April 2015
Dear Parents and Children,
Welcome back to our summer term which has got off to great start weather wise. How splendid were our Easter holidays? I didn’t manage to spend quite so much time with the Grandchildren, Arianna and Isabelle as I had hoped but got a sufficient “fix” of cuddles, smiles and grandma time to keep me going.
I will keep this newsletter brief as Miss Smith has already issued a very comprehensive overview of the term (see home/school folders.) I felt quite exhausted as I read it and I know the children will be working very hard again. As always though they are up for it and are raring to go!
I hope you all enjoyed reading the children’s reports as much as I did as once again they captured the true essence of the children as learners at Inveravon. I felt both humbled and proud as I read them and there was often a tear in my eye. Can I gently remind you all to complete the parent comment at the back of the report and return it to us as we love to know what you are thinking too.
Over the holidays we had a new Smartboard installed in the Active Play room with a view to moving into it over the summer holidays. A wee change of environment will refresh us all and will also provide as with a fully functioning board in each room. The new whiteboard is amazing and will support our classroom activities and the children’s learning brilliantly.
Currently the Active Play room is looking a tad forlorn as we are gradually sifting through many years of accumulated “resources” and keeping only what is relevant and useful. (It’s in a right redd up to be honest) For someone who has been in the school for a long time (i.e. me ) there is a wee bit of nostalgia at times as I consign yet another folder of “stuff which I used to use” to the recycling bin! It’s all in the name of progress!
Fundraising
May is just around the corner and with it the need for our annual “dander down the line” in the form of a sponsored walk. I have issued a sponsor form per family along with this letter and hope that you will be busy over the next few weeks collecting sponsors from far and wide. The date we have chosen is Thursday May 28th starting as usual at Cragganmore Station at 9.15am. Family members are welcome to join us along with pets but they must be kept on a lead. (The pets that is not family members J) We will have a snack at Blacksboat and then walk back to Cragganmore where Colin will take us back to school.
Groundforce Day Sunday May 17th 1.30 – 4pm
I am compiling a wee list of things which we need to achieve together on the day (well actually is a not quite such a wee list) and am hoping for a really good turn out of willing volunteers. Skills required will be sweeping, digging, cutting, weeding, strimming, hammering, raking, planting, sorting, painting along with many I haven’t thought of yet no doubt. All of this will of course be liberally sprinkled with laughter, humour and fun as we work together to improve the learning environment for all our children. We will even provide some refreshments. Please indicate on the attached note if you are going to be able to join us for a wee while that afternoon.
Sporting Events
Our annual joint sports afternoon with Glenlivet Primary is set for Friday June 12th 1.30pm at the Glenlivet Hall Field. Parents and families are most welcome to join us at this event to cheer the children on.
An addition to the calendar this year is a Highland Games event at Knockando primary along with the children from Glenlivet on Tuesday June 16th which I am sure the children will all enjoy. This will take place in the morning and we will be back to school in time for lunch.
Of course I am very confident that the sun will shine on both those days but in the event of rain then the Highland Games will just be cancelled but the backup date for the Glenlivet sports is Tuesday June 16th. It could be a busy day for us all!
Over the next few weeks we will be carrying out some detailed self-evaluation activities with the children about the impact of the school improvement plan and what they feel the school’s next steps should be with regard to curriculum development. To make sure you don’t feel left out I am sending you a wee survey which I hope you will take a wee time together with your children to chat about and respond to. Don’t feel that you need to complete the whole thing but if you could comment as much as you can it would be really helpful for us. Thank you so much for your support with this.
On that note I will finish this newsletter with the wish that life is treating you well and that you are looking forward to all that spring and summer promise us. I have also added an updated dates for the dairy page for you to keep safely for future reference.
Kindest Regards
Mary Smith
Head Teacher
