Colliston Primary School Handbook 2018-19 This document is available in alternative formats, on request (Please contact the Head Teacher) Welcome to Colliston Primary School! Dear Parents/Carers It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Colliston Primary School. We hope your child’s time with us will be happy, rewarding and successful. The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with information about the school, our aims and our routines. We aim to provide a safe, happy and secure learning environment for all children so that they will look forward to coming to school and will be able to give their best throughout the school day. We promote good behaviour and pride ourselves on maintaining a positive ethos so that all children feel valued and respected and develop high self- esteem. We look forward to working with you and recognise the important role you play in your child's education. It is crucial that as your child progresses through school your involvement continues and we maintain a close partnership. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to come into the school to discuss any matter regarding your child’s education, no matter how small, with me or any other member of staff. We believe that a good parent/teacher partnership will ensure that your child receives the best possible education during his or her time at Colliston Primary School. I look forward to working with you and your child. Lorna Higgins Head Teacher CONTENTS Angus Council Information: o Contact Details: Angus Council People Directorate Angus House Orchardbank Business Park FORFAR DD8 1AN Tel: 01307 476337 Fax: 01307 461848 Email: [email protected] o Early Learning and Childcare Provision (primary schools only) o School Clothing Grants o Pupil Absence Procedures (Attendance and Absence) o The Complaints Procedure o Parental Involvement / Parent Councils o Curriculum for Excellence . Curriculum Levels . The Senior Phase . Skills for Learning, Life and Work . Careers Guidance and Financial Advice o Sex Education o Drugs Education (Drugs and alcohol misuse) o Religious and Moral Education o Assessment and Reporting o Transitions . Starting Nursery . Enrolling in Primary School . Transfer to Secondary School . Leaving School . Post School o Support for Pupils o GIRFEC (getting it right for every child) o Gaelic Education o School Meals . Special Dietary Requirements . Snack Provision in Nursery o Applying for Free School Meals o Administration of Medicines o Transport o Insurance o Music Services o Parental Access to Records o Child Protection o Holding and Storing Pupil and Staff Data o Emergency Closures & Transport Updates o School Holiday Dates o Useful Links & Contact Details 3 CONTENTS (cont) School Information: CONTACT DETAILS Colliston Primary School Station Road, Colliston, Arbroath. DD11 3RR. Telephone number: 01241 465390 Email Address: [email protected] Mrs Lorna Higgins Head Teacher Miss Melanie Swankie EYP/Senior EYP Mrs Laura Hegarty Primary 1-3 (Monday – Wednesday) Mrs Gillian Louden Primary 1-3 (Wednesday PM, Thursday and Friday) Mrs Janet Taylor Primary 4/5 Mrs Valerie McIntosh Primary 6/7 (Monday – Wednesday) Mrs Paula Frances Primary 6/7 (Thursday and Friday) Mrs Fiona Chalmers Teacher, Service Families Project Mrs Carolyn Brewer School and Pupil Supports Assistant Mrs Zoë Stott Clerical/ School and Pupil Assistant Mrs Jane Ritchie PE Teacher Mrs Diane Henry Brass Instructor Mrs Rose Russell Cleaner Mrs Heather Montes Dinner Lady Mrs Caroline Bailey Dinner Lady Mrs Kelly Moonlight Active School’s Co-ordinator Mrs Ruth Clipsun Kodaly Teacher Mrs Mary Towns Janitor Rev Peter Phillips School Chaplain The school roll at present is 67 which is split as follows: Preschool - 9 Primary 1/2/3 - 18 Primary 4/5 - 19 Primary 6/7 - 21 Non-Denominational This school does not teach by means of the Gaelic Language 4 Parent Council The Parent Council may be contacted through the school office. The School Day Our school day is organised as follows:- School Hours 9am-3.20pm Usual School Day 8.55 “5 Minute” bell which lets the children know it will soon be time to line up. (They can go into school to use the toilet or have a drink of water before school starts if needed.) 9.00 am Morning school begins 10.45 – 11.05 am Morning Playtime 12.25 pm ‘Get Ready’ Bell 12.30 pm Lunchtime 1.25 pm “5 minute” bell (as at 8.55 am) 1.30 pm Afternoon school begins 2.30 – 2.50 pm Afternoon Playtime (P1/2 only) 3.20 pm School finishes for Primaries 1-7 Pre-School 9.00 am – 12.40 pm Morning Session VISITS OF PROSPECTIVE PARENTS – see link below: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/11/10093528/0 Once your child has been allocated a place you will be invited along to meet the staff and children, to find out more about the curriculum and to share information about your child. SCHOOL UNIFORM Please make sure all items of clothing are clearly marked with your child’s name and check regularly to make sure it has not faded during washing. The Parents of children at Colliston Primary School support the wearing of school uniform and all of our children attend school in uniform. This develops a positive sense of belonging and identity with the school. School polo shirts, sweatshirts jackets and ties can be bought through the school office. We aim to develop children’s independence skills. Please help by dressing your child in clothes which they can easily manage - elasticated trousers, “Velcro” fastening shoes etc. until they are able to cope with zips, buttons and laces on their own. 5 Preschool Uniform Preschool children wear: A pale blue Colliston polo shirt Red Colliston sweatshirt Navy blue trousers or skirt and navy blue tights Black shoes. There are also red Colliston jackets which have hoods and are fleece lined (which are ideal for daily outdoor play in all weathers.) PE Kit The children also need to bring gym shoes which should be kept in school in a gym bag. As the children play outdoors when ever possible please make sure they are warmly dressed and have waterproof clothes and boots with them. We do have a change of clothes available should any ‘unplanned mishaps’ occur, but please feel free to provide your own. In pre-school aprons are provided for the ‘messier’ activities. Primary 1-7 uniform Primary 1 – 7 children wear: A pale blue dress shirt or blouse Navy trousers or skirt Navy school sweatshirt/cardigan Black shoes Red tie Blue cotton dresses may be worn in the summer. There are also navy Colliston jackets which have hoods and are fleece lined. Please make sure your child brings a waterproof jacket and shoes every day as we go outdoors for playtimes as often as possible, even if it is drizzling. PE Kit Each Primary 1-7 child requires shorts, a blue Colliston polo shirt and plimsolls (preferably black) to take part in PE lessons. Children are not permitted to wear any jewellery during PE lessons and staff are not allowed to help children remove pierced earrings. If your child cannot remove these themselves please do not bring them on PE days or bring micropore tape to cover them. 6 Painting Overall Please send in an old adult’s shirt or T-shirt to be used to cover your child’s clothes during art-work. All clothing brought to school should be named or marked in some way, as it is difficult for children to distinguish their own clothing from others. PARENTAL CONCERNS Parents should contact the school quickly if they have a concern. It is our wish to deal with all matters as quickly as possible, preventing them from growing into significant concerns. Please contact your child’s class teacher in the first instance or if you would prefer to discuss the issue with the Head Teacher please telephone the school to arrange an appointment for a chat. The staff will listen to your concern and agree a way forward with you. They will follow-up the initial conversation to ensure all matters have been resolved satisfactorily. THE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE – also see link below: http://www.angus.gov.uk/info/20252/customer_care/209/making_a_complaint_or_comment_abo ut_our_services PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT BECOMING INVOLVED IN SCHOOL The school values the important part that parents play in their children’s education and views partnership with parents as an effective way of enhancing children’s achievements and attainments and promoting better school ethos. Opportunities for Parental Involvement: During the school day parents contribute by: Helping in the pre-school class Art/Craft activities Sharing knowledge and expertise in some aspect of the curriculum, e.g. topic talk, history, science, health Practical activities in science, maths, social subjects, health education (e.g. first aid) or technology Reading stories to groups of children, playing reading/phonics/number games Supervising board games Teaching playground games Golden Time activities e.g. board games, art and craft in small groups Running or assisting to run a Lunchtime Club Supporting educational visits/trips School concerts – making costumes, props, supervision of children Road safety – Cycle Training Helping transport the children to a variety of events If you have a particular interest or talent that would support the children’s learning please speak to a member of staff. 7 Out with the school day: Fundraising events Trips e.g. sporting events, concerts Extra-curricular activities e.g. coaching, sports/art clubs/country dancing/school grounds – maintenance of garden/allotment areas If you wish to be a regular parent helper, PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) checks have to be completed. Please discuss this with staff. All parents are invited to attend a “Meet the Teacher” evening and three Parents Evenings throughout the year.