St. John Paul II Primary School & Nursery Class, Viewpark

Here are a few reminders from our last Newsletter about what is happening for the end of term.

MASS TO MARK THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

As is our tradition, at 10am on the last day, we invite you to join us for our final Mass in St. Columba’s Church.  This is always a lovely Mass and a fitting end to our school year.

• Children should wear full school uniform
• P6 children (next year’s P7s) will be presented with their special P7 Ties.
• P7 Pope Francis Faith Award Children will be presented with their framed certificates.

LUNCH ON THE LAST DAY

There will be no hot lunches served on the last day.  Children who require a lunch have already been asked to order their lunch and we have a note of this.  If your child does not want a Snack to Go, then they can bring their own packed lunch.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR P7 LEAVERS

I am aware that there have been arrangements made by parents and carers for various activities for the children on their last day.  Please note the following:

• The bell will ring at 1pm for dismissal of P1 – P6 who will exit through the main playground gate.
• If you do not have a child in Primary 7, I ask that you consider leaving the grounds ASAP, as this is always a very busy day with lots of additional people and vehicles.
• At 1:05pm, the Primary 7s will be dismissed with staff forming a guard of honour at the gate to cheer them on.
• P7 PARENTS/CARERS:  Please remind any limo/bus drivers that they are not permitted to enter the school car park and must find a safe space to park nearby.

FINISHING TIME FOR THE LAST DAY

School finishes at the earlier time of 1pm on the last day so please do remember to collect your child at this time!

The school is, yet again, groaning with lost property and Mrs McGhee has been working her magic this afternoon.  She has gathered up everything and has done the following…

• Items with names have been placed on pupil pegs in the cloakrooms or placed in their classrooms.
• Items with no names, but we know who they belong to, the same!
• All other items with no names have been placed on tables outside the main entrance to the building.

If you’re dropping off or collecting your child(ren) this evening for the Parent Council Disco, please take a look and take anything you think belongs to your child. 

We will place the remaining items outside the building again tomorrow.

Thank you to Mrs McGhee for doing this never ending task!  We appreciate it!

So many of you send your child to school with no name on their garments and clothing. Please, please, PLEASE write your child’s name on everything they own. We can always make sure it is returned to them!

You may remember from a previous Newsletter, that we have changed our approach to what was our annual Health and Wellbeing Week.  Instead of squeezing lots of activity into one week, we have spread this throughout the school year.  More recently there have been coaches in school offering different experiences and taster sessions.  However, we are still holding our annual Sports Day.  Please see below for further information.

🆕🚨NEW MENU ALERT!!! 🆕🚨

NLC have issued a new menu to our Catering Staff. This will begin this week. Please take note of changes to sandwich options and note baked potatoes are now not available every day. Please take time to discuss this menu with your children.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUB UPDATE

Most of our after school clubs have now finished for the summer term! We hope the children enjoyed them.

There are a few which are on for the final time this week. They are:

💙 – Tues P3 Multisports
💙 – Wed P1 Football
💙 – Wed P4-7 Drama After Show Celebration (Please note an earlier finish time of 4.00pm)

RSVP by Wednesday 18th June BY CLICKING HERE.

We hope you’ve all had a lovely long weekend (despite the weather!) We’re looking forward to seeing you all again tomorrow for the last few weeks of term.

We are on Week 2 for lunches this week. Again, due to delivery issues after the long weekend, we have a couple of changes.

Tuesday:
🔴 : Pizza
🟢 : Cheese Toastie
All other options the same.

Thursday:
🔴 : Chicken Sausages
🟢 : Veggie Sausages
All other options the same.

19 years ago today we opened our doors to welcome the children and families of Viewpark for the very first time!!! It’s been an amazing 19 years and it is an absolute privilege to watch all these children come through our doors and be a wee part of their journey!!!  Thanks for all of your support during these years, and thanks for being with us through it all!! 💙💛

CAR PARK CLOSURE & ACCESS

From 9:10am, there will be no access to the School Car Park on Thursday 1st May 2025.  The Car Park will be reserved for the 7 Buses which are coming to transport us to Carfin and they will be arriving at around 9:10am.  We ask that, once you have dropped your child off, you vacate the car park straight away.

School, Nursery and Laburnum staff have been asked to park elsewhere.

With so many buses arriving, we are trying to make the departure of our children as safe as possible.

The buses will also be dropping off in the car park up until about 2:15pm and so there is no entry to the car park.

Please support us and do your bit.  If you can park elsewhere just for this day, we would appreciate that too!

IF ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE FAMILY DOES DROP OFF AND PICK UP – PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH THEM – ESPECIALLY THE EARLY BIRDS WHO ARRIVE FOR A PARKING SPACE AT 2:15PM!

FINAL REMINDERS FOR CARFIN PILGRIMAGE

As you will know, the whole school will be travelling to Carfin on Thursday 1st May.  Please note the information and reminders below:

• We will be leaving sharp in the morning.  Please ensure your child is on time.
• If you arrive after we have departed, there will be no staff in school and your child will not be able to attend.
• ALL STAFF will be assisting with the trip and so only the Nursery Staff will be in school, along with the Janitor and the Catering Staff.
• If you have not ordered a School Snack to Go, your child will need a packed lunch.
• All activities will be outdoors!
• The weather forecast is different, depending on what app you use!  Please ensure you put sun cream on your child and maybe give them a hat and a light jacket as the temperature is lower than today.
• A reminder that family and parishioners are welcome to join us for Mass at 11:30am.

If you have any questions, please do give us a call.

Thank you for your co-operation!

We sent a letter out to everyone last week regarding our Pilgrimage to Carfin Grotto.  It is looking like it will be a lovely day!

If you have not managed to send the return slip on the letter, you can click on the link below to order a Snack to Go for your child.  The order form will close at 2pm on Tuesday 29th April to allow plenty of time for the Catering Staff to make their preparations.  Alternatively, your child can bring their own lunch.

Click here to order for your child.  There is the option to order for up to 4 children on the form.

Click on this link to read the letter:  Carfin Letter

SOME IMPORANT REMINDERS:

• The weather is looking great.  However, we will be outdoors for the entire day.  There is so much for the children to explore at the Grotto!
• Please consider a sun hat for your child and/or sun cream to protect them from the sun.  We don’t want any burnt noses!
• Your child should be in full school uniform.  P7s can wear their Leavers’ Hoodies.
• Children should bring a small snack/drink for interval.  They may want to bring an extra bottle of water.  We plan on bringing a stock of bottled water with us!
• Packed lunches will be required – so please send your child with one if not ordering a Snack to Go.
• Parents/Carers are welcome to join us for Mass, which will begin at 11:30am approximately.  We ask that you ensure your child(ren) remain with their class teacher for health and safety reasons.

Week 1 menu for lunches this week.

Netball, football and drama club restart this week for current members only. Letters for new clubs will be going out soon.