Dear Parents and Carers, Welcome to our February newsletter. Our very busy start to 2024 continues with P4 pupils receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, P1- P4 Stay and Plays continuing, P6 and P7 Learning Cafe, our two sports squads taking part in their Champions League fixtures and the Beat the Street initiative seeing lots in our school community staying healthy by walking, cycling scooting or rolling. The remainder of this term is filled with lots of exciting learning opportunities for our children. Please keep your eyes peeled for weekly letter where we will keep you up to date on all that is happening in Saint Anthony’s. As ever, let us all keep Working Together for Excellence. Kind regards, Shirley May Carr St Anthony's February 2024 Newsletter Article 14 I have the right to have my own thoughts and beliefs and to choose my religion, with help from my parents Confirmation On Tuesday 6th February, P4 pupils received the Sacrament of Confirmation. They joined P4 pupils from St John’s in Stevenston for this next step in their journey of Faith. As always, we ask that you keep these pupils in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist on 20th April.
Scottish Showcase at Springvale Early Years Centre On Wednesday 7th February, a group our pupils popped along to Springvale Early Years Centre to recite some Scottish Poetry and showcase Scots song. Their talents were well very received! School Football Team Our school football team has begun their Champions League journey. They played five fixtures on Wednesday 7th February and won all five of them. We must offer a huge thanks to Taylor and Henderson Solicitors who have sponsored our school football team this session. We now have fabulous new football kits as a result of their generosity. Article 31 I have a right to relax and play Article 8 I have a right to an identity
Beat the Street It is safe to say that Beat the Street has gripped many of our school community. For those who are unaware, it is a initiative that encourages pupils and families to actively travel, both to and from school, in the evening and also at the weekends. The games-based initiative works by “Beat Boxes” which are placed on lamp posts all around the local area. Children and parents are issued with bank card style cards. They can then register these cards onto the Beat the Street website and as they walk, cycle, scoot, wheel around the area they swipe the boxes and earn points for themselves and their school team. Children have been issued with a card in school. Families can also collect extra cards at Tesco on High Road, Saltcoats Library and Morrisons in Stevenston. This initiative is for the whole community, not just for schools, and is aimed at encouraging active travel and improving health and wellbeing. As we go to press, our school is currently sitting second place on the leader board of North Ayrshire Mainland Schools. We are currently first in the average league table! If this remains the same, we are in line for £250 worth of book vouchers for the school, a trophy and a certificate. The competition ends on 27th March, so lots of opportunity to keep “Beating the Street!” More information can be found by clicking the following link: https://youtu.be/WMS6rQPIt0o Article 15 I have the right to meet with friends and join groups
School Improvement Plan Update February 2024 To raise attainment in numeracy and mathematics through improved approaches across learning, teaching and assessment Article 3 Adults must do what’s best for me All teaching staff and classroom assistants have participated in training in Numeracy and Mathematics We have continued to develop staff’s awareness of Dyscalculia through the NAC policy and professional learning sessions delivered by our Educational Psychologists Staff have engaged with North Ayrshire’s Numeracy Strategy Staff have participated in Numeracy Moderation Activities with St. John’s and St. Winnings Primary Schools Time has been regularly allocated at collegiate sessions for sharing of good practice SMT have undertaken classroom observations in this area We are part of the National Numeracy Initiative, collected and analysed data and held a parent workshop Digital learning permeates Numeracy and Mathematics Children have regular access to digital devices and tools
Improvement in children and young people’s health and wellbeing Article 3 Adults must do what’s best for me We have undertaken Education Scotland Self-evaluation of Recognising and Realising Children’s Rights and devised an implementation plan Continued with our Rights Respecting Council Planned, implemented and evaluated Rights Focus Weeks in collaboration with our whole school community Hosted an accreditation visit and received our Gold Rights Respecting Schools Award Further development of our school community’s understanding of children’s rights Introduced the new Additional Support Needs (ASN) policy and procedures to staff Communicated new policy and procedure to parents, carers and children Introduced and implemented new Staged Intervention paperwork
Early Years staff and Senior Management Team have visited other establishments to see play in action Staff working at early level are developing their understanding of play pedagogy through focused professional learning and have engaged with North Ayrshire Council play pedagogy resources P1 teachers has been supported by an Early Years Practitioner from the Professional Learning Academy Further developed Stay and Play sessions and extend to Primary 4 Introduced a new document to track our children’s successes and achievements Introduced a Learning Café for P6-7 Article 3 Adults must do what’s best for me Improvement in children and young people’s health and wellbeing School Improvement Plan Transfer of Seemis Staged Intervention records by the Data Team
Morning Supervision Please see below an overview North Ayrshire Council’s policy regarding playground supervision. Please note the following: - Although the school gates are open there is no supervision until 0845. Until this time, the responsibility for any incidents will remain with parents or carers. - Supervision is provided during playtime and lunchtime, and 15 minutes before the start of the school day. - Any latecomers must report to the school office. - Staff will not release P1-3 children to persons who are not known to them. Parents and carers must contact the school if alternative arrangements have been made. - Children may only play on the Trim Trail at the end of the school day if supervised by an adult. - We operate a ‘soft start’ whereby pupils can enter the school building from 0845 each morning. This has proved a very successful initiative and has maximised teaching and learning time. Article 8 I have a right to an identity Article 28 I have the right to an education Uniform It has come to our attention that there has been a considerable number of children not wearing our school uniform. Our school uniform creates a sense of community and equality in our school environment, developing a sense of pride. With this in mind, I ask for your support in ensuring your child wears St. Anthony’s school uniform colours at all times. This consists of a RED sweatshirt or cardigan, a white shirt or polo shirt and a GREY skirt, shorts or trousers (no leggings please).
Cereal Club NEW UNIFORM We have been very fortunate to have had school uniforms donated by some local supermarkets. If anyone is in need of new uniforms, we are happy to provide packs for those who wish them. If this is something that you would be interested in then you can text the school and we will arrange a suitable time for you to collect. Cross Country On Saturday 24th February, 12 pupils from P5-P7 participated in the first North Ayrshire Athletics Club Schools Cross Country event down at St Matthew’s Academy playing fields this year. In sunny but muddy conditions, all our children performed really well and were a credit to themselves and our school. The next races will take place on Saturday 23rd March. Article 24 I have the right to good quality health care, to clean water and good food Article 8 I have a right to an identity Article 15 I have the right to meet with friends and join groups As part of our soft start, we offer a free cereal club from 0845-0900. At present, this is being supported by St Vincent de Paul from Saint Mary’s Church. Please do not worry if you do not have time for breakfast as your child will have the offer of cereal on arriving at school.