February 2014
Dear Parents and Children,
How brilliant is this weather! The lighter mornings followed by sunshine and longer days certainly cheers us all up and brings a smile to our faces. We all have much to be thankful for as we look around and appreciate the beautiful countryside we live in and our community which it nurtures. Even after all these years I never cease to be delighted by the views as I drive to work, particularly as I come up and over the hill at Glenfarclas where the valley opens out before me. Truly awesome! (Even on rainy days)
Looking to the Future
No doubt you will have read the headlines in the Northern Scot as the findings of the Sustainable Education review are shared with you all. Interesting times lie ahead and I urge you all to have your say and respond to the surveys etc. (See link below) We must always remember that these children in our wee school and in our community are the future!
www.moray.gov.uk/futureschools
Life and Work of the School
Life Cycles and how we can help
There was a lot of excitement last week with the arrival of our salmon eggs and the children are really buzzing about the project. We are working with the Spey Fisheries Board to rear salmon eggs which will eventually be released into the burn below Mrs Lawson’s house from where they will make their way to the Spey. I recall doing this many years ago and keeping them cool was a major issue at the time so the tank of eggs ended up in the boiler house as it was the coolest area in the school. It was not too handy for checking them though and we lost quite a lot. These days however they come with their own mini fridge and all the mod cons so they are very comfortable sitting at the back of the classroom where we can keep an eye on them. It will be so exciting seeing them hatching out!
Thinking of others
Our Unicef come as you please day raised about £25 which is great. The children were very thoughtful as they became aware of all the different reasons why so many children across the world don’t have access to education and their reactions and empathy were commendable. Well done everyone.
Getting Out There
Earlier this month Inveravon Primary was the venue for an Outdoor Learning training day which was attended by over 20 teachers from different schools across the authority. The content of the day was good and the delegates were able to make good use of our amazing local environment to plan what Outdoor Learning would look like back at their own schools. All were greatly envious of the wonderful opportunities we have right on our doorstep here where I think it’s fair to say that outdoor learning is embedded. The excellent behaviour of the children was commented on along with the bright and colourful wall displays and overall happy ambience within the school. Big tick for Inveravon!
Progress and Achievement
This week we are looking forward to seeing you all in school with the children to talk to Miss Smith about progress and next steps in learning. This will take the usual format of approximately ten minutes for each child. Can I ask that you all try to take heed of the time allocation in order to avoid the evening running late. (I know how tricky it can be!) I am sure everyone will have lots to say as there is so much evidence on the walls, in the pukka pads, weekly reflection logs and home/school diaries about the fantastic learning which is taking place in the school and I can’t wait to read the reports.
Spreading the Word
We have had a lot of interest from other schools about how we are developing our topic work, weekly reflection logs and the use of thinking routines. This means that there are quite a few visitors appearing in the classroom to see what is going on and to speak to the children who take it in their stride and are keen to share what they are doing and how it helps to support their learning. Happy days!
Our annual Science and Engineering Week starts on Monday March 17th. I am calling on all the engineers and scientists out there amongst you to come along and talk to the children or carry out some activities which will help them to develop their understanding of some of the basic principles of these two vital areas of the curriculum.
At the moment we have booked a workshop delivered by a representative from K’nex Generation who will investigate tall structures with the whole school. Later in the week on Thursday 20th the children in P6/7 will attend the Science Festival in Elgin.
Mrs MacDonald has kindly agreed to come in to school to work with the rest of the class that morning. As you can see there are plenty of available slots for you to join us.
Rounding off the week on Friday the 21st we will present our Eco activities to Anne Black from Eco Scotland in support of our green Flag application.
Sharing our Learning
Finally there will be an opportunity for you to come along to school on Tuesday March 25th as the children want to share with you all that they have found out about Communicating as 21st Century Global Citizens. I have been fascinated by the work they are doing and find it intriguing how they are linking our Pictish Stones to communication in the present day. Come along and see for yourselves how it’s done as I know you will be amazed!
As I write this newsletter it is a glorious day outside and there is a feeling that spring is in the air. Hopefully we will get out and about even more with the children. With only five weeks until the Easter holidays I am left wondering where on earth the time is going.
I hope life is treating you well and that you are happy and content. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow and over the next few weeks.
Kind Regards
Mary Smith
Head Teacher
Inveravon Primary
