We welcomed all new and returning learners to Heathery Knowe PS and Nursery class this week. It is lovely to hear the buzz of children around the building again and would like to take the opportunity to thank staff, parents and pupils for your patience and support as we implement new processes
Staffing
We have welcomed a number of new staff to the school this week.
Mrs Mulholland and Ms Parokian joined the School Support Assistant Team and will support learners within the school.
Mr Currie and Miss Gordon are Newly Qualified Teachers and have joined us for the next school year teaching P7/6 and P7.
Mrs Reid and Ms Taylor are temporary teachers and will work at Heathery Knowe PS until Miss Deans recovers and is able to return to work.
Mrs Kerr is an area cover teacher and will work with the nursery (Wed-Fri) and school (Mon-Tues) to support the inclusion of children with additional support needs.
Mrs Fernandez and Mrs Byrne are specialist support teachers and will support learning across the school.
Class Teachers
Room 1 – Mrs MacOwan (Mon- Wed) and Mrs Hughes (Wed-Fri)
Room 2 – Miss Houldsworth (Mr Loveday every second Tuesday whilst class teacher has time for planning and preparation)*
Room 3 – Miss Harris (Mr Loveday every second Tuesday whilst class teacher has time for planning and preparation)*
Room 4 – Miss Deans* (Mr Loveday every second Thursday whilst class teacher has time for planning and preparation)*
Room 5 – Mrs Gray (Mon-Thurs) and Mrs McGee (Thurs/Fri)
Room 6 – Miss Gordon (Mon, Wed, Fri) and Miss Wharton (Tues, Thurs)
Room 7 – Miss Inglis (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri) and Miss Wharton (Wed)
Room 8 – Mrs Spence (Mr Loveday every second Monday whilst class teacher has time for planning and preparation)*
Room 9 – Mr Currie (Wed-Fri) and Mrs Gallacher (Mon/ Tues)
Room 10 – Mrs Kane (Mr Loveday every second Thursday whilst class teacher has time for planning and preparation)*
*Mr Loveday is teaching in Room 4 until Miss Deans is able to return. Ms Taylor and Mrs Reid will provide planning and preparation cover initially whilst Miss Deans is absent. On her return, Mr Loveday will provide this cover for the rest of the year.
Additional Teachers
Mr Loveday / Mrs Reid / Ms Taylor – Class cover
Mrs Byrne – Specialist Support Teacher (1 day per week)
Mrs Fernandez – Specialist Support Teacher (1.5 days per week)
Mrs Kerr – Inclusion Support Teacher
All teachers are entitled to time out of class for planning and preparation. This is normally provided on a weekly basis. To reduce the number of teachers working across all classes in the school, full time teachers will be allocated 1 full day every two weeks rather than a half day a week. This is in line with Scottish Government advice to reduce transmission bridges.
PE Arrangements
The Scottish Government has advised that all PE must be outdoors at the moment. Please provide your child with jogging trousers/ leggings, trainers and a sweater for PE. PE kit should be brought to school to change into. If your child is timetabled for PE at 9am they will be able to wear it to school but should bring a uniform to change into afterwards. If your child is timetabled for PE at 2pm they will be able to wear their PE kit home and will bring their uniform home in their school bag.
Room 1 – Monday (9am) and Wednesday (11.30) starting 19th August
Room 2 – Tuesday (9am) and Thursday (9am) starting 20th August
Room 3 – Tuesday (10.45am) and Wednesday (9am) starting 18th August
Room 4 – Monday (10.45am) and Thursday 10.45am starting 20th August
Room 5 – Monday (2pm) and Friday (9am) starting 21st August
Room 6 – Tuesday (2pm) and Friday (1.20pm) starting 18th August
Room 7 – Thursday (1.20) and Friday (2pm) starting 20th August
Room 8 – Monday (1.20pm) and Wednesday (1.20pm) starting 19th August
Room 9 – Tuesday (1.20pm) and Wednesday (2pm) starting 18th August
Room 10 – Thursday (2pm) and Friday (10.45am) starting 18th August
Drop Off Arrangements
We reviewed the procedures for dropping children off in the morning and can advise our updated arrangements are as follows:
- Classroom doors will open at 8.45am and pupils should all arrive by 9am. Children can arrive earlier however need to form a line at the classroom door rather than playing in the playground area to prevent classes mixing with one another.
- A third gate has been opened to allow children to move into the playground more quickly. Children should enter the nearest gate on arrival at school and are asked to sanitise their hands at the gate. There are gates open at the Nursery side, cafeteria and MUGA pitch.
- Please ensure children arriving by car can be dropped off quickly so that the drop off zone flows as freely as possible.
- Please wear a face covering in the school grounds if possible.
Pick Up Arrangements
We reviewed the procedures for collecting children in the afternoon and can advise our updated arrangements are as follows:
- The cafeteria gate will be opened at the end of the day as an exit only gate. Please enter via the MUGA pitch gate.
- School gates will not be opened until 2.55pm as classes will be using the playground areas for PE until this time.
- Please use the 2m bumble bee markers to support social distancing while waiting for children at meeting points.
- Only one adult per family should enter the school grounds to collect children. This is to support social distancing of adults and ensure our school community is safe and protected from Coronavirus.
- Please wear a face covering in the school grounds if possible.
Lunch Arrangements
Lunch is now staggered to ensure all the safety measures are in place to reduce the risk of transmission of Coronavirus.
- P5-7 lunch is 12.10pm-1pm
- P1-4 lunch is 12.30-1.20pm
- Children must sit with their class whilst in the cafeteria. Unfortunately, whilst children do not need to socially distance from one another, we are required to keep groups of children separated.
- The cafeteria cannot accept cash and all lunch payments must be made using ParentPay. Please do not worry if your account is not activated yet, you will be able to pay for any lunches already served to your child once your account is up and running.
- If the weather is dry, P5-7 pupils who bring a packed lunch are able to make a choice about whether to eat outside or at the packed lunch area inside. If you would like your child to always eat their lunch inside, please let the school know this is your preference.
- P1-4 pupils will always eat packed lunches indoors.
- If you have any special dietary requirements (intolerances, allergies, health conditions, halal, vegan), please request a form from the school office and this will enable the catering staff to design a menu for your child.
Playground Arrangements
The playground is zoned and each class will rotate around the zones during the week. Children need to play with the children in their class and in the designated area until further notice.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
