The-Exchange is now providing counselling and emotional and psychological support in your child’s school.  This service is available to children aged 10 and over and provides a private space where children and young people can talk about things which are troubling them.  Talking things over with a professional can help children to find better ways to cope with difficulties.  If your child’s teacher or a key adult within the school feels that counselling may be beneficial to them, they will always contact you before making a referral to The-Exchange.  For children under the age of 12, parental consent is required in order for the child to attend the counselling or psychological support sessions.  When supporting children under the age of 12, The Exchange involve parents at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the process with an aim to improve the overall resilience and psychological wellbeing of the family.

If you would like further information, please contact Mrs J McMurdo (Head Teacher) on 01290 338404.

This weeks right of the fortnight is Article 29:

Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment.

Here is a short video from Emma in P6-7 discussing the key points from this Article and what it means to us! Also, Mary and Megan in P6-7 have also been so kind to create a super informative poster!

Today sees the launch of the Scottish Child Payment – a new benefit from Social Security Scotland that is aimed at tackling child poverty in Scotland.

The new payment will see the equivalent of £10 per week being paid for every child under the age of 6 living in a low income household and receiving a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or one of the legacy benefits (Child tax or working tax credits; income support, income based JSA or income related ESA). The new benefit will be rolled out to every child under 16 by the end of 2022 with payments being made on a 4 weekly basis.

Applications were accepted from November but despite this and a high profile campaign by Social Security Scotland, take up has been disappointing with less than 45% of eligible applications having been made. It is anticipated that there are still around 100,000 children in Scotland who are eligible for this payment but no claim has yet been made. That means a family with two qualifying children could be losing out on more than £1000 per year.

The payments are made 4 weekly and applications couldn’t be simpler. You can apply online at https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment/how-to-apply/ or by telephone on 0800 182 222.

(If you need any help applying please contact me on 01290 338404 or 07934162412 – Tracey Bradford)

Please see below a link to the recording of the National Parent Forum of Scotland and Public Health Scotland Webinar on Returning to schools – Early Learning and Childcare to Primary 3, which may be helpful for parents and carers who were unable to attend on the night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iz4PEOXBLs

We continue to be overwhelmed by the kindness of our Parent  Council and wider parent body.  Today we received a delivery from our Parent Council.  They have kindly bought every child in the school a new pencil case with stationery included.  P1-3 will receive theirs next week when they return to school.  Arrangements have still to be made for the distribution of the gifts to P4-7 .  We will be in touch!

We also received a special delivery from a group of parents for NCPS staff to say ‘Thank you!’ for their efforts during this period of lockdown.  All staff were ‘touched’ by this kind gesture and really appreciated the thought.

PRIMARY 1-3

We are really looking forward to welcoming our P1-3 children back to school on Monday morning!  Routines regarding entering and exiting the building, play times and lunch times are as they were prior to Christmas.

Please drop your child off between 8.50am and 9am.  They will then be supervised by staff in the playground. Primary 1 and Primary 1/2 children, please use the pedestrian gate nearest to the Main Entrance.  This is to prevent congestion with the upper primary pupils accessing the ‘in-school provision’.  Parents and carers are not permitted to be in the school grounds due to the current pandemic.   Can I also remind you that Parents/Carers need to wear a mask and  stay 2m apart in order to avoid transmission of the virus when dropping their child/children off for school?

We would appreciate it if parents/carers could also have a conversation with their children prior to returning, regarding precautions against COVID.  The posters below may help you to structure this conversation.

PRIMARY 4-7

Primary 4-7 will continue to access Remote Learning from home.   Please encourage your child to complete their work every day and to send it to their teacher via Teams or email.

KEYWORKER/VULNERABLE CHILDREN-IN SCHOOL PROVISION

Those children from P4-7 who are accessing in school provision (this must have been discussed previously and agreed with a member of the management team) will access the gym hall via the Breakfast Club door.  Please use the pedestrian gate nearer the car park entrance.

We know this is a very challenging time for everyone just now and appreciate that everyone is doing the best they can in a very difficult situation.  Remember, if we can support you in any way possible please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  A member of our management team will be in school every day should you wish to speak with someone.  Take care everyone and stay safe!

Mrs McMurdo (Head Teacher)

Physical Education

LO. I am learning to celebrate Sport and Physical Activity. 

When you click on the link below, it will take you to a video with today’s PE lesson which will focus on celebrating sport and physical activity. Take part in the activities and remember to share examples of your learning to Mr Hastings; gary.hastings@eastayrshire.org.uk or share on your Teams Page.

PE- Celebrating Sport and Physical Activity

Go to this Sway