This was an exciting week!

We got to go to our Rookie Rockstars performance on Wednesday or Thursday. We had lots of fun singing the songs we learnt for the CD> Some of us have bought the CD’s since they sounded amazing.

In maths, we have been using different strategies for adding and have also started learning about 3D shapes. 3D shapes are so cool because we made our Christmas tree decorations from them. To make a 3D shape, you need the net for it, which is a 2D shape! Our decorations look fantastic on our tree!

In Literacy, we were learning about adverbs. In writing, we wrote a letter to Santa asking him to come and visit all the P3’s at our Christmas Party, which is on 14th December at 1:30-3:00pm. We hope he can make it and isn’t too busy making the toys!

In LAC, we were learning about Global Warming and how it affects the weather. We learnt that we can try to prevent further Global Warming by working together as a team – not just in class or school but across the world. We all have to do our bit! We can do three things.
1. Switch off lights, (use less electricity), when we don’t need them.
2. Use cars less, use public transport more and walk to school if possible.
3. Reduce, reuse and recycle things.
We also looked at the water cycle and did an experiment for a water cycle in a bag.

Have a good weekend!

This was our last week at the swimming for this term and the class had lots of fun with the floats and playing in the pool. On Wednesday, Gabriel had a party with his integration class, while we had a special visitor to our Christmas party and everyone enjoyed the games we played, especially the dancing games. In numeracy we have been working out how to make different values with coins and in language we have been writing up interview questions and creating a booklet with the interview answers.

On Wednesday the Primary 4s partied together! They all put on their party clothes and danced, sang and played games for the afternoon.
Florence – I liked doing the Macarena.
Ellie-Rose – I loved everything, especially the games!
Eva – I liked doing the Macarena.
Orla – I loved doing the Macarena as I didn’t know how to do it before and I picked up on doing it.
Rory – I liked playing musical chairs.
Lewis – I liked playing corners.
Holly – I enjoyed the Macarena
Charlotte – I liked my snack bag!
Brandon –I enjoyed the dancing.
Zara – I enjoyed the party because we did the cha-cha slide and the Macarena!
Katie – I had fun at the party and really like playing musical chairs and pass the parcel.
Nathan – I loved the corners game. I was quite good at it.
Tamsyn – My favourite part was when we got to just dance around.
Article 31 (leisure, play and culture) Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

Diary Dates

December

 4^th        Whole school Flu Vaccinations

6^th        Christmas Post Box (Please remember to put the child’s name and class on the envelope)

P4  and  Class Moon  Christmas Party at 1.30 pm

7^th        P5A Assembly at 2.30 pm

11^th      P5 Christmas  Party at 1.30 pm

12^th        P1 Nativity, “The Sleepy Shepherd” at 2.30 p.m.

Christmas Lunch P4, P5, P7, ARB* (*change from annual calendar)

13^th      Christmas Lunch for P1, P2, P3, P6

P1 Nativity “The Sleepy Shepherd” at 9.30 a.m.

14^th        P3 Christmas Party at 1.30 pm

Breakfast with Santa

P5b to Tesco for 10 am – 11 am ~ Christmas Carol singing

18^th      P6 Christmas Party at 1.30 p.m.

P5a to Morrisons for 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. ~ Christmas Carol singing

19^th      P2 and Class Sun Christmas Party at 1.30 p.m.

20^th     P1 Christmas Party at 11 a.m.

P7 Christmas Party at 1.30 p.m

21^st      Panto Cinderella in the afternoon

22^nd     Church Service 9.30a.m.

On behalf of the staff I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Staff resume on Monday 8^th and pupils resume on Tuesday January 2018.

Paper copy being issued this afternoon to pupils.

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/wl/Balbardie/

Christmas Countdown 2017

Dear Parents, Carers and friends,

It is so hard to believe that we are at this time of year already! The recent cold snap has certainly helped with the wintry feeling! Christmas is now firmly upon us, and we have lots of events coming up you need to know about: they are all in this newsletter and  will be further detailed in our usual SWAY online newsletter which should be available by Friday 8^th December detailing lots of exciting news about learning and the various opportunities our children will have the chance to experience.  Please do take a note of these dates.

Our Christmas events always begin with our annual Christmas Fayre which took place on Saturday 25^th of November. This was an outstanding success, raising lots of money for our school (total to be announced soon!) There is absolutely no doubt that the success of our Christmas Fayre was down to the phenomenal hard work of our Parent Council and staff members! I would also like to thank the pupils and staff who worked so hard on their Christmas items, many of which sold out! Thank you also if you were a stall holder: your attendance has contributed to the success of our Fair and developed our community links. Thank you to Santa, for giving up his own time to be with us: we hope that we didn’t hold up toy production for too long! And finally, thank you to all those who came along on the day, or donated prizes or baking: each and every one of you contributed to our efforts to be a very special community, working to ensure our pupils can access a learning environment that is vibrant, challenging and engaging! I’d like to wish you all a very peaceful and joyful Christmas and wonderful New Year.  

 L Miglis

Head Teacher (Seconded)

Christmas Post

Our Christmas Post will start on Wednesday 6th December.  Please remind your children that they must have the name and class on the envelope before posting any Christmas cards.  The Post Box will be located outside the front office.  Our Primary 7 and ARB pupils will be responsible for mail sorting and delivery at a convenient time on a daily basis.

Christmas Parties

Our Christmas Parties are taking place soon.  Decorations are up and there is a lovely Christmas tree casting a warm glow over the room.  All we need now are the party goers in their glad rags!.  All parties will begin at 1.30 pm and run until 3 pm.  Parents may bring a change of clothes for their child at 12.45 if required or send in their party clothes in a separate bag, support staff will assist children in getting ready.  Children will be given a bag with goodies at the end of party to enjoy!

Stage Parties in date order –

Wednesday 6^th December ~ Primary 4 + Class Moon

Monday 11^th December ~ Primary 5

Thursday 14^th December ~ Primary 3

Monday 18^th December ~ Primary 6

Tuesday 19^th December ~ Primary 2 + Class Sun

Wednesday 20^th December ~ Primary 1 am

Wednesday 20^th December ~ Primary 7 pm

Class Star pupils will integrate with either P6 or P7 or mainstream school

Breakfast Club Santa

This year Breakfast with Santa will be on Thursday 14^th December.  Children will be offered pancakes, syrup and cereal.  A separate letter has been issued for completion if you would like your child(ren) to take part!

Christmas Lunch

On Tuesday 12^th December – P4, P5, P7+ ARB  will enjoy their Christmas Lunch and on Wednesday 13^th December – P1 + P2 +3 + P6 will enjoy theirs.  Children can wear a Christmas jumper or a hat to lunch.  As usual packed lunches will be eaten in class and the children will have the opportunity to enjoy some  Christmas music and will have a Christmas experience.

School Nativity

Our P1 performance of “The Sleepy Shepherd” will be held on Tuesday 12^th December in the afternoon and on Wednesday 13^th of December in the morning.  Tickets are on sale and cost £1.50 ( a separate letter has been issued).  This will be held in the upper hall and entrance will be via the main door.

 Christmas Choir

 On Thursday 14^th December P5b will go to Tesco from 10 am – 11 am to perform there and on Monday 18^th December P5a will go to Morrisons from 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. Miss Davidson will accompany the children.

Pantomime

This year a performance of “Cinderella” will be performed on Thursday 21st of December at 1.45 pm.  All pupils may attend this and this will cost £2.50 –if there are any issues regarding payment could you please contact the school to discuss so that we can offer support to ensure that all children can enjoy a wonderful Christmas experience.

Church Service

Finally our church service will take place on Friday 22^nd December at 9.30 am in Bathgate High Church and we would love if parents could join us there.  The church collection will be for Lady Haig Poppy Factory.

On behalf of the staff I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Staff resume on Monday 8^th and pupils resume on Tuesday

January 2018.

Please find attached an activity document for use should our school be closed due to inclement weather.

Regards,

Mrs Murdoch and Miss Bollen

Snow Learning p7

This week has been very exciting as we have been preparing for our Rookie Rockstars concerts next week. We have learnt some songs to perform. The songs are about preventing and stopping bullying in our school. They are trying to help us to remember to believe in ourselves, have confidence and to move on from situations which we find difficult.
These are some of our thoughts about the experience:
Brooke – I enjoyed the pop rock because I liked the ending.
Florence – I enjoyed the challenge time.
Aaron – I enjoyed challenge time too!
Shaun – I enjoyed the pop rock because the songs were really good.
Alfie L – I enjoyed the challenge time.
Ellie-Rose – I enjoyed the songs we learnt.
Rory – I thought it was awesome!
Kyle – I’m a big fan.
Noami – It was fantastic.
Olivia – I loved the challenge time.
Jackie – I liked the chubby bunny.
Alfie B – I loved the challenge time.
Charlotte – the penguin dance was really funny
Annie – I lived everything!
Alistair – I liked challenge time.
Eva – I liked question time.
Dylan – I liked challenge time.
Jay –
Bryce – I liked challenge time.
Ellie – I loved the singing.
Kaycee – It was COOL!
Jamie – I liked the challenge time.
Ruby – I liked the challenge time because I liked the rap battle.
Max – I thought it was EPIC!
Brandon – I enjoyed the singing.
Holly – I enjoyed the rap battle.
Owen – I enjoyed question time.
Lewis – I enjoyed question time.
Liam – I liked challenge time.
Orla – I enjoyed challenge time and the chubby bunny and the rap battle!
We really hope that as many of our children can attend the concerts as possible and look forward to sharing the children’s learning on Wednesday and Thursday next week.

We are loving our Rookie Rockstars experience in school this week.  A reminder that our performance concerts are at 6.30pm on Wednesday 6^th December for Bruce & Hardy and Thursday 7^th December for Strachan & Macpherson. Tickets costing £5.00 are available from the school office. CDs costing £5.00 will be available to pre-order at the concerts, printed with a winning pupil’s design. Other items of Rookie Rockstars merchandise like wrist bands, t-shirts and badges will be available to buy also.

Children should come to school ready to rock dressed for the concert wearing shades or fancy dress like their favourite rock or pop star. Pupils should report to staff in the upper hall for no later than 6.15pm to check-in. All pupils should be collected by parents/carers at the end of the concert from our gym hall.

We are looking forward to performing!