Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you all for your continued patience and understanding as we have had yet another disruptive week at school. I have never been so grateful for rain!
We continue to have a busy couple of weeks ahead with some events rescheduled due to missed snow days this week.
Open Afternoons
Next week, we will hold our Open Afternoons for all classes. Classrooms will be open on the dates and times below and parents are welcome to come and view children’s work. Pupils may be dismissed with parents after the open sessions if you wish. We are hoping to evaluate our profiling at PPS and will be looking to gather you views on this during Open Sessions and afterwards.
Primary 3 and Primary 5 Open Day Monday 20th March 2.30pm
Primary 1 and Primary 4 Open Day Tuesday 21st March 2.30pm
Primary 2 and Primary 7 Open Day Thursday 23rd March 2.30pm
P6 Open Day Friday 24th March 11.30am
Parents Evenings
Parents evenings will take place on Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th March. Letters have been sent home asking parents to indicate their preferred date. Please return these to the school as soon as possible in order for appointments to be arranged.
Down Syndrome Awareness Day
Next Tuesday, 21st March, PPS will take part in the World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. Pupils are encouraged to wear odd socks to raise awareness and show support.
Passion for Portree Summit
Our Primary 7 class recently took part in a school based Youth Speaks Competition. Pupils had prepared team speeches which were presented to their classes and judged by school staff. The quality and content of these speeches was excellent and as a result of the passionate presentations, we have asked three of our groups to present again in front of invited member of the Portree and Braes Community Council, Portree and Braes Community Trust, Local Councillors and Highlife Highland at our first ever Passion for Portree Summit. This presentation will take place at 2pm on Thursday 30th March, here at the school and Primary 7 parents are welcome to join us if they wish.
New Project with Radio Skye
As a way of celebrating the vast amount of knowledge across various interests of our pupils, we are collaborating with Radio Skye to host a weekly knowledge showcase slot for our pupils. Pupils will be given letters and permission forms today, to return if they are interested and each Friday, Mrs Templeman will take a pupil up to Radio Skye where they will pre record their segment. This will then be broadcast each Saturday. Pupils involved would also be given an opportunity to share their talks with the school at assembly on a Friday, ahead of their visit.
Skyedance visit to Tigh Na Drocaid
Classes that have been working with Skyedance in school this term will have the opportunity to visit Tigh Na Drocaid on 27th and 30th March to share their dance routines with the attendees at the centre. We look forward to be able to share with the community in this way.
Coding Club
We are delighted to be working with Dr Craig Stewart from Portree High School to start a new lunchtime coding club. This club will be open for P6 pupils over the first block and will take place on Tuesdays from 1-1.30pm. Spaces will be limited and P6 pupils will be given further information about how to sign up for this. Pupils taking part, will require to take a packed lunch on the dates the club is offered 21st and 28th March
Instrumental Music Club
We are delighted that Nan Cleghorn is going to be starting up after school group music sessions on Tuesday afternoons, here at PPS. The session will start at 3.30 on Tuesdays in the music room. In the first instance, pupils will be offered the choice of tin whistle or recorder and may then progress onto guitar. If they have their own instrument, they should take this along, however, Nan also has a supply of instruments which can be used by pupils.
We hope to be able to start lesson this coming Tuesday and any interested pupils should contact Nan directly by email nancleghorn2@gmail.com
Nan has run these music session, with great success, over many years and we are delighted that these will be on offer again.
Raasay Trip
A reminder that the next instalment of £75 for the P7 Raasay trip is due today.
Gardening Week
In order to prepare our allotment and Polytunnel for Spring, the school will be holding a Gardening Week from 27th March where all classes will be involved in visiting the allotment and taking part in gardening activities. Further information to follow.
WOW Certificates
Just a reminder of our WOW certificate system. In order to recognise wider achievements by pupils and to share successes outside of school, parents are encouraged to complete a WOW certificate and send these into school. Each certificate is shared with the class, 5 house points are awarded and these are then added to pupil profiles. A template of certificates is attached above but please also feel free to email class teachers with these good news stories!
Soccer 7’s
We are awaiting a new date for the tournament which had to be cancelled last week. Remaining tournament dates are listed below;
Saturday 13th May – Kyleakin/Kyle
Saturday 27th May – Portree (KGV)
Saturday 24th June – Broadford
Makaton Signs
This weeks Makaton signs are please, sorry, next and girl. Graphics are attached to support the use of these.
Basketball Festivals
P7 will attend the basketball festival this Tuesday at Portree High School. P6 will now attend on Tuesday 28th March due to the cancellation this week. Pupils will require PE kits, water and packed lunches for this event.
Dynamic Earth
P6 and P7 will visit the Dynamic Earth exhibit at Portree High School on Thursday 23rd March. As the P6 slot will run later in the morning after the class swimming session, P6 are asked to take a packed lunch with them.
Fluoride Varnishing
There has been a change of dates to this and P5-6 Fluoride Varnishing will now take place on Tuesday 21st March with P7 being completed on Tuesday 27th March.
Highland Council Holiday for the Coronation
The Council have now approved Monday 8th of May as a public holiday. Schools will be closed in respect of the Coronation.
Parking around the school
Parents are reminded, please, to be aware when collecting pupils to be mindful that local driveways are not blocked on either side of the road. Wherever possible the drop off zone at Portree Community Centre should be used for dropping off and collecting pupils.
The School Car Park is solely for staff use and should not be used for dropping pupils off
We thank you for your cooperation in this.
Known dates for this term (further dates TBC)
Friday 17th March Comic Relief
Monday 20th March P3 & P5 Open Afternoon
Tuesday 21st March P1 & P4 Open Afternoon
Fluoride Varnishing P5-6
World Down Syndrome Day
Basketball Festival P7
Thursday 23rd March P2 & P7 Open Afternoon
P6 & P7 Dynamic Earth visit PHS
Friday 24th March P6 Open Morning
P1 & P3 Community Cafe
Tuesday 28th March P7 Fluoride Varnishing
Basketball Festival P6
Tuesday 28 & 29th March Parents Evening Appointments
Thursday 30th March Passion for Portree Summit
Current After School Activities
In addition to the After School activities run by Highlife Highland, Skyedance etc. the following activities are taking place for PPS pupils. Please contact the school for further information.
Anyone wishing to help out with offering further activities is also asked to get in touch. These could be activities that just run for 3-4 weeks at a time. We would love to be able to extend these opportunities further.
Monday Running Club 3.30-4.30 Portree Primary School Gym
Tuesday Instrumental Music Club with Nan 3.30 Portree Primary Music Room
Wednesday P1/2 Shinty 5-6pm Portree High School Gym
P3/4 Shinty 6-7pm Portree High School Gym
P5-7 Shinty 6-7pm Portree High School Games Hall
Thursday P4-7 Singing Club 3.30-4.15 Portree Primary Music Room
Please be in touch with any queries you may have.
Regards
Sara
Sara Matheson
Head Teacher
Portree Primary School
Blaven Road Portree
Isle of Skye IV51 9PH
01478613130
portreeprimaryschool.com 