While there may be bits of information going out next week, this will be our final weekly update of 2020!

The Christmas concert will be available for viewing on Google Classrooms from 2pm this afternoon.  We apologise again for the delay, however, technology was no cooperating yesterday at all.  The thought of attempting this with current restrictions against singing, dancing, piping etc.was a daunting one, however, thanks to the creative efforts of staff, the continuing enthusiasm of pupils and the technical skills of Mrs MacDonald, this was made possible.  The concert has been shared with local care homes today which has been very much appreciated. 

Pupils in the school have been involved in writing to care home residents with Christmas cards and letters and have also been decorating boxes which will be used for hampers and food parcels that are being delivered to members of our community over the coming days.  The children have taken great delight at being able to share the spirit of giving, especially in these challenging times.

On Monday we will have the online panto Cinderella which will be streamed to all classes. Primary 6 will have their party on Monday and Primary 7 on Tuesday.  Tuesday morning we will have our online Christmas service and hope to take the pupils on a festive daily mile to spread some Christmas cheer through the village.  Pupils are invited to take in any festive hats or accessories that they may have on Tuesday.

The lining of the car park at the Community Centre intended to take place on Monday has now been postponed until Tuesday due to the weather forecast.  It is possible that this may be delayed again.  Arrangements for diversions will be as they were during recent car park works and this will be signposted when the works take place.

School will finish next Tuesday 22^nd December at 3.30pm.  The school lunch option that day will be a packed lunch and will be served in classrooms rather than the canteen.  The new term will begin on Wednesday 6^th January.

There are several coughs and colds going around at the moment, however, while we realise that most of these are normal for this time of year, we are required to be vigilant with our risk assessments and to follow the national protocols around Coronavirus prevention.  Any child who develops a new cough should not come into school until NHS inform have been contacted for further advice.  This is quite often a quick process using an automated phone line which can advise what the next steps should be.  In some cases, pupils have been asked to be tested, in which case the entire household should isolate until results are received.  In other cases, the advice is that a test is not required and that pupils can return to school once they are well enough to do so.  We fully appreciate the inconvenience that this process can cause, however, this process must be followed in line with national guidance and in the best interest of keeping everyone safe.  Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions regarding this.

All that remains is for me to thank you all once again for your support over the past few months since we have returned to school.  Working with your children is a privilege that I am more grateful for than ever.  They continue to amaze me with their resilience and their enthusiasm.  While I realise that Christmas for many of you will be very different this year, I trust that you will enjoy some rest, time spent with those close to you and the joys of the festive season.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy start to 2021!

Regards,

Sara