Good afternoon.
Now that we have all completed our first week back at school, it is great to be able to say it has been a huge success. The children have settled well in their new classes and routines. The school is buzzing with a hive of activity, in class and in the playground. We are all very excited about the great things we are going to achieve in the new school year.
We thank you for your perseverance and patience at this time.
Have a fantastic weekend.
St. Joseph’s, school staff.
Good evening.
Dear parents/carers.
We would like to thank you for your cooperation, as we implement the staggered end to the school day for the children of our infant department. We appreciate it takes more time than usual. However, it is an essential requirement to ensure the safety of all. As such, we would like to remind parents/carers of the arrangements for dismissal.
The children will be dismissed in the following order;
P2- Mr Benyon, followed by P1- Miss McCullagh and finally, P2/1- Mrs Warner. Please stand back from the allocated dismissal zone until it is your child’s turn to be collected. Staff will inform you when it is your turn to move forward and collect your child.
There will be a clearly marked waiting area, located on the grass, at the Zebra crossing, in front of the large gates, leading to the top staff car park. We ask that you adhere to physical distancing requirements around the school building.
Signage will be in place to remind parents of the arrangements and staff will be available to assist.
Thank you for your continued support at this time.
School Staff
Please see the final arrangements for our Nursery Return.
Mrs Mooney
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your patience in receiving this information.
We take this opportunity to express our delight in welcoming our children back to the nursery, on, Wednesday, 12th of August. We appreciate that some of our children may feel a little anxious about doing so, especially with the current climate. Therefore, the health and well being of all children will be at the heart of all we do moving forward.
Having been away from the nursery for an extended period, we recognise that some children may need additional time and support to re-adjust to the nursery environment. We expect our new starts will require significant time, to familiarise themselves with their new setting, this is all very normal. Rest assured, your child will be fully supported by the nursery staff.
The safety and the health and wellbeing of children and staff is our key priority. At all times, we will adhere strictly to the advice from the Scottish Government and WL Council to ensure everyone is safe and well, as we implement the arrangements for a safe return.
Drop off and Pick up
Drop off and pick up arrangements will be different when we return. We will continue to use the entrance on the footpath that runs along the side of the infant playground, where clear signage will be in place to direct parents. We ask that only one adult accompanies your child to and from the nursery. There will be a familiar member of staff waiting at the gate to welcome your child into the nursery, within the outdoor area. Please ensure your child has dressed appropriately for the weather. The adult will then assist your child, helping them with personal belongings. We regret that at this time, adults are not able to enter the nursery building. If staff needs to invite parents into the building, hand sanitiser will be available at entry/exit zones for general use. Provisions will be in place to ensure physical distancing and infection control measures are maintained.
Key Groups
The staff team has developed three key groups of children and wherever possible, have placed children with their friends. Children will remain in these groups during their time at nursery with their designated Key Worker. The staff will continue to review the groups and in consultation with parents, make changes if necessary, to address the needs of your child. We know that for some of our children, this is their first time in the nursery so; additional staff members will be present to support our new starts in their new environment.
Risk Assessment
A risk assessment has been carried out and appropriate action has been taken to ensure robust procedures are in place within the nursery setting allowing for a safe return. Over the summer period, it has been cleaned using electrostatic spray and staff will continue with regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces throughout the nursery day. This essential requirement will not impact on your child’s learning experiences. Children will also wash their hands on arrival at the nursery which they will repeat regularly during the session, being encouraged to do so, using social stories, videos and songs.
Contact with Parents
Following the Scottish Government and WL Council guidelines, we are confident that the arrangements being put in place for our return to the nursery will ensure a smooth transition and the safety of all.
We are committed to offering our full support to parents and have made arrangements to contact parents directly, on, Monday, 10th of August 2020, to discuss your child’s return, medical information and inform you of your child’s key worker. Please be advised that the call is likely to be made from a private or unknown number.
Further information on the full detailed plan for our return, including all the specific arrangements will be published on, Monday 10th of August 2020.
We know that not all parents, especially those of our new children, may not be aware of our school Blog or may not visit it regularly. For that reason, we would ask that you share these details with others who would benefit from knowing the arrangements.
Please enjoy the last few days of the holiday, stay safe and well and we look forward to welcoming you all very soon.
Regards,
The Nursery Team.
Good morning
Due to the on-going Coronavirus, Whitburn Academy has made the decision to cancel all school lets starting tonight Wednesday 18th March
This means that the following Active Schools Cluster sessions are cancelled until further notice
· Wednesdays – P3-P7 Swimming
· Wednesdays – P5-P7 Netball
· Thursdays – Nursery to P7 Tennis for Kids
· Thursdays – P4-P7 Fitness with FTB
· Fridays – P4-P7 Athletics
Thank you
Good afternoon.
Please note a correction to the letter regarding the World Book Day event, in school on Thursday 5th March, that went home today with the children. It should read 2020 and not 2019.
Apologies for any confusion.
Active Schools in partnership with West Lothian Council accredited club SWIM IT are now taking bookings for the next block of P3-P7 After School Swimming lessons at Whitburn Academy.
The lessons will take place on Wednesdays from 3.50pm -4.35pm (pre swimming changing time from 3.40pm-3.50pm and after from 4.35pm-5pm) at Whitburn Academy Swimming Pool starting Wednesday 26th February to Wednesday 25th March
The cost is £15 for a block of 6 lessons (£2.50 per session) and parents can book a space via Fiona Donald at fiona@swim-it.co.uk
Good Afternoon
Active Schools in partnership with West Lothian Council verified club Tennis Revolution are now taking bookings for the 4-11-year-old Tennis for Kids after school club at Whitburn Academy.
The Tennis for Kids after school club programme is a fun introduction for kids aged between 4 and 11 who may have little or no experience playing tennis before. The Tennis sessions will be packed full of games and drills to get kids active, it also gives parents the chance to join in too.
Tennis for Kids includes six tennis sessions led by an accredited LTA coach (Simon from Tennis Revolution), a racket and ball set and a personalised t-shirt
The first block of Tennis lessons will take place on Thursdays starting Thursday 12th March through to Thursday 30th April (Excluding Thursday 9th and 15th April) at Whitburn Academy Small Gym.
The sessions will be divided into 2 age groups 4-7 and 8-11-year-olds. The 4-7-year-old session will start from 3.45 pm to 4.45 pm and the 8-11-year-old session will be from 4.50 pm to 5.50 pm
As the Tennis for Kids programme is a Lawn Tennis Association programme, all registrations and bookings must be made through the following website link https://tinyurl.com/t8xwkrq
The Tiny Url link will direct you straight to the booking pages for the two Whitburn Academy sessions. Alternatively, Parents can search for sessions at www.tennisforkids.co.uk and type in their postcode
Good afternoon.
To all Parents/Carers.
A gentle reminder that any queries you may have are to be communicated via the school office. This ensures clarity and appropriate action to be taken.
Regards,
Mrs Mooney
