October 2020 Issue 2
Phew – we’re nearly at the end of term 1! What a term this has been! Pupils and staff have worked so hard in trying to get back to normality whilst also doing a bit of catch up on missed learning during lockdown. Getting back to normality and routine has been very tiring for pupils and I think they have done an excellent job! Roll on term 2, I hope it is as successful as term 1!
Celebrations!
In light of the fact that our pupils have made such great effort in school we want to have a little celebration on their last day of term 1 which will be Thursday this week!
We will be having a pyjama day on Thursday 8th October- there is no charge for this. Pupils will continue with their studies in class for the morning and then in the afternoon we will have a class by class movie and treat afternoon. Pupils will watch a film and we will provide popcorn, drinks and other treats for them – we want to make this a special ‘well done’ afternoon!
Gardening
Our gardening work is up and running again and pupils, so far, are enjoying the focused activities we have on offer. We continue to work in partnership with North Glasgow Community Food Initiative (NGCFI) who supports us with gardening and cooking. Tuesday is gardening day for classes on a fortnightly rota basis and, as long as there is no safety concerns with extreme weather conditions, pupils will be outside. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with sensible shoes and waterproof jacket.
Outdoor Learning
In addition to the above gardening sessions, pupils will also spend approximately one third of their time at school learning outside. Staff have been working hard planning for ways to take curricular learning outside. Pupils will engage in all aspects of the curriculum outside so long as it is safe to do so. Please make sure your child has a jacket and sensible footwear every school day. Pupils do enjoy working outside when they are dressed well for the weather!
Parent Survey
I have sent you a survey link by text. I am keen to hear your views on school return and recovery since lockdown. As you know we have had to put in some additional safety measures to ensure good hygiene and less crowding and we want to know what you think. It is a very difficult time for us here in that we have less contact with you, the parents, than we would like. This is obviously due to the current pandemic – we hope things will get better soon! Please do complete the questions – they are all simply choice answers or ratings, so no need to write any text. It will take you approximately 5 minutes to complete and would be so very helpful to us. Many Thanks in advance to those who take the time to submit their survey.
Sponsored West Highland Way!
I am absolutely delighted to let you know that all classes in school completed the West Highland Way virtual walk/run event! Your children should be very proud of themselves as we are of them! Every class ran/walked 96 miles over a 2 week period – what a great achievement!
I want to say a huge thank you for all sponsor money and donations received. What a great bunch of families and friends we have! The total was HUGE!!! £811.60!
If anyone still has sponsor money to hand in, it is not too late! All money gets banked into school fund which is used directly to support ‘added extras’ for our pupils. We are saving money at present for when we can get back out and about on trips and visits, in addition to thinking of creative ways to celebrate Christmas in a fairly restrictive year – I’m sure we will come up with some great ideas!
Seesaw
I am delighted to see that so many of you have signed up to our online journaling and learning service Seesaw. Seesaw is protected and personalised, not for public viewing. Class teachers can post learning tasks for your child in addition to highlighting and ‘showing off’ their successes in school. This is a crucial tool for all during the current situation when our active face to face opportunities with you are so limited. On Seesaw you can see what pupils have been learning about and how this learning can be extended at home. Please do sign up if you have not already done so. Class teachers will re-issue instructions to those who have not signed up.
School meals
You may or may not know that P5-7 system for meal payment has changed. Pupils can no longer bring money to school to pay for lunch and breakfast. If your child is in P5-7 and not in receipt of free school meals, payment must be made on a Friday for the week ahead. We do not encourage back payments as this confuses the process.
Please make sure meals are paid for in advance using your child’s unique payment code and bank transfer.
Home Learning
At the present time class teachers are preparing home learning packs for every pupil. We want to be prepared should there be any additional restrictions, or if pupils are required to self-isolate for a period of time. These folders containing 2 weeks’ worth of activities will be given out with a covering letter on Thursday 8th October. Please keep these packs safe at home and only make use of them when instructed. These packs ARE NOT for use during October week holiday – pupils need a break! Should there be a need to use them afterwards then we will text you to let you know.
iPads
Pupils in P7 will soon get a personal school iPad to use for learning. They will be able to use this in class and at home. This is part of the council digital roll out. The iPad will always belong to Glasgow City Council but pupils will have use of one to support their learning. The date for this is 27th October and we will be looking for parental support in this project. There will be agreements on safe use to be signed and pupils will be taught how to use the learning tools on the iPad.
School Improvement
I just want to give you a flavour of the contents of our school improvement plan. Within our plan we have three priorities and these are broken down into subheadings and associated tasks.
Our priorities are:
- Health and wellbeing – continue our work on restorative approaches to conduct and behaviour management, in addition to addressing nurturing principles throughout the school. This is in line with our school recovery plan which is on-going and available on the school website.
- Raising Attainment – we are developing our work in Literacy and consolidating work in Numeracy. We will be addressing core skills in Talking and Listening, linking them to Reading and Writing in contextualised situations (real life). After undertaking significant work on Numeracy over past years we want also to ensure this remains fresh and in line with current research and theory.
- Digital Learning – We are part of the refresh GCC IT programme and this has been significantly pushed forward due to the current climate – we are trying to keep up! All P7s will receive an Ipad on the 27th October to support their learning in class and at home. Classes will soon be fitted with Apple TVs and accompaniments to increase digital learning potential.
Our School Improvement Plan 20-21 will be uploaded onto school website shortly.
Healthy drinks and snacks
We continually try to pass messages of healthy eating and drinking onto pupils. Pupils can drink water at school. During class time pupils can drink plain water. Research proves that this actually enhances performance in the classroom – class teachers will encourage this. Pupils can bring flavoured water (eg lemon lime, strawberry) for break times although we do try to dissuade them from this as there is some sugar contained. We also try to encourage pupils to bring healthy snacks to school. A piece of fruit or chopped vegetables are excellent choices. Pupils are rewarded for making healthy choices in eating and drinking and can win a special active treat if their good choices become consistent.
I am always disappointed when I see pupils coming to school eating sweets and drinking fizzy drinks. I’m not sure if parents and carers know pupils are doing this but I would encourage you to speak with your child about this. It does not make for a great start to the day!
Jane McShane
Head Teacher
headteacher@royston-pri.glasgow.sch.uk
