Apologies for bits and pieces coming through all week as we have been trying to get this sorted. It’s not fixed yet but a kind IT officer in Highland Council has a workaround so hopefully there will be photos today…
At last – a full week with no strikes or holidays!We all feel better when we have routines and boundaries so it has been good to get a full week in with the children and young people all here. And a full week it has been: sleep workshop, parent contact sessions for P4-7, no smoking day exhibition and market place, final leadership teaching sessions for P7 across the school, P5KS nature outing, swimming for P6 and everything else in between!
Staff and young people have been working so hard. I know I say this every week but the enthusiasm going into learning and teaching has ensured that all children are making progress. The groundwork has been done before children come to ELC with parents and carers and then the established learning sessions take place through play in ELC. This lays the foundations for early stages in the primary school learning through play and exploration. I’m delighted to say that the young people P4-7 are able to talk through their own learning and know where their strengths are and what their next steps are that they need to address. This all means that learning sessions are targeted for each child and staff are able to focus on what building blocks need to be in the day to day learning. Having positive relationships and confidence in each other staff and young people can then work on resilience to tackle the tricky bits and as so many parents are keen to do the right thing for their child this three way conversation has meant most children are on track to be at or above the expected stage of development. For those that struggle with formal academic achievements they are supported but also, just as importantly, they are able to shine in other ways that will help them achieve no matter what. There are multiple intelligences and all are as important as each other to team work. Mr Lyon, DHT and I have been analysing the results and for things we can measure, all have improved incredibly. For the things we can’t measure in the same way – happiness, team work, resilience, etc, we can see fewer upsets, more enthusiasm in class and more parental comments appreciating what is being done in the school. Always room for improvement and we strive daily for you and your family.
ELC going into P1, P3 and P7 all take part in a leadership programme through the school. For P3 parents there will be a session to come and see what this means for your child as they will be starting after the Easter holidays. This will be Monday 27th March 2.15pm in the school. A dojo will go out nearer the time as a reminder. P7s have been tremendous all year and ELC children started at the beginning of March. A celebration event will take place in June so we’re looking forward to seeing the results of all the young leaders’ efforts.
If you know of anyone in the community who is unwell or in hospital and would like a card from the school please let us know. One of our leaders, Isla, has been leading a small group to creating cards. Do let us know either by phoning the school or emailing me directly aileen.mackay@highland.gov.uk
Hopefully you will see the photos from last month in the slideshow…if so, thank you Linda from ICT team! We have everything from star award winners to team working, older children teaching younger children, a great photo of some boys just so happy to be learning in school together, Blue Peter award winner and UNCRC game created by children for children in each class!
Have a good weekend,
Aileen Mackay, HT
Smithton Primary School 