Our Induction Programme
For transition from ECC to P1, pupils usually come for familiarisation visits throughout the summer term to join in different activities e.g. have an outdoor play session in the playground, visit for a story time in the classroom, or visit the school gym.
How will my child’s school help to ensure that transitions go smoothly?
Primary teachers work closely with the Early Childhood Centre to ensure that information about your child’s learning and achievements are passed on. Staff will also share other information that will help the teacher support your child’s learning, for example friendship groups, preferred ways of working.
How can I help?
To help prepare your child for a good start you can:
- listen and talk to your child about this change in their lives
- involve your child in getting ready for school by helping choose the things they will need, for example their uniform, lunchbox, schoolbag
- talk to your school if you have questions or concerns
- support staff in getting to know your child, let them know about interests and health issues
- keep in touch with the school about anything that may affect your child’s learning
- find out how the school will communicate with you.
You may wish to read or download Parenting across Scotland’s top ten tips – starting primary school.
We understand that, when your child is due to start school, it will undoubtedly be a particularly worrying but exciting time for you and your child.
August 2023/2024
Our teachers for August 2023/2024
Mrs Henderson – P1H Miss Barrett – P1B Miss Whiteford – P1/2W
The First Day
After much anticipation the big day has finally arrived. Amidst the new uniforms, pencil cases, school bags and shiny shoes the most important thing for your child is that you are calm and reassuring. Children are so well prepared for coming to school nowadays that most of them are more than happy to wave goodbye with barely a backward glance – which is just what you want! If anyone is feeling a little overwhelmed the teaching staff and Classroom Assistants are there to help and it usually doesn’t take long for everyone to settle in.
On the first day, Monday 21st August, we will be having a ‘soft start’ between 9am and 9.30am. You child will come to their classroom door.
Can my child bring a snack to school?
We encourage children to bring a small snack to have during the morning interval but suggest that they bring no more than one thing to eat and one to drink e.g. cheese, fruit, breadsticks, sandwiches, crisps, water. As a health promoting school, we encourage our children to bring health snacks. We are a nut free school therefore, please ensure your children do not bring snacks containing nuts. To make it easier for everyone, please put any snack for morning interval into school bags not packed lunch boxes which are kept separately.
Lunch
All P1-5 children in Scotland are entitled to a free school lunch and your child will be able to have lunch from the first day. Some pupils may prefer to bring a packed lunch to school.
Where will I collect my child at the end of the first day?
It would be very helpful if your child can be collected by an adult from the Primary 1 classroom door. It is imperative that we know whether a child is travelling by bus, being collected by a parent or child minder or going to one of the after school providers. Please inform the school by telephone if this applies. If your child is entitled to travel on the school bus they may begin to do so as soon as you feel they are ready. Children who travel by bus or taxi are collected by staff, at the bus bell and escorted outside to the relevant transport. We understand that collection arrangements can sometimes change and if this is the case please contact the school to let us know.
Water Bottles
We encourage children to bring in a bottle of water which they can sip throughout the day. It is also helpful if water bottles have a “sports” type lid to avoid large spillages if they are accidentally knocked over.
What should my child bring in their school bag?
Children should bring a full PE kit in a drawstring bag, full pencil case, a snack and a water bottle. Your child will be issued with a homework folder which should be brought to school each day. Reading books, common words and phoneme strips should be kept in this folder.
Does my child need PE kit?
Your child will have PE in the first week of P1 and should bring gym shoes and shorts in a drawstring gym bag all of which should be clearly labelled with his or her name. This bag can be kept in school. We recommend that pupils wear a school polo shirt on gym days so that they do not need to change their top for PE. You will be told when your child’s gym days are. We will send kit home before holidays so that it can be washed and to allow you to check that gym shoes etc still fit.
What if my child is going to be absent?
Please telephone the school office on 01560 482035 before 9.00am each day your child is going to be absent. Please inform the school of the reason for absence as soon as possible. If we do not hear from you by 9.30am we will text or telephone you as we monitor attendance very carefully.
What if my child needs medicine?
Please contact the school office if your child requires medicine. A form has to be completed to allow us to administer medicines to children.
What if my child is hurt in the playground or feels unwell at school?
Young children often fall and hurt themselves in the playground. If your child is injured, they will receive first aid. Incidents are logged in the accident book which is kept in the school office and parents/carers will be contacted as soon as possible. If your child feels unwell during the school day, they should tell the class teacher and, where necessary, a first aider will be called to assist. If we do need to send your child home, we will contact you to make arrangements.
Class Communication
P1 class teachers will communicate through their P1 class Blogs. You can find this by going onto our main Blog and selecting from ‘Class Blogs’ from the menu. It is here that we will be communicating about homework, learning etc. You will find the Homework tab at the top of the page. For ease of access, we would also recommend that you save the Blog to your home screen. You will find the instructions for how to do this attached below.
Nether Robertland Primary School Blog Instructions
Whole School Communication – Our School Blog
The aim our School Blog is to provide you with whole school information and to have a place where static information can be located, which is always accessible.
As a school, we communicate in the following ways:
Twitter – To share successes and learning. Our Twitter handle is @NetherRob_ps
App – To provide instant information which includes diary dates, messages, news items and ways to communicate with the school. You will find instructions for how to download the app below.
ParentPay – We operate an online payment service called ParentPay, allowing you to pay for trips, school meals, uniforms and much more. This will be set when you child starts school.
Safer Schools App Parent Instructions
School Uniform
At Nether Robertland Primary, children are encouraged to wear a variation of the following:-
- Grey/black skirt or pinafore
- Grey/black trousers or shorts
- Plain blouse or shirt (white)
- Purple sweatshirt
- Grey/black/purple jumper
- An outdoor jacket or fleece
- School tie
If you would like to purchase your child’s new uniforms from My Clothing, please see the link below. Our school get a small amount of money back.
https://myclothing.com/collections/nether-robertland-school-primary-10503
We hope this information will help you and your child settle at Nether Robertland Primary School. Additional information may be accessed on our school handbook which you will find on the Blog or East Ayrshire Council website.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like any further information.
