Our Primary 5/6/7 classes will attend Mass in St. Vincent’s Church, Thornliebank on Wednesday 1st March at 10am.
We shall leave from school at 9.30am accompanied by members of staff and will return at 11.00am.The children will walk to/from church via a local route alongside Woodfarm High School and through parkland, thus avoiding any major road crossings. Continue reading ASH WEDNESDAY ST VINCENT’S CHURCH WEDNESDAY 1st MARCH
Family Lenten Retreat – Sunday 5th March 3pm-4pm – (1st Sunday of Lent)
You and your family are warmly invited to a short Lenten Retreat led by Deacon Pat Doogan.
Deacon Pat will host the retreat with a short talk to Parents on leading their children through Lent. The children will
have their own supervised activities in the Lower Hall. The Retreat will finish with a family blessing and each family will receive a personalised candle to take home. Teas/Coffees and Refreshments will be served.
Please let us know if you would like to attend by emailing parentsinprayer@stjoseph’.co/ or text 07528655783. Please confirm number of children and age ranges. Thank you .
The online parents appointment system will be open from 7pm tonight and will close at 3pm on Sunday 26th February.
First and foremost, we hope you had a peaceful and enjoyable festive season and wish you all the very best for a happy and healthy 2017. Here is a quick update from the Parent Council on what you can expect in the months to come:
ERC CONSULTATION APPROVED
ERC have now adopted a new admissions policy based on the 2016 consultation. This is subject to one small change. For 2 years, if St Ninian’s (only) is over subscribed at s1, the (general) order of priority for admissions will be those with a baptism certificate; children with siblings; and those from cluster schools. After 2 years, the second and third of those will be swapped. ERC will also take a tougher stance on fraudulent registration of catchment addresses and are encouraging East Renfrewshire residents to report information if this will assist them in doing so.
Whilst we acknowledge the consultation caused distress and uncertainty for many, we are reassured as a Parent Council that our numbers will now be capped and there is a way to resolve over capacity issues. We must now therefore move on together and ensure our school community continues to welcome and cherish all families and faiths.
Next year’s p1 applications have now been lodged under the new system. Please let the process take its course. It will take ERC time (as it always does) to work through the paperwork to determine the position and we appreciate this may be an anxious time for some who are waiting.
INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION
We look forward to working with the PSA in organising a celebration of our many cultures and nationalities. This is likely to be in August and will show how food, art and music can bring together generations and cultures. We successfully applied for lottery funding to support this event so it should be a great day! If you are interested in helping, please contact us on Facebook or by email (see below).
POSITIVE PLAY PROJECT
We recently supported play specialists “Grounds for Learning” in a day of consultancy to start planning future playground development. GFL consultant Stephen met with parents, staff and pupils and was particularly bowled over by the pupils’ enthusiasm. We look forward to developing this project with the PSA / school and hope you will support our efforts over time. First stop will be the creation of an outdoor classroom / picnic area, supported by Whitelee Development Fund, who we successfully applied for funding from and playground painting to brighten things up / create interesting areas for the children.
OUR LADY OF THE MISSION PARENT COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 2017
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Remaining meeting dates:
23rd March (note change from 16th March)
18th May
22nd Jun
HEAD TEACHER RECRUITMENT
The Head Teacher’s role was advertised in the summer / autumn but no appointment was made. The post will be advertised again in spring and we are of course hopeful the process will be successful this time. Whilst it’s disappointing there is no appointment yet, our Chair has been fully involved in the process to ensure parents’ views are reflected. We are confident ERC wants an exceptional candidate to lead the school and is doing all it can. Continually advertising the job without a break would not be helpful. In the meantime, we continue to support Mrs McGrotty in her position as acting Head Teacher and thank her and her team for their hard work on our behalf.
CONTACT US…AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Parents’ Evenings 8th and 9th March 2017 – Online Appointment Booking System
I would like to invite you to attend our Parents’ Evening on either Wednesday 8th March or Thursday 9th March to discuss your child’s progress. The school is once again using the online appointment booking system. This allows you to choose your own appointment times with teachers and you will receive an email confirming your appointments.
Appointments can be made from Thursday 16th February at 7pm and will close on Sunday 26th February at 3pm. Should you wish to make any changes after this date please contact the school office. If you do not make an appointment online by this date, the school will allocate you an appointment from times that are left and notify you of this. If you do not have access to the internet, please contact the school office who will be happy to add appointments on your behalf. Please ensure you leave sufficient time to travel between appointments.
If your child is in Primary 1c – Mrs McNicol name will be listed as the teacher for booking purposes although Mrs Meehan will be conducting one of the evenings.
If your child is in Primary 2b – Miss McArdle name will be listed as the teacher for booking purposes only. Miss McArdle will be present at both evenings, Mrs Livingston will be present a one and Mrs Copstick at the other.
If your child is in Primary 2c – Miss Dunn name will be listed as the teacher for booking purposes only. Miss Dunn and Miss McCann will be present at each evening.
If your child is in Primary 4c – Mrs Sturgess name will be listed as the teacher for booking purposes although Mrs McKendry will be conducting one of the evenings.
If your child is in Primary 6b – Mrs Haveron name will be listed as the teacher for booking purposes although Mrs Pickering will be conducting one of the evenings.
If your child receives additional input from another member of the support team further details to follow.
Visit https://ourladyofthemissions.parentseveningsystem.co.uk to book your appointments. Please note that the system is case sensitive.
Complete using the surname and forename of whoever is registered with the school as the main parent/carer and then Login with the following information:
Student’s First Name: Student’s Surname: Student’s Date of birth:
Easter Cantata
Wednesday 22nd March
Every year Primary 6 pupils perform an Easter Cantata at Eastwood Theatre and this year is no exception. They will be performing an Easter Cantata called ‘Miracle Man’ on Wednesday 22nd March at 1.30pm in Eastwood Park Theatre. They will put in a lot of hard work to ensure that you enjoy their wonderful performance.
T Shirts –
The children will wear coloured T-shirts on stage. These will be ordered for every child from Academy Uniforms at a cost of £2.80 and payment should be made through ParentPay.
Rehearsal – A rehearsal is being held in Eastwood Park Theatre on Tuesday 21st March, 10.00am – 2.00pm. We will walk to Eastwood Park Theatre and return at approximately 2.30pm.
Children will be required to bring a packed lunch on that day.
Similarly, on Wednesday 22nd March, the children will be at the theatre from 10.00am – 2.30pm for the rehearsal and actual performance. Packed lunch will be required.
For the Cantata performance, boys are required to wear school or black trousers and black shoes. Girls should wear black leggings or trousers and black shoes. No joggers please.
The cost of the ticket is £3.50 and payment for tickets should be made through ParentPay. Tickets can be picked up from the office or given to your child once payment has been made. At the moment, only 2 tickets per child will be allocated. Please complete the attached sheet.
Children cannot be taken home after the performance at the theatre but if you wish they can be collected from school.
There will be a collection at the door of the theatre with all money going to our Lenten Charities.
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 22nd March.
There is a survey that P2 and P3 parents can complete
For parents the prize is a personal Read, Write, Count Goodie bag filled with books, games and activities for all the family to enjoy.
The deadline to complete these is Tuesday 28 February. If you are a parent of a P2 or 3 child please also complete the parent survey too: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FCP6MQN
Scottish Government has asked that the following information is passed to parents about the new parental involvement campaign, Future Me. Please see attached leaflet and details below.
Read, Write, Count’s new parental engagement campaign, ‘Future Me’ launches on 20th February. Future Me, as part of Read, Write, Count, asks parents and carers to talk to their children to discover what their children’s hopes and dreams are, to share those dreams on our Future Me wall and make a promise to do all they can to help their child realise their ambitions. It’s about what’s important to the children of Scotland, and parents making a commitment to help their child imagine a great future and live out those dreams. Future Me’s wall will preserve those dreams, and build a picture of Scotland’s children’s hopes and ambitions – a country that believes every child has the right to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.
A copy of the leaflet which will be delivered to schools during week commencing 20 February, is attached.
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Future Me will help parents understand that learning together is useful and purposeful, we want them to feel positive, confident and optimistic about learning together and to engage in their children’s learning journey. By taking part in Future Me together families become closer, the child feels supported by their parent and the parent feels empowered to make a lasting difference to their child’s future, whatever they imagine that to be.
Family Lenten Retreat – Sunday 5th March 3pm-4pm – (1st Sunday of Lent)
You and your family are warmly invited to a short Lenten Retreat led by Deacon Pat Doogan.
Deacon Pat will host the retreat with a short talk to Parents on leading their children through Lent. The children will
have their own supervised activities in the Lower Hall. The Retreat will finish with a family blessing and each family will receive a personalised candle to take home. Teas/Coffees and Refreshments will be served.
Please let us know if you would like to attend by emailing parentsinprayer@stjoseph’.co/ or text 07528655783. Please confirm number of children and age ranges. Thank you .
World Book Day – Thursday 2nd March 2017
Children can dress up as their favourite book character or simply wear casual clothes on the day.
Head Lice Leaflet
Parents/carers we recommend regular checking of your child’s head for live head lice. Please click on the link below for further information.
Available to East Renfrewshire parents of 3-6 year olds-Psychology of Parenting Programme (PoPP). Please follow link for leaflet.
Dear Parents/ Carers,
Parent Pay is now up and running in the school with great success. The majority of families have now signed up for this. Any family still experiencing difficulty signing up should contact the school office staff for advice and support.
Pantomime
Robin Hood came to visit and the children had a brilliant time singing along to modern songs coupled with a classic tale.
Scots Fortnight
Our Scots Fortnight has been a great success with pupils enjoying the opportunity to experience a range of activities:
Primary 4 children took part in a ‘Go Orange for a Day’ to raise awareness of Muscular Dystrophy. Pupils wore something orange to school and brought in a small donation for Muscular Dystrophy UK. All classes participated in fun activities and raised £133.56 for this charity. Well done!!
Drop In Surgery
The ASN Drop In Surgery is proving very successful. Starting on 13th Jan, every two weeks, parents have the opportunity to pop in and have a chat with Mrs Cochrane, ASN Coordinator. The Drop In Session starts at 9.05 and finishes at 10.
Catholic Education Week
The Catholic Education Week theme this year is Developing as a Community of Faith and Learning. All stages will dedicate their learning to this during week commencing 12th-18th February. Pupils will be involved in the 10am Mass at St Joseph’s doing readings etc. on Sunday 19th February.
Yours sincerely
Josephine McGrotty HT Acting
Dates for the Diary 2017
| February | |
| 1st | P4/5 – Celtic Connections |
| 10th | In-Service Day- pupils do not attend school |
| 13th, 14th, 15th | Holiday |
| 16th | School re-opens |
| 21st ,22nd, 23rd | P1 and P7 Dental Inspections |
| March | |
| 1st | Ash Wednesday |
| 8th and 9th | Parents’ Evening |
| 11th/12th | P4 Communion Enrolment Mass – St Joseph’s |
| 14th | P4 First Reconciliation – St Joseph’s |
| 14th and 15th | School Photographs- individuals/families |
| 16th | P4 First Reconciliation – Holy Name |
| 16th | P3 Stage Mass |
| 20th | P4 First Reconciliation – St Vincent’s |
| 22nd | P6 Easter Cantata |
| 28th | P7 National Entitlement Card photo session |
| 29th | P4 school trip – Edinburgh Zoo |
| 31st | School Closes – 2:30pm |
| April | |
| 3rd – 14th | Holiday |
| 17th | Easter Monday Holiday- school closed |
| 18th | School re-opens |
| 26th | St Mirin’s Confirmation |
| 30th | Holy Name Confirmation |
| May | |
| 1st | May Day Holiday |
| 4th | Election Day- school closed |
| 5th | First Friday Mass – P5 |
| 6th | First Communion – St Joseph’s
P4a/d – 10am, P4b/c – 12:30pm |
| 6th | First Communion – St Vincent’s – 10am |
| 7th | First Communion – Holy Name |
| 8th | St Vincent’s Confirmation |
| 14th | First Communion – Holy Name |
| 18th | P2 stage mass |
| 25th | Sports Day |
| 26th and 29th | Holiday |
| 30th | In-service Day – pupils do not attend school |
| 31st | School re-opens |
| June | |
| 2nd | First Friday Mass – P4 |
| 3rd | Summer Fayre |
| 27th | School Closes – 1pm |
As you know Primary 7 had an Christmas Enterprise Day and raised a great deal of money for charity. One of the charities they donated to was Mary’s Meals. They received a lovely letter of thanks. Please read below.
Dear Staff & Pupils
On behalf of everyone at Mary’s Meals, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for your recent donation of £1,000.00. We are so grateful for your support.
Every donation to Mary’s Meals, large or small, goes a long way to helping us reach more children with a nutritious daily meal in their place of education. We are delighted to be able to say we are now feeding 1,187,104 children – a figure which is a true testament to the many, many acts of kindness from donors all over the world. Together we are making child hunger a thing of the past.
Every individual child has their own unique story to tell about the difference Mary’s Meals has made to them. One of those children is Gilbert, from Malawi, who has benefitted massively from the generosity of supporters like you.
Gilbert is an orphan. His mother died after suffering from an illness and his father died in an accident while working as a fisherman. Gilbert doesn’t know what age he is.
Until recently, Gilbert often missed school, being forced instead to take whatever work he could find in order to earn just enough to survive.
However, since Mary’s Meals started feeding at Gilbert’s local school, Lirangwe Primary near Blantyre, his life has changed and he goes to school every day, where he is guaranteed a nutritious meal and is able to learn. Gilbert tells us that Mary’s Meals motivates him to stay at school and realise his huge ambitions. He says, “I want to study hard and become the President of Malawi, so I can develop this country and give food to my people, so that they will no longer suffer.”
Thank you for the vital part you are playing in being able to offer hope to children just like Gilbert who often find themselves in very difficult circumstances. You are not only filling up empty stomachs, but also providing an escape route from poverty, giving children and their communities a lasting hope for the future.
Thank you for giving this precious gift.
Yours sincerely,
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow
CEO, Mary’s Meals
Scottish Book Trust needs your help!
Every November, Scottish Book Trust gifts a free bag of books to every P1 child in Scotland to help them with their reading, writing and counting and to encourage them to develop a life-long love of books. Scottish Book Trust is asking parents and carers of children in P1 to complete a short online survey about the Bookbug Primary 1 Family Bag. Please click here to take part in the survey, which shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to complete. Your feedback will help us to improve the Bookbug P1 Family Bag in the future and you could win a free bundle of books! The deadline for completing the survey is 10 February 2017.
February monthly parent support meeting, which will be held on the 21st 09.30 to12.30, at the museum on Barrhead Main Street.
Jacqui McConville, Incontinence Nurse Specialist for East Ren is coming along to give some advice and information around toileting and support around this topic. Also a chance for a cuppa and chat with other parents.
There is a Burns theme day on Wednesday 25th January. The only change is the main meal will be changed to Haggis mash and swede and Scotch Broth Soup.
Dear Parent/Carer
Primary 7 St Ninian’s Cluster Visit Arrangements
Change of Dates and Times
This term is a very busy and exciting time for our Primary 7 pupils. We were so delighted with the children’s efforts before Christmas in their fundraising enterprises for our Advent charities. It has been straight back into work and preparations for High School and the Sacrament of Confirmation.
As part of their cluster working, Primary 7 pupils will be visiting St. Ninian’s on the following dates – (Please note that the dates are different from the ones in your child’s diary.)
Rotation 4
Tuesday 21 Feb P7d and 17 from 7b
Tuesday 28 Feb P7d and 1 7 from 7b
Tuesday 7 March P7d and 17 from 7b
Tuesday 14 March P7d and 17 from 7b (stay for lunch)
Rotation 5
Tuesday 21 March P7a and 8 from 7b
Tuesday 18 April P7a and 8 from 7b
Tuesday 25 April P7a and 8 from 7b
Tuesday 2 May P7a and 8 from 7b (stay for lunch)
Rotation 6
Wednesday 3 May P7c and 7 from 7b
Tuesday 9 May P7c and 7 from 7b
Wednesday 10 May P7c and 7 from 7b
Tuesday 16 May P7c and 7 from 7b (stay for lunch)
P7 children of St Vincent’s parish who will be making their Confirmation the date is Monday 8th May at 7pm.
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