March 2014
Dear Parents and Children,
We continue to be blessed by brilliant weather which has definitely shortened the winter for us all. I have only had to grit the playground and car park once this year so we have a significant surplus of salt and grit. That will be a wee saving on the budget next year as we won’t have to order any…..every little helps!
It is hard to believe that we are nearly at the end of yet another term and that the Easter holidays are once again upon us. I hope you are all planning some fun things to do. I am looking forward to spending time with Arianna who at the grand age of two is highly entertaining. On her visit to my brother’s farm this weekend she was heard to say to the new lambs “Allo Lambie….whats your name?” Aw bless…….She is also very active and always on the go so I have to work hard to keep up with her. Can’t wait though!
Open Afternoon
We are really looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow for our open afternoon. We hope to start at 1.30 promptly with the premier of the i movie which has captured the learning for this term. Then the children will lead you through some activities and presentations which will give you a flavour of what the learning experiences look like and feel like for the children. The afternoon will be rounded off in the classroom with teas, coffees and home bakes while you browse the children’s work and you will be sent home with a copy of your child’s report. They are awesome again this year and tell such great stories about the amazing learning that has been happening in Inveravon Primary.
Development of School Grounds
This can now become a reality thanks to the very generous donation of £1300 from Glenfiddich Distillery. This was gifted to the Parent Council following a request to the distillery via Brian Robinson and on behalf of everyone in the school community I would like to extend our thanks to the “Local Employee Forum” of Glenfiddich Distillery.
It is a tremendous boost and means we can hire in a digger to scoop out the ground up the back of the school to create a designated wetland area and can now afford to have a wooden platform made to provide a safe and dry route over it. We have plans to create a signed walkway which could be used as an educational experience for visitors to the area. The children will of course be involved at every stage during their weekly eco sessions with Mrs Lawson and the staff.
If you would like to help us out we would be very grateful of an extra pair of hands or any expertise you may have. This has been a long time in the planning and I am really excited to think that it is coming to fruition at last.
Science and Engineering Week
Last week saw science and engineering activities taking prominence in our curriculum On Tuesday morning the children rose to the challenge of making the Tallest Tower using a specific amount of Knex pieces. This was organised by Ann Larkham the Knex Generation Ambassador in Scotland. The winners were Kole and Olivia whose tower was a stupendous 133cm high! Everyone is to be congratulated for effort and perseverance and it was good to see such great team working and cooperation.
The children in P6 and P7 joined their peers from Knockando on Thursday to attend the Science Festival in Elgin. While they are away Mrs Macdonald kindly volunteered her services again to carry out some experiments with the children in
P1 – 5.
The week was due to culminate with a visit from the Eco Schools Green Flag assessor to see what the children have been doing since we were awarded our last green flag. However that had to be postponed at the very last minute and will now take place this Wednesday. Busy Busy!
Environmental Awareness
Our salmon eggs have all hatched and are doing well in their wee fridge at the back of the classroom. We monitor the temperature daily and make sure the water is clean by removing those which have not survived. Currently they are still feeding off their yolk sacks but are due to be released on Wednesday March 26th. If you would like to join the ceremonial march down the road to the burn then please join us. We will advise you of the time on Tuesday.
School Education Review and Staffing Update
The debate about the education review rumbles on and another meeting has been called for Parent Councils to attend in April. Please try to find the time to complete the Moray Council survey and the Inveravon Parent Council Survey as your opinions are important.
The good news this week is that the position of Principal Teacher, which has been vacant since Mrs Ducrocq left us at the end of her maternity leave, is now going to be advertised. This has been filled by Miss Smith on a temporary basis for this session.
It would be my hope that the post is filled before the end of the summer term which will remove at least one uncertainty.
School closes at usual times on Friday March 29th for two weeks and reopens on Monday April 14th and then we are off again on Good Friday April 18th.
Kind Regards
Head Teacher
