Thank you to all families who supported the school this week by attending PTC meeting and the disco. The PTC work tirelessly to support the school through fundraising initiatives, supporting school events and as a consultation group for changes within the school. It was lovely to see so many new faces at the meeting. All money raised by the PTC goes directly back into the school to benefit pupils. The next venture for PTC will be the Christmas Fayre. If you have any ideas for stalls/ activities or if you are able to help, please contact a member of the PTC or the school and we will pass your details on.
‘Meet The Teacher’ Feedback
In response to parent feedback, we changed the August Open Afternoon to a more formal ‘Meet The Teacher’ presentation session. The main points of feedback after the event were:
- 93% of parents found the session helpful or very helpful
- 84% of parents felt confident in their understanding of class routines and expectations following the session
- 63% preferred the ‘Meet The Teacher’ 2019 format, 17% preferred an Open Afternoon (2018 format) and 20% could not comment as they did not attend last year.
- 90% of parents felt a 3.15pm start time was appropriate
- 97% of parents thought the timing of last week of August was about right.
- 95% of parents felt welcome or very welcome in the school on Wednesday.
There were additional comments provided as feedback and we will make the following changes for next session.
- The first session will run at 2.30pm whilst all pupils are in the hall at an assembly. This will prevent the length of time pupils need to wait for parents and will enable families who have after school activities to plan around this. There will still be sessions after school for families with more than one child in school and to accommodate those who are working in the afternoon.
- We will be clearer that this is not a ‘drop in’ session and parents should not join a session that has already started. We will be clearer on the format and use door signs to advise when a session has started.
- The sessions will all run in presentation format, regardless of the number of parents. For some classes, session 2 was only attended by 1/2 families and teachers spoke to them informally. Parents with this experience felt they may have missed out.
- All teachers will provide an information sheet for the class in booklet form for parents to take away.
- The Nursery Teacher will also provide a ‘Meet The Teacher’ session during session 2020-2021
Thank you for continuing to feed back and help us improve Heathery Knowe Primary School and Nursery Class.
Positive Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS)
Positive Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) has been introduced as a new Health and Wellbeing approach across the school. PATHS is being taught in cohort groups. For example, the Primary 4 class in Room 6 will be joined by the Primary 4 pupils in Room 5. Mrs Kane and Miss Inglis will each teach a mixed group from the two classes to ensure that friendships are sustained and a year group receives the same experience. This is the same across the school and all classes participate in PATHS after break time on a Wednesday.
Teachers of PATHS groups are:
Primary 7 – Miss Wharton and Mr Loveday
Primary 6 – Mrs Spence and Mrs McGee
Primary 5 – Mrs Gray
Primary 4 – Mrs Kane and Miss Inglis
Primary 3 – Mrs MacOwan and Mrs Hughes
Primary 2 – Miss Deans and Miss McGown
Primary 1 – Miss Harris and Miss Houldsworth
The PATHS® Programme for Schools (UK Version) is systematic and developmental. It enhances social understanding and develops learning at each stage in the following areas:
- Emotional understanding
- Self-control
- Social problem solving
- Peer relations and self-esteem
We have arranged a PATHS information session for Tuesday 17th September. The session will run twice (2.15pm and 5.15pm) and will provide an overview of the approach and an opportunity to look at the resources.
Positive Passport
Primary 5 pupils are piloting a new approach to promoting positive behaviour. Using the three rules of ‘Be Kind, Be Ready and Be Safe’, pupils will receive a stamp in their passport for each rule achieved throughout the day. Children can earn up to 15 stamps a week. Children who receive over 10 will be offered a small reward on a Friday (additional playtime etc). Parents will receive the passport home each evening and can find out how their child has managed through the day and offer praise and encouragement at home.
Once we have completed the pilot and sought feedback from parents, pupils and staff, we will be able to decide whether to roll this approach out across the school.
Postcards Home
Over the next few weeks, pupils will be involved in a competition to design a Heathery Knowe postcard. The postcards will be used to communicate with parents and share when pupils have gone ‘over and above’ what is expected, been an outstanding citizen or have an educational achievement to be proud of. Once we have a winning design, it will be printed and the the leadership team and class teachers will start to use this to celebrate the success of our learners.
Maths Setting
Children in Primary 4-7 started maths setting this week and are now taught in the smaller groups. I walked around the classes each day during maths time and observed pupils to be very settled and focused. The children offered feedback that it was easier to concentrate, the teacher had more time to speak with them and that they liked the routine of maths at the same time each day.
The Tee Jay Maths homework resources are currently with SLC Print Room and teachers will start using this homework resource consistently once it arrives back in school.
What’s on next week?
Tuesday – Head Teacher attending Learning Community Management Team
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
