Click on the links below to view our class blogs. This is where we share our learning, successes and experiences in our classes.
These make excellent conversation starters to have with your children about what they have been learning in school.
P1 First Day Photos
If any new P1 parents/carers wish an emailed copy of your child’s photograph from their first day at school.
Please email me at the address below with your child’s name and I will send a photo over.
claire.johnstone@eastayrshire.org.uk
Thank you
Mrs Johnstone.
P1-3 Reporting to Parents through Learning Journals
Last session, our infant department piloted online Learning Journals. The feedback from parents/carers on the use of Learning Journals during this trial period was extremely positive.
‘I have really enjoyed using learning journals. Very often when I ask * what he has been doing at school he doesn’t tell me much. However being able to see what he is doing improves this. I am able to ask * about the teachers entry and he engages in discussion with me about what he learned and how much he enjoyed it. * enjoys getting feedback on what we post from home. I’m sure it has given his teacher an insight in to what * is like at home.’
‘I really enjoyed being part of this, with all the current restrictions stopping us from having any face to face contact with teachers this allows us to see some of the things that * has been doing in class. Also allows us at home to feed back to the teacher. Definitely a great thing from my side.’
Due to the success of the pilot, we will now be rolling out Learning Journals to all pupils in our infant classes.
What are Learning Journals?
The Learning Journals app allows staff to upload photos and videos of your child’s learning. The system is clear, simple and easy to use for parents, staff and children.
A huge benefit of Learning Journals is that it provides a lasting visual record of a child’s time at school. The profiles can be exported to a printable PDF to be kept forever, as well as having an electronic copy that can be viewed whenever you want.
Learning Journals is a web based service, therefore parents are now able to login and catch up with their child’s progress wherever they are be it home, work or even out and about, by using their smartphones.
Parents can instantly leave comments and feedback ensuring that the school have a strong link with the home.
Please see the image below to view the app you must download from your play/app store.
Getting started:
In order to be sent a username, password and pin allowing you to log in to view your child’s account, all P1-3 parents/carers (excluding those from the trial who have already been set up) must complete the contact form below.
Once added to the system, Learning Journals will then send you the link to get logged in.
For further information, please visit the Learning Journals website by clicking the link below.
Kind regards,
Mrs McNulty
Cumnock Chronicle – P1 Photos
Now that schools are back, the Cumnock Chronicle are looking for parents/carers to send in pictures of your little ones heading into school for their first day, to be featured in the newspaper to mark this special occasion.
Please forward your photos to Fionnuala Boyle at fionnuala.boyle@newsquest.co.uk.
PE Days
Please see below the PE days for each class. On these days, pupils may come to schools wearing a PE kit (Trainers/ flat shoes, trackie bottoms/ leggings).
P1A: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
P1B: Mondays and Tuesdays
P2:Wednesday and Thursday
P2/3: Thursday and Friday
P3: Monday and Friday
P4: Monday and Wednesday
P5: Thursday and Friday
P6: Wednesday and Thursday
P7: Tuesday and Wednesday
Returning to School
COVID-19 guidance was changed recently. Here is some information to help you and your children on return to school.
First Day Back!
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        Â
Blouse/shirt                                   white
Sweatshirt/Jumper                           red, black or grey       Â
Polo shirt                                      white or red
Tie                                              red and white       Â
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)Â 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)
Robert Burns World Federation Youth Concert 23/7/21
As you will all know, our Burns Heritage is a huge part of our school life. Unfortunately the Robert Burns World Federation were unable to host their annual Schools Competitions this year.
However, in their absence they have collated performers to showcase a Youth Concert, featuring our very own Lucy W from P7 who will be reciting poetry and representing Ayrshire in doing so!
The concert will feature pupils from across Scotland and we are so proud of Lucy being invited to perform too! The concert will be streamed on Zoom tomorrow evening (Friday 23rd July) at 7.30pm. The meeting link and join code has been sent out to families on the school app. If you are unable to access this and would like to receive the code, please email Mrs McNulty at danielle.mcnulty@eastayrshire.org.uk.
New Cumnock Primary Prize Giving 2021
Today we are delighted to share our Prize Giving ceremony with you all. It is not how we envisaged our ceremony to be, as we love it when we all gather in the church at this time of year to celebrate your successes. Nevertheless, we have worked together to mark this momentous day in our school calendar and we hope you enjoy it! So sit down, get a cup of tea and enjoy our Prize Giving ceremony from the comfort of your own home.
We will begin with Mrs McMurdo’s Head Teacher Speech.
No Prize Giving is complete without a few words (or a tune) from our beloved Minister, Rev. Cuthbert.
Thank you to all our certificate winners for posing for your photo either at school or at home. We are delighted to share these with you now.
Now onto our Hunter award winners. Each year, one child from each class is awarded this prestigious award. Listen carefully as each teacher shares their reasons for choosing their award winner this year. We want to extend a huge thank you to The Hunter Foundation for their continued support of our school and our annual Prize Giving.
And now onto our wonderful P7s. This is certainly not the way we wanted your school years with us to end. We are extremely proud of you all and cannot wait till we can have you all back to celebrate your time with us. We wish you all the very best of luck in your future.
Some final words for our P7 Leavers. A huge thank you to Mrs McTurk for sharing this poem with us last year, it is wonderful and so fitting for this occasion! Click on the link below if you wish to download a copy to keep.
Unfortunately we have had to make some changes to our original staffing plan for next session. We appreciate that this is short notice and apologise for this.
It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce that NCPS will be losing Mr John McClure this year. Mr McClure has secured a permanent contract at Drongan Primary School, where he will take up his post in August.
A huge virtual hug goes out to you Mr McClure! We have loved having you as part of Team New Cumnock. We wish you all the best of luck for the future and hope our paths cross again one day.
Next session we are sure you will join us in welcoming Mrs Kirsty Mair. Mrs Mair is a probationer teacher and will now be taking the P6 class in August.
Some fun facts about Mrs Mair…
- She lives in an old police station.
- Over the summer she is doing a charity team cycle to see how far she can cycle a tandem in 24hrs. (Wish her luck… as she thinks she’ll need it!)
- She can touch her nose with her tongue.
- If she had a super power she would like to be able to fly!
- She loves science, rugby and visiting new places.
Another new addition to our staff is Mrs Donna Agnew. Mrs Agnew was with us for a short spell last year and we are delighted to be welcoming her back in August where she will teach the P5 class.
Some fun facts about Mrs Agnew…
- She loves making learning fun.
- She has been a teacher for 30 years – and loves it as much today as she did at the start of her teaching journey.
- She loves Florida – she has been 7 times and is booked for next year (hopefully!)
- She adores animals – her pets have included a snake, tarantulas, cats, aviary birds, marine and pond fish and most recently honey bees!
- She loves technology – especially robotics.
Mrs Ramsay and Miss Mason are excited to be undertaking a Pupil Support role next session.
Next session Mr Hastings will begin his new role as Deputy Head Teacher at New Cumnock Primary and Mrs Clarke will take on the role of Temporary Principal Teacher when we return in August. We wish them both all the very best in these posts.
And this marks the end of our Virtual Prize Giving ceremony. Thank you for tuning in. We hope you all have a lovely, relaxing summer holiday and we look forward to seeing you all again in August.
Stay safe everyone.
Team New Cumnock x
P7 Leavers Newspaper Pull-Out
The Cumnock Chronicle are running a pull-out of P7 leavers and they are looking for East Ayrshire schools south of Kilmarnock to submit individual pictures of pupils who are finishing up for inclusion in the paper.
They are looking for individual photos of pupils to be sent across to ayrshireschools@newsquest.co.uk along with the pupils name and school they are leaving.
