Please see some new information, particularly about Christmas events, and also updates included in this week’s newsletter below;
P1-3 Games Club
There has been a fantastic response to this and the club is now full for this block which will continue for the next 3 weeks. A huge thank you to Sarah Ross, Active Schools and our volunteers for making this happen!
Singing Club
The last after school session of singing club for this term took place yesterday. We will continue to meet through the school day over the next few weeks to prepare for Christmas events. Those taking part in the Tree Lighting in Portree Square tomorrow have been issued with further information and permission forms.
Shinty
Plans are under way to offer Skye wide shinty training to all Skye pupils on a weekly basis. It is felt by the Skye Schools Camanachd Association that this is the best way forward, ensuring sufficient volunteers to deliver sessions. All schools interested in participating have been asked to put forward names of parents who would be happy to take a turn on a rota basis at these sessions.
A Foundation shinty coaching course is being offered by the Camanachd Association at Portree Primary School on Tuesday 28th November and Tuesday 5th December from 6-9pm for any parents interested in coaching or helping at these sessions. Please get in touch with me directly if you are interested. This would be a great opportunity to get our pupils involved in.
Annual Indoor shinty tournaments are scheduled to take place in January and in order to train and enter teams into these events, we will need to recruit parent volunteers. A Google Form will be sent out, separately, to gather interest.
Parents Appointments
Parents Evening appointments will take place on Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th December with some additional daytime slots available on Friday 1st December for our large P7 class and Monday 4th December for our large P5 class. Letters have been sent home and should be returned to school as soon as possible in order for appointments to be made.
Staffing
As you will be aware, from this week, I will be acting in the role of Education Support Officer for the Council from Wednesday through Fridays. During these times, Mrs Templeman will be Acting Head Teacher and P1/2 are being taught by Mrs MacLeod. These arrangements will be in place until Christmas when an update on recruitment will hopefully be available.
Sarah Nisbet, one of our PSA’s, has now gone on maternity leave and we wish her all the very best for her new arrival! Sarah’s post is being covered by existing staff and supply staff while the recruitment process takes place. Korri Henderson is joining the school on a part time, supply basis until then.
Christmas Craft Morning
St Mary’s church in Portree are holding a kids Christmas crafts morning on 2nd December from 11am – 1pm. Children of all ages and parents are welcome. Craft materials will be provided as well as snacks, biscuits and refreshments.
Bus Transport
Local Head Teachers met with Stagecoach recently for a catch up. Due to some concerns around behaviour on the bus, it was decided to revert to the former arrangement where Primary pupils are to sit at the front of the bus and Secondary pupils at the back. This applies to the buses leaving Portree High School. Drivers are aware of this and both Primary and Secondary Prefects have been asked to remind pupils of this arrangement.
Adverse Weather Arrangements
While we hope that this winter will be kinder than last year, a reminder of Adverse Weather Arrangements are attached to this email.
Adverse Weather Arrangements
It is the responsibility of parents or carers to decide if a pupil should attempt to travel to school, by transport or on foot, in adverse weather conditions. The council encourages full attendance at school but in severe weather condition the safety of pupil is much more important.
Parents and pupils are often concerned about content that may be missed, but this should not over-ride good judgement.
Communication
Every effort will be made to keep parents informed of details of school closures, early closures etc. brought about by adverse weather.
Head Teachers in Portree and Stagecoach Managers communicate at 6am with a view to making a final decision by 7am each morning.
When the school is not going to open, this will be communicated by parent email, the school Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/portreeprimary/ on the Highland Council Website www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosures and on the schools telephone information service line, which is available by dialling 0800 564 2272 and entering the school’s PIN 042810
Please note the Highland Council Website is not updated before 8.30am
Bus Pupils
Parents should note that the final decision on whether it is safe to operate rests with the driver of the school transport vehicle. Therefore there may be occasions on which a school is open but some routes, or part of routes, are unable to operate.
When weather conditions are poor, parents should ensure that children are met at the “drop off” point, especially where public service transport it used.
In the event of the school closing early due to adverse weather conditions, the three schools in Portree will make a collective decision about whether buses will be called early.
Where this is the case, school staff will make every attempt to contact parents directly to ensure pupils are to get onto school transport. In cases where parents cannot be contacted, pupils will not be put onto busses but will be kept at the school for collection.
All Other Pupils
In the event of the school closing early due to adverse weather conditions, this information will be shared as listed above. We ask parents to share this information widely and to make arrangements to collect pupils from school as soon as possible. All pupils are to be collected via the school reception. Once school transport has been arranged for pupils travelling by bus, and if the telephone lines allow, parents of pupils still at school will be contacted directly to ascertain arrangements for collection. Often adverse weather can also mean a loss of phone lines and in this instance, staff may use mobile phones to contact parents. It is essential that we hold up to date contacts for all pupils Pupils will not be permitted to walk home unless that has clearly been stated by parents.
Please discuss this with pupils so that they are aware of what their plan is if this circumstance were to arrive. For pupils who are permitted to walk home in this situation, class teachers must be given this permission in writing.
Information about Head Lice
Head Lice are a common problem in school aged children. They can’t be prevented, but regular checking ensures early detection and treatment if necessary. Parents and carers should check their children’s head once a week during hair washing. You need your usual shampoo, conditioner, and a detection comb – ask your local pharmacist to recommend a suitable one. Remember that you are looking for living moving lice, the only evidence that your child is infected. If you find a living louse, ask your local pharmacist, school nurse, health visitor or GP for advice regarding treatment.
For further information see: http://www.nits.net/bugbustinghttp://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk – search on head lice.
Makaton Sign of the Week
The Makaton sign for this week is “glasses” and the graphic for this is attached below.
glasses
Soccer 7’s
Future Soccer 7s events will take place on;
2024
10/02 – Portree (Astro) – 10.30-1
02/03 – Plockton (Astro) – 10.30-1 – Run by Danny/Active Schools
27/04 – Portree (Venue TBC) – 10.30-1
28/05 – Kyleakin – 10.30-1 (Please note this date has changed from the initial date of 18/5)
Date for your diary
David Rex of Health Promoting Schools is going to offer a virtual parent workshop, Food, Mood and Behaviour, on Tuesday 6th February in the evening. Anyone who has attended this workshop in the past has been very inspired by Dave’s presentation and we are very grateful that he is able to offer this to our school. Further details to follow.
Christmas Hampers
For the past few years, Community Helping Hands, have very generously provided hampers to families in the Community at Christmas time. If you are aware of any families who would benefit this year, please contact myself. This can be done anonymously.
Christmas Events
Additional dates for Christmas events have been added to the list below. Further information about these will be issued as it becomes available.
Christmas Disco
The Parent Council will be hosting a Christmas Disco on Thursday 21st December from 6-7.30pm for all pupils, here at the school. This will be to raise funds for the Parent Council, who generously pay for Christmas parties, parcels, school trips, leavers hoodies etc. Parent helpers will be required for this event and this is a great way to support the work of the Council. Anyone who is able to help should contact Sarah Kalaher, Parent Council Chair.
Other Known upcoming dates;
Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th December Parents Night Appointments
Thursday 7th December Christmas Jumper Day
Canteen Christmas Lunch
Concert Rehearsals at PHS
Monday 11th December Concert Rehearsals at PHS
Tuesday 12th December Christmas Concert
Monday 18th December P5 and P6 Dance Festival at PHS
Tuesday 19th December P7 Dance Festival at PHS
P1/2/3 Christmas Party (pm)
Wednesday 20th December P4/5 Christmas Party (pm)
Thursday 21st December P6/7 Christmas Party (pm)
Festive Walk
Christmas Disco 6-7.30pm
Friday 22nd December Christmas Service
portreeprimaryschool.com 