This week Mrs Preston and myself worked with our Child Protection Officer, Mrs Pat Holland. She tooks us through some new procedures and helped us to review our practice. It is all of our jobs to keep our children safe!  Mrs Ward and Miss Chambers both attended in-set training at NLC Literacy Base. They came back enthusiastic and ready to get working with Primary Three and Four.

I attended a session on PLAY with Linda Keith. Linda works with NLC to ensure the best experiences for our very youngest children. It was very interesting and I purchased a number of the books on the reading list. We are all home with abook this weekend – determined to make sure we stay at the forefront of new research.

Our new nursery speech and language therapists were in the nursery this week to meet the morning parents. A number of parents expressed an interest in speaking to them further about their children’s speech and language development. In a few weeks they will meet the afternoon parents.

Primary 6/7 were the first class to be involved in an assembly this session. Their subject was the referendum. The children were very mature in their attitude and gave good reasons for and against independence. One parent commented on Twitter that it was great to see the chidren having the chance to debate in a neutral situation. Great work boys and girls and Mrs Rae!

Primary One children have ben outside learning how to cross the road safely – I have included some Pictures!

A number of our older children attended a handball festival this week. Mr Finnon reported that they had a fantastic afternoon and the children were a credit to the school.

Remember the school is closed to children on Thursday for the referendum.

Please find some pictures attached….

This week started with a meeting with Liz Fitzpatrick who develops programmes for use in schools in her company PLAYBACK. We piloted a new health programme last year and this is now being sent to the publishers. Its is always interesting to be at the forefront of new developments!

On Tuesday we celebrated the first Mass of the new term. The theme was NEW BEGINNINGS. Primary 7 led the liturgy very successfully and set the standard for this year! . Our Mass was in the school hall and our Primary 1 children did very well.

I attended our first Parent Council meeting this week. They have planned a Ladies’ Night as their first fund raiser. Please support them! The next meeting will be the AGM. If you are interested in being involved then this is your opportunity?

Date and time will be sent out in a text.

On Thursday and Friday I attended the CHAPS conference in St Andrew’s. CHAPS stands for Catholic Headteacher Association of Primary Schools. Archbishop Cushley concelebrated Mass. Our Head of Service Isobelle Boyd gave a very interesting and informative talk on Cardinal Newman. It is also a great opportunity to meet up with HTs from across Scotland.

The new sexual education programme GOD’S LOVING PLAN was launched at the conbference. I am including some pictures of our children doing their work outdoors – fabulous learning taking place!