It is hard to know where the first week back after the holidays went; nearly week two already and only three weeks until the next week off
Learning across the school
We made the most of the four days that the children were in school last week and there was wonderful learning going on across the school, with the P1 to 3 class doing some fantastic writing and starting a new topic on Dinosaurs and the P4 to 7 class getting very enthusiastic about their new Sea topic.
We are looking ahead to the fact that our P7s will soon be making the transition to Lochgilphead High School and I met with them on Friday to discuss this. Over the next few weeks they will be working with me to make sure that they are still confident about using Google Classroom, which is a key learning tool at the Campus. Mrs McClymont will also be continuing to work with them on focused numeracy and literacy topics to ensure that they are confident in using the skills and concepts that they will require in S1.
We also made a start with our P6 transition work this week; the current P6s worked in the P1 to 3 class on Wednesday afternoon and helped the younger pupils with their writing. This gave them a flavour of the responsibility which they will take on when they become our senior pupils in P7.
In our P7 pupil council meeting on Friday we also discussed further improvements to how pupils experience break and lunchtimes, to ensure that all pupils feel safe, included and respected. This followed a really useful meeting about risk assessments and safe play which I’d had on Thursday with the Education Health and Safety lead for the council.
We have decided on the following to make playtimes even better for everyone and these arrangements will be in place from Monday 16th January:
The 15 minute morning and afternoon breaks will be fresh air/playpark/hoops/soft small balls/stilts as given out and collected in by the staff members on duty.
Lunch Break At 1.30, a more formal 20 minute activity, game or match can be arranged by the lead member of staff on duty, and a rota will be issued for this.
No footballs will be allowed in the playground unless they are part of a supervised game between 1.30 and 1.50.
Over the next few weeks and months we will be working with our Active Schools Co-ordinator and expert consultants on Outdoor Learning and Play to ensure that the children have the best possible experiences in our outdoor spaces.
Registration for P1
As you probably know, parents of children who turn five between March 1 2023 and February 28 2024 can register for Primary School from Monday January 16th. If you have an eligible child, you should have received an email about this but you can also find all the information you need about registration, how to request early entry to primary school, how to request an additional year of funded ELC or how to make a placing request here: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/education-and-learning/placing-your-child-school
If you cannot access the website, please give us a call on the school number.
Strike Action
The teaching unions are hopeful that they will be able to reach a settlement soon to ensure that future planned strike action will be avoided. However, there is a provisional strike day planned by some of the unions on Thursday 2nd February. You will be provided with more updates on this by the local authority as information is released by the unions.
Staffing
The interviews for the post of permanent Principal Teacher took place on Wednesday 11th January and we will update you as to the outcome as soon as we are able.
Interviews for the post of temporary Additional Support Needs Assistant will take place in the week beginning Monday 16th January.
Anxiety and ADHD Information Session
As per my email last week, there is an information session being delivered by our health colleagues Lauren Welch and Rebecca Dunlop on ADHD and Anxiety this Wednesday 18th January at Lochgilphead Primary School from 4 til 6pm. The poster with more information is here.
Feedback
It would be hugely appreciated if you could find a few minutes to complete the January 2023 version of the feedback survey which we issue on a regular basis which was sent to you last week. The survey link is in my email again this week. So far we have had 2 responses. We will keep the survey open for two more weeks. Your feedback and involvement in the life of the school really matters.
Parent Council
The next Parent Council Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 25th January and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there.
Have a lovely week and don’t forget to get in touch if you need to.
