will make a number of cross curricular links during this topic including social studies, expressive arts, literacy, technologies and numeracy.

French

This term Primary 3 will continue to develop their confidence when having conversations in French including asking and answering questions about themselves. Pupils will also focus on numbers to 30 as well as vocabulary related to the classroom.

Homework will be distributed on a Monday and should be completed and returned on a Friday each week.

Primary 3 look forward to sharing their wonderful learning with you throughout the term! Look out on the school app as well as Learning Journals where some of your child’s learning moments will be shared. If you have not yet handed in the permission slip for this please do so as soon as possible so we can share some of your child’s lovely work.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding, we are really looking forward to another fabulous and festive term in Primary 3,

Mrs Dunsmore and Mrs Hope.

Primary 1 blog

Primary 1 Term 2 Curriculum Update

Hello and welcome to our term 2 blog post.  Primary 1 pupils have been very busy learning routines and extending their learning.

UNCRC – Class Charter

The focus of children’s rights this term will be: Article 38 for Remembrance Day and the right to protect children from war, as well as Articles 4, 41 and 45 in celebration of World Children’s Day and Human Rights Day.

Literacy

Our focus in term two will be to learn the first two sets 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 use our predictive skills to think about what may happen in the books we read in class, based on information on the covers.

Our focus in writing will be using descriptive words to describe characters or objects we come across in our reading books and practising the formation of initial sounds. As we progress, we will become more independent and use our knowledge of sounds and common words to write sentences.

Numeracy

Our focus in numeracy will be to recognise, sequence and present objects for numbers 1-10. Children will build on forming their written number figures whilst subitising and identifying number patterns through hands-on activities that will increase their knowledge and confidence in using numbers. As the term progresses, we will look at early addition/subtraction through number stories and adding 1 more/2 more and 1 less/2 less.

We will look at building number knowledge of counting orally to 20 whilst identifying units of measure using hand spans, feet spans, and a counting stick/metre stick to measure length and height.

Health & Wellbeing

Our Paths Pupil of the Day will begin its second round, and our Pupil of the Day will receive lots of compliments.  We will continue exploring emotions, building friendships, and meeting our Paths animals, 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 two will be large and small ball skills and gymnastics. Children will have the opportunity to take part in some fun activities that support teamwork whilst developing their skills in using apparatus safely.

R.E

Our focus during R.E. sessions will be on prayer, their meaning, 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 Nativity story as we prepare and rehearse for the Christmas Nativity production.

IDL

We will be focusing on our Senses whilst continuing History of Me. Our senses focus will link directly with our literacy and numeracy focus for term two, 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 continue in term two. 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. 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 second term and that the pupils will enjoy preparing for our Christmas production.

Take care,

Mrs Travers and Mrs Strachan

Whole School News

Book Week Celebration 2025

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On Tuesday 18th November children in Primary 1 will receive their Bookbug Family Bag and children in Primary 2 and Primary 3 will receive their Read Write Count bags.

We will have a special afternoon of activities on the day.  Children in P1-3 can bring pajama’s to change into after lunch, they are also welcome to bring a cuddly toy, small blanket or pillow.  The teachers have planned a lovely afternoon for the boys and girls we hope they have a lovley time.

Whole School News

Poppy Scotland

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It’s Poppy donation time again. Our P7 pupils will be going round the classes as of tomorrow with poppies. If your child would like a poppy please send a small donation in with them to pop in our collection tin.

Thank you for your support.  

Whole School News

Tempest Photographs

Tempest Photographs have been handed out today and will be in your child’s bag.  To take advantage of free delivery back to the school please order online by scanning the QR code on your chosen photo or by using the unique reference number at www.tempest-orders.co.uk before Friday 7th November.  Any orders placed after this time will include postage charges.

Thanks 

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Eco Crew Update!!

Well done to our Climate Conference champions, Eddie and Gabo in P7,  who represented our school on October 2nd at the EAC Climate Conference 2025 in Loudon Academy.

Our MC Eco reps met local council representatives from different departmental sectors of EAC and discussed, how as a council collective, we can get our carbon footprint to net zero and work together to be more sustainable as a school.   Lots of ideas were shared by all parties and both Eco Leaders gave quality feedback to our Eco Committee back in school to help inform our school ‘Action Plan’ moving forward.

They even had time to pick up our Clean Green Bronze Highly Commended Award and meet our  EAC Power down mascot ‘Windy! Thank you also to former P7 pupils Teodor and Vivienne for their input towards this last year.

Well done boys we are very proud! Great job!

Thanks again to our fabulous parents who have been joining in  by supporting our Voyage to Venus. You have been logging S-Miles using the link below or QR Code to log your journey to school/work too if you walk or use public transport to get there.

Parent S-Mile Link

Message from EAC V2V Command…

We have earned a bonus 60 miles for our school!

 

 

Whole School News

November Dress Down Days

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We will be having a series of Dress Down days throughout November, we are kindly asking pupils to donate various items on these days to help towards our school Christmas fayre on Friday 28th November items and days are listed below:

Friday 7th November – Bottle Stall Donation 

Friday 14th November – Tombola/Raffle Stall Donation – Wear something spotty for Children in Need

Friday 21st November – Sweets/chocolate  Donation

Friday 28th November – Homebaking/ Cake Stall Donation

Thank you 

October | 2015 | St Mark's Primary School, Hamilton

 

Whole School News

FOMC Halloween Raffle

 

If you want to be in with a chance of winning this fabulous Halloween hamper from FOMC, please head to Parentpay, where you can pay £1 for a  ticket towards the FOMC Halloween Raffle.

This is a separate raffle to the school’s October raffle!

Whole School News

P7 Barnardo’s Youth Group

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Barnardo’s East Ayrshire Families Youth Service would like to inform young people and their parents/carers of a Youth Group that is available to young people in Primary 7 from the local area. This group is completely FREE to attend and runs term-time every Monday from 4pm-6pm in Onthank Community Centre.

If your P7 child/children would like to attend please ask the office for an application form. 

Thanks

 

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P4 First Holy Communion Meeting

A reminder that Fr Jim  has organised a meeting tomorrow                       ( Wednesday 22nd October) at 7pm in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, for parents of those Primary 4 children who will be making their First Holy Communion in June 2026.

During the meeting, as well as registering your child for the sacrament, Fr Jim will issue details of the important dates relating to the preparation programme for First Communion.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you.

 

 

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After school Christmas Choir Rehearsals

After school Christmas choir rehearsals will start on Tuesday 4th November from 3-4pm. 

Further after school rehearsals (3pm – 4pm) will be on:

Tuesday 11th November, Tuesday 18th November, Tuesday 25th November 

Thank you,

Mrs Terras

 

Whole School News

School Car Park

School Parking Lot Clipart

Our school car park is as always out of bounds for parents/carers vehicles . We also have an increase in commercial traffic e.g vans lorries etc  going in and out of the car park daily due to our kitchen renovations having started this week making it particularly hazardous.

Whole School News

MCPS – Nurture Policy

At Mount Carmel we have been reviewing and updating our Nurture Policy.  Please take some time to read over this and complete the short form for any feedback you may wish to give.  This survey closes on Friday 7th November.

Mount Carmel Nurture Policy

Nurture Policy Feedback Form

Whole School News

Head lice

We have had reports of  unwanted “visitors”  to some children within the school,  we kindly ask that parents/carers routinely check their child/children’s hair for any of these  unwanted “visitors” and take appropriate action if required Thank you for your co-operation.  

Whole School News

Meet The Teacher Sessions-September

During September we were delighted to see so many of our parents and carers come along to our ‘Meet the teacher’ session, thank you for taking the time to come to school and get some information about the year ahead. Please let us know what you thought of these sessions and anything else we could add in the future.

Welcome to our School – Meet the Teacher

Whole School News

FOMC Halloween Hamper

If you want to be in with a chance of winning this fabulous Halloween hamper from FOMC, please head to Parentpay, where you can pay £1 for a  ticket towards the FOMC Halloween Raffle.

This is a separate raffle to the school’s October raffle!

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Mount Carmel Missio Champions

A huge well done to our Friends of Jesus Community Group, who were commissioned as our Missio Champions at a beautiful Mass on Friday.

The children from the group, participated in Mass and received their badges and a special blessing from Fr Jim who encouraged us all to think about our mission to share God’s love with others.

The Friends of Jesus group are looking forward to highlighting the work of Missio Scotland throughout the year, as we share our faith and encourage the whole school community to love God and others.

 

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Mission Control Update

   ‘Voyage to Venus’ is underway !  

Our Active travel commanders are pleased to share that we have started recording S-Miles in most of our classes and we are delighted to report we have even had a few parents/carers logging their active travel journey to work too out with the school using the link below and the QR code on the school front door.  Well done for getting involved as we earn extra S-Miles!

It literally takes a minute to click the link or scan the QR on door, add your name and your child/children’s school! That’s it! So, If you take public transport and then walk to work e.g. in Glasgow or locally in town, then this counts too!

Voyage to Venus – Parent Active Travel Link

Do you know that in East Ayrshire 50% of our fuel emissions are from drivers travelling less than a mile in our area, to drop kids off at school or to nip to the shops?

Eco Committee Suggestions – 

Could we reduce this by taking turns and car sharing with people who live in our street?

A ‘walking bus’ where parents who live nearby collect another nearby family en route.

This would make it safer for us around the school area and lessen congestion,  Meiklewood Road can get unsafe with lots of cars parked all over, as we try to navigate and cross on our way to school.

Have a think? How can you help keep us safer and healthier?

Now, Let’s get those cosmic crystals through logging as many S-Miles on  part 1 of our Voyage to Venus… 🚀🪐

Thank you for supporting us,

P4-6 Mission Control on behalf of the Eco Committee

 

Whole School News

Winning House Prize

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We are delighted to announce that the winning House for this term is Water.

The children who are in the winning house will enjoy a trip to Jungle Madness on Wednesday 8th October whilst there they will be given  crisps, cookies & juice if you do not wish your child to have these for allergy purposes please contact the school office.

Well done Water House we hope you have a great time at Jungle Madness 

Whole School News

Dress Down Day

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There will be a Dress Down Day on Friday 10th October. We are asking kindly for a £1 donation via ParentPay . Pupils who pay give a donation will automatically get a free entry into our October Raffle. This item is now live on Parentpay and will be open for payments until Wednesday 22nd October.

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