Darnley Primary
and
Visual Impairment Unit
Newsletter – August 2015
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome to our first Newsletter of the school session. All the children (and staff!) are delighted to be back at
School to begin our new 2015/16 session.
We are very pleased to welcome 56 new children, their families and new staff into our school community. Over
the past few days our Primary 1 children have settled very well – I think there have been more tears from
parents than from the children! The adults working with them have commented on how well they have
adjusted to life at school and we hope this continues. Two children have also joined us at various stages across
the school and we welcome them and their families to the school.
It was great to see everyone arriving on the first day looking ready for action and extremely smart in their full
uniforms. We would like to thank all our parents for your continuing support. Here’s to a great school year
ahead!
I hope that this issue lets you know what is going on in the school and some detail about forthcoming dates
for your diary for August and September. I have also attached a list of this session’s holidays, and in next
month’s newsletter, I hope to give specific dates of specific events in the school to allow you to plan ahead.
Dates for your Diary
Date
Event
Time
Location
Wednesday 19th August
Parent Council AGM
7pm
Room 9
Thursday 20th August
Wednesday 26th August
Wednesday 26th August
Friday 28th August
Tuesday 1st September
Wednesday 2nd September
Swimming for P7 girls
Group 1 starts
American Themed
Lunch
Swimming for P7 boys
starts
Come as You Please
Items for Gala day
Tombola
Tin Disco
Saturday 5th September
P1 children and parents
lunch taster session
Gala Football
Competition
Gala Day
Tuesday 15th September
Meet the Teacher
Friday 4th September
Pm
Whitehill Baths
Lunch time
Dinner School
Pm
Pollok Baths
P1-P3 6.30-7.30
P4-P7 7.30-8.30
11.30am
Community Centre
Am
St Angela’s Pitch
10.30am
School
1.30pm
School
School Hall
Friday 25th September
th
Monday 28 September
Holiday
Holiday
Staff Update
We have a number of new staff who have joined us this term and I have attached a staff list to the newsletter
so you know who is who and where everyone is. Welcome to Miss McPake, Miss McGowan, Miss Robson, Miss
Smith, Miss Thomson and Miss Milne. We are very pleased to have you working with us.
Miss Daniels did not join us this year so Mrs Welch will be P3 class teacher. As Mrs Welch is acting Principal
Teacher she has a day out of class to cover her remit. On that day Mr McDonald will take the class.
Mrs McBride and her family welcomed Baby Ruaridh on the 30th June – he has already been into visit us and is
just gorgeous! No news yet on Mrs Anderson and Mrs McKay.
Congratulations to Mrs Buchanan (Miss Hay) and Miss McDonald who were married during the holidays. They
both looked beautiful on their big day and we wish both them and their husbands a long, happy and healthy
marriage.
Uniforms
Thank you to everyone for ensuring the children returning to school are looking smarter than ever – it is very
much appreciated. As lots of the chidlren are wearing new clothes which look the same, could you please
make sure that their name is on absolutely everything as you would be surprised what we have had in lost
property? Once the rain comes (it’s just a matter of time!), the playground and, in particular, the pitch can get
very dirty. In order to protect their uniforms, the children are allowed to pull waterproof or jogging trousers
on at playtime and lunchtime. I would also suggest that they bring trainers to change into to protect their
school shoes. I would recommend you provide them, particularly if your child has a habit of coming home dirty
or playing football!
Meet the Teacher
On Tuesday 15th September you will have the opportunity to meet your child/children’s teachers. We have
changed the format slightly to an “open afternoon” model. Miss McDonald and Mr McDonald will start the
afternoon off at 1.30pm with a presentation on ‘Getting it Right for Every Child’ at Darnley which will last
approximatley 30 minutes and then you will be able to visit the classroom(s) to see learning in action. You may
get the chance to take part in some actvities. We hope as many of you as possible can attend.
Cordia News
For new parents to the school, the Breakfast Club is open to all every morning in the school hall from 8am at
the cost of £1. There is no need to book or attend every day. The school lunch price has increased to £1.70 this
session for children from P4-P7 as school meals are free for all children from P1-P3. There will be an American
themed lunch on Wednesday 26th August.
Health and Safety
As in previous sessions, could I ask that parents do not drop their child in the school car park when dropping
off in morning or picking up after school? If you are picking up or dropping off out with normal times then the
school car park can be used. The Walking Bus will start on Thursday 20th August at 8.50am in Sainsbury’s car
park.
If your child is late, they can use the backdoor into the school until 9.15am when that door and the playground
gates will be locked. They should then come into the school by the main door, when they get to their class
they will be given a slip to take to the School Office to make sure the Office Staff know they are in and the
registers are marked correctly.
PE Dates
Can I remind you that the children need sandshoes and shorts/jogging bottoms for gym? They can keep them
in their tray or in a bag on their peg. They should not wear any jewellery, including earrings. Sometimes PE
times change through the year to accommodate coaches etc., we will endeavour to keep you up to date with
any changes.
Here is the PE timetable:
Primary 1a – Monday and Wednesday
Primary 1b – Tuesday and Friday
Primary 2/1 – Tuesday and Wednesday
Primary 3 – Wednesday and Thursday
Primary 4/3 – Tuesday and Wednesday
Primary 4 – Monday and Wednesday
Primary 5a – Monday and Thursday
Primary 5b – Tuesday and Friday
Primary 6 – Tuesday and Thursday
Primary 7/6 – Monday and Friday
Primary 7 – Monday and Wednesday
Pupil Absence
Within Glasgow Primary School good attendance is encouraged at all times and children rewarded accordingly.
Parents are asked to contact the Pupil Absence Reporting Line if their child is going to be absent (0141 287
0039) . This should be done before 9.30 on the first day of absence. If the child is going to be absent for some
time, it would be helpful to know at the earliest opportunity. The school uses daily text messaging to inform
parents of their child’s absence if no contact is made. All unexplained absence is investigated by the school
and appropriate action taken.
The Pupil Absence Reporting Line (PARL) service has been created to provide an efficient flexible way for
parents/carers to report absence. It is recognised that in some circumstances, for example, to report or discuss
a sensitive issue, you may still require to speak directly with the school. The following guidance should be
applied:
Please phone the Pupil Absence Reporting Line to report the following absences:
•
Sickness absence: if the absence lasts more than one day, parents and carers are required to call on
subsequent days to provide an update. A letter should be provided to the school when the child returns from
their absence.
•
Medical or dental appointments: Parents and carers should call the PARL to report absences for
medical or dental appointments. The school requires a letter or appointment card as evidence of the
appointment to ensure permission is given to be absent from class.
Please phone the school directly to report the following absences:
To make sure you receive the right support you require, parents and carers should still contact the school
directly to report absences of a sensitive or personal nature, for example:
•
•
•
•
Bereavement
Serious illness, for example, an absence which is going to last more than one week
Injury, for example, broken limb
Contagious diseases or illness
The pupil absence service is provided by a dedicated team of experienced Education support staff. The
information you provide to the team is updated in the school’s system when you call, so that we are
immediately aware of all absence information.
VI Unit News
We are delighted to welcome two new children and their families to the VI Unit and school. Zoha and Haniya
have started this year in Primary 1a. We look forward to getting to know them and their families in the coming
weeks.
Parent Council News
Hi everyone. We hope you had a great summer. We are the Parent Council and are here to represent you the
Parent Forum. We would like to welcome new parents/carers to school and look forward to meeting you at
upcoming events.
We had our AGM and first meeting of the term on Wednesday 19th August where we arranged all upcoming
meetings and fundraising events. The AGM report and minutes will be made available as well as all important
dates.
As you know a big part of the Parent Council is fundraising. The Darnley Gala day is being held on Saturday the 5th
September and the last few years the Parent Council has managed to secure a lot of prizes which has raised a lot
of money that has went into the school to benefit all of our children. Are there any of you parents out there that
work for a company that can donate a prize? If so email us at darnley.pc@gmail.com. All donations would be
greatly appreciated.
We will start a long term fundraising campaign with the goal of buying a new stage for the school and a target of
raising £5,000. This will start with a Family Quiz Night on Friday 13th November. More details to follow.
We will continue to keep you updated of all Parent Council news through the school monthly newsletter.
We look forward to a new term in working in continued partnership with the school and representing you, the
"Parent Forum".
School Improvement Priorities
This year our school improvement priorities are focussing on raising attainment and achievement in literacy,
raising the profile of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths )subjects and improving wellbeing for all.
There will be opportunities for parents/carers to get involved in taking these priorities forward and I will be in
touch when this is the case. Our Standards and Quality report on last session’s performance along with the School
Improvement Plan can be found in the Information section of the Parents’ Zone part of the school website.
Communication
Last session some parents indicated that they would prefer to receive newsletters via email. If you would like
to be placed on the list, please return the slip below with your details.
We will continue to communicate with you through letters, texts, tweets, diaries and informal and formal
chats. If you have any feedback on communication, please complete the views slip and return to school.
We look forward to a very productive, successful and happy session 2015-16 building on all the hard work from
last session and encourage all members of the school community to take a full and active part in the life of our
school. If you would like further information regarding any item in this newsletter please don’t hesitate to get
in touch.
Kind regards,
Emma Nicholson
Headteacher
website: www.darnley-pri.glasgow.sch.uk
twitter :@Darnley_Primary
We value your views
Please let us know if you are particularly pleased about something or have
any suggestions or concerns.
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Please return to School Office.
School Holidays for 2015-16
Return Date for
Teachers
Tuesday 11 August 2015
Return Date for Pupils
Thursday 13 August 2015
September Weekend
Friday 25 and Monday 28 September 2015
First Mid-Term
Monday 12 to Friday 16 October 2015
(inclusive)
Christmas/New Year
Wednesday 23 December 2015 to Tuesday 5 January 2016
(inclusive)
* Please note that schools will close at 2.30pm on the last school day before the
holiday
2016
2016 Return to School
Wednesday 6 January 2016
Second Mid-Term
Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 February 2016
Good Friday
Spring Holiday (Easter)
Good Friday 25 March 2016 and Easter Monday 28 March 2016
Monday 4 to Friday 15 April 2016
(inclusive)
* Please note that schools will close at 2.30pm on the last school day before the
holiday
May Day
Monday 2 May 2016
May Weekend
Friday 27 and Monday 30 May 2016
School Close
Friday 24 June 2016
* Please note that schools will close at 1pm on the last school day before the
holiday
In-Service Days
Day 1
Tuesday 11 August 2015
All Schools
Day 2
Wednesday 12 August 2015
All Schools
Day 3
Monday 19 October 2015
South Area
Day 4
Day 5
Wednesday 17 February 2016 All Schools
Thursday 5 May 2016
(To coincide with Election)
All Schools