St Bartholomews

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

It is with great sadness that I advise you of the death of Fr John Docherty, who was Parish Priest for a number of years at St Bartholomew’s RC Church. He will be fondly remembered by many in our Parish community. We extend our prayers and thoughts to his sister Mary at this sad time.

The week ahead looks like this:
On Monday, our youngest children will perform a wonderful rendition of  a Christmas sing along. We very much look forward to welcoming our nursery children’s families to share in this fabulous festive experience. I will also be  visiting P6b, where I look forward to sharing in the boys and girls learning. At the end of the day, Mrs McLean and I will host a pupil progress meeting.

On Tuesday, the whole school community will gather at 10 o’clock  mass in St Bartholomew’s Church for a celebration of Advent and an opportunity to prepare for the birth of Jesus. Primary  1 to 3 will perform their much anticipated Nativity play in the afternoon. We very much look forward to welcoming our infant pupils’ families to our wonderful school. I have heard their fabulous singing on a number of occasions and can assure you that you are in for a treat! There will also be an opportunity to buy raffle tickets for the chance to win some wonderful hampers. Fingers crossed…

On Wednesday, our pupils from Primary 4 to 7 will perform the annual Christmas concert. Again, I have been very fortunate to hear the dulcet tones of our middle and upper school children and can guarantee a wonderful musical experience. We look forward, as always, to welcoming our families to this fabulous event. We also look forward to seeing our Education Psychologist, Mrs Kinniburgh, who will be visiting us today.

On Thursday, school is closed to pupils in the school and nursery as our building is used for elections. Staff attend on this day and our teaching staff will be working with colleagues from NLC’s  literacy base, supporting us with enhancements to writing.

On Friday,  our upper school children in Primary 6 and Primary 7  look forward to their Christmas parties. Children are permitted to change in to party clothes at lunch time. Have a wonderful time boys and girls!

Mrs Bolland

The wonderful season of advent is upon and God reminds us to prepare ourselves for the true meaning of Christmas.

A huge thank you to our dedicated Parent Council members, who  worked tirelessly to create a wonderful Christmas Fayre for our school community and have helped raised much needed funds for our school. Children had the added bonus of seeing Santa on his sleigh, a wonderful Santa’s grotto and generous gifts that Mark and Lucy Millar and their team organised for our school community. We will keep you updated as to the final figure that was raised by our wonderful Parent Council.

The week ahead look like this:

On Monday, I will be out of school all day as I am a panel member for early years Principal Lead interviews. The very best of luck to our own candidates from St Bartholomew’s nursery.

On Tuesday both Primary 4-7 and Primary 1-3 will add finishing touches to their rehearsals for the Christmas Concert and Nativity play respectively.

On Wednesday, I will be visiting P6b and will share the wonderful learning that takes place in the classroom, on a daily basis.

On Thursday the whole school look forward to Christmas lunch, the dining room will be transformed with dressed tables, Christmas  crackers and lots more.Primary 6b will be  visiting Morgan Sindall today as part of Developing the Young Workforce. We look forward to hearing about your experiences. Vicky from CLD will be hosting her final cookery workshop for our pupils and their families.

On Friday, NHS Scotland colleagues will administer the influenza vaccination session. Our Primary 1-3 children will take part in their nativity play dress rehearsal. Mrs MacFarlane and Primary 7 pupils will visit St Ambrose High in order to attend St Ambrose feast day mass.

Mrs Bolland

Primary 1 – Otto

Primary 1/2 – Hannah

Primary 3 – Filip

Primary 4 – Cheyenne

Primary 5 – Lee

Primary 6a – Fin

Primary 6b – Caitlyn

Primary 7 – Daniel