We have been very busy this week, with almost all pupils participating in elective activities as well as core classes. We welcomed visitors from Half Merke Primary, Duncanrig Secondary School and the University of Strathclyde. All of our visitors commented on the polite and hard working pupils at Heathery Knowe PS.
Champions for Change
All Primary 6 pupils have participated in two workshops with a focus on anti-sectarianism. The Primary 6 pupils from St Louise and Heathery Knowe Primary Schools will now work together on a joint project. The pupils have some very good ideas for the project and we all look forward to seeing how it develops. Once the project has been completed, we will be assessed by Nil By Mouth for a Champions for Change Award, recognising the work both schools are doing to build friendships and respect.
Electives
The pupils had an opportunity to start a new elective club this week. All of the pupils seemed to enjoy participating in an activity of their choice. I joined the Primary 1-3 pupils who were participating in Club Golf, Computing and Story Club. It is lovely to see older pupils enjoying activities alongside our younger pupils and sharing their skills and knowledge.
Working Together
On Tuesday evening, the Parent Engagement Group (PEG) and Parent Teacher Council (PTC) will meet.
The Parent Teacher Council is a committee of parents and teachers who meet every month to be formally consulted on all aspects of school life. All parents are welcome to attend the group.
The Parent Engagement Group has been formed to create a whole school calendar for session 2019/2020. The group will be consulted on opportunities for parents to engage in curriculum events such as assemblies, open afternoons, timing of report cards and parent consultation evenings. This group will feed back to the PTC regularly on the progress made.
The focus of ‘The Big Blether’ next week is residential experiences and the development of outdoor learning. We look forward to welcoming all parents who are able to attend at 9.15am on Wednesday.
Developments in Numeracy
Improving attainment in Numeracy and Mathematics is a priority for our school particularly as children progress from first to second level.
- The new teaching resource ‘Tee Jay Mathematics’ has arrived in school. Teaching numeracy and mathematics using Tee Jay resources will provide a progressive and consistent approach across the school. It includes textbooks, assessments and homework activities. The pupils and staff are very excited with the new resources and look forward to using them .
- Following discussions within our staff team, HMI and with other schools, we have purchased Mathematics Assessment for Learning and Teaching (MALT) resources. This is a standardised assessment which will be completed by all pupils in the summer term. Assessments will provide a score related to ability but will also identify areas where there are specific difficulties for pupils (e.g. fractions, data handling, division etc).
- A multi sensory approach to teaching numeracy will be used in Primary 1-3 from August 2019. We are currently waiting on the delivery of Numicon resources. If you would like to find out more about Numicon, please click on the following link: https://www.numicon.co.nz/489269/
- Next week, three members of staff will attend Catch Up Numeracy training. Catch Up® Numeracy is a structured one-to-one intervention for learners who find numeracy difficult. Miss A Harris, Mrs Summers and Mrs Robertson will attend the training for Heathery Knowe PS. Catch Up Numeracy interventions will be used at school following the Spring Break.
What’s on next week?
- Monday – Educational Psychologist visiting the school
- Tuesday – PEG 6pm ; PTC 7pm
- Wednesday – The Big Blether 9.15am
- Wednesday – Mrs Kane and Miss Wharton – Talk 4 Writing Course
- Wednesday -Friday AM – Miss A Harris, Mrs Robertson and Mrs Summers – Catch up Numeracy
Thank you for your continued support
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
