Feb 2018 Digital newsletter

Blacklands
Primary

newsletter

February 2018/No1

Welcome to our new look digital newsletter.
Read on to find out more about what’s happening
at Blacklands!

Head Teacher Message

Welcome to our first digital newsletter. The Eco
council has decided, in the interest of saving the
planet, that we move to a paperless form of
communication. However paper copies, for those
unable to access the digital copy will be available
from the school office.

January has flown by all too quickly, we hope you
enjoy looking back at what we’ve been up to this
month. February is set to be another busy month,
with a holiday weekend thrown in for good
measure! We’ve lots still to come so be sure to
check our dates page.

In partnership,

Elaine McNeil





 Message from the Office

This September we issued a list of all events for the year
2017-2018. This was to ensure families had plenty of
notice of events. A reminder list of dates is included in this
newsletter.

We ask that you check this for information before phoning
the school, alternatively check our website or twitter
feed. Please note twitter should not be used to discuss
individual children or pass messages to the school.

Can we also ask that letters are returned to school ASAP
and that you contact us if your child is going to be off.
Valuable time (and paper) is spent issuing multiple copies
of letters or making calls about pupil absence, clubs and
trips.

Where possible please ensure your child knows the
arrangements for after school each day. We get a high
volume of calls each day, often at 2.55pm from parents/
carers asking to pass on messages. Please only phone
in an emergency situation.

Please remember our office hours are 8.30am-4pm. The
phone is not manned out-with these times so will not be
answered.

Kind regards

Mrs Smith.


 Blacklands

Developing the Young Workforce
‘Your voice matters!’




Waccoer•l•ueowF•aPa•ncO•suirrtdG•ocPhlosefleImfyiivinrenvrlotidssvmiridhnnmrihonieevugneiilogpnvaolngiptilligcnisovtnuolygipilchgfnppuephgicptlldoesihcoonoreoidrtakluotudn:usrnvrlttneeacooiftinxhtciirecitoerihsilesondsmasrfdtoesvoernPetvdhpien1eeuolvpo-dsuePiptelalsriocn7gptingso.eiepsooTtuawnuahpkrnmeiesldcsacooiphsknnukiountrionlhegrllspescwipmaoilloiontssphcndreaisownalisvbbatoehiinlomlireitdtkifieeseiwsnncsihtdgiopneolraln

Family

BLearreniangkfast Blether

Thursday 15th February 9am

at Pennyburn PS

CALLING ALL Blacklands Parents/Carers!

Jenna Maltby [Family Learning Worker] invites you to participate in
a ‘Breakfast Blether’ to discuss volunteering opportunities within
your school and the potential to receive accredited qualifications
for your contributions to your school.
The ‘Breakfast Blether’ is a social opportunity to discuss your role
within the school over a tea/coffee and hot roll. This is a ‘cross
campus’ learning opportunity for primary schools within Kilwinning.
Whether you are currently volunteering within the school or you
would like the opportunity to; please come along and enrich your
child[ren]’s learning.
Here are some of the volunteering opportunities that you may wish
to be involved in:

• After school activities
• Classroom based activities
• Open area assistance
• Outings and activities co-ordinators
• Parent-led self-help groups
• Seasonal activities co-ordination e.g. Christmas
• School concerts – scenery, costumes , etc.

Please contact Jenna or the school office for further information. 


clubs 


LaekaarnPianrgenCtosn’ Evevresnaitniogn1s

Our new learning conversation format for
Parents’ Evening seems to be a great success. We had
another well attended evening in spite of the bad weather.

North Ayrshire catering were on hand with free taster tubs of curry
and macaroni as well as a selection of fruit and cookies-a chance to
try school dinners! The catering staff also enjoyed speaking to
families about the new menu.

Our school captains and vice captains did a
super job of showing everyone around and
asking you to complete 2 stars and a wish about
the new format.

Please see feedback:

100% of those who responded commented were positively! Truly
amazing feedback.

95% of those who responded liked having their child at the meeting.

95% of those who responded discussed the appointment with their
child beforehand.

100% of those who responded preferred the new reporting format. 


Parent Pay

It has come to our attention that many of our families are running up huge bills with Parent
Pay. It’s important to remember all P1-3 families will receive a free school meal and families
who have applied for the NAC free school meal grant will receive a free meal. Children of
parents/carers receiving job seeker’s allowance or income support should contact 01294
310000 for further information.

All P4-7 families should have received an activation letter in the post directly from
North Ayrshire with your account details. If you haven't please contact the school and we
will provide you with the name of the Parent Pay contact for North Ayrshire. Please do not
send your child with cash, there is no facility for this, however your child’s account will still
be charged. Please do not get into debt.

Parent pay allows you to:
• pay for school meals online
• see what meals your child has been buying
• check your balance
• top up at your convenience.

https://www.parentpay.com/parents/what-parentpay-does/school-meals

New Menus

All pupils were issued with new menus. The menu runs over a 3 week rolling programme. Please
discuss the menu with your child. Please ensure there is something they can eat each day.

Packed lunches

Children who bring a packed lunch to school eat their lunch in the dinner hall with those
taking school dinners. Parents/carers are asked to ensure that containers are safe,
suitable for the purpose and have the child’s name clearly shown on the outside. We are
an Eco friendly school-working towards zero waste. All rubbish should be taken home. Fizzy
drinks in cans and bottles should not be brought to school as these can cause accidents e.g.
cuts from cans or broken glass.

Dates for your Diary 2017-2018


JANUARY

Mon 8th January Children Return

Wed 10th January Childsmile to EYC

Tue 16th January P2&3 Family Read, Write, Count Project.Tea/Coffee 2.45pm-all welcome

Tue 23rd January P2&3 Family Read, Write, Count Project.Tea/Coffee 2.45pm-all welcome

Wed 24th January P6&7 Burns Supper PM

Tue 30th January P2&3 Family Read, Write, Count Project.Tea/Coffee 2.45pm-all welcome

Mon 5th-Fri 9th February FEBRUARY
Tue 6th February
Wed 7th February Blacklands PS & EYC Digital Learning Week
Thu 8th February P2&3 Family Read, Write, Count Project.Tea/Coffee 2.45pm-all welcome
Fri 9th- Tue 13th February Champions League Football at KSC 1-2.30pm
Wed 14th February Family Digital learning Stay & Share Open afternoon P1-P7 2pm
Thu 15th February School Holidays
Tue 20th February In-service day for staff - NO children
Tue 27th February P7 Transition event. Rotary quiz at Kilwinning Academy 1.30pm
P4-7 Family Read, Write, Count Project.Tea/Coffee 2.45pm-all welcome
P4-7 Family Read, Write, Count Project.Tea/Coffee 2.45pm-all welcome

Thu 1st March MARCH
Tue 6th March
Wed 7th March World Book Day-Character dress up/Bring your favourite book
Fri 9th March P4-7 Family Read, Write, Count Project.Tea/Coffee 2.45pm-all welcome
Fri 9th March Champions League Football at KSC 1-2.30pm
Mon 12th-Fri 16th March NAC Euroquiz (4 P6 pupils) (AM)
Tue 13th March Fair-trade Afternoon Tea (PM) (info to follow)
Tue 13th March British Science Week
Wed 14th March P4-7 Scottish Opera Workshops
Fri 16th March P4-7 Family Read, Write, Count Project.Tea/Coffee 2.45pm-all welcome
Wed 21st March P1-3 Trip to Glasgow Science Centre
Wed 28th March P4-7 Trip to Glasgow Science Centre
Thu 29th March Champions League Football at KSC 1-2.30pm
Thu 29th March P1-3 Daffodil Tea
Fri 30th March-Fri 13th April Easter Service Abbey Church 9.30am
Early Closure 2pm
School Holidays

Mon 16th April APRIL
Tue 17th-Thu 19th April
Wed 18th April P4-7 Scottish Opera Workshops (AM) and Parent/Carer performance (PM)
Wed 25th April Childsmile EYC-P7
Champions League Football at KSC 1-2.30pm
Fri 4th May Parents’ Evening (Learning Conversation with families and pupils) 3.30-5.30pm & 6.30-8.30pm
Mon 7th May
Thu 10th May MAY
Mon 14th-Fri 18th May
Wed 16th May P1 Induction Parent/Carer meeting 1 - 9am
Wed 16th May School Holiday
Tue 22nd May Family Numeracy Stay & Share Open afternoon P1-P7 2pm
Fri 25th May Health Week & Walking Bus from Blacklands Bowling Club
Mon 28th May Champions League Football at KSC 1-2.30pm
Day outdoors at Eglinton Park P1-7
Fri 1st June P1 Induction Parent/Carer meeting 2 - 9am
Wed 6th June School Holiday
Thu 7th June In-service day for staff - NO children
Fri 8th June
Tue 12th June JUNE
Wed 13th June
Fri 15th - Sun 17th June School Reports issued
Wed 20th June
Thu 21st & Fri 22nd June Sports Day (weather permitting)
Thu 21st June
Fri 22nd June P1 Pupil Induction Day 1 (Pupils in class) 9.30-11.30am
Tue 26th June
Wed 27th June Sports Day Reserve
Wed 27th June
Thu 28th June P1 Pupil Induction Day 2 (Pupils in class) 1-2.45pm
Thu 28th June
Fri 29th June P7 Leavers’ Trip
Fri 29th June
P7 Transition Trip to Dalguise

P1-7 Summer Trip (Venue to be confirmed)

Kilwinning Academy P7/S1 Transition days

P1 Child, Parent/Carer *Taster lunch 12pm

P1-6 Bump-up afternoon

Prize-giving (Details to be confirmed)

EYC Celebrations, AM

EYC Celebrations PM session

Staff v Pupils Netball AM

Blacklands Got Talent PM

Church Service 9.30am Abbey Church-Parents/Carers Welcome

Early Closure 1pm Happy Holidays!!!!

COMING SOON