Welcome
We have enjoyed a very busy start to the year at Heathery Knowe PS and I would like to extend a warm welcome to the families of our 42 new Primary 1 pupils. Each class is settling into their routines and getting to know one another. Miss Harris and Miss Meek have joined our teaching team. Miss Harris is teaching Room 5. Miss Meek is an additional teacher to the school funded through the Pupil Equity Fund and will be offering additional targeted support for pupils in the areas of literacy and health and wellbeing.
School Improvement
We have four main priorities for improvement which were identified last session. These are:
- To raise attainment in writing for all learners
- To improve teaching and learning using responsive teaching approaches
- To raise attainment in all areas of the curriculum by developing approaches to tracking and monitoring the progress of learners.
- To improve health and wellbeing of learners through universal and targeted approaches (including nurture, anti bullying policy, supporting transitions, developing the play strategy).
We are in the process of engaging in further consultation with parents and colleagues to identify strengths and areas for improvement. You can contribute to this by completing the survey using the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/Oyrntq2w1sePzEHK2
Communication with Parents
A letter will be issued to all parents using pupil post on Monday outlining the ways we are sharing information with parents. We are using twitter, our app, the website and this blog to share information.
You may have spoken with me in the playground before or after school this week. I will be in the playground each morning and afternoon. Please come and say hello and if we need a longer appointment then we can arrange to set one up for a suitable time. If I am out of school then Mr Scott or Mrs McGee will be available to take a message.
What’s on next week?
I am meeting a Senior Manager Pupil Support to take forward the development of nurturing approaches in school. We are planning to develop a nurturing space on the top floor to use when pupils need a quiet space to settle to learn.
Craig Allardice (Active Schools Co-ordinator) is coming in to discuss many ways in which we can participate in local sports and festivals over the next school session.
Jacqueline Wallace (Quality Link Officer) will visit to support us in planning for school improvement with a particular focus on learning and teaching.
The Youth Music Initiative starts for Primary 5 pupils and Skills Force starts for Primary 7 pupils.
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
