What a busy day we have ahead of us in St Bart’s!

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) will be in school all day working with Primary 4, 5, 6 and 7. Meanwhile, a representative from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) will be down in the infant department doing some work with our Primary 1, 2 and 3 pupils. It’s going to be a fun, educational day right across the school!

This afternoon, we’ll be saying hello to a group of pupils from Buchanan High School. They’re popping up to St Bartholomew’s to work with Primary 6 on their joint dance project. Welcome to St Bartholomew’s, everyone!

Finally, I’ll be hosting a get-together of our cluster Head Teachers later on in the afternoon. We enjoy a very good relationship with our four partner schools (St Augustine’s, St Kevin’s, St Francis and St Brigit’s), so it’s always good to touch base.

The ‘Pray for Our School Group’ meets in the oratory at 11.00am this morning. We greatly appreciate this committed group of parishioners who give of their time on the first Tuesday of each month to pray for the various needs of our school. You can read more about the group in the ‘Faith’ section of our website, where you’ll also be able to access the January-June St Bartholomew’s Prayer Diary.

Primary 4-7 are making excellent headway learning the songs from ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’. The musical has certainly caught the children’s interest and we’re anticipating a great response from pupils when we begin auditions for the main parts later this week. Watch this space for more information on tickets and performances.

Good morning, everyone. I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

It’s a sport-filled day here in St Bartholomew’s. Primary 5 and 6 have rugby coaching this morning and we also have a group of pupils heading off to compete in a local netball tournament. Good luck, team!

As we embark on this new week, here are some words of wisdom from Pope Francis:

‘I cannot imagine a Christian who does not know how to smile. May we joyfully witness to our faith.’

Have a Monday filled with smiles, everyone 🙂 !!!

Primary 4/3 had a fantastic time at the Glasgow Science Centre yesterday. I know Mrs O’Neill and the children are keen blog writers, so make sure you check out their class page later today to read all about their fascinating visit to the Science Centre.

The representative from the PDSA returns to St Bartholomew’s today to sell some small items of merchandise in aid of the charity. Pupils are invited to bring in one or two pounds to spend.

As usual, our whole school assembly takes place today and there’ll be a brand new list of proud certificate and trophy winners posted on our website before 3 o’clock. Lochend were the winning house last month and will receive an extended playtime today as an extra pat on the back for all their efforts. Well done, boys and girls!

Please remember that next week is the last week of school before the February break. Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th are all holidays for pupils, with school starting back on Thursday 13th.

Primary 4/3 are off to Glasgow Science Centre today. The boys and girls took the time to watch a video about the centre in class yesterday and are all very excited about their special day. The class are absolutely loving their current topic on the human body and there’ll be lots of opportunities today to find out even more about how the body works. Have a fantastic day, boys and girls. Remember that you’re ambassadors for St Bartholomew’s, so absolute best behaviour and manners, please!

Father Doherty will be in school this morning to celebrate Mass with Primary 7 in our newly refurbished oratory. The children will be doing the readings and have also written their own bidding prayers. Primary 6 found their class Mass last term a very special experience; I’m sure that today’s celebration of the Eucharist will be equally special and memorable for our Primary 7 pupils.

Wednesday already! Despite a busy schedule today, I’m still going to find time to squeeze in ‘Tea with Mr Young’ for last week’s Pupils of the Week. They’ve been waiting patiently since Friday, so it’s time to put the kettle on!

The PDSA representative who visited St Bartholomew’s yesterday didn’t bring any merchandise with her after all. However, she will be returning to the school this coming Friday and the children will have the opportunity to buy some goodies in aid of the PDSA.

Primary 6 will continue with their dance coaching this afternoon. This project is a great opportunity for the children to receive input from a professional dancer and the boys and girls are certainly rising to the challenge.

Finally, a text will be sent out to all parents and carers today. In line with North Lanarkshire policy, no dogs are permitted in the playground under any circumstances. Many thanks for your co-operation in this matter.

Have a good day, everyone!

Every class in the school will have the opportunity to find out about the PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) this morning. The PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity, caring for the pets of people in need. This year alone, the PDSA will provide more than 2.3 million free treatments to sick and injured pets and more than 420,000 preventative treatments. St Bartholomew’s pupils are renowned for the support they give to good causes and I’m sure many of our pupils (in the spirit of Saint Francis, patron saint of animals) will be inspired by the fantastic work of the PDSA. The children will have the chance to buy some small pieces of PDSA merchandise, with all proceeds going directly to the charity. Any pupil wishing to buy something today should bring in £1, or £2 at the most.

Please remember that the Parent Council meets tonight at 6.00pm. The meeting will take place in the staffroom; please enter the school via the back door on Deveron Street.

It’s hard to believe that we are embarking on the fourth week of term. Time flies when you’re having fun!

The children’s new class topics are well underway and there’s a great working buzz around the school. Primary 3 had an absolutely fantastic day at Summerlee Museum on Friday and learned lots of new things about their hometown of Coatbridge. Primary 4/3’s topic this term is the human body and they’ll be heading off to Glasgow Science Centre this coming Thursday for what’s sure to be a very exciting and fascinating trip.

Finally, a HUGE well done to Primary 7 for your fantastic assembly on World War II on Friday. Your PowerPoint presentation was fascinating, your film was extremely impressive, your singing was very entertaining and your home-baking afterwards was delicious! Well done, boys and girls… you did yourselves proud!

Primary 3 are off to Summerlee Heritage Museum today. The children have been learning about Coatbridge in class, so Summerlee is the perfect destination to find out lots more about the history of their hometown. Have a great day, boys and girls… Best behaviour and manners, please!

A new Parent Council section has been launched on our school website today and can be accessed by clicking on ‘Information’ at the top of the homepage. This section will be updated regularly to keep the Parent Forum (all St Bartholomew’s parents and carers) informed of what the Parent Council is doing to support and improve St Bartholomew’s Primary. A leaflet on the Parent Council will also be put in every school bag today, so please check your child’s bag at 3 o’clock. The next meeting of the Parent Council takes place this coming Tuesday (28th) at 6.00pm in the staffroom. Please get involved if you possibly can.

As mentioned in yesterday’s blog, Primary 7 have their class assembly this afternoon at 1.30pm. I look forward to seeing the children’s family and friends for what is sure to be a very entertaining and enjoyable afternoon!

I’m very much looking forward to seeing family and friends of our P7 pupils tomorrow afternoon for the P7 class assembly. I know the children are really excited about sharing their recent learning with everyone… although they’ve done an amazing job of keeping everything top secret! Most of the assembly will be as much a surprise for me as it will be for everyone else!

P7 were also responsible for the amazing cooking smells that wafted around the school building yesterday. Under the expert instruction of Mrs Laird, the boys and girls rustled up literally dozens of mini-quiches and cup cakes to serve to their guests tomorrow afternoon.

Mums, dads, family, friends and the St Bartholomew’s school community are in for a real treat tomorrow afternoon! See you at 1.30pm.