BARASSIE PRIMARY NEWSLETTER

AUGUST 2019

Welcome to our new families and pupils and welcome back to our returning families. It is great to see the children settled in their new classes and enthusiastic about learning in school.

Our staff had two stimulating days of professional learning to start the session and ensure we were ready for the year ahead. We are excited to be using a play based approach to learning in P1 and P2/1 with all P2 children experiencing this approach for part of their time in school. We encourage active learning indoors and out at all stages and know that this increases the levels of enjoyment and engagement in lessons. Families can find out more at Meet the Teacher on Thursday 29 August at 3.15pm and P1 families are invited to an information evening on Wednesday 4 September at 6.30pm.

The focus of all staff from the beginning of term is building very good relationships with children and their families. Our whole school approach to behaviour will continue to focus on being Ready to learn, Respectful and Safe. We would encourage families to discuss with your children what being ready, respectful and safe might look like at home.

STAFFING UPDATE

We have two new School Assistants. Mrs Baker who is working full time and replaces Mr McKenna who gained a permanent post at Dalmilling Primary, and Mrs Coulter who will work on a Friday as Mrs Swan has reduced to working four days each week.

ANNUAL DATA FORMS

These must be returned before children can take part in Educational Visits. Primary 7 are attending their Residential Visit from 10-13 September and children will only be able to take part if their forms have been returned. This is requested by Friday 30 August.

COMMUNICATION

Communication from the school is mainly by email through Groupcall. It is very important to ensure that the school has an up to date email address so that you don’t miss out on vital communication. Paper copies of letters are provided when returns are requested, usually on blue paper. The Xpressions App allows you to contact the school free using text from your phone and alerts you to any school communication. If you have a concern, please contact the class teacher in the first instance through the school diary or ask for an appointment. Mrs Clarkson, Mrs Fleming or Mrs Mills are able to be consulted through arranging an appointment at the school office. Our twitter account, @Barassie_PS, will give you updates of what is happening at school and our website contains a lot of useful information.

ASN PARENT FORUM’S FOR SOUTH FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS.

Wednesday 20/11/19 – Parent Forum - 6:30-8pm – Academy, Girvan Wednesday 19/2/19 – Parent Forum - 6:30-8pm - Marr College, Thursday 7/5/19 – 1-8pm - ASN Information Hub – Town Hall

The forums are open to all parents of children / young people in - whether they have diagnosed or identified Additional Support Needs or not.

MATHS PARENT INFORMATION SESSION - TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2-3PM

All parents are invited to attend an information session about the concrete, visual abstract approach to maths we have been working on. We want all our children to have a deep understanding of number and confidence in maths. Mr Morrow is holding an information session with parents to share how he has been working with the children and give you the information to support your children with this at home.

FITNESS EVENT

Barassie Primary School are holding this sponsored event to raise money for school funds to provide activities which enhance the curriculum and provide extra special experiences for our young people. This will take place on Thursday 19 September in school and parents are welcome to join in with their children’s class. Dress Code will be PE kit. Children will be issued with a sheet to collect donations. Details of times will follow.

HEARTSTART

Our children in Primaries 4 to 7 will be learning life saving techniques as part of the health and wellbeing curriculum at Barassie throughout the session starting with P4. This is carried out by our trained School Assistants with a Class Teacher present.

MOBILE PHONES

Use of mobile phones is not allowed in school. If a child brings a phone to confirm arrangements at the end of the day, it must remain in their bag out of sight or be given to the Class Teacher for safe keeping. If a phone is seen during the school day, it will be removed to the office where a parent/carer can pick it up at the end of the day.

LOST PROPERTY

We have a large number of jackets which were left in the cloakroom at the end of last term. They will be available in the Lifelong Learning Suite opposite reception until after Meet the Teacher on Thursday after which they will be donated to charity.

CLOTHING / LABELLING

Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor learning and play in all weather conditions. All clothing and items such as gym kit, wallet/purse, lunch box should be labelled with your child’s name. This enables staff to return items of lost/misplaced property.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Barassie Primary School uniform policy is set out in the school handbook. I am asking parents to support the wearing of uniform to promote belonging, equality and high standards. Please refer to the handbook for further details. Please note that leggings are not school uniform but can be worn under a skirt or instead of shorts for P.E. (Physical Education).

 Grey or navy trousers or skirt  White or blue shirt and a Barassie Primary tie or pale blue/ white polo shirt  Grey or navy jumper or navy school sweatshirt with logo

P.E. Kit:

 T shirt/school polo shirt, sweatshirt (for PE outside)  Shorts or tracksuit trousers (for PE outside)  Gym shoes or trainers with light coloured soles

School Uniform Swap Shop will be available in the Lifelong Learning Suite on the last Friday of each month.

FREE SCHOOL MEALS/CLOTHING GRANT

Application forms are available in County Buildings, SAC Customer Service Centres, local libraries and are also available to download from the Council website at http://www.south- ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/meals/free-school-meals.aspx

You will be aware that all P1-P3 pupils are entitled to free school meals. However, parents will be required to make application for a clothing grant for these pupils and the provision of a clothing grant will be based on meeting the eligibility criteria.

Parents/carers should either return fully completed application forms and relevant supporting documentation in person to their local Customer Service Centre, address details are contained in the application form or by post to South Ayrshire Council, Benefit Services, PO Box 31, AYR KA7 2PL.

Please note that the school will not accept application forms for forwarding.

READING FOR PLEASURE - LIBRARY LAUNCH

Today we marked the occasion of our new library system being used by thanking our fundraising group, parent helper Sofia, Mrs Neil, Miss Clark and Miss Eggo for their hard work in getting the online system ready to use. We will be able to track the most popular books and eventually let children make requests and comment on books read.

CAR PARK SECURITY

The car park is for staff and For the security of all of our children and staff at Barassie we visitors only and should not be request that all visitors going further than the office reception used for dropping off or picking window ensure that they sign in and are issued with a up your children. visitor’s badge.

Please ask your children not to walk through the school car park at any time. There is supervision in the playground from 8.45 am and a preparation bell will ring at 8.58 am. School starts at 9.00 am prompt. The school gate will then be locked and pupils arriving after this should come past the TALK TOTS & TOYS front office.

Every Thursday in the Lifelong Learning Suite. Run by parents and open to all with children FLU IMMUNISATION FORMS under 3 years old. GPs will no longer be offering this service so if you wish your

child to be vaccinated then please ensure your forms are

returned to school by Friday 13 September. Should you require assistance with the paperwork, please come along to school on Wednesday 4 September.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Please find attached the school holiday dates for this session. We strongly encourage holidays to be taken during the school holiday periods so that children do not miss out on important opportunities for learning in school.

Wednesday 28 August EYC - P7 Return numbers for The Big Breakfast Thursday 29 August 3.15pm Meet the Teacher Friday 30 August Data Forms must be returned 2.00 – 3.00pm All parents/carers School Uniform Swap - LLS invited Wednesday 4 September 6.30 -7.30pm P1 Information for families on literacy and numeracy – how you can help at home Friday 6 September 8.15pm Whole School Big Scottish Breakfast Tuesday 10 -13 4 days, 3 P7 Residential Visit to Lapwing September nights Lodge with Articulate Camps Friday 13 September Last day to return Flu Immunisation Forms Sunday 15 September Troon’s Got Talent Monday 16 September 6.30pm All parents/carers Parent Council AGM followed by 7.30pm invited Fundraising Group AGM Tuesday 17 September 2.00 – 3.00pm Parent Workshop – Maths, Scott Morrow Friday 20 September Holiday Monday 23 September Holiday Friday 27 September 2.00 – 3.00pm All parents/carers School Uniform Swap - LLS invited Friday 4 October 9.15-10.00pm WS P5 leading Harvest Assembly – parents warmly invited Wednesday 9 October 3.15-9.00pm Pupil Progress Meetings Friday 11 October EYC - P7 Wear it Pink/ Purple – Fundraising for the McMillan Cancer Fund and Ayrshire Hospice Friday 11 October Close at 3pm for October holiday Monday 21 October In Service Day for staff Tuesday 22 October Open for children Friday 1 November P1 – 4 Fundraising Group School Disco P5 – 7 Friday 15 November Children in Need Wednesday 20 November Flu Immunisations Monday 18 – 24 Book Week November Friday 20 December Close for Christmas Monday 6 January Open

Telephone: 01292 690072

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sa/barassiepsandeyc/

Twitter: @Barassie_PS