Christmas Market
Saturday 29th November 2025
House Points and Rewards
House Points and Rewards
This session, as part of our focus on school values, we have been gaining points for our houses.
We have decided to reward the winning house, each term, with a fun experience.
This term, with support from Into Film, we have received free cinema tickets and the winning house will be going to the Kilmarnock Odeon to see The Sloth Lane.
The points will be reset each term to give all the houses a chance to experience an extra curricular activity.
We will, however, gather the totals over the year to award the house cup at our summer celebration.
We hope, in this way, to further promote our values, alongside our new award system, based on the four curricular capacities:
Thank you
CHRISTMAS LUNCH MENU – Wednesday 10th December 2025
 
**UPDATE – Orders are to be made through ParentPay by Wednesday 26th November **
This will allow the catering team time to make sure all pupils are catered for. Thank you
Please note that there is a change to usual lunch menu on Wednesday 10th December as school Christmas Lunch will be served.
Bookings can be made as usual through ParentPay. If you have already placed an order for this day, please go in and select from the Christmas menu.
Please see the choices for the day:
P1/2 Gardening – Wednesday 19th November 2025
P1/2 Gardening – Wednesday 19th November 2025
Our P1/2 pupils will be doing a spot of gardening on Wednesday 19th November. They will go into our school garden and do some planting and tidying up of the garden area.
P1/2 pupils are requested to bring a bag with some old clothes that they can wear for the activity. Warm and waterproof jackets (and trouser too if you have some), and sturdy waterproof footwear is recommended as the grass and ground are likely to be very wet.
Thank you
Achievement Assembly – Friday 14th November 2025
Achievement Assembly – Friday 14th November 2025
After celebrating our in-house achievements
many pupils shared their wider achievements
with the school; please see the Sway.
Well done everyone, we are so proud of you all.
 |
| Achievement Assembly 14/11/25 |
| After celebrating our in house achievements we had many pupils share their wider achievements with the school. We loved hearing about what our young people have been up to. We have a super … |
Book Week Scotland
Book Week Scotland
This week we are celebrating Book Week Scotland.
Pupils will take part in a range of activities organised by the reading leadership group.
Children are welcome to bring in a ‘Scottish story’ from home to share with their class if they wish to do so.
Primary 1-3 pupils will receive a Book Bug at some point during the week; look out for those coming home.
Thank you
Children in Need 2025 – Thank You
Massive Thank You to everyone who donated to our Children in Need fundraiser today. A wonderful £114.77 was raised!! Thank you to the Parent Council for organising the collection and making the payment on the school’s behalf. Please see the certificate below celebrating such a generous donation.
The Pupil Council have been busy organising activities for Children in Need.
It was lovely to see a variety of different outfits and accessories on display today. The Pupil Council awarded the following awards for the fantastic spotty and Pudsey themed outfits:
- Pudsey Choice Award – Winner – Ella
- Most Spotacular Costume – Winner – Ruby
The Pupil Council also organised a ‘Design Your Own Pudsey’ competition. And the Winners were…..
- P1-4 – Winner – Innes
- P1-4 – Runner Up – Mia
- P5-7 – Winner – Jacob
- P5-7 – Runner Up – Dan
A fun-filled and very generous Children In Need.
Thank you
PANTO – Payment
PANTO – Payment
Can you believe it’s less than 5 weeks until we go to the Galleon to see this year’s panto Sleeping Beauty already?
Should you wish your child to attend, tickets can be purchased by ParentPay.
If your child is not going to attend, please let us know at your earliest convenience by telephoning the school office on 01290 700351 or by email to eaOchiltree.PS@eastayrshire.org.uk.
Thank you
Lost Property – Can you help?
Lost Property – Can you help?
One of our pupils’ jacket has gone astray.
Could parents / carers please check if a black, Nike puffa jacket, aged 5-6, with the name of the owner written on the inside pocket, has accidentally gone home with their child?
Please contact us and send the jacket into school if it is found.
Many thanks for your assistance.
Parent Council – Next Meeting
Parent Council – Next Meeting
The next meeting of the parent council is taking place
Wednesday 26th November 2025
7pm
MaidSafe Foundation STEM Centre
All welcome to attend.
Please drop an email to OchiltreeParentCouncil20@gmail.com should you wish to come along.
Thank you
Remembrance Day Memorial Ceremony
Remembrance Day Memorial Ceremony
It was an honour to be part of the remembrance ceremony at Ochiltree yesterday.
Many thanks to our house captains; Charlotte, Duncan and Lily, who represented the school by laying the wreath.
Special mention to our own veteran, Mr Butler, who joined us in his RAF Veterans uniform.
Dates for Your Diary
Dates for Your Diary
Please check your child’s school bag for a letter issued today outlining forthcoming dates for your diary for the remainder of this term and for the terms in the New Year.
You can also find the letter attached.
Thank you
Children in Need – Friday 14th November
Children in Need – Friday 14th November
Pupils are invited to either wear spots / Pudsey-themed clothing or accessories, or wear something yellow for Children in Need day.
Pupils can make a cash donation, collected by the Parent Council, on the day should they wish.
Thank you
Jobs / Volunteering in Ochiltree
P3/4 Inter Disciplinary LearningÂ
We are learning about jobs in our local community.
We were wondering if there are any parents, carers or relatives who work in Ochiltree that would like to come along and talk to our class.
We are also interested to hear from those who volunteer in the community or have jobs that allow them to work from home.
If you are able to help us in our learning, then please contact the school office who will put you in touch with Mrs Meek.
Thank you,
Mrs Meek
Celebrating Wider Achievement
Whole School Achievement Assembly
We look forward to hosting our first achievement assembly on Friday 14th November.
If your child has celebrated any achievements out-with school e.g. earned a swimming badge, learned to ride their bike, gained badges at a hobby etc., then they are able to bring in such items to share at this special assembly.
We look forward to celebrating the success of our pupils!
FLU IMMUNISATION OF SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA
Please see the attached letter and details below from the NHS regarding
FLU IMMUNISATION OF SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA
Our pupils are scheduled to be vaccinated on Wednesday 26th November, should any action be required, please contact the NHS at least three days prior to this date.
Thank you
Letter for Parents of Asthmatic Children School 2025
Child Health Department
Tel: 01294 323466
September 2025
Dear Parent/Carer
FLU IMMUNISATION OF SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA
| PLEASE IGNORE THIS LETTER IF YOUR CHILD DOES NOT HAVE ASTHMA OR
IF YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN CONSENT FOR YOUR CHILD TO BE VACCINATED |
Thank you for completing and returning the form consenting for your child to receive flu vaccination at school in the near future. This letter is for parents who have consented to their child’s vaccination and indicated on the form that their child has asthma. You should have provided information about any medication (such as steroid tablets) your child may take for their asthma.
If you are a parent/carer of a child with asthma and have consented to their vaccination we are writing to request that you contact us prior to their vaccination if there is any change to your child’s asthma as this may affect whether your child can have the nasal flu vaccine or the vaccine by injection.
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The changes you should tell us about are:
- A change in the type of inhaler, an increase in the strength or number of puffs your child takes each day within three days of school session
- If your child is now taking or has been prescribed steroid or other tablets since completing the consent form
- If your child’s asthma has become worse in any way in the three days before your child’s vaccination is due
Please contact 01294 323466 to tell us about any changes before the immunisation team visit your child’s school.
If your child has asthma and is unable to be vaccinated on the day of the school vaccination session your child will be able to receive the vaccine  if we are back in school for an absentee day or at a NHS clinic.. If you consented to their vaccination you will be sent a letter home with your child advising you what will happen next.
More information on flu and the vaccine is available in the leaflet previously provided and online at www.nhsinform.scot/childflu or call the NHS inform helpline Freephone at 0800 22 44 88.
Yours faithfully
p.p Susan Wilson, Health Board Immunisation Co-ordinator
NHS Ayrshire & Arran
P5, 6 & 7 – School Lunch Bookings
P5, 6 & 7 – School Lunch Bookings
If your child is attending church lunches on a Thursday, can you please make sure that any previously booked school lunches are cancelled via ParentPay.
This is to make sure that we are not providing meals unnecessarily and to reduce any food wastage.
Thank you
Bonfires and Fireworks
Please see the following information which has been received from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland regarding bonfires and fireworks:
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As we approach the bonfire and firework season, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland are working together to ensure the safety of our communities. In previous years, we have seen incidents of firework-related anti-social behaviour (ASB), and we are asking for your support in helping to prevent this.
Please take a moment to review the following guidance:
- Supervision: Children and young people should not handle, purchase, or set off fireworks.
- Behaviour: Do not allow your children to participate in or accompany others involved in ASB or disorder.
- Reporting: Please report any ASB or disorder you witness or hear about.
- Waste Disposal: Dispose of household and garden waste appropriately in the lead-up to bonfire weekend.
- Bonfire Materials: Report any large items (e.g. furniture, pallets) that could be used to build unauthorised bonfires to your local council for removal.
- Fireworks Sales: Report any unauthorised fireworks sellers to Police Scotland or Crimestoppers.
- Community Safety: Encourage young people to report fireworks misuse or deliberate fire raising anonymously via Fearless.org.
 Fearless.org is a youth-focused platform run by Crimestoppers that empowers young people across Scotland to report crime anonymously and safely, helping to prevent antisocial behaviour and promote community safety.
Fireworks Legislation – Key Points:
- It is illegal for anyone under 18 to possess adult fireworks in a public place.
- It is an offence to supply adult fireworks to persons under 18.
- It is an offence to supply any fireworks to persons under 16.
- Throwing fireworks in public places, including roads, is strictly prohibited.
(Adult fireworks exclude caps, cracker snaps, indoor fireworks, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents, and throw downs.)
Our shared goal is to ensure that residents feel safe and protected during this period.
Any behaviour that endangers people or property will not be tolerated.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.
Kind regards,
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Police Scotland
POLICE SCOTLAND – 101
CRIMESTOPPERS – 0800 555 111
IN AN EMERGENCY – CALL 999
fearless.org
P6/7 Rugby Training
P6/7 RUGBY SESSIONS
Dear Parents / Carers,
Representatives from Cumnock Rugby Football Club will be coming into school during school time (11:00am – 11:45am) on the following Thursday dates to deliver rugby training:
- 6/11/2025,
- 13/11/2025,
- 20/11/2025, and
- 27/11/2025.
These sessions will be held on the pitch at the back of the school, unless the weather is particularly inclement.
A change of clothes, change of footwear and a towel is requested for these sessions as pupils are likely to get dirty during training.
Thank you.
Halloween – Choking Hazard
!!! Halloween – Choking Hazard !!!
Dear Parent/Carers,
With Halloween coming up when sweet treats and bags of goodies will be eaten, we would like to highlight the risk of choking, particularly with small, spherical, gummy textured sweets.
We would encourage all parents to avoid sending in chocolate or jelly eyeballs, lollies or any other small round confectionaries for snack.
Given that pupils could be running around over break time these sweets can be incredibly dangerous.
Let’s help keep our pupils safe and avoid bringing this type of sweet to school.
Please remember we are also a NUT FREE school – this includes chocolate hazelnut spreads and fillings.
Thank you
