Coalsnaughton Primary School
October 2020 Newsletter This term has flown by and now we are only a few hours away from the October holidays. We have had a very busy start to our new session and lots of learning has been taking place. The children have settled well despite all the ongoing changes due to COVID 19.
Staffing
Miss McLaughlin and Mrs Monk are both still poorly. We are missing them both. It is with great sadness that we said goodbye to Mrs Clare Seeruttun at the end of September. Clare has gone off to run her own business and we wish her every success! I have put an advert out for a new Support for Learning Teacher but
she will be a hard act to follow! We are however, welcoming Mrs Karen Smith as our new Early Intervention Worker. Karen will be with us on a Wednesday and Thursday. Karen will support P1 and P2/3. Mr Darren Foley, P.E. Specialist is now our P.E. Specialist as Leeanne Ross has returned to her substantive post. Mrs Lindsey Ferguson is now covering a Wednesday and a Thursday in P4/5 and has settled well. Lindsey is job sharing with Miss Ashley McGill. (This is to cover in Miss McLaughlin’s absence.)
Diabetes UK Award
A HUGE well done to our support staff team! They received a Diabetes UK Award recently for the care, dedication and attention that they give to our diabetic pupils. I am immensely proud of all of them, not only for the care that they give these children but the care that they give to all of our children and the support that they give the school in general. (They even made the Alloa advertiser!)
Junior Management Team The results are in! Head Boy and Head Girl Well done to Sophie Brown and William Murphy. House Captains and Vice-Captains Gartmorn - Eve Davie & Craig Elliott Calibur - Kimberly Watt & Aileigh Murphy Ochil - Grace Robertson & Charlie Gillespie Devon - Mia Davie & Kelsey Pert I am looking forward to working with them this year to improve our school!
October Headteacher Awards Well done to; P1 Amos Comerford P2/3 Tyler Weir P4/5 Brody Kane P5/6/7 Tianna McIntosh
These children have demonstrated one or more of our school values Ambition, Kindness, Respect, Perseverance and Responsibility.
Clackmannanshire Council – Sport & Physical Activity Survey
School Competition As you may already be aware Sports Development have created a survey for families to complete to help guide us with our way forward out of lockdown for sport & physical activity across Clackmannanshire. In order to encourage as many families as possible to complete the online survey they are running a competition where the schools with the greatest % return against the school role will receive the following prize:
A day of sport & physical activity for the whole school delivered in partnership with local sports clubs and groups (when we are allowed to do so).
There are three prizes available:
Highest % return from a secondary school
Highest % return from a primary school – roll under 125
Highest % return from a primary school – roll over 125
Closing date for the survey is today and the winners will be announced after the October school holidays! Please help us and complete the online survey!
Harvest Service Donations Due to COVID 19 we have not been able to have a Harvest Service. As normal, we have collected tins, packets of dried food etc. for the Food Bank in Sauchie. Children have placed them in the front entrance hall and at the Nursery door. We will not touch these. They will be left over the weekend and I will transport them to the Gate on Tuesday next week. We have been amazed at the generosity of all of you. Many families
in the local area access the Food Bank so can I say a huge thank you to all of you and I know our donations will make a difference.
Halloween Arrangements Due to COVID 19 restrictions we will not be having our annual Halloween Party. After consulting with some parents we have decided that;
Friday 30th October will be a Non-Uniform day, no costumes as the children are
outdoors a lot and we have no changing facilities. The children can dress up at home and send in their photo. We will display these
and the costumes will be judged, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Unfortunately, the annual pumpkin competition will also not take place in its usual form. We ask that you still make your pumpkins, put them in your windows and the children will do a Pumpkin Walk on Friday 30 th October, counting the
Pumpkins displayed! Again, you can submit a photo of your child holding the pumpkin and we will judge 1st, 2nd and 3rd. There will be school and nursery competitions. The children will do Halloween related activities in their classes or in the Early Learning Centre.
Help Required! I will be painting dots, 2m apart on the school wall during the holidays to help. Can I please ask that if you are waiting for your child or children that you remain 2 metres away from other parents that are not in your house hold? The virus is not going away. We need to ensure that we are doing our upmost to minimise any risk to our children. Parking Bay
Can we ask that you do not park in the disabled parking bay outside the school unless you have a Blue Disabled Parking Badge? We think this space was put there for a local resident who is disabled.
COVID 19 Restrictions Update As you will be all be aware we have had further restrictions from the Government this week. We have also been asked to tighten things up by our Health & Safety team in Clacks due to the rise in cases in the Forth Valley. We have had three site visits from the Health & Safety Team this term and they are pleased with the procedures and risk assessments that are in place. Further Changes Moving forward. I have asked the younger children not to come into the playground in the morning. Due to COVID the school runs in 3 bubbles - Nursery (Bubble 1), P1 & P2/3 (Bubble 2) and P4/5 & P5/6/7 (Bubble 3). Each bubble has their own break and lunch. The wee ones are entering into the time slot in the morning of Bubble 3. They are playing in the playground especially at the back of the school. I have asked them to wait until the children in Bubble 3 are in the building and then to enter the playground and stand on a dot. Next term I would also ask that NO parents enter the playground. In term 1 we did make allowances for the P1 parents but the children are all now fully aware of the school routines and they have settled in well. If you are waiting outside on the kerb PLEASE stay 2 metres away from folk that are not in your household. (I know that it is hard). All staff have been asked to wear masks moving around the school and you will see us wearing them in the playground, this request was sent last night from Health & Safety so we will prepare the children today and start it next term.
This year will be not be able to have a Parents Evening for your child. We will be issuing you with a short report on Friday 13th November. If you would like any further information following that report then we will arrange a telephone consultation or virtual meeting with you. Mrs Meaghan Watt is going to arrange a virtual meeting or telephone consultation with the P1 parents. Mr Neil Gardiner will do this for the P7 pupils as these are crucial
transition points. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly through a Class Dojo or by emailing me on clcclarkburns@glow.sch.uk. I will be happy to assist you in any way that I can.
Support Networks At times we can all do with a helping hand, here are some support networks that may be of use to some of our families.
Dates for Your Diary Monday 12th October – Friday 24th October – October Holidays Friday 30th October – Non-uniform Day Friday 13th November – Pupil Reports issued Friday 27th November – In-service Days (No pupils)
Have a safe and happy holiday! Kind regards and much love
Colleen x
Colleen ClarkBurns (Headteacher)