Dear Parents and Carers,
Please find some useful information below as part of our weekly update;
Absences
At all times, but especially given the current circumstances, it is essential that we keep very accurate records of pupil absences and the reasons for these. If pupils are absent for any reason, please email class teachers or telephone the school office as soon as possible. While we seem to be into “bug” season, I would also like to remind parents that when pupils have had tummy upsets, they should not attend school until 48 hours after the last incident.
Poppies
Poppies are for sale in classrooms in exchange for a small donation. As a school, we will observe 2 minutes silence on Wednesday 11th November at 11am. While there is no formal ceremony due to restrictions this year, our school wreath will be laid, along with others at the War Memorial in the square on Sunday 8th November.
Children In Need
Primary 6 are coordinating our Children in Need appeal this year and a letter from the class is attached. Pupils will have the opportunity to buy raffle tickets from their classes each day. These are 20p each and exact change is required as we are unable to give change. We will also have a sponsored walk to show our support for the Charity. Pupils will have taken home a sponsor sheet which can be used if desired to raise additional funds. All pupils will participate in the walk. Pupils are also given the option to dress up for Pudsey by wearing yellow and/or spotty attire. School uniforms can be worn for those not wishing to take part.
Christmas Events
As intimated last week, we hope to record a virtual Christmas performance to be streamed online, either through Google Classroom or a password protected site. If parents wish their children not to take part in this, please let class teachers know. This is still very much a work in progress but we hope to have this available for the evening of Thursday 17th December which would have been our concert night. We hope to film this on Monday
We plan to have a Christmas Craft focus on Friday morning through December in classes, in place of our traditional Christmas Fayre and also intend to hold Christmas parties for each class. We are also sorting out the logistics to have our Christmas Lunch and look forward to sharing more details about all of these events as they become available.
Normally, our Christmas events, including our Christmas Fayre and our Christmas Concert are an opportunity to raise funds for the school which are vital to continue providing these opportunities for the pupils. More than even this year, we want to make sure that we celebrate the season as much as always, despite changing circumstances. In order to raise some funds to purchase Christmas craft supplies, provide parties etc., we are going to hold a Tartan Day on 30th November. Pupils will be invited to wear tartan in place of school uniform and will be asked for a small donation in return. We are hopeful that this will help to fund organised Christmas activities.
SIP/SQR
Our School Improvement Plan and Standards and Quality Report for 2020/2021 have now been submitted and are available on the school website for your information.
WOW Certificates
Please continue to keep us informed of all the amazing things pupils are getting up to outside of school. We are issuing WOW certificates and house points to celebrate these achievements.
One final reminder, in regards to updated government advice, parents are requested to wear face coverings when collecting pupils from school.
Once again, thank you for your continued support! It is very much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Sara
Sara Matheson
Head Teacher
portreeprimaryschool.com 