Just to remind you that the school is closed on Wednesday 31 January for a local holiday and re-opens at 9am on Thursday 1 February.

 Due to staff and pupils having a shorter lunch break the school closes at 2.45pm on Tuesday 30 January. There will be no study club next Tuesday.

 There will be a public service bus available to take children to the North Road at 2.45pm.

Dear Parents/Carers of Early Years pupils

Welcome back to school for 2018, we are now settled into the new term and are looking forward to the year ahead in Bell’s Brae. I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself as Acting Depute Head Teacher (Early Years). I will be in the post for approximately 6 – 8 weeks and you can get in touch using the above information.

Students

Megan Leask and Rachel Baronet will continue their work placements in Rooms 1 and 2 respectively. These placements form part of their studies Shetland College (University of the Highlands and Islands) and will continue up until May.

Up Helly Aa

We will be looking for volunteers to provide additional supervision on Up Helly Aa day, just let someone know if you can help. We will be walking to the bottom of Harbour Street to see the galley and the Jarl Squad weather permitting.

Adverse weather

Just a reminder that information about school closures due to bad weather will be announced on local and national radio – Radio Shetland at 5.30pm, Radio Orkney at 7.30am and SIBC. Information is also available on the SIC internet homepage and parents/carers can also follow alerts on ‘twitter’. A direct link to this can be accessed through the Shetland Islands Council home page www.shetland.gov.uk click on twitter ‘follow@shetlslandsCll’ button at the top right corner of the page. However, parents/carers are responsible at all times for deciding whether to send their children to nursery.

Primary 1 Enrolment

Enrolment Week will take place from Monday 5 to Friday 9 February. During this time, enrolment forms will be available outside each EY room for parents/carers to complete for children eligible to start school in August 2018.

Appointments will be available for parents/carers of children in their pre-school year in the week beginning Monday 20 February. These will provide you with an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and ask any questions you may have regarding their upcoming transition into Primary 1.

Please speak to a member of the EY team to let them know whether you would prefer a daytime or an evening appointment – this will allow you to arrange a time that is mutually convenient for yourselves and them. For your information, evening appointments will take place on Wednesday 21 February. A crèche will be available in the main school.

Dates for your diaries

Another reminder of some key dates for this term –

Tuesday 30 January – Up Helly Aa Day

Wednesday 31 January – Holiday

Monday 5 – Friday 9 February – Primary 1 Enrolment Week

Friday 23 February – Holiday

Monday 26 February – Holiday

Friday 30 March – Last day of term

As ever, if you have any questions about any of the above, or anything else, please ask a member of the Early Years team or contact myself.

Yours sincerely

Wendy Fraser

Acting Depute Head Teacher (Early Years)

One of our school improvement priorities this session is to improve the health and wellbeing of our young people.  Part of this priority was to improve our arrangements for lunchtimes and breaktimes.

We are now writing to you to keep you informed of the improvements we have made and to ask for your support in promoting our approach.

• Our playgrounds have seen improvements. Thanks to the Tesco Bags for Life scheme we have a lovely new shelter in the P5-7 playground. This provides shelter as well as a fun area for imaginative play. Thanks to the Tesco scheme the P1-4 playground will soon be getting three new play panels – one mirror and two blackboards.
• We have introduced a Lunchtime Club to support some of our young people to further develop their social skills
• We, as the Pupil Council were successful in our bid to the “Loot for Lerwick” scheme and received £781. They have used this to purchase new board games and art and craft materials. Every floor in the three storey block now has a box containing age appropriate games and materials for ‘inside playtimes’.
• During all terms children will be strongly encouraged to play outside to get fresh air and exercise. For any children who are unable to go outside due to health reasons a note from their parent/carer is required.
• On days when the weather is poor or it is unsafe to go outside we will have ‘inside break’. Morning break will be spent in classrooms accessing a range of activities and toys. During lunch breaks, on each floor there were will three areas for the children to access – 1) construction and board games 2) film or cartoon 3) quieter area for craft, drawing, colouring or reading.  Whenever possible the children will tidy up at 1325 and have their last 10 minutes outside in the playground.  This allows us to encourage healthy living.

For this to be successful we require all children to come to school with suitable clothing and footwear for outside play.  If you would like your child to bring and leave a pair of wellington boots in school we would be happy to store them in the classroom.  Please ensure your child’s name is on them!   We would also be happy to receive any surplus boots that may be used throughout the school.