August 2022 Newsletter
Dear Parent/Carer,
I hope you all had a fantastic summer and would like to welcome you and your children back to Session 2022/23 at Blackfriars Primary. A warm welcome also to all our new entrants in Primary 1 and our new starts throughout the classes in Blackfriars. It is delightful to see the children in school in their lovely smart uniforms and to see our school role increasing. We now have 311 pupils here in Blackfriars.
A very warm welcome to our new members of staff. Miss Baird in Primary 3A, Miss Kidd in P3B and Miss Collings in P6/5.
Huge congratulations to Miss McNamee who has had a lovely baby boy called Finn.
Our wonderful janitor, Mr Jamie Boyle, will be retiring on the 30th of September. Jamie has worked here in Blackfriars for 23 years and he will be sadly missed. I am sure you will join me in wishing Jamie a long and happy retirement!
Raising Attainment
Our educational experiences have been interrupted to different degrees and as a result we need to give some extra support to pupils who have fallen a bit off track with their learning. We have created a team of experienced teachers who will give extra literacy and numeracy sessions over the course of this school year. Again, I need your help with this…
We can’t help the pupils unless they are here in school so it is very important that you try to get your children to school every day and on time. It would be such a shame if your child were to miss the extra support put in place for them. This is our chance to catch up!
Mrs McHutchison is our new Depute Headteacher for Health & Well Being. Please contact her if you need help getting your children to school and on time.
Child Protection
We have very robust procedures already in place to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our pupils in Blackfriars. These procedures will not change. However, as we continue to “Get It Right For Every Child,” please remember your first point of contact if you have any concerns is Mr. Martin McCormick, Mrs McHutchison or myself Mrs Shona Henderson.
The Child Protection Co-ordinators are Mr Martin McCormick(P2-7), Mrs McHutchison (P1) and Mrs Shona Henderson. We are also the Care Experienced Co-ordinators.
Book Fair – Returning
The book fair will be returning to the school. We will have the book fair from 15th November and it will be leaving on 29th November.
Photo Permission
We love to celebrate achievements here in Blackfriars and we often use photos of our pupils to do this. Please ensure you give us your permission to use your child’s photo on social media. Please complete the recent request for permission we had sent out and get it back to us as quickly as possible.
What’s Happening?
We are slowly beginning to work again with our established partners.
- Primary 6 children will all be participating in sailing lessons over the course of this term. Each set of Primary 6 children will have 3 days of sailing lessons at Castle Semple sailing centre at Lochwinnoch as part of the “Buoyed Up” sailing programme. This is fully funded through our partnership with the “Lipton Foundation.” The Lipton Foundation fund the transport and the lessons and we can’t thank them enough. What a wonderful experience for our children.
Group 1 – 12th-14th September Group2 – 16th – 20th September
- As you know we receive Pupil Equity Fund money from the Scottish Government and I consult you on this every year and you give me your suggestions on how to use the money. I have used a lot of this money to fund the “Raising Attainment Team” In an attempt to catch up with our learning.
- We provide every child in the school an opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Our Infant Department will be participating in “Baby Strings” again this session. This means that all of our infants will learn how to play the violin or cello. Our upper school will benefit from a music tutor who will teach them how to play the ukulele.
- Miss Houston is meeting with our Active Schools Co-ordinator to discuss sporting clubs and we are hoping that some of these will take place at lunchtime so all children can participate.
- P4 will be attending the Davis Cup Tennis Festival at the Emirates Arena on Wednesday 14th September.
- The charity “Jeely Piece” are coming in to work with both P3 classes from 14th September for 15 weeks on active play. This will be outdoors so please make sure your child is dressed appropriately.
- In September Bridging the Gap will be visiting the Primary Seven classes to support our Secondary school transition work.
Active School Club Dates
Lunch Clubs
- Cricket – P5-P7 – Mondays between 29th August and 10th October – 6 Weeks
- Gymnastics – P3-P4 – Fridays between 4th November and 9th December – 6 weeks
Afterschool Clubs
Venue – Glasgow Club
- Boys Football Club – P3-P5 Mondays between 5th September and 10th October 4pm-5pm – 5 weeks
- Tennis Club – P1-P2 Thursdays between 8th September and 13th October 5pm-6pm – 6 weeks
- Tennis Club – P3-P4 Thursdays between 3rd November and 8the December 5pm-6pm – 6 weeks
Venue – Blackfriars PS
- Girls Football Club – P5-P7 Wednesdays between 21st September and 12th October 3pm-4pm – 4 weeks
Health and Safety
Glasgow City Council’s Health and Safety Policy states that children should not participate in any physical activity/ physical education if wearing jewellery. This includes earrings. We can no longer put plasters over the earrings as a precaution. They must be removed. If your child can’t take their earrings out I’m afraid they can’t part in PE so please can you get ears pierced at the beginning of the summer holidays if at all possible.
All weather Play
We have had a lovely summer this year but Autumn and Winter are fast approaching and it is important that our pupils get the opportunity for fresh air and light in the long winter months. We also encourage as much learning outdoors that we can. Therefore, your children may be outside on cold, wet, miserable days. Please ensure you send your child to school dressed for poor weather conditions. This will help keep them warm and dry as they play and learn.
Can I please remind you to ensure that your child’s name is on their clothing as children very often forget where they have put things. If you do not have a name on their items of clothing we may never be able to find them! Please help us to help you to keep your child’s possessions safe.
Photographs
The photographer will be in school on Thursday 27th October 2022. Miss Morgan will be sending out information about this nearer the time. Please remember we need your photo permission returned for this. Please do not be surprised if your child doesn’t get their photo taken if you have not sent your photo permission slip back!
Meet the Teacher
Our teachers will be posting “Meet the Teacher” videos and information via SEESAW on Wednesday 31st August. Please look out for these.
Bubble Time and Feelings Fans
We have reintroduced “Bubble Time” which takes place in the library area of the school during breaks. If your child is unhappy at breaktime please encourage them to go into Bubble Time and speak to the member of staff in the library. Children also use” Feelings Fans” every morning in class which allows them to let their teacher know if they are unhappy about anything and they can talk it through with their teacher.
Food Poverty
We are aware of the ongoing increase to the cost of living and want to help. We are starting up a school pantry where families will be able to take bags of food home on Friday afternoons. From Monday 5th September black bins will be at the gates. IF you have any non-perishable goods that you can donate please put them in the bins and we will distribute them.
If you are struggling financially then please contact Mrs McHutchison as there is local help available.
Outdoor Learning
Many thanks to members of the Parent Council and The Gorbals Housing Association, who have been helping Mrs Murdoch build our new, giant polytunnel. We are now looking forward to growing crops all year long. We have a favour to ask any families who live in Hallside Place, or who know anyone who lives there. Could you keep an eye out and report anyone who may potentially damage the new polytunnel out with school hours? The children would be devastated if it was vandalised. Many thanks.
After many requests for more family outdoor activities, Mrs Murdoch will be running a parent and child gardening and outdoor club every Friday afternoon from 1.30-3pm, beginning on Friday 9th September. All are welcome to come along, any week you can make it, and work on outdoor projects, with your child (children). Please let the office or your child know if you are coming so that we have an idea of numbers.
I am hoping that you have noticed our new trim trail at the front of the school and our new benches. Thanks to Mrs Murdoch for arranging these!
Expressive Arts
This term we have some exciting opportunities for our children where they will engage with the expressive arts. P1-P5 will receive weekly instrumental lessons from Baby Strings - every child will either learn to play violin, viola or cello. P6/5, P6, P7a and P7b will receive weekly ukulele lessons. P4, P5/4 and both P7 classes will be working with representatives from The Citizens Theatre, working on developing their drama and art skills. P5, P6/5 and P6 will have the opportunity to engage with members of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; they will then perform to P1-3 and P7. Alongside all of these wonderful opportunities, our class teachers will continue to deliver our expressive arts curriculum to all children.
Maths Support
Our maths raising attainment teachers have uploaded a video onto Seesaw offering support and guidance if you need it. You can phone the school on 0141-429-2444 and ask for Mrs Marsh or Mrs Boyd.
Monthly family challenges will restart in September and we would love all our families to participate this session. Come on! Please get involved. All children have a Sumdog account they can use at home.
Literacy Support
Kavan Stafford from the Mitchell Library will be coming into school to speak to the Primary 6 and Primary 7 classes on Friday the 30th of September.
School Uniform
A reminder that our school uniform consists of: the Blackfriars sweatshirt or cardigan, a white polo shirt or tee-shirt and dark coloured trousers or skirt.
On PE days children should come to school wearing dark coloured jogging bottoms, their white coloured tee-shirt or polo shirt and their Blackfriars sweatshirt. In this way there is no requirement for a full change. Children simply take their sweatshirt off and are ready to go. It also means that children are always wearing their school uniform.
The Daily Mile
We are encouraging all classes to take part in the Daily Mile. This regular activity has been proven to have a positive impact on children’s levels of fitness and overall wellbeing. Can we ask that children either wear training shoes to school or have a pair of training shoes available to change into, so that they are comfortable whilst taking part in the Daily Mile.
RSHP
Please look out for a letter and APP message with information about the new Relationships and Sexual Health Programme. The letter contains an invitation to complete a survey and I would encourage you to take part so that we can hear your views.
We would also like to invite you to an RSHP Parent Information Session on Tuesday 15th September at 9:00 am and then repeated at 4:00 pm on the same day. It would be great to see a large turnout for these sessions. Please note this change of date. The letter sent out said 6th September but this is one of the Industrial Action Days and so we expect the school to be closed on that day.
Internet Safety
We are having a lot of problems at the moment with children using APPS and the Internet inappropriately. We will do our best to teach the children what is acceptable and unacceptable use of the internet but we need your help. Many of the problems are happening on apps that primary school age children simply shouldn’t be using! There are age limits on APPs for a reason.
If you child is experiencing negative interactions on line please remove the APPs and monitor their contacts.
Please read this information page from the NSPCC. It is important:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/social-media/
This article has fantastic advice for parents and how to keep children safe online.
Please note the AGE Ratings for a selection of APPS. They have an age rating for a reason. Basically, we should not have Primary Age children using these APPS.
Facebook-Age 13
Instagram Age 13
Snapchat-Age 13
TikTok – Age 13
Twitter-Age 13
Wink- Age 13
Please help to keep your child safe online!
Absence Reporting
When needing to report your child as absent please make sure that you contact the absence reporting team.
The contact details for the absence team are: 0141 287 0039 or https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/pupilabsence
Once you have set up your Parent Portal account absences can also be reported through that.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE HEADTECHER TO REPORT ABSENCES. The headteacher is not always available in school and so absences can be missed. You should only notify the school in writing (email or note) if you intend to remove your child from school for holidays, etc – Your note should include the date they will not be attending and the date the children will return. Again, if you need help getting your child to school please contact Mrs McHutchison.
Flu Immunisation
The flu Immunisations will be taking place on Thursday 29th September. Information about this will be sent out shortly.
ChildSmile – Fluoride Varnish
Childsmile will be coming to the school on 7th November for P1 – P4 to do the Fluoride Varnish on the children. Information will be sent out to all parents regarding this shortly.
In the meantime we do communicate via:
@BlackfriarsP - Follow us for updates
School App: Scot Ed – search for Blackfriars Primary School
Have a look at our website - www.blackfriars-pri.glasgow.sch.uk
The class app used at our school is Seesaw. This will have class updates, homework and school information on it. Each child has an individual login which will be provided by the class teacher. If you are needing the log in then please ask for this.
Always check your child’s school bag for any letters, forms, documents that may be handed out.
With Thanks, Shona Henderson, Headteacher
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Provisional Dates for your Diary 2022/23
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P5/4 Assembly and Blackfriars Blether
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9am 6th October- Blether
9.45am P5/4 Assembly
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P5 Assembly and Blackfriars Blether
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9am 13th October- Blether
9.45am P5 Assembly
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P2b Assembly and Blackfriars Blether
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9am 27th October- Blether
9.45am P2b Assembly
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P3a Assembly and Blackfriars Blether
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9am 17th November- Blether
9.45am P3a Assembly
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Infant Christmas Concert (P1-3)
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PM- 9th December
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Primary 2 Christmas Party
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PM-14th December
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Primary 3 Christmas Party
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AM-15th December
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Primary 4 Christmas Party
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PM-15th December
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Upper School Christmas Concert (P4-7)
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PM-16th December
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Primary 6 and P6/5 Christmas Party
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PM-19th December
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Infant Nativity
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AM- Tuesday 20th December
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Primary 5 and P5/4 Christmas Party
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PM-20th December
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Primary 1 Christmas Party
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AM-21st December
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Primary 7 Christmas Party
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PM-21st December
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Carols round the Christmas Tree (Pupils)
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AM-22nd December
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P2A Assembly and Blackfriars Blether
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9am 26th January- Blether
9.45am P2a Assembly
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P6/5 Assembly and Blackfriars Blether
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9am 2nd February- Blether
9.45am P6/5 Assembly
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P3b Assembly and Blackfriars Blether
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9am 23rd February- Blether
9.45am P3b Assembly
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Primary 7s to Blairvadoch Residential Centre
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20th March
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P4 Assembly and Blackfriars Blether
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9am 23rd March- Blether
9.45am P4 Assembly
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Sports’ Afternoon (weather permitting)
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PM-Wednesday 7th of June
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Reserve Sports’ Afternoon (weather permitting)
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PM- Thursday 8th of June
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Primary 7 End of Term Assembly
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Week Beginning 19th of June-TBC
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School Holidays 2022/23
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2022
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September Weekend
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Friday 23rd September
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Monday 26th September
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Children Return
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Tues 27th September
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In-Service Day
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Friday 14th October
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October Week
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Monday 17th October
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Children Return
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Monday 24th October
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Christmas/New Year
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Thursday 22nd December - Closing at 2.30pm
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2023
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Children Return
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Wednesday 4th January
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Mid Term Break
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Monday 13th February
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Tuesday 14th February
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In-Service Day
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Wednesday 15th February
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Children Return
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Thursday 16th February
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Spring Break
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Monday 3rd April
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Children Return
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Monday 17th April
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May Day
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Monday 1st May
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Children Return
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Tuesday 2nd May
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In-Service Day
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Thursday 25th May
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May Weekend
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Friday 26th May
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Children Return
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Tuesday 30th May
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Summer Holidays
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Friday 23rd June (1pm finish)
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In-Service Day
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Monday 14th August
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Tuesday 15th August
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Children Return
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Wednesday 16th August
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