I am not quite sure how it is December already! Please see this week’s update below;
Donation to School Fund
Portree and Bracadale Free Church have met in Portree Primary School for their Sunday services over the past 25 years. As of this week, the Church move into the new building at Shepherd’s Way. At their service last Sunday, they expressed their appreciation to the school with a generous donation which will be used to enhance our PE equipment. We wish then all the very best in their new church building!
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!
Shinty
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 next week. Appointment times have been sent home for this.
Pupils Travelling by Bus
With a growing number of pupils taking the bus, could you please ensure that you let your child’s class teacher know directly when this is the case, in order that they are dismissed on time. Bus pupils leave class at 3.25 pm each day to catch the bus, however, recently there have been pupils running late as staff have not been aware that they are taking the bus. Equally, the 3.25 pm dismissal is only for pupils who are travelling on the bus that day.
Homework
In line with our school homework policy, homework is reduced in the month of December and only reading will be sent home. There may be additional Christmas song words etc that are also sent home to learn.
Christmas Concert Ticket Arrangements
Due to the seating capacity at the Venue, we are required to distribute tickets for our Christmas Concert which will take place on 12th December at 6.30pm. Each family will initially be given two tickets and these will be sent home with the eldest pupil in the family on Monday. If these tickets are not required, we ask that they be returned to the office so that they can be redistributed.
If you require additional concert tickets please contact the school office Portree.primary@highland.gov.uk and these requests will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis.
Our concert this year will follow a format of each class performing a song/dance as well as musical interludes from some of our musicians. We expect the program to last around an hour. The Parent Council will be running a raffle at the event and this will be drawn at the end of the performance.
In place of charging for entry tickets, donation buckets will be available at the entrance to the Venue. All money raised will go towards Christmas activities for the children.
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 “Christmas Tree” and the graphic for this is attached below.
Christmas Tree
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
Further 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 10am
Shepherd’s Way Church
portreeprimaryschool.com 