School Newsletter September 2014
Issue 1
Autumn is coming …. I can hardly believe that we are nearing the end of September and now looking to the October break.
It’s so much
for
here.
the
We
winter
have
coats
been
a
Project
working
attending
on
is
various
Village
sports
Art
festivals
find out more about as your read on.
recent
event.
We
Meet
hope
the
that
Teacher
you
found
this a beneficial experience as we were delighted to be able to share with children’s
you
how
we
experiences
plan
in
for
school
your
and
to
explain some of the routines for each of our classes.
Just a little reminder that children should be ready to come into school at 8.50am, up
with
their
child’s
peers
and
it
has
certainly been a great start to the
pass it on for you. the
class
fully
appreciate
your
best
to
have
children
ready
very
to
be
collected at 3.20pm
informing
appointment
you
at
our
of
your
Parental
Consultations so if you have not returned
your
slip
requesting
an
appointment already please do so as soon as possible.
the
responsibility for their class and therefore pupils
and
parents/carers possible.
therefore
first
thing
is
meeting
not
always
Thank you for your co-operation. School Improvement Plan
Just as our children have been busy since returning Our
in
august
three
so
in-service
have days
the in
staff. august
provided us with incredibly valuable time to make an excellent start to our school improvement plan. the
plan
are
Council
look
minutes
with
given
out
to
for
these
the
the
Parent
Parent
updates
to
Council
keep
you
posted.
sheet will continue to come home to you on the second Friday after the start of a new
term.
August
Letters will be coming home at the end of week
on
The
recent
highlights
sheet
covered planned learning experiences from
Parent and Carers Consultations this
takes
As with last session your termly highlights
we shall do our
your
then
Highlights
support
in ensuring children are ready on time and likewise,
teacher
When the bell rings
teacher
year as far as this is concerned. We
class
Regular updates on the progress of
School Day
lined
your
message is given to Mrs Cameron who will
all
It was great to see so many of you able our
sometimes
needs to make sure they are accessible to
Meet the Teacher attend
that
be done before the bell or your
and so much more all of which you can
to
understand
would be helpful if this could
busy
the
we
you need to pass on important information before they commence school, it
bunch at school sorting out our School Parliament,
Although to
chillier outside and therefore the need
Teacher Messages
–
highlights October
October will
outlining
opportunities
and
come
for
home
so
your
on
next
Friday
31
the
exciting
learning
your
children
between
October and December.
We hope that you
find this beneficial as a means of being able to share in your children’s learning and to see that we are looking to
plan
learning across all four aspects of their S:\Admin\Newsletters\1415\Newsletter 1.doc
curriculum
and
not
subject areas. to
see
the
just
the
traditional
For example you are able learning
that
takes
place
Glebe Update You may be aware of meetings taking pace within
the
village
regarding
a
through Interdisciplinary Studies or where
land down by The Glebe.
we look for learning within the ethos and
land
life of the school as part of assemblies or
community by the church for
Pupil
a
Voice
Groups
opportunities
for
both in and
out
very
important
or
even
personal of
to
school.
us
within
achievement,
to
It remains
know
of
any
achievements that your child has out of school
whether
reward
of
that
a
be
been
period
of
initially. been
keen
the
wider
supporting
–we
a
would
love
to
our
cluster
Law/North
and
North
visiting
Gullane,
Berwick
Berwick
one
pupils
and
Nursery
High
another’s
School)
schools
teachers.
to
The
purpose of these visits is to spend time with
children
in
Writing
about
and
their
Maths.
The
team meet with children individually who been
selected
their experiences. some
work
answer
in
some
at
random
to
share
They play games, show
their
jotters
questions.
received
very
is
class
I shall continue to update plans
great
now
separate
develop
and
excitement
that
we
aspects
in
started
on
Our
Village
Project.
year long project that will culminate in a showcase at the Village Gala/Summer Fair 2015.
There are various aspects to the
project but those that we are involved with relate to Art and Listening and talking. Diana Simcock and Emma Mackenzie have project.
working Our
involved
our
with first
P4-7 two
children
on
ensure
that
experience
we
for
this
have
our
is
consistency
to of
across
our
schools and that our expectations are the same
regarding
what
achievement
of
a
level looks like for our children. The team are year
not
visiting
however
us
until
Miss
March
Hutchison
of will
next be
representing our school as she joins the team
on
visits
next month.
to
other
schools
art have
out
and
about in the village as artists – feedback
project
children
an
sessions
being
you may have noticed us with been trying to capture details of
of
two
with members of the wider community on a
our
goal
P4-7
have
of
our children are making. ultimate
any
the
form the team with regard to the progress The
of
To give you a quick recap we are working
Those
positive
of land learning
Village Project There
started
thoroughly enjoyed the experience we
piece
outdoor
we intend to use this space as a school
and
children who took part last year and
as
for
commitments we make with regard to how
schools
Dirleton,
of this
possible
parents
(Athelstaneford,
have
These
able to make use
of
experiences
have.
to
Moderation in North Berwick Cluster
talking
these hearing
stage but in the meantime we hope to be
challenge
with
in
enjoyed
discussions are still just at the planning
As with last year groups of teachers from
meet
have
for
hear from you.
be
have
involved
I
village
years
community
opportunities.
will
the
about the potential uses and ideas that
the
particular
School
to
we
be
and
where
Aberlady,
five
to
discussions
younger sibling at home or overcoming a
each
gifted
Naturally
of
participation in sport or giving charity,
medal
has
piece
This piece of
starting
sketchbooks!
We
have
buildings and architecture within the village
and
looking
at
the
work
of
Van
Gogh and Joan Eardley as a stimulus for trying to record our village.
We have been
experimenting
pen,
charcoal efforts
as
with a
and
forwards
to
pencil,
means
hope create
of
now a
ink
and
recording to
take
collage
our
these
that
will
contribute to a larger piece of work to be displayed at the Summer Fair. Kay Mann has also started her side of the project busy
with
over
P4-7.
the
Kay
summer
has
been
identifying
very
village
S:\Admin\Newsletters\1415\Newsletter 1.doc
residents old and new for us to interview.
More opportunities for outdoor learning,
During the first two sessions in school we
to
have talked about how we can prepare for
classroom
our
environment for learning (fix the fence,
interviews.
Over
the course
of
this
look
year children will be going out as roving
paint
reporters
votes)
to
interview
members
of
the
community and to record their stories.
We
the
at
creating
and
to
our
improve
playground
outdoor
the
games
outdoor
etc.)
(22
More fundraising activities over the year
have drafted letters to send out to those
for our school and others, linked in to
people we are keen to interview and hope
whole school events and possibly whole
to set up appointments with them starting
school trips. (28 votes)
after the October break. anyone
in
information this
project
If you know of
the
village
with
history
that
would
be
beneficial
to
and
would
be
happy
be
to
interviewed by a few of our senior pupils please
do
let
us
know.
We
would
or
families
with
connections
We
are
particularly
excited
by
the
fact
village
various and
generations
provide
a
within
real
opportunities
to
work
with
food
Suggestion boxes in each class (Teacher Priority)
More
personal
topics and
opportunities
to learn in pairs (Teacher Priority)
Continue to make improvements to the Dining Hall (11 votes)
that this aspect to the project will bring together
to
the school from past generations.
More
(Teacher Priority)
be
particularly pleased to hear from farming families
or
Continue
to
create
opportunities
for
working in Vertical Groups (5 votes)
Look at improving our points and House system
the
as
well
as
improving
Golden
Time and certificates. (12 votes)
exciting
opportunity for our children to learn from
The next stage in the process is for us to
older residents about their village.
create
We are delighted that Diana, Emma and Kay have been so generous with their time and
commitment
and
are
thoroughly
enjoying working with them in school. Whole
School
Pupil
Parliament
creating
our
smaller
group
priorities
for
this
year.
It
was
decided by us all that some priorities were taken
forwards
by
teaching
staff
and not by the pupil group. We
took
a
vote
on
the
following
priorities to establish our top 3 for this year:
Invite with
more the
nursery
all
children
membership
who
taking
from of
P1-P7
one
to
of
apply
these
for
groups.
French in P1-3.
learn
We then took a vote to establish our 3
be
for
forwards these priorities this year and for
onwards
fed
able to narrow down our list of 14 items to
to
groups
policy whereby all children form P1
first Parliament meeting and we were then
main
Voice
responsible
Government have introduced a new
back their ideas from our
9.
Pupil
As many of you will be aware the Scottish
Pupil
Priorities. Each
three become
met
last week for the next stage in
the
then
Watch this space for more information.
School Parliament Our
will
visitors village
and
other
into
school,
more, schools
work
involve
our
more,
and
finally to investigate the possibility of a school pet. ( 36 votes)
a
have the opportunity to second
language.
In
addition to this from P5 onwards an additional modern language is also to be
introduced.
have
until
this
is
All
the
fully
year
schools 2020
in
to
Scotland
make
sure
We
are
implemented.
fortunate within the North Berwick Cluster to be part of a pilot project running this session which means that our P1-3 class will
benefit
French.
from
All
undertaking
being
teaching
training
introduced staff
within
the
to
will
be
next
few
weeks with a view to starting this with P13
from
October
onwards.
This
training
shall focus on how to deliver the teaching of a modern language in primary schools and
not
necessarily
restricted
to
French.
S:\Admin\Newsletters\1415\Newsletter 1.doc
Following this pilot year a decision will be
diarrhoea
made across the North Berwick cluster of
We
schools
these
then
as
to
take
classes this
which
language
forwards
the
with
following
remains
we
session.
French
shall
Primary
or
to
would
prevent
kindly
infection
ask
guidelines
that
to
we
avoid
spreading. all
follow
unnecessary
one
absence for both children and staff over
Whether
the winter months and thank you for your
changes
to
support in this.
something else I am sure you will agree that
this
is
an
excellent
opportunity
for
our children and feel reassured by studies which
show
that
modern
language
helps
with
being at
exposed
such
overall
a
to
young
age
language
development of literacy skills.
a
and
Should you
have any questions about this please do not hesitate to get in touch.
to offer help to us at the recent Meet The as
enable
this us
use
of
blog
as
what
is
our a
shall to
hopefully
continue
to
provide additional opportunities for our children. are
keen
provide
promote
possible,
and given
the restrictions we have with space and staffing.
With
hopeful
of
this
being
in
able
a
comment
their
mind
we
offer
a
to
are multi
the October break -more details to follow Mr McCann our PE
specialist will also be starting a lunchtime club with some of our pupils shortly, more information to follow on this also and we are investigating the possibilities of other clubs running for shorter blocks. think
you
school
would
like
experience
or
to to
sharing
in
school.
and
the
children
class.
offer
We
would
be
delighted
to
hear from you or perhaps even a member of your family who does not live locally – what a great way to share what your child is up to. http://edubuzz.org/blogs/athelstaneford Dates for your Diary October 10 21
End of Term
th
Pupils Return to School
st
30
Tempest Photography
th
(Individual and Family Photos)
sports club on a Monday after school after from Active Schools.
of
school
It really is very easy to leave
After School
to
where
means
happening
Clubs are always an area that we
wonderful
their parents may have left for them and
Thank you to those parents who signed up events
We are very keen to continue to make best
really appreciate comments that
After School Clubs
Teacher
School Website
As
ever
if
you
have
any
concerns
or
queries please do not hesitate to contact me. Catriona McKinnon Head Teacher
If you an
provide
after
us
with
support to do this please do get in touch Shop and raise school funds!
Hand washing
If you buy online there is now an easy
As we approach the winter months it is important
that
we
importance
of
hand
making
of
use
water.
We
all
soap
shall
way
the
absence
related
from
to
school.
this
is
Based
kept
off
school
for
a
school
funds.
By
Leading online brands are participating in the service including, Amazon.co.uk & New Look.
sickness
upon
period
of
48
hours from their last bout of sickness or
You pay no more, there
are even special offers to help you pay
NHS
guidelines it is advised that all children are
vital
earn commission from your purchases.
revisiting
you reinforce this at home. issue
earn
a participating retailer our school will
warm
this in class and would ask that
An
to
visiting eduPayment.co.uk and locating
washing,
and
be
revisit
less.
.
Please visit
www.edupayment.co.uk
for
more information. S:\Admin\Newsletters\1415\Newsletter 1.doc