Parents Update 27^th June 2016

 

Prize Giving/ End of Session Ceremony/ Prize-Giving- Update

The correct date of this ceremony is, Wednesday 2^nd July at 9.45, sharp in the Community Centre.

 

Use of Social Media to Discuss School Issues

A number of staff members, parents and community members have been in touch to alert the school about conversations that are ongoing on Facebook, about school issues. The Parent Council also discussed this issue at their recent meeting and they support the school in condemning the use of social media to discuss school issues. A summary of the school’s and the Parent Council’s concerns are included in the attached letter.

 

School Trips and How They Are Decided

At the recent Parent Council meeting when the use of Facebook was on the agenda, it was mentioned that some recent  discussions  have taken place about school trips. To clear up any misunderstandings, the school was asked to summarise how school trips are funded and decided on and to send this information to parents. The correct information is included below.

 

• School trips are funded mainly from the school fund. Most of the money in the school fund is raised at the Christmas Concert and through other fund raising events. The school does not get any additional funding to support school trips.
• The cost of sending pupils on school trips out with the local area can be very high and the hire of buses is very expensive. Any school trips/ outings which require additional transport are discussed with and authorised by the SMT before they take place.
• Class teachers are the main organisers of school trips and they organise trips to suit the age of their children, the interests of their children and the topics their children are studying. They take account of the needs of pupils in their class and also take account of pupils’ opinions.
• Both EM and GM classes have the same opportunities in terms of school trips and in recent years classes from both departments have gone on school trips using buses and have also elected to enjoy days out in the local community. No department is favoured when school trips are being decided and an audit, of which trips have taken place over the last 5 years, supports this.
• At times, when classes plan trips to  particular venues that are on the mainland and which incur additional costs, classes will fundraise themselves to help meet the extra costs. Last year for example, an EM class visited Culloden and another EM class is this year going to Eilean Donan Castle.
• School trips/ outings in the summer term are a privilege not a right and the school will continue to support the decision making, professionalism and dedication of class teachers when it comes to deciding on the types and venues of any trips, that take place.

 

 SCHOOL REMINDERS

1. Return of School Strips - please ensure all school strips are returned to the school by Wednesday 2^nd July. Strips should be put into carrier bags with a pupil’s name on them and dropped off at the school office.
2. Return of Shinty Equipment P7 Pupils- All school shinty sticks and helmets require to be returned at the start of next week. An audit of equipment will take place next week to see if new equipment is required for next session.
3. Hockey Festivals w/b 30/6/14- P7 + GM7+ P7 will be involved on Monday 30^th June. P6 +GM6 will be involved on Tuesday 1/7/14.

PARENT COUNCIL REMINDERS

• After the Lost property display takes place on 27^th June, some of the unclaimed school sweatshirts will be passed onto the Blythswood shop in Portree.
• PC Questionnaires can still be completed and returned to the school office
• Cookbooks are still available from the school office and will also be on sale at Prize-giving next Wednesday, £6 each or £10 for two

 

 

HIGHLAND  COUNCIL   -   COMHAIRLE na GAIDHEALTACHD

 

Portree Primary School, Bun Sgoil Portrigh, Blaven Road, PORTREE. Isle of Skye. IV51 9PH   (- 01478613130 Fax -  01478613357

26.6.14……………                             Date …………….              Our Ref.   FB…………….          Your Ref.

EDUCATION  COMMITTEE

 

John Finlayson. M.A.:- Head Teacher/ Ceannard.

Email- john.finlayson@highland.gov.uk

 

Dear Parents/ Guardians,

 

I have today received many calls and emails from parents and community members raising concerns over the inappropriate use of social media networks by some parents, with regard to school matters.

 

Many of the comments that have been brought to my attention of late contain inaccuracies and misinformation and, in some cases, the content could even be construed as inflammatory and of a malicious nature.

 

It is unfortunate and unhelpful that this sort of dialogue is taking place on social networking sites.  The correct channels for enquiring about school issues or commenting on a child’s education remain the same as previously. These channels are:

 

• Parents can join the Parent Council, support their school and communicate suggestions, ideas and, of course, concerns via this body. The Parent Council would welcome new members as its numbers are small at present.

 

• One-to-one communication with class teachers can clarify why certain things happen and why individual classes make individual choices.  Often, a simple chat is all that is required to gain an understanding of the decision making process.

 

• Making an appointment with a member of the school’s senior management team to discuss issues that need clarified.

 

Information obtained via any of the above methods will be honest and accurate and of much more value than the spurious and harmful Facebook comments that have appeared recently.

 

I would urge all parents to consider how inappropriate and damaging it may be to air their opinions on school issues on social media, particularly when they have not sought accurate information in the first place.

 

I would further urge parents to follow the recommended rules in relation to children under 13 using or having access to Facebook.

 

I look forward to your support over the responsible use of social media and to us all working together to create a harmonious ethos around the life and work of Portree Primary School.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

John Finlayson H.T.