Elrick Primary School : a Health Promoting School
Newsletter : Session 2012/13
3 July 2013
Wednesday 3 July 2013
Dear Parents,
The months seem to have flown by and here we
are again at the end of another session. I would
like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff for
their hard work and commitment to the children
and the school. We pride ourselves at Elrick in
having such a dedicated, professional team. On
behalf of the staff I would like to thank parents for
the support you have provided in so many ways
throughout the year. We are always very
appreciative of your support and know the
difference it makes to the children and their
learning. The Parent Council have had an
unbelievable year of fundraising - over £17000 –
what a fantastic effort and very well done to the
group of parents who have organised the
numerous events throughout the year. A special
thank you to all officer bearers and in particular to
the Chair Mrs Peden, Fundraising Co-ordinator
Mrs Taylor and Secretary Mrs MacDonald who are
all standing down.
Staffing
 At the end of term we say goodbye to our
cook Mrs MacKay who has been at the
school since it opened in 1981 and prior to
that with the council since 1972. Mrs
MacKay, who cooks around a 1000 meals
a week, has been a very loyal, hard
working and dedicated member of staff
throughout her time here. The children
(and staff) love her cooking and baking
and will miss all their favourites. I would
like to take this opportunity to say a very
big thank you to Mrs MacKay and wish her
a long and healthy retirement.
 We also say goodbye to Mrs Jamieson
who is moving on to a new post. She is a
hard working, committed teacher who has
brought so much to the children’s learning
in her 3 years at Elrick. She has taken on
the role of Principal teacher, both in a
substantive post and an acting position
with enthusiasm, working closely with staff,
pupils and parents. I would like to thank
her for all her hard work and wish her all
the very best for the future.
 Mrs Munro (Miss Ferries up until Friday
when she got married) is also leaving us to
take up a new post. In her 3 ½ years at
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Elrick she has brought a great deal of
knowledge and experience to the
children’s learning. She is a dedicated
professional who will be missed by us all. I
would like to congratulate her on her
marriage, thank her for all she has done for
the children and their families and wish her
all the very best in her new post.
Our PE specialist Viv Taylor is leaving the
network to take up a new post. Our
specialists bring a great deal of expertise
in their field to the children’s learning and I
would like to thank Ms Taylor for her work
with the children at Elrick and across the
network. We wish her all the best in her
new post.
We are delighted to welcome Miss
Darlington (currently teaching P5) and
Miss McFarlane (currently teaching P4/5)
as permanent members of staff at Elrick.
We welcome Miss Wildgoose who will be
joining us as a full time permanent member
of staff and Miss Crockett who is taking up
a full time temporary post. Welcome also
to Mrs Jenny Bruce who will be joining
Elrick in August as a part time permanent
member of staff working back to back with
Mrs Reid who returns from maternity leave
at the start of next session.
Both Mrs Mulligan and Mrs McLennan will
be in class teaching two days a week next
session. Mrs Margaret Rule will be
teaching alongside Mrs Mulligan while Mrs
Clark will teach alongside Mrs McLennan.
Mr Andy Crossan will be joining the
Westhill network in August as our PE
specialist. We extend a warm welcome to
Mr Crossan.
Interviews are underway for the 1 day a
week DHT post. Mrs Foy is currently
taking on this role in an acting capacity.
Parents
 In August we will be increasing to 16
classes. The new classroom will be in the
current P2/3 area, alongside Miss
Weighill’s class.
 A number of alterations to the school,
including changing the front cloakroom into
a reception area, will be carried out over
the summer. From the start of next session
the front door will be open for parents to
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come into school without buzzing as the
security entrance will be the inner set of
doors.
As you are aware we carried out a survey
regarding alterations to the configuration of
the school day. Although the majority of
parents were in favour of the change we
would like to take time next session to
meet with and talk to parents who had
concerns about this change. All starting,
finishing and lunch break times will remain
the same for next session.
Most children have met their new teacher
for next session. A letter indicating your
child’s teacher and the children in the class
has also been issued for your information
It was another fantastic, record breaking
Fun Day this year. Our thanks to all
parents, staff and children who worked so
hard to make this the success it was.
At the recent Parent Council AGM Mrs
McCue was appointed as Chair and Ms
Lyon as secretary. We are still looking for
a vice chair and fund raising co-ordinator
for next session so I hope some of you will
give this some thought.
After school clubs continue to be popular
with the children. We are indebted to the
staff and parents who give of their time to
run these clubs. Thanks go to all the
parents who run the football teams – P3 –
P7. It is a huge commitment to train the
children every week and then go to
matches every weekend. Mrs Buchan and
an excellent group of P7 Playleaders this
session have been running an after school
club for children in P1-3. The children are
to be commended for their achievement in
making this such a popular and successful
club. The children have so much fun! Well
done and thanks to everyone. Miss
Tulloch/Miss Darlington, supported by Mrs
Henderson have been running a very
popular athletics club. Thanks also go to
Mr Roger who runs a very successful
chess club.
From the start of next session the cost of a
dinner ticket will be £2.00 or £20.00 for a
book of 10 tickets. All cheques should be
made payable to Aberdeenshire Council.
Tickets will be on sale at the front office on
Tuesday 20 August from 8.50am.
With the growing numbers of pupils in
school and due to the size of the church
not all classes will be walking to church on
the last day of term. P7, P6/7, P5/6, P5,
P4, P3/4, P3W, P2S, P1F and all choir
members will walk to church while the rest
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of the school will attend a service in the
hall.
Active schools – Our Active Schools coordinator Pip Fleming would like to draw
your attention to the activities which will be
available over the summer break. Please
visit the website for more information:
www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/activeschools
Pupils
 The P7 pupils had a fantastic week away
in Barcaple. Thanks to Mrs Mrs
McLennan, Mrs Jamieson, Miss Pool and
Mrs Buchan who accompanied the
children. Feedback from the staff at
Barcaple about the children’s attitude,
behaviour and participation in the activities
was excellent – well done everyone!
 Well done to all pupils in P6 who
successfully completed their cycling
proficiency. Thanks also to the team of
parents and staff who led the children
through the training. This is such a vital life
skill for the children.
 Pupils in P3 had a wonderful day at
Hampden playing in a festival, while a P5
team represented the north east in
Edinburgh at a football festival – a great
experience for everyone involved.
 We are looking forward to the final
performance of the P7 show which will
take place in the school hall tonight at
7.00pm. Everyone who hasn’t already
seen it is in for a real treat. Huge
congratulations to P7 pupils, Mrs
Jamieson, Miss Law, Ms Robertson and
Mrs Adair.
 Thank you to all pupils who were members
of a pupil group this year. We value your
contribution to the life and work of the
school.
 Congratulations to all pupils who have
achieved personal success throughout the
year whether it is in sport, music, on the
stage, the arts or in any other area. The
children’s achievements are shared weekly
at assembly. It is a pleasure to see
children develop, grow and achieve.
 A number of pupils across the school are
moving on to other schools. We would like
to wish you and all the pupils in P7 who
are moving to secondary school success
for the future.
 We look forward to welcoming our new P1
and Nursery pupils in August.
Finally may I take this opportunity to wish staff, parents and
pupils a very happy summer holiday. We look forward to
seeing you all again on Tuesday 20 August.
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