Heathery Knowe PS and nursery children and staff all returned this week refreshed and ready for the term ahead. I hope all our Heathery Knowe families had an enjoyable winter break.
Clyde in the Classroom
Primary 5 learners are visiting the Science Centre next week for the launch of ‘Clyde in the Classroom’ at Heathery Knowe Primary School. ‘Clyde in the Classroom’ is a hands on project that raises awareness of the need to look after our environment, promotes ways to engage with nature and develops knowledge and understanding in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
The children in Primary 5 will be responsible for the care of brown trout in the classroom hatchery. Each week the children will work with Clyde River Foundation Scientists at Heathery Knowe Primary School. Primary 5 children will share their learning across the school and we hope everyone in the school and nursery has regular opportunities to visit the hatchery and see the development of our trout. At the end of the project, Primary 5 pupils will return to the local river and release the fish having ensured the impact of pollution and other adverse factors on the population of brown trout is minimised.
More information about the project can be found at www.clydeintheclassroom.com
Play Based Learning
Staff at Heathery Knowe Primary School and Nursery Class are working in partnership with University of Strathclyde and South Lanarkshire Council to develop knowledge and understanding of a play/ enquiry based curriculum. Deirdre Grogan is a Principal Knowledge Exchange Fellow with University of Strathclyde and will bring theoretical knowledge, practical experience and innovative practice. Over the next six months, Ms Grogan will work with staff and visit the nursery playroom and P1-3 classrooms regularly to help us further develop a curriculum that is play and enquiry based and responsive to children’s needs and interests.
If you are interested in following the work of Ms Grogan with Heathery Knowe PS and Nursery and across Scotland, please follow her on Twitter using @deirdre_grogan
The staff are looking forward to engaging in this professional learning experience and working in partnership with the university to develop our practice.
TIme keeping and Attendance
The school is continuing to monitor pupil attendance. Letters will be issued to pupils who have an overall attendance rate of less than 90%. Parents of pupils with an overall attendance rate of less than 80% will be invited to attend a meeting to discuss this further.
We are now monitoring time keeping more closely to support children who are regularly late for school. If your child(ren) register late for school, we will contact you to make sure you are aware of this. This week alone, 27 hours of learning time was lost through late arrival at school.
Contacting the School
The Senior Leadership Team all have increased teaching duties this term to ensure that children receive as much support as possible to make progress in their learning. This means we may not be able to speak with parents as often without an appointment however we will continue to return calls or arrange appointments with families promptly.
Transitions
It is now time for us to start preparing for the new session by organising the transition of pupils into Nursery, Primary One and Secondary School.
- Primary 7 – All Primary 7 pupils received a letter informing them of their allocated secondary school. This is determined by the child’s home address rather than the primary school attended. Any parent who does not wish their child to attend the allocated catchment school can make a placing request to another school. Placing requests should be made before the 15th March. A decision will be made no later than the 30th April. Placing requests can be submitted using the following link:
https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/forms/form/79/secondary_school_placing_request
- Primary 1 -Parents / carers of children who are five years of age between 1st March 2020 and end of February 2021 are required to register their child for school. This applies even if the school placement will be deferred. The children must be enrolled in their catchment school. Registration at Heathery Knowe PS takes place Monday 13th all day, Tuesday 14th all day or Wednesday morning. Any parent who does not wish their child to attend the allocated catchment school can make a placing request to another school. Placing requests should be made before the 15th March. A decision will be made no later than the 30th April. Placing requests can be submitted using the following link:
https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/forms/form/80/primary_school_placing_request
- Nursery – The Government provides funded early learning and childcare places for all 3 and 4 year olds and eligible 2 year olds. Children who are between 1 March and 31 August are eligible for an 1140 hours funded place commencing 13 August 2020. If your child’s birthday falls between September and February they can access their funded place from the Monday following their third birthday. Parents are asked to note that for session commencing 13 August 2020 the closing date for applications is 28 February 2020. You do not need an appointment to register for Nursery.
What’s on next week?
Monday – Infant enrolment
Tuesday – Infant enrolment
Tuesday – Ms Grogan visiting school
Wednesday – Infant enrolment
Wednesday – Primary 5 – ‘Clyde in the Classroom’ visit to Science Centre
Thursday – CQIS and Inclusion Conference – Mrs Duff out all day
Friday – Primary 4 ‘Billionaire Boy’ at King’s Theatre
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
