Dear Parent/ Carer
Time is passing so quickly and we find ourselves at the beginning of the final term. As the days lengthen we will hopefully find the weather improving and our pupils will get the opportunity to spend time outdoors.
Lynn Ferguson
Headteacher
Our Primary 7 pupils continue to make links with Castlehead. They recently had sports input from senior pupils before spending time at Castlehead as part of the Sky Sports event.
Several of them took part in the trials for the School of Football at Castlehead and we wish them success with this. Pupils and staff really enjoyed the Lockerbie Trip and Activity week events, which took place during the week beginning 25th April. Many thanks to Mrs O’Boyle, Mrs Park, Miss Gibson and Mr Carson for organising and accompanying this trip and to Mrs R Campbell for activities week.
Friends of the West (FOTW)
Thank you to the parents who are part of this group, for all their hard work and support. They have been campaigning for improvements to our school building and this has paid off as pupil toilets will be refurbished during the summer holiday period. The next meeting will take place on Monday 16th May at 6.00pm in the staffroom and new members are very welcome.
Charity Involvement
Many thanks for your support of Comic Relief as we raised £455 for this very worthwhile cause. Thanks to all staff and pupils who helped to make this day so successful, especially Mrs Park, Mrs Milligan, Miss Wilson and Newton House Captains Morven McEwan and Ben Anderson for organising this event.
School Winners
Our House football tournament organised by Mrs Park was a huge success with lots of skill and enthusiasm on show. Primary 1 – 5 played for fun whilst Primary 6 and 7 held competitive games. Well done to Maxwellton who won both the girls’ and the boys’ tournaments.
Our annual carers’ competition, sponsored by The Cooperative Funeral Parlour, gave us the usual headache of picking winners. The reasons given as to why carers were special made us both smile and teary. Ailidh Lawrie P3 was third, Brooke McLardie P2 was second and the overall winners were William and Anna Matthews very well done to all of them.
Every year primary 6 take part in an Easter Bonnet competition with their efforts paraded at the beginning of the Easter service. This year the standard was particularly high and judging was very difficult. The results were; 1st place Kaiden Barr P6a, Byron Carden P6b, 2nd place Elise Hendry P6a, Kirstie Pringle P6b and 3rd place Ashley Clark P6a, Jacob Todd P6b.
Many thanks for your donations of Easter eggs which made a great display at the Easter service. These were distributed by The Cooperative Funeral Parlour to local children and elderly residents.
Primary 6 pupils learned a great deal from their visit to the “Safe Kids” events. They faced various scenarios and had to think about keeping safe and making good choices, skills we hope will stay with them for some time.
The Primary 5 trip to the Tall Ships has become an integral part of the Titanic topic. This year’s trip went very well with pupils showing a great deal of knowledge and behaving to West Standard.
Our Pupil Profiles are given a high priority here in school and almost all were returned signed, by the deadline. Pupils will be using them to review their year during the week beginning 6th June and we hope that they can see progress on their targets.
Our gym hall is looking like a great place to learn with the addition of learning boards. These help pupils and staff to focus on the key skills and significant aspects of PE. Let’s hope they inspire some sporting talent of the future.
We continue to work on our current school improvement plan. Staff have been developing our social studies and science topics to ensure breadth, progress and challenge as well as the development of skills for learning, life and work.
Our World of Work and Money Week took place during the week beginning 22nd February. Pupils participated in many work and money related activities and when surveyed found the input from visitors really interesting and would like more of this next year. Thanks to all staff for their hard work leading up to and during this week. Particular thanks go to Mrs Wiszniewski for organising the week.
Pupils from the running club took part in the Renfrewshire Schools Cross Country race. Mrs Milligan and Miss Wilson give up their lunchtime to train pupils and they were delighted with the attitude and effort that all pupils put in on the day.
World Book Week was as popular as ever and we had pupils dressed up as characters and designing front covers and new book characters. Developing a love of reading for pleasure will play a major part in developing their literacy skills.
Reminders to Parents
- Please help us to return lost property to the rightful owner by having names on your child’s uniform and lunch box.
- We want to be a nut aware school as some of our pupils have nut allergies which cause serious reactions. Items containing nuts should not be given as a snack or as part of a packed lunch.
- Please do not bring dogs into the playground.
- Holiday details have been issued and are on the school website. If you need a copy please get one from the school office.
Reminders to Pupils
- You should be West Standard at all times as ‘West is Best!’
- Come to school ready to work with a pencil and a rubber.
- Homework is an important part of your learning, please complete it on time.
- Bring your gym kit on gym days
- You should have a bottle of water with you every day.
- We don’t say I can’t, we say I can’t yet!
Upcoming Events
- 16th May – Parent Council meeting 6.00pm
- 19th – 20th May P7 induction visits to Castlehead
- 26th May – In-service pupils do not attend
- 27th & 30 May – School closed (holiday)
- 10th June – Proposed charity fundraiser
- 15th June – Sports day
- 17th June – P1 parent assembly
- 17th June – Reports out to parents / carers
- 21st June – P7 leavers’ dance
- 22nd June – Termly House reward
- 24th June – Whole school service PM
- 24th June – P7 Leavers’ Service10am
- 27th June – House Year Winners’ reward
- 28th June – School closes at 1.00pm
- 15 Aug – School reopens to pupils
