Good Afternoon Everyone!
I wanted to touch base with you all prior to starting back at school next Thursday 19th August. I hope you all have had a fantastic holiday, spending time with your loved ones. The summer holidays have gone in so fast!
Our Head of Education sent out letters via our school app on Friday 6th August, outlining the updated national guidance. I hope you feel reassured by these. All staff are ware of the new guidance and will be further briefed on the in-service days, reinforcing what this means in practice for New Cumnock Primary School.
Playground Supervision
The school day begins at 9am and there will be supervision in the playground from 8.45am. Please ensure your child/children are not arriving before this time.
Please see the table below to identify which gate your child should enter in the morning. Siblings must enter via their own class entrance/exit point. I would advise parents at the end of the day to pick up the youngest sibling first and ask the other child/children to wait inside the school gates until you walk to their gate to collect them.
Primary 1 Arrangements
On both Thursday 19th and Friday 20th August, all new P1’s will attend school from 9.30am to 12pm. From Monday 23rd August all pupils will be in school from 9am to 3pm.
As outlined above, P1’s should come in via the Community Entrance at the front of the school building. Staff will be waiting there on the first day to support the children and direct parents/carers where needed.
We appreciate that it is a big moment for both pupils and parents and we want to make the transition into school as special/easy as possible for everyone. Therefore, there will be an opportunity for our new starts to get their pictures taken at our ‘First Day at School’ photobooth should they wish to access this. Staff will organise this ensuring COVID procedures are in place.
School Uniform
We have always prided ourselves on how smart our children look in their school uniforms and hope you will support us with this. Our uniform consists of:
Skirt, pinafore, trousers (leggings on PE days only)
black or grey
Blouse/shirt white
Sweatshirt/Jumper red, black or grey
Polo shirt white or red
Tie red and white
Sweatshirts, polo shirts, fleeces and rain jackets can be purchased anytime from Donsport and Kenny’s within 0290 in Cumnock. Local supermarkets also tend to sell some of the items listed above.
Within our school reception area we have a Uniform Recycling Station where we stock a wide range of good quality uniform that has been washed and packaged. Please contact the school office on 01290 338404 or our Home Link Practitioner on tracey.bradford@eastayrshire.org.uk should you wish to access this.
Physical Education
PE can now take place in school. However, children should come to school dressed in jogging bottoms/leggings on PE days only, along with school polo shirts. School shoes can still be worn and children can change into trainers once in school.
PE will not take place during the first two days. Class teachers will notify parents when their class PE sessions are to give parents time to get kit organised.
Personal Belongings
Can I ask that all personal belongings have names on them. This makes it easier to identify lost items. Keeping in line with COVID guidance, toys etc, should not be brought into school. If a child requires a transition object from home, this should be kept in their school bag and not be passed amongst their peers.
Children are encouraged to bring in a a bottle of water to school which can be kept in schoolbags and accessed if needed. Pupils will need a small snack for interval.
A reminder that children in P1-P4 receive free school meals, as well as those entitled to a free meal in P5-P7. Remember to top up your Parentpay account if you pay for your child’s meal. If they would prefer, your child may bring a packed lunch instead. Please do not send your child to school with any nuts, as we have children with nut allergies.
Throughout the session, the main forms of communication will be via the school app and on our GLOW website, please check regularly.
COVID Safety Reminders
Staff will remind the children on return to school about the actions they can take to keep themselves safe. It would be great if parents and carers could also reinforce the main messages below prior to our children returning.
Thank you for your ongoing support and I look forward to another successful year working in partnership with you!
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the school office (01290 338404) on the 17th and 18th August when staff will be in school during our two in-service days, should you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Mrs Joanna McMurdo
(Head Teacher)
