Dear families,

March began with a deep snow event that closed all schools across much of the nation. The adventures and stories of building igloos and digging paths have been shared in classes and it sounds like this alternative curriculum and outdoor learning was a fun and meaningful experience for the children.

Thank you to all the friends and families who came to support Mr MacArthur prepare clear and safe access to the school on Sunday 4th March. The PTA did a marvellous job rallying the community and together we cleared the snow quickly, we even had time for a cuppa.

Recent news and events:

In December we successfully applied for funding from the Inspiring Classrooms programme. This programme pays for an author visit to your school, and provides additional funding for books or other resources. So on Monday 5th March Laura Jackson and Lyn McNicol, authors of the ‘Badger the Mystical Mutt’ series of books, dazzled our Primary 1 – 4 pupils with magic tricks and a super reading from one of their books.

On Wednesday 8th March P3 – P5 pupils walked to the Mayfield library, St Ninians to meet the author Gill Arburthnott. Gill described what it is like to be an author and the children asked her lots of challenging questions.

Last Wednesday Primary 1 visited Stirling Fire Station as part of their context for learning, ‘People Who Help Us’. They had a fun and very interesting day.

The P1s would like to say a big thank you to all the parent volunteers who have visited them to talk about their jobs and how they help people.

In February the school had a Validated Self Evaluation. This is a process when colleagues from Stirling Council visit the school and validate the learning teaching and assessment that takes place here. The team of 7 visitors also looked at how the school Lead the learning. The feedback included reference to:

• Our caring and inclusive ethos where all demonstrate pride
• Polite pupils who demonstrate confidence and an eagerness to learn.
• Strong sense of staff teamwork and high quality professional dialogue
• Our implementation of languages
• Positive and trusting relationships

New House Captains and Vice Captains elected.

We would like to firstly say a huge thank you and well done to the House Captains and Vice Captains from Sept – Feb. They all did a great job and we thank them for their efforts! There have been new representatives elected and they are ready to assume their post within the school which will run to the end of the academic session.

Community Groups

Thank you to all the parents who volunteered their time to come into school to work with the children in our Community Groups. We are currently reviewing the groups and discussing with the children as to how to move forward with this programme. Watch this space for future requests for volunteers. The more the merrier!

Ozobots

Ozobots are tiny robots that help teach pupils about programming in its most basic form. P4/5 have been enjoying using ozobots in their class and they are now looking forward to sharing their learning with both staff and pupils. They have even suggested sharing their work with the parents of Braehead so look out for more information on this coming after our Easter break.

Credit Union/ Junior Savers

We will be introducing the opportunity to join the Credit Union Junior Savers scheme throughout the school. Our target launch date is the week beginning 30th April although there is quite a bit of work to be done before then. We will be looking for volunteer parents to work with Credit Union staff on a weekly basis to support the implementation of this exciting scheme in our school. Look out for volunteer application letters in pupil’s bags in the next week or so. There will also be an opportunity for children and parents to all join the saving scheme – more information to follow. Thanks for your continued support.

Coming up soon:

This term we have been celebrating and promoting reading with the children taking part in a wide variety of activities in their class. We intend to have a fun week starting on Monday 26th March with plenty of exciting activities. After last year’s success and feedback we are intending to have our fun Eggshibition again. The children are being asked to decorate a boiled egg as a character from their favourite book. The children have to bring in their decorated egg for our Eggshibition on Tuesday 27th March.

Bikeability has begun with some Primary 4s, this programme will continue into next term and will be offered to the P5 and P6s.

Spring Discos  

Disco entry £2

Please note the timings are slightly different to previous discos.

Tuesday 27^th March P1 and P2. Doors open at 5.45pm for 6pm – 7pm disco.

Tuesday 27^th March P5 and P6. Doors open at 7.15pm for 7.30pm – 8.30pm disco

Wednesday 28^th March P3 and P4. Doors open at 5.45pm for 6pm – 7pm disco.

Wednesday 28^th March P7. Doors open at 7.15pm for disco 7.30pm – 8.45pm

Dates to remember:

14/3/18                        P5 and P4/5 school trip to Science centre

15/3/18                        Sports coaching for P6 Sports leaders at lunchtime

21/3/18                        P6 will have visitors from Scottish Parliament at school

28/3/18                        Whole school Easter service at the church (pupils only)

29/3/18                        School breaks up for Easter holidays. Please note school closes at 3.15pm

16/4/18 & 23/4             Rugby Tasters for P7

Staffing update:

Recruitment for a new Headteacher is in process this month. Some pupils will be involved in meeting the candidates and feeding back to the recruitment team.

Mrs Tweed has had a fall and broken her leg, she will be spending some time at home recovering and we wish her a speedy recovery.

Congratulations to:

Mrs Namor, she is expecting a baby that will be born in the summer holidays.

Keren from the nursery had a baby girl in February, they both came to visit the team and nursery boys and girls last week.

Reminders to all:

School Uniform

Parents are encouraged to send pupils to school in uniform. Maroon sweatshirts, white polo-shirts with the school badge are available. Instead of maroon we have a pale grey sweatshirt for our senior pupils in P7. If there are any difficulties in the provision of uniform please do not hesitate to contact the School.

Lunch Hall Waste

We have seen an increase in food waste at lunchtime and would appreciate your support in encouraging your child to eat all of their lunch. For packed lunches any uneaten food should be left in the lunch box to take home for your attention. This way you have a clear understanding of the food that your child is not consuming.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones should only be brought to School if your child is required to contact you before or after school. If a mobile phone is lost or damaged during the School day we can not accept any responsibility. Only if absolutely necessary and a mobile phone is brought to School it must be turned off and collected in. It will be returned at the end of the school day. No other electrical devices should be brought into school.