Welcome back! It is lovely to see all pupils and parents back around school again as we start a very busy and exciting new session. I hope you all had a smooth and restful summer break – despite the weather being a little poor at times! At this time of year there are lots of pieces of information to give you and as always, if you wish to discuss any matter arising, do not hesitate to contact me.
Teacher Drop in
We understand that as your child/children progress onto their next stage in learning with new classes and teachers there may be issues that ‘crop up’ in conversation at home. This session we will be having teacher drop in sessions on 31st August, 1st September and 2nd September in order for you to raise any matters arising, or simply to talk through general concerns regarding your child. This is an optional opportunity and teachers are not ‘requesting’ to see any particular parents/carers at this stage and it will not be a report giving session. It is a chance for you to have an informal access to your child’s teacher should you feel this is needed. These sessions will run on the above dates from 3-3.45pm.
Awards and Assemblies
Based on pupil, teacher and parent evaluation, we have decided to change the format of assemblies slightly this session. We will be having two shorter assemblies instead of a longer one. These will be on a Monday and Friday from 9-9.45am. Monday assembly will be created around various themes and topics and Friday assembly will be a celebration and curriculum assembly. On Fridays we will be giving out two awards per class – one star of the week and one worker of the week, as selected by each class teacher. The children will be praised in front of the whole school for their achievements and their picture and name will be displayed in the main foyer area. If your child achieves a badge or certificate etc outside of school in a club that they attend, they are welcome to bring this to school on a Friday and we will celebrate their success with them at assembly.
School Improvement Planning
Every session an improvement plan will be created. We gather information to guide this process by asking pupils, parents and staff to contribute to evaluations of the school. This session we have three priorities. These are:
- Raising attainment in core areas
- Meeting all learners needs
- Sustainability Improvement
If you would like more information on these or to read our plan for improvement, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
Staffing
This session we are delighted to welcome some new members of staff. Greg Steer is our probationer teacher in P4/3 and Rebecca Fraser is our long term supply teacher who will work primarily in P2 and P3. Both teachers come with a range of knowledge and skills that we will be able to make full use of for the benefit of the pupils!
Primary 1
Pupils in P1 have settled exceptionally quickly this session and are working very hard. This session, they have been staying for lunch and they are managing this process well. Primary 1 will begin staying at school all day 9-3pm, from 7th September onwards.
Last Friday
On the last Friday every month, there will be dress down day and pupils should bring 50p. Money raised will go directly into school fund. I must stress though that no football clothing, dangerous clothing or footwear, clothing supporting racism or sectarianism should be worn. Parents/carers will be called immediately should this rule be broken.
School Fund
Since returning to school, a number of pupils have been asking about trips and other exciting experiences that they would like throughout the session. I would love for these to happen, however without money this is impossible. During this session we will be selecting two charities which we will support, however we will also be focusing on raising money for our pupils to enjoy and benefit from some of the additional experiences than ‘the norm’ at school. Pupils have big plans! Please do send 50p with your child for dress down day and please support us with any fundraising or sponsors that we partake in…this is for your own child’s benefit as the money is used DIRECTLY for them.
Drinks in school
Can I please remind everyone of our request for water only in school. Pupils should only have plain water for during class time. If pupils wish to have flavoured water for break times this will be acceptable, however fruit shoots, capri suns etc etc should not be brought to school. We are continually trying to promote good health in our pupils and hope that you will support us in this.
Sports/activities
We are in the process of organising a number of opportunities for all stages in school in sport related activities. Primary 5 have started swimming lessons at Whitehill pool, Mr Steer will be opening up an athletics club during lunch times very soon, Football and dance coaches will be starting in school very soon for lower and upper stages and staff are training in gymnastics in order to prepare for Gymfest – a gymnastics Festival at the Emirates Arena. There are a number of other sports opening up soon and we will continue to try to offer as many of these experiences throughout the school. Can I please remind all parents and carers that pupils should have their gym kit at school every day in order to be prepared for this core part of the curriculum. Pupils cannot wear jewellery when taking part in physical activity – this being a rule set by Glasgow City Council.
Social Enterprise
Primary 3 pupils are beginning to engage with social enterprise planning. They are hoping to start up a business in selling recycled school uniform. Pupils grow out of school uniform so quickly and clothes are often in great condition but simply no longer fit them. If this is the case for your child, please send in any items of uniform you can no longer use, and we will sell them in our ‘shop’. More information will come about this as the pupils create their business plan.
Activity Time
As I’m sure you are aware, pupils have activity time on a Friday afternoon. This should be an educational, fun and interesting afternoon where pupils get the chance to engage in more practical tasks than they may at other times. We are looking to re-vamp things a little and also tie activity time into the school’s promoting positive behaviour policy. At the present time, we are seeking out the views of pupils and will continue to do this until we feel all views have been taken into account.
Display of Knowledge
All classes will be leading a display of knowledge over the course of the school session 2015/16. This will involve your child, along with their class, presenting their knowledge and skills in an aspect of the curriculum. They will present to the whole school and also parents and carers if you can come. You will have notice of when your child will be doing this, with the first class being primary 3 on the 2nd October at 9am. As I’m sure you will understand we can only accommodate parents and carers from that particular class as we will also have the rest of the school to seat. All classes will have their turn as the year goes on.
Harvest Assembly
This year’s Harvest assembly will be on the 9th October at 9.45am and will be presented by primary 4/3. More information will come about this nearer the time.
Rookie Rockstars
All pupils will be having a very exciting week (like no other!) week beginning 21st September. We will be welcoming an organisation called Rookie Rockstars in to deliver music activities for the whole school. They will work with the pupils every morning and will teach a variety of songs around the theme of personal and social development. For example bullying, being proud of yourself, friendship, resilience etc. This will result in a Rockstars concert on the evening of 1st October where your child will perform. Tickets will be priced at £5 each. I have yet to confirm the finer details with the organisation therefore more information will follow.
BBC
The BBC in partnership with Education Scotland will be here in school on Monday 24th August making a short film with a few pupils on building in the virtual world. Pupils are looking forward to this experience and we hope to show all the pupils as and when the film is complete.
Letters and permission
Please can I urge you to ensure you check your child’s school bag every evening as there will be a number of letters and permission forms being sent out in the coming weeks. We have already sent out Flu vaccination permission forms and have not had many returned. These are very important as without signed permission forms and authorisation from you to take part in things, your child may not be able to have all the experiences we can offer. If you require support with this, please do let us know and we will be more than happy to assist.
Evaluations
I would like to say a big thank you to all parents and carers who took the time to complete evaluations at the end of last term. Please be assured these have been well used already in guiding our school developments. All evaluations we issue for completion are sent out with purpose, that being to make improvements to your school. Please complete evaluations and ensure your voice is heard. I will soon be issuing a summary of that process with the findings and links to current improvement planning.
Phones/Game consoles
We ask that your child does not bring any electronic devices to school. Pupils get very upset if these type of items break or go missing and we have no insurance to cover this. We cannot take responsibility for these items and it is best if they simply stay at home. If your child must bring a phone with them to school we will need to discuss the reasons for this, and the phone will be kept in the office until the end of the school day.
Social Media
We understand that we live in a very advanced and computer literate society these days, however please do ensure your child is kept safe when engaging in online activities. In the past year or two there has been a great increase in the number of situations and problems arising out of social media type activities and these can be extremely upsetting and unsettling for pupils’ education. These situations often happen outside of school but frequently carry on into school, taking away from your child’s ability to give school activities their full attention. I would urge you to think carefully about what you allow your child to partake in online as, for example, the age requirement for facebook is 14.
And finally…
I would again like to stress that if you have any issues, concerns, questions regarding or impacting on school, please do not hesitate to bring them to us. Often we can assist or indeed solve issues without too much difficulty, thus cutting down on the stress and anxiety you and your child may be feeling.
Jane McShane
Acting Head Teacher
Royston Primary School
