School Round-up 36 (02.06.2023)

We have had another week of glorious weather to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who is sending in suncream and sun hats for the children.

Some of the, many, highlights this week have been: –

Welcoming our new P1 parents to Abbeyhill Primary school. The nursery children becoming a spontaneous audience for the filming of Primary 6 Fischy music song. It is so catchy and the message is one very close to our Abbeyhill vision.

I was blown away by the confidence and talent of our P3-P7 school choir, who made their debut at assembly on Tuesday.

Assembly focussed on recognition of school rules, values, kindness, achievements and the 4 capacities. It was fantastic to see so many children being recognised in all areas and children nominating staff for recognition too.

Staff ran a very enjoyable house event for Primary 1-7 with children enjoying carrying out activities all afternoon with their House team in preparation for our Sports Day on Friday.

Primary 6 enjoyed another visit to Edinburgh University for their final part of their dance project.

Snapshot of our Learning:

For this week’s update I include:

  • New P1 Meeting for parents
  • Students
  • Sports day 1
  • Summer Garden Party- Its almost time!
  • Primary 7 Leavers event
  • Home Learning
  • Teddy Bears Picnic for new Primary 1 children

Current Primary 1 and Primary 2 Meeting

A recording of the meeting will be available shortly for current P1 and P2 parents.

Students

We will be welcoming a second set of Swiss Students into P4 and P6 this week.

Sports Day 1

Sports day information was sent out this week. Please check your e-mail.

We are looking forward to seeing you on Friday 9th at the Holyrood Park Education Centre.

Summer Garden Party

The preparations are in full swing for the Summer Garden party which will be held on Saturday 10th June from 12.00 to 3.00.

The list of raffle prizes is amazing. Thank you to all our families who have contributed to this. Tickets can be bought in the playground at drop off and pick up times. You can also send your child into school with the money in an envelope stating how many tickets you wish to buy.

Primary 7 Leavers Event and Fischy Music Concert

Primary 7 leavers event will be held in the Meadowbank church at 1.30 on 27th June at Meadowbank Church followed by a Fischy music concert, showcasing the new songs by P4 and P6.

All families are welcome to come along to share this event.

The children will return to school with their class teachers and should be collected from School in the playground at the usual time.

Home Learning

All home learning folders should be returned on Monday 5th, even if you have not completed the grid. We need to collect all books and folders in for next session. I am looking forward to sharing any Home Learning at assembly that children would like to share on Tuesday 6th June.

Teddy Bears Picnic

We are looking forward to welcoming our new Primary 1 children into school on the Thursday 8th of June. Please check the e-mail from Ms Wynn for the details.

Finally

We are always available to speak to if you have any queries or concerns. Please either get in touch through e-mail to the school office or make an appointment to come in to discuss with a member of staff.

As always, I wish you a wonderful, restful, and relaxing weekend.

Kind Regards

Moira Robertson

School Round-up 35 (26.05.2023)

Well, it may have been another short week, but once again it was jam packed!

We aim to provide a rich, diverse curriculum which allows our children to apply their learning in different contexts and make connections to life outside of school.

This will continue to be a focus, as we refresh our curriculum rationale next session.

Some, of the many, highlights this week have been: –

Primary 7 enjoying an amazing day at the Aegon offices on Tuesday, working with the RedSTART team and Aegon Volunteers, to develop their understanding of finances and financial decision making. The children were buzzing on their return.

Primary 6 continued to work with Fischy music and the first group of children took part in Bikeability Level 1.

Primary 1 and 2 welcomed YMI (Youth Music Initiative) into classes on Thursday to develop their music education through rhythm and games.

Primary 4 and 5 also welcomed the YMI team in on Friday to start their block of Ukelele lessons.

Mr Woodhouse attended City of Edinburgh’s Digital conference, gaining insight on new developments, and worked alongside Learning community colleagues to plan our digital development next session.

I was delighted to welcome so many families into school on Thursday afternoon to share our learning in sustainability from Primary 1-Primary 7.

The feedback from families was overwhelmingly positive and we are already looking forward to planning more opportunities for next session.

Snapshots of this Weeks Learning:

P6 continued to develop their media skills, with Stop Motion Spelling & Planting
P6 continued to develop their media skills, with Stop Motion Spelling & Planting

For this week’s update I include:

  • Playground after school
  • Uniform
  • Warm Weather
  • Class Structure survey for current P1 and P2 parents
  • New P1 Meeting for parents
  • RedSTART data collection letter for P3 and P4
  • Students
  • Sports Day 1
  • Summer Garden Party

Playground After School

We are loving seeing so many families using the playground after school.

Please note that Nursery does not finish till 4.00 and often they will be using the wildlife and grass area until then in good weather.

If nursery children are out on the grass, please keep your children on the pitch or SPA area.  

Keeping clear boundaries is very important for staff.

The Nursery staff will mark the boundary they are using with cones until they are finished. Primary children should ot cross this line.

Thank you for your support in this.

Uniform

A further reminder that children should still wear a school jumper/cardigan or hoodie on Gym days. We want to encourage a sense of belonging and identity and wearing school uniform supports this. Please keep bright and branded hoodies etc for use at home.

If you do not have school jumpers or need to add a few to your child’s wardrobe, we have a large selection of preloved uniform in school.

Warm Weather Preparation

The weather is getting warmer. An e-mail went home asking parents and carers to ensure that their children have sun cream on and are bringing a hat into school, so they are protected from the sun.

New Primary 1 Meeting

A meeting for all new Primary 1 parents will be held in the school hall on Thursday 1st June at 9.00.  A virtual meeting will be held on Friday 2nd December for any families who cannot make the face-to-face meeting.

Class Structure for Session 2023-2024

A survey for parents to share views was issued last week. This closes on Monday 29th May.

RedSTART Data Gathering P3 and P4

Ms Wynn has sent out information to all P3 and 4 families regarding the collection of data for our partnership project with RedSTART. Please watch the video again and follow the instructions to opt out if you want to. Opting out will not impact your child in any way as they will continue to benefit from the RedSTART programme in class.

Students

Our Swiss Students are settling into P1 and P2b and we were delighted to Welcome their tutor to school on Thursday afternoon. He was excited to join the families sharing the learning.

Sports Day 1

Sports day 1 is planned for Friday 9th June this year. As last year it will be held in front of the Education Centre. Parents wishing to attend should arrive at 9.30.

All children should be dropped off at school as usual and will go to the park with their class and all children will return to school with their class to be collected at the normal time in the school playground. A further, more detailed letter will be issued this week.

Sports day 2 is planned for Friday 16th June, if the weather is not kind on the 9th.

Summer Garden Party

The preparations are in full swing for the Summer Garden party which will be held on Saturday 10th June from 12.00 to 3.00. Please look out for the posters advertising all the fun. We look forward to seeing you there!

Fischy Music Concert

Primary 4 and Primary 6 have been working with Fischy Music on a song writing project this term. We are so grateful to Meadowbank Church for funding this amazing experience.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to change the date for our concert.

We are now going to showcase the songs at an event on 27thth June at 2pm- Please save the date and we will confirm the details shortly. 😊

Finally

We are always available to speak to if you have any queries or concerns. Please either get in touch through e-mail to the school office or make an appointment to come in to discuss with a member of staff.

As always, I wish you a wonderful, restful, and relaxing weekend.

Kind Regards

Moira Robertson

School Round-up 34 19.5.23

School will be closed on Monday 22nd May- Victoria Day Holiday

Isn’t it lovely to see the change in the weather – being out on the playground in the sunshine all week has been lovely.

It is our last May holiday on Monday and I hope you are all able to enjoy the forecast weather.

Highlights for this week are, the start of our new basketball lunch club, run by Mr Chetwynd and our film night last night. Thank you to the parent helpers who came along to support us. This meant we could increase our offer from 2 films to 3.

Snapshot of this Weeks Learning:

All the children (all) having fun in park.

For this week’s update I include:

  • School Holidays in May – Reminder
  • New Primary 1 Letters
  • Class Structure Letter
  • Biometric Information for P7
  • Bikeability
  • Sharing Learning Afternoon
  • Summer Garden Party
  • Support for Families in NE Edinburgh
  • Students
  • Violin and Cello Concert Invitation

School Holiday on Monday

School will be closed on Monday 22nd May- Victoria Day Holiday

New Primary 1 Transition Visits Letter

A letter was issued to all our new P1 families this week outlining the transition events for parents and Carers as well as the children.

Class Structure for Session 2023-2024

A letter outlining the class composition was sent out this week outlining the structure of the classes next session.

Biometric Opt-in Information

Ms Wynn has sent out information to all P7 parents regarding setting up biometric system issued in Secondary school. There is a form that must be returned to the secondary school in the first week.

Bikeability – Level 1

Bikeability Level 1 will be starting for Primary 6 on Thursday. More information to follow.

Sharing Learning afternoon for parents – Thursday 25th May

We would like to invite parents and carers into share learning in the classes on Thursday 25th May.

Primary 1 and Primary 2 – 2.15 to 2.45

Please come to the Office and sign in for 2.15 and you will be taken over to the classes.

All parents should leave at 2.45 to allow the class teachers to finish up their day and all children will be released at their usual time of 3.05 in the playground.

Primary 3 -Primary 7- 2.30-3.00

Please come to the office at 2.30 to sign in and you will be escorted to your child’s class at 2.30. All parents should leave at 3.00 to allow the class teachers to finish up their day and all children will be released at their usual time of 3.15 in the playground.

We look forward to welcoming you into school. Please don’t worry if you can’t make it this time, there will be more opportunities built into next sessions planning.

Support for Families

See information below and attachments.

Growing Not Waiting – a stay and play group for mothers in temporary accommodation with a child under 5 starting Wednesday 24th May

Every Wednesday (term time) 10:30-12:30pm

Leith Community Centre, top floor of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre at the bottom of Leith Walk

A new Buggy/ Parent and Toddler Walk (leaflet attached) will run each Tuesdays 10am-12pm from Hays Community Hub, 3 Hay Avenue, Craigmillar. Parents can enjoy a walk, meet other local parents, followed by refreshments afterwards at the hub. The group will be run by Places for People.

For more information contact Paul Sanderson Tel: 07803453502 paulsanderson@pfpleisure.org

Growing Not Waiting is part of One Parent Families Scotland Edinburgh. They provide a safe, welcoming play space for children under 5 and offer support and advice for mothers living in temporary accommodation. They run a monthly housing rights clinic in partnership with Shelter Scotland as well as financial support, parenting advice and guidance and any other wrap around support that may be needed regarding issues that result from the experience of living in temporary accommodation. They provide travel costs or a taxi to get to the group.

No referral needed and drop ins welcome, if a parent is working with other services they can call Jenifer Hamilton on 07909112036 to make a referral over the phone or email Jenifer.hamilton@opfs.org.uk and they can contact the parent directly to support them to attend.

Mental Health support for BAME communities

The Health in Mind Equal Access service in Partnership with MEHIS are running workshops at Craigmillar Library for adults from ethnic Minority communities. The Mental Health Toolkit sessions will run on Wednesdays 24th May and 31st May 11.30am-1pm (leaflet attached). There is also a fortnightly online wellbeing drop-in groups running (leaflet also attached).

The Love Loss and Living course supports parents who do not have care of their children and may benefit from support in managing the emotions related to such a loss. A pilot was run last year, parents found the course incredibly beneficial.

Shared Parenting are going to be delivering the course again in two ways starting on Wednesday the 31st of May:

• Online, there are six modules that will be released weekly that will be supported by some coaching sessions.

• Face to Face training taking place in the Shared Parenting Scotland Offices (Edinburgh, address below) again weekly, commencing on the 31st of May 6-8 pm

Both courses are free of charge and people can self-refer through their website: http://www.sharedparenting.scot or call the helpline on 0131 557 2440

Students

We will be welcoming Swiss Students into school again next week and look forward to sharing our wonderful school with them over the next few weeks.

Summer Garden Party

The preparations are in full swing for the Summer Garden party which will be held on Saturday 10th June from 12.00 to 3.00. Please look out for the posters advertising all the fun. We look forward to seeing you there!

Violin and Cello Concert

An invitation was sent to a Parents and Carers of children who are learning Violin or Cello to invite them to a concert in school on 15th May. Check your e-mail for the details.

Finally

We are always available to speak to if you have any queries or concerns. Please either get in touch through e-mail to the school office or make an appointment to come in to discuss with a member of staff.

As always, I wish you a wonderful, restful, and relaxing weekend.

Kind Regards

Moira Robertson

School Round-up 33 (12.05.2023)

I hope you all enjoyed another relaxing long weekend are ready for a full week in school before our final May holiday on the 22nd! Once again, the week has been jam packed with learning at Abbeyhill.

The highlight for me this week has been hearing the development of the Fischy music songs created by Primary 4 and Primary 6 and spending time in the Nursery.

For this week’s update I include:

  • School holidays in May – Reminder
  • Home Learning Grids
  • Interscholastic
  • Care Experienced Fun Day

School Holidays in May

School will be closed on Monday 22nd May- Victoria Day Holiday

Home Learning

Home Learning grids were sent out this week to all classes. The Home learning should be returned on 5th June.

I have included a family learning task from our Wellbeing programme, Building Resilience. This term we are thinking about the importance of keeping connected, especially if we re facing challenges. The children are thinking about who they have in school and at home to talk to or support them when things are tricky.

Please discuss this with your child and send the wanted picture into school for sharing at assembly on the 6th of June.

Interscholastic Competition

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel participation in the interscholastic competition on Monday due to staffing issues. I know this is disappointing but unavoidable.

Care Experienced fun day at Craigentinny

Please see the flier attached for a Fun Day at Craigentinny for care experienced children. Please pass the information on to any other families locally who may be interested.

Finally

We are always available to speak to if you have any queries or concerns. Please either get in touch through e-mail to the school office or make an appointment to come in to discuss with a member of staff.

As always, I wish you a wonderful, restful, and relaxing weekend.

Kind Regards

Moira Robertson

School Round-up 32 (05.05.2023)

Reminder-

School will be closed to all children on: -Monday May 8th – Kings Coronation

We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 9th May.

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing long weekend are ready for another one to celebrate the Coronation. It may have been a short week but once again it has been full of fun and learning.

Primary 4 had a very busy Wednesday with a RedSTART workshop and Fischy Music!

Primary 6 were in excellent voice first thing on Wednesday too, while they worked with the Fischy Music team.

Group 3 in P7 completed their bikeability Level 2 sessions and continued their learning with the Superhero Academy. I cannot wait to read the stories they are creating.

Our Abbeyhill Ambassadors are now planning how we share our Vision, Values and Aims- watch this space………

Our Road Safety Officers have been busy putting the finishing touches to the banner for the playground- thanks to Mrs Neos for helping.

Snapshots of this Weeks Learning:

For this week’s update I include:

  • ❖ School holidays in May – Reminder
  • ❖ Active school Booking form
  • ❖ Jigsaw planner
  • ❖ Parent Council

School Holidays in May

Monday 8th May- Kings Coronation

Monday 22nd May- Victoria Day Holiday

Active Schools Club Booking

An e-mail was sent out yesterday with the booking link for clubs- please log on and book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Jigsaw Planner

Jigsaw planners have been sent out today. These contain information about the new learning planned for the term ahead.

Parent Council

Parent Council meeting is being held on May 9th. It will be hybrid on TEAMs as well as in person.

Finally

We are always available to speak to if you have any queries or concerns. Please either get in touch through e-mail to the school office or make an appointment to come in to discuss with a member of staff.

As always, I wish you a wonderful, restful, and relaxing weekend.

Kind Regards

Moira Robertson