NEWSLETTER NO2
SCHOOL SUCCESSES
Skye & Lochalsh Primary Football League
Portree Primary School had 4 teams involved in the summer/autumn football league and all the teams enjoyed the experience with the Portree A team winning the A league and the Portree C team winning the B league. Thanks once again are extended to all the coaches who take the football sessions and also escort the teams to the different tournament venues.
Bearsden & Milngavie Shinty Tournament
Last year’s school team took part in this Glasgow tournament recently and did very well to win it. The pupils were escorted to Glasgow by Mr David Taylor, Mrs Helen Gilpin and Mrs Fiona Gillies and their support is greatly appreciated.
Personalised Christmas Cards
There has been a huge response to this year’s personalised Christmas Card Project with over 500 packs of cards having been ordered. This project, while providing pupils and parents with their own personalised cards will also raise over £300.00 for school funds. Cards should be available for collection after the October holiday.
Kits for Kids New Strips
The new set of strips for our younger sports teams which we obtained through parents, pupils and community members collecting token from the daily Record have just arrived and will be available for use after the October holiday.
A special thank you is extended to all parents, community members and other Highland schools who collected tokens for us.
PORTREE PRIMARY SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL
There was a poor turnout at the recent Parent Council AGM but despite this a new committee was elected. Any parents who did not attend the meeting but would still like to join the committee should contact the new secretary, Mrs Allison Rouse – paulrouse1966@btinternet.com.
Those who have chosen to serve on this year’s committee are: Ingrid Bruce (Chairperson), Allison Rouse (Secretary), Helen Gilpin, Debbie MacDonald, Sandra Dickson, Kathleen MacLean, Angela Smith, Andrew Shaw, Kay MacDonald, Kirsty MacAskill, Wilma Purdy, Isobel MacLeod, Maureen MacLean, Donna MacPherson, Chloe Bruce (Teacher Rep), Neilian MacKenzie (Teacher Rep), Flora MacDougall (Teacher Rep).
PARENT COUNCIL DISCO – FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER
The Parent Council are hosting a Halloween Disco at the school on Friday 25 October. The P1-P3 disco runs from 6.00-7.00 and the P4-P7 disco runs from 7.30-8.30. Parent helpers are required and parent volunteers are asked to contact Parent Council Committee members to confirm their support. The disco is a fancy-dress disco and there will be prizes for the best dressed pupils.
PUPILS STANDING AND RUNNING ON FLOWER BED EDGES
Nursery pupils in particular are guilty of running on the paved edges of the flower beds at reception. Unfortunately this has caused many to become loose and damaged and they are now a health risk as they have become loose. Parents are asked to stop children running on the flowerbeds for their own safety and to prevent further damage to the flowerbeds.
YELLOW REFLECTIVE JACKETS
After the October break the school usually gives out yellow reflective jackets to pupils in P1-P4 to help make them more visible during the dark winter weather. This will hopefully happen again this year but, because many of the jackets were not returned in previous years and also because some are getting a bit tatty, Ginger, the janitor, is having to sort carefully through the stock we have to see if we have sufficient numbers for all pupils. In the past the jackets have been sponsored by local and national companies so it would be appreciated if parents could pass on the names of any companies who might like to sponsor jackets this year. If parents would like to buy individual jackets for their children this too can be investigated, as bulk buying would reduce costs.
SCHOOL PANTOMIME TRIP – INVERNESS
Traditionally the school has sent P5 pupils to the Eden Court Pantomime, although in recent years some concern has been expressed by parents about the cost and also the ongoing issues with travelling when the roads have been icy. All of this has been taken on board and this year, and in the future, because of costs, which will reach nearly £1500.00 this year, the trip will not happen. P5 pupils will instead get tickets to attend the Portree Pantomime which will take place in the new- year.
BLYTHSWOOD SHOE BOX APPEAL
Sgoil Araich is co-ordinating the Shoe Box Appeal again this year and any parents who want to support the appeal can pick up leaflets from the school office or Sgoil Araich. Anyone who decides to fill shoe boxes is asked to return these to Sgoil Araich by Friday 1 November. Information leaflets outlining what is expected which also need to be included in any filled shoe boxes can be picked up from the school reception area or from Sgoil Araich.
PE AND SWIMMING KITS
Please remind pupils to take their kit on the right days. Any pupils who are to be excused from taking part in PE or swimming must have a note in their diaries from parents which they require to give to class teachers.
RETURN OF PARENTS’ INFORMATION SHEETS
It would be appreciated if those parents, who have not yet returned their updated personal contact details sheet, could do so this week so we can update our school records in time for next term. Parents should also ensure that they keep the school updated of any changes that occur during the course of the session.
PARKING AROUND THE SCHOOL AND ROAD SAFETY ON BLAVEN ROAD
Staff members, The Parent Council, Northern Constabulary and Highland Council’s Road Safety Unit continue to have serious concerns about aspects of road safety and parking at the start and end of the school day which always get worse during the winter term. Particular concerns continue to relate to:
- The number of parents who drive their children to school instead of encouraging them to walk.
- The parking habits of parents on Blaven Road and the adjacent side streets which causes upset for local residents and pose road safety dangers for pupils and other pedestrians.
- The grid lock parking that takes place on Blaven Road which makes it very difficult for school buses to turn so they are in position at the end of the school day.
- The fact that some parents decide to open the school’s big gates to greet their children at the end of the day instead of allowing them to exit the school by the proper gates while waiting in the extra standing space that has been created for this purpose. Parents and pupils should meet away from the big gate area at all times.
- Parents parking cars in the bus-lane that is clearly marked for buses only.
To support the safety of pupils and the congestion around the school, it would be appreciated if parents would consider how they can individually, help solve the problems previously listed.
SCHOOL LUNCHES AND PACKED LUNCHES
The number of pupils taking school lunches continues to remain healthy and the canteen staff and teachers have asked me to remind parents/pupils about a few things –
- Please make sure children’s names are written on the back of cheques and on envelopes.
- Please make sure the correct money is paid - £1.87 for a school dinner, not £1.80.
- Please ask pupils on packed lunches not to swap food with their peers at lunchtimes.
- Please if your child is taking a packed lunch, ensure that they will eat and like what is included in their packed lunch.
- Remind children that football cards are not to be taken and swapped at meal times.
- Please remind pupils that the same table manners that are expected at home or in a restaurant, are also expected from ALL pupils in the school canteen.
PUPIL COUNCIL MEMBERS 2013/2014
The members of this year’s Pupil Council are:
GM7 Cameron MacPherson & Abby MacLean EM7 Skye Jordan & Olivia Parker
GM6 Seumas Tinney & Alasdair Strachan EM6 Ben Farrow & Abby Clarke
GM5 Holly MacPhee EM5 Lewis Clarke
GM4 Morag Anna Matheson EM4 Lucy Speed
ENCOURAGING YOUNGER CHILDREN TO TIE LACES AND THE WEARING OF APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR
Class teachers of younger pupils, particularly pupils in P2 & P3 who cannot tie their laces, have asked if parents would spend time encouraging and showing pupils how to tie their laces. If children cannot tie laces they should wear Velcro closing footwear as before and after PE lessons a huge amount of time is wasted tying pupils’ laces. Generally speaking the school expects pupils beyond P1 to be able to tie their laces and your support with this would be appreciated.
DISTRIBUTION OF NEWSLETTERS
The majority of parents have now asked to have newsletters e-mailed to them and this ensures newsletters do not get lost and it also supports the school’s Eco agenda. It would be appreciated if more parents would sign up for this means of communication and parents who have not yet indicated they want newsletters e-mailed, are asked to contact Maggie Cowie to enable this to happen – maggie.cowie@highland.gov.uk Newsletters are also posted on the school’s website.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR TIMETABLE - OCTOBER TO JANUARY
Extra-curricular activities will start during the w/b 28 October and a copy of the updated timetable will be e-mailed/distributed to parents during the first week back after the October break.
GAELIC HOMEWORK CLUB
Parents wishing to enrol their child for this club can pick up a letter from reception. The day of the club will change from a Tuesday to a Wednesday after the October break.
ROSS COUNTY OCTOBER COACHING SESSIONS
Forms for October holiday coaching with Ross County staff, can be picked up from reception by any interested pupils/ parents.
SHINTY EQUIPMENT OVER THE WINTER
Although outdoor shinty equipment will not be used as often over the winter months it is important that when possible, pupils do practice on their own. It is also expected that pupils look after and respect school shinty sticks and helmets which are very expensive. No shinty sticks should be left outside as this causes them to lose their natural curve.
Any lost or damaged equipment will have to be paid for.
COLONEL JOCK MACDONALD MEMORIAL TRUST ANNUAL FESTIVAL
The 33rd Annual Memorial Festival will be held on Saturday 2 November 2013 and pupils who are interested can obtain entry forms from their music tutors. Entry forms can also be picked up from the school reception area. The entry fee is £1.00 for all competitors and family members payable at the door
OCTOBER BREAK
The school will close on Friday 4th October at 3.15 p.m. and re-open for pupils on Tuesday 22nd October at 9.15 a.m. Staff will return to work on Monday 21st October.
