Welcome to the first Head Teacher blog of the new session. Over the next few weeks this will change to the ‘HK Weekly News’, featuring photographs of learning and articles by children as well as news and updates about the school and nursery.
Recovery staffing
The Scottish Government have funded an extra teacher at Heathery Knowe PS this year to support the recovery curriculum. The school has used this to provide each teacher with an extra half day to teach individuals and small groups in class. Miss Meek, Mrs Kerr and Miss Houldsworth will provide this cover and are focusing on the development of Science and Music. Nursery has an allocation of a teacher one day a week to support the recovery curriculum in Early Years.
Early Years
We are delighted to welcome Mrs Stewart to the nursery until the end of October. Mrs Stewart is an ‘Excellence and Equity Lead Officer’ and will help the nursery team with continuous improvement.
Exit Gates
Children in Rooms 1-3 (P1-2) have been leaving using the flower pot garden gates. Following feedback from parents and close monitoring, it has become clear that it is too congested making it difficult to socially distance and ensure each child meets their adult safely.
From Monday, children will continue to enter through the flower pot garden gate but will leave through their own classroom door. There will be signs to direct adults to the correct door to collect their child.
Car Park
Please do not leave your engine idling if you are stopped at school. If you are getting out of the car, please use a parking bay. This protects children’s health and ensures they are safe.
Swimming
This year Primary 5, 6 and 7 will participate in a block of swimming lessons as part of part of the PE programme. Primary 7 are the first group to participate and will attend every Thursday afternoon until the end of November.
Children’s mobile phones
We understand that many parents provide their child with a mobile phone for safety. There is no need for a child to have a mobile phone out during the school day. If your child brings a phone to school, please remind them that it should be kept in their bag or pocket all day. It cannot be used at break times and taking photographs or videos is strictly prohibited.
Supported Study
Primary 7 pupils are welcome to stay for supported study in Numeracy on a Thursday evening. The sessions aim to revise teaching covered during remote learning and ensure each child has the best opportunity to leave in June having achieved second level of the Numeracy and Mathematics Curriculum.
Hugo – Post
Children and staff are excited with the launch of Hugo-Post. Staff members will post positive notes about learning, certificates, house tokens and golden tokens into the post box. Each Friday, Primary 5 will deliver the post around classes.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
