Parent Evening
This will be held on the 24th November from 3.30-8pm. You will receive an appointment time and more details about this in the next day or two. Interim reports are being written at present and will be issued prior to parents evening. I look forward to seeing you all then.
Staffing
As always in school, there have been more staff changes. This is unavoidable and is something that we learnt to embrace positively. Every new member of staff will bring a new dimension to a team and we can use this to the benefit of the pupils. Pupils are missing Ms Tarbert but have welcomed Miss Bonner to Royston Primary. Miss Bonner is working in all classes and has settled in well. Pupils have been extremely welcoming and helping her feel ‘at home’.
We will be having teaching students start very soon in primary 1 and primary 2. Students do at times have full responsibility for their class however this is very closely overseen by the class teacher. We have also been very lucky to be chosen for ‘literacy clinic’. This is a programme run by Strathclyde University where some pupils are selected to work with teaching students in order to enhance their literacy skills.
We have a volunteer called Mickdona working with various classes. She is there to support pupils where she can, and gain some experience of school and teaching.
Community Week
Next week will be community week. The purpose of this is to allow pupils to engage positively with community activities and see what their community can offer them. Pupils play a key role in their community and we feel it is absolutely vital to foster strong links and help them build relationships.
Social Enterprise
Primary 3 pupils have been working hard at business planning for their recycled uniform sale next week. This fits in nicely with community week. Pupils will be selling uniform at the end of the school day at the entrance of the dining hall at much reduced prices. I do hope you will support the pupils…and grab a bargain too!
Clubs
At present, clubs are mainly for older pupils in school. We have street dance, football, basketball and computing. We have also started a lunch club for primary 2 and 3 pupils called dance/play. We will soon start an athletics, and are looking at opportunities for younger pupils. Our parent council have started organising our school Christmas Fayre and in preparation for this, will be starting an arts and craft club. Permission forms will come for this separately. This club will start on the 16th November and will run for 3 weeks.
Christmas
Preparations are in full flow now as we speed along to Christmas. All pupils will have the opportunity to attend a pantomime suitable to their age and stage. P1-4 will go to Puss ‘n’ Boots on the 11th December and P5-7 will go to Sleeping Betty on the 8th December. Christmas lunch will be on the 9th December. Christmas Fayre will be on the 10th December and Christmas assembly will be on the 18th December. Primary 1 and 7/6 will be leading this. All pupils will have a Christmas party and these will happen during week beginning 14th December. This is a very quick and brief insight into some of the plans for the festive period, however there will be more detail in the December newsletter.
Toy Sale
Thank you to all who contributed/bought/gave money for the recent toy sale. This was a huge success with almost every item on sale being sold! Primary 7/6 pupils were excellent ‘sellers’! This money is being used to support Christmas activities.
Sportshall Challenge
Primary 6/5 have been training for sportshall challenge. This event will take place on the 17th November in Tollcross leisure centre.
Attendance at school
Attendance at school is compulsory for every school age child. School starts at 9am. If your child is absent or arrives late, this will have an impact on their learning and development. In the main, attendance is reasonably good but we have some pupils whose attendance is less than 90% which needs to be improved. I am in the process of monitoring attendance and if I feel it is too low, I will write to you. There are also a few pupils who are arriving late for school on too many occasions. When pupils arrive on time for school, they begin their busy day of learning on a positive note, thus having a positive impact on their learning. Please do strive to ensure your child is at school every day, on time. If you are having any issues with this, please do let us know as we may be able to support.
Secure cycle parking
Royston Primary have been successful in their bid for funding to erect a secure parking area for cycles and scooters. Several pupils cycle and ride to school each day and in the near future, they will have a specific area in which to park their cycles and scooters. The funding is being processed at the present time and I will know more about time scales very soon.
A few things…
• May I 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.
• Pupils in primary 6 and 7 will be going to Blairvadach on Friday and coming home on Sunday. Ms White will be ensuring this residential trip runs smoothly. If you have any questions, concerns or queries please do not hesitate to contact Ms White.
• All pupils must bring P.E. kits to school for P.E. sessions. This comprises of shorts/leggings/jogging bottoms, a t-shirt and indoor shoes. If pupils are not properly dressed for P.E. then often they cannot take a fully active role. This then has a negative impact on their learning and development in P.E.
• All pupils are asked to stay in school during lunch time. On very odd occasions, some pupils go home for lunch, but this is with prior agreement with parents/carers. Pupils are not permitted to go and buy lunch in the local shop. We must ensure all pupils safety and security and we do this by keeping them in school.
As you will know, I have now been made permanent on the staffing here at Royston Primary. I am delighted to be able to stay and I wish to thank everyone for their continued support in all that we try to achieve.
I am fully committed to Royston Primary and look forward to working with/talking to every parent/carer here.
T ogether
E veryone
A chieves
M ore !! TEAM!
Jane McShane
Head Teacher
