Term 1
NEWSLETTER – TERM 1 2025-26
Head Teacher Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
A huge welcome back to the new school session, and a very warm welcome to all our new families. It has been quite a busy term already, but everyone seems to be settling into it all very well. Our new P7s have just completed their action-packed residential trip to Ardroy and it’s been exciting to hear all their stories.
This session, we are expecting a visit from HMIE and are looking forward to sharing our fabulous little school with them.
Our newsletter provides as much information as possible but, as always, things can sometimes change. However, we will always do our best to keep you informed at the earliest opportunity.
Mrs K Woodhouse
Head Teacher
Staff Team
| Mrs Kirsty Woodhouse | Head Teacher of Star PS and Coaltown of Balgonie PS |
| Mrs Kirsty Garden | Principal Teacher at Star PS and Coaltown of Balgonie PS |
| Miss Abigail King | Support for Learning Teacher – based at Star PS every second Monday |
| Mrs Lee Lowe | Class Teacher of P1-3, Tuesday-Friday |
| Mrs Maura Lee | Class Teacher of P1-3, Monday and Non-class contact teacher |
| Miss Kirstyn Drummond | Class Teacher of P4-7, Tuesday-Friday |
| Miss Lorna Mill | Class Teacher of P4-7, Monday and Non-class contact teacher |
| Mrs Alison Short | Pupil Support Assistant |
| Mr Stevie Lyall | Janitor |
| Mrs Heather Robertson | Kitchen Supervisor |
| Mrs Margaret Law | Clerical Assistant, Monday-Tuesday |
| Miss Liz Boyle | Clerical Assistant, Wednesday-Friday |
Water Bottles in School
We remind families that plain water only should be provided daily to pupils. This complies with the Scottish Government Guidance that pupils must always have easy access to free, fresh drinking water. Water quenches thirst and does not damage teeth. We appreciate your support by only providing water in the pupils’ bottles.
Parents Portal
Parentsportal.scot is a digital service to help replace the traditional school bag run by providing direct communication to parents through a growing suite of online services.
This Portal provides parents with a single window to access many of the systems that Fife schools are already using. The systems allows you to;
- report your child’s absence from school
- access online school payments (iPayImpact)
- book your child’s parents evenings
- complete the annual data check process electronically
- update your own as well as your child’s details at any time
- access Parent Zone and MyFife
The app can be downloaded on the App store and Google play.
We aim to have all parents and carers using the service and the following videos will walk you through the steps you need to take. The parents portal is used in High Schools too so by taking the time to sign up now will give you access throughout your child’s years in education. The school office will be happy to assist you registering for the parents portal, please just pop in anytime.
HOW TO ACCESS Parents portal
To use the portal, you will need a mygov.scot log on.
The first video details how to apply for the mygov.scot log on and then register for the portal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9GgNJw5zms&t=52s
The second video is for parents and carers who already have a mygov.scot log on and shows how to register for the parents portal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdGqV9RMVoQ&t=1s
Seesaw
Both classes continue to use SEESAW as a home-school communication tool. Teachers will use SEESAW to outline targets, send general messages and share updates relevant to their class. If you have yet to log on or receive information then please contact the school office who can assist.
We kindly ask that you do not use SEESAW to report your child’s absence. Please use the Parents Portal, call the office on 01592 583463 (manned between 8:45am and 3:15pm) or text 07860004840 to let us know of any absence or appointments for your child.
School Uniform
Star PS logo embroidered uniform can be purchased locally from Ed at Talking Horse Design and Print. Order forms can be requested via email at ed@talking.horse or if you would prefer to speak to Ed then he can be contacted on 07944 797532. This is a marvellous way to shop locally and help the community.
Star PS logo embroidered uniform can also be purchased online at www.brigade.uk.com with our new logo on.
Alternatively, similar uniform without the school logo can also be purchased from High Street shops including Asda, Morrisons and Matalan.
Parent Council
Our Parent Council are incredibly supportive to our school needs, and we would be lost without them. It is that time of year where we have had to say goodbye to a few members as their children have moved on, and so, the Parent Council are looking for new members to join the team. How much time the members commit is entirely up to the members themselves. They can do as much or as little as they like but any amount of time given would be hugely appreciated.
Why not drop into the first Parent Council meeting of this session, being held at school on Wednesday 10th September at 6:15pm.
SEPTEMBER
| Thursday 4th | School Photographs |
| Friday 5th | PC Cake & Coffee Afternoon |
| Wednesday 10th | Star Parent Council AGM |
| Thursday 11th | P7’s joining Coaltown PS P6/7’s for CLD course |
| Monday 15th | P4-7 Visit to Care Home |
| Friday 19th | Open Afternoon – Expressive Arts |
| Tuesday 23rd | Meet the Teacher |
| Thursday 25th | Meet the Teacher |
OCTOBER
| Monday 6th | P4-7 Visit to Care Home |
| Thursday 9th | P7’s joining Coaltown PS P6/7’s for CLD course |
| Friday 10th | Non-Uniform Day
Last Day of Term |
Multisport After-School Club – every Monday until 29th September
Lunchtime Football with the Strollers – every Thursday from 11th September until 9th October
Outdoor Learning (Fernie Field), Loose Parts and Skills based activities will run on a three-weekly rotation. Please ensure children come to school wearing appropriate clothing to suit the weather on Outdoor Learning days. School clothes should still be worn on Loose Parts/Skills days.
