Smithton Primary School

Apologies – this should have gone out to you last Tuesday but I was shovelling snow and forgot…

Aileen Mackay, HT

For those of us who managed to get in to school this week – well done! For those who were struggling – hope you managed to continue working and learning from home.

We were all so impressed with children’s and young people’s attitudes to learning this week despite the many changes to their routines. Where possible, we learned outside and also continued to use technology and our social skills to learn from each other. Have a look at some of the photos from this week – paired reading with different ages, a reading club in P3 created by a child, sledging, you name it – it’s all happening at Smithton. Assessments are being carried out and happy to say all are making good progress – P7s in particular really pulling out the stops.

I hope the ice melts so you can all get out and about as well as clearing our playground ready for Monday morning.

Have a safe and happy weekend.

Aileen Mackay, HT

I had hoped the sun would have melted the ice in the playground by the end of the day but it’s still too dangerous to have either parents coming in or children and young people leaving this way. Please refer to arrangements from yesterday. P7 helpers will be available to guide and, if in doubt, come to the main office.

Thank you for your patience.

Aileen Mackay, HT

Overnight it has remained freezing and the playground is too dangerous to walk over. All school aged pupils should come through the front entrance and head for the school hall. If you can arrive as close to 9am as possible that would be really helpful.

Happy days….

Aileen Mackay, HT

Just in case you haven’t signed up to spond yet and didn’t know the weather has defeated the group…for this week, anyway!

Please take care but Smithton is open to all who can get in today.

Aileen Mackay, HT

I’ve been told by the area manager that all schools in this area are to close from this minute. If parents of ELC and P1-3 children can come and collect their children as soon as possible, please. ELC – usual doors, P1-3 from the child’s fire exit door. If in doubt, come to the main office.

All P4-7 children who normally walk home on their own will be dismissed from now and told to return to school if there is no one in.

Working parents – we will hold onto children who will then be dismissed at either 2.45pm or 3pm depending on their age. All ELC children should be collected by 3pm please.

As for tomorrow – please read this blog tomorrow morning unless I am given further instruction by the area office. I will alert you one way or another whether school is open or closed.

Apologies for the short notice – it just came to me in an email from the area office.

Aileen Mackay, HT

No poetry, Sing and Sign or basketball to ensure everyone gets home safely, including staff and coaches. Well done to all who got here today and here’s hoping for a great day of learning.

I believe there are comments on social media about Smithton’s playground yesterday being slippery. I did warn you in advance and with no facilities assistant support for gritting and clearing it is just me doing my best to keep the school open. There is snow not ice in Smithton school area today and a contractor was asked to attend today, hence why we are open.

Safe travels everyone and if you are at home, ditch the housework and build snow creatures!

Aileen Mackay, HT

Please be careful out there – ice and snow

Junior Boccia

Tuesdays – starting 17^th January

5-6pm

Culloden Library

Activity Code is – ACT000555

Para Multi Sports Club

Saturdays – starting 21^st January

1-2pm for participants with a Physical Disability, Visual Impairment or Hearing Impairment

2-3pm for participants with a Learning Disability

Culloden Leisure Centre

Activity Codes –
1-2pm ACT000545
2-3PM ACT000547

Bookings available from:

https://booking.highlifehighland.com/programme/2

Any questions can be directed to Fiona Green, Disability Sports Development Officer:

fiona.green@highlifehighland.com

P4-7 Badminton

Starts Monday 23rd January for 6 weeks

4-5pm

Culloden Leisure Centre

FREE

Booking code – ACT000558

All equipment will be provided, feel free to bring along a racket if you have your own.

Online Bookings via QR code or available from:

https://booking.highlifehighland.com/programme/2

Anyone who wishes to sign-up must be a HLH member, either a paying member or a free member. To sign up to a free membership to book on, please visit:

https://onlinejoining.highlifehighland.com/pay-as-you-go

If anyone has problems, or requires any extra info, please get in touch:

david.shaw@highlifehighland.com

P2-7 Shinty

Mondays – restarting 16th January (no session 20th Feb)
5pm-6pm
Culloden Leisure Centre
Free
All equipment provided
Activity Code – ACT000562

Online Bookings via QR code or available from:
https://booking.highlifehighland.com/programme/2

Anyone who wishes to sign-up must be a HLH member, either a paying member or a free member. To sign up to a free membership to book on, please visit:
https://onlinejoining.highlifehighland.com/pay-as-you-go

If anyone has problems, or requires any extra info, please get in touch:
david.shaw@highlifehighland.com

All of our school extra curricular clubs start back up next week so we’re looking forward to seeing you all at everyhitng from jigsaw to Sing and Sign and basketball and cross country.

Here’s a message from the athletics/ cross country coaches: We in Smithton Athletics Club are using the app Spond to organize activities and share information. Open the link to join: https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroup.spond.com%2FFAQQX&data=05%7C01%7Caileen.mackay%40highland.gov.uk%7C21c4a761f177462a518c08daf4cd992f%7C89f0b56e6d164fe89dba176fa940f7c9%7C0%7C0%7C638091461464590463%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zNF0yBhyvj3M56SoxbblrlzTO5MWqUcpn47WlwDnPA4%3D&reserved=0

Basketball: wee change.P3,4,5 now meet 5 – 5.45 and P6,7 5.45 – 6.30pm. P1,2 will not start until Tuesday 24th when they will have more of a multi sports/pre basketball skills session 4.30 – 5. For those who have already signed up please now use the Spond app to keep up to date

https://spond.com/landing/group/ROBRY

Many of us suffer loss and bereavement at times and it’s particularly hard when it’s our children who lose a parent or loved one. Once charity, Crocus, does a fantastic job supporting children and families across Highland. One of our aunties at the school is going to do a half marathon in aid of Crocus as a thank you for the support that her nephew has been given. If you would like to give then please follow the link by clicking on the photo

Lots of information about clubs and things this week and community activity. Please do stop and think if there is anything you can do as a family to get into the community and get to know local folk. Dark nights and cold days can drag us down…if we let them! Never feel alone…we can never say this enough to each other.

Delighted to have everyone back at school and an especially warm welcome to new children and their families.

Have a great weekend.

Aileen Mackay, HT