END OF SESSION UPDATE

Our vision for Auchnagatt School is a secure, happy place to learn where everyone is encouraged to take pride in themselves, those around them and their work and where everyone’s efforts are valued and celebrated.

Dear Parents/Carers pupils gave each other, This has been such a busy term with so many this was particularly things going on in school since the June evident at the end of Newsletter that I thought I would give you a the run when everyone final update before the end of session. who had finished clapped and cheered Banff Athletics each runner as they Following the Athletics in May, Amber came in. was chosen to represent the Cluster in the North Active Schools Games Con Success! Athletics Competition held in Banff on Saturday Many Congratulations to 9th June. Amber took part in 200m, javelin, shot Rohan, Ramsay and Jack putt and 4 x 100m relay. The team were third in B from P6 who took part the relay and overall the Mintlaw Team won in the finals of beating off competition from , Ellon, Aberdeenshire’s Games , and Banff. Well done to Con Competition at RGU Amber and all the team. More information on on Tuesday 19th June. the event can be found on the link below: The boys were up against https://www.facebook.com/ActiveSchoolsAberde 19 other primary teams enshireNorth/photos/pcb.1774455009316095/1 from across the ‘Shire. 774657759295820/?type=3&theater On the day the boys were given 2 hours to recode Aden Trip their game from scratch P1 – 4 enjoyed a trip to Aden Park on Wednesday and were scrutinised by the judges right from 13th June as part of their class topic on senses. the beginning. As well as their coding skills the They explored the park on a sensory walk with a judges were looking for team work and ensuring check list of things to find using their different the whole team had an understanding of the senses. They visited the Sensory Garden and process. The judges then chose 3 finalists to used the information they found there to help give their presentations; Auchnagatt, Ellon and them develop our own sensory Garden in school. Auchterellon. The whole audience; all the teams, There was also time for lunch and a play in the accompanying adults, judges and experts from park before returning to school! the technology industry, then voted using ’Plickers’. It was at this point that the boys

Fun Run realised that they had been voted the winners! Many thanks to both They were presented with a Kindle and goody bag the Parent Council and each and a trophy for school. As well as the the Pupil Council for competition the boys took part in technology organising the Fancy workshops and heard presentations from Dress Fun Run on industry leaders. Mrs McDonald kept us all up to Friday 15th June. date with their progress by sending pictures Thanks also to all the parents who helped out on back to school throughout the day. We are all the day as runners, walkers, cyclists and extremely proud of their success. marshals. The pupils More information on the event and pictures from had a great afternoon the day can be found on the following links: with everyone giving https://en- their best efforts. It gb.facebook.com/pg/AberdeenshireCouncil/posts was lovely to see the / support and https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/news/r encouragement the elease.aspx?newsid=4996 Also look out for reports in the local press – the delighted to announce that we have been boys were interviewed by a reporter from the successful in both bids. We are always grateful Ellon Advertiser last week. for any additional funding which will enhance the learning experiences we can offer the pupils in Buchan Beginning to Bloom our school and both these projects will benefit Once again we entered the Buchan Beginning to all the children. Bloom competition this year and I am delighted to announce that we have, for the 3rd year in a Auchnagatt Gala Committee row, come second in the competition. The Following a successful Gala in May, the judges, Charlie and Norma, visited the school on Auchnagatt Gala Committee have once again Monday 18th June and were given a tour of the made a donation to the school. We will put this grounds by pupils from our Gardening and towards the cost of hiring a bus to take the Environmental Clubs. They were particularly whole school to the panto at HMT in in impressed by our use of recycled materials to December. Once again many thanks to the Gala make colourful displays, planting of flowers and Committee for their kind donation which is very vegetables, and the introduction of a sensory much appreciated. area in the garden. Community Café It is only through the hard work of the Tomorrow, Friday 29th Gardening Club and in particular the volunteers June, we will hold our final who have given up their time to lead and support Community Café of the year the Gardening Club throughout the whole session when we will also have an Open Garden. Pupils that we have been able to achieve this award. from the Gardening Club will be giving tours of Many thanks to all those involved in the the garden at 10am and 11am. Please note the Gardening Club and the development of our children will be out for their break between school grounds, your hard work and dedication is 10.40 and 10.55am. very much appreciated. Good News Stories Aden Dig Twin Peaks: The P5 – 7 class spent a very enjoyable and Amber took part in the Twin Peaks ski productive morning at on Monday competition at Hillend and Tillicoutry. She had 3 25th June. They heard stories about the history runs each day with her best times counting. and mythology surrounding the Abbey as well as Although she was not placed she was very happy taking part in the dig. The archaeologists and with her times. organisers of the dig were very impressed with our pupils and the number of finds they Well Done Amber! uncovered. Blue Toon Cup: IYH Visit Jack and Harry B have won the primary school Unfortunately Pauline trophy for Auchnagatt School (for the 2nd year Sanderson and Shanta running) in the Aberdeen City/Shire Blue Toon Nepali from IYH did not Cup event held at Peterhead Sailing Club on manage to visit us due to Monday 25th June. unforeseen circumstances. Both ladies are still hoping to visit our school to give us an update on Harry was in the handicap class consisting of the progress of our twinned school, Siddhartha optimists, RS Fevas and Lasers (all other boats in Primary, but this will not take place until next this class were crewed by secondary aged pupils) session. I will keep you updated when I have any and received a silver individual medal. further details. Jack was part of the topper class fleet and got a Windmill Grant bronze medal for third place in the primary We have again been successful in our bid for topper section and was also awarded the funding from the Auchnagatt Area Wind Turbine Endeavour prize. Benefit Scheme. This year we submitted 2 bids, one for funding to purchase a range of PE Well Done Boys! equipment for the school and one to purchase a new raised bed for the Gardening Club. I am Change to School Lunches Mintlaw Community Schools Network In preparation for the new Government Holiday Pattern for 2018/19 guidelines that will be coming into force shortly Term 1 In-service for Monday 20 as from 21st August there will be no drinks staff August 2018 sold at lunch time Start for pupils Tuesday 21 August Water will still always be available to children End of term Friday 12 but flavoured milk, Aquajuice, Calypso Cuplets October and Pure Juice cartons will no longer be available for purchasing at lunch time. Term 2 Start of term 2 Monday 29 October End of session Assembly In-service for Monday 12 th Next Friday, 6 July, will be a very busy day staff November with our End of Session Assembly taking place at In-service for Tuesday 13 2pm. All parents, carers and grandparents are staff November warmly invited along to the assembly where we End of term Friday 21 will celebrate some of our most recent successes December and pass on our best wishes to those moving on. Term 3 Start of term 3 Thursday 7 Next Session January 2019 Already the diary is starting to fill up for next Occasional Holiday Friday 8 session, below are a couple of activities which will February be happening in the first 2 weeks. Authority holiday Monday 11

February Techfest: In-service Tuesday 12 The whole school will go to Techfest in Aberdeen February on Tuesday 28th August. Look out for the In-service Wednesday 13 permission slips which will be sent out in the first February week back, these need to be completed and End of term Friday 29 returned to school prior to the trip. We are also March asking for £5 per child to help cover the cost of

the trip. P1 pupils will require to be in school for Term 4 Start of term 4 Monday 15 the whole day to allow them to attend Techfest. April 2019

P1 Parent Lunch: Good Friday Friday 19 April As discussed at the parent workshops, the P1 Authority holiday Monday 6 May parent lunch will go ahead on Wednesday 29th Occasional Monday 3 June August. Menu choices, already issued with the holiday vouchers, should be returned to school by Friday End of term Friday 5 July 24th August. Very Best Wishes for a lovely summer. Diary Dates Thurs 28 New P1 playdate 2 - 3 Yours sincerely June Fri 29 June Community Café and Open Garden Jill Thomson Tues 2 July New P1 playdate 2 - 3 Head Teacher Fri 6 July End of Session Assembly 2pm Mon 20 Aug In Service Day Tues 21 Aug Start of Autumn Term Tues 28 Aug Techfest Trip Wed 29 Aug P1 Parent Lunch