May 2019 Issue 5
As we step into yet another busy and energetic term I would urge you to read this newsletter. There is always lots of information and key dates given – always useful!
SNSA
Scottish National Standardised Assessments will be carried out with pupils in primary 1, 4 and 7 this term. Pupils sit individual papers online in reading, writing and numeracy and the results of these feed into government statistics on achieving levels. You may have read or heard about these on the news with people having mixed feelings about these. We do not put pressure on our pupils during these assessments and treat them as a class task as opposed to a ‘test’ – especially for our youngest pupils. Please do get in touch if you have concerns and I can offer some reassurance.
Pupil Equity Funding
For the third year we will receive additional funding for pupils. This is a government initiative to ensure equity in opportunity and support for all pupils. Our amount for the coming session 19-20 has significantly reduced. The government use free school meal entitlement to measure school amounts and our numbers for entitlement have reduced. I cannot stress enough the importance of making your application even if your child already receives free meals. For each child with an entitlement we receive £1200 and our total for August is £68,400. With this additional funding we always place a teacher – this helps us reduce class sizes and gives us more potential to meet all pupil needs. There is little left over after the cost of a teacher, but we are looking at ways of using the left over money to support pupil mental health and well-being. You will shortly receive a survey seeking out our parental views on PEF spending and I do hope you will respond. School and staff are here as a service to you and your children and you have the right to be involved in such decisions. Please do take this opportunity.
Pupil reports
Teachers are at work just now planning and writing reports. We are trialling a new format this session and are keen to hear your views on this. Reports are due out to parents/carers at the end of May. Along with this will be an evaluation and we look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new format.
Snap Shot
Last term we trialled a new process in order to share your child’s learning and progress with you. This was by way of a ‘Snapshot’ jotter. It appeared to be fairly successful with the majority of parents/carers taking the opportunity to reflect on their child’s learning. Some parents/carers did not comment and this always surprises me. Our next snapshot week for most classes will be 13th May. Pupils will complete all work tasks at school in this jotter and at the end of the week they will bring it home for you to see and comment on the parent page. This is an opportunity for you to discuss school and learning with your child and look at setting targets together. Please do look out for the jotter coming home and make sure it comes back to school the following week.
Transitions
It is that time of year again! We have plans in place for primary 1 transition with sport events, teddy bear picnics and play days – bringing our current P1 and new entrants together on various occasions. All dates and times have been sent out to all new starts. Our formal induction events are on 9th and 20th May when children will visit and parents will participate in workshops.
The majority of P7-S1 transition plans are made and secondary visits have been arranged – primarily for St Roch’s – 29th and 31st May, 12th and 13th June for Springburn and 21st and 22nd May for Smithycroft.
European Parliamentary Elections
As you may know, the elections will be held on 23rd May. As usual, Royston Primary will be used as a polling station. As such there will now be an additional in service day for pupils due to security issues for pupils whilst the elections are taking place.
We’re having a baby!
I am delighted to inform you that Mrs Mair is expecting! She is keeping well, but some pupils have had suspicions! Mrs Mair will work on until summer holidays and is unlikely to return in August 2019. We offer our congratulations and best wishes at this happy and slightly overwhelming time!
Benji Bus
We are looking forward to housing Benji Bus May 13th-15th. Benji is a double decker bus full of interesting and exciting activities for young children. I am keen for all our P1/2 pupils and parents to experience time on the bus and will be organising a timetable to allow everyone equal opportunity. I am aware we have many families with children younger than school age and I will timetable you some time on board also. Please look out for information about this in school and on twitter.
London 3rd-6th June
Our primary 7 pupils will soon be venturing off to London for a jam packed itinerary full of exciting experiences. I must urge parents who haven’t paid £100 to try to pay this asap. I will host an information session for parents on the 15th May at 2pm for parents and pupils attending to find out more details on the trip and ask questions. There will be another information session nearer the time.
Library visits
As you will be aware, all pupils have fortnightly visits to the library and we have managed to get almost all pupils signed up as members. I would urge you to allow your child to visit and utilise the great library resource outwith school also. Pupils can visit the library any time they wish. Please do encourage your child to take an interest in the library as this is an excellent facility to have on your door step.
Annual Litter Pick 17th May
Our P4-7 pupils will soon engage with Spireview Housing Association in the annual litter pick. In some ways it is disappointing that we need to do this as no one should drop litter. However the reality is that people do and we hope that by encouraging our pupils to support a clean up, they will take a pride in their environment and not be the next generation of litter droppers.
Sports Day
Our annual sports day will be on the 28th May. Pupils will take part in the usual type of activities and play in their house groups. It would be great if your child could wear an item of clothing in their house colour – yellow, red, blue or green. It could be a t shirt or a pair of socks…even a head band! P1-3 pupils will participate 9.30-12 and P4-7 will participate 1-2.50pm.
Diary dates
School will be closed to pupils on:
6th May – holiday
7th May – In service
23rd May – Elections/In service
24th and 27th May Holiday
School will close at 1pm on the 28th June for the summer holidays.
Summer trips have yet to be organised – please do let us know if you have ideas on this. We are looking at different locations for this at present.
Some usual items…
- ALL pupils require to have the correct gym kit on the correct days. ALL pupils know when their gym days are and letters have also been sent out. Gym kit is shorts/leggings, T-shirt and indoor shoes. I am surprised we still have pupils regularly coming to school with no kit.
- Pupils should only be bringing water to school. This can be flavoured but preferably plain. There should be no colouring in it.
Jane McShane
Head Teacher
Headteacher@royston-pri.glasgow.sch.uk
