Friday 26th November 2021
As we bring Autumn to a close, we look forward to beginning our advent journey. We have felt the winter weather this week with the cold frost earlier in the week and the wind forecast for this weekend.
We lit the first of our advent candles at the end of our virtual assembly this week.
We also held our first Pupil Leadership Team meeting. Our members were full of great ideas and suggestions for making our school even better. The first tasks they have carried out are the launch of our Christmas Card competition and deciding themes for upcoming ‘Big Talk’ homework. We are looking forward to hearing of the family discussions about topics that our learners have chosen.
Catholic Education Week (CEW)
This will be celebrated in our parishes this weekend. We will be represented at masses in Auchinleck, Muirkirk and Cumnock. We are delighted that pupils and staff will carry out ministries during the mass by reading and singing.
Fr Phillip continued with his weekly visits. This week he visited P5/6. The discussions centred around November, CEW and the original St. Patrick’s Primary School at the Birniknowe. Our learners found this fascinating and we look forward to incorporating this into our social studies curriculum.
Covid – 19
We appreciate that the winter months bring increased coughs and colds. It is so important that we continue to follow all guidance related to Covid-19 to keep our school and community safe.
Any child displaying symptoms must remain at home and take a PCR test, not a LFT. PCR tests must be requested through the government website and can be taken at home, a drive through centre or a walk in centre.
All members of the household must self isolate until a result is known. If the result is negative then the child and any siblings can return to school providing they are well enough to do so.
If the result is positive then all members of the household should request a PCR test and continue to self isolate until the result is known. Any child with a negative result can return to school. Any member of staff can return to school provided they are double vaccinated and have a negative PCR too.
All negative PCR results should be emailed to:
eastpatricks.ps@eastayrshire.org.uk
We are grateful for the continued support from all parents and carers at this time. Face coverings should be worn in the playground at drop off and pick up and adults should maintain a 2m distance from other households.
Attendance and Late Coming
Please ensure that you notify the school before 9.15am of any pupil absence. We are required to maintain accurate records of attendance. Attendance rates are monitored and letters are sent out where attendance falls below 90% in a 6 week period. We want to support families to ensure attendance is maximised. Please get in touch if you feel you would benefit from discussing supports. We have access to a range of support services, including health services, if you have concerns about your child’s health and the impact on attendance please get in touch.
A number of pupils continue to arrive well after 9am in the morning. The morning routines are vital in providing a predictable and emotionally safe space for children. This is when morning check ins take place and when the class teacher talks about the timetable for the day. We monitor the instances of late coming. We know that many things can happen in the morning in family homes, please ensure you contact the school office if your child is going to be late.
School Lunches
We would encourage you to discuss the lunch options with your child and decide together on the choices made. Our catering staff have been very accommodating in providing a 2nd and sometimes 3rd meal for children. It is not always going to be possible to do this. We want children to find the school dining experience enjoyable and ask for your cooperation in this.
Golden Book
Well done to our learners who were nominated into the Golden Book this week:
Nicholas, Alissa, Max, Cayden, Luke, Codi, Cleo, Ben, Reilley, Allyssa, Tristan, Kenny, Haidarali, Callie, Sana, Sofia, Maisie McC, Tallula and Jessica
Bronze certificates were awarded to:
Oran, Kai, Tallula, Alissa, Nicholas and Haidarali
Wider Achievements – well done to those who shared their achievements from outwith school :
Finlay, Oran & Archie, Enzo, Myia, Aanya-Lillie, Tallula, Kara, Ava and Rosa
Round up of Learning
P4/5 completed their block of physical fitness in PE and started their Christmas artwork. We had the privilege of seeing a few examples of the art. It looks amazing – we will share photographs of this work when it is displayed in our school hall.
All classes were involved in poetry writing as part of the ‘Plant Science’ learning. These poems have been passed on to ACDI and Meg will be working with P1 -P3 again for planting. A parent survey has been launched and we would invite you to take part in this for ACDI.
P6/7 began delivering individual presentations to their class this week. They have really enjoyed learning from each other and have presented with enthusiasm and confidence. Well done P6/7!
P3 shared their learning all week through our twitter takeover. We loved seeing what they were involved in each day. Thank you P3. Next week P5/6 will be in the twitter hot seat.
Have a great weekend from all the staff.
