22^nd January 2008  Dear Parent, 

School Photographer

 The school photographer will be in school on Tuesday 5^th February.  This year individual and/or family group photographs will be taken. The organisation of this day is a fairly major undertaking and your co-operation would be greatly appreciated in returning the attached slip by Thursday 31^st January.  The returning of this slip will allow us to timetable the taking of the photographs.  We want the experience to be as enjoyable as possible with minimal disruption to learning.  Please try to return the slip by Thursday. The collation and organisation of the returned slips will be done, and approximate times given to those who wish pre-school children included.  Please help us by returning this slip by 31^st January. It should be noted that family groups refer to children and DO NOT INCLUDE parents/adults. This letter is issued to the oldest child in each family.  Only one form should be filled in for each family. Thank you for your co-operation and I look forward to seeing the finished products.  Yours sincerely, M. S. MCPHEE Depute Head Teacher             Names of Pupil(s)               Class(es)                  N.B.    if Nursery please state                                                                                                a.m. or p.m. ____________________   __________ ____________________   __________ ____________________   __________ ____________________   __________   Please tick 1 of the following:- 

  N.B.    Family groups with a pre-school child (i.e. a child not at Loirston Nursery or primary school) will be taken in the morning therefore it will be necessary for afternoon nursery children to be brought in the morning if they are to be taken as part of a family group.  This must be returned by Thursday 31^st January so that arrangements canbe made and a time returned to you for family groups on Tuesday 5^thFebruary. Thank you for your co-operation.

17/01/2008Dear Parents and Carers As you will be aware Mrs. Thom is absent on sick leave and I have been asked to support the school during this period. I would like to say thank you to everyone at Loirston School for the warm welcome I have been given.  Over the coming weeks I will be working with the staff in school as we begin the process of moving forward after the visit from Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education. One of my first tasks will be reviewing Health Safety and Security in school. Staff in school have begun the process of reviewing security and I am aware that there is a pilot running currently regarding the sale of lunch tickets. I intend to monitor this and will be consulting with pupils, school staff and catering staff on the pilot arrangements. In order to safeguard your child parents who use a cheque book should please send a cheque with their child in a sealed envelope with their child’s name, class and the amount clearly marked on the outside on Mondays. I am aware that a few parents who do not operate a cheque book are concerned about their very young children being responsible for cash. I have suggested to them that they bring the money to the school office in a sealed envelope. We will pass the envelope to catering staff who will issue tickets to the child. I would welcome any other comments or suggestions from parents and carers on this issue.  Regards   June Stewart

To Parents of P4 Pupils

Dear Parents,

RECORDER TUITION FOR P4 PUPILS

Part of the 5-14 Guidelines for music, issued by the Scottish Office, states that at Level B it is appropriate to learn a musical instrument and Mrs. Brockley, music specialist, undertakes to teach recorder to all our P4 and P5 pupils.

As a result of this we ask parents to support this part of the curriculum by providing their child with a recorder.  These cost between £6 and £12 in shops but, by buying in bulk, school can buy them and sell to you for £5.

Some children may already have a recorder at home and Mrs. Brockley will be pleased to advise whether or not it is suitable.

Children will be asked to do some practising at home – a few minutes at a time, two or three times a week.

The majority of children enjoy this experience and they will have the opportunity to continue in a recorder group in future years.

Please complete and return the attached slip by 21^st January 2008.

Yours sincerely,

MORAG THOM

Head Teacher

“—————————————————————————————————-

Please tick as appropriate:-

I require to buy a recorder from school and enclose £5

I do not require to buy a recorder from school

Signed_____________________________________ Parent/Guardian of

Child’s Name__________________________________ Class_______________

9^th January 2008    Dear Parents,  

Applications for Enrolment to Nursery and Primary 1 for Session 2008/2009

  Application forms for Nursery may be requested from the School Office any time from 21^st January and should be returned to school by week ending the 15^th February at the latest.  An application MUST be completed again for all children who already attend Loirston Nursery.  When you return the application form, please bring the child’s birth certificate with you. You can still apply for places after February and your child’s name will be added to a waiting list for the 2008/2009 academic year. Enrolment for Primary 1 takes place during the week 14^th – 18^th January 2008.  Please bring the child’s birth certificate with you when you come to complete the enrolment forms and report to the School Office.  There are quite a number of “official bits” to complete but I should be available during that week to assist you.

 Please ensure that you enter the school by the main door.

   Yours sincerely, 

TRISH PERT 

Depute Head Teacher 

9^th January 2008

Dear Parents,

Mrs Thom has been unwell since Tuesday 20^th November and continues to be absent from school.

Following the recent H.M.I. inspection, Mr Alistair MacKay, Service Manager, Schools and Children’s Services, Neighbourhood Services (South Area), has arranged for additional support to be given to school and the management team as a result of Mrs Thom’s continued absence.

Mrs June Stewart has been seconded from her substantive post as Head Teacher at Hazlehead School by Aberdeen City Council to support Loirston School during this period.

Yours sincerely,

M. S. MCPHEE

Depute Head Teacher