Message from Pat Brack, Headteacher and NHS Lothian
We are aware of person in the school who has tested positive for COVID-19. We understand that this is a worrying time but would like to reassure you that we are working closelywith NHS Lothian Health Protection Team and following all national guidance.
A number of people are currently being contacted because they may have been in close and sustained contact with the case and will need to self isolate.They will be given appropriate guidance and advice.
An update via text and letter (via Learning Journals) will be sent to you as soon as the tracking and tracing process is complete.
If you are not contacted directly to tell you your child is a close contact, then your child should attend school as normal.
Enhanced cleaning and infection control measures are in place in line with national guidance. The school is safe and remains open.
If you have any concerns in the meantime, or if you need to book a COVID-19 test because your child has developed symptoms (high temperature, a new continuous cough and/or a loss or change in sense of smell or taste) please visit the NHS Inform website www.nhsinform.scot or for non-clinical advice call 0800 028 2816.
Please note that a test should only be booked if you or your child has these specifics symptoms.
Remember to stay at home if anyone in the household has symptoms of COVID-19.
St Cuthbert’s CARES We are: Creative Active Respectful Equal Supported
Good afternoon all,
We are very grateful to you for taking the time to read this week’s information. As always let us know if you have any questions about the contents. We can be contacted on (0131 443 2621) or via our admin mailbox (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk).
Covid Communications and Incidences
Thanks to each and every one of you for the calm and supportive attitude which you have displayed in the light of this week’s events. Thanks also for your positive feedback in relation to our communications. Please as always do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Contact details are above.
Final Day of Term Finishing Times – Tuesday 22nd December
The Scottish Government have confirmed that pupils will be in school on Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd December. A letter from City of Edinburgh Council confirming this will be sent out to all parents/carers today.
Finishing times on the last day (22.12.20) as follows:
Learning Journals – Sharing the Learning – Friday 11th December
Please note that this terms observations of learning in literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing will be live on learning journals by close of play today. We now have a 98% sign up for Learning Journals which is brilliant. Thanks to Mrs Holden for taking this forward and to all of you for your support and cooperation. If you have any problems accessing this information please let us know.
School Lunches w/c 4th January 2021
If you wish your child to have school lunches on the first week of term (children return on Wednesday 6th January) please note these MUST be ordered NO LATER than Wednesday 16th December 2020.
Homework
Please note that there will be no homework next week, as this is the last full week of term. We will advise when homework resumes.
Incidences of Severe Weather – Communication
We are now entering into the winter period when severe weather is a possibility. Please check the school website and apps for information re any effect this may have on school life. It is also worth checking City of Edinburgh Council’s website and Social Media as well as Radio Forth. You will always be contacted if there is a school closure decision relating to bad weather.
Contact Details
In light of the above information, the school is able to communicate with you via the school app, website and Learning Journals but there may be times when we also need to text or e-mail you. Please ensure that the school has your up to date mobile phone and e-mail details. Thanks for your support!
Support for Learning Teacher Consultations
Please note that these will take place next week and letters have been sent to confirm time slots. Thanks to those who have returned the slips. If your slip came in past the deadline of last Friday and you have not received a confirmed date/time, we may have to call you in early January.
Christmas Arrangements at St Cuthbert’s (Lunch/Jumper/Pantomime/Parties)Christmas Jersey and Lunch Day – 10th December 2020 went really well. It was nice to see a bit of normal Christmas in the school! Thanks to Nicola and her kitchen team for the delicious lunch they created under challenging circumstances.
Pantomime: The school has purchased a pupil friendly online pantomime: Cinderella, which will be shown to classes on 16th and 17th December. It will also be available on demand for classes to watch after this date.
Parties: These will take place on the following days/times:
P1 – Tuesday 22nd December (please note that this is a change from date advertised last week)
P2 – Thursday 17th December
P3 – Friday 18th December
P4 – Monday 14th December
P5 – Tuesday 15th December
P6 – Wednesday 16th December
P7 – Thursday 17th December
As with P.E, we have no changing facilities available currently in school, so pupils who wish to wear party clothes should come to school dressed for the party on their class’s nominated day.
CHAS Festive Friday – 11th December
Thanks to all those who took part and to Miss Munro for organising. Your enthusiasm and commitment made light of the bad weather. Thanks to all who donated and to all who took part too. A very creditable £220 was raised. Thank you!
St Cuthbert’s Primary School Nursery Update – January 2020 Opening
The entire nursery team are looking forward to welcoming our first nursery children on Wednesday the 6th of January. Parents who have accepted a place should expect welcome pack next week with all the information required for starting nursery. There are still places available. If you would like to apply please download an application form from the City of Edinburgh Council website: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/download/12890/apply-for-nursery
Online Children’s Liturgy
For those of you unable to attend Mass at the moment, Cafod, are supplying online children’s liturgy sessions for the season of Advent and beyond, via the link below.
First Reconciliations Update (Current P4 Pupils Only) – Deadline: 12th December 2020
Parents/Carers of pupils who were in P3 last year and should have celebrated their First Reconciliation in March 2020, will have the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament in December: up to and including Saturday 12th December. Parents/carers can select either a Saturday or weeknight slot by contacting Fr Duffy on 0131 443 1317 or staned@stcuthbertschurch.com to arrange a time for this sacrament to be celebrated. Well over 50% of parents/carers have now contacted Fr Duffy. Thanks for this, please do so in the coming weeks, if you haven’t had the chance to do so already.
*Please note that any pupil wishing to celebrate their First Holy Communion in 2021 must have also made their First Reconciliation.
Reporting Absence (Particularly with Reference to Possible Covid Symptoms)
Thank you for the sensible approach you are taking to gauging when children are not well enough to attend school. In the current circumstances of an ongoing pandemic, we need to remain cautious and follow appropriate guidelines. We very much appreciate that our parents and carers are doing this.
If you are calling us to report absence, please be specific in reporting reasons for absence. In cases where you are reporting any of the following symptoms relating to Covid-19:
High Temperature
New and continuous cough
Loss of, or change in, the senses of taste and smell
please be advised that pupils with any of these symptoms must be tested and evidence of the test result e-mailed to our admin account (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk).
If a test is positive, pupils must have isolated for 10 days before returning to school 48 hours after any symptoms have ceased. Siblings and families must isolate for 14 days.
If test result is negative, pupils should return to school once they have had 48 hours without any of the above symptoms.
Our Learning This Week in St Cuthbert’s Primary School
Please see this week’s learning below. I hope you enjoy reading it. Please also check out our school Twitter Account @stcuthbertsRCP when learning will be shared on the following days:
P1 – P1 have been learning the x and y sound and using the context of the nativity to learn how to sequence a story in literacy. In maths they have been learning how to find missing numbers up to 20. In P.E they have been learning some basic yoga skills.
P2 – The learning that P2 have been doing from home has been; Literacy: We are revising how to spell igh, ow, ee and air word. Numeracy: We are learning to sequence pattern and play addition and subtraction games. HWB: We learnt to stay active during lockdown and identify what we are grateful for in our lives.
P3 – In Health and Wellbeing, P3 have been learning about being unique. We carried out different activities that helped us recognise what makes us special. In Spanish we have been learning the days of the week with a help of a song. In Literacy we have been working on our informative writing skills by creating fact files about reindeers.
P4 – This week in P4 we have been revising our spelling patterns from this block and we have enjoyed rewriting our own version of ‘The twelve Days of Christmas’ using alliteration. Our maths work has also included a Christmas theme which has involved lots of discussion, problem solving and application.
P5 – This week in Primary 5, in Numeracy we have been learning to use what we know about the four operations to solve some Christmas puzzles. We have designed logos for the eco competition and we also worked as a whole class to write an eco code. In RE, we are continuing to learn about Advent. We know that next Sunday is Gaudete Sunday, and that the pink candle on the Advent wreath will be lit. We learned that Gaudete means rejoice.
P6 – In Social Studies we have been learning about explorers who travelled to Antarctica as well as researchers working there today. We have been learning to write diary entries from their perspective. In Numeracy we have been learning to find the fraction of an amount. In RE we have been preparing for Christmas by learning about Advent each morning.
P7 – P7 have been learning to add and subtract decimals in numeracy lessons, to work together as a team to design and create bridges as part of the STEM event run by Edinburgh College. Finally, we have been learning about propaganda in WW2. We created propaganda posters relating to rationing, weaponry and the Women’s Land Army.
LCC1 – Literacy continues to be based round our book calendar, this week, we have explored rhyme through the Stick Man and The Gruffalos child. In maths we have been identifying number patterns to 10 using numicon and adding numbers to 10 using concrete materials. We have developed at sensory Christmas art display of the Nativity
LCC2 – In LCC2 this week we planned out a story about a snowman coming to life and chose some interesting vocabulary to use in our stories. In maths we were using concrete objects to help us find different fractions of a quantity. We also created a couple of different dodgeball and throwing games to play with different balls and shuttlecocks.
Head Teacher Availability
As above, please continue to feel very welcome at any time to contact me by phone or to e-mail our admin mailbox for my attention and I will respond as quickly as I can.
Mass Times at our local Parish – St. Cuthbert’s, Slateford
Fr Duffy passes on his best wishes to all of our families on their return to school. Attendance at Mass can now be secured by booking online. Please see details on the parish website.
As you may already know, we are aware of a person in the school who has tested positive for COVID-19. We have been working closelywith NHS Lothian Health Protection Team and following all national guidance.
A number of people have now been contacted because they have been in close and sustained contact with the case and the tracking process is now complete.
These contacts will need to self isolate and appropriate guidance and advice has been given.
If you have not been contacted directly to tell you your child is a close contact, then your child should attend school as normal.
Enhanced cleaning and infection control measures are in place in line with national guidance. The school is safe and remains open.
If you have any concerns in the meantime, or if you need to book a COVID-19 test because your child has developed symptoms (high temperature, a new continuous cough and/or a loss or change in sense of smell or taste) please visit the NHS Inform website www.nhsinform.scot or for non-clinical advice call 0800 028 2816.
Please note that a test should only ever be booked if you or your child has these specifics symptoms.
Remember to stay at home if anyone in the household has symptoms of COVID-19.
Message from Pat Brack, Headteacher and NHS Lothian
We are aware of person in the school who has tested positive for COVID-19. We understand that this is a worrying time but would like to reassure you that we are working closelywith NHS Lothian Health Protection Team and following all national guidance.
A number of people are currently being contacted because they may have been in close and sustained contact with the case and will need to self isolate.They will be given appropriate guidance and advice.
An update via text and letter school appwill be sent to you as soon as the tracking and tracing process is complete.
If you are not contacted directly to tell you your child is a close contact, then your child should attend school as normal.
Enhanced cleaning and infection control measures are in place in line with national guidance. The school is safe and remains open.
If you have any concerns in the meantime, or if you need to book a COVID-19 test because your child has developed symptoms (high temperature, a new continuous cough and/or a loss or change in sense of smell or taste) please visit the NHS Inform website www.nhsinform.scot or for non-clinical advice call 0800 028 2816.
Please note that a test should only be booked if you or your child has these specifics symptoms.
Remember to stay at home if anyone in the household has symptoms of COVID-19.
St Cuthbert’s CARES We are: Creative Active Respectful Equal Supported
Good afternoon all,
We are very grateful to you for taking the time to read this information. As always let us know if you have any questions about the contents. We can be contacted on (0131 443 2621) or via our admin mailbox (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk).
Incidences of Severe Weather – Communication
We are now entering into the winter period when severe weather is a possibility. Please check the school website and apps for information re any effect this may have on school life. It is also worth checking City of Edinburgh Council’s website and Social Media as well as Radio Forth. You will always be contacted if there is a school closure decision relating to bad weather.
Contact Details
In light of the above information, the school is able to communicate with you via the school app, website and Learning Journals but there may be times when we also need to text or e-mail you. Please ensure that the school has your up to date mobile phone and e-mail details. Thanks for your support!
Support for Learning Teacher Consultations
Please note that these will take place sometime in late December. Depending on uptake of requests some calls may need to be made in early January. A letter was sent out this week. Thanks to those who have returned them. Please also indicate if you require an interpreter.
Christmas Arrangements at St Cuthbert’s (Lunch/Jumper/Pantomime/Parties)
· Christmas Jersey and Lunch Day – 10th December 2020 (order deadline for lunches was 2nd December as previously advertised)
· Pantomime: The school has purchased a pupil friendly online pantomime: Cinderella, which will be shown to classes on 16th and 17th December. It will also be available on demand for classes to watch after this date.
· Parties: These will take place on the following days/times
· P1 – Tuesday 22nd December (please note that this is a change from date advertised last week)
· P2 – Thursday 17th December
· P3 – Friday 18th December
· P4 – Monday 14th December
· P5 – Tuesday 15th December
· P6 – Wednesday 16th December
· P7 – Thursday 17th December
As with P.E, we have no changing facilities available currently in school, so pupils who wish to wear party clothes should come to school dressed for the party on their class’s nominated day.
Message from Active Schools Coordinator – Fiona Damen
As you have seen from the great tweets last week, I have been in school delivering lots of fun physical activities and games to P1-7. The pupils have been learning new ball skills such as throwing catching and how to pass and score ! They have also learnt hockey skills and fun movement games. The pupils have worked very hard and great to see them develop so well in my sessions! We do hope to offer after school clubs after Feb week and this is a great way to keep the pupils active and healthy until then,
Have a lovely Christmas and keep healthy and active
Fiona Damen
Active Schools St Augustine’s Cluster
CHAS Festive Friday – 11th December
On Friday 11th December, the whole school will take part in a fun, festive charity run in aid of CHAS. CHAS is a Scottish charity who cares for children throughout the country. CHAS care for the whole family, whether they’re at home, in hospital, or visiting at Rachel or Robin House. https://www.chas.org.uk/how-we-help As a result of COVID-19, CHAS hasn’t been able to fundraise to the same extent to help children all over Scotland. We, at St Cuthbert’s, are going to take part in the Daily Mile but with a festive twist! All children will make a reindeer headband in class and we hope that with your help, we can raise some money to help CHAS continue their dedicated work. Please bring in a donation on Friday 11th December; big or small – every little helps! Please note that while all will take part, no one is obliged to donate (we know how tight money can be at this time of year.)
Online Children’s Liturgy
For those of you unable to attend Mass at the moment, Cafod, are supplying online children’s liturgy sessions for the season of Advent and beyond, via the link below.
Our final First Communions of this session took place on Saturday. Although, the celebrations could not take the exact form we might have wanted, due to Covid, each of the celebrations were lovely occasions. A massive thanks to all pupils, parents, staff and clergy involved, especially Fr Duffy!
First Reconciliations Update (Current P4 Pupils Only) – Deadline: 12th December 2020
Parents/Carers of pupils who were in P3 last year and should have celebrated their First Reconciliation in March 2020, will have the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament in December: between the dates of Saturday 5th and Saturday 12th December. Parents/carers can select either a Saturday or weeknight slot by contacting Fr Duffy on 0131 443 1317 or staned@stcuthbertschurch.com to arrange a time for this sacrament to be celebrated. Well over 50% of parents/carers have now contacted Fr Duffy. Thanks for this, please do so in the coming weeks, if you haven’t had the chance to do so already.
*Please note that any pupil wishing to celebrate their First Holy Communion in 2021 must have also made their First Reconciliation.
St Cuthbert’s Primary School Nursery Update
Our parents will be receiving an offer letter as well as information on start dates and how the nursery will operate next year. These will be posted early next week. St Cuthbert’s nursery still has some additional places to offer if any of our parents/carers need places, they can get in touch with the school.
Dog Fouling – Street Bordering Infant Entrance
Thanks to those parents who have raised their concerns about this. We have raised our concerns with our local councillor.
Parking and Social Distancing outside the School
Please note that face masks should be worn outside the school gates when dropping off or collecting pupils (unless there is a medical reason for not doing so). Thanks for your ongoing support with this. We have had some complaints from local residents re double parking in the mornings, please ensure that correct parking procedures are followed. Thanks as always for your cooperation.
Reporting Absence (Particularly with Reference to Possible Covid Symptoms)
Thank you for the sensible approach you are taking to gauging when children are not well enough to attend school. In the current circumstances of an ongoing pandemic, we need to remain cautious and follow appropriate guidelines. We very much appreciate that our parents and carers are doing this.
If you are calling us to report absence, please be specific in reporting reasons for absence. In cases where you are reporting any of the following symptoms relating to Covid-19:
· High Temperature
· New and continuous cough
· Loss of, or change in, the senses of taste and smell
please be advised that pupils with any of these symptoms must be tested and evidence of the test result e-mailed to our admin account (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk).
If a test is positive, pupils must have isolated for 10 days before returning to school 48 hours after symptoms have ceased. Siblings and families must isolate for 14 days.
If test result is negative, pupils should return to school once they have had 48 hours without any of the above symptoms.
Our Learning This Week in St Cuthbert’s Primary School
Please see this week’s learning below. I hope you enjoy reading it. Please also check out our school Twitter Account @stcuthbertsRCP when learning will be shared on the following days:
P1 – This week we have made a good start reading and spelling 1.5 words. We have enjoyed learning the y and w sounds. We are learning to recognise coins and their values. This week’s dinosaur helper is Stickasaur, he doesn’t give up when he finds something tricky and neither do we now!
P2 – In Maths, we have been skip counting in 10s. In literacy, we have been learning the ‘aw’ sound. In drama and science, we have been exploring the lives of arctic animals.
P3 – This week, P3 have been learning traditional Scottish dancing. In Literacy we have been learning how to add lists to our writing. In RE we have been learning about advent and the different symbols. We also created a Kindness Advent Calendar for the class. We open a window every day and read out a kindness that is our focus for the day.
P4 – In Writing, P4 have been continuing to build on their knowledge of alliteration and similes and have been practising using them in their writing. In Maths, they have been continuing to work with money, using addition and subtraction strategies. This week they have also been learning about St. Andrew and how he became the Patron Saint of Scotland.
P5 – In Science, we have been learning about the different parts of the eye, and how our eyes work. In Maths we have been learning how to estimate and measure a range of objects in the classroom and record their measurements using metres, centimetres and millimetres. As part of our RE lessons, we have been learning about Advent wreaths and what they represent for each Sunday during Advent.
P6 – In Literacy, we have been learning to write a non-chronological report. We have been writing our reports about animals living in Antarctica. In Maths with Mr. Vilanova, we have been learning how to use co-ordinates. In P.E, we have been learning how to dribble and to participate in a small-sided match in Hockey.
P7 – We have been learning to write letters from the front line in writing lessons.
We have been learning to multiply and divide decimals in Numeracy.
We have been learning to plot specific points using coordinates. (With Mr Vilanova)
LCC1 – This week In LCC1 literacy has been based by our ‘story book’ advent calendar. Each day a child unwraps a book linked to Christmas and we have linked it to our writing tasks and role play corner. We have been learning the names of Mary and Joseph and their part in the Nativity Story. In maths we have continued adding numbers to 10 and learning to identify 3D shapes.
LCC2 – LCC2 have been learning about fractions and finding equivalent fractions. In literacy we answered questions about a short animation and are going to write the continuation of the story next week. In science we made electrical circuits with lights and drew diagrams of the circuits.
Head Teacher Availability
As above, please continue to feel very welcome at any time to contact me by phone or to e-mail our admin mailbox for my attention and I will respond as quickly as I can.
Mass Times at our local Parish – St. Cuthbert’s, Slateford
Fr Duffy passes on his best wishes to all of our families on their return to school. Attendance at Mass can now be secured by booking online. Please see details on the parish website. http://www.stcuthbertschurch.com
Saturday 6pm – Vigil Mass
Sunday 10am – Parish Mass
Sunday 5pm – Additional Mass
Finally
Thanks again for your support in these challenging times. I hope that you and your families enjoy the weekend.
St Cuthbert’s CARES We are: Creative Active Respectful Equal Supported
Good afternoon all,
It is hard to believe that we are almost into December already. As always, there is lots of important information in this week’s newsletter. We are very grateful to you for taking the time to read this information. As always let us know if you have any questions about the coming term. We can be contacted on (0131 443 2621) or via our admin mailbox (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk).
Two Way Digital Functionality – MS Teams
City of Edinburgh Council have decided that they will switch on the functionality allowing both pupils and teaching staff to use both camera and mic facilities on Teams in the near future. No staff member is obligated to make use of the facility and it is envisaged that those doing so would at present, only do so if a class was to be sent home to self isolate and the teacher was willing and able to use the functionality. City of Edinburgh Council also recommends that in advance of this change that all parents/carers read the attached ‘Responsible Use Policy’.
You may have noticed myself and other staff members wearing the new blue reflective material school jackets. The aim behind the purchase of these is twofold: Firstly, to ensure that pupils can easily identify staff in the playground at break and lunch when they require help. Secondly, in order to tie in with our support for school uniform and the fostering of a corporate identity at St Cuthbert’s. We hope that you will see and support the benefits of this decision.
Playground Boombox
Another item that we have managed to purchase through school funds is a Bluetooth boombox. This piece of equipment will allow us to play music for pupils at breaks and along with our new playground equipment and staff identifying jackets make the playground an even happier and more enjoyable space than before. It can also be used to support P.E activities.
Access to Digital Devices/MS Teams
As you know we have been using MS Teams for homework this year. The take up of this, as it was during lockdown, has been very good. We are however, keen to support any family that does not have access to a device with the loan of an iPad. This would involve pupils and parents/carers reading the Council’s ‘Responsible Use’ of ICT policy as well as reading, signing and returning the school’s own Home/School Digital Device contract. Please let us know via the admin mailbox, if you are interested in taking up this offer and we will be in touch.
Support for Learning Teacher Consultations
Please note that these will take place sometime in late December. Depending on uptake of requests some calls may need to be made in early January. A letter will come out next week with a choice of time and dates. Please also indicate if you require an interpreter.
Christmas Arrangements at St Cuthbert’s (Lunch/Jumper/Pantomime/Parties)
· Christmas Lunch will be served on Thursday 10th December. Unfortunately, we cannot change the ParentPay menus but if you wish your child to have a Christmas Lunch please book this as follows: If you choose a cold option (sandwich/roll), your child will be given a veggie haggis puff pastry parcel and if you choose the hot option, your child will be given a turkey burger. Both will be served with Christmas trimmings. Desert will be fruit plus a Christmas surprise! Please note there will be NO option for a sandwich/roll on this day. Please be advised that booking deadline for Christmas Dinner is 2nd December. Pupils may also wear a Christmas Jumper to school that day.
· Pantomime: The school has purchased a pupil friendly online pantomime: Cinderella, which will be shown to classes on 16th and 17th December. It will also be available on demand for classes to watch after this date.
· Parties: These will take place on the following days/times
· P1 – Friday 18th December
· P2 – Thursday 17th December
· P3 – Friday 18th December
· P4 – Monday 14th December
· P5 – Tuesday 15th December
· P6 – Wednesday 16th December
· P7 – Thursday 17th December
As with P.E, we have no changing facilities available currently in school, so pupils who wish to wear party clothes should come to school dressed for the party on their class’s nominated day.
Christmas Jumper Bank
As above, we will be holding our Christmas Dinner and Jumper Day on Thursday 10th December. While the wearing of the jumper is purely optional, we know pupil’s love to take part. Equally, we know that buying a Christmas jumper for your child can be a costly exercise. One of our parents made the excellent suggestion that we should try to accumulate – under Covid safe guidelines – a bank of used jumpers for pupils to wear. If you have any Christmas jumpers that no longer fit your children and would like to donate them, please feel very welcome to do so. We will then make our donations available on request to the wider parent/carer body. More info to follow.
Rights Respecting Schools: Bronze Award
Congratulations to the pupils and staff, led by Miss Pusker for achieving our Bronze award in Rights Respecting schools. Great progress has been made since August. This is the first step towards the gold standard which we ultimately hope to achieve as a school community. More information to follow.
School Recovery and Renewal Plan 2020-21
Schools usually produce an annual School Improvement Plan (SIP) setting out their goals for the year. Due to the current situation this year’s plan has been renamed the School Recovery and Renewal Plan. A driver diagram summarising this plan for St Cuthbert’s is now available on our website under the SQIP tab.
Closing the Gap Teacher: 23rd November to 22nd December 2020
Our ‘Closing the Gap’ teacher: Ms Flora McCulloch started with us this week and has been a great help. She will be with us for the remainder of this term and then on Thursdays and Fridays next term.
First Holy Communions Update – November 28th 2020
Our final First Communions of this session take place on Saturday. The two so far have been joyous occasions, despite the challenging circumstances and we look forward to the same again tomorrow. Look out for photos on our school Twitter Page once all celebrations have taken place. There will also be an opportunity for you to take your own photos both in the
church and outside after Mass on the day of your child’s celebration. Thanks to the pupils, families and staff members who have made these occasions so special.
First Reconciliations Update (Current P4 Pupils Only) – 5-12th December 2020
Parents/Carers of pupils who were in P3 last year and should have celebrated their First Reconciliation in March 2020, will have the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament in December: between the dates of Saturday 5th and Saturday 12th December. Parents/carers can select either a Saturday or weeknight slot by contacting Fr Duffy on 0131 443 1317 or staned@stcuthbertschurch.com to arrange a time for this sacrament to be celebrated. Well over 50% of parents/carers have now contacted Fr Duffy. Thanks for this, please do so in the coming weeks, if you haven’t had the chance to do so already.
*Please note that any pupil wishing to celebrate their First Holy Communion in 2021 must have also made their First Reconciliation.
St Cuthbert’s Primary School Nursery Update
Another member of staff; Mrs Kasia Barnat, joined the nursery team this week. We have received the go ahead from Edinburgh Council to finally offer nursery places to children who will be starting in January 2021. Parents/Carers will receive offer letters at the beginning of next week and they will be informed of the next steps required to accept the offered place.
Reporting Absence (Particularly with Reference to Possible Covid Symptoms)
Thank you for the sensible approach you are taking to gauging when children are not well enough to attend school. In the current circumstances of an ongoing pandemic, we need to remain cautious and follow appropriate guidelines. We very much appreciate that our parents and carers are doing this.
If you are calling us to report absence, please be specific in reporting reasons for absence. In cases where you are reporting any of the following symptoms relating to Covid-19:
· High Temperature
· New and continuous cough
· Loss of, or change in, the senses of taste and smell
please be advised that pupils with any of these symptoms must be tested and evidence of the test result e-mailed to our admin account (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk).
If a test is positive, pupils must have isolated for 10 days before returning to school 48 hours after symptoms have ceased. Siblings and families must isolate for 14 days.
If test result is negative, pupils should return to school once they have had 48 hours without any of the above symptoms.
Our Learning This Week in St Cuthbert’s Primary School
Please see this week’s learning below. I hope you enjoy reading it. Please also check out our school Twitter Account @stcuthbertsRCP when learning will be shared on the following days:
P1 – This week we have been busy reading and spelling our 1.4 green words and have enjoyed learning the j and v sounds. We are learning to partition numbers in SEAL which we are getting very good at. We have also been discussing about learning being difficult and we have been introduced to Triatops, a dinosaur who reminds us that trying hard really helps us to learn. Most of us collected our Triatops sticker this week and are looking forward to meeting the next dinosaur who will help us in a different way!
P2 – In Numeracy, we are learning to name a number before or after a given number within the range of 1-100, we are learning to count in jumps of 10 and add 2 numbers using different strategies. In Literacy, we are learning to use a word bank to create a sentence. In HWB – we have been learning how to shoot in Basketball.
P3 – In literacy, P3 have been learning about adding adjectives and extending sentences in our writing. In PE we have been learning to play group ball games and practice passing the ball to each other. For Eco-schools, P3 have been working on the school’s Action Plan for Litter, Water and Waste Minimisation topics.
P4 – This week P4 have been learning about using facts to construct for and against arguments during discussion and written work. They have also made posters to highlight their understanding. In Maths they are continuing to work on multiplying and dividing by 6. Our topic has led us to understand more about why rainforests are important for the survival of our planet and the problems that arise from deforestation. This week we have also enjoyed taking part in indoor games with our Active Sports Coordinator.
P5 – This week in Primary 5 we have been learning to include speech in our writing and to use synonyms for ‘said’ to make our writing more interesting. In Building Resilience work, we have been learning about why it is important to keep connected with our friends. We also enjoyed a session with our Active Schools coordinator, Mrs Damen, where we practised running using the Beep Test.
P6 – -In Maths with Mr. Vilanova, we have been learning about lines of symmetry. In Literacy we have been learning to write narrative stories inspired by the Antarctic and Arctic regions. In Numeracy we have been learning to create our own fraction walls to find equivalent fractions.
P7 – P7 have been furthering their knowledge of adverbs and using them in WW2 poems about ‘The Blitz. We have been learning about place value in the topic of decimals in Numeracy. We can now round numbers to two decimal places. In Spanish, P7 have been learning to name objects that they would use in school.
LCC1 -LCC1 have been learning numbers after 10 in maths and have begun to learn how to use full stops and capital letters in their writing. They have also been investigating their senses and focused on hearing this week.
LCC2 – This week in LCC2 we have had fun learning about electricity and creating our own electrical circuits to light a bulb, making a buzzer buzz and use a motor to spin a fan. We also worked hard in PE with Mrs Damen practising our throwing skills and playing games. In art we started looking at and using pointillism in our art work. In literacy we have been using the prefixes dis, in and un within our work and learning the different meaning. Within maths we have started looking at fractions and how they can be used to share things equally.
Head Teacher Availability
As above, please continue to feel very welcome at any time to contact me by phone or to e-mail our admin mailbox for my attention and I will respond as quickly as I can.
Mass Times at our local Parish – St. Cuthbert’s, Slateford
Fr Duffy passes on his best wishes to all of our families on their return to school. Attendance at Mass can now be secured by booking online. Please see details on the parish website. http://www.stcuthbertschurch.com
Saturday 6pm – Vigil Mass
Sunday 10am – Parish Mass
Sunday 5pm – Additional Mass
Finally
Thanks again for your support in these challenging times. I hope that you and your families enjoy the weekend.
St Cuthbert’s CARES We are: Creative Active Respectful Equal Supported
Good afternoon all,
Thank you for continuing to engage with the school this term. There are more important updates in this week’s newsletter. We are very grateful to you taking the time to read this information. As always let us know if you have any questions about the coming term. We can be contacted on (0131 443 2621) or via our admin mailbox (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk).
Access to Digital Devices/MS Teams
As you know we have been using MS Teams for homework this year. The take up of this, as it was during lockdown, has been very good. We are however, keen to support any family that does not have access to a device with the loan of an iPad. This would involve pupils and parents/carers reading the Council’s ‘Responsible Use’ of ICT policy as well as reading, signing and returning the school’s own Home/School Digital Device contract. Please let us know via the admin mailbox, if you are interested in taking up this offer and we will be in touch.
Support for Learning Teacher Consultations
Please note that these will take place sometime in later December. More information to follow shortly.
School Photos – Cancelled
As advised over the last few weeks, please be reminded that we are no longer able to have school photos taken on Tuesday. This is due to advice from City of Edinburgh Council. We like you regret this and apologise for any inconvenience.
Christmas Lunch/ Christmas Jersey Day at St Cuthbert’s – 10th December 2020
Christmas Lunch will be served on Thursday 10th December. Unfortunately, we cannot change the ParentPay menus but if you wish your child to have a Christmas Lunch please book this as follows:
If you choose a cold option (sandwich/roll), your child will be given a veggie haggis puff pastry parcel and if you choose the hot option, your child will be given a turkey burger. Both will be served with Christmas trimmings. Desert will be fruit plus a Christmas surprise! Please note there will be NO option for a sandwich/roll on this day.
Please be advised that booking deadline for Christmas Dinner is 2nd December.
Information about Christmas Parties and Pantomime will follow next week.
School Recovery and Renewal Plan 2020-21
Schools usually produce an annual School Improvement Plan (SIP) setting out their goals for the year. Due to the current situation this year’s plan has been renamed the School Recovery and Renewal Plan. A driver diagram summarising this plan for St Cuthbert’s is now available on our website under the SQIP tab.
Scottish Government Guidance re Facemasks in Relation to Parents and Carers
Please see quote below from recent advice:
‘’Face coverings should also be worn by parents and other visitors to any school site (whether entering the building or otherwise), including parents at drop-off and pick-up’’
Unless you have a medical reason for not doing so, this guidance should be adhered to at all times. Thanks to all who have supported this request!
Late Arrivals
We very much appreciate the challenges presented by our staggered timings but have noticed a slight upturn in late arrivals within specific class groupings. Late arrivals, whilst occasionally unavoidable can be disruptive if they occur on a regular basis. Thanks for your cooperation.
Book Week Scotland 16th to 20th November 2020
We hope the children enjoyed their week, it was great to see everyone dressed as their favourite characters today – very creative (which as we know is a St Cuthbert’s school value).
EAL Teaching Support: 2 Week Block from 9th to 20th November
Samina Mushtaq, our EAL Support Teacher has now completed her block of support within the school. Her help was much appreciated.
Catholic Education Week – School Information Shared via Parish Newsletter 22nd December.
This is usually marked for one week in the time between St Margaret’s Day (16th November) and St Andrew’s Day (30th November). Pupils and staff from St Cuthbert’s and our local Catholic High School; St Augustine’s usually attend Mass at the end of the chosen week and distribute information about our schools. This year we are unable to do this but we have shared information about our school’s commitment to Catholic Education with St Cuthbert’s Parish that they will include with their Parish newsletter for Sunday 22nd November.
Closing the Gap Teacher: 23rd November to 22nd December 2020
City of Edinburgh Council have allocated our school a ‘Closing the Gap’ teacher, who will be with us on the above dates to provide additional support to all of our classes. Flora McCulloch will work across the school to support learning and learners.
Active Schools Co-ordinator: Next in School w/c 23rd November
Fiona Damen, our active school coordinator will be in school next week working with our classes. This has been a great success so far with our pupils thoroughly enjoying the games and activities.
Celebrating Diwali
Over the course of this week, we have been learning about Diwali: it’s customs and meaning in particular. As per our messages on the school’s digital platforms last week, we hope all families who celebrated this festival had a joyful time, despite the changed circumstances brought about by the pandemic. Hopefully next year, we can mark this festival in an even bigger way in our school.
First Holy Communions Update – November 21st and 28th 2020
Our first celebration of the sacrament took place last week at 10am Mass. It went really well. Thanks to all those who attended and to Mrs Banks and Miss Munro for their support. The next celebration is tomorrow at the same time. The pupils have all worked extremely hard and have been well prepared by parents and the school. It should be a great occasion. Look out for photos on our school Twitter Page once all celebrations have taken place. There will
also be an opportunity for you to take your own photos both in the church and outside after Mass on the day of your child’s celebration.
First Reconciliations Update (Current P4 Pupils Only) – 5-12th December 2020
Parents/Carers of pupils who were in P3 last year and should have celebrated their First Reconciliation in March 2020, will have the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament in December: between the dates of Saturday 5th and Saturday 12th December. Parents/carers can select either a Saturday or weeknight slot by contacting Fr Duffy on 0131 443 1317 or staned@stcuthbertschurch.com to arrange a time for this sacrament to be celebrated. Well over 50% of parents/carers have now contacted Fr Duffy. Thanks for this, please do so in the coming weeks, if you haven’t had the chance to do so already.
*Please note that any pupil wishing to celebrate their First Holy Communion in 2021 must have also made their First Reconciliation.
St Cuthbert’s Primary School Nursery Update
5 new members of the team have started with us and 3 more expected; Mrs Anna McLeod, Mrs Monika Swanapoel, Mr Georgios Sarris, Mr Claudio Oliveira and Mrs Pauline Culbert. Members have gone through an induction training which included meeting P1 nadP2 children. Once attendance pattern have been confirmed, prospective parents will receive information about start dates.
Reporting Absence (Particularly with Reference to Possible Covid Symptoms)
Thank you for the sensible approach you are taking to gauging when children are not well enough to attend school. In the current circumstances of an ongoing pandemic, we need to remain cautious and follow appropriate guidelines. We very much appreciate that our parents and carers are doing this.
If you are calling us to report absence, please be specific in reporting reasons for absence. In cases where you are reporting any of the following symptoms relating to Covid-19:
· High Temperature
· New and continuous cough
· Loss of, or change in, the senses of taste and smell
please be advised that pupils with any of these symptoms must be tested and evidence of test result e-mailed to our admin account (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk).
If a test is positive, pupils must have isolated for 10 days before returning to school 48 hours after symptoms have ceased. Siblings and families must isolate for 14 days.
If test result is negative, pupils should return to school once they have had 48 hours without any of the above symptoms.
Our Learning This Week in St Cuthbert’s Primary School
Please see this week’s learning below. I hope you enjoy reading it. Please also check out our school Twitter Account @stcuthbertsRCP when learning will be shared on the following days:
P1 – We have learned the ‘special friends’ sound sh and also r this week. We have started on our next set of words to read and spell too. We are learning to order the days of the week and to write the numbers with the correct formation. We have started learning our nativity songs!
P2 – Numeracy – We are learning to use the count on strategy, building and describing visual arrays and find the difference between two numbers. Literacy – We are learning to pick out the main events in a story. HWB – We are learning to communicate with other players during games.
P3 – In P3 our topic is houses and homes. This week we have been learning about different types of houses and rooms within homes. We started to design houses for our made-up families with different kinds of materials. In literacy we have been practising our comprehension skills with a story called “Look up!”. In PE we have been focusing on how to work together in a group and on throwing and catching a tennis ball.
P4 – P4 this week have been learning to use their knowledge of Alliteration to create Tongue Twisters. They had brilliant fun practising already known ones and making up their own. In Maths they have been learning how to add and subtract money by lining up the decimal point. In Art we have been using mixed media to create beautiful Tucan birds. Finally, in R.E. we learnt bout Diwali with Mr Brack.
P5 – In Writing, we have been learning how to write a story using only 50 words. We have been learning about the Hindu festival of Diwali and making colourful Rangoli patterns. We have been celebrating Book Week Scotland through a range of activities including discussing our favourite books in class and making new book covers for them.
P6 – In Literacy, inspired by Scottish Book Week, we have been learning how to share our favourite books, write our own short stories and create our own miniature books. In Numeracy, we have been learning how to use different methods to divide, including the ‘bus stop’ method. In RME, we have been learning about Diwali, the Festival of Lights.
P7 – Evacuation during WW2. We wrote evacuee letters and created our own gas masks.
In spelling, we have been learning to add suffixes to root words. We helped each other learn how to spell the words using, Team Teach. We have been learning to add and subtract, multiply and divide fractions. We have had great success! To celebrate Scottish Book Week, we also took part in an Author’s Live Event!
LCC1 – Literacy has been linked to Book week, we have retold the story of Room on the Broom in our own words and Explored other books by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. We make the front cover of our favourite class book: Monkey Puzzle. In Numeracy we have been using numincon to recognise number patterns and classifying real life 3D shapes. We have been using Emotions Talk to develop out turn taking and sharing skills.
LCC2 – In LCC2 this week in literacy we have been looking at prefixes and how they change the meaning of a word and writing a profile about the BFG. In Maths we were multiplying 2 digit numbers by 4 and investigating shapes and symmetry. In Science we were looking at gravity and we managed to make paper clips float in the air!
Help for Edinburgh Families Magazine
We normally send out paper copies of the magazine but as we are currently unable to do that, please find link to e-version below:
Head Teacher Availability
As above, please continue to feel very welcome at any time to contact me by phone or to e-mail our admin mailbox for my attention and I will respond as quickly as I can.
Mass Times at our local Parish – St. Cuthbert’s, Slateford
Fr Duffy passes on his best wishes to all of our families on their return to school. Attendance at Mass can now be secured by booking online. Please see details on the parish website. http://www.stcuthbertschurch.com
Saturday 6pm – Vigil Mass
Sunday 10am – Parish Mass
Sunday 5pm – Additional Mass
Finally
Thanks again for your support in these challenging times. I hope that you and your families enjoy the weekend.
We would like to wish all of our families currently celebrating the 5 days of Diwali, a happy and joyful time. We know that you may not be able to celebrate in your usual fashion but hope that you are able to still enjoy the festival in some way. Please see link below re celebrations in Edinburgh
