Last week we welcomed 11 teaching and health professional from Amsterdam. They were accompanied by staff from Education Scotland and Des Dickson, our Quality Link Officer. The visit was to look at our good practice in the promotion of Health and Wellbeing in our school. The visitors were highly impressed with the high standards of uniform, behaviour and learning of our pupils. They also commented on the professionalism of all staff! They listened to a presentation from myself and Miss McKendry and then toured classes including the nursery. They couldn’t believe the sense of fun that was evident and felt the school was a very happy place to work and learn! Once again, I was immensely proud of our whole school community as we continue to do our very best for the children and families involved in our school.
Last Thursday was One Planet Picnic Day organised by our Eco Committee. All classes got involved in tasting and / or making food using local ingredients. We had jeely pieces in Primary 4 and tablet ice cream in Primary 6. I was assured that staff spoke about the importance of dental hygiene too!
The food room is now a key area within our school and staff and pupils from nursery to Primary 7 are utilising this fantastic resource fully. Mrs Robinson and I love a Thursday when the nursery children always provide a little treat for us – this week it was cookies!
A very important event for the nursery this week as we welcomed Ms Keenan from the Care Inspectorate for an unannounced visit on Tuesday and Wednesday. This was part of the routine inspections for nursery classes. The visit lasted two days and gave the inspector the opportunity to see all aspects of our nursery class. At this time I can say it was a very successful visit and a positive experience for all involved. I look forward to sharing the findings with you when they have been finalised in the report.
The Fairtrade Committee were also out and about this week. They visited the local Co-op to price Fairtrade goods for their Fairtrade Friday shop. More details coming soon.
In the classes ….
Primary 1 have been focusing on emotions and made emotion face pizzas! They also developed art work to show facial expressions too. This week their Primary 1 picture is in the Hamilton Advertiser! Fame at last Primary 1!
Primary 2 went on a sound hunt around the school being inspired by reading the ‘Sound Collector’ poem. They then wrote their own sound poems. They have also been busy at home with their outdoor learning homework looking for Autumn trees.
Pet Promises were made in Primary 3 this week. In numeracy they have been learning the skill of rounding.
Primary 4 have been classifying animals in Science. They have continued their learning about Scotland and created Tourist Posters in writing this week.
Primary 5 have furthered their skills in the swimming pool. Pupils are thoroughly enjoying this experience. They also developed golf skills while working with S3 Sports Leaders from St. John Ogilvie High School.
Primary 6 have been writing letters to local MPs and MSPs to invite them to our school to learn more about their jobs. They loved their homemade ice cream especially eating it in the yard filled with Autumn sunshine!
P7a have been learning about persuasive writing with a focus on animals being kept in captivity or not. They focused on the use of apostrophes for possession and omission.
Primary 7b developed art skills depicting ‘The Witches’ using crumpled and colourful tissue paper.
In the nursery the focus has shifted to the season of Autumn. This week some children pulled their carrots from our discovery pit. They had great fun describing the shape and size of the carrots. The children are going to use the vegetables they have grown to make vegetable soup.
The children in our nursery were very eager to speak to our inspector about their nursery. Ms Keenan commented on the confidence of the children in their routines as they signed in, got busy in all areas of the nursery, washed hands, selected snack and brushed their teeth! Well done to everyone in St. Cuthbert’s Nursery.
What a busy, busy week! Next week we have another visitor from Education Scotland, Ms Olwynne Clark. Ms Clark will be discussing our focus on attachment theory.
Please remember our Attachment Theory Workshop for parents / carers in nursery and P1 on Wednesday 3pm – 4pm. On Thursday we have Parents’ Evening for everyone. Times will be in bags at the start of the week. We will also walk to St. Cuthbert’s Church for mass on Monday morning. Any adult helpers to accompany us should meet in the Parents’ Room at half past 9. Many thanks.
Thank you for reading my blog,
Mrs Hendry
