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East CraigsPrimary School 30th November 2018

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD TEACHER’S DESKWelcome to our November newsletter. Please read on to hear about events and school news which have happened throughout the month, together with those which we have planned in the lead up to the Christmas Holidays.

Staffing NewsAs you will have read from my communication on Friday, East Craigs Primary School have a new Head Teacher coming into post in January 2019. We are very much looking forward to welcoming Mrs Sheila Scott to the East Craigs team. I am sure that you join me in congratulating Mrs Scott on her appointment as Head Teacher.You will also be aware that I will be leaving East Craigs at the end of term to take up my new post as Head Teacher of Nether Currie Primary School. I will miss the East Craigs family but am looking forward to this new challenge.This week, we said goodbye to Mrs Jacci Eddie, who has worked as a Pupil Support Assistant with us since Easter. She has been a valued member of our team and will be missed by both staff and the pupils that she worked with.

I am pleased to tell you that we have nominated three candidates from our recent Pupil Support Assistant recruitment process and are looking forward to them joining us after the Christmas holidays.

Christmas HolidaysPupils will finish for the Christmas holidays at 12:00 noon on Friday 21st December. The last session for afternoon Nursery pupils will be Thursday 20th December. All pupils should return to school on Wednesday 9th January, 2019 at the usual times.

In-Service TrainingOur staff team will return to school on Tuesday 8th January, 2018 for In-service training. Part of the day will be spent with Cluster colleagues engaging in professional learning with regards to our Digital Learning Development. We will also be reviewing and evaluating our progress so far with all of our School Improvement priorities.

Christmas Service at Craigsbank ChurchA reminder that our Christmas service at Craigsbank Church will take place on Wednesday 19th

December at 1:45pm. All P1-P7 children will be together for the service this year. Please note, as agreed by the Church Service Working Group last session, parents and carers of Primary 6 children will be invited to attend this service. Information

0131 339 7115www.eastcraigsprimary.wordpress.com


regarding tickets will be issued to Primary 6 parents and carers under separate cover. Information regarding arrangements for children being collected, walking home or returning to school will be issued this week.

Design-a-Light CompetitionOne of our fantastic Primary 7 girls, Macy, was one of the lucky winners to have her light design made into reality. Macy went along on Wednesday 21st

November to see her name up in lights at the Gyle Shopping Centre. Macy was picked up in style and had a fantastic evening, meeting the Forth 1 Breakfast team. Do look out for Macy’s light the next you are in the Gyle!

East Craigs Parent CouncilMany thanks to Mrs Caroline Wilkinson for the following article:-

Many thanks to everyone that came along to our last meeting on Monday 12th November. We were so pleased to see so many parents, so it was encouraging to know that we had parents from the majority of year groups. However we would love to see more parents come along to these informal meetings so we can make sure we are hearing everyone’s views and to share information across the whole School community.This evening, it was a joint meeting with the PTA as it was their AGM. The PTA shared their successes and accounts with everyone.The first point raised at the ECPC meeting is that we are continuing to look for a Secretary. We are looking for a volunteer to take on this role, so if this is of interest to you, please contact us. Thank you.We discussed a range of items including Homework policy, the need for more communication between the school and parents/carers, the effect of the extended Nursery day on the rest of the School, as well as an informative update from Mrs Johnston. We will be uploading the Minutes of this meeting into our section on the School website shortly.Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday 21st January @

18.45. Please do get in touch if there are any items you would like to discuss at the meeting so we can add these items to our agenda. Also please continue to drop us a note of any positive feedback from your day to day



interaction with the School, or stories from your children where they come home enthusiastic to share. We all know there is a great deal to be positive about, so we love hearing these interactions and being able to share them with the school staff.Looking forward to seeing everyone in the New Year at our meetings.Contact us via email [email protected] or via the school office.

East Craigs PTA Many thanks to Mrs Jane Adams for the following update from the PTA:-

SCHOOL FAIROur school fair took place on DECEMBER 1st. A big thank you to all who helped man the stalls, sent in baking and other donations for the secondhand stall and tombolas etc. We really could not do this without your support so many thanks for coming along and joining in the fun. We raised over £1770 which is a fantastic mount.

MIDYOKEN TABLE SALEA big thank you to Pauline Huggins at the Mid-Yoken for running the extremely successful Christmas Table Sale on November 16th. It raised over £100 for East Craigs PTA. Well done Mid Yoken for such fantastic community support.

SHOUT OUT FOR NEW MEMBERSThe PTA are losing 3 long standing members at the end of 2018/2019 school year. We would love to hear from you if you would like to help us raise invaluable funds for our children. The more PTA members we have the easier the job is. If you would like more information of what this entails please get in touch at: [email protected] We understand that life is busy and that you may not feel you have time to commit to being a member of the PTA. If you can help just once at any of our events throughout the year please let us know. All help is very much appreciated. Please email your name and contact

number to the above email address so that we can add you to our helpers list. (We will use this to contact you before the fairs to see if you are available to help)EASYFUNDRAISINGThis is a great way to earn funds for our school when you order any goods or services over the internet. Go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk and search for our cause: East Craigs Primary PTA. Register with them and then every time you order online go to the easyfundraising site. You then go to the website you are ordering from eg Argos via the easyfundraising site and they will donate money to our school. You can earn the school up to 4% of your sales from various retailers.

WE WANT YOUR IDEAS


http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/

mailto:[email protected]



We would really like to hear from you if you have any fundraising ideas that you would like to see at our school. Please email your ideas to [email protected]

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF THE PTA.

Assemblies

P5 Space AssemblyOur Primary 5 pupils delighted their audience with their wonderful sharing of learning assembly, all about space. Congratulations to all pupils and staff.

Children In Need AssemblyOur Children in Need assembly took place on Friday 16th

November. During the assembly, we talked about the charity of Children in Need itself and learned that the money that is raised from all the events that take place supports many local causes. It was great to see everyone joining in and we raised a fabulous £394.72 for our ‘dress down’ event.

Anti-Bullying Assembly

Nursery NewsMany thanks to Mrs Young for the following article:-

Preparations are well underway for our Christmas Singalong. You are all invited to come and join us for this in the school dining hall on Wednesday, 12th

December 10.15 to 11.00 for the morning group and 2.00 to 2.45 for the afternoon group. The children come in at the normal time. All families are invited. Please help your child by learning the words to the songs at home, song sheets have been sent home with all the children.

From our Open Day and the Wishing Leaves on our Planning Tree we have responded to the children’s interest in Space, Astronauts and Space travel. For the last few weeks, we have been learning about the planets in our solar system, reading fiction and non-fiction books about Space and working together to build a rocket big enough to take us into Space. There has been great




excitement around our imaginary trips to the different planets and the creatures we meet there. Look out for our Space journal in the foyer, which charts the children’s learning in words and pictures. Enjoy!

Christmas parties will be on Wednesday, 19th December for both the morning and afternoon groups. Mr Boom – “A Children’s One Man Band from the Moon!” has been booked for both parties. There will also be another special visitor coming. If you would like to see Santa giving your child a present you can come at 10.45 if your child is in the morning nursery or at 2.45 if your child is in the afternoon nursery. The parties are for children only and normal nursery times will apply that day. The children are welcome to come dressed in party clothes if they like. Nursery Funds will cover all costs for these parties.

The school PTA have organised a Christmas Fair that will take place in the school on Saturday, 1st December from 10.00am to 12.00pm. The nursery will have a stall and the children have made wonderful Christmas decorations to sell at the fair. Please do try to come along and

help raise money for the school and if you are able to help on the nursery stall with your child please do sign up for this.

Remembrance ServicesOn Friday 9th November, our Primary 7 year group walked to the Corstorphine Village War Memorial to take part in a special ceremony to mark 100 years since the end of WW1. Our children were each given a poppy cross to plant in memory of a fallen soldier. The children were impeccably behaved and showed a real maturity and respectfulness, and indeed, this was mentioned to me by a member of the public who had attended the ceremony.I attended the Remembrance Service at Corstorphine on Sunday 11th November accompanied by five of the House Captains:- Callum Crozier, Hope Hinchcliffe, Erin Byrne, Izzy West and Holly Ross who laid the wreath on behalf of the school community. I should like to thank these pupils for giving of their time to attend this very moving event, and forrepresenting our school with such dignity.



Pupils’ AchievementsPlease read on to hear about the fantastic range of achievements our pupils have shared this month.

P1/2 Melissa moved up a level in swimming class

In p2/3 Myra has gained her yellow stripe belt in TaeKwon-do.

Chloe made a white chocolate and raspberry shortcake – All eaten!

Evie won a medal, a trophy and a certificate for the Shooting stars dance competition.

Anya made her promise at RainbowsEmily got a medal for taking part in her drama production with Razzmatazz.

In P4A Filip played for Beechwood and Harris playing for Edinburgh City, competed in a football festival of 7 matches, they won 3, lost 2 and drew 1 at Spartans.

Blake Hatfied showed real engineering talent when he submitted a 3D model as per of a Stem competition.Kira has moved up to Level 2 in her Gymnastics.Zoe has moved onto a black stripe belt in TaeKwon-do and her attended her first TaeKwon-do competition and was awarded a gold medal in pattern and a bronze in sparing.Also in P4A Brodie has now moed onto his blue stripe belt in Taekwon-do.In P4B Hannah came 2nd in the Lothian Springers Trampoline Club Championships held at West Lothian.Abbie has moved up to level 2 in Gymnastics.Olly H completed the SuperNova 5K run at the Kelpies in 35 minutes.In P5A Abbey C won trophies in dancing Tango and SalsaErin won 2 silver and 1 gold trophy in Tango and SalsaHeidi has mastered the ‘rise trot’ in her horse riding lessons.Abbie in 5B and Millie in 5A carried the Brownie Troupe flag at the St Thomas Church Remembrance Day.In P6B Freya passed her Skate UK National Ice Skating Association Award Level 4. She also performed at ‘Indigo’ at the 02 in London with her Theatre School Razzmatazz.In P7A Rebecca and Abbey tried out for competition team Capital All Stars Youth Pearl,



cheerleading, and both were selected. They are now going to Birmingham to compete.

East Craigs Primary received a Certificate for School participation in the RAF 100 ‘Wopsie the Cat’ competition, with a special

mention for Blake Hatfield and his design.

Kirsten JohnstonActing Head Teacher

Dates for Your Diary

Christmas Diary Dates 2018

Wednesday 5th December P6 SU Christmas Workshop in Church Centre, P6A 11:00 – 12:45pm ,

P6B 9:00 – 10:45am

Friday 7th December All Active Schools clubs finish by this date

Monday 10th December 11am Primary 3 Christmas Party Last Community Learning Team of this term Craigmount High School P7 Choir rehearsal 2-3.15 at CHS – selected

pupils. Staff members to accompany pupils to rehearsal (depending on numbers)



7pm Craigmount High School Christmas Concert at CHS Tuesday 11th December

Nursery Dress rehearsal Christmas Concert in Dining hall for P6 buddies and siblingsAM Class 10.15-11.15am, PM Class 2.00-2.30pm

CHRISTMAS LUNCH 1.30pm Primary 4 Christmas Party

Wednesday 12th December Nursery performance for parents, Christmas Concert in Dining hall

AM 10.15-11.15am, PM 2.00-2.45pm East Craigs School Choir “An Evening of Carols” Craigsbank Church

7-8pmThursday 13th December

1.30pm Primary 1 Nativity Performance 1 in Games HallFriday 14th December

9.30am Primary 1 Nativity Performance 2 in Games Hall P6 Enterprise event in the Dining Hall and P6A classroom

Monday 17th December 11am Primary 7 Christmas Party 1.30pm Primary 5 Christmas Party

Tuesday 18th December 9.30am Primary 1 Christmas Party – Santa to attend end of party 11am Primary 2 Christmas Party – Santa to attend beginning of

party 1.30pm Primary 6 Christmas Party

Wednesday 19th December Nursery parties – Santa to attend both AM and PM

o Morning children have Christmas party with Mr Boom. Parents invited to join us for Santa’s visit at 10.15am

o Afternoon children have Christmas party with Mr Boom. Parents invited to join us for Santa’s visit at 1.45pm

P1-7 Christmas Service at Craigsbank Church 1.45pm. Information will be issued regarding arrangements for pupils being collected/walking home/returning to school. P6 PARENTS ONLY

Thursday 20th December Nursery - Final session of the year for afternoon children SSPCA Assembly – Looking after Animals at Christmas time – Games

HallN-P3 1.30-2.00pm, P4-7 2.00- 2.30pm



Friday 21st December School finishes for Christmas Holiday at 12noon. Morning nursery session will end at normal time.


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