Thank you to all families who supported World Book Day activities for the pupils. The home learning activities were outstanding and the children all enjoyed a ‘walk about, talk about’ session to admire the different settings.
Glee Performance
Our senior choir participated in the South Lanarkshire Glee Competition on Wednesday evening. The pupils worked extremely hard with Mrs Gallacher to prepare for the competition and delivered an exceptional performance on the evening at Motherwell Concert Hall. The judges commented on the children’s precision of movement in choreography, team work as a choir, enthusiasm and beautiful vocal performance. We are very proud of their effort.
Improving Library Areas
We are continuing to work in partnership with the University of Strathclyde to improve our school. The current focus is on improving the reading areas across the school. All teachers are creating cosy reading corners in the classrooms and are focusing on ensuring these are comfortable, calm areas that encourage children to settle and become absorbed in reading. The leadership team are focusing on transforming the school library area on the top corridor.
We are embracing the challenge of developing the areas but also ensuring the areas are more interactive through the use of QR codes to link to the author reading the story aloud for younger pupils and to provide a link to more information about the author for older pupils.
The school will continue to apply for grant funding to support the development of reading areas within the school and consider the possibility of a permanent outdoor classroom to promote reading during breaks and lunch time. We would welcome donations of any children’s books, soft furnishing (eg cushions), wicker baskets, neutral coloured fabric / netting that could be used to help transform the areas.
Reading Cafe
The school is opening a ‘Reading Cafe’ for pupils. Initially this will be open two lunchtimes per week. After the children have eaten lunch, they are welcome to come along to the Reading Cafe in the library area to enjoy some quiet reading time. Staff will be available to read to pupils, support their selection of books / magazines and to ensure the environment remains settled.
We have very limited magazine resources for older pupils and would appreciate the donation of old magazines (for example, Auto Express magazine, PC Pro magazine). We have signed up to a free trial of First News children’s newspaper and will evaluate whether this is a resource children enjoy before making a decision regarding an annual subscription.
Playground Update
There are ongoing drainage issues in the playground. After the heavy rainfall, the playground had a large puddle which meant pupils had restricted access to their play space. It is also causing the grassy areas to remain water logged and muddy. Inspectors have been out to survey the site. Next week, I am meeting with the school’s Property Officer to discuss the best long term solution to the drainage issue. I hope to have an update to share with parents and staff soon.
What’s on next week?
Monday – Pupils representing the school at the Rotary Burns Competition
Tuesday – ParentPay being set up in school
Wednesday – Property Inspector meeting Head Teacher
Wednesday – Senior Football festival
Thursday – Room 5 pupils visiting Pizza Express
Thank you for your continued support
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
