All of our pupils this week have been developing their artistic skills by creating a Japanese themed picture for our Mikado Art Gallery this term.  Parents will receive a letter this week with details about the Art Gallery and how you can view all of the amazing pieces of art.

Hockey Fridays continue to be very popular with our pupils, with primary 3 now involved in the weekly sessions.  Tom from Uddingston Hockey Club works with our children each week, developing their skills and also offers an after school hockey club for our senior pupils, which is very well attended.

This week our Sports Committee met with Laura Somerville, our Active Schools Co-ordinator, to discuss the possibility of an application to SportsScotland for a School Sport Award.  This is a national, lottery funded award designed to encourage schools to continuously improve P.E. and sporting opportunities.  At St. Mary’s we are involved in many sporting opportunities, however this application is the perfect way to involve our Sports Committee in our self evaluation process, looking at how we can improve to make learning better for every child in our school.

We have a very short week next week with the May holiday on Monday and a Staff Development Day on Thursday, however our pupils are working overtime as they will be involved in various competitions in the evenings and at the weekend!  A busy week ahead!

Thanks for reading,

Mrs. Elaine Fitzpatrick

Headteacher

It was lovely to see all of our pupils back after their Easter holidays, eager to begin a busy term at St. Mary’s.

This week we began rehearsing for our Summer show – ‘The Mikado’.  We are all very excited about the show and this was heightened when we found out that ‘The Mikado’ was being performed at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow this month.  68 pupils from Primary 5 to 7 will watch the performance on the 5th May and hopefully gain some tips and tricks of the trade to add to our own performance!  Continuing the Japanese theme, a real treat is in store for parents, as our classes have been busy preparing for our upcoming art exhibition.  Invitations will be issued in the coming weeks.

We had our monthly Parent Council meeting this week, where we discussed upcoming school events and arrangements for Parent Council events such as our First Communion Breakfast and Summer Fayre.  We are extremely fortunate to be so well supported by our Parent Council who provide invaluable feedback and guidance on various school issues and events.

We are very lucky to have a new group of Primary 3 pupils experience weekly tennis lessons ran by Hamilton Tennis Club in conjunction with SLC Active Schools, every Wednesday lunchtime.  After their introductory session this week, the Primary 3 pupils will take part in a 5 week block.  Meanwhile, Primary 6 continue to enjoy their weekly swimming lessons at Hamilton Water Palace.

Primary 4 had their first session with SLC Instrumental Music Instructor, Ros Chalmers, this week.  Pupils will experience practical music making opportunities, explore music from different cultures and develop an understanding of orchestral instruments.  We are very fortunate to have been included in this project from the SLC Youth Music Initiative and I look forward to listening to the pieces the children will produce during their time with Ros. Primary 4 have a very busy term ahead indeed.  On Friday they visited St. Mary’s Church to begin their first practice for their First Holy Communion on 14th May.

With First Communion, P7 Holy Cross Induction days, School Show, School Sports Day and more, all of the pupils and staff of St. Mary’s are looking forward to the many exciting learning opportunities ahead this term!

Thanks for reading,

Elaine Fitzpatrick