Weekly Update : 21 May |

Dear Parents/Carers,

As another quick week passes, please see notices below about upcoming events and arrangements.

Makaton

In order to prepare for a new pupil joining us in August, we are taking a whole school approach to learning Makaton. All staff at school have recently been trained and each week, we will be introducing three “Signs of the Week”. Each week, we will use our parent update to inform you of which signs we have focussed on. Graphics will be attached for your reference and YouTube is a fantastic resource for demonstrations of the signs. This week’s signs are sit down, help and finished. Please ask pupils about this and encourage them in this new form of communication.

School Trips

It was our intention to run school trips for all classes on 1^st June, however, due to COVID restrictions, we have had to cancel the coaches that were arranged as transportation. We very much hope that we can postpone until sometime next session and realise how disappointing this is. We will endeavour to find something more local to give children an end of term treat in a different context. We are very grateful to the Parent Council who had agreed to fund the transportation and look forward to planning something once the circumstances allow.

Parent Council

Due to technical difficulties (on my part, completely), the Parent Council meeting that was scheduled for this past Tuesday, has been rescheduled for Monday 24^th May at 6.30pm. All are most welcome to join the meeting via Mircosoft Teams Click here to join the meeting

Sports Day

Sports Day will take place for all pupils this coming Wednesday 26^th May. Due to current restrictions this event is not open to spectators. Please ensure that all pupils come to school in PE kit, with a water bottle and waterproof clothing or suncream, if required. A rain date of 2nd June is in the diary just in case.

Transition Mornings

In school transition morning will take place on 11^th and 18^th June. We had hoped to run this over three weeks but have been advised by the Council that staffing will not likely be confirmed in time for the 4^th of June. On these mornings, pupils will spend the mornings in their new classes. Current nursery pupils, who are joining P1 in August will also attend on these days. As previously stated, there is a strong possibility that we will be moving to composite classes next session and will update you as soon as we have further information about this.

While Portree High School are still hopeful to be able to offer in person transition for our P7’s, they are awaiting confirmation of this.

Race for Life – donations and sponsor tags

We will be holding a school wide Race for Life event on Wednesday 9^th June to raise money for cancer research. Pupils can choose to walk or run the course which will be set around the KGV pitch in Portree and are encouraged to dress as “heroes” to help us mark the year that has passed. Pupils will have the opportunity to run in honour of someone special and will have the opportunity to write a race card to wear on the day. Donations are very welcome and can be brought in on the day or donated online via https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/portree-primary-school

Reports

Annual reports for all pupils will be issued next Friday. The reporting format is slightly different from last year and a letter explaining the format is attached above. In the absence of Open Afternoon opportunities this year, we will be sending profiles home on Tuesday 15^th June for parents to view and comment on before returning them to school.

Soccer 7’s

Well done to everyone who took part in last week’s tournament. It was fantastic to see so many young people getting back out there with such positive attitudes and enthusiasm! The next soccer 7’s take place in Kyleakin on Saturday 5^th June and we still require volunteers to help coach teams on the day. Please get in touch if you would be able to help out with this.

Camanachd Association Cup

Skye Camanachd have entered a primary school team into the upcoming Camanachd Association Cup. A team made up of players from around the Island will compete in the first round of this tournament on Monday 24^th May. Harry Speed, P6 will be representing PPS on this team.

With school led activities not yet able to start, Skye Camanachd have also invited P5-7 players to join in training sessions to open up the opportunity to get back to shinty. P5-7 parents have been emailed with further details about this. We are very grateful to Skye Camanachd for this opportunity!

Friday Finish Next Session

From August, school will close at 12.45 for all pupils each Friday. Grab and Go lunches will be offered for those who wish to take one home with them and bus pupils will be supervised until their normal collection time. These details are still to be worked out with the transport companies.

Important Dates

Monday 24^th May Assembly – P6 leading

Wednesday 26^th May Sports Day

Friday 28^th May Reports Home for all pupils

Wednesday 2^nd June Sports Day (Rain Date)

Monday 7^th June Additional inset day

Fridays 11th,18th June In School transition days

Wednesday 9^th June Bikeability (P7)

Race for Life

Monday 14^th June 30^th Anniversary Celebrations

Wednesday 16^th June Bikeability (P7)

Thursday 17^th June School Picnic