Dear Parent/Carer,
As we come to the end of another school session I would like to extend my sincere thanks to you all, for the great support, patience and understanding you have shown the school throughout another challenging year. Whilst for some of us the impact of lengthy restrictions has become a distant memory for others there remains a lasting impact. During this school session we endeavoured to ensure all classes were appropriately covered during periods of considerable staff shortages. I am sure, like myself, you join me in sharing my gratitude and appreciation to the staff team who worked tirelessly to ensure our school operated as normal despite the daily challenges we experienced during some very difficult months this year. Staff really went above and beyond to ensure your child had a positive experience in school and I thank them sincerely for their dedication and commitment. As a parent, your understanding during these challenging times has been greatly appreciated and is a great testimony to the wonderful support we enjoy within our school community.
It has been most wonderful to see a return to normality in the form of whole school Masses, Sunflower Tea, Sports Day, Leavers Mass and Awards Ceremony, Nursery Graduation, Book Launch and Summer Fair all taking place recently, enabling us to welcome parents and grandparents back into our school and nursery community. We really did miss you all and it was great to see you back in school once again. We look forward to more opportunities to strengthen our home and school partnership in the next session.
The school has had a lovely buzz about it the last few weeks with pupils enjoying outdoor learning, out of school visits to Summerlee Heritage Centre, Gaelic Football Tournaments, Football festival, Teddy Bears Picnic, our Book Launch, Pr. 7 annual Wear Yellow Walk and Pr. 7 Leavers Party. A huge thank you is extended to the parents and grandparents who agreed to help us out on such occasions. We cannot thank you enough for your support. Our summer trip to a local attraction was a huge success and at no cost to parents during the current cost of living crisis that we all face. Once again your support and understanding has been greatly appreciated. A huge thank you is extended to our PTA who made all the provisions for Pr. 7 possible due their ongoing fundraising, even during lockdown. The heavy subsiding of the leavers hoodies, full payment of the leavers book, awards, ties, balloons, food and drinks for the leavers party all came courtesy of the PTA. This is a huge sum of money (we had 55 Pr. 7 pupils) and would not be possible without their work and the support you provide for any fundraising. We thank our PTA and hope they remain committed to raising money next session as we will begin all over again. All would not be possible without such commitment. I would also like to extend a special thanks to the Pr. 7 teachers, Mrs Drummond, Miss Watt and Miss Crockett for their great efforts to ensure our Pr. 7 pupils received a great send off. This included making the Pr. 7 yearbook. The children are a real credit to the school and their families, they have most certainly been worth all the fuss and we wish them every success for the next phase of their school career.
Our school really has had wedding fever of late as we celebrate the up and coming nuptials of Miss Watt and Miss Taggart who will be getting married during the summer break. They will return to the school in August as Mrs Johnston and Mrs Sneddon. I hope, like me, you wish them all the best on the day and for the future.
As we come to the end of the school session we also say a very fond farewell to several staff members who are leaving us. Mrs Rankin (Senior Clerical) and Mrs Joanna Laird (Additional Support Needs Assistant) both begin their retirement this summer. We wish them both a long, healthy and happy retirement. We also send our best wishes to Miss Platt who joins St.Mary’s Pr. in Caldercruix and Mr Anderson who joins St.Margaret of Scotland in Cumbernauld. Both teachers were great additions to our staff team this year and will be greatly missed next session. We wish them every success for the future.
Finally, I wish you a very relaxing and enjoyable summer break with your family and look forward to welcoming you back to school on Wednesday 17th August.
I hope you have a fantastic summer!
Yours sincerely
Mrs Caroline Docherty
