During session 2017/2018, Heathery Knowe PS community worked together to review the school vision, values and aims. This session, we are working to ensure that the values underpin everything we do at school. During session 2018/2019, the spotlight will be on kindness and respect. We aim to have a school culture and ethos where everyone is respected and diversity is celebrated. Next week is Anti- Bullying week and this a chance to promote choosing kindness and respect at all times.
Anti Bullying Week Parent Activities
During anti-bullying week, there will be a number of ways that you can engage with and support children learn about the importance of respecting others and celebrating diversity. Each day, pupils will be issued with a discussion prompt, question or short task to complete as part of their homework with a focus on choosing respect and kindness.
On Monday, a parent survey will be issued to gather views on the issues affecting Heathery Knowe PS, how well we are preventing issues arising and how well we are dealing with issues that do occur. The collated results of this will feed directly into the anti-bullying strategy for the school.
On Wednesday, Respect Me will run a parent workshop from 6.30-8.30om to which all parents are invited to attend. Please let us know if you plan to attend using the twitter link or tear off slip.
Prince William Award
Primary 7 pupils are engaging with the Prince William Award. Through the Prince William Award young people build their character, resilience and confidence to empower them to “be their best”. There are five key themes:
- Personal Development: Building a foundation of inner strength
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Relationships: Looking at how individuals can be more effective by connecting with other people
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Working Together: Bringing people together to achieve a result that requires mental or physical strength
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Community: Helping young people to make a contribution to those around them
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Environment: Enabling young people to appreciate the world around them, so they can see a link with something beyond themselves.
This week, I am meeting with the area co-ordinator for the Prince William Award to evaluate the impact the wider achievement award is having on Primary 7 pupils.
Dynamic Youth Award
We are beginning to plan the implementation of Dynamic Youth Awards for Primary 6 and 7 pupils in the summer term. Youth Scotland’s Dynamic Youth Awards are a fun and engaging way to recognise and accredit young people’s achievements. Dynamic Youth awards are recognised by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
The Awards follow a Plan-Do-Review process, which enables young people to more effectively recognise and articulate their learning and achievements within different contexts. This increases their self-esteem, improves motivation and keeps young people engaged with learning. Through self and peer assessment young people develop skills for learning, life and work. The Awards fully support the aims, values, purpose and implementation of Curriculum for Excellence.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club runs from 8.15-8.45am each morning. At the moment, we rely on volunteers to ensure the breakfust club runs each day. If you are able to help, please contact the school to let us know. All volunteers need to have a Disclosure Scotland (PVG) check completed before they are able to supervise pupils in school.
21st Century Families: Play Club
“21st Century Families is a registered charity in East Kilbride working with schools to promote happy, healthy children. In previous sessions, Heathery Knowe PS has worked with 21st Century families to establish a play club for children and their families to take part in activities like skipping, ball games, den building, arts and crafts, junk modelling, puppet making, storytelling, dressing up etc.
Unfortunately it has not been able to run so far this session. Mrs French will organise a meeting to explore the feasibility of restarting Play Club. We are aiming to relaunch this in January if there is enough interest and support from families.
You can find out more about the charity using the following link:
http://21stcenturyfamilies.org/
What’s on next week?
- Mrs French returns to work on Monday 12th November. We are all looking forward to welcoming her back to school.
- Anti Bullying week will run from 12-16th November
- Room 5 are leading our Children in Need charity events
- I will attend the curriculum conference on Tuesday with a focus on ‘Raising attainment for all’
- Co-operative Learning Consultants will meet with the SLT on Tuesday to discuss ways that we can promote collaboration in learning
- The third group of staff will participate in Managing Aggression and Potential Aggression (MAPA) training
- Respect Me parent workshop runs on Wednesday night from 6.30-8.30pm
- The school photographer will be in school on Friday to take individual and family photographs. Pupils have been issued with a letter regarding this.
Thank you for your continued support
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
