Dear Parent/Carer

 On behalf of all of the staff here at Our Lady of the Missions may I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very happy and successful 2014.

This first newsletter of the New Year contains information on recent events and details of forthcoming events leading up towards Easter.

 Advent Charities

We are delighted once again to be able to support very worthwhile causes as a result of the superb fund raising activities which took place during Advent. The magnificent sum of £3886 was raised and will be donated towards our chosen charities: The Southern General Hospital in memory of Enya Doohan, The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, SCIAF, The Kuya Centre and the Lassalian Project. This has been achieved through everyone’s efforts, particularly the parents’ contributions in the donation baskets during our school concerts, the Enterprise Day organised by our wonderful P7 year group and also a staff raffle. £200 was also raised from the sale of Christmas Cards on behalf of the charity Let the Children Live.

 Beauty and the Beast

M & M Theatrical Productions once again entertained the pupils this year, on this occasion with a fantastic performance of “Beauty and the Beast”. The pupils were thoroughly entertained at this final event in our Christmas season of activities. 

 Parent Council

The Parent Council of Our Lady of the Missions School continues to work on behalf of all parents and pupils and will meet here in the school at 7pm on Thursday 30th January. The Council has made very good progress in taking forward a number of initiatives so far this session including traffic management, the transition to the Robslee building, updating our school handbook and developing a communication strategy.

 Parent Staff Association

A very big thank you to the PSA for coordinating and organising yet another extremely successful Christmas Fayre and Prize Raffle. The grand total raised will be announced after the next PSA committee meeting.

The PSA recently funded the P7 Christmas Disco and school parties for P1 – P6 which were great fun and highly entertaining. In addition the PSA has made funds available for the purchase of a number of replacement multi-active projectors and for the annual round of science workshops, in addition to helping subsidise the cost of buses for school excursions.

Next Committee meeting is Tuesday 4^th February at 7.00pm.

 Lunch Vouchers

Can I request parents of pupils who use the pre-payment system for school meals ensure that sufficient funds are in place in order that children do not regularly require to be issued with a “virtual voucher” from the school office. “Virtual vouchers” should be repaid immediately by topping up your child’s account. The number of children who repeatedly appear at the school office and request help to pay for their school meals is exceptionally high and causes an increased work load on office staff.

 Attendance/Late Coming

The level of absenteeism and late coming remains within target and acceptable limits for the vast majority of pupils there are however a few “worrying” exceptions. Family holidays and out of school visits should only take place during term time in exceptional circumstances. May I take this opportunity to remind everyone that when a child is absent the school should be notified at the earliest opportunity. Office staff will continue to check all registers before 9.30am each day and text the parents of those children for whom we have no notification of absence. It is the parent’s responsibility then to contact the school. I’m sure you would agree that this shared responsibility should ensure that the whereabouts of all pupils is known and safeguarded.

 I would ask that we all work together to reduce incidences of avoidable late coming and absenteeism. Parents should ensure that pupils arrive for school by 8.55am, when the school doors open.

 Catholic Education Week

From 23rd February to 1st March 2014 Scotland’s Catholic schools and parishes will celebrate how they support children and young people to ensure that they are “Shining the Light of Faith” in their daily lives. This theme has been inspired by the first Encyclical of Pope Francis: ‘Lumen Fidei’ (The Light of Faith). A range of activities will take place both here in school and in our local parishes. The purpose of Catholic Education Week is to highlight the significance of education, not only for young people, but for society as a whole. Students, parents, teachers and others are asked to reflect on their roles in the education process, at home, in schools and in their parishes.

 Primary 7

Mr Docherty, Head Teacher of St Ninian’s High School, enjoyed a very successful visit to the school during the month of December along with some former pupils. They met with pupils at the primary seven stage who are due to transfer to secondary education in August of this year.

This is the next step in the liaison process to ensure the smooth transition of all pupils from primary to secondary school. The P7 pupils will attend a transition Ceilidh with other cluster primary schools on the afternoon of Thursday 30^th January. Pupils will also attend St Ninian’s for a series of lessons with Graphic Communication, Art & Design and Science Departments –

P7c – 13^th, 20^th, 27^th February and 6^th March.

P7a and P7b – 13^th, 20^th ,27^th and 3^rd April.

 Stage Mass – P5

Father Duggan will celebrate Mass on Thursday 30^th January here in the school at 1.45pm. The children in Primary 5 are looking forward to organising and participating in the Mass and cordially invite their parents to attend.

 Mid Term Holiday Weekend

School will close at the usual time on Thursday 6^th February. Staff will attend in service training on Friday 7^th and school will re-open on Wednesday 12^th February.

 Fair Trade Stall – Friday 28^th February

In support of Fair Trade, Dr Lyon will organise our annual one day Fair Trade sale on Friday 28^th February. Further details will be sent home and posted on the website. The children will also take part in Fair Trade assemblies and activities during the month of February.

 World Book Day – Thursday 6^th March

The school will organise a day of events to mark World Book Day. Separate information will be sent home nearer the time regarding proposed activities including author visits.

 Lost Scooters!

The janitor currently has seven scooters that have been left at the bicycle rack and remain unclaimed. If your child has ‘mislaid’ their scooter please ask them to speak to the janitor.

 Parents’ Evenings – Wednesday 19^th and Thursday 20th March

We are looking forward to welcoming you into school on Wednesday 19^th and

Thursday 20^th  March when we will be conducting the second of our round of Parents’ Evenings. These appointments will give you the opportunity to meet class teachers and to receive an update on your child’s progress. Members of the Senior Management Team and Support for Learning staff will also be on hand to answer any questions. Primary 6 and 7 pupils are encouraged to attend the meeting with their parents.

 Mass of Enrolment, Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation

Parents with a child in Primary 4, who attend Holy Name Parish, should enrol their child at any Mass on Saturday 18^th or Sunday 19^th January.

Parents with a child in Primary 4, who attend St Joseph’s Parish should enrol their child at any Mass on Saturday 1st or Sunday 2nd March.

Parents with a child in Primary 4, who attend St.Vincent’s Parish will be informed in due course.

 The Sacrament of First Reconciliation will take place in St Vincent’s on Tuesday 25^th March at 7.00pm, Holy Name on Wednesday 26^th March at 7.00pm and St Joseph’s on Thursday 27^th March at 7.00pm.

 First Communions are due to take place in St Vincent’s and St Joseph’s on the morning of Saturday 17^th May.

First Communions are due to take place in Holy Name on 24th and 31^st May and Father Burke will confirm dates for particular families in the near future.

 

This is a very special year for the children in Primary 4 who are making the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Communion. The children will be given a paper copy of all important information including dates. This can also be found within the Pupil Site in Glow in the Primary 4 section under The Sacraments. (All of the children have their own username and password and can access the site.)

 The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred on P7 pupils by Archbishop Tartaglia in St Vincent’s Church on Monday 28^th April and for St Joseph’s parishoners in St Mirin’s Cathedral Paisley on Thursday 1^st May . More information will follow nearer the time from Holy Name Parish.

 School website

This newsletter is an important way of keeping parents/carers up to date about events that are happening in the school. All newsletters are on the school website and are easily accessible:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/er/OurLadyMissions/events-activities-3/

 The newsletter can be found in both the Events and News Information Tab.

 Yours sincerely

Charles Jamieson
Head Teacher

Date	Event
Tuesday 14th January	Beauty and the Beast
	After school Italian Class P5 – P7
Wednesday 15th January	P6 Fitness Test
Thursday 16th January	After school Cookery Club P7
Saturday 18th January/Sunday 19th January	Mass of Enrolment P3 pupils – Holy Name Church
Monday 20th January	After school Netball Club
	After school Badminton Club
Tuesday 21st January	Swimming P5d & P5c
	P2b & P2c Amazonia
	After school Zumba Club P3/P4
	After school Commonwealth Club P6 4/45pm St Ninian’s
Wednesday 22nd January	P2a and P2d Amazonia
	After school P2 and P3 Multi Sports Club
	After school P2 Dance Club
Thursday 23rd January	After school P5-P7 Golf Club at MCGA 4.00-5.00
Friday 24th January	Burns Assemblies
	P7 Burns Supper
	After school Judo Club P5- P7
Tuesday 28th January	Swimming P5c & P5d
Monday 3rd February	P1 Generation Science “Day and Night”
	P2a-c Generation Science “Get Fizzy”
Tuesday 4th February	P2d Generation Science “Get Fizzy”
	P3 Generation Science “Future Earth”
	P5a-c Generation Science “Fizz Boom Bang”
	Swimming P5c & P5d
Wednesday 5th February	P4 Generation Science “ Body Builders”
	P5d Generation Science “Fizz Boom Bang”
Wednesday 12th February	P4-P5 After School Ski Club
Tuesday 18th February	Swimming P5c & P5d
Sunday 23rd February	Catholic Education Week
Monday 24th February	Ride & Stride Week (more to follow)
Tuesday 25th February	Swimming P5c & P5d
Friday 28th February	Fair Trade Stalls
Wednesday 4th March	Ash Wednesday

 

TERM	DATES OF ATTENDANCE
First	Teachers return In-Service In-Service Pupils return   Close at 3.10pm September Weekend September Weekend Re-open   Close at 3.10pm In-Service Re-open   Close at 2.30pm	Monday 11th August 2014Monday 11th August 2014Tuesday 12th August 2014 Wednesday 13th August 2014*   Thursday 25th September 2014 Friday 26th September 2014 Monday 29th September 2014 Tuesday 30th September 2014   Thursday 9th October 2014 Friday 10th October 2014 Monday 20th October 2014   Friday 19th December 2014
Second	Re-open   Close at 3.10pm In-Service Mid Term Mid Term Re-open   Close at 2.30pm	Monday 5th January 2015*   Thursday 5th February 2015 Friday 6th February 2015 Monday 9th February 2015 Tuesday 10th February 2015 Wednesday 11th February 2015   Thursday 2nd April 2015
Third	Re-open   Close at 3.10pm May Day Holiday Re-open   Close at 3.10pm May Weekend May Weekend In-Service Re-open   Close at 1.00pm	Monday 20th April 2015   Friday 1st May 2015 Monday 4th May 2015 Tuesday 5th May 2015 Thursday 21st May 2015 Friday 22nd May 2015 Monday 25th May 2015 Tuesday 26th May 2015 Wednesday 27th May 2015 Wednesday 24th June 2015

 Good Friday 3^rd April 2015
Easter Monday 5^th April 2015