Encourage links between the school, parents, pupils, preschool groups and the wider community
Report back to the Parent Forum (all parents are members of the Parent Forum).
Parents/Carers are encouraged to volunteer or put themselves forward to be chosen as representatives of the Parent Council. The Parent Council meets at least once a school term. All meetings are open and parents are welcome to attend.
Parent Council Office Bearers
POSITION
NAME
Chairperson
Marina MacLeod
Secretary
Dianne Weatherston
Treasurer
Isla MacDiarmid
Staff Representative
Carol Ann Maclean (HT)
Kirsty MacAulay (PT)
To contact the Parent Council:
– Contact via school office or school email address, tongschool@gnes.net
– Or you can contact the Chairperson directly via email marinamatheson81@hotmail.com
Nursery places are now available for session 2019/2020 for children who:
are 4 years of age and are not currently registered with a nursery
will be 3 years of age between 1 March 2019 and 28 February 2020
will be 2 years of age between 1 March 2019 and 28 February 2020 and whose parent(s)/carer(s) are in receipt of certain qualifying benefits
Eligibility for early learning and childcare throughout the year is as follows:
From the Autumn Term (Aug – Dec) – children born between 1 March and 31 August
From the Spring Term (Jan – March) – children born between 1 September and 31 December
From the Summer Term (April – June) – children born between 1 January and 28 February
To register your child for their free nursery place come in and meet us as soon as possible, with your child’s Birth Certificate, and complete an enrolment form.
When a place has been allocated for your child you will be given/sent a Care Plan and Profile pack to complete. We will then arrange a time for you to come in so you can meet your child’s key worker, review your Care Plan and allow your child a settling in session.
Each year the school publishes a Standards and Quality Report which highlights the school’s major achievements in the previous year. Previously this was a separate document to the School Improvement Plan. However these have now been amalgamated into the Standards and Qualities Improvement plan (SQIP) which is available on our school website.
The School Improvement Plan section details the improvement agenda for the school on an annual basis. All projects which are included in the improvement plan are shared with the Parent Council. The Head Teacher also updates the Parent Council on progress with specific projects throughout the session.
The table below outlines our current plan with respect to the School’s Improvement Agenda.
2018/19
· Developing Moderation, Assessment and Quality Assurance
· Raising attainment in Literacy and Numeracy
· Improving Health and Wellbeing experiences
· Developing Early Years experiences and play-based learning
Following a joint HMIe and Care Inspectorate inspection in September 2018 we are developing the school through a two year action plan as we address the requirements/recommendations given to us.
Our Curriculum Rationale: In Tong Primary School and Sgoil Àraich we develop happy and confident learners through our creative, challenging and flexible curriculum. A rich, meaningful, positive and bilingual environment will be nurtured through partnerships with parents and the wider community. Learners will be enriched by their local culture and heritage in preparation for life and work in an ever-changing society.
Our Aims:
Have learning that is exciting and meaningful and builds our skills so we are ready for the challenges life may bring us.
Have learning that is developmentally appropriate and makes the best use of ICT to make it relevant and enjoyable.
Be creative and curious in learning and learn how to be independent, confident and adaptable so we have the skills for life and work.
Work in teams and be able to lead different parts of school life and learning.
Help our community and have our community help us.
Care and use our local environment.
Be cared for, with respect, no matter who you are.
Celebrate our cultural identity, Gaelic language and how different we all are.
We also have a Uniform Swap-shop. There is no cost for nearly-new second hand uniform but we request donations of old uniform that is still in good condition. If you wish, you may make a small donation to school funds.
CLOTHING GRANTS All parents in receipt of Child Tax Credit or Income Support are eligible for a clothing grant from the Education Authority to ensure that their children are able to make full use of educational provision. Parents on low incomes may also make an application for a clothing grant. The link for the clothing grant is found on the CNES website.
Alternatively application forms for clothing grants are available from the:
Education, Skills and Children’s Services Department
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Sandwick Road
Stornoway
Telephone 01851 822763
We have provision for Gaelic Medium Education from Sgoil Araich to P7 and we celebrate our Comhairle Gaelic First Policy. Check out our Gaelic section of our website for more information.
All enrolment for new Primary 1 starts is carried out centrally via the CNES website.
For enrolment to school throughout the year, please contact the school office via tongschool@gnes.net for more information and guidance.
We invite all nursery enrolments for the coming year to come along to our induction session in June, when paperwork can be completed and there will be an opportunity to ask questions and allow your child to play in their prospectus rooms.
There are many ways in which you can support your child through their Gaelic Medium Education. Reading books are available in audio form online. Some useful websites are:
A-mach as an Sgoil – Extra-curricular Activities (Clubs)
We encourage all our children to explore and experience the Gàidhlig language out with the school as much as possible. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has an excellent network of Adult Gaelic Learner classes, Sradagan youth club, drama clubs etc. Promoting the Gaelic community of our school is vitally important and we ensure this through participation in local/national Mòds, Fèisean, Cèilidhs etc. These cultural events and extra-curricular activities give the parents and pupils opportunities to meet with other GME learners and help strengthen Gàidhlig as a family language. We recognise that the majority of children who go through GME, do not have Gaelic at home. Therefore, we encourage parents to listen to Gaelic radio and watch Gaelic TV programs.
