We are ready to begin the final week of session 2018/2019. Pupils should continue to wear school uniform throughout the final week. Whilst teachers will be finalising aspects of teaching, core learning activities will continue until Thursday. On Friday, the focus will be health and wellbeing. Pupils will have opportunities to socialise with their friends and celebrate their learning over the year. I hope your child has enjoyable memories of their year in school and they are looking forward to the start of the new school year.
School Uniform 2019/2020
Many thanks for your continued support of the school in ensuring all pupils wear school uniform. We are proud of our school and of our pupils and believe that consistent standards of uniform and arriving at school ready to learn are key components in developing our school ethos.
As well as enjoying a break with your children, parents will no doubt be looking forward to the annual trip to the shops to source uniform, school shoes and stationery. Please find a guide below to assist you with preparing for next session.
- Each child requires a waterproof jacket and sturdy school shoes. Next session, pupils at all stages will be using the outdoor environment for learning and we cannot rely on the Scottish weather offering sunshine each day. Pupils in Primary 1 will have opportunities to learn outdoor every day unless adverse weather makes it unsafe to do so.
- All pupils should bring indoor shoes that are labelled and easy to change into. They should be comfortable with hard soles in case of an evacuation. We do not recommend indoor shoes with laces as they take longer to change into however if this is your preference, please ensure your child is able to tie their laces quickly and independently.
- The uniform is grey skirt / trousers with blue school shirt and Heathery Knowe PS tie. Blue polo shirts and grey/maroon jogging trousers can be worn on PE days to assist changing. We would appreciate your support in encouraging pupils to wear shirt and tie along with trousers / skirt if it is not a PE day.
- Within the school, we provide most of the resources required for school. Children need a pencil, sharpener, rubber and ruler each day. There is no need for pupils to bring additional notepads, colouring pencils/ pens, post it notes, highlighters etc as these are all provided in school.
Breakfast Club 2019/2020
We have been very fortunate to have a breakfast club at Heathery Knowe PS staffed by parent volunteers. I would like to take an opportunity to thank all volunteers who have supported this service during the session. Many parents have come to rely on it and children benefit from the service provided.
The role of breakfast clubs is wider than the provision of food. Breakfast clubs are generally considered to enhance academic performance and behaviour of children. They can help develop social skills, provide a calm and safe environment before school and assist children to be ready to learn when the formal school day begins. As such, South Lanarkshire Council recently piloted provision of breakfast clubs in forty one primary schools across the Local Authority. This is now being extended to all Primary schools.
- Breakfast Clubs will run from August and will be free for everyone
- Breakfast Clubs will be open from 8:15am to 8:45am and provide breakfast only (no activities)
- The schools’ Cook in Charge will prepare and serve breakfast items to pupils (toast or cereal)
- There will be a staff presence in place to create a safe, secure environment. The Senior Leadership Team will be available to Breakfast Club staff to assist with any urgent issues that arise.
Next week, a letter will be issued asking parents to indicate if they will use the new service so that we can plan appropriate staffing levels for the new session.
First Day Back – 15th August 2019
The new playground system will be operational from Thursday 15th August. Support Staff will be available to support learners in the playground and we would ask that you say goodbye at the gate as we welcome children into school. This change in procedure is required to support the safety and wellbeing of pupils.
New Primary One pupils should come in the front door at 9am on the first day and can be taken round to class. There will be an opportunity to take photographs and help your child settle. We would ask that all parents leave the classroom by 9.20am.
What’s on next week?
Monday – Primary 1 excursion to Almond Valley Farm Park
Monday – Primary 7 transition event with Mr Chaplin and Mr Walsh
Wednesday – Parent Helper Thank you event
Thursday – Summer Assembly (South Parish Church)
Friday – 1pm close
Thank you for your continued support
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
