It was a short but very busy week for all pupils at Heathery Knowe Primary School and Nursery Class. We celebrated ‘Book Week Scotland’ with many opportunities for writing, reading and creativity linked to literacy. Primary 6 and 7 pupils met the author of a children’s book and found out more about a career as a writer. Pupils in Rooms 5 and 6 visited Waterstones in East Kilbride to learn about how a book shop is organised and had an opportunity to browse the books in store. Thank you to all parents who supported their children to participate in the voluntary homework activity of designing a cosy book corner. The models will be displayed in the glass cabinet at the front door over the next few weeks. Written entries and drawings will be displayed in a file in the foyer for visitors to look through.
Nursery INSET Training
Nursery staff focused on preparing for children to attend full time from August 2020. Staff worked together to create a vision for the day and discuss the wider opportunities available to learners attending full time. We will now consult with parents about:
- the effectiveness of target setting in Nursery
- the option of a uniform (tee shirt with caterpillar)
- the pace of the day (creating a rest area, organisation of day)
School INSET Training
Teachers focused on ways to ensure all professional duties directly benefit learners. Staff worked together to review planning formats and the organisation of the school year. We will continue discussions around homework formats and improved planning for Numeracy and Mathematics when the school is closed to pupils on 12th December.
Accessories
Over the past three weeks, there has been a significant increase of pupils from P2-7 wearing make up. I would appreciate if parents could support the school by discouraging pupils from wearing eye shadow, blusher or lipstick to school.
Children who are wearing acrylic nails and/or jewellery that cannot be removed will not be able to fully participate in the PE curriculum. Safety in the PE hall is a priority and these items present a risk to the child and others. Stud earrings that cannot be removed will be taped over with medical tape. All other items of jewellery must be removed. We discourage pupils from wearing false nails as they present a risk in the PE hall and prevent pupils from participating comfortably in other curricular areas.
Christmas Show Update
Tickets for the show have been issued to pupils following the purchase of a Christmas Pass. Additional tickets will be on sale from 29th November at a cost of £1.50 each. If you have been issued with two free tickets for a performance but do not require both, we would appreciate if you could return it to the school so that it can be redistributed.
We are selling 200 tickets for each performance which is the maximum capacity in the hall. Toddlers and babies do not require a ticket however they must sit on an adult’s knee. If you require a separate seat for a pre-school age child then you need to buy a ticket for them. Unfortunately, there is no space for buggies or prams within the hall for the Christmas shows.
Primary One Enrolment
Primary One enrolment for session 2020-2021 takes place during the week beginning 13th January 2020. Children born between 1 March 2015 and 28 February 2016 should be registered to start school in August 2020.
Parents living within the catchment area should register at Heathery Knowe PS or St Louise PS.
Heathery Knowe PS will be open for registration at the following times:
Monday 13th January – 8:00-12:00 and 13:30-17:00
Tuesday 14th January – 8:00-12:00 and 13:30-17:45
Wednesday 15th January – 8:00-12:00
Appointments can be arranged for Wednesday PM – Fri, if required.
What’s on next week?
Tuesday – Individual and family photographs by John Wilson Photography
Tuesday – Miss Wharton and Mrs French attending National Nurturing Schools Training
Wednesday – Room 9 pupils attending curling.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
