The whole school will be visiting Ochiltree Cattle Show on Wednesday 22nd April and for the first time giving out special class certificates for the pupils chosen best in show. This is thanks to Mr Sloan and the committee who worked with the school to develop our pupils knowledge of stock and build their understanding of the rural economy. This is a highlight of our school year and we are very much looking forward to being part of the show again.
Pupils should come to school dressed for the weather and have on appropriate footwear to walk down to the show ground.
We look forward to another very successful show.
The school is aware that there will be a Woody’s ice cream van at the show. Given that this falls outside of school catering it would be up to parents to decide if they want their child to purchase an ice cream, and pupils would be responsible for their own monies. We are aware that there are limited hand washing facilities at the show and have no clarity on allergens. All medications required will go along with pupils as usual.
If you intend to send your child with money for an ice-cream on Wednesday please could you complete and return the permission slip being sent home in school bags today. If no permission slip is received, pupils will not be permitted to purchase any items from the ice cream van.
Tempest photography are coming into the school Tuesday 24th March 2026 to take individual and family photographs.
As part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations, a whole school group photograph will be taken. This will be released for purchase in June (the month of our anniversary) for parents to purchase if they wish.
We have already asked that all parents complete the Microsoft Form giving consent for photographs to be taken, but with the addition of the whole school group photograph, can you please resubmit this form as below by Monday 23rd March to ensure all information can be passed to the photographers first thing on Tuesday morning?
All pupils will be taking part in Workshops being run by Archaeology Scotland on the following dates:
Wednesday 18th,
Thursday 19th,
Friday 20th and,
Monday 23rd March 2026.
The ‘Local Visits’ consent form completed by all parents / carers at the beginning of this academic year will be used for these activities, so no additional consent form is required.
Please ensure that your child has suitable waterproof clothing and footwear for these activities.
It is intended that pupils dig test pits on Thursday 19th March; old clothing is advised as pupils are likely to get muddy / dirty.
Please complete the attached photographic, film and audio consent form from Archaeology Scotland and return it to the school office as soon as possible, as workshops begin on Wednesday. Thank you to everyone who has returned these already.
This year, our pupils have already taken part in a competition to see who’s art work will be selected to be published as the front cover of the show day schedule. We await the announcement of the winning design.
Our pupils will also be visiting the show on the day, weather permitting, to see some animal judging and to view their craft handiwork on display in the bowling club. Further details will follow.
The Ochiltree Cattle Show Baking and Handicrafts Committee would like to invite parents and children to have a go and enter their creations to the show. Further details on the section catagories and how to enter are on the form attached.
We will be celebrating World Book Day 2026 on Thursday 5th March.
Pupils may come to school dressed as their favourite book character if they wish, or bring an accessory. We encourage pupils, where possible, to get creative – there is no need to buy a new costume for this occasion. Children can also bring their favourite book to school to share.
Costume Swap – If your child has any costumes they have outgrown and wish to donate, they can do so prior to World Book Day.
Breakfast Book Day – On the morning of Thursday 5th March, pupils are invited to a special breakfast book club. Toast and juice will be served from 8:30am with stories being shared.
Due to the success of the Home Economics Taster Session held in The Robert Burns Academy in October, the department will be running another event on Tuesday 10th March where P7 pupils will get the chance to cook alongside one of their parents/carers.
Please find an information flyer below with all the details included.
There are two sessions available and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis – due to Health & Safety restrictions there are only 30 places available at each session.
Parents/carers can sign up by e-mailing the school mailbox, eaRobertBurns.Ac@eastayrshire.org.uk, and office staff will reply issuing a ticket which must be brought along on the day (screenshot of ticket is fine if unable to print) to gain access to the event.
We have noted that some of our pupils are taking whole grapes into the school as a play-time snack or for lunch.
Following on from our advice regarding Halloween sweets and the choking hazard that small spherical food items can pose, we would encourage parents to half or quarter grapes sent into school.
Given that pupils could be running around over break time whole grapes can be incredibly dangerous.
Lovely to see our pupils return after the festive break and we welcome Maxine Gorman to the school today as Depute Head Teacher.
With new diaries and new calendars being started for 2026, we thought a reminder of the planned activities, as we know them thus far, would be useful.
Please find the letter we initially sent to you early November 2025 attached for your reference.
Activities, as they become known, will be added to the online calendars (app and blog) throughout the coming months, but please feel free to contact the school office should you have any queries.
Children who attain the age of 5 years between 1 March 2026 and 28 February 2027 and whose parents/carers wish them to attend school should be registered for education during the week Monday 12 January 2026 until Friday 16 January 2026.
Just a wee reminder of our school diary for the remainder of this final festive week of term:
Tuesday 16th December
P1-4 Christmas Party – after lunch. Children can come to school dressed in their party wear or can change into their party clothes after lunch (pupils can be assisted by staff if required). Lunches will be at the usual times.
P5-7 – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – movie showing. PG film, if parents do not wish their child to see this film, please contact the school office.
Wednesday 17th December
Whole school outing to the Galleon Centre to see ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Panto– leaving school at 9:00am prompt. Buses should be back to school by no later than 1pm, but in case of delay, Soup and Sandwich lunch available to all pupils (Please amend order on ParentPay to reflect the change should a school lunch be required). A small individual snack (no nut products and no share bags please) and drink (no fizzy or canned juice) is permitted.
Thursday 18th December
P5-7 Christmas Party – after lunch. Children can come to school dressed in their party wear or can change into their party clothes after lunch. Lunches will be at the usual times.
Friday 19th December
School closes at 2:30pm – bus pupils will be collected at 2pm. Pupils will return on Monday 5th January 2026 at 8:50am.
Please feel free to contact the school should you have any queries.
In the past few weeks, at our Achievement Assemblies, we have celebrated the successes of some of our pupils, and we have awarded the following categories of certificates:
