Week beginning Monday 19th of January 2015

This week Mr Duffy attended Bi-lateral training. He was busy trying out all the things he had learned when I popped into Mrs Campbell’s class the following day!

Mrs Hamilton and Mr Duffy both attended Solihull training this week.  It was lovely to welcome Mrs Lockhart back to cover P5/6. Solihull training looks at relationships and ethos in school, it is being rolled out across our cluster and we hope to allow everyone to attend over the next few months!

Mr Finnon and Mrs Rae and their children spent time with staff from Sustrans and NLC road engineers this week. They were looking at plans for the Sports’ Centre entrance to the school. This area has experienced a number of problems recently with falling trees, puddles and icy paths! We are delighted that this is going to be improved over the next few months. The children have asked for wider paths, new planting, some seating and a shelter……..watch this space!

The front entrance continues to be very congested and I urge ALL parents who bring their children to school by car to please park at the Sports’ Centre car park.

On Wednesday morning Mrs McKinnon and myself spent time at Caldervale Computer Centre. We were programming our GLOW page so that we can transfer our present website to this new space. It was very difficult and it was very challenging for us! We hope to continue to work together over the next few months, more information will be given as we progress!

Our Divided City rehearsals are now well under way. The children with the main parts are really growing in confidence. The children are making new friends and enjoying working with our friends from Castlehill Primary and Ellie, the director from The Citizen’s Theatre.

On Thursday this week I attended our NLC Heads of Establishment meeting. The main area discussed was our curriculum design. We were lucky to hear Sadie Cushley, (Head of Primary Inspections Education Scotland) speak about good practice across Scotland. Our staff will be looking at this on our in-service day in February. We also received two copies of PLAYBACK, a new social and emotional education resource. We were one of the pilot schools for this programme and all of our children already use the resource for circle time.

This week I spent time with four boys from Mr Finnon’s class talking about their learning. It was interesting to hear everything they had to say. They told me that they had to continue to work on their times tables. they also told me that they wanted to find out more about chemical reactions, careers and they wanted to find out what exactly stress was and how to avoid it! I have passed this information to Mr Finnon.

P3-7 assembly this week was all about homelessness and why it is important for us to feel secure and loved. We were also lucky enough to hear two girls from St Aidan’s High School talk about their upcoming Polar Expedition. They are busy training before setting off next term. They have promised to come back afterwards and tell us how they got on.

Can I remind parents about our Sacramental meetings on Tuesday 27th. Parents of First Confession (P3) children should attend at 6pm and parents of First Communion (P4) children should attend at 6.30pm.