Thank you to all families who were able to support the PTC Hallowe’en Disco events on Wednesday evening. The PTC raised over £330 which will be used to support learners in school. We appreciate the ongoing commitment of the PTC who raise funds for many classroom resources and contribute to the cost of experiences for pupils.
The next event for PTC is the opportunity for pupils to participate in ‘Dress Down Day’ on Friday 8th November. Pupils are invited to wear casual clothes and bring a donation for the Tombola at the Christmas Fayre.
Transitions
The school year passes very quickly and we are already preparing for Primary 6/ 7 transitions to Secondary school and Nursery transitions into Primary 1. By Friday 8th November, the school office will have validated all Primary 7 addresses to ensure they are allocated a place at their catchment school. The allocation of secondary school depends on your home postcode and not the primary school attended. If you do not wish your child to attend the catchment school then a placing request can be submitted from mid January. If you are unsure which school your postcode is zoned to, you can check this using the following link:
There will be initial transition planning meetings during November and December 2019 for any Primary 6 pupils who may need additional support or an alternative secondary placement as a result of additional support needs . Any parents of Primary 6 pupils who are concerned about the transition to secondary should contact Mrs French in the first instance to discuss the supports available.
Infant enrolment for all pupils starting Primary 1 in August 2020 takes place during week beginning 13th January. Further information will be shared closer to the time.
Pupils Leading Learning
Calderglen High School staff arranged to teach Primary 7 pupils Hallowe’en words and phrases in French. The Primary 7 pupils showed confidence as they shared the learning with younger pupils.
Well done, Primary 7!
School Photographs
Group photographs will be taken on Wednesday 6th November. There will be a group photograph taken of each stage in school. For example, all Primary 2 pupils will be photographed together regardless of whether they are normally in Room 2 or Room 3. Similarly, all Primary 4 pupils from Room 5 and Room 6 will be photographed together. This will happen at all stages of the school. The photographer will then take a whole school and nursery photograph of all Heathery Knowe learners together. Please support us by ensuring that your child is in full school uniform.
If you would like to opt out of the group photograph, please contact Mrs French.
Homework Consultation 2019
Over the past week, we have sought parent views on homework to inform the review of the Heathery Knowe homework policy. The key messages we have received include:
- Most parents wish homework to continue to be set. Of this, 46% would like homework set as required but not every single week and 42% would like set weekly homework to continue
- 40% would like there to be an ‘opt out’ option for families who do not wish to participate in homework activities
- 87% feel that their child is confident in the activities set and agree it is reinforcement rather than new learning
- 56% feel there is a learning benefit from homework with the remaining 44% agreeing that it is a routine activity but not one which adds to learning.
- Of the parents who responded:
- 21% feel that their child enjoys homework
- 50% organise evening routines around homework
- 17% felt homework was a cause of arguments between siblings
- 45% felt homework was a cause of arguments between the parent and child
- 46% felt under pressure to complete homework to a high standard and ensure it was correct
- 21% felt unsure of the expectations of homework at times.
Thank you to all parents who contributed. There are many valuable comments provided which will be summarised and shared with teaching staff as part of the review.
What’s on next week?
Tuesday – PTC Meeting 2pm
Wednesday – Whole school and stage photographs
Thursday – Nursery Big Blether
Thursday – Open Evening at Calderglen for Primary 7 pupils
Friday – Dress Down Day (PTC Tombola Donation)
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
