The vast majority of St Bartholomew’s pupils come to school each day in full school uniform and many visitors comment on how smart the boys and girls look in their white shirts and ties. However, I have noticed over the past few weeks that variations on our school uniform have started to creep in, so I thought it would be worth tackling this in today’s blog. A letter will also be sent out before the end of term.

Please can I remind parents and carers of the permitted school uniform (as outlined in the school handbook and on our website):

– White shirt & school tie
– St Bartholomew’s jumper/cardigan or shop-bought black school jumper/cardigan (no hoodies, please)
– Black/grey school trousers or skirt (no tracksuits or joggies, please)
– Blazer (optional)
– Sensible footwear (preferably school shoes or dark-coloured trainers)
– Girls may wear a school pinafore or summer dress.

The topic of school uniform forms part of our Promoting Positive Behaviour policy (this can be found in the Information section of our website) and the following quotation outlines the approach I will take from the beginning of next term:

‘School uniform is seen as holding a key role in maintaining high standards of behaviour and discipline in St Bartholomew’s. The Head Teacher, with the support of Class Teachers, will monitor the wearing of school uniform and parents/carers will be informed if their child is consistently failing to come to school appropriately dressed.’ (page 4)

Many thanks for your support in ensuring that the highest standards of school uniform are maintained in St Bartholomew’s. We only need to take a look at the whole-school photograph in the school foyer to see what a huge difference it makes!

Finally, THE WEATHER IS FORECAST TO TURN COLDER TOMORROW. PLEASE LOOK OUT THOSE WINTER JACKETS!!!! Thank you.

It’s hard to believe that we are now into the last week of term. It’s been a busy few months and the children have made a really great start to the year. Parents and carers will have the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher on Thursday evening. I look forward to seeing you there.

Today is the first day of our Book Fayre. A wide selection of books for all ages will be on sale in the main entrance area between now and Friday. The children will have the opportunity to visit the Book Fayre at various points during the course of the week and it will also be open during Parents’ Evening this coming Thursday.

Finally, today is the Feast of the Holy Rosary. I’d like to invite parents, pupils, staff and friends to take a few moments today to pray a decade of the rosary for the needs of St Bartholomew’s Primary. We have a great team here at St Bart’s, but we are always in need of God’s grace and strength.

‘Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.’ (Philippians 4: 6)

We are delighted to welcome our MSP, Elaine Smith, to St Bartholomew’s today. As you know, Primary 6 and 7 visited the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh a few weeks back. Elaine was unable to meet the children on the day, but very kindly contacted us to arrange a personal visit to the school. Elaine will speak to the children about her role as an MSP at this afternoon’s assembly and will also assist me in presenting this week’s certificates and trophies. Welcome to St Bart’s, Elaine! We hope you enjoy your visit!

In the Catholic tradition, the month of October is devoted to the Holy Rosary and devotion to Mary in general. Throughout this week, a special bell has rang at 12 noon to call our whole school community to pray the Angelus. The Angelus bell will continue to ring at 12 o’clock throughout the month of October. If you would like to join us in this traditional Catholic devotion, the words of the Angelus can be found in the Faith section of our website under ‘Prayers’.

Have a good day, everyone, and a great weekend once it arrives (sunshine forecast for tomorrow!!!).

Primary 2 and 3 were back at Drumpellier Park yesterday to make a start on a very exciting art project. The children investigated the various plant life around the park then collected samples of leaves and grasses. These will be used to create an art display which the children will eventually produce in aluminium. This final piece of art will then be put on permanent display in the Drumpellier Park Visitors Centre as well as around the loch. I’m absolutely delighted that St Bartholomew’s pupils have been given this wonderful opportunity to create something that will be enjoyed by visitors to Drumpellier Park for many, many years to come.

Primary 2 & 3 will visit the park for a second time next week. The co-ordinator of the project will then come to St Bartholomew’s after the holidays to continue working with the children. Keep an eye on the P2 and P3 class pages to follow the progress of this exciting project! These can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Learning’ pencil at the bottom of the school website homepage.

As from today, parents, carers and visitors to St Bartholomew’s will have access to a computer which has been located in the main entrance area. This will allow parents and carers who do not have the internet at home to access and explore our school website. St Bartholomew’s website is a vital part of the school’s day-to-day communication with parents, carers, friends and the outside world in general, and we want to ensure that everyone has easy access to the website on a regular basis. A text will be sent out today to inform all parents and carers of this new service.

We had a great time on our sponsored walk around Drumpellier Park yesterday. There was beautiful sunshine throughout the afternoon and it was lovely getting the chance to breathe in the fresh air and chat to our friends as we walked. The Primary 1’s did exceptionally well on their own special route.

Well done on completing the challenge so cheerfully, boys and girls, and many thanks to those parents and carers who helped supervise the children en route; we couldn’t have done it without you. I should also say a special thank you to the lorry drivers who encouraged us with a few blasts of the horn as they passed by and to the police for getting us across the main road safely.

As mentioned in yesterday’s blog, please can I ask that all money raised is handed into the school office by Friday. This will allow us to get everything counted and banked before the October holidays. Thank you. Of course, even though the sponsored walk has taken place, it’s not too late to ask family, friends and neighbours for a donation. Every penny counts and will go directly towards trips and resources for the children.

Finally, a special well done to Leon in Primary 2. He was stung on the finger by a bee during our sponsored walk but was a very brave boy indeed!

Welcome back, everyone! I hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing September weekend.

It looks like we’ve been blessed with perfect weather for our sponsored walk: not too cold, and plenty of sunshine to enjoy during our brisk walk around Drumpellier Park. Please can I ask, if at all possible, that all sponsor money is into the school office by this coming Friday. Thank you.

Many thanks to those parents, family and friends of our Primary 1 pupils who were able to attend last Thursday’s Prayer Service. I’m sure you’ll agree that the boys and girls led us beautifully in the prayers and songs. As mentioned in this month’s newsletter, the P1 prayer service was the first of this session’s class assemblies. The next one will be led by P4/3 and will take place on the first Friday afternoon after the October break. Invitations will be sent out from pupils to their chosen guests in due course.

Have a good day, everyone. If you see us on our walk this afternoon, please encourage us with a beep of the horn and a wave!

A HUGE WELL DONE to this very proud P7 pupil who won the super skateboard with his FANTASTIC pirate story! Make sure you give your brother a shot!

There’s going to be one very excited St Bart’s pupil by the end of today. We have a special Pirate theme in the dining hall at lunchtime and everyone who stays for a school dinner and submits a pirate-themed picture, poem or story will be entered into a prize draw for a fantastic skateboard! Good luck everyone!

We’ll be welcoming parents, family and friends of our Primary 1 pupils for a special prayer service this afternoon to mark their first term in primary school. The boys and girls will lead us in some of the prayers they have been learning and will also sing two songs to thank God for looking after them during their first few weeks in Primary 1. Father Doherty will give the children a blessing at the end of the prayer service. The service will begin at 2.15pm in the music room (please enter the school through the main entrance) and tea and biscuits will be served afterwards. I look forward to seeing you there.

Please remember that our sponsored walk will take place (weather permitting) on Tuesday afternoon. Many thanks to those parents and carers who have volunteered to help with supervision. Let’s hope for good weather, but please ensure that your child comes equipped with sensible shoes for walking and a warm, waterproof jacket. Thank you.

Finally, don’t forget that St Bartholomew’s is closed tomorrow and Monday for the September weekend. Have a relaxing break and see you on Tuesday!

It’s been a hectic few days here at St Bartholomew’s. When I finally got home last night and sat down with a much-needed cup of coffee, I also took a bit of quiet time to reflect on a well-known ‘poem’. It never fails to encourage me, so I thought I’d share it with you in today’s blog. Hope it gives you a boost too!

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
at other times there was only one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most difficult periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied,
“My child, the times when you
see only one set of footprints,
is was then that I carried you.”

Primary 6 and 7 had a fantastic excursion to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh yesterday. I’m looking forward to hearing about some of the things the boys and girls learned during this morning’s assembly.

A special blue bag has been sent home with your child for the annual ‘Bag2School’ collection of old clothes. Bags can be returned to the school at any point between now and 9am on Wednesday 2nd October. Log onto www.bag2school.com for further information.

A date has now been set for this year’s Confirmations. The Sacrament will be celebrated with Primary 6 and 7 pupils on THURSDAY 20th FEBRUARY 2014 in St Bartholomew’s Church.

Finally, please note a slight change to the date of our annual sponsored walk. This will now take place (weather permitting!) a week today, Tuesday 1st October. All funds raised will go directly to school trips and resources for pupils across the school.