Primary School April 2015 Summer Term Newsletter www.bonaly.edin.sch.uk Dear parents/carers,

Email Communication

To reduce the environmental impact and cost of photocopying this will be the final newsletter which will be issued on paper. (Unless of course you have indicated that you do not want to receive communication in this way). Thank you to those of you who have signed up to the electronic communication. Final requests for email confirmation have been issued this week so if you have receive on please return to the School Office by Friday 1 May. Remember to check your in-boxes for letters, update and communications from school as of Monday 4 May!!

Wider Achievement Congratulations to P7 who raised £3014.34 for Comic Relief. This was great fun, whilst also allowing pupils to develop skills in finance, organisation, teamwork and also teaching of skills to younger children. This event included the “gunking” of the losing quiz team – the teachers! Was this a fix? I unfortunately, despite what some people may think, had a mandatory meeting to attend so missed this! Out and About P4 have taken part in a badminton festival. P5s visited the Forth Road Bridges exhibition, there was high praise from the staff at the Forth Bridges about the enthusiasm and behaviour of the children. P5 recently also took part in a golf festival at High School. Primary 6 and 7 took part in the Sports Hall Athletics area event (Borders, , ) and came fourth overall, out of eight. P6 and P7 children competed successfully in the Edinburgh Primary swimming championships, they returned with a number of awards. We also had a mixed netball team taking part in a recent festival.

Football Sports P7 Day Congratulations to our p7 football team who qualified for the next round of the Inspector’s

Cup which will be played at Meggetland on Wednesday 13 May. Look out for a P6 separate infor- mation letter going Good luck to our p6 team who will be playing in the National Final of the SSFA/TSB Soccer 7s out about this years at Ainslie Park ground on Thursday 21 May. Kick off is at 11am Sports Day. They will also be competing in the School Board Cup competition first round soon. We are aiming to P4-7 make this a whole Soccer Sevens Festivals will take place on Saturdays 6th and 13th June – more details will school event this year. be given by the coaches later. School Activities

Children in the upper school enjoyed a recent harp recital. They also had a rather contrasting experience with a performance of pipes and drums. Our own musicians provided a lovely welcome and contribution

at our Easter Service. This was my first visit to the Parish Church. The service was lovely service, many thanks to Rev Rolf Billes and Rev Gayle Taylor, for leading this service and their support in working with classes in supporting class learning about the Christian Easter theme.

A group of P6 pupils involved in working with children from other cluster schools in developing educational material, and ideas for learning associated with trail.

P7 have visited the Risk Factory as part of learning in “Keeping Myself Safe”.

Parent Consultation Feedback

Below is a table with the evaluation data from the questionnaire.

Involving children as part of this split the views of those responding to the questionnaire - 54% of the children had attended the discussion. The reasons that were given for not attending were either because it was too late an appointment for younger children or it was felt to be inappropriate for your child to be present. All parents, whose children did attend the consultation, felt it was useful for their children to be part of this discussion.

In light of this we will continue to develop our sharing of learning and how we inform parents/carers of pupil progress next session. If you have any suggestions then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Curriculum

Over the course of this year parents / carers have been invited to share some of the learning that the children have undertaken. These planned dates, along with the learning to be undertaken is detailed below.

We would welcome any parents who have specialist expertise / knowledge in any of these areas who might be able to enhance the learning experience to contact your child’s teacher.

P1-P7 Curriculum topic Dates for parents / Carers

th What makes it go? Thursday 18 June P1 picnic – parents and family welcome P1 Our outdoor environment

Family, P2 Habitats and Climates around the World

P3 Water of

P4 Wars of Independence

P5 Enterprise – School Fair Saturday 13th June, 11am—1pm

P6 Keeping Myself Safe and Communications

st Planet in Danger Parents / Carers invited to share this learning on 1 June, PM P7 Design Technology Aiming for High Home / School Links

We very much value our home / school links. Any parent who wishes to speak to a teacher / member of staff regarding their child should in the first instance come to the school office and if need be make an appointment. This will support us in ensuring appropriate fire and safety procedures are being followed.

Dogs on School Grounds

I must please remind parents that dogs are not permitted on school grounds.

This includes all direct walkways leading into school as well as the playground. I appreciate that this may pose some difficulties to those of you with dogs, however, it is essential in order comply with Health and Safety policies and guidelines and is for the safety of our children.

Dates for the Diary

 Monday 4 May Holiday  Thursday 7 May INSET DAY (School CLOSED for pupils)  Friday 8 May Bonaly Fun Run  Monday 11 May P1 & 7 Community Dental Check  Tuesday 12 May Class & Team Photo’s  Monday 18 May Holiday  Friday 22 May Second Hand Uniform Sale (8.30—9.30am)  Monday 25 May Whole School Sports Day (28 May if bad weather)  Tuesday 26 May Nursery Photos  Tuesday 2 June Inter-scholastics (Meadowbank)  Friday 12 June Pupil Reports Issued  Saturday 13th June Bonaly School Summer Fair All welcome (11am– 1pm)  Tuesday 16th June P1 Welcome Meetings (9.30 and 11am)  Tues 16—Thurs 18 June P7 High School Transition Days  Wednesday 17 June Nursery Open Afternoon  Friday 19 June JASS Celebration P6/7  Monday 22 June P7 Leavers Party  Wednesday 24 June Summer Church Service  Friday 26 June SCHOOL CLOSES 12 NOON  Thurs 13 / Fri 14 August Staff INSET Days  Monday 17 August Pupils Return ( P1 Info Issued Separately)

Thank you for your on-going support for Bonaly Primary school.

Peter Gorrie Head Teacher