The school is closed for mid – term holiday on Monday and Tuesday next week. On Wednesday the school and nursery classes are closed to children while staff participate in inservice training. The staff team will focus on improving our learning environments following a consultation with learners about the layout and organisation of classrooms and open areas. We look forward to welcoming children back to school on Thursday after a well deserved break.
Car Parking
Some parents have contacted the school to raise their concerns about the safety of the school car park. Please support the school by driving into the car park slowly and carefully. The drop off areas are designed to provide parents / carers with a safe space for dropping off children. Please ensure that your child gets out on the pavement side for their own safety and do not double park. If you need to stay longer at school, please use a parking bay for your visit. Remember, engine idling is an offence that carries a fixed penalty notice. For the wellbeing of our school community, please turn off your engine while waiting in our car park.
We appreciate that the surrounding roads outside Heathery Knowe PS and St Louise PS becomes very congested. We would ask that you continue to be considerate of residents living in nearby streets, avoid dangerous parking (e.g. on yellow lines or zigzags) and turn off your engine while waiting to collect pupils.
Glee South Lanarkshire
Heathery Knowe’s fabulous senior choir is busy rehearsing for the South Lanarkshire Glee Challenge 2020. The choir must rehearse and perform the set song and a song of choice that fits with the theme ‘One World, One Dream’. We are very fortunate that a professional singing coach gave up her time to offer the Heathery Knowe choir a free workshop and choreography session to help rehearse their song of choice. If you would like to know more about Glee Challenge, please use the following link:
https://www.frissonfoundation.org.uk/primary-school-glee-challenge
The choir participates in the South Lanarkshire competition on the 4th March 2020. If your child is participating in this event and you would like to purchase tickets for the audience, please use the following link:
https://culturenl.co.uk/the-glee-challenge-south-lan/
Scottish Mock Court Case Project
Primary 7 pupils are embarking on a challenging interdisciplinary learning project along with schools across Scotland. The Scottish Mock Court project uses a court case to encompass a range of curricular areas. Children produce art work, newspapers and even design and create their own robes for court.
“Last year the case focused on The Sims, the Byte family and SMC Insurance. With parents away, what was meant to be a small gathering, turned into a party that left a great deal of damage in its wake, food bought on account and claims and counter-claims by the insurers as the Sims try to recover their loss against their insurance policy. Internet safety features, the use of social media and well as a generous helping of science, all to argue your case.”
The children prepare the fictional case developing skills in separating fact from opinion, debating, distilling information to key points, speaking persuasively to the Sheriff and using a wide range of evidence.
Finally, the children get an opportunity to visit Hamilton Sheriff Court to present their case to the Sheriff.
You can find out more about the Scottish Mock Court Case project using the link below:
https://www.mockcourt.org.uk/juniors.php
Buddy Reading
The Buddy Reading project is becoming well established across the school with older pupils sharing a love of literacy with younger pupils. Primary 6 pupils in Room 8 are working with Primary 4 pupils in Room 6. Primary 7 pupils in Room 10 are working with Primary 3 and 4 pupils in Room 5 and some Primary 1/2 pupils. By reading together for 10 minutes a day the children can share a love of reading, develop confidence in reading aloud and extend the vocabulary of younger pupils.
Quiz Night
Plans are well underway for the PTC Quiz and Bingo evening. Tickets will be on sale in school week beginning 17th February. The doors open at 6.20pm, with the first game of bingo starting at 6.30pm.
A full schedule will be shared in next week’s blog.
ELC Inclusion Fund
Heathery Knowe Nursery Class is delighted to have successfully bid for a grant from the ELC Inclusion fund. The ELC Inclusion Fund provides funding to Early Years settings to support children with additional support needs in Scotland through resources, staff training and adaptations.
Heathery Knowe Nursery is using the funds for adaptations to the bright ceiling lights and to reduce sensory stimulation in some areas of the playroom. The additional funds will be used for resources to support children with additional support needs.
What’s on next week?
Monday – Holiday
Tuesday – Holiday
Wednesday – INSET. School closed to pupils
Thursday – Pupils return 9am
Friday – P6 Cathedral Visit
Thank you for your continued support
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
