Category: Weekly Newsletter

Dear all.

Thanks for your support today with the lines. Standing that little bit further back really helped our pupils and teachers.

We had hoped to be able to update you about Parent Consultations today but are still awaiting further guidance from Head Office. I really hope to have this information to share tomorrow. Apologies for the delay.

Our Parent Council Meeting will take place tomorrow, thanks to those who have notified us that they will be attending. Please be advised that all available spaces have been applied for so unfortunately you won’t be able to come if you haven’t booked. We will of course share minutes of the meeting with you all via email next week.

Please remember that pupils will only attend school from Wednesday to Friday next week, due to Public Holiday on Monday 4^th May and staff In-service Day on Tuesday 5^th.

As always, please continue to ask any questions to myself or Mr Crowley in person or via school email (admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk) or via telephone on 0131 443 2621.

Kind Regards

Mr Brack

Daily Update Monday 27^th April 2026

Dear Parents/Carers

I hope you and your families had a restful weekend. Please see today’s update below.

School Football

Firstly, congratulations to our P6 footballers who defeated James Gillespies in a sporting and hard fought game by 10 goals to 5 on Saturday. Good luck also to our P7 footballers who will be taking part in the EPSSA cup tomorrow at Meggetland.

P4 Singing Lessons

Secondly, it was great to see P4 recommence their singing lessons with Katrina from the Cathedral this afternoon.

P3-7 P.E This Term

Please see below a message from Miss Armitage re P.E. for P3-7 parents this term:

‘In the summer term we endeavour to take the students outdoors as much as possible whether it be for outdoor learning, games, exercise or simply to read their books in the shade of a tree. 

The students will also be having a dedicated PE lesson on the following days:

P3- Wednesdays

P4- Wednesdays 

P5- Tuesdays 

P6- Tuesdays

P7- Thursdays 

If the weather allows, these lessons may take place outdoors. Please ensure your child has PE kit to change into on these days. This will include trainers, t-shirt, shorts / leggings / joggers. Long hair should be tied back and jewellery should be avoided, particularly no dangly earrings. Please also ensure your child is bringing a refillable water bottle to school this term.’

Parent Council Meeting – Friday 1^st May 11am

Finally, as shared last week, the Parent Council will meet in the Nursery TU at 11am on Friday. Space is limited and attendance at the meeting can only be secured by contacting our Admin mailbox by Wednesday lunchtime. Thanks to those who have done so already.

Kind Regards

Mr Brack

Dear Parents and Carers.

Whilst, the news that we will be out of school until the start of the new term was not what we wanted to hear, I hope that clarity on this, along with the helpful communication from City of Edinburgh Council shared yesterday has at least removed some uncertainty and given you a greater understanding of the reason for the current situation and what will be done to rectify it.

Please let me reassure you that the children are very settled and are doing really well, I have been proud of how they have adapted to the changes. We also really appreciate your support and understanding during what is a challenging time for our whole school community.

As mentioned in the communication from City of Edinburgh Council yesterday, they are currently digesting the contents of a structural report on our building and will be in a position by the end of next week to advise if there are any parts of the building that can be returned to school use whilst work is done on the two story block.

Calendar of Events for this Term

Once that information is conveyed to us, we will be able to make decisions on our calendar of key events for this term. Until that time, we can’t make any further decisions on school events this term. I hope you will see the logic of this.

Please see some further information below:

Parent Council Meeting

Please note that as mentioned in the minutes of the last Parent Council meeting shared with you all in February, that our next Parent Council meeting will take place on Friday, 1^st May at 11am. Our Nursery colleagues have kindly allowed us to use their Temporary Unit office space for this event. Please be advised that capacity is limited within this building, therefore if you are not an office bearer and wish to attend, you will need to notify us by Wednesday lunchtime via our admin mailbox. If demand exceeds capacity, places at the meeting will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  It is really important that you understand that the purpose of this meeting is to discuss regular Parent Council business, even if that is within the context of the current situation. Whilst I will be in attendance at the meeting and am happy to listen to the views of all, I will not be able to make any further comment on the building other than what has been and will continue to be shared via email and on the website.

Morning Departures

Now that we are out of the early phase of our relocation, we are aiming to speed up our morning departures. From today, the aim will be to have all coaches depart by 9.05am. From Monday, we will ring the bell at 8.55am and it is expected that all pupils be lined up by this time to facilitate a quick and efficient departure.

Homework This Term

Staff will meet shortly to agree a consistent approach to homework this term. We will share more information re this next week.

Primary 7 Confirmation – Friday May 8^th at 7pm in St Cuthbert’s Church

Confirmation candidates submitted their saint’s name and the name of their sponsor today to Mr Crowley and this was passed on to Fr Francis. They will be required to complete Home Activity 7 & 8 in their booklets and return to school by Friday 31^st April. There will be a practise during school time for the candidates at St Cuthbert’s Church on 7^th May so that pupils are aware of seating arrangements and how they will receive the Sacrament. Please note that school uniform, including tie should be worn on this occasion. Please contact Mr Crowley if you have any further questions.

Primary 5 – 7 Lunches at St Augustine’s High School 

The kitchen staff at SAHS have been very welcoming and accommodating to our learners and staff. We are aware there are some queries regards the menu choices and variety of options for those with allergies / dietary requirements, we appreciate your understanding and patience with this. Unfortunately, due to numbers/available resources, it is not always possible for SAHS to provide the same lunch choices as would be the case were we back in our own school. The kitchen at St Augustine’s is however keen to give pupils a choice in what they eat. Learners, who ordered a lunch for next week, were given the choices yesterday for next week which were submitted to SAHS kitchen staff. Mr Crowley met with the staff today to discuss the menu options moving forward and how best to align as close as possible with the what the children have ordered through parent pay. If your child is unhappy with the lunch choices moving forward and you have prepaid for the term, you can contact the office for a refund. Please be aware this will require some time to process. Mr Crowley discussed allergies / dietary requirements with the SAHS kitchen manager. Mr Crowley will contact parents directly to discuss alternatives now hopefully available. 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend

Mr Brack

Dear Parents/Carers

I requested a detailed explanation of the situation with the building and have received the response below from Head Office at City of Edinburgh Council. I hope that you find this useful.

‘Following reports of a noticeable dip, technically termed “deflection,”  within the floors of the first floor classrooms, structural engineers have been on site at the school to carry out inspections to establish the cause of the movement and work required to rectify, along with the expected timeframe for this work to be delivered.

An outline report was received from the structural engineer on 16 April, confirming the findings and the need for new structural design. The final report, received today, sets out conclusions in detail, along with initial options for resolution.

Unfortunately, the current structural installation is a very rare 1960’s design. Because of this, it requires replacement and the new design will take time and involve procurement and fabrication of steelwork off site prior to installation. At present, the two-storey building needs to remain closed. Other buildings may be able to re-open, however we need to fully understand the extent of the required works and the impact of such works on the entire school site.

As you’ll be aware, as a precaution the school closed on Wednesday 25 March with all pupils relocated and settled at other schools. It is expected that school will need to remain closed for the remainder of this term, with the aim for all relevant works and safety checks to be complete in time for the school to reopen in August 2026. This does not affect the nursery which is open as usual.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while we have investigated what work is needed and appreciate that it may be disappointing to hear this news. Our priority, as always, is the health, safety and wellbeing of children in our care, and staff who work in the school’

Dear parents and carers.

It was good to see the buses return to being on time today for both sites. Thanks for your patience yesterday.

City of Edinburgh Council have just informed us that the building is likely to be closed for the rest of the term, with our return to St Cuthbert’s happening in August 2026. I am sorry to be the bearer of this news but believe that you will want to be made aware of this important information as promptly as possible. 

In other news, please note that Mr Crowley will be at St Augustine’s on Friday to meet with our P7 Confirmation Candidates. It would be great if all homework could be up to date by then and books brought in. We have also been asked to supply Fr Francis with each candidates’ Confirmation name by Friday afternoon. Can you please discuss this if your child is involved.

Thanks for your ongoing support, please continue to contact us via phone, email or in person in the playground with any questions.

Kind Regards

Mr Brack

Dear Parents and Carers.

Welcome back! We hope you and your families had a lovely holiday.

Apologies that our buses were a bit later this morning, there was a road traffic accident in the Craiglockhart are that affected traffic flow. Normal service will hopefully resume tomorrow. Please ensure that your child is in the line in time for registration at 8.55am.

At present, we have no further updates to share re when we can return to our building so current arrangements will continue until further notice.

We are however keen to be able to update you re rescheduled Parents Nights, Active School Clubs etc and will do so, as soon as we have clarity on how to proceed. I will be seeking further information and advice from Senior Education and Risk Management staff this week.

As always, please email  Admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk or call on 0131 443 2621, option 3, if you have any questions.

Kind Regards

Mr Brack

Dear Parents and Carers.

Thanks for your support and understanding over the course of this term and particularly over the last few weeks!

Return Date After Easter

Please note that pupils return to school after the Easter Holidays on Tuesday 21^st April at our normal start time of 8.55am.

Location Update

At present, checks on the building are ongoing and we have no further updates to share. Therefore, current arrangements will continue during the week after the Easter Holidays. We will of course update you when we know more.

Questions/Communications with School

Please continue to contact us after the holiday on 0131 443 2621 option 3, email Admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk  or speak to myself or Mr Crowley in the playground before the buses arrive in the morning and again in the afternoon, after our return.

As mentioned above, any information I have, relating to the building will continue to be shared with our whole community via email and the website. Whilst I understand that people are really keen to find out what is going on, please note that asking this question verbally on an individual basis will receive the same reply as has already been communicated to all parents/carers.

Happy Easter!

Thanks again to our Parent Council for the Easter Raffle prizes and the individual eggs given out today. The religious aspect of Easter was observed well in both schools today too.

Happy Easter to all who will be observing the day and we look forward to seeing you all again on Tuesday 21^st April.

Mr Brack

Dear Parents/Carers

Important – School Lunches First Week Back

At the moment and until we hear otherwise, we are presuming that the current arrangements will continue in the first week back after the Easter Holidays. In terms of school lunches, please ensure that if you wish your child to have a school lunch during week commencing 20th April 2026,  that you order before midnight today, Wednesday 1^st April. We will then ensure that the orders are communicated to both St Peter’s and St Augustine’s kitchens for the new term. Please note that pupils at both schools are now receiving hot meals when school lunches are ordered. If you do not manage to order a lunch before tonight’s deadline, please send your child to school with a packed lunch during the first week of the new term.

General News

It is great to hear that our pupils at St Augustine’s have been managing to do P.E. this week and we have also started this for P3 and P4 at St Peter’s. P3 and P4 also attended an Opera performance from pupils at St Peter’s.

Easter Celebrations

Please note that tomorrow all pupils will be given a small Easter egg upon their return to school at the end of the day. This has been kindly donated by our Parent Council to help our pupils celebrate Easter. We have taken into account all dietary issues but please double check your child’s egg is suitable before they consume it.

The Easter raffle will conclude tomorrow with one giant egg to be won at each school as well as a number of golden, chocolate Easter bunnies. Tickets cost £1 per strip and all proceeds go to Parent Council Funds.

Pupil’s at St Peter’s will take part in a real time Holy Week Service tomorrow, whilst pupils from P5-7 will take part in an interactive Easter Lesson provided by the Scottish Catholic Education Service. Fr Francis, hopes to visit St Peter’s tomorrow too.

Our final daily update of the term will be shared tomorrow.

Thanks for your continued support

Mr Brack

Dear Parents and Carers

Thanks for your continued support. Please see below a brief update.

• We currently have no further information to share re our building or any potential return date. We will update you as soon as we know anything different.
• Remember both Breakfast Club and After School Blub (Gingerbread) are open again and that Nursery remains open on site.
• The Easter raffle began today and was a big success – well done to our six winners. It will continue tomorrow and Thursday. Tickets cost £1 per strip.
• P1-4 will have the opportunity to watch an opera performance presented by P4 at St Peter’s tomorrow.
• Mrs Egan, violin teacher will definitely visit P5-7 tomorrow, we are still awaiting an update re P4 but it is worth them bringing violins tomorrow just in case.
• We are in discussion with staff at our two host schools to negotiate P.E times after the holiday should we still be in the current situation.

Please continue to contact us on 0131 443 2621, option 3 or via admin@st-cuthberts.edin.sch.uk if you have any questions.

Kind Regards

Mr Brack