Dear Parents and Carers,

As the second week of term draws to a close, there are just one or two reminders to share with you.

Homework

As our classes begin to settle into their new routines, individual class teachers will be in touch to confirm arrangements for Homework for this term and to provide confirmation of PE Days and Swimming slots.  A reminder that children should continue to come to school in their PE kit and their school jumper on PE days.

Absence Reporting

All absences should be reported to the School Office by 9.30am each day.  Parents and carers can phone the office on 01478 613130 or email portree.primary@highland.gov.uk to let the staff know pupils will not be attending school.  Teaching staff do not have regular access to emails through the school day therefore absences should be reported to the office and not to class teachers.  Absences are recorded and monitored so it is important a reason for absence is given.  Thank you for your co-operation with this.

Pupils Travelling on School Buses

The school bus leaves the school at 3.25pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.  Bus pupils leave classes slightly early to board the bus.  It is important class teachers know which pupils are due to travel on the bus to ensure everyone gets to where they need to be in time. Where possible, changes to collection arrangements should be given to class teachers in good time, preferably in the morning.  Classes are involved in various activities throughout the school day and It is not always possible to get messages to teachers or pupils quickly.  It can be particularly tricky to share information with classes late in the afternoon.  Information was shared with parents earlier in the week in connection with the bus stop at Urquhart Place.   Can those parents of pupils who plan to start using the Urquhart Place bus stop please notify class teachers or the school office.  We really appreciate your support as we continue to address issue of congestion around the school.

School Car Park

A reminder, the school car park is for the use of school staff only.  In the interests of keeping everyone safe, can we ask that parents do not take their vehicles into the school car park at the beginning and end of the school day. There are many pedestrians in the car park at those times, including pupils, school staff and parents collecting pre-school children, it is important they can move around safely. Thank you.

Annual Data Checks and Flu Vaccine Forms

Thank you to everyone who has returned the Annual Data Checks and Flu Vaccine forms.  Annual Data Checks ensure we have the most up to date information for all our pupils including contact numbers in case of an emergency.  Any misplaced or damaged Annual Data Check forms can be easily replaced,  please don’t hesitate to contact the school office to request a duplicate. The school nurse will visit the school to collect the flu vaccine consent forms shortly.  Again the nursing team are happy to reissue forms to anyone who has misplaced or damaged the original.

Swimming Lessons

We hope to start swimming lessons for pupils in our P3-P7 classes during the week beginning 5^th September.  Due to staffing changes this year, we require some help with the supervision of the pupils during the walk to and from the swimming pool.  Swimming lessons are a really important part of the curriculum and provide many benefits to pupils.  We can only continue to provide access to the pool for pupils with some extra help from parents and carers.  It is hoped if we receive enough support, volunteers will not have to cover every week.  Any parent or carer who is able to help with this, should contact class teachers or the school office.  

After School Shinty P5-S1

After school Shinty will begin again on Monday 29^th August from 5-6pm at the KGV for pupils in P5 – P7.  Can all the parents and carers of pupils who are interested in taking part please complete a Google permission form which is available here : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10tFwiwcW97TrTPlHwavuRCmezDxcc-Uf_eEWEfF8xkM/edit?usp=sharing

Safe, Strong And Free

A follow up session with Ellen from the Safe, Strong and Free project will take place with our Primary 1 class next Wednesday morning.

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Have a lovely weekend,

Iain