Arrangements for the return of children and young people during the first week of the new school term, Tuesday 11 August to Friday 14 August
Introduction
On Friday 31 July, Mrs. Budge, the Director of Children’s Services, wrote to inform you that the Scottish Government confirmed on Thursday 30 July that all Scottish schools will reopen full-time in August.
Mrs Budge’s letter explained that a number of measures will be in place to reduce the risk of transmission and support the health and safety of all our children, young people and staff on their return to school.
- The ‘soft-start’ to the new term: the phased return to school of children and young people
In Friday’s letter, there was also confirmation that, given the length of time children and young people have been away from school, the fact that many children will be starting out in a new school, and the need to go over important safety procedures and arrangements, the local authority are planning a ‘soft-start’ to the first week of the new term.
This means a gradual and phased return of children and young people into schools from Tuesday 11 August to Friday 14 August, as opposed to all children returning on the one day. This will support children reconnect with staff, their peers, and the school environment, as a whole, and enable staff to go over important safety procedures and arrangements.
As far as possible, all children and young people will be back in school full-time by Monday 17 August.
The purpose of this letter is to provide further clarification about arrangements for the first week of the new term in our school.
- Arrangements for our school
Monday 10th August – In-service day
Tuesday 11th August – Preparing classrooms
Wednesday 12th August – Opportunity for pupils and parents to visit the school and see the new arrangements
Thursday 13th August – All primary pupils back at school
Friday 14th August – All primary pupils back at school
Please get in touch with me if you would like to come along the school for a visit on Wednesday 12th August. We will be happy to show you about and address any concerns you may have.
After this long period without school, we feel that Primary 1 pupils will need some time to acclimatise to full days in the classroom. Therefore, until Friday 28th August, P1 pupils will finish for the day at 1pm after their lunch and a short play outside. Parents will be required to arrange transport home at this time. Please let me know if this will cause any difficulties for you.
By Friday 14 August, we expect that:
- Learners will have had the opportunity to reconnect with staff and their peers.
- Learners will have experienced some form of transition to their new class/stage
- Learners will be aware of the fire evacuation procedures. All learners understand the health and safety measures that have been put in place and why and can cooperate to make them work.
- What happens next?
We will write again to you at the start of next week with further information about health and safety procedures and arrangements and drop off and pick up arrangements.
Further information will also follow this week on school transport and school dining arrangements.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming all our children and young people back into school.
Please contact me in the first instance if you have any concerns about your child’s resumption of full-time education in August.
Yours sincerely
Wendy Fraser
Head Teacher
Newsletter August 2019
It is great to see all the pupils back at school and welcome to the new nursery and primary 1 pupils. We have a busy term planned so here is some initial information and dates for your diaries.
Staffing update
Wendy Fraser is contracted to continue as Acting Head Teacher until 5th January 2020. We are delighted that Luc Wood is joining the Early Years team as a modern apprentice and will be working in the nursery for the next 2 years.
Communication
With your support we will continue to communicate with parents through a range of media, including our closed Facebook groups, email, and paper (when necessary/on request), telephone and face-to-face. Please have a look at our new website by searching Urafirth School or https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sh/urafirth/welcome-to-urafirth-primary-school/.
Parentpay
Parent pay will operate the same as last year. The school will add on your child’s attendance so you can see how much you owe. School dinners cost £2.20 per day for P4 – 7 and £1.80 per day for Nursery. Milk for Primary pupils costs 90p per week.
Breakfast Club
Could you please inform the office by Friday the week before if you would like your child to attend breakfast club the next week. This will allow us time to make the necessary arrangements.
FREE School meals and Clothing Grant
Please see the SIC website for more information.
Primary topics in term 1
P1-4 People who help us
P5-7 Shetland
School Handbook
All new starts should have received a copy of the revised School Handbook/ Nursery Handbook. These are accessible on the school website, with paper copies available on request. The School’s Development Plan and Curriculum Rationale will also be added to the website in due course.
What’s On
These are the events already in the diary and you will be informed of other events as soon as they are organised. We are also planning a range of visits to complement the ‘My World of Work’ skills development priority.
| Date | Event | Intended audience |
| Wednesday 28th August
|
SPCA school visit | Primary pupils |
| Monday 2nd September
|
The Giant Pear @ Mareel | P1 – 3 |
| Monday 2nd September | Crofting and fishing in the past workshop at the museum. | P4 – 7 |
| Every second Thursday starting 5th September 3.15 – 5.00 | Urafirth School Youth Club | P1 – 7 |
| Monday 16th September
2pm |
Shoe Box Appeal presentation | P1 – 7 (parents welcome) |
| Wednesday 25th September
9.45 – 10.45 |
Under 5’s literacy morning | Under 5’s and parents |
| Wednesday 25th September
7pm |
Parent Council | Parents |
| Thursday 26th September
2.00 – 3.00 |
Clan Coffee afternoon
And GO for Purple school event |
Primary pupils
Parents and members of the community |
| Thursday 3rd October
3.15 – 5pm |
After school learner event | Pupils , parents and family members |
| Tuesday 10th October | Settling in Catch up | P1 parents and pupils
P4 and 5 parents and pupils. |
| Friday 11th October
|
Last Day of term | Pupils are back to school on Wednesday 30th October |
Please remember that parents and other visitors are always welcome and if you have any concerns, queries or suggestions I will be delighted to discuss these with you.
We look forward to seeing you soon in the school.
Wendy Fraser
Acting Head Teacher
