Congratulations to the Abernyte Primary School Pupil Council for collecting a record breaking total for Poppy Scotland this November – they collected more money this year than any other year that they have collected, with an amazing £761.89 raised (not bad for a school of only 8!).

Thanks to everyone who donated money this year and helped support Poppy Scotland.

Bea and Lucy (P6) wrote:
“We all got our own area to sell poppies. We also put some poppy tins in the Antique Centre, Horseshoe Café, Inchture Hotel, Abernyte Church and one here in Abernyte School. We managed to raise £761.85. It has beaten all records since 1981. We all helped count the money. Cara said “It was fun even though I did it in the rain”.”

On Thursday 6 Novemebr, after 13 years of dedicated service, our very own Mrs Brown (Primary School Support Assistant extraordinaire) left us.  Staff (past and present) enjoyed a “Last Supper” together before pupils and Parent Council presented gifts and sang at a special assembly.  A great asset, Mrs Brown will be missed and we wish her all the best!

Primary school enrolment

If your child will be five before 28 February 2015 then it’s time to enrol them for school. If your child will be five on or before that date you must register your child to start school during the registration week from 13 January 2014 to 17 January 2014.

The next school session begins on Tuesday 19 August 2014.

What happens if my child is five between 20 August 2014 and 28 February 2015?

These children are eligible to start school on Tuesday 19 August 2014 and you should register your child for primary school. However, nearer to the start of the school year you may wish to delay your child’s entry to school if you think that they are not ready to start. You should discuss this with staff at your child’s nursery who will be able to help you make the best decision for your child. If you decide to delay your child’s entry to primary school you will be able to withdraw your child’s registration form.  It would be appreciated if you could make this decision by 31 May.  Further information on deferred entry is available from all primary schools.

How do I register my child for primary school?

Each school has a defined zone known as a catchment area, and offers places in that school to pupils resident within that area.

You should visit your local catchment area primary school during the January registration week to register your child.  When you register your child you will need to take your child’s birth certificate and also your 2013/2014 Council Tax demand notice and a recent utility bill as proof that you live permanently at your address, as well as completing the registration form. 

Forms are available on the PKC website http://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/3105/Primary-school-enrolment and in school.

On Friday 29th of November, parents and members of the local community joined staff and pupils for a Big Book Breakfast to help raise money for Mary’s Meals.

Everyone enjoyed flapjacks or porridge (to remind pupils that some people only get to have one meal  a day) while they spent time reading and sharing their thoughts on their favourite books.

On Tuesday 12th of November, parents came to Abernyte Primary to discuss the progress of their children with teachers at the Parent Contact Evening.  As well as talking with class teachers, parents had the opportunity to view a display of pupil work and new school resources and were encouraged to write feedback on post-its and stick it on the flipchart.  Below are some of the comments made about the school and curriculum:

“What a brilliant report from Eco-schools Scotland.  I hope you’ll be putting that in the local newsletter.”

“Excellent work being done by Primary 7 getting ready to go to high school.”

“Fabulous displays! What a lot of hard work!  Well done all involved!”

“Really lovely to see what fun and varied activities the children do as sometimes we hear very little from them, so thank you for all the hard work, it’s really appreciated.”

“Thank you for looking after our kids and teaching them so well.  Love the activities that you involve them in.”

“It is wonderful to see children learning in a ‘family’ environment, where the children genuinely care about each other and look out for each other.  They understand the importance of their own family and their local community.  They are active in tasks, encouraging to each other and have fun learning in class.  Well done Abernyte on installing the true value of family – something each and every child will be able to take with them wherever they go.”

Our new teacher, Mrs Holt, has quickly taken on board the responsibility of the P4-7 class. As well as being a perfect fit within the staff team, she has embraced her leadership role as co-ordinator of the Rights Respecting Schools initiative. As a warm up for the P7 Citizenship Day at Perth High School (PHS), she organised a Whole School Citizenship Day for us at Abernyte. Working in mixed age co-operative learning groups, with all staff involved, the children considered how they could be good citizens from a personal perspective to a global perspective. A great platform for the children to use their higher order thinking skills, discussions on personalities, politics and behaviour were intermingled with games and biscuit baking – the latter activity giving Mrs Holt and Mrs Khazaka the opportunity to put their recently honed skills gained on the “Cooking Bus” into practice!

On Friday the 11th of October, pupils and staff had a pyjama day to raise money for Syrian refugee children.  By coming in to school in their nice warm, snuggly onesies, PJs and dressing gowns, the children helped raise £23 for a good cause and had fun at the same time.

MSP for North Tayside John Swinney was invited to our Summer Presentation at the end of June.  Following his visit he Tweeted about us online.

The weather hit Abernyte with a vengence this week, with snow and ice making driving (and walking!) conditions really treacherous. 

Pupils and staff were drafted in to help clear a way to the school and some support staff members had to work from home as the roads were too dangerous.  Pupils that come to school on the school bus even got the day off school as the bus couldn’t get up the slippery hill to Abernyte!