Newsletter 1 – Litir 1 – 2013-2014
As another school session begins can I take this opportunity to welcome into the Portree Primary School family all those parents who are joining us for the first time. The continued success of our school relies heavily on the positive relationships that exist between pupils, staff, the parent body and the wider community.
As usual there will be lots happening throughout the year and the school will try to keep parents and the community up to date with what is going on through regular newsletters and through our school website which will continue to be updated regularly.
Fàilte oirbh uile gu bliadhna ùr sgoile. Tha sinn fìor thoilichte ur cuid chloinne fhaicinn air ais anns an sgoil agus bu toil leinn fàilte chridheil a chur air a’ chlann a tha a’ tòiseachadh as ùr. Tha ceangal làidir againn an seo eadar pàrantan, clann, luch-obrach na sgoile agus an coimhearsnachd san fharsaingeachd. Tha sinn a’ dèanamh ur dìcheall gus fiosrachdadh a’ sgaoileadh mun sgoil agus mu na tha a’ dol air adhart innte.
Distribution of Newsletters
As agreed last term many parents would prefer to have newsletters emailed to them and this will start with the second newsletter of the session.
Newsletters will also be posted on the school website soon after they are printed.
Those parents who have not indicated that they would like newsletters emailed to them will, continue to get paper copies for now although, it is eventually hoped that we will operate an entirely paperless system.
Staffing Update
A list of all the staff currently working at the school is attached. There have been a few changes since the end of the last school session and these changes are included.
A Chance to Meet Your Child’s Class Teacher
In order to get to know your child’s class teacher we would like to offer parents the chance to pop into class at the end of the school day on Wednesday 4th September between 3.30pm and 4.30 pm. This will be an informal session which will allow parents to put a name to the face and discuss any general issues.
School Roll 2013/2014
At the start of session the school roll including Sgoil Araich pupils stands at 304. There are 163 pupils in the English Medium Department, 99 in the Gaelic Medium Department and 42 in Sgoil Araich.
School Uniform
All pupils are expected to wear the prescribed school uniform which consists of dark or grey skirts and trousers, white polo-shirt and school sweatshirt. Polo shirts and sweatshirts can be purchased from Aros at any time. If parents have problems purchasing items of school uniform it would be appreciated if they could pass this information onto the Parent Council.
Labelling of All School Clothing
Could parents please ensure that pupil’s names are clearly marked on all items of clothing. If clothing is clearly marked with a pupil’s name it can be returned to that child and the school will not have such a large stock of lost property.
School Meals
School meals are now priced at £1.87. Parents who feel they may be eligible for free school meals are asked to contact the school office for an application form. Parents who were entitled to free meals last session also have to apply this session.
As you will be aware payment can also be made online for school meals in Portree Primary School. To carry this out parents will need details of their children’s SCN number. If you do not already have this information, or you have any further queries concerning the Cashless Catering System, please phone the Catering Service on 01463 663340.
P1 teachers will send home information letters shortly which includes the SCN number for new pupils
Parents are encouraged to pay their child’s weekly dinner money on a Monday as this greatly helps canteen staff. Pupils of P1 and P2 have their school lunches and packed lunches at 12.15pm each day. P1 and P2 pupils who go home for lunch can be picked up from the school at 12.15pm.
In terms of paying for school meals, the cook in charge has asked parents to remember the following:
- All cheques should have a pupil’s name and class on the back.
- All envelopes with cash need to have pupil’s name and class on the outside.
Healthy Snack Trolley
The snack trolley goes round classrooms on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday and fruit and drinks and the occasional baking item can be purchased. Prices range from 15p- 30p.
Family Information /Contact Information Update – Very Important
To enable the school to update pupils’ records, parents are asked to check carefully and update the record sheets which will be sent home shortly. Please return the sheets to school as soon as possible. If no changes are needed the sheets should be returned marked, correct. If sheets are not returned, the school will assume that the information we hold is still up to date.
It is very important that the school holds the most up to date information about all pupils and families so contact can easily be made with parents in case of any emergency.
Swimming Kit and Gym Pupils’ Timetable
It is very important that all pupils bring the correct kit on the correct day.
The table below shows when pupils will receive PE and Swimming lessons this session.
Swimming & PE Days
|
Class |
Swimming |
PE |
Class |
Swimming |
PE |
|
EM 1 |
|
Monday |
Sgoil Araich |
|
Mon & Fri |
|
EM 2 |
|
Tuesday |
GM 1 |
|
Monday |
|
EM 3 |
Friday |
Thursday |
GM2/3 |
GM 3 only Monday |
Wednesday |
|
EM 4 |
Thursday |
Tuesday |
GM 4/5 |
Monday |
Tuesday |
|
EM 5 |
Monday |
Thursday |
GM 5/6 |
Friday |
Thursday |
|
EM 6 |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
GM 7 |
Friday |
Tuesday |
|
EM 7 |
Thursday |
Tuesday |
|
|
|
Extra-Curricular Activities
Once again this year the school supported by parents and community members hopes to offer a wide variety of extra- curricular activities and we really appreciate the amount of time and effort our coaches and helpers devote to supporting these activities. The Extra-Curricular Activities for this term will start on Monday 2 September and a timetable of the activities available will be sent home before this date. A coaches’/ volunteers’ meeting will also be held on Thursday 22 August at 7.00 p.m. in the school and all existing coaches and those involved in supporting activities are asked to attend. New volunteers are required so please come along to this meeting to ensure we can continue to provide our pupils with the same activities as we did last session and possibly also, some new activities.
Playground Improvements and New MUGA (Multi Use Games Area)
Over the summer holidays the new MUGA has been installed and this gives the school an additional, safe, soft-surface area for pupils to play games and be involved in extra-curricular activities. The area will also be available for pupil use after school if no other group/club has booked the area. It is hoped that in the future a flood lighting facility will also be installed, allowing the area to be used at night over the winter. More information about how the MUGA will used will follow.
Other School Property Works
Over the summer the school has continued with a programme of maintenance projects which will make the school environment safer and more stimulating and as well as painting to the exterior of the building, new floor surfaces & ICT equipment were upgraded. Ginger the janitor, also continued his valuable maintenance work and the school environment continues to look well- kept and welcoming.
Civic Award for the School Environment
In recognition of all the work that has been done over the last few years to improve the environment around the school, Portree Primary School will be awarded a Civic Award by Highland Council, in recognition of all the improvements made and how these enhance the local environment and also support pupils’ learning.
The award will be presented to representatives from the school, on 2nd September, at Tigh-na-Sgire.
Sgoil Araich Udates:
- Sgoil Araich pupils will get Gym on a Monday and a Friday this session. All pupils should bring a pair of gym shoes to school which they can leave in Sgoil Araich for this purpose.
- Parents are also asked to bring a full change of clothing that can be left in school in case of any accidents or spillages. As pupils also take part in weekly walks a jacket should be brought to all sessions.
A separate, start of session, Sgoil Araich newsletter will also be going out soon.
Piping and Strings Instruction – New Pupils
At this time of the year our instructors recruit a limited number of new pupils to fill any vacancies in their timetables. Any parents of pupils in P4 and P5 who would like their child to be considered for instruction should send a letter to the school indicating an interest immediately and no later than Wednesday 28th August. Once this has been done, an information leaflet will be sent home and thereafter, instructors will hold auditions to select the pupils who will receive tuition.
Holidays Out-With School Holiday Dates
Parents are reminded that taking children off school for holidays is not recommended. Parents should remember that when it does happen, children will be credited with having an unauthorised absence.
Parents Informing School of Pupil Absence
If pupils are absent on a particular day, it would be appreciated if parents could phone the school between 9.00a.m. and 9.30a.m. to inform the school of any absences. All schools in Highland are expected to monitor pupil absence to ensure the safety of all pupils.
P1 Attendance at School
From Monday 2 September all P1 and GM1 pupils will attend school for the full day 9.15am – 3.15pm. An information/ discussion meeting for parents will be held on 27 September – a month into the school session and details about of this will be sent out nearer the time.
Return of School Strips & Equipment
It would be appreciated if parents could ensure that all school strips are washed and returned to the school as a number of items are missing from several kit bags are still missing. Also, any other school equipment or sports gear that is not being used should be returned so that other pupils can have access to it. Some S1 pupils still have equipment that is now required for younger pupils.
Pupils Time of Arrival at School
Pupils should not arrive at school in the morning before 8.50am unless arrangements for a specific day have been agreed with the Head Teacher.
Parents and Adults in the Playground
Apart from P1 parents, who for a short while may wish to accompany their children to class, no other adults should be in the playground at the beginning or end of the school day. Having an unfamiliar face in the playground can be unsettling for children.
Car Parking and Children’s Safety
Parents are asked to consider the health and safety implications of parking outside the school and turning their vehicles in and around the school entrance. No cars should be parked in the bus lane or on the yellow zig -zag lines and the local Police have indicated that they will be keeping an eye on this.
Parents are also reminded that they should not enter the school car-park when dropping of pupils unless special permission has been given to do so.
Use of School/Home Diaries
All pupils have school diaries which they are expected to use. In the infant stages these diaries are used as home school diaries to communicate with parents and to pass on home/school information. This also works further up the school but often in a less efficient way and again this session it is hoped that staff, pupils and parents will use and check diaries more regularly and use them more effectively. As last year all important information from home and school should be communicated through the school diaries and teachers and members of the Senior Management Team will monitor regularly how effectively diaries are used. The cost of purchasing school diaries continues to rise and if pupils lose a dairy they will have to pay for a replacement. The cost of this will be £4.00.
School Photographer
On Monday and Tuesday 24/25 September the school photographer will be at Portree Primary School. All pupils will be photographed individually and photograph proofs will be sent to Parents on a sale or return basis. It is also hoped to have a quicker turnaround of photos this year once they have been ordered. More information will follow nearer the time.
Youth Music Initiative – Session 13/14
Please see below information received from Highland Council with regard to the Youth Music Initiative:
“We are delighted to announce that continued funding from Scottish Executive, administered by Scottish Arts Council has been secured and that the following musical activities will continue to be provided in Highland primary schools next session:
- Kodály Music skills (all schools, lower Primary classes)
- Traditional Music skills (all schools in partnership with Fèisean nan Gàidheal – P6)”
Summary of Learning Priorities Poster
Last term, pupils, parents, teachers and other staff members were asked to indicate what they thought were the essential ingredients that make up quality learning and teaching at Portree Primary School.
Interestingly, the responses from all stakeholders were similar and to help all learners focus on what we see as important in terms of pupils’ learning, we have made up posters that will be displayed on the walls in all classrooms. A copy of the poster is included with this newsletter.
It would be appreciated if parents could discuss the points raised with their children.
We also hope to get a Gaelic version translated and printed very soon.
Student Support Centre
This group have been in touch regarding possible working with parents and an envelope and information note from them is going home with this newsletter. Any families who wish to make use of the service are asked to return their slip to the school by Thursday 29th August. As indicated in the enclosed letter, the school is merely acting as a go-between for this company and any queries should be directed to the company and not the school.
Holiday Dates 2013/2014
|
|
Close |
Open |
|
Session begins staff Session begins pupils |
|
Monday 19 August 2013 Tuesday 20 August 2013
|
|
October Holiday |
Friday 4 October |
Monday 21 October (staff) Tuesday 22 October (pupils) |
|
Christmas Holiday |
Friday 20 December 2013 |
Monday 6 January 2014
|
|
Mid Term |
Friday 14 February 2014 |
Wednesday 19 February (staff) Monday 24 February (pupils) |
|
Easter Holiday |
Friday 4 April 2014 |
Tuesday 22 April 2014
|
|
May Holiday |
Monday 5 May 2014
|
|
|
Session Ends |
Thursday 3 July 2014
|
|
Inservice days – Monday 19 August, Monday 21 October, Wednesday 19 February 2014, Thursday 20 February 2014 and Friday 21 February 20
PORTREE PRIMARY SCHOOL STAFF AUGUST 2013/2014
Teaching Staff
Head Teacher Mr John Finlayson
Depute Head Teacher Mrs Flora MacDougall
English Medium Staff
Mrs Morag Murray P1
Mrs Jessie Templeman/Miss Gail Tennant P2
Miss Chloe Bruce P3
Mrs Marilyn Chambers P4
Miss Neilian Mackenzie P5
Mrs Mairidh Ann Mackinnon/Mrs Katie Martin P6
Mrs Kirsty Grant P7
Support for Learning Teachers
Mrs Anne Stormont
Mrs Anne Martin (GM)
Mrs Kay Alston
Mrs Mary Moir
Gaelic Medium Staff
Mrs Kenna MacDonald GM1
Mrs Flora MacDougall GM2/3
Mrs Marlene MacDonald GM4/5
Mrs Kate MacLeod and Mrs Anne Martin GM5/6
Miss Ann MacLeod GM7
CCR and Management
Mr John Mackenzie
Ms Claire Deplano
Mrs Alice MacVicar
Miss Gail Tennant
Tutors and Instructors
Swimming Pool Staff
Strings Instructor Miss Laura Lockyear
Piping Instructor Mr Ian Ruari Finlayson
Gaelic Singing Instructor Mrs Kirsteen Graham
Non-Teaching Staff
Janitor and Playground Supervisor Mr Donald Gillies
Clerical Assistants Mrs Morag Mackay/Mrs Maggie Cowie
GM Nursery Assistants Mrs Tini Daughtrey/Mrs Mary MacDougall
GM Nursery Auxiliaries Mrs Tini Daughtrey, Mrs Mary MacDougall, Mrs Elizabeth
Miss Dawn Daughtrey
Pupil Support Assistants
Mrs Chrissie MacLeod, Mrs Ann MacAuley, Mrs Marion Colven, Mrs Maggie Cowie, Mrs Janice MacDonald, Mrs May Stewart, Mrs Catriona Beaton, Mrs Elizabeth MacDonald, Mrs Isobel MacDonald, Mrs Ann Galloway, Mrs Marie MacDonald, Mrs Julie MacLean, Mrs Marion MacPherson, Mrs Yvonne Bowditch, Mrs Janet MacVicar, Mrs Kathleen MacLean.
Crossing Patroller Mrs Janet MacVicar
Playground Supervisor Mrs Hayley MacLennan
Dining Room Supervisor Mrs Ishbel MacLeod
Cook in Charge Mrs Barbara Stevenson
Cleaners Mrs Lorraine Campbell, Miss Carol Lamont, Mrs. Angie Cardiff
