Head Teacher Handover
Further to confirmation sent last week that Jennifer Tyronney will be taking up the Head Teacher position at the school, I can now confirm that her start date as Head Teacher will be Monday 8th December. Jennifer and I will be working on handover meetings the week prior to this to ensure that the change will go smoothly.
Light Up Portree Event – Cancelled
The Light-up Portree Event this evening has been cancelled. Thank you to the children who had volunteered to represent the school in singing Calypso Carol at this event, I’m sure they will have plenty more opportunities to perform in the weeks ahead.
Adverse Weather
A reminder that information on school closures and late openings can be found at this link: https://www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosures . This is updated as soon as the decision to close the school is made, and is the most reliable way of getting this information. We also endeavour to send out an email to parents and to update the school’s Facebook page with further information.
School Meals w/c 24th November
There will be continued disruption to the school canteen. The Menu choice for next week is:
Monday 24th – Baked Potato with cheese
Tuesday 25th – Macaroni cheese
Wednesday 26h – Chicken nuggets with wedges
Thursday 27th – Fish fingers with diced potatoes
Friday 28th – Usual Grab & Go sandwiches
Dyslexia Scotland Event (Assistive Technology in School) – 25th November
Please see information below on an event organised by the local Dyslexia Scotland branch on assistive technology in school.
Free online event on assistive technology in school
Not sure what assistive technology is available on Chromebooks? Dyslexia Scotland has organised a free Zoom event with Sandra Matheson, Assistive Technology Teacher at Highland Council. Sandra will give an overview of how technology can benefit a wide group of learners, not just those with dyslexia. Pupils, families, adults and educators are all welcome to attend. Topics will include the Read & Write extension, useful information from Everway (the new name for Texthelp) and Google’s NotebookLM, an AI-powered research assistant.
This event is being hosted on behalf of Dyslexia Scotland’s volunteer-led branches in Skye and Lochalsh, Lochaber, Caithness and Inverness. It takes place on Tuesday 25 November, 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm. Book your free place through the Events page on Dyslexia Scotland’s website or log in to Ticket Tailor.
UHI Speak Gaelic Courses
Please see message below regarding upcoming Speak Gaelic courses at UHI:
We would be grateful if you would advertise the following with Parents and staff. The Monday evening course is F2F
SpeakGaelic – A2 – Portree – Mondays Tickets, Mon, Jan 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
SpeakGaelic – A1 – Online – Tuesdays and Thursdays Tickets, Tue, Feb 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
Fee waivers are available for UHI, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland Council, NHS Western Isles and NHS Highland staff, as well as parents and carers of children in Gaelic Medium Education.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Maggie
Maggie MacDonald| Magaidh NicDhòmhnaill
Centre and Engagement lead / Stiùiriche Ionaid agus ceangalan gnothachais
Normal working hours Mon -Wed 09.00-17.00, Thursday OFF, Friday 9.00-12.00
Job Vacancies in the school
Pupil Escort – https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/highland-council/jobs/escort-1-10hpw-fixed-term-until-02-july-2026-portree-primary-school-433113
Term 2 After School Clubs
| Club | When | Where | Who |
| Shinty | Tuesdays at 6pm | Fingal Centre | P2-P7 |
| Music Group | Thursdays at 3.30-4.15pm | School | P5-7 who can play an instrument |
| Cookery Club | Fridays at 1.15pm. First session Fri 7th Nov. | School | P5-7 (limited numbers) |
| Lego Club | Tuesdays 3.30-4.15pm | School (P6 classroom) | Limited numbers |
Drop-off and Collection of Pupils
A reminder that we have a designated pupil pick-up/drop-off point at the Camanachd Square car park (near Community Centre and Portree Nursery), and a crossing patrol on Home Farm Road to help pupils cross safely. It would be very helpful if families could use this area as much as possible to reduce traffic around the school. Please also respect our neighbours around the school by not blocking driveways, and also be aware that Marsco Place and Glamaig Place are unadopted roads, meaning it is the residents of these streets that are responsible for them rather than Highland Council.
Thank you for your support with this.
Important – Pupils taking bus
A reminder for pupils who take the bus to school:
Pupils who take the bus to school but who are not eligible for free school transport must be in possession of their Young Scot/National Entitlement card.
If you are unsure about whether your child is entitled to free school transport, you can check eligibility at this link: https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/878/schools/12/school_transport or be in touch with the school and we’ll let you know.
If your child does not have a Young Scot/National Entitlement card you can apply for one at this link: https://young.scot/get-informed/young-persons-free-bus-travel/
Known Important Dates for Term 2 (2025-26)
| Date | Event |
| Tuesday 25th November | Assistive Technologies in School – Zoom session organised by Dyslexia Scotland. 7pm. |
| Tuesday 9th December | Primary 6 at Dance Festival at Portree High School. 10am-12pm |
| Friday 12th December | Christmas Jumper Day |
| Monday 15th December | School Christmas Show – 6pm at the Venue, Portree High School. |
| Tuesday 16th December | Primary 7 at Dance Festival at Portree High School. 10am-12pm |
| Tuesday 16th December | P1-3 School Christmas Party (PM) |
| Wednesday 17th December | P4 & P5 School Christmas Party (PM) |
| Thursday 18th December | P6 & P7 School Christmas Party (PM) |
| Tuesday 23rd December | Last day of Term 3. Festive Walk. |
portreeprimaryschool.com 