As usual, another very busy week for us here at the school. Please find our weekly update below.
Comic relief
Today (Friday 15th March) is Comic Relief/Red Nose Day. Primary 4s have been working so hard to prepare for this and we are all very much looking forward to a day of fun and fundraising.
The sponsored walk took place on Wednesday afternoon, we managed to avoid the rain showers and had lovely sunny conditions. Could parents who have sponsored their children please ensure that sponsorship money is in to us by Monday 18th March? This is when the P4s will be counting all the donations from the day.
Parents’ Evening
Please note that Parents’ Evening will take place on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th March. Appointments have been sent out – please let us know if there are any issues with your appointment.
If you would like to book an appointment to speak to me then please contact me directly with your preferred time: David.MacLean@highland.gov.uk.
P6 and P7 Coding
We welcomed Maria Bell of Silicon Croft to the school on Monday to do some coding workshops with our P6/7s using Scratch. These sessions were very well received by our pupils who all engaged well. A big thank you to Maria for her time and effort – we hope to welcome her back to the school at some point in the future.
Basketball Festival
Primary 7s enjoyed their time at the basketball festival this week – it was a good opportunity for them to meet pupils in other schools across Skye, and to put their basketball skills to good use. I noticed quite a few red faces on their return to school – always a good sign of hard work and exercise!
Primary 5 & 6 will be involved in the Basketball Festival next Tuesday 19th March. PE kit and packed lunch will be required.
Down’s Syndrome Awareness Day Thursday 21st March
Thursday next week (21st March) is World Down’s Syndrome Awareness Day. We encourage our pupils and staff to wear odd socks on this day. We do this as we want everyone in our school community to celebrate the value and contribution of people with Down’s syndrome to our society.
According to Down’s Syndrome Scotland: “Why socks? Well, a chromosome looks a little like a sock and people with Down’s syndrome have an extra copy of the 21st chromosome.”
For more information on Down’s Syndrome please see https://www.dsscotland.org.uk/
Spring Herring Project P6 and P7
Our Primary 6 and 7 classes will be taking part in the Spring Herring Project on Wednesday 20th March. A parent information letter can be found at the very end of this update and will also be sent to P6/7 parents by email.
**Parents please note that during one of the workshops pupils will be asked to handle frozen herring. Gloves will be available, but if you have any issues with this, or would like to opt your child out of this part, then please let me know.
“This is a school-based collaboration between the Skye and Lochalsh Rivers Trust, Edinburgh Napier University and Albatross Arts to educate a generation of young citizens about the history, ecosystems and protection of Atlantic herring in the waters around Skye (scottishherring.org). It’s an opportunity for the children to blend the expertise of scientists and artists in the classroom through interactive and fun workshops. The children will collaborate to produce their own herring themed art installation using environmentally friendly materials and processes.
We are planning to showcase an exhibition of the children’s artwork at the Community Centre in Portree (Camanachd Square) on the afternoon of 22nd March and are extending an invitation to everyone in the community.”
Assembly: P5-7 SHANARRI H – Healthy
Assembly this week was for Primary 5-7s. the focus was on SHANARRI – Healthy. It was interesting to hear the differing perspectives about the things that help to keep us heathy. The group were very insightful about a whole range of things including mental wellbeing and positive relationships, as well as healthy eating, exercise and personal hygiene.
Extracurricular activities
Please note that there is no running club this term.
- Nan’s band – Tuesdays after school
- Skyedance
- P1-3 Disney playmakers football – hoped to resume soon.
- P2-4 Shinty (upcoming)
- P4-7 Girls Football (after Easter Break)
Shinty Training P2-4
Thank you to those who have expressed an interest in the P2-4 Shinty Training. We hope to have this up and running soon, and will send further information out when available.
Soccer 7’s
This weekend’s Soccer 7s event is in Kyleakin. Please see information below provided by Active Schools:
“We will be having some soccer 4s for our Nursery 4s-P3 pupils (we will split them N4+P1 pitches and P2/3 pitches) and also soccer 7s for our P4-P7 pupils again splitting if numbers allow.
The event will be in Kyleakin on the football pitch- (10am-11am for the younger sessions and 10am-12pm for soccer 7s). We will make all the teams up on the day so everyone is welcome no prior teams required.
There is also an Spring Fair running at the hall area- poster attached so plenty fun for all (and snacks for the parent/guardians)
Although we are happy to take folk on the day it is much easier to plan and fill in forms online so please o so if possible via link High Life Highland Activities and the codes below.
ACT001724
Kyleakin Football Festival P4-P7
ACT001725
Kyleakin Football Festival N4-P3”
Future Soccer 7s events will take place on:
| Date | Time | Location |
| 16th March **rearranged date** | 11am | Kyleakin |
| 27th April 2024 | 10.30am-1pm | Portree (tbc) |
| 28th May 2024 **please note change of date from 18/05/24** | 10.30am-1pm | Kyleakin |
Known Dates for this term.
Please see below our school diary of events for this term.
| Date | Time | Event |
| Friday 15th March | / | Comic Relief. Activities led by P4 class. |
| Tuesday 19th March | 10.30am-2.30pm | Basketball Festival for P5 and P6. Portree High School Fingal Centre. |
| Tue/Wed 19th and 20th March | / | Parents’ Evening. |
| Wednesday 20th March | / | P6/7 Spring Herring Project workshops. |
| Thursday 21st March | / | Down’s Syndrome Awareness Day. Pupils encouraged to wear odd socks. |
| Friday 29th March 2024 | / | Good Friday. School closed for first day of Easter Holidays. Pupils return on Monday 15th April. |
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 p.m. 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 p.m. dismissal is only for pupils who are travelling on the bus that day.
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/bugbusting http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk – search on head lice.
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