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Glassary Primary School Newsletter
September 2007
This term has so far been very busy at school and, as we move into Autumn, there is no sign of the pace slackening. The children have taken part in the Journeys art event at Carnasserie and the photographs can be seen on the school blog (please note that this is not a www address) http://glassary.edublogs.org/
This year we welcomed three new Primary 1 children to the school. We now have 11 children in the infant class and 9 children in the upper school.
Staffing
After the concern about losing staff at the end of last term we now have the following members of staff: P1-P3 - Mrs Mcleod, P4-P7 - Mr Edie/Mr Morley, P.E. - Mrs Manson, Art – Mrs Taylor, Music – Miss Wilson (from Craignish Primary), Learning Support -Mrs Curnyn. We also welcome Miss Louise Oppenheimer to the school as a classroom assistant and Mrs Magdalena Adamska as a temporary auxiliary.
Student Teacher
Mrs Jane Bruce has come to Glassary on placement for this term. She will be with us on Thursdays and Fridays up until 26th October and full time from then until early December.
Topics
The whole school is working on a project about the early people of this area. Mrs McLeod’s class is also doing the additional topic of ‘People Who Help Us’ and the upper school are doing ‘Flight’ with Mr Morley.
Curriculum for Excellence
The new Curriculum for Excellence is gradually beginning to emerge and there will be a parent information evening once more details are available. In the meantime we have changed the forward planning format within the school to focus the teaching on the four capacities of the Curriculum for excellence: Responsible Citizens, Confident Individuals, Effective Contributors and Successful Learners.
Parent Council
The initial meeting of the Parent Council will take place on Monday 17th September at 7.00 pm in the school. Although there are 6 parents formally on the council the meetings are open and other members of the school community are very welcome to attend.
Eco- Schools
Mid way through last term the school gained a bronze award for its environmental work. A grant was made available to the school as a result of this and, together with the money received from our Canadian benefactors, it is intended to improve the school grounds by having a area built which will allow the planting of a tree in the playground and provide seating for children. Roll on the silver award!
Health Promoting School
We have applied for recognition of the school as a ‘health promoting school’ and hope to gain this status by Christmas.
Water in School
Some time ago each classroom was provided with a water cooler and the children were encouraged to drink water often during the school day. Children must not bring in juice for drinking in class as this often ends up spilt on books etc. There have been a number of incidents in the playground with children being soaked by others using water bottles filled with juice. The participants have been suitably counselled and water bottles banned from the playground – the children still have easy access to drinking water in the school and are encouraged to make use of this.
Computers
The school has acquired another PC laptop. This means that there are now 2 PC laptops available, 1 Mac laptop and 5 assorted MAC desktop computers. The impact of this is that we are able to teach a class with one computer for every two children. We will continue to try to improve on this.
Parking
You my notice that a banner has been put up raising awareness of inconsiderate parking at the school entrance. The entrance has always been a danger area and we would ask parents to help in this matter. The banner does not enhance the look of the school and will only be up for a week or two.
Diary
Monday 24th September September weekend holiday.
28th September Last day of this block of swimming
12th October School closes
24th October School re-opens
Journey
As part of the arts programme running in Mid Argyll, the upper school had a morning with local artist Lesley Burr at Carnassarie Castle. They were looking at the various views and reflecting how these had changed over the ages. They ended up drawing one of the views, some choosing to work inside the castle and some outside.
Shellfish Testing Lab Visit
The P7 class went to visit Integrin, a shellfish testing lab in Barcaldine. This is the main lab in Britain for testing shellfish for toxins. We were shown round by the very enthusiastic CEO , Dr Douglas McKenzie. The whole visit was fascinating and showed us what sort of hi-tech jobs are available for people in Argyll.
Lunchtime at Glassary
Each day the pupils and staff at Glassary sit down and eat together. It is a great social event and, unlike other schools where dinners are bolted down, takes about half an hour each day.
One young man in P4 likes to keep the staff on their toes with a stream of observations and questions while he munches his salad.
Today’s question was - ’Are chilli peppers flammable?’
Answers in the comments section please!
Glassary in 1982
Lora White has sent in this picture of when she attended Glassary.
Back row: Mr McNeil, Helen Rhodick, Sheila Wilson, Lora White, Vivienne Litster, Morven Brown, Graham McNeil, Colin Scott, Carol Campbell, Miss Gray.
Middle Row: Gordon McCuaig, David Rhodick, Mhairi McCuaig, Alan Peacock, Yvonne McCuaig, Suzanne Frazer, Walter McCuaig, Lorna McCallum.
Front Row: James Scott, Joanne Frazer, Kelly Rhodick, William Berghant, Mary Anderson, Linda Anderson, Chester Van Well, Isla McDonald, Shona Anderson.
Happy Birthday Kilmartin Museum
To celebrate the 10th yar of Kilmartin House Museum, Julia Hamilton came to school to make clay pots with the children. Great fun was had by all.
Fun Day
On Saturday we had a fun day at school. Unfortunately the weather was not too kind but we made the best of it. A great number of people turned up and enjoyed face painting, bouncy castle, disco, a slow bicycle race, beat the goalie and a barbecue.
The New Term
Everyone is back to work after the glorious weather which blessed the holidays. There are a few ‘back to school’ haircuts to be seen. The pace of the term will quickly build to the usual summer term frenzy. Already the whole school has been to the Glasgow Science Centre for an educational visit.
Next week we have a Health Fair and in the next few weeks we have sports day, a ranger guided nature walk, a school fun day (a Saturday!) and the start of the activities for the P7s to smooth the transition from a school of 21 to a school of 600, other events will be filling the diary too.
Technology
Yesterday the P4-p7 class did some technology. P4 & P5 worked on making a friction motor whilst P6 & P7 made some fantastic kaleidoscopes all from the ‘Rude Mechanicals Technology Book’. The children did not find either of these very easy to make but were delighted to take home the finished products.
Today we have Golden Time where they have a choice of what to do for half an hour. All but two chose to do further technology and are working away busily on their own projects. Successful Learners!
Practise!
The Argyll Music festival is coming around soon and the school is filled with the sound of children perfecting their songs. Over the past few weeks the sound has changed from a rather unpleasant growl to a very melodious air. Only a week and a half to go.
