Newsletter November 2020

Sorn Primary School

Acting Head Teacher: Mrs Laura Kelly
Email: [email protected]

20.11.2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

Thank you very much to you all for the warm welcome I have received this week as I
joined Sorn Primary. I am delighted to be here and excited to be part of the team at Sorn.
I have enjoyed meeting all of the children this week, the staff and some of you too at the
start and end of the school day. I am looking forward to getting to know you all and the
community of Sorn.

Staffing
I am still awaiting an update on a start date for our new P1-3 teacher and I will inform you
as soon as I have more details. In the meantime, Miss Kenmuir will continue to teach the
class. Our part-time post will be interviewed next week and I will update you when we have
appointed the successful candidate.

P.E
We had been hopeful to re-start our P.E provision within the community hall however, as
East Ayrshire have been moved into Tier 4 of Covid restrictions, P.E needs to remain
outside. Due to the inclement weather at this time of year, we will consider the types of
activities and appropriate clothing when delivering outdoor PE sessions.

Class Ventilation

As part of our school Risk Assessment and following guidelines, ventilation continues to be
important within the school. As windows will be open within the classrooms, please ensure
your child comes with appropriate clothing to support us balance the need for ventilation
whilst keeping warm.

Outdoor Learning & Wet Weather
The school have been working with East Ayrshire LOST (Learning Outdoors Support
Team) to extend our provision of Outdoor Learning and review our playground. A member
of LOST will be working with teachers next week outdoors. With this in mind and our
changeable Scottish weather, please ensure your child comes to school each day with
suitable foot wear and a waterproof jacket for when their learning is taken outdoors.

Charity Events
Thank you very much for supporting the ‘Pudsey Coin Fill’ for Children in Need, we were
able to donate £121.24 to the appeal.

The school also participated in selling poppies for Poppy Scotland and have donated
£28.40 to the charity.

14 Main Street, SORN, KA5 6HU
Tel: 01290 551496

As you will see from the attached ‘Diary Dates’, Christmas Jumper Day will take place on
Friday 11th December with donations being accepted via ParentPay for Ayrshire Cancer
Support.

I am keen to run a Reverse Advent over the month of December with any donations being
made to our local Foodbank. There is more information attached and pupils can place
donations in a box within the school.

Nativity & Christmas

All classes are well underway with their rehearsals for our socially distanced Nativity
written by Mr McPhail. I have sent a form via the app to confirm your consent for your child
to be filmed in the Nativity, in order for it to be shared with pupil’s families. Please ensure
you have completed this form by Friday 20th November.

P1-3 will be filming their part of the Nativity on 26th November and Miss Kenmuir has
requested that all children, if possible, wear black trousers/leggings and a white t-shirt for
under their costumes on that day.

Scripts have been sent home with some pupils to support them in learning their lines.

We are excited to be participating in the Sorn Community Council’s Tree Topper
competition. The winning design will be created and displayed on top of the village
Christmas tree. Christmas tree switch on will be held at the Cabin in Sorn on Sunday 6th
December.

Covid 19 Health and Safety
As we move into Tier 4 and continue to live with the Covid 19 pandemic, can I take this
opportunity to thank you for your support in following the current guidelines. Any child who
is displaying symptoms should not attend school and follow government guidance.
Children who are in the household of someone awaiting test results should also isolate
until test results are received. Please ensure you update the school office with any
absence information.

We continue to be guided by the most recent guidance:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-reducing-the-
risksin-schools/

Please find attached some additional information on events throughout December.

Please do not hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions or queries. You can
contact the school via the Information Section within the school app and we will ensure
your query is directed to the correct person.

Kind regards,

Laura Kelly
Acting Head Teacher



From the 1st to the 18th December, we will be participating in
a ‘Reverse Advent’ to support our local foodbank.

Any donations would be gratefully received and can
be dropped off by pupils in the basket at the front door

any day throughout December.

Thank you!



11th December
2020