We have reached the end of a busy and productive term 3. School closes today (Thursday 28th) at 3.30pm and will reopen on Monday 15th April.
Reflecting on the last term there are a few things that stand out for me as highlights:
- Successful fundraising – two Community Café’s and Red Nose Day raised a combined total of over £2,500 for good causes.
- Strong parental engagement – well attended parents’ evening and open morning, and an ongoing support from parents for everything that we do.
- Pupil participation in a wide range of events – such as girls football festival, basketball festival, science skills workshops, coding, Spring Herring Project, and lots more.
- Pupil effort and behaviour – the vast majority of our pupils are polite, well behaved and engaged with their learning.
I’ve been delighted with the success of our school this term and look forward to more of the same in term 4. Wishing all families an enjoyable Easter break.
Easter Service
The Easter Service will take place today (Thursday 28th March), with the school attending the Free Church of Scotland (Shepherd’s Way). The collection at the service will be for donations towards Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers.
Prizegiving trophies
Could I ask that any child who received a school trophy at prizegiving last June return them to the school by Tuesday 7th May? Having the trophies returned to us early is very important in the organisation of this year’s prizegiving event.
Parents are reminded that they may have their child’s name engraved on the trophy if they wish. Please make your own arrangements for this.
School lunch price rises
There will be increases to the price of school meals. Please see information below from catering Services:
In line with the increase to charges that was approved by Members at the 2024-2025 Council budget meeting on Thursday 29th February 2024, the cost of a traditional school meal for the new financial year, effective from Monday 15th April is as follows:-
- Primary School Meals – Increase from £2.30 to £2.40 per 2 course meal – this will apply to pupils in P6 & P7 until the full roll out of universal free school meals is agreed by the Scottish Government.
- Secondary School Meals – Increase from £2.55 to £2.65 per 2 course meal
- Adult Meals – Increase from £4.00 to £4.20 per 2 course meal
Extracurricular activities
Please see below a list of the extra-curricular activities we expect to have available in term 4. If any parent would like to volunteer their time for an activity then please let me know.
- P2-4 Shinty (Tuesday 6pm at Fingal Centre)
- P4-7 Girls football (Tuesday 3.30-4.45 on MUGA)
- Disney Playmakers football (Thursday in school gym)
- Nan’s Band (Wednesday)
- Running Club (tbc)
Sports activities hoped to start on the second week back (w/c 22nd April). Permission slips and information will come out on the first week back.
Easter Fun Day
There will be a family fun day on Saturday 30th March 10am-1pm at Shepherd’s Way Church. Please see flyer attached to the end of this document for more information.
Active Schools Easter Programme
Active Schools will be running a range of activities during the Easter holidays. Timetable attached to the end of this document.
All activities will be bookable through the Highlife Highland online booking system under the Schools Out – Easter activities. At https://booking.highlifehighland.com/
Soccer 7’s
Please note that for future events, school kits will be distributed to pupils on the day, and then collected back in on the day to be washed in the school. Participants will be asked to wear their own shorts and socks. This is necessary as the distribution of kits and later collection is quite a time-consuming activity which we are unable to do in school.
Future Soccer 7s events will take place on:
| Date | Time | Location |
| 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 |
| Thursday 28th March 2024 | 10-11am | Easter Service at the Free Church of Scotland (Shepherd’s Way). All welcome. Last day of term. |
| Friday 29th March 2024 | / | Good Friday. School closed for first day of Easter Holidays. Pupils return on Monday 15th April. |
Key Dates for next term
| Date | Time | Event |
| Monday 15th April | 0906am | School open for first day of Term 4 |
| Thursday 2nd May | / | School closed for staff in-service. (reopens Friday 3rd) |
| Friday 3rd May | / | School Eco Day |
| Monday 6th May | / | School closed for May holiday. (reopens Tuesday 7th) |
| Thursday 27th June | 12 noon | School closes for last day of session 2023-24. |
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.
| FRIDAY 5TH APRIL | ||||||
| ACTIVITY | Venue | AGE | time | Booking code | Cost | INFORMATION |
| Active Mini’s (preschool age3-5) | BROADFORD HALL | AGE 3-5 | 10:am- 10:45am | SOE000498 | £5.00/£4.25 | Join us for some fun games and activities focusing on fundamental movements for preschool children |
| Active Kids (p1-3) | BROADFORD HALL | AGE 5-8 | 11:00am – 12.30pm | SOE000520 | £6.25/£5.31 | Lots of fun of games and activities to get you active. |
| P4-7 FOOTBALL FESTIAVAL | BROADFORD PITCH | AGE 8-12 | 1.30pm – 3pm | SOE000502 | £6.25/£5.31 | Come and join in a fun football festival where everyone is mixed up and play lots of games. |
| MONDAY 8TH APRIL | ||||||
| Active Mini’s (preschool age3-5) | Fingal Centre Portree | 3-5 | 10:am- 10:45am | SOE000500 | £5/£4.25 | Join us for some fun games and activities focusing on fundamental movements for preschool children |
| Active Kids (p1-3) | Fingal Centre Portree | 5-8 | 10.30pm – 1pm | SOE000501 | £7.50/ £6.37 | Lots of fun of games and activities to get you active. |
| Multisport P4-S1 | Fingal Centre | 8-12 | 1.30pm – 3.30pm | SOE000521 | £7.50/£5.95 | Fun sports and activities from badminton, basketball, football and many more. |
| TUESDAY 9TH APRIL | ||||||
| Active Mini’s | Fingal Centre Portree | Age 3-5 | 10:am- 10:45am | SOE000500 | £5/£4.25 | Join us for some fun games and activities focusing on fundamental movements for preschool children |
| Active Kids (p1-3) | Fingal Centre Portree | 5-8 | 10.30pm – 1pm | SOE000501 | £7.50/£6.37 | Lots of fun of games, sports and activities to get you active. |
| RUGBY 5-7 RUBGY 8-12 | King George Pitch Portree King George Pitch Portree | 5-7 8-12 | 1.30pm- 2.30pm 2.30pm-4pm | SOE000504 SOE000508 | FREE FREE | In partnership with the Skye Rugby club join us for some FREE taster sessions focusing on basic skills through fun games and activities. |
| CLIMBING AT THIRD RIDGE | THIRD RIDGE | 9-15 9-15 | 11.00-12.30pm 1.00pm- 2.30pm | SOE000515 SOE000514 | £8/ £6.80 | Join the Third Ridge team for a fun session at the indoor climbing wall taking part in bouldering and using ropes on the big wall. Equipment will be provided |
| WEDNESDAY 10TH APRIL | ||||||
| Active Mini’s | DUNVEGAN HALL | 3-5 | 10am- 10:45 | SOE000499 | £5/ £4.25 | Join us for some fun games and activities focusing on fundamental movements for preschool children |
| Active Kids | DUNVEGAN HALL | P1-7 | 11-1pm | SOE000501 | £7.50/ £5.95 | Lots of fun of games, sports and activities to get you active. |
| Multisports | TARGET PITCH PORTREE | P1-3 P4-S1 | 2.30pm-3.30pm 3.30-4.30pm, | SOE000509 SOE000511 | FREE | Join us for some fun games and Multisports activities at the target pitch. |
| THURSDAY 11TH APRIL | ||||||
| CHEERLEADING | FINGAL CENTRE | 5-8 9-13 | 10am- 11am 11.30pm – 1pm | SOE000512 SOE000513 | £5/ £4.25 | Come and shake your pom poms with a fun Cheerleading session. Learn cheer motions, jumps, stunts and basic tumbling skills. |
| FRIDAY 12TH APRIL | ||||||
| THIRD RIDGE | Third Ride Climbing wall | 6-8 6-8 | 11-12.30pm 1pm- 2.30pm | SOE000517 SOE000516 | £8/ £6.80 | Join the Third Ridge team for a fun session at the indoor climbing wall taking part in bouldering and using ropes on the big wall. Equipment will be provided. Two separate sessions are availble. |
portreeprimaryschool.com 