November 2020 Issue 3
What a super start to term 2 our pupils have made! They are working so hard to make themselves and you proud! We are on the countdown to Christmas and we are working hard to ensure some festive cheer for all – not easy in this current climate of travel limitations and increased restrictions. All theatres and shows are off the menu in addition to our fabulous choir fundraising missions. We will not let this get us down – we have some provisional plans in place which I will share with you as soon as things are confirmed.
Book Fayre
The fayre is back in school – this week only! All classes will get the chance to browse the books and Mrs McDougall will fill in a wee slip if your child spots something they like. Your child will bring this information home to you. It is entirely up to you whether or not you decide to send in the money for the book – your choice completely.
Gardening
Our gardening work is going very well providing super learning opportunities outdoors. Pupils have been engaging in a variety of curricular areas in the gardens and this will continue on for the foreseeable future. Please do always make sure your child is suitably dressed for inclement weather, outdoor activities are only cancelled if the weather is deemed a safety risk for pupils eg – torrential rain, very high winds, weather warnings etc. Otherwise pupils will be outside.
Family Finances
This is a very real challenge for some people during these COVID-19 times. Many people are struggling for funds, employment etc and Glasgow Life has some support available. ‘Family Finances Approach’ supports parents and carers to increase their income through employment. Please get in touch with them, they will soon be coming to Royston Library.
Tel: 07443 814 190
Email: financialcapability@glasgowlife.org.uk
After school Clubs
We are beginning to get back up and running with clubs again – albeit, outdoors. Football has commenced for pupils and we are looking into other options for outdoor extra-curricular activity. All our afterschool clubs must run outdoors as they will involve mixing pupils from different classes. We will only cancel a club if the weather presents a safety risk eg torrential rain, very high winds, weather warning etc. Otherwise the club will still run. We normally find that when pupils are choosing to engage in a club they enjoy, they don’t really bother about the weather! Please do remember though that clubs are opt in – if you decide to collect your child before club begins due to weather or for any other reason, this is perfectly fine. I will keep you posted on any further offerings of outdoor afterschool clubs.
Keeping our school safe
You will have received a letter from our Director of Education Maureen McKenna alerting you to updating guidance on keeping our schools open and safe for all. In order to do this school staff will increase their use of face coverings. We have spoken to pupils about this so as to ease their anxiety. Staff in classes are mostly working without face coverings and maintaining appropriate distance where possible. During breaks and lunches and in communal areas of the school, staff will wear a covering, but if pupils become a little anxious we will not hesitate to show our faces!
In addition we would ask parents/family dropping pupils off and collecting if you possibly can, please wear a face covering
Ventilation – As you will know we have had to keep all areas of school well ventilated with open windows and doors as much as possible. The weather is getting a little colder now and guidance has been updated accordingly. From now on, there has to be 2 air changes in each room per hour. This becomes a little tricky for class teachers to monitor during teaching times therefore we will simply keep at least one window open in addition to classroom door at all times. Classroom thermometers have been ordered and we will be keeping classrooms above 17 degrees for pupil and staff comfort. It is not easy to learn when you are freezing cold! You may wish to put an extra layer of clothing on your child or even a vest but if pupils complain they are cold we will make adjustments as necessary.
P.E.
We have been given to go ahead to bring our curricular physical education lessons into the gym hall. This is a positive step as we will now have the flexibility to go outdoors or stay inside for P.E. Unfortunately all changing facilities remain closed and pupils will have to come to school wearing their gym kit or have shorts underneath their school clothes. Hopefully this will change again soon, especially for our older pupils.
Parents Appointments
Normally we would be hosting our formal parents evening in November. Sadly we cannot do this as we cannot have parents inside the school building. We will be arranging telephone appointments with all parents week commencing 16th November. I am in the process of making arrangements to bring teachers out of their classes to facilitate this and will give you information on dates and times when I have it. I will be as flexible as I can around parental work commitments – please look out for additional information coming to you towards the end of this week.
Interim Reporting
Class teachers are at the completion stages of interim reports. These will be given out week commencing 9th November. These reports will give you a basis and structure for dialogue with teachers during telephone appointments. Please don’t hesitate to make notes/write down questions about the report – we will answer these as best we can during telephone appointments.
P2/1 Outing
Mr Thomson and his class will be visiting Clyde Valley Farm Park on the 10th November. This educational visit is in line with current topics and themes in class. Pupils will need waterproof clothing as they will be outside almost all day. Pupils will also need a packed lunch on that day.
This is very exciting as it will be our first outing from school this session! We will be looking to support further outings (outdoors) when and where it is appropriate.
Flu Immunisation
On 16th November our vaccine nurses will be based in school to administer the nasal flu vaccine. If you returned your consent for this then your child will have their vaccine on this day.
Parental Survey Results
A big thank you to those who completed the little survey sent to you at the end of term 1. We had 49 returns. Your opinions matter to us and we are committed to providing the best service we can to you and your children. The results:
Q1 Are you happy with the arrangements in place for returning to school during the pandemic?
46 parents said yes and 3 said no
Q2 How would you rate Royston Primary approach to returning to school during a pandemic?
Average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars
Q3 As we were unable to have a ‘Meet the Teacher’ event in September all class teachers attempted to call almost all families. Did you receive this call?
35 parents said yes and 14 said no
Q4 Did you feel this call was useful?
Yes – 30 No – 3 Didn’t receive call – 15
Q5 In your opinion, does your child feel safe and happy back at school?
Always – 26 Never – 0 Most of the time – 18 Sometimes – 4
Q6 Does the staggered entry – 8.45am-9.15am – work well for you?
Yes – 49 No – 0
Q7 Is there any difficulty with social distancing at school finish time 3pm?
Yes – 9 No – 34 Occasionally – 6
Q8 Do you feel you are kept well informed about school?
Yes – 45 No 3
Q9 How good is Royston Primary at communicating with you?
Average rating of 4.4 out of 5
Again thank you for completing this – very interesting and useful information for us to gather and act upon. Look out for the next survey!
Jane McShane
Head Teacher
headteacher@royston-pri.glasgow.sch.uk
