Communication at Loirston School

I have made a provisional booking for our Primary 7 children to go to Dunolly. The cost of the trip will include all food and board as well as coach transport to and from the centre.

Until I know definite numbers I can only give you an approximate price but in total it will be around £190.

During the trip the children will take part in many different activities including rafting, gorge walking and wall climbing. It is a superb opportunity which gives children a chance to try out a range of activities whilst encouraging them to develop skills in confidence and teamwork.

I am happy to discuss any further details with you at any time.

If you would like your child to take part in this trip, please complete the form below and return it to the school.

In order to confirm final numbers and costs I will require a deposit of £50 by Monday 23rd November.

Should you require any further info please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Many thanks
KAY MACDONALD
Head Teacher

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

P7 Trip to Dunolly House, Aberfeldy,
4th – 7th May 2010

Child’s Name ________________________________ Class _____

I would like my child to take part in the above activity at an approximate cost of £190

I enclose a deposit of £50

Signature Parent / Carer ___________________________ Date _____

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY!
A CONTAINER WILL BE PARKED AT THE SCHOOL ON TUESDAY 15TH DECEMBER TO COLLECT ANY UNWANTED CLOTHES, SHOES, BEDDING ETC (Not toys or bric a brac), & THE PARENT COUNCIL WILL RECEIVE MONEY PER TON OF DONATIONS FOR THE SCHOOL.
YOU WILL RECEIVE A DONATION BAG & LETTER OF EXPLANATION NEARER THE DATE.
PLEASE START SAVING NOW!!!!
(PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SCHOOL IS UNABLE TO STORE ANY DONATIONS)

LOIRSTON PARENT COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting 4th November 2009
Present: , Karen Paterson, Lesley Hill, Pam Chapla, Tracy Robinson, Shonagh Neave, Cath McLeish, Hazel Scott, Sharon Toseland, Michelle Monks, Michaela Towler, Sarah Boyne,, Kelly McGrogan, Mhairi Stewart, Lynn Meldrum, Lynn Eddie, Lynne Mennie, Fiona Watt, Hazel Rose, Claire Whiffin, Alistair Gilmore, Sonia Innes. Teachers: Miss Kay MacDonald, Mrs Trish Pert
Apologies: Tracy Leach, Angie Balloch, Shona Greig, Louise Bennett, Scott Shearer.
Welcome: Karen welcomed & thanked new members for coming and previous members for returning. She introduced herself and outlined the role of the Parent Council, including: to raise funds, improve school life for all, the Constitution, involved in interview process, in contact with education authority, opening communication channels with the relevant people etc.
Election of New Office Bearers: Karen has been Chairperson for the last 5 years and is looking to step down from this position. Nobody from the Council present on the evening were willing to take on this role, so it will be opened to the Forum, with the emphasis on Karen being able to help the elected person as much as possible during the transition period. Alistair Gilmore & Claire Whiffin were willing to help as much as possible as well in a Vice Chair position.
Cath McLeish, as present Secretary, has resigned from this position, and Sharon Toseland agreed to take this role, with Sarah Boyne as Vice Secretary.
Treasurer will remain as Scott Shearer.
Treasurer’s Report: In Scott’s absence, it was reported that the balance stands at £3547.74, with money still to be paid out for the nursery presents. The disco raised £229.51.
Teacher’s Report: Miss MacDonald reported that the teachers were happy to do stalls with their classes at the Christmas Fayre.
The new maths scheme will be available for parents to comment on at the Open evenings, and a questionnaire on homework will also be handed out so that a policy can be drawn up at a later stage.
On 16th November, the staff will be re-writing the Behaviour Policy & parents will get a copy.
Staff are looking at a new reading scheme, & within the school are lots of different inspection copies for staff to comment on before a decision is made on a new scheme.
Miss MacDonald concluded that the school is “moving in the right direction”.
Christmas Fayre: The fayre is on Saturday 28th November. A sub-committee was set up to organise this, consisting of: Claire Whiffin, Mhairi Stewart, Hazel Rose, Hazel Scott, Pam Chapla, Lesley Hill, Karen Paterson, Cath McLeish.
A.O.C.B: Karen will contact the Thistle Hotel to arrange a date for the P7 Posh Night 2010.
Tuesday 15th December will be a charity bag day, where parents/carers are asked to donate unwanted clothes, bedding, shoes etc in bags provided, and a container will be at the school for the donations. We will get £400 per ton of donations. A 2nd date will be 11th May 2010. Cath will put an advance warning note of the December’s date out to parents.

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 18th November at 6.30 pm.

On Friday 30th October we dressed in pink and collected money for Breast Cancer. Over £400 was raised. Here are some pictures of the fun we had on the day.

The three Primary 1 classes will be going to Satrosphere Science Centre on Wednesday 18^th November as part of their environmental studies. They will be looking at “Floating & Sinking”.

 They will leave school at 9.15 am and travel by coach to Satrosphere and return to school after lunchtime.

 As the children will be out over lunchtime, they should bring a packed lunch with them on the day and if they are entitled to Free School Meals, one will be provided for them (please indicate this on the tear-off slip below).  The children may also bring a small snack with them (no fizzy drinks please).

 This trip is being funded by Satrophere and Aberdeen City Council therefore we are not asking for a contribution towards the trip.

 If your child has any specific medical needs of which we should be aware, please note these below.

 We are looking for adult helpers for the trip so if you are available please indicate this on the slip below.

 Insurance position for pupils – Parents should be aware of details contained in the School Information Booklet which states that pupils are not covered by Council insurance for injury, damage to property or personal loss unless negligence can be proved.  If parents wish to take out personal cover for their children at very reasonable cost (which covers them for 24 hours of every day in the year) they can contact the Headteacher who has information available.

PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE TEAR-OFF SLIP BELOW BY FRIDAY 13^th  NOVEMBER

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 CHILD’S NAME ___________________________________CLASS ______________________

 I have read and accept the arrangements for my child to participate in the school trip to Satrosphere Science Centre on 18.11.09 and I understand the insurance position.

 My child is entitled to and would require a Free School Meal on the day.  YES  /  NO

 I am available to help YES / NO  Name ___________________  Tel ______________

 SIGNED PARENT/CARER _________________________________ DATE ________________

Primaries 2A & 2B  will be going to Satrosphere Science Centre on Friday 13^th November as part of their environmental studies. They will be looking at “Day and Night”.

 They will leave school at 9.15 am and travel by coach to Satrosphere and return to school after lunchtime.

 As the children will be out over lunchtime, they should bring a packed lunch with them on the day and if they are entitled to Free School Meals, one will be provided for them (please indicate this on the tear-off slip below).  The children may also bring a small snack with them (no fizzy drinks please).

This trip is being funded by Satrophere and Aberdeen City Council therefore we are not asking for a contribution towards the trip.

 If your child has any specific medical needs of which we should be aware, please note these below.

 We are looking for adult helpers for the trip so if you are available please indicate this on the slip below.

 Insurance position for pupils – Parents should be aware of details contained in the School Information Booklet which states that pupils are not covered by Council insurance for injury, damage to property or personal loss unless negligence can be proved.  If parents wish to take out personal cover for their children at very reasonable cost (which covers them for 24 hours of every day in the year) they can contact the Headteacher who has information available.

PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE TEAR-OFF SLIP BELOW BY FRIDAY 6^TH NOVEMBER

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 CHILD’S NAME ___________________________________CLASS ______________________

 I have read and accept the arrangements for my child to participate in the school trip to Satrosphere Science Centre on 13.11.09 and I understand the insurance position.

 My child is entitled to and would require a Free School Meal on the day.  YES  /  NO

I am available to help YES / NO  Name ___________________  Tel ______________

SIGNED PARENT/CARER _________________________________ DATE ________________

At this time of year Loirston School book a theatre company to entertain us with a pantomime.

There will be a performance of “Pinocchio” in the school hall on the morning of Wednesday 25^th November for pupils in Primaries 1 – 7.  To assist with the cost of this production we would ask each pupil to pay £1.  This should be handed to the class teacher by the morning of Friday 20^th November.

This year, our Primary 2’s and 3’s will be performing at the Evening Express Carol Concert.  This is a really important event and takes place in the Music Hall on the evening of Wednesday December 2^nd.

The public are able to attend this event and tickets will be on sale from Aberdeen Box Office.

 The children will be singing songs about their teddy bear and will wear pyjamas and slippers and will carry a teddy bear with them.

 More details of arrangements for transportation etc will follow later but you can note this date in your diary!

YOUR SCHOOL NEEDS YOU!!!!!

LOIRSTON PARENT COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WEDNESDAY 4^TH NOVEMBER @ 6.15PM

ALL WELCOME, NEW INPUT REQUIRED, NEW IDEAS APPRECIATED.

ALL OUR KIDS’ BENEFIT FROM THE WORK OF THE PARENT COUNCIL. THE SCHOOL ALSO BENEFITS BUT WE NEED NEW MEMBERS AND ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE, ANY QUERIES TO – KAREN – 01224 248862

LOIRSTON PARENT COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting 7^TH October 2009

Present:  , Karen Paterson, Lesley Hill, Pam Chapla,  Tracy Robinson, Shonagh Neave,  Cath McLeish, Hazel Scott, Sharon Toseland, Scott Shearer, Michelle Monks, Michaela Towler, Sarah Boyne, Shona Grieg. Teachers: Miss Kay MacDonald, Mrs Trish Pert

Apologies:  Lynn Meldrum, Tracy Leach, Fiona watt, Angie Balloch

Upcoming Events:  Halloween disco will be on Tuesday 27^th October. 6.15 – 7.15 pm for the 1^st disco, 7.30 – 8.30 pm. If you haven’t volunteered to help, but are able to, please turn up on the night.

Christmas Fayre will be Saturday 28^th November. This year it will take a slightly different format with the pupils running their own stalls. There will still be tea/coffee & butteries, Santa photos, home baking, kid’s raffle, stallholders and the book fayre, plus a tuck shop and a popcorn stall. Note there will be no toy stall run by the Parent Council, it was decided to organise a charity lorry collection – Lesley Hill to find out the details.

Karen put forward the idea of having a Spring/Easter Fayre, which was accepted by the Council.

It was decided to wait to the New Year to do a Family Bingo night.

Treasurer’s Report: Scott informed us that we have approximately £3,300, some of which will be used to purchase disco tuck shop supplies (Pam & Hazel to arrange this). Scott asked that any receipts being handed in for re-imbursement, could it be written on the back what the purchase is (if it doesn’t already state this) and what it is for e.g. disco. He informed us that we can now get debit cards for the account, and it needs to be decided how many and who will hold them.

Teacher’s Report: Miss MacDonald asked for any feedback on the Inspection Report. It was thought that it was a true reflection of things at that point. As the Inspection was carried out only 6 weeks after Miss MacDonald had joined us, she stated that as many things as possible had now been tackled (or were in the process of being so), achieving many things including a new maths scheme, jotter format & P1 literacy system. The teaching staff would be looking at homework, a new tracking system, and lots of other things after the holiday, but they can’t go any faster than their present speed! Miss MacDonald said they knew where they were headed and what needed to be achieved and she was very happy with the progress, and had the support of the new Director of Education, Annette Bruton. The next inspection will be February.

The Head Teacher’s post has been advertised with the closing date being 5^th October. It is not know how many people have applied, but the process of deciding on interview candidates will start once Roddy Duthie, Education Officer, returns from holiday.

 The budget for this year will be very tight, and the school has been told they have to save more than they will be given. However, it looks possible that the school will not have to cut a class.

New windows are being put in all round the building, with a lot of work being done in the holidays, starting with the hall and nursery. Pupils in the rest of the school will be moved for 1 day from their classroom to another part of the school while the windows are being fitted in that particular area.

The P7 trip to Dunolly has been booked and information will be sent to parents after the holidays.

Mrs Pert requested money for the nursery children’s Christmas presents which was agreed by the Council.

Date for A.G.M.  The A.G.M. will be Wednesday 4^th November at 6.15 pm in the Community Lounge.

A.O.C.B: Karen attended a Chairperson’s meeting, whose agenda included The Curriculum for Excellence and the amount of money being given to the Parent Council this year which will be less than last year at £540.

We are now fully insured.

Disclosures update:  This is ongoing as bank statements are required in the Parent Council name as opposed to the PTA’s. Alistair to continue dealing with this.

Christmas Night out:  to be on next agenda.

A.G.M. WEDNESDAY 4^TH NOVEMBER 6.15 PM