St Bartholomews

Well done to our very talented pupils who have been rewarded with trophies and medals for their efforts in dance.

A very big thank you to our very loyal and committed boys and girls who have been regular attendees at St. Bartholomew’s Church for 11.30am mass on Sunday so that they can sing in the choir. And of course, thank you to their parents for ensuring that they get there on time!The choir contains such beautiful singers and they have contributed positively towards the atmosphere in the Church and in fact many parishioners have complimented the children on their talents. Thank you to Mrs MacFarlane for leading our wonderful choir.

The week ahead looks like this:

On Monday, we welcome everyone back for a full week of school, after the February break last week. Please remember to ensure that your child comes to school in full uniform. Thank you in advance for your continued support with this important matter.

On Tuesday, I am very much looking forward to sharing in the wonderful learning of both Primary 1 and Primary 1/2. These boys and girls are so lucky to have such fantastic learning experiences and have made wonderful progress, so far.

On Wednesday, I will be attending a cluster meeting at St Ambrose High School in order to discuss issues related to transition to High school.Due to the wonderful relationships that we have established with Joe Bradley, Celtic FC  will be working with our Primary 5 pupils today. I am confident that the children will benefit greatly from this fabulous experience. This evening, our Primary 6 and 7 pupils will receive the very special gift of the Holy Spirit, through Confirmation at St Bartholomew’s Church. As always, for such an occasion, Bishop Toal will be in attendance and we are all very much looking forward to sharing in this wonderful sacrament.

On Thursday, our Primary 5 pupils will receive their weekly input of Gaelic football from their fantastic coaches. St Ambrose High school sports  leaders  will provide their pre visit today. We look forward to working with the young people from St Ambrose. Claire Gordon will visit us today in order to deliver Child smile dental care.

On Friday, it is an exciting day for pupils in Primary 3 who will be performing their assembly for parents and carers. We can’t wait… As always, the performance will take place in the hall at 2pm and refreshments will be provided in Primary 3’s classroom. We look forward to welcoming you then.

Please continue to like and retweet our posts on twitter and check out class pages on our website to gain a better insight into what’s going on in your child’s class.
Mrs Bolland

Primary 1 – Lexi

Primary 1/2 – Maia

Primary 3 – Chloe

Primary 4 – Chloe

Primary 5 – Niamh

Primary 6a – Emily

Primary 6b – Molly

Primary 7 – Logan

Cool Class Cup: Primary 3

Winning House: Lochend

On Monday, John Wilson photographers will be back in to take photographs of both our youngest and oldest pupils. We look forward to the big smiles from both Primary 1 and Primary 7.
On Tuesday, our link Education Psychologist will be visiting in order to support our pupils and their families.

On Wednesday, we will be undertaking pupil voice groups and children and teachers alike will discuss exciting improvements for all of our pupils across the school community. Ms Doyle will be attending a RE course in order to develop knowledge and skills in this important subject area. Our ‘family group’ will be meeting in St Bartholomew’s to discuss future improvements for all of our pupils, especially in numeracy. This is a wonderful opportunity for school leaders with schools in a similar demographic to examine similar issues and come together collectively to find solutions.

On Thursday, our Primary 5 children will have the opportunity to develop their Gaelic football skills with the help of wonderful coaches. We are also very fortunate to have colleagues from the Camhs team work with some of our parents today. This is a fabulous initiative and very worthwhile for our families. Claire Gordon from the NHS dental team will join us today to help with our pupils’ oral health. Thank you Claire.

On Friday, I will be meeting with Jill Woodward, who is part of the team from Head quarters who supports schools with many aspects of school improvement. We look forward to welcoming you! Last but not least, it’s Primary 5’s assembly. As always parents and carers are most welcome and are in for a treat! Assembly starts at 2pm ,with the usual visit to the classroom thereafter for refreshments and an opportunity to share in the wonderful work carried out by the boys and girls.

Mrs Bolland

Primary 1 – Connor

Primary 1/2 – Lee

Primary 3 – Oscar

Primary 4 – Lucie

Primary 5 – Shay

Primary 6a – Connor

Primary 6b – Cara

Primary 7 – Emily

Cool Class – Primary 4

Winning House – Monklands

The photographs above illustrate the wonderful talents that abound within St Bart’s. Congratulations from all of your friends at St Bartholomew’s. Both girls have received recognition for their abilities in dancing. Well done girls!

Huge congratulations to both Primary 6 classes on their wonderful efforts during their ‘Spain’ assembly. Parents and carers were very impressed, especially with the wonderful dancing, Spanish language content and delivering their lines so well. We are all so very proud of you…

Last week we also welcomed the management team from St Stephen’s Primary in Coatbridge. They had heard such wonderful things about our reading for enjoyment programme and our fabulous kitchen that they popped in to see for themselves. Needless to say, they were all very impressed and will take back some ideas to their own setting. We have been very fortunate to share in the wonderful work in numeracy that goes on in St Stephen’s and hope to take some ideas on board for our pupils. Collaboration and sharing ideas are keys to success for all of our pupils. Thank you Mrs Watt, Ms McGhee and Mrs Thornbury.

The week ahead looks like this:

On Monday, our teaching staff look forward to joining cluster colleagues for collegiate working in assessment and moderation at St Augustines Primary school , after school. We all look forward to applying new ideas. Our Parent Council meet at 6pm in the staff room to discuss improvements for pupils. As always, all are welcome.

On Tuesday, Mrs McLean and I will conduct pupil progress meetings with some of our teaching staff in order to discuss improvements for all of our pupils. MsDoyle will be out of school today, taking part in a development course. Mrs MacIntyre will be leading a multi agency meeting for one of our nursery children.

On Wednesday,  we will continue with our pupil progress meetings. Our local artists  will gather in the get together room this morning, it is always great to see our school used by the local community in such a positive way.

On Thursday, pupil progress meetings continue. Primary 5 pupils continue to enjoy  Gaelic football – this is a wonderful opportunity for our boys and girls as this activity is usually preserved for Primary 6 and 7 pupils. Claire from the NHS  dental team will visit us today in order to support our pupils’ oral health. Representatives from the CAMHS team will undertake meetings with some of our parents and carers who are taking part in the Incredible years programme.

On Friday, Mrs MacIntyre will meet with the early years panel to discuss admissions to our 2 year old nursery. We also look forward to announcing ‘Pupils of the week’ at our weekly   assembly.

Mrs Bolland

Our boys and girls thoroughly enjoyed their first week back after the holidays and a huge thank you to parents and carers for making such a great effort in respect of their children’s smart appearance. This is very much appreciated by all, wearing full school uniform definitely contributes towards a positive attitude to learning and behaviour.
This week is enrolment week for our pre school children who will be starting Primary 1 in August. Please remember to pass this important information on to prospective pupils and their parents. Mrs Dunn and Mrs Clare are looking forward to helping with this exciting process.

The week ahead looks like this:

On Monday, our link education psychologist will be joining me in meeting with a number of our parents and carers in order to better support our pupils.
On Tuesday, Ms Doyle will be out of school and planning practitioner enquiry with colleagues.
On Wednesday, Pupil Voice groups will meet to discuss future developments and progress on current initiatives that they are responsible for. Mrs McLean and myself look forward to meeting with the Chair and Secretary from each group in order to  discuss progress. Mrs McLean will attend a numeracy coach meeting and we all look forward to benefiting from the latest information from the authority. Claire Gordon from NHS dental team will visit us today to help with our pupils’ oral health. I will be attending a Head Teacher’s meeting in order to discuss recent changes and developments within the authority.

On Thursday, Mrs MacIntyre will attend the Children’s Reporter offices in order to support one of our pupils.

On Friday, Primary 6 will present their assembly, ‘Spain’ to their parents and carers at 2pm in the main hall. We look forward to welcoming everyone then, as always please feel free to join in with singing!

Mrs Bolland

Primary 1 – Jacob

Primary 1/2 – Caleb

Primary 3 – Erinann

Primary 4 – Mackenzie

Primary 5 – Jamie

Primary 6a – Alex

Primary 6b – Darragh

Primary 7 – Breagh

Cool Class Cup: Primary 4

Winning House: Summerlee

Happy New to our entire St Bartholomew’s school and Parish community! It is very much hoped that everyone has had a very restful holiday and enjoyed the festivities over the Christmas and New Year period.
I appreciate that many parents and carers will be looking forward to the children starting back school on Monday and I know that many of our pupils miss the routine of school and are looking forward to seeing all of their friends and teachers again. All of the staff in St Bartholomew’s look forward to welcoming back our wonderful pupils.

Sunday was the wonderful feast of the epiphany as well as World Day of Peace and the gospel reminds us that the wise men who visited Jesus’ crib were not Jewish. The fact that they were Gentiles demonstrates how open non Jews were to the arrival of the Messiah and how they recognised him as such when the Jewish authorities could not. The gifts that the wise brought were highly symbolic : Gold- associated with royalty and therefore recognising the kingship of Jesus. Frankincense- used in worship and thus demonstrating that Jesus should be worshipped. Myrrh- a perfume used in the embalming of dead bodies, foreseeing the death of Jesus.
In relation to World Day of Peace, It is perhaps worth noting in Evangelli Gaudium,         concern for the vulnerable, 216.

‘ Small yet strong in the love of God, like St Francis of Assisi, all of us, as Christians, are called to watch over and protect the fragile world in which we live, and all its peoples’.

As you can see from the photographs above, Club 365  is on during the Christmas holidays and we would be very grateful if you could spread the word. This will take place at both Old Monkland Community Centre and The Time Capsule. Children are encouraged to pop along for activities and lunch. The other photograph celebrates the success of one of our younger pupils who has achieved success at football. Well done from all of your friends at St Bart’s.
A huge thank you to all of our parents and carers who came along to participate in both the Nativity play and Christmas Concert, your presence was much appreciated by staff and children.The children were simply outstanding! Many thanks to their teachers for supporting them in their success.

The week ahead looks like this;

On Monday, I will be attending the funeral mass of Fr John Docherty at the Cathedral in Motherwell. May he rest in peace.

Primary 4 and 5 will enjoy their Christmas party this afternoon, and as always, children are permitted to change at home during lunch time or bring their party clothes to school to change in to. Please inform the office if you intend your child to go home at lunch time.

On Tuesday, our  nursery  children will enjoy their Christmas parties, for both our morning and afternoon sessions. Primary 1, Primary  1/2 and Primary 3 will enjoy their Christmas parties in the afternoon . A very special visitor will pop in to see our youngest pupils…ho, ho,ho.

On Wednesday, it’s panto day! We will travel to the SECC in Glasgow to see Snow White and the seven dwarfs. A huge thank you to Mark and Lucy Millar for their continued generosity.Please remember that we will return around 4.15pm- a text shall be sent to give an accurate ETA.

On Thursday, it’s ‘Movie Duvet day’. As it is the last day of term, children are permitted to wear comfortable clothing and bring along pillows etc. School closes at 2.30pm, with the usual dismissal procedures. Children and staff return to school on Monday at 9am on the 6th January.

On behalf of all of our staff at St Bartholomew’s Primary, I would like to extend a very happy and Holy Christmas to all of our parents and carers and wish you all the blessings of the season.

Mrs Bolland

Primary 1 – Michael

Primary 1/2 – Corey

Primary 3 – Mark

Primary 4 – Caiden

Primary 5 – Ava

Primary 6a – Arran

Primary 6b – Brodie

Primary 7 – Zaynab

Winning House: Drumpellier

Cool Class Cup: Primary 7