Please see the attached slides from the parent presentation last night. Thank you so much to all parents who attended.
2026 Camp Parent Meeting Presentation
Please also see the attached suggested kit list to help with planning what to pack.
Author: Miss Stark
Baird Clan Connects – 22nd May 2026
This morning, Baird Clan came together to share their learning with their families and the rest of the school community through their Clan Connects.
The children told us all about The John Muir Award. They did an amazing presentation and we were treated to some amazing singing! We are so proud of each and every one of our learners.
Baird Clan then spent some time with their adults, sharing more of their learning from the year so far.
Thank you to all parents and carers who were able to come along to support Baird Clan this morning.
Calderwood Primary Chronicle: 28/03/2025
Calderwood Commitments:
- Champion Conversations (parent/carer consultations): 2nd and 3rd Please ensure you have pre booked an appointment. The booking system will close on the 1st of April. Jotters will be available and the Scholastic book fayre (phone required for purchases).
- Dress Down Day – Autism Awareness: 4th Wear your Favourite Colour – No donation.
- Terms Ends: 4th April at 11:55am (P1 and P2 clans) and 12:00noon (P3-7 clans).
- School Resumes: Tuesday 22nd A
Calderwood Calendar:
- Updated: 2024-25 Calendar
- House Celebration: 1st April for the winning House of the term – Roe House.
Calderwood Communication:
- Anti-Bullying: We have begun our Anti-Bullying focus this week with a session for the whole school (split into groups!) where the children and champions gathered together to share their views on what bullying is and how we can promote Anti-Bullying better at Calderwood. This will help to form our Calderwood definition of bullying. The Anti-Bullying focus will continue over the next few weeks.
- Since November, Emma Ballantyne, the school’s Education Officer, has been based at Calderwood PS to support the leadership and management of the school during Miss Burton’s absence at that time. This arrangement has been continuous in order to provide stability for the school and she will continue to undertake her role from the school and provide the senior leadership role for the school community for the remainder of this term and into next term. Mrs Page has joined the leadership team as Depute Head Teacher, recently being seconded as DHT from Peel PS, and will remain in post for the remainder of the academic session and will provide the maternity leave cover when Miss Stark takes leave from just after the Easter break. The Leadership Team continues to be supported by Miss Connor and Mrs Warden as Principal Teachers. The Leadership Team in place will provide continuity for the remainder of the session and any further updates will be communicated in the summer term and be discussed in advance with the school’s Parent Council.
- Absence from School: If your child is going to be absent from school, it is vital that you inform the school office at your earliest convenience. This can be via phone call or email (wlcalderwood-ps@westlothian.org.uk).
- If your child requires medication, please ensure this is handed into the office and the correct forms are completed. Children should not carry medication in their school bag.
- At this time of year, children can be inside all day with the cold and wet weather and are therefore in close proximity of each other for longer periods of time. This is just a gentle reminder to check your child for head lice periodically.
Sponsorship Spectacular:
- Please see the below information about the Parent Council’s exciting Sponsorship Spectacular taking place next month!
Parent Council Sponsorship Spectacular: Choose Your Challenge. The Parent Council hope to raise money for digital resources, outdoor equipment and to replenish the school’s collection of reading books. During the Easter holidays, pupils are invited to take part in creating their own sponsored challenge. They can be sponsored to do anything they choose: whether that’s a sporty challenge, helping in the community or doing something creative. There are a few ideas in the linked blog post, but pupils are welcome to create any challenge they would like.
Your child will come home with a sponsorship form next week. Please return this to your child’s champion by Friday 2 May. The information on the completed sponsorship form will be used to decide the winners of the prize for:
- Most Challenging Idea
- Most Community Minded Idea
- Most Creative Idea
Please make sure the form includes the details of the challenge your child did, if they want to take part in the competition. All pupils, regardless of how much money they raise, or if they raise any money at all, are welcome to enter the competition.
Any sponsorship money raised should sent by Friday 2 May by bank transfer to:
Calderwood Primary School Parent Council
Bank of Scotland
Account Number: 22560568
Sort Code: 80-22-60
Please use your child’s name and clan as the reference.
Please contact the Parent Council by email (calderwoodpspc@gmail.com) if you have any difficulties sending funds by bank transfer.
Calderwood Compliments:
- Blair clan put on a brilliant Clan Connects this morning. They then enjoyed sharing their learning with their parents/carers. Well done to Blair clan, and thank you to all who attended and to Ms Bryson for making this possible.
- We had a fantastic morning last week listening to some great presentations for our Dragon’s Den event. Our judges Gayle Duffus, Education Director at the Wood Foundation alongside Dr. Sam Clark from Heriot Watt were very impressed with the inventions, level of detail and quality of presentations given. Well done to everyone who took part and to our winners.
- Thank you to all members of our community who have donated games and toys after our plea. We really appreciate this.
Sponsorship Spectacular 2025
On behalf of the Parent Council, please see the below information about their exciting Sponsorship Spectacular taking place next month!
During the Easter holidays, pupils are invited to take part in the Calderwood Primary and Nursery School Sponsorship Spectacular: Choose Your Challenge. The Parent Council hope to raise money for digital resources, outdoor equipment and to replenish the school’s collection of reading books. Pupils can take part by creating their own sponsored challenge. They can be sponsored to do anything they choose: whether that’s a sporty challenge, helping in the community or doing something creative. There are a few ideas in the posters on this page, but pupils are welcome to create any challenge they would like.
The Parent Council will be offering prizes for:
Most Challenging Idea
Most Community Minded Idea
Most Creative Idea
Pupils will be given a sponsorship form at school or nursery during the week of 31 March. If your child wants to take part in the competition, could you please make sure that the box on the sponsorship form detailing the challenge your child decided to do is completed. All pupils, regardless of how much money they raise, or if they raise any money at all, are welcome to enter the competition.
Please return the sponsorship form to your child’s champion by Friday 2 May.
Any sponsorship money raised should sent by Friday 2 May by bank transfer to:
Calderwood Primary School Parent Council
Bank of Scotland
Account Number: 22560568
Sort Code: 80-22-60
Please use your child’s name and clan as the reference.
Please contact the Parent Council by email (calderwoodpspc@gmail.com) if you have any difficulties sending funds by bank transfer.
Calderwood Primary Chronicle: 14/03/2025
Calderwood Commitments:
- Milk: Orders open on iPay on the 18th March and close on the 2nd Orders will not be taken after this date.
- Parent Council: 6:00pm on Tuesday 25th March in the Arena or on Zoom.
Calderwood Calendar:
- Updated: 2024-25 Calendar
- After School Club Block 2 for P3 and P4: Finishes 25th March 2025.
- Blair Clan Connects and Sharing the Learning: 9:15-10:15am on 28th Doors Open 9:05am.
Calderwood Communication:
- Absence from School: If your child is going to be absent from school, it is vital that you inform the school office at your earliest convenience. This can be via phone call or email (wlcalderwood-ps@westlothian.org.uk).
- This week we have been delighted to welcome Mrs Sarah Page, Depute Head, to the school. In Miss Burton’s absence, you can continue to contact Miss Stark, Mrs Page, Miss Connor or Mrs Warden via the school office.
- If your child requires medication, please ensure this is handed into the office and the correct forms are completed. Children should not carry medication in their school bag.
- At this time of year, children can be inside all day with the cold and wet weather and are therefore in close proximity of each other for longer periods of time. This is just a gentle reminder to check your child for head lice periodically.
- Sleep Session: Please see information regarding an upcoming Sleep Session here.
- Anti-Bullying: Over the coming weeks, we are going to have an Anti-Bullying focus within school. This will include consulting children about their views and opinions, as well as finalising our Anti-Bullying statement, which is currently under review.
Road Safety:
- Park Smart Banners: Our banners are now finalised and we are awaiting these being printed. We look forward to receiving these and displaying them outside the school as soon as they are ready.
- SLT met with the Roads Department this week and we are delighted to share the following updates with you:
– A school warning sign is to be installed on the approach to the school building on Nethershiel Road
– The footpath adjacent to school is to be final surfaced with tactile paviours at crossing points
– A footpath is to be formed along Nethershiel Lane to the overflow carpark
– An additional crossing point is to be installed (half way along the school elevation at build out –
Nethershiel Road)
– Landscaping is to be applied to the corner to create a clear line of delineation.
The developer is doing his best to target the Easter Break for these works, but this will be dependant on tender and appointment of a suitable contractor.
Calderwood Compliments:
- Well done to our Primary 5 clans, who performed “What a Knight” to the school as well as to their families at the beginning of March. The show was a huge success and this would not have been possible without the hard work of the Primary 5 champions, the determination of the learners, and the support of our families. Thank you to those in our community who were able to donate props and costumes, which added the finishing touches to what was a fantastic show!
Sleep Session
Please see the attached flyer regarding a sleep session on Wednesday, 26th March.
Calderwood Primary Chronicle: 28/02/2025
Calderwood Commitments:
- Dress Down Day: Friday 28th All donations raised today will go towards musical instruments for the school.
Calderwood Calendar:
- Updated: 2024-25 Calendar
- P5 Show: Monday 3rd March at 2:00pm. Parents should enter via the Arena doors from 1:45pm. The show will start at 2:00pm prompt. In you are running late, please enter via the school office.
- P5 Show: Tuesday 4th March at 6:00pm. Please enter via the school office from 5:45pm. The show will start prompt at 6:00pm.
- Balmoral Clan Connects and Sharing the Learning: 9:15-10:15am on 14th Doors Open 9:05am.
Calderwood Communication:
- Absence from School: If your child is going to be absent from school, it is vital that you inform the school office at your earliest convenience. This can be via phone call or email (wlcalderwood-ps@westlothian.org.uk).
- A reminder that in Miss Burton’s absence, you can continue to contact Miss Stark, Miss Connor or Mrs Warden via the school office.
- If your child requires medication, please ensure this is handed into the office and the correct forms are completed. Children should not carry medication in their school bag.
- At this time of year, children can be inside all day with the cold and wet weather and are therefore in close proximity of each other for longer periods of time. This is just a gentle reminder to check your child for head lice periodically.
- School Meal Survey 2024/2025: The West Lothian Catering Team are looking for feedback on school meals. We would appreciate if you would take a few minutes to sit down with your child to gather their thoughts and opinion on school meals and let the Catering Team know using the link here.
Road Safety:
- Park Smart Banners: We have chosen the winners for the posters to go on our Park Smart banners which will be displayed outside the school. The banners are currently being finalised and will be sent to order as soon as possible.
- Thank you so much to all parents and carers who took time to complete our travels survey – the response was incredible! We are currently looking at the data to inform our School Travel Plan. A copy of this will also be sent to the roads department so that your views are heard.
- The children and champions have also been completing travel surveys and their views will be pulled together as part of our School Travel Plan too.
- Where possible, there has been a Pupil Support Worker out at the front of the school at the end of the day.
Calderwood Compliments:
- World Thinking Day – it was lovely to see some of our learners celebrate World Thinking Day by wearing their group uniforms.
- NSPCC Connects – Last week we held our NSPCC Connects – Speak Out, Stay Safe. The children learned about recognising if they feel unsafe and ways they can get help.
- Our Primary 6 Learners have set up “Take What You Need” tubs, which will be situated throughout the school. They have shared information with all clans and are currently putting together a parent/carer leaflet to share with families at home.
Calderwood Primary Chronicle: 07/02/2025
Calderwood Calendar:
- Updated: 2024-25 Calendar
- Children Resume: Tuesday 18th
- Dress Down Day: Friday 28th Please refrain from sending children in football tops or crop tops.
Calderwood Communication:
- If your child requires medication, please ensure this is handed into the office and the correct forms are completed. Children should not carry medication in their school bag.
- If your child is going to be absent from school, it is vital that you inform the school office at your earliest convenience. This can be via phone call or email (wlcalderwood-ps@westlothian.org.uk).
- We will be covering the NSPCC “Speak Out. Stay Safe.” materials the week beginning 17th Please see the letter emailed on 4th February with further information regarding this.
Road Safety:
- We have been looking at Road Safety in all of our clans for the past couple of weeks and the children have really enjoyed doing this. SLT are currently looking through the entries for the poster competition and the winning designs will be printed on to Park Smart banners to have up outside the school.
- We have already had a staggering response to the Parent/Carer Travel survey – thank you so much for your input – we really appreciate it! Your feedback will help to inform our School Travel Plan. If you have not already completed the survey, the link is open until Tuesday, 18th February here.
Calderwood Compliments:
- On Friday, 31st January, we held our Calderwood Scottish Poetry Recital. All of the children who were in the final rounds were outstanding and we are so proud of each and every one of them. Thank you to all our families who supported our children to learn their poems and were able to come along to watch the recital on Friday. We also want to thank our Parent Council Chair, Jo Ferguson, and retired Peel Primary teacher Linda Povey for giving up their own time to judge the recitals. A huge well done to our overall winners from Early, First and Second Level.
- On Thursday, 6th February, Baird, Burns and Mackintosh clans enjoyed their Sharing the Learning event with their families. The children thoroughly enjoyed sharing what they had been learning in school with their families and we appreciate the support of those who were able to make it along.
- Ness clan put on a brilliant Connects about Scottish Battles. Well done to our learners and thank you to Miss Arkless for making this possible.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a restful break. We look forward to seeing the children return to school on Tuesday, 18th February.
Ness Clan Connects
This morning, Ness Clan came together to share their learning with their families and the rest of the school community through their Clan Connects.
The children told us all about Scottish Battles. They did an amazing presentation and we were treated to some amazing singing! We are so proud of each and every one of our learners.
Ness Clan then spent some time with their adults, sharing more of their learning from the year so far.
Thank you to all parents and carers who were able to come along to support Ness Clan this morning.
Calderwood Primary Chronicle: 24/01/2025
Calderwood Commitments:
- Dress Down Day: Friday 31st Please refrain from sending children in football tops or crop tops. All donations collected through iPay will go to Kirknewton and East Calder Community Listening Project.
Calderwood Calendar:
- Updated: 2024-25 Calendar
- Calderwood Scottish Poetry Recital: Clan Winners: Friday 31st Time TBC. Clan Winners will recite their poems to a panel. Parents/Carers of winners will receive an invite to this event.
- Baird, Burns and Mackintosh Sharing the Learning: Thursday 6th January 2:00-3:00pm. Please enter via the Glencoe (car park) gate from 1:55pm. If you are running late, please enter via the office.
- Ness Clan Connects and Sharing the Learning: 9:15-10:15am on 7th Doors Open 9:05am.
- February Break Begins: 7th November 12:00noon. (Learners return Tuesday 18th February).
Calderwood Communication:
- A reminder that in Miss Burton’s absence, you can continue to contact Miss Stark, Miss Connor or Mrs Warden via the school office.
- If your child requires medication, please ensure this is handed into the office and the correct forms are completed. Children should not carry medication in their school bag.
- In snow or icy conditions access to the school will be through the front door, we will alert parents/ carers/children to this. During these times there will be no supervisors in the playground. You can find our safe route here.
- If your child is going to be absent from school, it is vital that you inform the school office at your earliest convenience. This can be via phone call or email (wlcalderwood-ps@westlothian.org.uk).
- PE Days for Term 3 are here.
- Term 3 Learning letters are here.
- Term 3 Home Learning Choice Boards are here.
- At this time of year, children can be inside all day with the cold and wet weather and are therefore in close proximity of each other for longer periods of time. This is just a gentle reminder to check your child for head lice periodically.
Road Safety:
- As you will know, all clans are focusing on Road Safety this week and next week. We unfortunately continue to receive concerns about use of the car park and roads around the school. We have parents, carers and staff in school who genuinely require to use the disabled bays – please do not use these as drop off bays or park there without a blue badge. If you choose to continue using the car park for drop off and pick off, please do so safely and with consideration and respect of others.
- We have contacted Police Scotland about the ongoing Road Safety around the school. They came out on the 22nd January at pick up time to look at the situation and to speak to people who were parked inappropriately. We will continue to link in with Police Scotland to try to tackle these ongoing concerns. To reiterate – the safety of our children is of paramount importance and we must continue to work together to ensure that our children arrive at and leave safely from school. We would encourage you to “park and stride” – park a few streets away and walk the remainder of the way to school, discussing road safety with your child/children in the process.
Calderwood Compliments:
- Our House Meetings this term focused on our School Values. Learners worked collaboratively across their houses to think about each of our values – Caring, Resilience, Integrity, Belonging.
- Leven and Rannoch clans put on a brilliant Connects about Resilience and Growth Mindset. Well done to these clans and thank you to our teaching champs for making this possible.
- Our Primary 6 Learners have been busy spending our Participatory Budget. They have chosen to set up “Take What You Need” tubs, which will be situated throughout the school. More information will follow in due course.
