
Thank you SHOPSMART!
Every pupil in the school was gifted a selection box from Bilal Ahmed of “SHOPSMART” Ochiltree. The generosity and support of this local business to our school is truly appreciated!
Festive Week – Diary
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.
Thank you

Lunches – Wednesday 17th December

As the whole school will be going to the Galleon Centre, Kilmarnock, on Wednesday 17th December to see the panto ‘Sleeping Beauty‘, a decision has been made to change the lunches being offered that day.
The performance is due to finish at 12 noon, but to plan in case the buses are delayed coming back from Kilmarnock, a later lunch of only Soup and Sandwiches will be available that day.
Apologies for the change in menu at this late stage.
Can parents / carers please amend / cancel orders via ParentPay for this date?
Thank you
Achievement Assemblies
Please see the attached Sway to see pictures of our certificate winners at our Achievement Assemblies held on the 14th and 28th of November.
Thank you
| Achievement Assemblies |
| 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: |
Lost Property
Following today’s fabulous Nativity, we found the following items in the church.
They are being held safe and sound in the school office ready to return to their owners.
Thank you

Sustainable Sparkle – Recycled Christmas Crafts
This year each class was challenged to create a Christmas craft using recycled materials.
These will be available to take home after tomorrow’s nativity for a small donation if you wish.
They will be on display in the main hall while you enjoy your teas and coffees.
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Lunch on 19.12.2025
UPDATE
Please note that lunch on Friday 19th December will be soup and sandwiches only. Please discard menu on ParentPay.
If you wish any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Thank you.
P7 – S1 Transfer
Dear Parent/Carer
As you are no doubt aware, your child is due to transfer from primary to secondary education at the beginning of the new school session (August 2026).
Secondary school hand books are available at: https://eastayrshi.re/SchoolHandbooks
You must complete the online P7 transfer application at http://eastayrshi.re/p7transfer no later than Friday 12 December 2025 to ensure your child is allocated a place within their secondary school.
Thank you
East Ayrshire Counci
Bethlehem: The Musical

The countdown is on to our 2025 Nativity; only 4 days to go!!
We are looking forward to seeing our pupils perform on Friday 12th December, 9:30am, Ochiltree Parish Church. Doors will open at 9:15am.
PLEASE NOTE: no photographs or filming is allowed during the performance at the church. There will be an opportunity for parents / carers to get a photo of their performer(s) in their costumes back at the school after the nativity.
Refreshments will be served at the school following the performance.
We look forward to seeing you all on Friday.
Thank you
P7 Transition to Secondary – TO ACTION
This is a reminder that this application needs to be completed by Friday 12th December 2025. Thank you to everyone who has already applied.
Dear Parent/Carer
As you are no doubt aware, your child is due to transfer from primary to secondary education at the beginning of the new school session (August 2026).
Secondary school hand books are available at: https://eastayrshi.re/SchoolHandbooks
You must complete the online P7 transfer application at http://eastayrshi.re/p7transfer no later than Friday 12 December 2025 to ensure your child is allocated a place within their secondary school.
Thank you
Depute Head Teacher Announcement

Dear Parents / Carers,
As you will be aware the school has been without a designated Depute Head Teacher (DHT) since Mrs Lockie’s retiral.
We have had the support of Mrs Meek and Mrs Kane in an acting capacity and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them both for their hard work taking on this role.
We are however delighted to be welcoming Ms Maxine Gorman in the role of DHT .
Maxine will be joining us after the Christmas break and I know she is as excited as we are to get to know everyone and to support our continuing improvement journey here at Ochiltree Primary School .
le durachdan
Mrs Denise MacColl
Nativity 2025 – Bethlehem: The Musical
Our pupils have been very busy rehearsing and are well on the way to being ready for their Nativity performance of Bethlehem: The Musical.
We are in the process of finalising the costumes for the nativity and your child(ren) will be provided a costume for the performance. However, our Wardrobe Department would be grateful if you could help out with clothing underneath their costumes; but only if you have them already at home.
Please do not feel that you have to go out and buy new items for the Nativity performance, especially at this late stage. We apologise for the tight deadline.
Ideally these clothing items should be sent into school in a separate, clearly labelled bag with your child(ren)s name on it by Wednesday 10th December.
ANGELS:
- white / light coloured or sparkly leggings or tights. But, plain grey or black leggings would be fine.
- Ballet pumps would be lovely, but only if the girls already own these.
ALL OTHER ROLES:
- black long-legged leggings or trousers (preferably no jogging bottoms).
- Plain crew-necked t-shirt (no collars), preferably white or neutral coloured, with no patterns and no football tops. T-shirts can be worn inside out if printed designs need to be hidden.
FOOTWEAR:
- plain black school shoes, if pupils have these, or black boots or black plimsoles or any other plain black footwear.
Please feel free to contact the school on Monday if you gave any queries.
We look forward to seeing you all at Ochiltree Parish Church on Friday 12th December at 9:30am. Doors will open at 9:15am. You are invited to stay for tea and coffee served in the school after the Nativity.
Thank you
P5-7 Harry Potter Film Showing
On Tuesday 16th December it is planned that the pupils in Primary classes 5, 6 and 7 be given the opportunity to view Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
As this film is rated PG, we would ask parents that if they do not wish their child to see the film to send a note into school to advise class teachers.
Thank you
Nativity
The countdown is on to our 2025 Nativity; only one week to go!!
We are looking forward to seeing our pupils perform on Friday 12th December, 9:30am, Ochiltree Parish Church. Refreshments will be served at the school following the performance.
Hope you’re all able to make it along.
Can all children with speaking parts in this year’s nativity please practice their script as often as possible at home. Scripts are in bags and they should be brought to school every day.
Thank you
Christmas 2025 – Early Closure and Transport Update
Parents are reminded that the school will close early at 2.30pm on Friday 19 December 2025 for the Christmas break.
School transport buses will collect pupils from the school at 2pm.
Pupils will return to school at 8:50am on Monday 5th January 2026.
Thank you
Ochiltree Parent Council

- £3 a number
- 3 x £100 CASH prize (dependant on numbers sold, top prizes may be less)
- will be drawn after School Nativity on Friday 12th December
- all payments to be transferred into Parent Council Bank account and number will be selected at random when payments have been received.
School Update
Minuteman Press orders have been checked and delivered to the school today. Orders will be sent home with your child(ren) at home time.
Permission forms to go to the Pantomime at the Galleon in Kilmarnock on 17 December have been issued today. Please complete and return to the school as soon as possible.
*If your child is not going to the Pantomime, please inform the school office.
Thank you.
Kids Club – Barony Sports Village

Today’s School Lunch
UPDATE
Please note that due to staff shortages today’s lunch will be soup/sandwiches/fruit.
Thank you.







