Barr PS and EYC Newsletter
November 2020
ACE
I am delighted to say that the ACE days pupils missed last session have been rearranged. All the children will get the chance to hone their cycling skills, both within and outwith our school grounds, over a range of ramps and obstacles. Through this input, pupils will gain either level 1 or level 2 of the Go Mountain Biking programme. Mrs McRae will send information out to you soon.
Assembly
Through the wonders of technology, we held our first virtual whole school Assembly last week. The children shared their learning across the school and EYC; we discussed relevant updates and awarded certificates to pupils who have consistently displayed our school values. Looking ahead to Christmas, my hope is to build on this experience and present a Nativity which parents will be able to access too.
News
You may have already heard that Mrs McRae is leaving us and moving on to a new post within the NHS. Her last day with us will be the 11th November and I am sure you join me in thanking her for her dedication and commitment to our school community over the years. We wish her well for the future. I am delighted to tell you that Sharon Trotter will be our new clerical assistant but, as yet, she doesn’t have a start date. Mrs McBirnie’s children recently entered the Energy Agency lockdown calendar competition and we are pleased to tell you that Reilly and Rosie were winners. They will receive their prize at an online award ceremony in December.
Learning Journals
It is so hard to convey just how much learning happens every day within the nursery and classrooms, which is why we are implementing Learning Journals. As you know from the information previously sent out, Learning Journals will give you a window into what is happening in your child’s group or class. Staff will post observations containing a comment, photos or a video detailing how the children interact with their friends, with planned activities and achieve success. With the details you have supplied, whether at work, at home, on your phone or laptop, you will be able to access your child’s profile safely. You will also be able to leave comments and upload photos directly from your own device, if you wish. Staff will start using them from the end of next week, so look out for notifications and enjoy looking through your child’s learning.
Remote learning
Remote learning is the term being used to describe when learners and teachers are not physically present together in the traditional classroom environment. Government guidance states that the main elements of remote learning can include:
• providing learners with physical resources where needed such as learning materials, textbooks and digital devices.
• providing live learning and teaching sessions with children and young people, for example through Glow (either by communicating through the chat function or through live video links with learners).
• providing access to recorded learning sessions and tasks.
• setting learners tasks for completion and submission to / discussion with practitioners.
• using the opportunity for ‘live sessions’ (as above) to check in, discuss and engage in person with learners following a learning task, but not to deliver lessons or content.
• engaging regularly with learners through email or an agreed platform.
Going forward, should children require to self-isolate due to Public Health advice, the options below are what we will offer. A survey will soon come out asking you to choose your option in advance, based on your individual circumstances.
Option 1
• A printed pack of work, which will include independent activities relating to literacy, numeracy, health and wellbeing.
• Check in phone calls from the class teacher.
• Completed work handed in and discussed on return to school.
Option 2
• Independent literacy, numeracy, health and wellbeing tasks to be completed via Glow.
• Microsoft Teams chat function used for check in and work feedback.
Option 3
• Live learning and teaching sessions via Teams – twice daily, specifically timetabled.
• Follow up independent tasks to be completed.
Option 4
• Access to online-recorded learning and teaching sessions to be viewed at any time.
• Follow up independent tasks to be completed.
• Microsoft Teams chat function used for check in and work feedback.
Social Media
Please keep an eye on the school website and Twitter account to find out more about what is happening in our school and EYC.
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sa/barrpsandeyc/
@BarrPrimary
Active Schools
The Active Schools team have been delivering a weekly input at Barr Primary school on a Thursday, working with all pupils every week. Their activities have included Active Play based learning, outdoor learning and a number of leadership programmes. Aaron (project assistant) has been heavily involved on a weekly basis developing positive relationships with all children. Last term, he took the P1-3 class up to the MUGA at the park for an afternoon of activity – really challenging them to improve their agility, balance and coordination. Connor (Active Schools Coordinator) has been involved in leadership delivery, creating junior coaches and our very own Sports Council. The Sports Council most recently took part in SportScotland’s #SportHour on Twitter, answering questions and getting amazing feedback!
Upcoming EventsNOVEMBER 16th – Cool to Be Kind Week ACE day 18th – ACE day 20th – World Children’s Day ACE day (not EYC) 24th – Parent/Teacher phone calls 26th – Hot Chocolate with the HT
DECEMBER 16th – Cinderella live stream 18th – Pupil group 21st – Christmas Parties Hot Chocolate with the HT 23rd – School closes at 2.30pm |
Mrs Murphy – HT newsletter November
