Our Primary 1 pupils have certainly settled well to their first taste of school life. Our senior pupils in Primary 7 are thoroughly enjoying their roles as buddies and monitors!
\nWe look forward to a very productive, successful and happy session 2013-14 and encourage all parents to take a full and active part in the life of our school.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Kenya \u00a0Staffing \u00a0<\/strong>School Feast Day \u00a0<\/strong>Meet the Teacher Evening \u2013 Wednesday 4th<\/sup> September 6.00pm \u2013 7.00pm \u00a0Head Teacher\u2019s Surgery<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 First Monday of the month 3.30pm \u2013 5.00pm \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For P1- P3, please contact Mrs McGrotty DHT<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For P4- P5, please contact Mrs Devlin DHT<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For P6- P7, please contact Mrs Dowling DHT<\/p>\n If you wish to inform us of appointments etc in school time, please send a note to the class teacher.<\/p>\n \u00a0Cashless Catering Parent Staff Association AGM Tuesday 3rd<\/sup> September 7.30pm The AGM will conclude with wine and nibbles. Reminder to existing committee members that there will be a meeting at 7.00pm immediately before the AGM.<\/p>\n Ardentinny Parents\u2019 Meeting Wednesday 11th<\/sup> September 6.30pm \u00a0Parent Council AGM \u2013 Thursday 19th<\/sup> September 7.00pm Parent Helpers with PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) End of School Day Car Park and Bus Bays Change of Travelling Arrangements Safety in the Park\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Primary 7\u00a0 Thursday 29th<\/sup> August Provost\u2019s Debate\u00a0 East Renfrewshire Debating Chamber \u00a0Vocations Mass Monday 16th<\/sup> September 7.00pm St. Mirin\u2019s Cathedral Paisley Annual Data Check Photographs\/DVD\/Website Health Promoting School Physical Education Email Address: headteacher@ourladymissions.e-renfrew.sch.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Password: g467dd<\/p>\n Anaphylaxis Reminder from School Health: Medication Medical Checks Curriculinks Our Lady of the Missions Website https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/er\/OurLadyMissions\/<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>and will be updated on a regular basis. Please access the website regularly and so keep informed of school events and successes in addition to new developments.<\/strong><\/p>\n Glow Education City School Football Teams September Weekend Holiday – Reminder Our Primary 1 pupils have certainly settled well to their first taste of school life. Our senior pupils in Primary 7 are thoroughly enjoying their roles as buddies and monitors! We look forward to a very productive, successful and happy session 2013-14 and encourage all parents to take a full and active part in the … Continue reading Newsletter August 2013<\/span>
\n<\/strong>You may remember that we had a \u201cCome As you Please Day\u201d on the last day of term. This raised \u00a3500 which Miss Sweeney, P4b took directly to the Good Life Orphanage in Kenya.
\nMiss Sweeney spent 3 weeks working as a volunteer in the orphanage which cares for 60 children ranging from 1 year old to 17 years old. With the money raised, the children were given some items of clothing for the start of the new school year, as well as\u00a0pencils and paper for school.\u00a0 All the children and staff of the orphanage were able to go on a day trip to historical ruins and to the beach.\u00a0 This had never been done before due to the expense. Some children had never left the orphanage so it was a rare treat and made the children extremely happy!\u00a0 Thanks to all parents for your generosity and support.\u00a0 As you can see, your money went a long way in Kenya.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Congratulations to Miss Cardosi who was married during the summer holidays and is now Mrs Dissanaike. We are delighted to welcome our two newly qualified teachers Miss Gemma Carroll and Miss Ann Marie Kelly to our school. We also welcome Mrs Ann Munoz as a new pupil support assistant.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>We will attend Mass in St. Vincent\u2019s Church on Friday 6th<\/sup> September for primaries 5, 6 and 7 pupils to mark the Feast of Our Lady\u2019s Birthday (8th<\/sup> Sept). Prayer services will also be conducted for the younger pupils, to mark the patronage of our school and to dedicate the coming year to the intercession of Our Lady of the Missions. This year, we have planned a series of Stage Masses with Fr. Jim. These will take place in the school hall on a Thursday afternoon and parents will be welcome to join us. Dates will be sent home shortly.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>We propose to open the doors of the school on the evening of <\/strong>the 4th<\/sup> September and cordially invite you to visit the school. This will be an opportunity to meet your child\u2019s teacher and gain information about the programme for the year ahead. You can also look around the school and visit other classes. Parent Council and PSA members will be available too.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>If you would like to take up the opportunity to \u2018drop in\u2019 for an informal chat with me, I would be delighted to meet with you on the first Monday of each month.
\nOf course, please do not hesitate to contact the school about any matters concerning your child\u2019s education and\/or wellbeing. Telephone 0141 570 7280
\nYour first point of contact should be the Depute Head Teachers;<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>We have been informed that there has been an increase in the price of school lunches: \u00a31.95 for a hot lunch and \u00a31.80 for a cold lunch. Children can top up their accounts first thing in the morning when they arrive at school, from 8.40 \u2013 8.55am or at interval. Parents are welcome to pop in and top up accounts around 9am or at the end of the school day. Alternatively topping up online using your child\u2019s Scottish Candidate number previously issued is preferable as it reduces congestion each morning.\u00a0 Last session there was a significant number of pupils who regularly came to school without money for their lunch. We would hope that this number would remain low from day to day as it causes additional administrative burdens on the school. Pupils whose balance falls below \u00a31.95 or who forget money will be issued with a \u201cvirtual voucher\u201d and sent a text message by the staff in the school office. This money \u2018loan\u2019 should be returned to your child\u2019s account the following day, in order to balance the books.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I look forward to welcoming you into school for the Annual General Meeting of our PSA. All parents and staff are automatically members of the PSA and this meeting gives an opportunity to meet up with other parents and look back on a very successful year. I extend a particularly warm welcome to all our new parents. Please come along, find out about all the fundraising and social events and think about joining the committee. Meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month in the staffroom at 7.15pm. If you cannot make a monthly commitment then perhaps you could help at our Christmas Fayre and Summer Fete?<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>We would like to invite the parents and pupils of P7 to a short information meeting regarding the forthcoming educational visit to Ardentinny. The meeting will take place here in the school on Wednesday 11th<\/sup> September from 6.30pm until 7.30pm. Mrs Dowling DHT and staff will give a presentation and answer questions in readiness for the annual five day outdoor educational experience.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Annual General Meeting of the Parent Council will take place here in the school on Thursday 19th<\/sup> September at 7.00pm. All parents are most welcome to attend. If you would like to become a member of the Parent Council then this is done by self nomination at the AGM. This is the only time each year that new members can join the Parent Council<\/strong>. The Parent Council constitution, newsletter and minutes can be accessed on the school website. The Council members work very hard on behalf of the school and the wider parent forum and last session the main focus was on issues regarding capacity, communication and safe parking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>We really appreciate the support of parent helpers when we take children out of school.\u00a0 If you hold an East Renfrewshire\/PVG Disclosure Certificate and are able to assist with school visits, either for your child\u2019s class or other stages, please let the school know as we would like to update our list. Ideally, it would be very helpful to have a list of parents who could step in, with at least a week\u2019s notice, to help at stages where we are short of volunteers.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I would ask that parents who wait at exit doors for their children stand back towards the perimeter fence to allow pupils and staff an easy passage to the school buses as time is of the essence. Thank you for your support and patience in this regard. We shall remind children at assemblies that they cannot run through the playground or onto the grass at this time, even though they are \u201cfree\u201d of school!<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>There are 4 buses providing transport to and from the school which necessitates the use of both sides of the car park and the dropping off area on the bend in front of the school. The bus bays are necessary to enable buses to manoeuvre and I must advise you of the importance of not using them for car parking after 8.30am. We take road safety education very seriously and stress its importance to the children. I would therefore ask for your support in ensuring that children do not have to walk between cars which are double parked in front of the school. Please<\/strong> drive slowly in the school grounds. Cars should not be parked on pavements and impede pedestrians. Bays for disabled drivers should be respected as such. <\/strong>I would ask that drivers making use of the car parks adjacent to the pavilion and the all weather pitches ensure that you park with due care, attention and courtesy to other drivers and pedestrians in order to ensure the safe free flow of traffic both in the mornings and at the close of school. I hope that the spirit of cooperation and courtesy continues and that parents who bring children to school by car follow the guidelines suggested above. This will ensure the safety of pupils and visitors. Please make full use of the three designated car parks, two at the front and one at the rear of the school.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>In the interest of safety, I would ask parents to inform the school if your child\u2019s travel arrangements for the homeward journey are to be changed for any reason. Children sometimes make their own \u201csocial arrangements\u201d to the ultimate distress of all concerned, therefore unless the school is informed in writing or by telephone it will be assumed that usual arrangements apply.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Primary 7 classes will take part in a series of workshops in Arthurlie House, Barrhead based on keeping safe. A range of topics will be covered; fire safety, strangers, alcohol and drug awareness and internet safety. This has become an annual event and is a very worthwhile visit.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>During the month of September, Primary 7 pupils will once again take part in lively debating sessions in the Council Chambers led by Provost Carmichael. The children will choose a topic and learn about debating protocol and council procedures.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The annual Vocations Mass is always a wonderful occasion. The music is led by the Diocesan Choir and many of the schools in the diocese are represented with coach loads of senior pupils attending and primary children going along with their families. It is quite a late night but I would be delighted to see our older pupils there. A separate invitation will be sent home nearer the time.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>In order to update our records Annual Data Check forms will be sent out to P1 – P7 classes this week. Please check and return to the school as soon as possible.<\/strong> It is important that we have all current contact numbers for your child. An update on any change to medical conditions, allergies etc, is also required. We intend to make use of text and e-mail more regularly this session and therefore it is crucial that we have a current mobile number and e-mail address for every family and that the office is informed of any changes during the course of the year.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>During the course of the school year photographs and videos of children taken by staff can be used to promote and enhance the ethos and achievements of the school, e.g. photographs may be used in displays around the school and in our school handbook and website. Children and staff can at times figure in these pictures and should you have any objection to this I would ask that you put your objection in writing.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>In addition to fresh fruit sold in the dining hall, fruit is now given free to all pupils on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please encourage your children to take this fruit. Fresh water is also available from our filtered drinking fountains and pupils are encouraged to drink regularly throughout the day. Pupils require to bring a bottle\/ flask for this purpose.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>This year, every child in the school will receive blocks of PE per week totalling 2 hours. One block will take place in the gym hall and the others in the playground or in Woodfarm Pavilion adjacent to the school. PE is a compulsory and important aspect of our curriculum. It is also a key vehicle by which the Scottish Government wishes to improve the health of Scottish children. On PE days, children should come to school with a full <\/strong>PE kit – plain dark shorts, school polo shirt\/plain T-shirt and trainers\/sandshoes, in a gym bag. \u00a0<\/strong>As we progress through autumn and into the winter months, on the days in which the children are having PE outside, children should bring a plain dark track suit or joggers\/sweatshirt (no football team colours).\u00a0 <\/strong>On that note, I would like to remind you that all uniform items must be clearly labelled with your child’s name.<\/strong> Preferably a sewn or iron-on label but at least a handwritten name on the label. Already, a few items have become mixed up! If weather is inclement, Cyber Coaching will be substituted for outdoor PE. Cyber Coach can be accessed on your home computer by logging on to http:\/\/www.cyber-smart.co.uk<\/a> and using the email and password below.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Many of you, I know, will be aware of the increase in cases of Anaphylactic Shock, otherwise known as a severe, sometimes fatal, allergic reaction. At Our Lady of the Missions Primary School there are some children who have a peanut\/nut allergy<\/strong> and we are aware of the danger which can occur if a child who has this allergy comes into contact with or eats nut based food<\/strong> of any kind, even peanut butter<\/strong>. Some children are affected even by the smell of anything which contains nut flavouring. We require to ensure that the school takes every precaution to assist children who have allergies. To help us with this task I am therefore writing to enlist your support by asking that you do not send your child into school with nuts or any food which contains nuts<\/strong>, and in so doing reduce the possibility of a potentially serious incident. Thank you in anticipation of your support.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>If a child attends an Allergy Clinic or their GP regarding allergies and has been prescribed Piriton or an Epipen, could parents please inform the school and make sure medication is clearly labelled and in-date. The school should be provided with a list of allergies, signs and symptoms to look out for, doses and any changes to medication. Those who attend the Allergy Clinic at Yorkhill should receive a care plan which they can copy for the school. Instructions for staff to treat these children should an emergency occur, is a parental responsibility. School Nurses carry out annual training to staff.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>If your child requires any medication during the course of the school day you must complete a consent\/request pro-forma which will ensure that all medicines are administered safely. No child should be given medicine to take without the school having been informed. The form can be downloaded from the school website or obtained from the school office.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The school nurse has asked me to remind parents that only P7 pupils receive vision checks by the School Health Team. There is therefore a long gap since their last check in nursery and many pupils by P7 require glasses. Parents are therefore advised to take their child to a local optician periodically, to avoid delay in treatment where required.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The East Renfrewshire curriculum website \u201ccurriculinks\u201d which houses a wealth of information and activities covering all curricular areas can be accessed via http:\/\/www.ea.e-renfrew.sch.uk\/curriculinks\/<\/a> and will allow parents to further enhance their children\u2019s learning at home.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>A range of information concerning school life is now available via our school website<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Glow is the name for the Scottish Schools Digital Network. The aim of Glow is to promote creative learning and teaching in the classroom by fully supporting the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence. Every child from Primary 2 to 7 has been given a username and password. P1s will be issued shortly. This means that Glow can be accessed at school and at home. There is now a Glow Pupil Only Site and each stage has a Glow Group. This will provide an excellent opportunity for children to showcase their work at different times throughout the year. There is also a calendar at each stage which will allow the children to keep abreast of forthcoming events. Primary 1 details will follow shortly. Further information about Glow is available at http:\/\/www.educationscotland.gov.uk\/usingglowandict\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Education City http:\/\/www.educationcity.com\/<\/a> is an online resource which we use in school. This can be accessed at home and the programmes contain fun activities which reinforce in-school learning. Please see attached letter for further information.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Once again many thanks to all of our dads who help coach our football teams from P1-P7. I would like to remind dads who are currently volunteers or who are considering taking up the challenge that PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) approval is absolutely essential before any parent can begin working with children. I will communicate with all coaches with regard to gaining disclosure by separate letter.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The school will close for pupils at the usual time on Thursday 26th<\/sup> September and re-open on Tuesday 1st<\/sup> October. The holiday schedule for the current session is located on the school website.
\nThank you once again in anticipation of your continued support and encouragement for all that we do on behalf of your children<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"