June 2020

Blacklands
Primary

Newsletter

June 2020

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newsletter.

Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parent/Carer

I hope you and your families are well and you are
managing to cope with these uncertain times. We
know that some days are more difficult than
others, it can be very challenging!

As you know we have completed our plans for
returning in August based on information from
the Scottish Government and the Local
Authority. If you have not received a letter with
this information, please let me know (school
mobile 07849130986).

As always, please be in touch if we can be of any
help/support. I thank you for your
support and collaboration during
these challenging times.

In Partnership,

Susan Lauder

Message from the Office

Dear Parent/Carer

Thinking ahead to the new session, which will be
very different in format, I thought I could write
about a few things.

Could you please ensure we have an up to date
email address. All communication will be send by
xpressions (our school app), email or text. If you
are not set up with our app, please be in touch and
we can send details to do so. The school email is
[email protected].

Mobile phones have been a growing concern at
school. The office will no longer be able to keep
phones for children in August,
Therefore we would advise these
do NOT come to school. We take
no responsibility for these if
children bring.

Best regards,

Kerry Smith

BLENDED LEARNING

Blended Learning is a term to describe a mix of
face-to-face learning and home learning. The local
authority have measured class sizes and informed us
of the amount of children each class can hold with a
2-metre distance. We are going to have a 2-rotation
model where children will be in school for 2 days
each week, Group A (Monday and Tuesday) and Group
B (Thursday and Friday).

Children will be taught in a smaller group for the
time they are in school, therefore, the pace of
learning will be faster and there will be fewer
distractions.

Groupings have been based on siblings attending on
the same days. Each group will be mixed ability and
teachers will adapt tasks according to level of ability
where necessary.

As per our survey (conducted by teaching staff)
earlier in the month, we have collated a list of
children who have no access to technology. If your
circumstances change here, please let us know.

Curriculum during recovery phase/
Uniform

We will focus on three core areas of the
curriculum:

 Health and Wellbeing
 Literacy and English
 Numeracy and Mathematics

Care will be taken to familiarise children with
school routines and being part of a group,
interacting with each other, listening and taking
turns.

Opportunities for outdoor learning will be
encouraged, as will physical exercise and fitness.
For this reason we are asking that children come
to school in casual bottoms (shorts/joggers or
leggings) with appropriate footwear. There will be
no changing for PE and children will be outside on
our running track/field and orchard each day. A
school polo shirt and sweatshirt should be worn
(NO TIES PLEASE).

At Blacklands, we pride ourselves on having an open
door policy. However, during these uncertain times
things will have to change. If parents/carers wish
to speak to a member of staff/senior management
team or get information from the office we ask
that you do this by phoning the school (01294
552626).

We have staggered the start and finish times of
the day to minimise contact and to adhere to social
distancing advice. (See letter for further
details). We would appreciate if adults bringing
children to school would be mindful of that too. P1,
2 and 3 children should enter via the gate at
the back of the playground and P4-7 should
enter from the gate at the road.

Parents will not be permitted to enter the school
grounds as usual. Class teachers and other staff
will meet children each morning and supervise
handover at the end of the day.

Children will bring all of their belongings, their

Playtime and lunchtimes will be staggered. School
dinners will be ordered in the morning as usual. All
lunches will be eaten in class before the children go
out to play. Children bringing a packed lunch can do
so as usual. Packed lunches will be kept in school
bags beside your child until lunch.

We ask that ALL children bring their own water
bottle. The water fountains are out of use so it is
very important that each child brings their own
water bottle each day.

Pupils will be allocated a tray and all the stationery
they require. We will make every effort to limit the
amount of equipment that is shared and we will
adhere to risk assessments and cleaning routines.

Staffing is now confirmed for session 2020/21. This

is subject to change and includes an overspill group

which will work in our library. We will be supported

initially by Mrs Wilde (Pupil Support), Mrs McKenzie

along with Mrs Shanks and Mrs Langan (Nurture).

P1 Miss Pursley

P2 Mrs Weeks

P3/4 Mrs Gibb

P4/5 Mrs Taylor

P5/6 Mr Graham

P7 Mrs McKie/Mrs Gibson

As a staff team, we find it very emotional not to be
able to personally say goodbye to our pupils in the
manner we usually would and I am sure that the
children will feel the same way. However, please know
that we send them our best wishes for a happy,
healthy summer and look forward to seeing most of
them again in August.
For our Primary 7 pupils, the staff and I are so proud
of you all. You have been wonderful role models for
everyone at Blacklands and we wish you the very best
as you continue your learning journey at Kilwinning
Academy.