Hello everyone

This week we welcomed several new children and families into Netherlee Nursery. The new children have settled in well and are being looked after very closely by our wonderful staff team. Our nursery website has lots of useful links and information about our Nursery https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/er/sandnc/nursery/about-our-nursery/. Please check it out if you have not already done so!  I know that our existing parents will also look out for any new faces and help where they can too.  Thank you for helping us to make Netherlee Nursery such a lovely, warm and welcoming community.

Netherlee’s 90^th Birthday
We are all very excited to be celebrating the school’s 90^th Birthday on Mon 6^th February. The day will begin with a whole school assembly. After that, classes will be preparing for parties that will be held on Thurs 9^th Feb. The PTA has generously provided lovely arts and crafts resources to make party hats and bunting. Each class will hold a talent show to celebrate the wonderful talents that the school has nurtured over its’ lifetime. Classes will also find out about the changes to the school and local area over the last 90 years. Our wonderful catering team have arranged a special birthday lunch of mince and tatties (vegetarian mince will be available too) and cake and custard. In addition, Mark Gibson has very kindly offered to take a special commemorative photograph. Weather permitting, all staff and pupils will go out to the playground so we can take a special aerial photograph.

Don’t forget the podcast, 90 Years of Netherlee that our tech team are producing to mark the birthday. The latest episode is out now featuring an interview with Mrs French, our longest serving member of staff.  https://anchor.fm/netherlee-primary.  We would love to hear from former pupils or staff so if someone you know went to the school or worked here please get in touch and let us know.

Family Focused at Netherlee School and Nursery: Going for Gold
At Netherlee, we prioritise working effectively with our families to ensure high quality learning experiences for our children. We make sure that all families feel very welcome and are involved in the life of the school and nursery.

To support early year’s establishments, East Renfrewshire Council introduced a self-evaluation framework explaining suggestions of good practice, particularly with regards to working with parents.

We have previously gained our Bronze Family Friendly award and our Silver Family Centred Certificate, both of which are displayed in our Saplings building. Over the next few months, staff will be working very hard, alongside parents, to gain our Gold Family Focused Award.

If you would like to be part of helping us achieve this or would like some more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch schoolmail@netherlee.e-renfrew.sch.uk.

Keep an eye out in our Friday Bundle for more information and updates in the coming weeks!

Upcoming Parent Council Meeting
Please see message below from our Parent Council:
The next Parent Council meeting will take place in person in the school Hub at 7pm on Wednesday 15th February 7pm. All parents and carers from the nursery and school are welcome and we hope to see as many of you there as possible. As always there will be the opportunity to have open discussions on a range of topics with other parents and members of the school leadership team.  If you have any matters you would specifically like to be discussed please contact us at: netherleeparentcouncil@gmail.com.

Stay and Play: Week beginning 30^th January-3^rd February
We are very excited to welcome parents and carers to our nursery for our Stay and Play sessions next week! Please let us know if you still require a day/time slot by letting a member of staff know or dropping us an email nurserymail@netherlee.e-renfrew.sch.uk. Please be reminded that you can view all of our school and nursery events on our website by clicking here.

Recycled Donations
Thank you so much to everyone who kindly donated recycled items to our nursery. This week we would gratefully receive any small world items and junk modelling items from our wish list below (please note “small world” means very small items). Please put any donations into a bag and hand into either of our nursery buildings. Many, many thanks.

• Small world items: small toy cars and/or other vehicles, jungle animals and farm animals
• Junk modelling items: such as cardboard boxes e.g. delivery boxes, shoe boxes, cereal boxes, egg boxes cardboard tubes, juice cartons, plastic bottle lids etc.

Learning Links
Please click on the links to see the fantastic learning experiences happening in the Acorns and Saplings next week. This enables you to have fun doing some similar experiences at home if you would like to. The song of the week is ‘Tête, épaules, genoux et pieds’ (Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes in French) which can be listened to and enjoyed by logging into your child’s Google Classroom https://sts.platform.rmunify.com/Account/SignIn/glow.

As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions (no matter how big or small) or queries. We are always here to help in any way we can.

Yvonne Donaldson (HT) and Jennifer McCann (PT)
Netherlee Primary School & Nursery Class

Hello everyone

Another busy week here at Netherlee Nursery! The children have enjoyed playing outside with their friends this week and have been very excited about the icy weather. They have been discussing how it feels and noticing the frost on the ground and trees. Brrr!

Proposed Industrial Strike Action
Netherlee Nursery Class will be open from 9am – 3pm to all children on Tuesday 24^th January. This means children who normally attend on a Tuesday from 8am-6pm, will be offered an alternative service of core hours (9am – 3pm) on this day. Should you need to contact the nursery during 9am – 3pm- normal communication channels via phone call or email will remain unaffected on this day.

Nursery WOW Wall
Thank you to all of you who have shared your children’s little achievements from home. We love celebrating these as well as their achievements in nursery too. Please do let us know of any new or ongoing achievements for example swimming, dancing shows, riding a bike themselves etc. Simply drop us an email to nurserymail@netherlee.e-renfrew.sch.uk or bring in a photograph at drop off and collection times, we would love to display this on our Nursery WOW Wall.

Crossing Patroller
We have been notified that on Wednesday 25^th, there will be no crossing patrolling in the afternoon at Clarkston Road.

Recycled Donations
Thank you so much to everyone who has kindly donated recycled items that they would otherwise be throwing out. This week we would gratefully receive any items to help create Literacy and Numeracy resources many, many thanks.

• Wrapping paper cut-offs (very small pieces even most welcome)
• Used greetings cards
• Unwanted card, envelopes
• Newspapers/magazines/catalogues
• Sweetie papers/food wrappings e.g. packed lunch items wrappers
• Buttons
• Ribbon

Learning Links
Please click on the links to see the fantastic learning experiences happening in the Acorns and Saplings next week. This enables you to have fun doing some similar experiences at home if you would like to. The song of the week next week is ‘Petit Pouce’ which can be listened to and enjoyed by logging into your child’s Google Classroom https://sts.platform.rmunify.com/Account/SignIn/glow

As always, we hope you have a lovely weekend.

Yvonne Donaldson (HT) and Jennifer McCann (PT)
Netherlee Primary School & Nursery Class

Hello everyone,

Netherlee Podcast – 90 Years in 90 Minutes
Our P7 Tech Team are proud to announce the first episode of our podcast to celebrate Netherlee’s upcoming 90^th birthday on 6^th February!

We have started by interviewing Mrs Donaldson, and will be interviewing lots of different staff members, ex pupils and staff, and community members over the coming weeks. It can be listed to on Spotify and on Anchor FM by clicking these links. Find out more about the project here.

Everyone Matters: Nursery Parents Wanted
Would you like to be involved in our ‘Everyone Matters’ partnership group? We are really keen for Nursery parents to join us. This would involve looking at different ways to celebrate culture and diversity, reaching out to our school and nursery community to gather views and work towards achieving our Family Focused Gold Award.  Want to know a little more? Please do not hesitate to drop us an email on schoomail@netherlee-e.-renfrew.sch.uk . More information can also be found here.

Stay and Play
We are very excited to welcome parents and carers into our Nursery once again for our next round of Stay and Play sessions. These will take place from Monday 30^th January – Friday 3^rd February. These sessions are a fantastic opportunity to play together with your child and see the wonderful spaces and experiences we have to offer. Sign-up sheets will be made available at both nursery doors next week (week beginning 16^th January) for you to choose a suitable date/time. We kindly ask that a maximum of two adults accompany each child. If at all possible, younger siblings should not attend the sessions.

Pick Up and Drop Off Procedures
We ask that you always use the gate nearest the Acorn or Sapling building when dropping off or collecting children at nursery. In the interests of health and safety, we politely request that nursery parents and carers do not cross the school playground when doing so.

Cost of Living Support in East Renfrewshire
We know that many East Renfrewshire families may be struggling with rising costs of living, especially as we emerge from the festive period, so we want to let you know that help is available. A good place to start is the council’s website, where there is a range of support and advice: www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support.

If you’d like free, expert and confidential advice, you can speak to ERC’s Money Advice and Rights Team by calling 0141 577 8420 or emailing mart@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.

The Community Hub can also connect you with groups, organisations and services that can provide the support you need. Get in touch on 0141 876 9555 or hello@va-er.org.uk.

Learning Links
Please click on the links to view the Acorns and Saplings learning links for this week. The song of the week is ‘Ally Bally Bee’ which can be viewed on your child’s Google Classroom: https://sts.platform.rmunify.com/Account/SignIn/glow. We hope you enjoy.

Have a lovely weekend.

Yvonne Donaldson (HT) and Jennifer McCann (PT)
Netherlee Primary School & Nursery Class

Hello everyone,

A very happy new year to all of our Netherlee families.  I hope 2023 is a healthy, happy, peaceful and successful year for everyone. It has been a short first week back but it has been lovely to see all the children and staff again, well rested after a much needed holiday.

Yesterday, we once again welcomed several new children and families into Netherlee.  We realise moving schools is a significant event for anyone- both children and parents and I am delighted that the children who joined us yesterday have said they were looked after really well by their new friends in class and by their teachers and staff too.  I know that as parents new to a school it can also be difficult sometimes to meet other parents.  However, I know that our parent body will look after our new parents too, reaching out to any new faces you see standing at the gate etc.  Thank you for helping us to make Netherlee such a fantastic, inclusive and welcoming community.

Celebrating and Promoting Languages at Netherlee – Languages Week, Scotland 30^th January – 6^th February 2023
We have been busy in school and nursery preparing lots of interesting learning experiences for our children to enjoy during Languages Week, Scotland. As part of our Languages Week, we are really keen to involve our parents, carers and our wider Netherlee community including local businesses. We would love to hear from anyone who speaks another language in their day-to-day life and would be willing to share their skills and knowledge with us. If you would be able to volunteer during Languages Week to visit a class or group of classes to speak about another language then please complete the Microsoft Form below. Thank you in advance for making our Languages Week extra special! https://forms.office.com/e/ckx9mePM6j

Proposed Industrial Strike Action
Following yesterday’s information about proposed Industrial Action, I am confirming that Netherlee Nursery class will be open from 9am – 3pm to all children on Tuesday 10^th January.  This means children who normally attend on a Tuesday extended pattern (8am – 6pm), offered an alternative limited service of core hours (9am – 3pm) for this day only.  Normal communication channels via phone call or email will remain unaffected on these days, should you need to contact the nursery during 9am – 3pm.

I hope this information allows you to plan ahead for next week.

School and Nursery Photographs
Please be aware that the scheduled date for school and nursery photos has been moved slightly earlier in the school/nursery calendar.  This year, there will be options of class, sibling and individual photographs.  The new date period is from Wednesday 15^th to Friday 24^th February 2023.  Additional information will be sent home nearer the time.

ELC Applications 2023-24
Please be advised that the new online application for 3/ 4yr old placements for new session 2023-24 is available on the East Renfrewshire Council website at the link https://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/article/5616/Apply-for-a-nursery-place-for-3-or-4-year-olds-2023-24.  The deadline for submitting an online ELC application is 31^st January 2023.

Finally, a little reminder that the next PTA Meeting will be held in our school Hub next Wednesday at 7pm- all parents/ carers are very welcome.  New parents, this is an ideal way to meet other parents too.  PTA meetings are very informal with lots of laughter and great sharing of ideas for working together to put on school and nursery events.  Some of the main points that we will be chatting about on Wednesday are the upcoming Chinese New Year Celebrations, Diversity Community Month in March and also a very special birthday happening very soon- Netherlee Primary’s 90^th Birthday!  Do please come along if you have an hour to spare.

Have a lovely weekend.

Yvonne Donaldson (HT) and Jennifer McCann (PT)
Netherlee Primary School & Nursery Class

Hello everyone,

What an exciting week we have had here at Netherlee Nursery! The children had lots of fun at their Christmas party. They enjoyed party food, a little dance, party games and we even had a very special visitor.  They were absolutely delighted to receive an early Christmas present from Santa himself! The wonder on their faces was just magical.

Church Service
As promised, please find below the link to the recording of our church service, held in Netherlee Parish Church on Tuesday. Thank you to Reverend Blythe, and the Netherlee church community, for welcoming our Primary 4-Primary 7 pupils and staff into the church in order to record such a beautiful service. A huge well done to our outstanding young people who sang, read and played instruments so beautifully.
Church Service Video Link

Festive Wishes
On behalf of myself and all the staff and children of Netherlee, I hope that everyone who celebrates Christmas has a wonderful festive period and that all Netherlee families have a really lovely holiday. Please keep safe and look after yourself and each other but also please do enjoy this special, family time of year.

We will look forward to welcoming our children back on Thursday 5^th January 2022.

Wishing you, your family and the Netherlee community a ‘Healthy and Happy New Year 2023’ when it comes.

Very best wishes.

Yvonne Donaldson
Head Teacher
Netherlee Primary School & Nursery Class

Hello everyone,

Wow, what a busy and festive week it has been! We had our Christmas Celebrations this week in nursery. It was such a joy watching the children perform for the grown-ups. Thank-you again to the wonderful staff who helped put this together, our talented Primary 7 helpers and of course the fantastic Mr Watson. Thank-you to all parents and carers who came along and to those who donated to our Nursery Fund.  We hope you enjoyed it!

Special Books
We hope you thoroughly enjoyed looking at your child’s Special Book together. If you have not already done so, please return these to nursery on Monday 19^th December- thank you.

Chatter Café (Wednesday 21^st December 9.15am – 9:45am)
A little reminder below of the information sent out previously regarding our Chatter Café on Wednesday.  We do so very much hope to welcome anyone who can spare a little time next week.

We always strive to have excellent ways for you to get in touch with us and we have therefore introduced termly drop in sessions for any parent from nursery or school who would like to pop in for a coffee and chat with the Leadership Team. This is a very informal opportunity to come along and chat to us.  Some of our pupils would also love to serve you a juice or a coffee/ tea and there may even be some of their delicious baking there too.

On the 21^st, this will be our second time running the Chatter Café this session, and we thoroughly enjoyed chatting to lots of parents at our café in term 1. You maybe have an idea or a suggestion on any aspect of Netherlee life or you may have concerns or looking for some advice. Our PTA will also be with us so you can find out about the PTA or volunteering in school and nursery too or even if you just fancy a quick coffee and a chat with some other parents! We will also have the recycled uniform rails available to browse as well. We look forward to welcoming anyone who has a spare few minutes on the date and time above.

Early Finish Last Day
On the last day of term, please be reminded that the Nursery will close at the same time as the school on Friday 23^rd December at 2.30pm. All children should be collected by this time please- thank you.

Well Done Choir
A huge well done to all of the children in the P7 choir who sang beautifully on Tuesday evening at the concert at Netherlee Church and a big thank you to Mr Watson for all of the work that he has done with the choir this session. Everyone left feeling very festive!

Netherlee Times
We present to you, the Netherlee Times! A wonderful group of Primary 6 and 7 pupils and one of my dedicated teachers have been working very hard to create the second issue of our school newspaper. We hope you enjoy having a read at all of the fantastic things that have been going on in the school this term. Myself and Miss McLauchlan would like to say a HUGE well done and thank you to the pupils involved in creating this for you. Please have a look by clicking this link.

Parent Council Meeting Highlights
Thank you to the Parent Council for producing the latest Meeting Highlights Newsletter.  We had a very productive meeting and the highlights can be found here: December Meeting Highlights.

Celebrating Diversity in Netherlee-Hanukkah
If you and your family are celebrating Hanukkah and you would like to share photos or videos of how you are celebrating this important time at home, please email them to us, we would love to share these with our classes.  Thank you very much.

Book Bug Christmas Special
Our Book Bug leaders, Joanne Greig and Lynne Morton have recorded a ‘Book Bug Christmas Special’ for you all. The recording can be listened to and enjoyed by logging in to your child’s Google Classroom via this link- Merry Christmas! https://sts.platform.rmunify.com/Account/SignIn/glow.

Have a lovely weekend.

Yvonne Donaldson (HT) and Jennifer McCann (PT)
Netherlee Primary School & Nursery Class