The pupils returned after the long weekend full of enthusiasm and looking forward to the week ahead. Pupils are engaged in active learning across the curriculum as we blend together collaborative and individual learning activities. For example, in Primary One, pupils are taking a multi sensory approach to spelling and can be seen practising letter formation in sand trays and on whiteboards. In Room 7, pupils are clapping and tapping sounds to practise working out how many syllables are in words. In Room 8, learning to write science reports came to life as the pupils made a lucky liquid potion in jars.
Inservice Training for Staff
We have now finalised the agenda for all inservice days based on our school improvement plan.
In November, Rick Walsh (Educational Psychologist) will be leading a course on classroom strategies for supporting pupils with additional support needs including Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
In February, Kathleen Faloon (Literacy Leader) will work with the teachers on developing active approaches to teaching reading. Over the next session there will be changes to the approaches we use to teach strategies for reading. We will have information sessions for parents over the year so that learning at home reflects learning approaches in school.
In May, Nurture Network UK will lead a full day course on becoming a nationally accredited nurturing school. This approach encompasses our promoting positive behaviour, anti bullying strategies and playground approaches. It will take two years to achieve the national award and we are looking forward to the journey ahead.
Anti Bullying
The first meeting of the anti bullying steering group will take place following the October holiday week and the first task of this group will be to collect more detailed views of parents, pupils and staff in relation to this priority.
We will participate in Anti Bullying Week 2018 (12-16th November) with a wide range of activities in school. Younger pupils will use the theme ‘choose kindness’ and older pupils will use the theme ‘choose respect’. The newly appointed Junior Leadership Team will take an active role in planning activities for pupils.
On the 14th November, ‘Respect Me’ will lead a parent session to which all families are invited. This workshop is designed to increase parent and carer awareness of bullying behaviour and to look at the different ways they can respond if their child is being bullied, or is involved in the bullying of others. This workshop also offers guidance on how schools and parents can work together to create inclusive environments and provide effective support for children and young people. The event is free but numbers are limited so we are initially offering two tickets per family. Tickets can be requested using the link below:
https://goo.gl/forms/WFUxiaTdKGGVoew72
Tracking and Monitoring
Next week, we will review the progress of our pupils and will identify pupils who need additional support to achieve. We explore a wide range of barriers to learning including low attendance, specific learning difficulties and difficulty settling to learn in class. Individual plans are then put in place within the class and school to ensure that all pupils get the support they need to achieve. Mrs Byrne (Specialist Support Teacher), Mr Holmes (Behaviour Support Teacher), Rick Walsh (Educational Psychologist) and Anne Marie Graham (Senior Manager Pupil Support) make up the wider team that support our school to meet the needs of learners.
Football Festival
Our football team took part in their first festival this week. I was delighted to hear that the pupils represented the school well, showed good team spirit and enjoyed the event. Thank you to Miss Inglis for leading our football team.
House Captains
Mrs McGee and Mr Scott are putting the finishing touches to our House System and will send home an information letter next week. House Captains will be elected on Friday and we look forward to extending the pupil leadership in the school. House Captains will have responsibility for organising experiences for pupils such as inter house competitions, community and social events. I look forward to working alongside the house captains as we work together to promote positive relationships and behaviour across the school.
Nurture Groups
Nurture groups provide an opportunity for pupils who need additional support with social skills and settling to learn to practise these within a small group. Our nurture groups will start after the October break using the room that was previously the meeting room on the first floor. During the sessions, pupils will have an opportunity to play team games, talk about feelings and behaviour, listen to stories and share a snack. The snack time provides an excellent opportunity for developing social behaviours such as taking responsibility for setting the table for others, taking turns and engaging in conversation. Nurture group time will be for identified pupils who would benefit from developing skills in these areas. If you are interested in reading more about Nurture Groups then please follow the link below:
https://www.nurtureuk.org/introducing-nurture/what-nurture-group-0
Whats on next week?
- Tracking and monitoring meetings with Graeme Scott (Rooms 1-5) and Kirsty Duff (Rooms 6-10)
- On Wednesday, Jacqueline Wallace (Quality Link Officer) will be in school to support us to analyse the data about pupil progress and finalise the improvement plan
- On Thursday evening, the Senior Leadership Team will attend training at Headquarters about assessing ‘How good is our school?’. We will both be leaving school just after the pupils finish and will pick up any messages on Friday morning.
- We have a teaching student in nursery for the next two weeks.
- House captains will be elected on Friday.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kirsty Duff
