It’s been such a wonderful week having all the pupils back in school and with the sun shining we’re ending the week feeling really upbeat.
Assembly
Our assembly this week focused on Health and Wellbeing and returning to school. We watched a few clips including how to find your inner calm, dealing with the pressures of school and staying safe on line.
Miss Kiely read a story called Stone Soup where we learned that when we all pull our skills and talents together we can create something special.
Mr Wood’s doodle was from Cars this week.
Earth Hour
At 8.30pm on Saturday 27th March, hundreds of millions of people across the world will switch off their lights for one hour to celebrate Earth Hour and show they care about the future of our planet.
We will be doing an Earth Hour Challenge in school but if you would like to find our more and take part at home click on this link for more information.
https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-02/Individuals%20and%20Community%20Toolkit%20-%20Final.pdf
This week in Nursery …
The story we have focused on is ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. This story has led onto counting magic beans for our maths group time. The children have planted beans in their groups. We are going to observe the six coloured groups planters to see which group can grow the tallest bean plant. As well as planting the bean plants, both the Butterfly and Rainbow friends have started planted courgettes and tomato plants.
The Butterfly friends have added a baby bath, sponges and bubble bath to play in the house corner and this led onto a mud bath outside in the garden! There was great excitement inside nursery when the children found a snail in the playroom. The children created an area in our garden for the snail to have food and shelter. The Rainbow friends have enjoyed playing with the fire engines inside and outdoors and they used water in the garden to extend their role play!
In our nursery garden, work has started to prepare the new area for the park and ride. This is an area where the children can leave their bikes or scooters which they use to come to nursery on. These toys cannot be used for the children to play on in our nursery garden. Look out for the park and ride signs and the sign to let the children know if there are spaces to park or the area is full.
Free School Meals payments and the Spring Hardship
Payment https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolgrants
Other payments
If you meet the conditions for free school meals you may be entitled to other payments to help with meals during school holidays, closures or if your child has to self isolate.
You don’t need to apply separately. We will pay these to the bank account we hold for your clothing grant.
Holiday payments
A payment of £2.25 was made for every day during school holidays, closures or where remote or learning is in place up to 29 January 2021.
From 01 February 2021, the payment increased to £2.50 per day.
Free School Meals payments have been made for all pupils up to 12 March 2021.
On 15 March 2021, a Free School Meals payment of £35.00 per child will be made for secondary pupils only as they are returning to school on blended learning. This payment is for the period 15 March 2021 to 01 April 2021.
Free School Meals payments will be made to all pupils for the Easter holidays.
Spring Hardship Payment
The Scottish Government’s Spring Hardship Payment (https://www.gov.scot/news/funding-to-tackle-poverty-and-inequality/) includes a one-off payment of £100 per child for all children in receipt of Free School Meals before the Easter holiday.
This payment will be included with the Easter holiday Free School Meal payment.
The date for the Spring Hardship Payment and the Easter holidays Free School Meal payment has not yet been confirmed but the payment will be made in advance of the Easter holiday. Once the date is confirmed we will update our web page.
Parents of children already in receipt of Free School Meals DO NOT need to complete an application in order to receive the Spring Hardship Payment, it will be paid automatically using the bank/payment details we already hold.
The Puppet Animation Festival 2021 (School Easter Holiday
A programme of on-line interactive workshops on Zoom for families to enjoy at home via the internet, with access to a device. The places are FREE but limited. Booking is essential and will be taken on a first come, first served basis!
To book a place contact info@puppetanimation.org or phone 0131 600 0699
UP AND DOWN by Idip Theatre
For children under 5’s and their grown- ups Thursday 8th April Starts 10am : DURATION: 25-35mins : (12 screens) Mira and Toggle are best of friends. Although they are far away. One high in the sky, one deep in a den. They’re meeting for tea today. Sharing is fun!
This interactive multisensory performance is for 2 households to share using their own device on Zoom. When booking a place, a list of pre-planned household objects for snacks and effects will be sent in preparation for the interactive workshop + zoom link.
MOVING MOUTH MONSTERS by SOKOBAUNO PUPPET & OBJECT THEATRE
AGES: 5 + years
Tuesday 13th April
Starts 2pm
DURATION: 1/1.5 hours: (10 screens)
With just a few materials, such as paper bowls and paper plates, you can make your very own Moving Mouth Monster puppet. Learn to make it talk and sing.
When booking a list of materials will be sent in preparation for workshop + zoom link
PEEK-A-BOO POP-UP WORKSHOP by Temporary Commons
AGES: 5+ years
Monday 12th April
Starts 10am
DURATION: 1hour (10 screens)
You’ll make a fun and colourful peek-a-boo pop-up puppet. Like a Jack in the Box, the puppet will pop out of the cup on springy legs to surprise!
When booking a place, a list of materials sent in preparation for the workshop + zoom link.
Survey re school session dates 2022/23 and beyond
The council have asked us to gather the views of parents/carers, pupils and staff on future school session dates for 2022/23 and beyond.
The link to the survey is:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/schsd2022
The survey is open from Monday 1 March to Thursday 1 April 2021.
Thank you for your continuing support.
L Henderson