Parent Council Meeting/AGM
Ochiltree Primary School Parent Council Meeting/AGM
Wednesday 4th September 2024
MaidSafe Foundation STEM Hub
**All welcome**
School Update
Childsmile Toothbrushing Programme
Letter dated 26.8.2024
School Lunch – ParentPay
Please note that ParentPay is now open to enable you to book your child’s school lunch. Please ensure lunches are booked by 8.00 p.m. the day before. If you have any issue booking your child’s lunch, please contact the school office.
Thank you.
Important Forms for Completion
Please click on the forms below and complete as soon as possible.
Acceptable Use of Computer Equipment 2024/25
Thank you for your cooperation.
Appointment of Head Teacher for Ochiltree Primary School
Please see the original letter attached announcing the appointment from Linda McAulay-Griffiths, Chief Education Officer –
The following if copied from that letter:
Dear Parent/Carer,
I wish to provide an update to you on the leadership of Ochiltree Primary School. I am very grateful to Mrs Pamela Lockie who has led the school since Mrs Black’s departure earlier this year, and I am sure you will join me in thanking her for all of her hard work.
I can now advise that, following discussions with the Chair of the Parent Council, Mrs Denise MacColl has been appointed as the Head Teacher of Ochiltree Primary School. Mrs MacColl is an experienced Head Teacher and will be ably supported by Mrs Lockie as Depute Head Teacher.
I hope that you and your families enjoy the rest of the term and have a very restful and enjoyable summer break.
Yours sincerely,
LINDA McAULAY-GRIFFITHS
Chief Education Officer and Head of Education
School Lunches
Please note that there is a change to the menu for Monday 17th June.
The Super Tattie’s Tasty Tray will now come with an egg sandwich and not the chicken mayo baguette as noted on the ParentPay app.
Please also note that menus may be subject to change at short notice as we come to the end of the academic year.
Thank you
Sports Taster Sessions
All pupils will take part in activity sessions this week. Please ensure that your child has their PE kit with them every day this week ( no football strips, please).
On Wednesday all pupils will have the chance to show their Fast Feet in football with coaches from Kilmarnock Football Club.
On Thursday each class will have a taster session of Karate.
Children will be focusing on health and will also take part in Daily Mile activities, in between the rain showers. Please ensure your child has a waterproof jacket with them.
Weather permitting, and if our pitch has dried out enough, our Sports afternoon will take place on Friday afternoon at 1.30 p.m in the school. Please look out for updates on whether this event will go ahead on the 31st May.
WHATSAPP AND SOCIAL MEDIA – Advice for parents and carers
Mobile phones are a great way for children and young people to keep in contact with their parents, carers and friends, especially as they begin a new school year. However, issues may arise if our children and young people excitedly share their mobile phone number with other pupils in their new school year group and even wider, as they perhaps join ‘WhatsApp’ group chats or other social media group chats.
This can lead to your child or young person sharing their mobile phone number with a whole year group and being included in what could amount to over one hundred school pupils on single group chat! The reality of this is that they don’t all know each other, they will all be from different backgrounds, they will all have different levels of online awareness and they will most likely be seeing messages, images and even video footage shared in the group which you, as a parent or carer, would not like them to see but which is out with your control. This situation can be difficult to manage and could be distressing in relation to what is read or seen. Coupled to this, peer pressure could lead to bullying.
WhatsApp is by far the most used messaging App although there are many other similar messaging Apps, and it allows users to send instant messages only to contacts that they have added to their WhatsApp account. Only people who have a WhatsApp account can send and receive messages through the app. Messages can be sent ‘one to one’ or within a ‘group conversation’ and for all messages sent, WhatsApp sends “read receipts” to tell sender if the message was delivered, read, seen or played. These settings can be changed, see the ‘how to guide for parents’ link below for more information. In relation to a group chat on any social media platform, even those as a parent or carer you are involved with, you have no control what will be sent, seen or shared so it is worthwhile having a conversation with your child or young person about this.
We know peer pressure can lead to people of any age doing something they otherwise would not do, online or offline, so this awareness during your child or young persons’ early years is very important.
Our colleagues at Internet Matters have created information resources below to inform you of how the social media platform “ WhatsApp” operates and how you can you can put measures in place to protect what your child or young person sees on the app and awareness on the apps security settings.
Please see the links below for more valuable advice:
https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/whatsapp-safety-a-how-to-guide-for-parents/
https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/monitoring-apps-parents-guide/
https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/social-media-advice-hub/
East Ayrshire Summer Schools – William McIlvanney Campus, Kilmarnock, 22-26 July 2024
Please see the attached information regarding this year’s East Ayrshire Dance Summer School (P4-P7 & S1-S6).
Each day will begin at 10.00 a.m. and finish at 3.00 p.m. On the Friday afternoon there will be a joint performance at 1.30pm in the Assembly Hall to showcase to family and friends what has been achieved during the week.
The course will be based at William McIlvanney Campus and participants should bring a packed lunch each day. No previous experience or specialist clothing is necessary; enthusiasm and comfortable clothing are adequate.
There are limited places available on this course with the participants divided into groups according to age, experience and friendship-groups where possible.
This year’s course is being co-ordinated by Zara Smith, Cultural Co-ordinator, Dance and Movement and all sessions will be taken by highly qualified and experienced artists. To ensure maximum benefit for everyone, it is anticipated that the usual high standards of behaviour expected in our schools will be displayed.
The Summer School is subsidised by East Ayrshire Council, however, there will be a non-refundable administration charge of £30 per child (£25 for siblings) for the entire week. Once we receive your form an invoice will be sent out via Parentpay by the end of June secure your child’s place. Pupil’s entitled to FSM will be free.
Please note, each applicant must be able to make their own transport arrangements. If you would like to apply for a place on this course for your child, please complete the online form:
https://forms.office.com/e/XTxcJjKgjh
by Friday 14th June 2024.
Confirmation emails will be sent out the end of June.
Kind Regards,
Zara Smith
Cultural Co-ordinator, Dance & Movement
Creative Minds Team
East Ayrshire Council
P5 Sports Day
Could Primary 5 pupils please bring in a hat, scarf and pair of gloves for our novelty race.
Items should be brought to school in a labelled bag by Wednesday 29th May, for sports day Friday 31st May.
Many thanks,
Mrs Meek and Mr McMillan
Public Holiday Reminder
This is a reminder that Monday 27th May is a Public Holiday and Tuesday 28th May is an In-service day.
Pupils will return to school on Wednesday 29th May at 8:50am.
Enjoy a lovely long weekend
Super Hero Themed Lunch – Thursday 30th May 2024
Please note that there is a change to the usual Week 2 school lunch menu for Thursday 30th May.
For one day only….It’s Super Hero Day…..
- Batman Burger (beefburger), or
- Power Ranger Panini (cheese/vegan cheese panini)
both served with Wonder Woman Wedges (potato wedges) and Superman Salad.
Captain America Cupcake for dessert.
If your child would like a lunch from this menu on the 30th, please place, or amend your order on Parent Pay in the usual manner.
Thank you
School Trip to Culzean – Monday 3rd June 2024 – Packed Lunches
The whole school will be going on a visit to Culzean Castle and Country Park on Monday 3rd June 2024.
We would like to thank the Parent Council for funding the transport and workshop cost from their successful grant application to 9CC. There will be no cost to pupils.
Children will be enjoying the following workshops:
- P1 – Sense Walk
- P2-4 – Power of Our Planet (outdoor learning), and
- P5-7 – Castle Learning, Life in the Past.
As the pupils will be out of school all day a packed lunch will be required.
Should you wish to order an East Ayrshire provided school lunch, please place your order via ParentPay by no later than Wednesday 29th May, as the kitchens require at least 48 hours of notice prior to a trip.
Please do not place an order on ParentPay if your child is bringing a packed lunch along from home.
With the typical Scottish weather being so variable, it would be advisable to bring along a waterproof jacket and suitable sturdy waterproof footwear, as well as sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses. Who knows what surprises the weather may bring, but here’s hoping it behaves and gives us a fine day.
Junior Chess Tour – Event 7 – Thursday 6th June 2024
Venue – Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn, Irvine KA11 4HL
Start time – 6.30pm – 8.45pm
This is the seventh in a series of junior events to be held this season, continuing on from the success of previous season’s Junior Chess Tour.
Multiple entries from schools as well as individual entries are very welcome.
This is an ideal event for beginners or inexperienced players. Players should know how to play chess and NOT be playing in the Ayrshire Chess Leagues. Each player will play approximately 4 games against other players . Winners will receive medals. This is meant to be a fun event as an introduction to more formal chess events.
There will be no entry fee, but names of entrants must be submitted by 5pm on 4th June 2024. Late entries will not be accepted. Entries by email to ayrshirechess@gmail.com. Postal entry to Mr S Taylor, Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn, Irvine KA11 4HL. As well as names of players ACA also require school/class/year of players.
Please note that the rooms used for playing and analysis have restrictions that only players or organisers are allowed in these rooms. A waiting room is provided for parents and teachers and non playing juniors.
The Exchange Counselling Service
Please find information regarding the Exchange Counselling Service. More details can be found at the following links:
The Exchange – Psychological Wellbeing Guide for Parents
The Exchange – Psychological Wellbeing Guide for Primary Children
These documents are also available to view on the this blog. Click on the menu, ‘School Information and Documents’, then click on ‘Health and Wellbeing’.
Run, Jump and Throw Olympics After-School Club
This after-school club is being run by Vibrant Communities for Primary 1, 2 and 3 pupils, in the school, between 3pm and 4pm, on the following three Thursdays:
- 23rd May,
- 30th May, and
- 3th June.
Parents of P1, P2 and P3 pupils have already received a letter regarding this after-school club.
P6/7 Play Leader Volunteers
P6 and P7 pupils have been asked in class today if they would like to volunteer to be a Play Leader for these sessions. Letters and consent forms will be issued on Monday to those pupils expressing an interest in taking part.
Participating children and volunteer Play Leaders should bring their PE kits with them on the above dates.
August 2024 P1 Induction Visit
We would like to invite registered children due to start at Ochiltree Primary in August to visit the school on Friday 24th May 2024 from 1.45pm to 2.45pm.
The children will have the opportunity to meet their teacher and parents will be able to hear about the school.
We look forward to meeting you.