Dear Parents/Carers
Further to yesterday’s message from myself.
Please find attached a letter containing information for our return to school next week. I would really appreciate your support in reading it carefully through in its entirety, as it contains a large amount of detailed information. I greatly appreciate your support with this.
Return to School Parent & Carer Information
Pat Brack
Head Teacher
Dear Parents/Carers.
In our update last week, we said that we would be in a position to update you on our plans for return to school today. We want to make this update both as clear, comprehensive and accurate as possible. Due to the complexity of the planning required, there are still some additional pieces of information that we need to fine tune before communicating to you. Therefore, we will now update you via our website, app and learning journals platforms re our return to school plans by 12pm tomorrow. Apologies for the slight delay.
In the meantime, please see some helpful information below from City of Edinburgh Council concerning activities that families can carry out together to prepare for the return to school next week.
Tips for Parents/Carers From City Of Edinburgh Council
We all want to help our children and young people make as smooth a transition as possible back into school and to feel safe and happy there. We’ve created these tips as a resource for parents and carers to use to support themselves and their children to become more resilient and develop the skills needed to cope with challenging times – especially as we get ready to return to school.
These tips complement the building resilience primary health and wellbeing programme which we will be using as part of our return to school curriculum. The tips help to engage pupils, families and staff in raising awareness and understanding of ten protective factors for our mental health and wellbeing which are drawn from key research around mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Back to school tip 1: Keep connected – Relationships matter
Support your child to contact a friend from school, chat online or spend some time together before the start of term. For children who may find this difficult, help plan an activity or discuss ideas of what they could talk about.
Think of ways your child can feel connected to you when they return to school, E.g. give them a picture, a written message or a familiar object that they can take with them in their pocket or bag. Schools will give advice on what your child can bring with them initially.
Arrange to meet or call a friend or another parent, have a chat and share your plans for returning to school. Suggest walking to school together or arrange to meet up after school starts.
Share anything important that has happened during lockdown with school at the start of term- let them know about any family changes, positive achievements or challenges experienced. Your child may want to draw a picture or take a photo of something positive they have done to share with a staff member or their friends.
Back to school tip 2: Be kind to others – Everyone needs kindness
Encourage your child to think of ways they can be kind to others and pay attention and praise your child when you notice them doing this. “It was kind of you to… share with your friend/ include them in your group at break”
Children learn by watching others- show or tell your child ways you have been kind to others. For example, “I had a chat with our neighbour, she looked a bit sad.”
Notice other parents on their own in and around the school, you never know who may welcome a friendly greeting or chat.
Above all, be kind to yourself. We’ve all been through exceptional circumstances.
Back to school tip 3: Talk things over – It’s good to talk…and listen
Notice when is a good time and make space for your child to talk about things. This may be walking the dog, in the car or at bedtime. Create opportunities for your child to build a relationship with another family member, trusted adult or professional.
Be available to actively listen to what your child is thinking or how they are feeling. Name what you think they are feeling, let them know you understand and try not to jump in too soon with a solution. For example. “It sounds like you’re worried about having no one to play with, I can see why that’s upsetting you.”
After the school day, your child may need time to wind down before telling you about their day. You could try sharing something about your day first.
Think about who you can talk to about any concerns or worries you have, such as a friend, family member or maybe a professional.
Back to school tip 4: Look on the bright side – Find positive moments, however small, each day
Our brains are wired to notice threats, sometimes that stops us seeing the good stuff. That can mean we have to really try to be positive.
Help your child identify the positive things about lockdown easing or returning to school. Who might they be looking forward to seeing or what might they be looking forward to doing?
Consider the positives for you of lockdown easing and children returning to school.
It can be helpful to make time each day to think of one or two positive things. It may be nice to write these down in diary or post them in a jar, share them with your child and listen to their ideas. You could have a phrase like “Today I loved…. playing football with you”
Back to school tip 5: Challenge your mindset – Remember we can cope…we just did
It can be unsettling not knowing what may happen. Help your child focus on all the things they do know, such as how to get to school, what they will wear, seeing a friend. Introduce new information gradually as it becomes available.
Everyone is a unique individual, discuss with your child the little things that they can do or have already achieved. Remind them of these skills and successes when embarking on a new challenge.
It is normal that many children and parents will be feeling anxious, try to focus on how you will manage rather than what might go wrong. Show confidence, even if you are feeling a bit wobbly, it helps that your child sees that you have a plan to carry out together.
Back to school tip 6: Take a moment – We all need some time out
Reflect on what you have noticed helps or may help your child to cope with new or difficult situations or emotions such as listening to music, jumping on the trampoline, etc. It might be helpful to practice new coping strategies together and plan for how these can be used when things are tricky.
Being a parent can be really tough, doing things to look after our own wellbeing helps to manage stress, boost our confidence and makes us more able to cope with the ups and downs. Try to prioritise doing something that improves your wellbeing – it might help to set aside some time each day. You could- chat with a friend, go for a walk, read a book, go fishing, etc.
If appropriate share with your child a way you have managed a difficult situation.
Back to school tip 7: Make a difference – Small things can make a difference
Discuss with your child what they did to make a difference to someone in your community or your environment over the past few months. Like displaying a rainbow, shopping for a grandparent or cutting the grass for a neighbour.
Acknowledge the small things – for example notice your child when they help a sibling, put litter in the bin, help around the home.
Talk about who or what made a difference to you or your family during lockdown.
This could be something that seems small, like someone calling when you needed cheering up. Consider how you made a difference and what else you’d like to do.
By each of us washing our hands, wearing a mask and keeping a distance we help protect others.
Back to school tip 8: Get active – Keep going, or get started
It’s proven that physical activity boosts our sense of well-being.
If your child started to be more active during lockdown, think about how this can be continued. If not, what small steps could you encourage. Be curious about what may interest them and plan how they could try something new.
A lot of us were more active individually as well as together as a family – playing games, going for cycle rides and walks together. We will have noticed the benefit; plan how you can keep these activities going.
As lockdown eases we can benefit from more exercise outdoors and reduce some of family screen time and online activity.
Remember little rewards to yourself and family can help establish a good habit!
Back to school tip 9: Respect yourself – Be proud of your child and yourself
Help your child make a list of the things they have learnt and enjoyed over the last few months. E.g. learned to hula hoop, baking, mountain biking. Share and celebrate these with family and friends.
Think about and share all the ways you and the family have adjusted to the challenges over the last few months and acknowledge together, the strengths you’ve shown. There may have been ups and downs but remind yourself of the things you managed to do. Such as using video calls, cooking family meals, supporting your child with their learning or exploring your neighbourhood.
You may wish to put together a scrap book or time capsule to help remember this extraordinary time. It could include photographs of the things you did at home, news articles, letters, interviews from different family members, etc.
Back to school tip 10: Have a goal – A new journey starts with a step…
Talk to your child about what they would like to learn or get better at by the end of this term, such as a sports skill, a new hobby, being able to cook something, dress themselves, etc.
Think about something positive you can start to do, or you keep doing when your child returns to school. E.g. start a new class, exercise, meet a friend, complete a home improvement project.
Thank you for your support and understanding. I look forward to communicating with you tomorrow.
Pat Brack
Head Teacher
Dear Parents/Carers.
As things stand, and as advised at the end of last term, we are being asked to plan for 100% pupil attendance in August. A further announcement is being made by the Scottish Government Education Recovery Group on 30th July. Once City of Edinburgh Council have communicated their advice to us following this announcement, we will then post a detailed update on all of our platforms (school, app, website and learning journals) providing information about the practical plans the school will be putting in place for our pupils’ return to school on Wednesday, August 12th 2020. This information update will be posted on our digital platforms by 5pm on Wednesday 5th August. Please check your favoured platform on that day.
Kind Regards
Pat Brack, HT and all at St Cuthbert’s.
We have now reached the final day of term. I want to pass on to you my sincere thanks for the positivity, patience and support you have shown to the school throughout the year and for the commitment you have shown to your children’s education, health and wellbeing. Please accept my sincere gratitude and thanks.
End of Term 12pm – Friday 26th June 2020
Please note that terms ends officially on the above date at the above time. There will be no further digital learning after this time as both staff and pupils will officially be on summer holidays.
As you know, we are planning for all pupils to return to school on 12th August. We await further information from the Scottish Government. After today, no further Daily Updates will be posted on the school website, app and Learning Journals but we will share any further relevant information or changes with you over the summer holidays via the aforementioned digital platforms.
Teams Video Messages
We managed to upload all of our new teacher and Head Teacher end of term video messages on the class Teams today. We hope this was helpful and supportive for our pupils.
P7 Leavers
We hope the pupils enjoyed the visits from Miss Munro and Mrs Skelly and the video message from myself. We hope to be able to invite the whole class back in the new school year at some point for a formal good bye. Until then, we send them our thanks for their hard work and resilience and wish them and you, their families all the best in the future.
Annual Progress Reports via Learning Journals
Thank you for the positive feedback you have been leaving on our Learning Journals reports. These are much appreciated. It has come to my attention that there have been some technical issues with the Learning Journals platform. Mrs Holden has been working hard to resolve these and is waiting on a response from Learning Journals which will hopefully help us sort these issues out shortly.
We hope you and your families have a well earned and happy summer break.
Another lovely, sunny day today, the second last day of term. Thanks for your support throughout this term. Please see update for Thursday 25th June below.
End of Term 12pm – Friday 26th June
Please note that term ends officially on the above date, at the above time. There will be no further digital learning after this time as both staff and pupils will officially be on summer holidays.
A final daily update will be posted on the school website, app and learning journals tomorrow afternoon. Daily Updates will cease after this point but further relevant information will be shared over the summer holidays, particularly with regard to arrangements for August 2020.
Teams Technical Issues Today – An Apology!
Unfortunately, we had some issues with changing Teams names and posting videos from myself and new teachers today.
We will ensure that these videos are up on class Teams before 12pm tomorrow.
We won’t unfortunately be able to change the Teams names over now this term.
Sincere apologies for any confusion caused by these technical issues today.
P7 Yearbooks Delivery
Thank you to Miss Munro and Mrs Skelly for their sterling efforts today. I hope that seeing and speaking to their teacher and another member of P7 school staff today as well as receiving the high quality yearbook helped provide some positive form of closure to the year for our P7 pupils. As we said just prior to closure, we hope to bring P7 back for some form of official good-bye in the new session. Thanks for making our staff welcome today.
Annual Progress Reports via Learning Journals
Thank you for the positive feedback you have been leaving on our Learning Journals reports. These are much appreciated. Please also note that if you have any issues, with your login you can contact our admin mailbox for support. Please note as per screen-shot below, that it is possible to have a reminder of your password on Learning Journals sent to you.
Pat Brack, HT and all at St Cuthbert’s Primary.
Please see important updates for Wednesday 24th June below.
August 2020 Return To School Arrangements – Letter from City of Edinburgh Council
A letter was sent to all parents today from Andy Gray, Chief Education Officer at City of Edinburgh Council re plans for schools as of August 2020. I attach it again for your convenience.
ParentCarer Letter SG Statement on Reopening of Schools 24 June20 (002)
As things now stand, the plan is that all pupils will return as normal on the 12th August at 8.55am. The only exception being our new P1’s, who will return on a phased basis over the first 3 days of term, arrangements for this phased return will be confirmed with P1 parents via separate communication. Each P1 pupil will be in school from 9am-12pm on either Wednesday or Thursday. All P1 pupils will however attend school together on Friday 14th August
As Andy Gray’s letter states “”Further updates will be shared on the Council’s website https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schools-learning/returning-school-august-2020/1 and you will be alerted to any new information using the text alert system.””
New P1 Induction Packs
Thanks to all of those who collected their packs today. We hope you find them useful. Please contact me via the admin mailbox, (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk) if you have any questions relating to its contents.
Annual Progress Reports via Learning Journals
Thank you for the positive feedback you have been leaving on our Learning Journals reports. These are much appreciated. Please also note that if you have any issues, with your login you can contact our admin mailbox for support. Please note as per screen-shot below, that it is possible to have a reminder of your password on Learning Journals sent to you.
Class Teams Name Change and Teachers and Video Message to Pupils From New Teachers
We will change our current class Teams to their new names for next session tomorrow.
The new teachers for each class will send a video message to their new class Team on Thursday so that all pupils are familiar with their new teachers face and voice ahead of our return in August. I will also add a brief video message from myself to each Team.
Both Teams name changes and messages will take effect by lunchtime tomorrow.
P7 Yearbooks Delivery – Tomorrow
Both myself and Miss Munro are very keen that P7 do not miss out on the traditional P7 yearbooks. Miss Munro has worked really hard to make this document a fitting souvenir of our P7’s time at St Cuthbert’s. We hope you and the children enjoy reading them!
To this end, Miss Munro and Mrs Skelly plan to deliver the year book and return belongings, school work etc to P7 pupils homes on Thursday 25th June. They will start their visits from 10am. This is purely optional and if you do not wish a visit, we will very much respect your wishes. Please let us know by return of e-mail to our admin mailbox if you do not wish a visit.
Please see important updates for Tuesday 23rd June below. Apologies it is a bit later than usual, due to today’s developments.
August 2020 Return To School Arrangements
As you may know the Deputy First Minister announced this afternoon that it is the Scottish Government’s planned intention to re-open all schools full time after the summer holidays.
We were due to write to you tomorrow with details of the return to school in August, that has now been superseded by this afternoon’s announcement. This is a rapidly evolving situation and the return to school will be contingent on a number of scientific measures being reached. It may be necessary to contact you during the summer holidays with further updates. Please continue to check our website, app and Learning Journals for updates.
I want to record my thanks to our team here at St Cuthbert’s, who have been working tirelessly to plan and prepare for the models previously agreed. This has been a massive and complex endeavour for us all. Our planning will continue to ensure our school is safe to be open when required.
I will communicate with you again on this subject again tomorrow. Thanks for your understanding.
New P1 Induction Packs
These will be available from the trolley placed just inside the playground gates between 9-3pm tomorrow. If it rains, the trolley will be placed just inside the outer front door of the school building. Please note that these are for the parents/carers of next year’s P1 – P1 August 2020.
Annual Progress Reports via Learning Journals
Thank you for the positive feedback you have been leaving on our Learning Journals reports. These are much appreciated. Please also note that if you have any issues, with your login, you can contact our admin mailbox (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk) for support. Please note as per screen-shot below, that it is possible to have a reminder of your password on Learning Journals sent to you if you have forgotten it.
Class Structure and Teachers for Session 2020-21 – Video Message to Pupils
We communicated this today via the school app for parents and carers and Teams for pupils. Please let me know if you have not been able to access this information.
The new teachers for each class will send a video message to their new class Team on Thursday so that all pupils are familiar their new teachers face and voice ahead of our return in August.
P7 Yearbooks Delivery
Both myself and Miss Munro are very keen that P7 do not miss out on the traditional P7 yearbooks. Miss Munro has worked really hard to make this document a fitting souvenir of our P7’s time at St Cuthbert’s. We hope you and the children enjoy reading them!
To this end, Miss Munro and Mrs Skelly plan to deliver the year book and return belongings, school work etc to P7 pupils homes on Thursday 25th June. They will start their visits from 10am. This is purely optional and if you do not wish a visit, we will very much respect your wishes. Please let us know by return of e-mail to our admin mailbox if you do not wish a visit.
Dear Parents/Carers,
Please see important updates for Monday 22nd June below.
Annual Progress Reports via Learning Journals – Available From Today
These were published via Learning Journals at 10am on Monday 22nd June. Please contact our admin mailbox (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk) if you still need to register for Learning Journals or have any difficulties logging in.
Learning Journals provides the capacity for you to leave feedback comments on your children’s journals. Should you wish to feedback your general views on reporting using this platform, please feel very welcome to do so using the admin mailbox.
Class Structure and Teachers for Session 2020-21 – Video Message to Pupils
We communicated this today via the school app for parents and carers and Teams for pupils. Please let me know if you have not been able to access this information.
The new teachers for each class will send a video message to their new class Team on Thursday so that all pupils are familiar their new teachers face and voice ahead of our return in August.
August 2020 Return To School Arrangements
As you will have read in the letter from City of Edinburgh Council released on 12th June, the council has shared a plan to begin the year with schools operating at 33% capacity. At St Cuthbert’s, we have worked on a range of models to ensure we are prepared for any eventuality. I am very aware of the urgent need for you to know the days your child will be in school come August so you can plan your lives! I am also very conscious of giving you the correct information for August and not creating any confusion at an already difficult time.
We will share which days your child will be in school with you on Wednesday 24th June.
There is very little room for movement with these arrangements so we cannot unfortunately accommodate individual requests- as much as we would like to. You will have heard the statements from Scottish Government this week underlying their commitment to return to full time school education as soon as it is safe to do so.
P7 Yearbooks Delivery
Both myself and Miss Munro are very keen that P7 do not miss out on the traditional P7 yearbooks. Miss Munro has worked really hard to make this document a fitting souvenir of our P7’s time at St Cuthbert’s. We hope you and the children enjoy reading them!
To this end, Miss Munro and Mrs Skelly plan to deliver the year book and return belongings, school work etc to P7 pupils homes on Thursday 25th June. They will start their visits from 10am. This is purely optional and if you do not wish a visit, we will very much respect your wishes. Please let us know by return of e-mail to our admin mailbox if you do not wish a visit. Otherwise, Miss Munro and Miss Skelly look forward to seeing you on Thursday.
Please see important updates for Friday 19th June below.
August 2020 Return To School Arrangements
As you will have read in the letter from City of Edinburgh Council released last Friday, the council has shared a plan to begin the year with schools operating at 33% capacity. At St Cuthbert’s, we have worked on a range of models to ensure we are prepared for any eventuality. I am very aware of the urgent need for you to know the days your child will be in school come August so you can plan your lives! I am also very conscious of giving you the correct information for August and not creating any confusion at an already difficult time.
We will share which days your child will be in school with you on Wednesday next week.
There is very little room for movement with these arrangements so we cannot unfortunately accommodate individual requests- as much as we would like to. You will have heard the statements from Scottish Government this week underlying their commitment to return to full time school education as soon as it is safe to do so.
P7 Yearbooks Delivery
Both myself and Miss Munro are very keen that P7 do not miss out on the traditional P7 yearbooks. Miss Munro has worked really hard to make this document a fitting souvenir of our P7’s time at St Cuthbert’s. We hope you and the children enjoy reading them!
To this end, Miss Munro and Mrs Skelly plan to deliver the year book and return belongings, school work etc to P7 pupils homes on Thursday 25th June. They will start their visits from 10am. This is purely optional and if you do not wish a visit, we will very much respect your wishes. Please let us know by return of e-mail to our admin mailbox if you do not wish a visit.
Class Structure and teachers for Session 2020-21
We will communicate details of our class structure and teachers for next session via the school app and Learning Journals on Monday 22nd June at 10am. We will also communicate the information to our pupils via Teams at the exact same time. If you require any support accessing either of these digital platforms please let us know via the admin mailbox. (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk)
Annual Progress Reports via Learning Journals
These will be published via Learning Journals on Monday 22nd June. Please contact our admin mailbox (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk) if you still need to register for Learning Journals or have any difficulties logging in.
Kind regards
Pat Brack, HT and all at St Cuthbert’s Primary.
Please see update for Thursday 18th June below.
P7 Parent/Carers Information Message from St Augustine’s High School
Please could you let parents of pupils coming to St Augustine’s know that the Parental Information Evening Powerpoint is on our website at:
Letter from City of Edinburgh Council – Translated Copies
Our EAL Team have provided translated copies of the letter sent in English to parents on Friday 12th June in a number of different languages relevant to our school community. We have posted these today for your use.
Letter to parents 120620 summary -ENGLISH
Letter to parents 120620 summary – TURKISH
Letter to parents 120620 summary – SPANISH
Letter to parents 120620 summary – ROMANIAN
Letter to parents 120620 summary – POLISH
Letter to parents 120620 summary – MANDARIN
Letter to parents 120620 summary – CANTONESE
Letter to parents 120620 summary – ARABIC
P7-S1 Transition Day 3
We hope that the final day of transition went well for all pupils. If pupils are taking part in the competition, please return to Miss Munro via Teams in the first instance.
Parents and Carers of New P1 2020-21 Pupils – Contact Calls with School
Our admin team will make telephone contact with all new P1 families by close of play on Monday 22nd June. The purpose of these calls will be to provide further transition information.
Class Structure and Teachers for Session 2020-21
We will communicate details of our class structure and teachers for next session via the school app and Learning Journals on Monday 22nd June at 10am. We will also communicate the information to our pupils via Teams at the exact same time. If you require any support accessing either of these digital platforms please let us know via the admin mailbox. (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk).
Further details about our blended learning approach for August 2020, will be shared on Wednesday 24th June.
Annual Progress Reports via Learning Journals
These will be published via Learning Journals on Monday 22nd June. Please contact our admin mailbox (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk) if you still need to register for Learning Journals or have any difficulties logging in.
Pat Brack, HT and all at St Cuthbert’s Primary.
