Dear Parent/Carer
As we progress into the liturgical season of Advent and begin our preparations for celebrating Christmas can I thank everyone for the magnificent support that you have given during this first term which has passed so quickly.
As you will know the school has been undergoing a Support and Protection Review conducted by a multi-agency team from across various departments in East Renfrewshire. The team has been keen to find out how we ensure that all 869 children are Safe, Healthy, Active, Nurtured and Included. Through questionnaires, class visits, individual interviews, focus group activities and examination of files and paperwork the team will determine the strengths of the school and identify next steps. This information will be shared with you in the form of a written report As you can imagine preparing for and taking part in the Support and Protection review has afforded everyone associated with our school the opportunity to examine our practices which can only bring added benefits for the future. Can I take this opportunity to thank everyone involved, particularly parents who took part in group discussions and focus groups activities. I look forward to sharing the final report when it is made available early in the new year.
Lockerbie Manor Residential Visit
Our first visit to Lockerbie Manor has been the highlight of the year so far for our primary seven pupils. This was a very successful outward bound experience. The children who took part participated enthusiastically in all 19 of the activities including high ropes, fencing and mountain biking with canoeing being a firm favourite. Some of the children found it very active, at times quite leisurely but all certainly found it challenging. Every child will have their own story to tell. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the 11 members of staff and Mrs Dowling who happily gave up their personal time to accompany the children and who also put their hearts and souls into making the experience one to remember for all concerned. We look forward to our second visit in November 2015.
October Came and Went
October devotions and Rosary held each week in the Junior Department before school started were very well attended by parents, pupils and staff and provided a quiet time for reflection and community prayer, dedicating our hopes, wishes and aspirations to the intercession of Our Blessed Lady.
The PSA Hallowe’en Disco was very well attended with over 300 tickets sold. Once again a great deal of creative thought and talent was evident in the fabulous costumes on show. Very many thanks and much appreciation to the committee members and volunteers who organised this annual event.
Provost’s Debate
Local Councillors were certainly impressed when our primary seven pupils visited the Council Chambers to take part in the ‘Provost’s Debate’. As ever the standard of debate and argument was exemplary. The motions this year were quite varied and provided a solid platform for the pupils to put forward their views and opinions.
P7a “Stricter punishment is the solution to the problem of increasing juvenile crime.”
P7b “Medicine should be free world wide.”
P7c “It should be illegal to cycle on the road if you are younger than 16.”
P7d “Nuclear weapons are essential.”
Some Recent Individual and Group Successes
Sophie MacPherson P7a continues to excel in her chosen field of gymnastics. Alisha Ahmed P1a shows promise and talent developing golf skills. Erin Forrow P2a was a runner up in the Ryder Cup Art competition. Sarah Stewart P3a was highly commended in the annual Road Safety Calendar competition and Oonagh O’Sullivan P7b was junior player of the year in Tennis West of Scotlands’ 2014 Tournament. The school netball team was highly successful in winning the Woodfarm Cluster Tournament and the school badminton team also celebrated winning the St Ninian’s Cluster Tournament and will now progress to the next stage of the competition.
Buddy and Peer Mediation Training
The school is always commended for our very mature and responsible senior pupils who are trained in order to develop aspects of citizenship and so demonstrate responsibility and leadership skills.
Peer Mediators have undergone training in order to assist pupils who have had disagreements in the playground, to mediate and so help them to reach a resolution thus building their emotional resilience.
The P7s are monitors across the school and buddies to Primary 1. This is a long standing area of responsibility for senior pupils in almost all schools in Scotland, particularly during wet intervals. They have also undergone further training by our staff and Active Schools Coordinator Kerry Comerford in order to learn new games which they lead to nurture positive relationships during playtimes for all Primary 1 pupils. This is a fantastic opportunity for our P7 and P1 pupils to benefit from this enhanced training and shared experience.
Chinese Consul General
We recently welcomed the Chinese Consul General into the school to visit a P7 class in which Mrs McNicol was introducing the children to aspects of Chinese culture and for most, a first exposure to speaking Mandarin. During January and February P5-P7 children will be introduced to aspects of Chinese Culture and Mandarin as part of the government’s drive to ensure that all children here in Scotland take part in 2+1 Languages – French, Mandarin and English.
Autumn Walks
Our primary one pupils have embarked on a programme of Autumn Walks in the local vicinity including Eastwood Park and have witnessed and experienced the magnificent seasonal changes. They really enjoyed rambling through the woods, collecting leaves, chestnuts and fir cones for further study in their classes.
Cantata – David and His Song
On Tuesday 18th November, Primary 6b took part in the Cantata “David and His Song”. The Cantata was held in Wellington Church on University Avenue. The purpose of the Cantata was to help children learn about David and Goliath. The children worked very hard to learn many new songs and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. They were a credit to their families and the school in their exemplary behaviour, manners and reverent approach to this annual ecumenical event. Thanks to Miss Kane for taking lead responsibility in preparing the children.
Commonwealth Games Legacy Flagship
Many of our pupils and former pupils took centre stage in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall last week for an evening of musical entertainment showcasing and celebrating the talents of pupils from across East Renfrewshire. The programme for a very full evening of entertainment centred on music from across the Commonwealth. Congratulations to all who participated so wholeheartedly. A special word of congratulations to Lewis Murphy a former pupil, who wrote a magnificent orchestral piece which was premiered that evening.
Parent Staff Association
Following the Hallowe’en Party, the Committee has turned its attention to the annual Christmas Fayre due to be held here in the school on Saturday 6th December from 1pm to 3.30pm. Further details have been sent home via weekly flyers. Already the PSA has been busy securing donations for the annual Christmas Raffle. Raffle books will be issued via the children. Please send requests for additional raffle books into the school office.
The Christmas Fayre is one of the PSA’s main fundraising activities and I am sure everyone will give their full support to this venture. Please continue to send in much needed donations for the stalls.
One book of raffle tickets will be sent home with the oldest child in each family. The Committee members have done a fantastic job in collecting some superb prizes for the raffle. Please support the school by taking part in the raffle draw by completing the tear off stubs and returning them with your donation, £1 per ticket, on or before next Friday 5th December.
Traffic Management
I would urge parents who drive their children to school to :
- Reduce speed considerably
- Drive with caution
- Use main car park as a drop off zone only first thing each day
- Park sensibly
- Do not reverse over/onto the footpath thus restricting access for pedestrians, pushchairs, etc
- Do not encourage/allow children to walk amongst parked cars across the car parks
- Do not block driveways/double park/park in turning circle on Woodfarm Road at Junior Department
In order to minimise congestion further parents might consider parking outwith and making the final part of the journey on foot. Additional information and measures will follow as a result of the excellent work of the Traffic Sub Committee of the Parent Council.
The Junior Road Safety Officers from Primary 4, 5, 6 and 7 have been working very hard in preparation for Road Safety Week which will commence on Monday 1st December. Through assemblies, competitions and activities the JRSO will continue to raise awareness of the dangers of the road and give ideas as to how to stay safe, particularly when travelling to and from school. As winter approaches and the nights are becoming longer and darker, the JRSO have chosen the theme of Be Bright, Be Seen. Their Road Safety Week will include a pupil run stall of High-Visibility reflective bag and jacket accessories. From the many wonderful and creative entries to our school banner competition, a winner from the infant, junior and upper school departments will be chosen and their designs will be printed and displayed across the two school car park areas, highlighting to parents and carers the rules governing the school’s drop off zones. In addition, our Road Safety Week will include safety walks, model pedestrian crossings, guest speakers and design activities for helmets, t-shirts and a road safety board game. Thanks to Miss Carroll for coordinating this initiative.
School Choir
Mr Docherty and Miss Kane have been busy rehearsing the school choir who have already performed last weekend at the Clarkston Christmas Gala event and will now perform for the Senior Citizens at Eastwood House, Woodfarm Pavilion and Eastwood Leisure Centre during the month of December.
Christmas Concerts and Nativity Plays
Our infants are looking towards Christmas and are just beginning to rehearse for the annual Nativity Concerts. This year Primary 1 pupils will perform “The Nativity”; P1a on Monday 8th December, P1b on Tuesday 9th December, P1c on Wednesday 10th December, P1d on Thursday 11th December and P1e on Friday 12th December, all commencing at 11.30am, with teas and coffees being served from 11.00am
In addition in the afternoon from Tuesday 11th to Friday 12th December, the school choir and musicians will take to the stage. Primary 2 and Primary 3 pupils will perform “Magical Christmas Journey” and Primaries 4 and 5 will also perform a medley of Christmas songs from “Follow that Star”.
Programme: Each day
1.00pm Musicians –see attached calendar
1.15pm School Choir
1.30pm P4 & P5 – see attached calendar
2.00pm P2 & P3 –see attached calendar
Advent Charity
This Advent all monies donated and raised through our Christmas Concerts and School Enterprise Day will be used to help the parents of a pupil here in the school to fund a new electric wheelchair.
Yours sincerely
Charles Jamieson
Head Teacher
| Calendar of Events | |
| Friday 28th November | St Andrew’s Day Assemblies |
| W/B 1st December | Road Safety Week – see separate flyer |
| Monday 1st December | Badminton Team compete at Parklands |
| Tuesday 2nd December | PSA Meeting to organise Christmas Fayre at 7pm |
| Friday 5th December | Last drop off and set up for Christmas Fayre 6pm-9pm |
| Saturday 6th December | Christmas Fayre 1.00pm until 3.30pm |
| Monday 8th December | “The Nativity” P1a at 11.30am Tea and Coffee at 11.00am |
| Tuesday 9th December | “The Nativity” P1b at 11.30am Tea and Coffee at 11.00am |
| 4a/5a Performance at 1.30pm | |
| “Magical Christmas Journey” 2a/3a at 2.00pm | |
| Wednesday 10th December | “The Nativity” P1c at 11.30am Tea and Coffee at 11.00am |
| 4b/5b Performance at 1.30pm | |
| “Magical Christmas Journey” 2b/3b at 2.00pm | |
| Thursday 11th December | “The Nativity” P1d at 11.30am Tea and Coffee at 11.00am |
| 4c/5c Performance at 1.30pm | |
| “Magical Christmas Journey” 2c/3c at 2.00pm | |
| Thursday 11th December | P7 Cluster Ceilidh St Ninian’s 1pm-2.30pm |
| Friday 12th December | “The Nativity” P1e at 11.30am Tea and Coffee at 11.00am |
| 4d/5d Performance at 1.30pm | |
| “Magical Christmas Journey” 2d/3d at 2.00pm | |
| Tuesday 16th December | P4-P6 Christmas Parties |
| P7 Disco School Hall 7pm-9pm | |
| Wednesday 17th December | P1-P3 Christmas Parties + Santa |
| Thursday 18th December | Enterprise Fund Raising – Our Chosen Advent Charity |
| Friday 19th December | School closes at 2.30pm and re-opens on Monday 5th January |
WISHING YOU ALL
A HAPPY AND HOLY CHRISTMAS
