Head Teacher Blog

Our busy Friday started with the Primary 7 pupils preparing for their MacMillan Coffee Morning.  The pupils and Miss Robertson worked very hard this week to arrange the event which ran from 9am to 10:30am.  I would like to pass on my thanks to the whole Primary 7 team who managed to raise a wonderful £450 for MacMillan Cancer Support. I would also like to thank all the family members who came along to support the event.  The cakes were bought up very quickly and they had all disappeared before I had time to go and get one for myself! During the coffee morning we had our first Parent Pop Poll.  This is a quick and easy way to gather the views of parents about the work of the school. All you have to do is pop a counter in a jar to vote. The question was: If the school could offer exciting  activities for children from 8:45am each  day would your child be able to come to  school at that time? The results were:   YES:...

The Parent Council AGM was on Wednesday night. The full committee were there along with myself, Miss McGill and Miss McKenzie and one parent from Primary 3. This was a shame because the AGM is when new committee members are voted in. The previous members were looking for new faces to take on the roles however this didn't happen because nominations could not take place.  I am very grateful to the committee members who have agreed to continue their work for the benefit of the school and the children.  We are still looking for parents and family members to help improve the life of the school in a number of ways.   I would like to create a parent group to help us evaluate the work of the school and help us to give the children opportunities to learn and develop skills for learning, life and work.   This group would meet once a term (only 4 times a year) during the school day.  The chats we would have at these meetings will be very important for ...

The first term really is well underway now as we say goodbye to August and welcome in September over the weekend.   On Tuesday the staff were involved in planning meetings for this term.  Teachers have created exciting learning experiences which will take place across Primary 1-Primary 4 and Primary 5-Primary 7.  I'll leave the children to tell you what the themes are because I don't want to get a row from the teachers if I 'spill the beans' too soon!  At the end of this term there will be an opportunity for you to come along to school to see and hear about the learning that has been taking place so keep a look out for the date which will be sent out nearer the time. I haven't been out in the playground yet this term and I'm missing my game of Tig.  Although I'm out of school a lot next week I will do my best to get out and enjoy a playtime along with the children.  If anyone has any ideas for other games we can play please let me know and we can ...

So we have reached the end of the first full week back!  The chat in the staff room showed that we were divided as to whether the week had been quick or slow but everyone agreed that it had been a very positive one. I have had some very interesting and exciting meetings this week with Working 4 U, The Leamy Foundation and Active Schools.  We are so grateful for the partnerships we are developing with these agencies and I am looking forward to being able to share the exciting plans we will be putting in place throughout the year. Our new Primary 1 pupils have worked hard throughout the week and coped well with full days in school, the lunch hall and even a whole school assembly.  Miss Ellis and I are extremely proud of them. I hope you have had the chance to read more about what Primary 1 have been up to in the school newsletter which went out this week.   Today at our Assembly we presented our first ever 'Be The Best' certificates.  These are giv...

Hello everyone, Welcome to the first Head teacher blog post - A bitter sweet feeling, since it may also be the last one from me!  Our next head teacher will also keep you up to date with all goings on in Whitecrook School and we wish that person well, once they are appointed. Staff Training In the month of January, the staff were very busy with staff training.  Mrs Martin and Miss McGill attended training on the new National Standardised Assessments, which all P1, P4 and P7 pupils will complete for the first time in March.  This exciting way of tracking children's progress is part of the National Improvement strategy and will assess children's progress across Numeracy & Mathematics and Literacy & English. Mrs Loh and Miss Ellis continue their Incredible Years training.  This training has been ongoing since the beginning of the school year and enhances our Pupil Equity Plan.  The staff training goes alongside Parent Groups also running in Whitecroo...