All posts by Mrs Jess

Weekly Information – 31st May 2024

Message from Parent Council

School Ground Improvements

Dear Parent/Caregiver, This week we held a productive Parent Council meeting with Mrs Jess and Mr Rose. One of the topics of discussion was how the school grounds could be improved. We are very enthusiastic about the possibility of working together with the school to develop the school playground.  We would like to ask for your thoughts on how you feel the school grounds could be improved and how Parent Council funds could be used to support this.

Potential Ideas:
1. Paint the playground walls – refreshing the play environment
2. Develop an outdoor learning classroom – multi functional space for teaching/play/social interactions
3. Create a school garden/vegetable planter – providing students with an opportunity to see a full plant life cycle, educational and encourages teamwork and responsibility
4. Upgrade the school sign – improving front of the school
We are very open to suggestions and would welcome your thoughts, please send an email to pcbalmerino@gmail.com with your ideas on improvements to the school. We thank you in advance for your support on this matter. Kind Regards, Balmerino Primary Parent Council
Parent Council are always looking for new members and are currently recruiting for a treasurer. If you are interested in getting more involved, you can contact them directly at pcbalmerino@gmail.com

 

Summer Fair
The summer Fair will be held on Monday 24th June at 1.30pm followed by the end of year end, in the garden (weather permitting –  or the hall if not).
More details will follow but at this point, please can you hand in any donations for tombola/raffle (bottles, chocolates, toiletries, new items, unwanted gifts…) You can hand in to the office or at the Nursery door.
We also need volunteers to help run stalls – please email lucy.jess@fife.gov.uk if you can help. If you run a small business or have a craft etc interest, you are welcome to have a stall at the fair – £5 per table plus the contribution of a raffle prize. We would also be keen to hear from anyone with a talent for face painting.

Nursery and P1-7 Sports Day 
Fingers crossed the rain will hold of on 6th June for sports day. Please arrive from 1.15pm to the pitch. The children will come out and we will start at 1.30pm.  Parent Council would appreciate contributions for their bake sale – you can hand into the office in the morning. We will look forward to seeing you there. Children should wear kit to school all day – P1-7s can wear a t-shirt in their house colour if they have one or white if not. Please no cropped or vest tops and please apply sunscreen to your child at the start of the day. Nursery staff will top up if needed.

Summer Sandcastle Competitions

Everyone likes a free event in the summer! Click here for information…

Tesco Stronger Starts

Just a reminder that voting for the Parent Council project to set up a school library is currently open in Dundee Tesco Store – closing at the end of June. If you are in store, please pick up a blue token and pop it in the Balmerino slot!

Message from Active Schools

Dear Parent/Carer 
 
I am delighted to announce that Active Schools in partnership with Community Use are running a Summer camp from the 1st -5th of July at Madras College. This years summer camp will be our biggest yet with something for all of the family to enjoy. We have linked in with multiple services across the council to pull this together to ensure it is our best camp yet as part of the Active Fifers Working Group! I have listed below what we have on offer this far. Registration opens Saturday 1st June! 
 
Play Scheme – Multi Sport/ Activity 
Who – P1-P7 pupils
When – 1st July to 5th July 
Time – 9:30-12:30
Where – Madras College
Cost – £30 for the full week! 
 
To register your child for a place please contact Community Use on Communityuse.madras@fife.gov.uk or call 01334 659354 
 
Family Afternoons 
Who – No age limit bring your whole family
When – Friday 5th July 
Time – 1:30-3pm 
Where – Madras College
Cost – Free
Activities – Rugby and Pickleball 
 
https://forms.office.com/e/X0PbMQfKTt
 
Teenager and Adult offering 
What: Curling 
Who – Aged 12-100
When – Friday 5th July 
Time – 11:30 – 12:30
Where – Madras College
Cost – Free 
 
https://forms.office.com/e/X0PbMQfKTt
We are still working with some partners to add even more to our programme! We will be in touch soon as more activities are finalised. 
Be sure to get signed up quickly as spaces don’t hang around long! We can’t wait to see you all there!! 
 
Thank you,
Madison Garland 
Active Schools Coordinator 

 

 

Weekly Information – 10th May 2024

Safe in the sun

From now until the end of September we recommend you apply sunscreen to your child each morning. Nursery staff can top up children if needed but P1-7 staff cannot. If you want them to, P1-7 children can bring a bottle of sunscreen in their bag and top up in the cloakroom at lunchtime but they need to be able to do this independently and you must make sure they know not to share due to allergies. Please don’t send your child to school or nursery with bare shoulders or wearing a cropped top – this includes for PE kit. I recommend longer shorts and skirts to protect the upper thighs which can also burn easily. Please remember waterbottles and sun hats too.

 

Madras Guidance Visits

The Madras Guidance Team will visit on Friday 17th May at 9.30am to meet the P7s and help them learn about their new school. They will also meet with Miss Diplexcito for face to face handover information.

 

Contagious Illnesses

Click Here to see a useful poster which has come into school regarding how long your child should stay off school when unwell. Please follow the advice on this poster if your child is ill.

 

Free Community Fun Day in July (SAMH mental health charity)

Weekly Information – 3rd May 2024

Message from Active Schools

I wanted to share this brilliant opportunity that Fife AC are offering our young people to participate in a series of running events:

flyer_Minitour_of_Fife_24

Madison

 

Dates for this term

Monday 6th May – School Holiday

Thursday 9th May – Inservice Training Day – School and Nursery closed to pupils

Wednesday 29th May – Sports Day – all parents and family members welcome to join us on the pitch from 1.30 onwards

Monday 3rd June – School Holiday

Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th June – P7s on three-day Transition visit to Madras

Friday 21st June – P1-7 and pre-school Nursery Children bringing reports home

***Please note this is a changed date**** Monday 24th  June – Summer Fair and End of Year Event – all parents invited to come to school for this in the afternoon. If it should rain, we will move into the hall and may need to restrict the number of parents coming. Fingers crossed it will be dry! P7 parents will hear their child’s memories whatever the weather!

Tuesday 25th June – P7s going to Lochore Meadows for Mountain Biking – more information will follow.

 Thursday 27th June – P1-7 Woods Day

Friday 28th June – Last day of term 4

End of Term and Looking Ahead to Next

Café Inc Easter 2024 

Cafe Inc is a free lunch club for children, and young people. It provides tasty, healthy meals
for our young people, while our schools are closed during the holidays. No need to book, just
turn up. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult, who can also have a meal.
Cafe Inc venues will all be listed on our interactive map, which is available along with other
advice and help with the Cost of Living, at our.fife.scot/gethelp

 

Active Schools have asked us to share this poster:

 

Please make sure you have a note of these dates for next term:

Monday 15th April

– First day of term 4

 

Monday 6th May – School Holiday

 

Thursday 9th May – Inservice Training Day – School and Nursery closed to pupils

 

Wednesday 29th May – Sports Day – all parents and family members welcome to join us on the pitch from 1.30 onwards

 

Monday 3rd June – School Holiday

 

Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th June – P7s on three-day Transition visit to Madras

 

Friday 21st June – P1-7 and pre-school Nursery Children bringing reports home

 

Tuesday 25th June – Summer Fair and End of Year Event – all parents invited to come to school for this in the afternoon. If it should rain, we will move into the hall and may need to restrict the number of parents coming. Fingers crossed it will be dry! P7 parents will hear their child’s memories whatever the weather!

 

Thursday 27th June – P1-7 Woods Day

 

Friday 28th June – Last day of term 4

Weekly Information – 22nd March 2024

 

Message from Active Schools

Dear Parent / Carers, 
 
Please check the link below to access our latest North-East Fife: Clubs & Partners Sway (March 2024). We have a growing list of local clubs & partners sharing opportunities for children and young people from Nursery, P1-S6, Adults and Families. 
 
Message from Forgan Arts Centre

It’s getting closer to our children’s Spring Art Club at Forgan Arts Centre and we can feel the excitement building! With explorative arts and crafts activities and outdoor play in our vast grounds and mini woodland, we are here from 9am – 3.30pm over the Easter holidays. We are sure that we have something for every budding young creative! As well as our general places, we provide 4 free places each day for families on low income. Led by professional artists, we have a variety of activities which are listed by day via our website here: Forgan Arts Centre (pembee.app)

More information is available here: kids whats on Forgan Families

We hope to see you there!

Weekly Information – 15th March 2024

Upcoming Dates (March-May)

Wednesday 20th March – Parent Teacher Meetings 5-7pm – appointments are on Seesaw

Tuesday 26th March – Parent Teacher Meetings 3.30-5.30pm – appointments are on Seesaw

Thursday 28th March – Last day of term 3

Monday 15th April – First day of term 4

Monday 6th May – School Holiday

Thursday 9th May – Inservice Training Day – School and Nursery closed to pupils

Wednesday 29th May – Sports Day – all parents and family members welcome to join us on the pitch from 1.30 onwards

 

Decider Skills Workshop for Parents

This workshop is aimed at helping parents & carers both recognise and support their own mental health, but also develop skills they can use with children. Mrs Purves and I have both done this course and Mrs Purves has taught of the skills to children in P5/6/7. I really can’t recommend it highly enough. Please sign up in the following form if you’d like to attend: https://forms.office.com/e/dgFzFCmVm7

 

Message from Families First, St Andrews

We would love for families and staff  to be able to come along on Saturday morning to support our coffee morning, it is drop in 10-12 at St Andrews Baptist Church. Also if any parents or carers would enjoy volunteering with Families First there are a number of roles available and the next round of training will be on Friday 19 April 2024. Please see the posters below for further details.  Families First is a wonderful charity supporting children and young people and their families with additional needs. We have lots of student volunteers but are seeking volunteers who are local and able to offer more stability. There are roles available during school hours and out with. We are particularly seeking volunteers who can support families and someone who would be able to help with web design using elementor/ word press. If you would like more information please email Laura Veitch vc@familiesfirststandrews.org.uk .

 

Weekly Information – 1st March 2024

Rag Bag Collection

There will be a Rag Bag Collection on Wednesday 6th March.  Please can we ask that any donations are brought into school on Tuesday 5th March.  Thank you

 

World Book Day – 7th March

World Book day is the 7th of March, children can come to school dressed as their favourite book character.

 

Parentwise Survey – Last Chance if you haven’t done it yet!

Please complete the Parentwise Survey – it is open until 8th March. Click here to read more details and find a QR code to scan to go to the survey. Or click here to access the survey directly. All Fife Council Schools take part in the survey and your responses and comments will be collated and shared back to me. Staff and I will use the results to plan School Improvement Priorities for next year. We really value your feedback and I encourage you to take part.

 

Primary 1 Enrolments for August 2024

Just a reminder that all enrolments must be done by 15th March. You must enrol for your catchment school but can then make a request for another school if you have a preference for a different school. If this is the case you should note that you won’t hear the outcome of your placing request until the end of April. If you are making a placing request to our school, please understand that I won’t be able to give you a decision until then. Click here to complete online.

 

Weekly Information – 12th February 2024

Madras Transition

Mr Currie (Rector) and Mr Wishart (Depute) will visit P7 on the morning of 21st  February. This is the first part of the Universal Transition Programme to Madras and a great opportunity for the children to begin to learn about their new school. The date has been rescheduled.

On 26th March, all P7s in the cluster will go to Madras for a ceilidh. This will be a great chance to meet P7s from other schools and it will see the whole of next years’ S1 cohort working together. More info will follow – there will be no charge for the outing as Madras are funding the buses.

 

Don’t forget these up coming dates

Tuesday 13th February – Pancake Day. All P1-7 children will get a pancake and drink at playtime. Please donate £1 towards school fund if you can. Karen Peters is kindly providing her time and the pancakes and drinks for free meaning that all profits will go to school fund to help buy resources and fund trips. Please support this fundraiser if you can. Great thanks to Karen. Nursery children will get a pancake in Nursery – no charge as this will be covered by Nursery contribution.

Wednesday 14th February – Inservice Training Day – School and Nursery closed to pupils

Thursday 15th and Friday 16th February – School Holidays

Tuesday 20th February – P1-7 STEM Afternoon – parents invited in to do a piece of STEM learning with their child.

Thursday 7th March – World Book Day – All children invited to wear a costume.

20th and 26th March – P1-7 Parent/Teacher meetings – a form will come out in early March so that you can request a slot.

 

Parentwise Survey

Please complete the Parentwise Survey – it is open until 8th March. Click here to read more details and find a QR code to scan to go to the survey. Or click here to access the survey directly. All Fife Council Schools take part in the survey and your responses and comments will be collated and shared back to me. Staff and I will use the results to plan School Improvement Priorities for next year. We really value your feedback and I encourage you to take part.

 

Weekly Information – 2nd February 2024

Madras Visit

Mr Currie (Rector) and Mr Wishart (Depute) will visit P7 on the morning of 8th February. This is the first part of the Universal Transition Programme to Madras and a great opportunity for the children to begin to learn about their new school.

 

Wormit Choir

Four P6/7 Pupils will join Wormit Senior Choir from Tuesday. This is a great opportunity for them to visit and participate in an activity at a larger school. It is something which we offer each year.

 

Don’t forget these up coming dates

Tuesday 13th February – Pancake Day. All P1-7 children will get a pancake and drink at playtime. Please donate £1 towards the cost if you can. Nursery children will get a pancake in Nursery – no charge as this will be covered by Nursery contribution.

Wednesday 14th February – Inservice Training Day – School and Nursery closed to pupils

Thursday 15th and Friday 16th February – School Holidays

Tuesday 20th February – P1-7 STEM Afternoon – parents invited in to do a piece of STEM learning with their child.

Thursday 7th March – World Book Day – All children invited to wear a costume.

 

Parentwise Survey

Please complete the Parentwise Survey – it is open until 8th March. Click here to read more details and find a QR code to scan to go to the survey. Or click here to access the survey directly. All Fife Council Schools take part in the survey and your responses and comments will be collated and shared back to me. Staff and I will use the results to plan School Improvement Priorities for next year. We really value your feedback and I encourage you to take part.

 

Weekly Information – 26th January 2024

Parentwise Survey

Please complete the Parentwise Survey – it is open until 8th March. Click here to read more details and find a QR code to scan to go to the survey. Or click here to access the survey directly. All Fife Council Schools take part in the survey and your responses and comments will be collated and shared back to me. Staff and I will use the results to plan School Improvement Priorities for next year. We really value your feedback and I encourage you to take part.

 

Message from Active Schools

Click Here to find out about community opportunities.

 

SAVE UP TO £456 PER CHILD IN 2024 – Message for All Parents / Carers from Fife Council

Free school meals are available for ALL children in P1-P5 automatically, with no criteria to meet and no need to apply. If your child normally takes a packed lunch, why not encourage them to try a school lunch? It could free up valuable time for you and help you save up to £456 per child over the whole school year.

If you have children in P1-P5 who normally bring their lunch to school, why not earn yourself a break from making packed lunches.  It could be one way to save on the cost of the school day.  At this time of year, everything helps.

During 2024, we’ll be aiming to raise awareness about the kind of food options available and help you convince your children to try a school meal – there really is something for all tastes, textures and dietary needs.

As well as a range of cooked meals, there are healthy packed-lunch options too – filled rolls, sandwiches and wraps.  We try to provide something for everyone, whether that be for plainer eaters or children with special dietary requirements.  We are always striving to improve the quality and variety of what we provide.

Our menus provide a balanced diet over the week and at least one third of the daily nutritional requirements of pupils. You can download the Fife school meals menu and read more about school meals including menu information, ingredients and allergens at www.fife.gov.uk/schoolmeals

Parents and carers of children in Primary 6 and 7, and those with a young person in high school may also be eligible for Free School Meal Entitlement, but you must apply for this. To see if you qualify for this or other benefits go to www.fife.gov.uk/educationbenefits.

This time of year can increase money worries for everyone.  Make sure you’re getting the help you’re entitled to.  There’s also help available for those who aren’t eligible for any benefits – some support is universal, meaning anyone can get it.  Check if there’s anything that might ease the winter pressures for you at our.fife.scot/gethelp. You can see what other benefits you might be entitled to by using the Fife Benefits Calculator, which you’ll also find there.