All posts by Mrs Caldwell

Halloween STEM Workshops – MaidSafe Foundation

Dear Parent / Carer,

HALLOWEEN WORKSHOPS

Please see the attached poster ( Maidsafe Halloween Workshop) giving details of Halloween workshops being held:

Thursday 16th and Friday 17th October 2025

Both days have sessions at 10:30am – 12:00 noon, and 1:00pm – 2:30pm.

Places are limited; please book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/halloween-stem-workshops-tickets-1631208742259?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information contact Heather at 07576 791963.

These sessions are sure to be spooktacular!!

Thank you

 

STEM Club – Maidsafe Foundation

Dear Parent / Carer,

MAIDSAFE FOUNDATION – STEM CLUB

Please see the poster below advertising a bi-weekly science club being held by the MaidSafe Foundation in the STEM Centre.

Alpha Group for P4-7 age group commences Friday 5th September – places can be booked via this link

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/alpha-friday-stem-club-tickets-1631128060939?aff=oddtdtcreator

Beta Group for P1-4 age group commences Friday 12th September – places can be booked via this link

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beta-stem-club-tickets-1631166034519?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please contact Heather Robertson at 07576 791963 for further information.

Places are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment.

Thanks

CHILDSMILE TOOTHBRUSHING PROGRAMME for P1/2 Pupils

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Please see the attached letter from the Childsmile team providing details of the toothbrushing programme.

Please note that your child will be enrolled to the toothbrushing programme automatically, but if you do not wish your child to take part in the programme please write to the school within two weeks to advise.

If you require further information on the initiative, you can use the QR on the attached letter to connect to the Childsmile website, or click here https://www.childsmile.nhs.scot/.

Thank you

TB Consent letter (May 2025).doc (1)

MacMillan Coffee Morning – Change of Date

Dear Parent / Carer,

Change of Date – MacMillan Coffee Morning – Friday 3rd October

Please note that we have changed the date of the school coffee morning to Friday 3rd October; further details will be issued closer to that date.

Any shop bought biscuits, cakes, or other treat donations would be very gratefully received. No products containing nuts please.

Hope you are all able to join us then.

Thank you

Parent Council AGM

Dear Parents / Carers,

The annual general meeting of the Parent Council is being held:

  • Wednesday 3rd September 2025,
  • 7pm,
  • in Ochiltree Church Hall

For more information on the Parent council, please check out the school blog at: Parent Council

If you’re interested in attending the meeting, or would like to join, please drop Ochiltree Primary School Parent Council an email at: OchiltreeParentCouncil20@gmail.com.

Giving up a little time, could make a huge difference to our pupils future.

Thank you

Photograph Permission and Acceptable ICT Use Forms – Reminder

Dear Parents/Carers,

Can you please complete the two attached forms as a matter of urgency if you have not already done so?

Please ensure that both forms are completed.

Teachers are working on pulling together information for their class blogs and are unable to use pupil photographs until consent information has been received.

Thank you for your assistance.

Flu Immunisation Consent Forms – Return by Friday 5th September

Dear Parents and Carers,

Flu Immunisation consent forms have now been issued to all pupils; please have a look out for them in your child’s school bag.

All primary and secondary school pupils are offered the flu vaccine as a painless nasal spray.  Further information can be found by calling 0800 030 8013 or at:

www.nhsinform.scot/childflu

Please complete and return the consent form to the school, even if you do not want your child to be vaccinated, by Friday 5th September 2025.

Thank you

Bell Free School

Dear Parents and Carers,

You might have noticed things are a wee bit different here at Ochiltree Primary this session.

We have decided to remove the bells as part of our inclusive environment refresh.  By removing 30 bells a day !!! we are hoping to create a more calming relaxed environment for all our learners.

By allowing children to filter into school we can greet them with a smile rather than the tension of lining up. We can also remove the anxiety some pupils have about being late – it happens.

The timings across the school remain the same as well as the entrance and exits, but our approach is now a bit different and more learner friendly.

We hope this will ease both you and your child into school with a smile.

Appointment of Head Teacher for Ochiltree Primary School

Please see the original letter attached announcing the appointment from Linda McAulay-Griffiths, Chief Education Officer –

Parents-Carers – Ochiltree PS

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

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

Kilmarnock Dance Summer School Forms 2024

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

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.

Report on Junior Chess Tour event 6 Greenwood 2nd May 2024

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.