Category Archives: Parental Engagement
Best Start Grant
The deadline for families to apply for the Best Start Grant School Age Payment is 28 February 2023.
This one-off £267.65 payment is currently open to eligible families with a child born between 1 March 2017 and 28 February 2018. It can be used for anything from a warm coat to books and toys.
Parents and carers who have deferred their child’s entry to school from August 2022 to August 2023, or those home educating, must still apply before the closing date or they will miss their opportunity to access the School Age Payment.
The payment is part of the Best Start Grant, which offers financial support to families who receive certain benefits and tax credits at three key transition points in a child’s early years. Parents and carers who are under 18 do not need to receive any other benefits to be eligible. This is also true for those who are 18 or 19 and dependent on someone else, e.g. someone receives child benefit for them.
Social Security Scotland recognises that applying for benefits can be difficult. To make things easier, they can now automatically make School Age Payments to families who get Scottish Child Payment when their child is the right age.
There are some people who don’t qualify for Scottish Child Payment that could be eligible for the School Age Payment, including those who get housing benefit.
There may be others who choose not to apply for Scottish Child Payment who can still apply for School Age Payment. Some parents and carers have opted out of automatic payments. All of these people are being urged to check if they are eligible for School Age Payment and to apply if they are.
For more information and to apply go to www.mygov.scot/beststart or call Social Security Scotland on their Freephone number 0800 182 2222.
Primary School Counselling Newsletter
Please click on the link below to access the January Primary School Counselling Newsletter – https://sway.office.com/UEHb7r35CnGE3mg7?ref=Link
Breakfast Club
We are delighted to have had such a positive response to our first week of running Breakfast Club!
Please remember only to send your child if you have registered them for your selected days and once you have received communication from the school to confirm they have been allocated a space.
We have now reached full capacity for each day, but if you would like your child to attend Breakfast Club, please contact the school or email Mrs McNulty on danielle.mcnulty@eastayrshire.org.uk and we will do what we can to make this happen.
The Exchange – Information for parents/carers
Christmas support for our families – A HUGE thank you!
We are so grateful to our local agencies who have provided support to our families last year. From Christmas pyjamas to food vouchers, we are so lucky to have such wonderful supports available to us!
A huge thank you to the following agencies for their kindness:
New Cumnock Development Trust
Night Before Christmas Campaign
Hillhouse
Francine Robertson who applied to Cash for Kids on behalf of our families.
Christmas Fair Success!
Thank you so much to everyone who came along to support our Christmas Fair! It was great to see the school so busy and have such a buzz about the place!
We are delighted to share that the Fair raised an incredible amount of: £1444.08!!! Thank you so much everyone!!!
Our Secret Square competition went towards raising funds for our P7 residential trip next year, and the winner number was…
Well done Laura Rinaldi!
RespectMe Parent Survey
How can we help you this Christmas?
We are dedicated to supporting our families and are aware that family circumstances can change, particularly in the current financial climate.
We want to know, if we can help you this Christmas?
- Do you need support with vouchers for food/gas/electric?
- Do you need financial support?
- Do you need support to get food over the festive period?
- Do you need help to get clothes and gifts for your children?
If your answer is YES to any of the above, please get in touch!
We want to help!
Please fill in the contact form below and we will be in touch with you…
Please note, the information gathered is strictly confidential.
Don’t forget we also have our Winter Jacket Project in school. If you have any winter coats your children have outgrown, we are gladly taking donations. Or if you are in need of a warm coat for your child this winter, please contact the school and let us know which size and we will source one for you.