11 Apr 2008 - St John's Newsletter

 

 

    Dear Parents, Welcome Back!

 

Fitness Week – All of our staff and pupils have had a very good start to the new term becoming fully involved in our school fitness week. There have been a variety of taster sessions which we have participated in with enthusiasm. It’s been lovely to see parents joining us. Thank you to our Health Promoting School Working Party, led by Miss Lowrey. The end of the week culminated in a celebration Assembly.

 

  

  

  

  

    Pyjama Day 

 

A big thank you to all the children who took part in the Pyjama Day at the end of term. We are pleased to inform you that we have raised £366.05! Well done to everyone that took part, coming to school in their pyjamas. It was great fun! All money raised will help our Partner Primary in Legho Village in Tanzania . Special thanks to the pupils councillors who organised the day. 

 

  

  

  

  

 P4 First Holy Communion & Confirmation Programme

 

 Our Gifts….

 

A gathering for P4 children and parents takes place this Monday, 14^th April at 7.00pm in St John’s RC Church.

 

 

 

We look forward to seeing all the children in P4 and their parents on Monday 14^th April when we will be concentrating on the sacrament of Confirmation. The team will spend time with the children as a group looking at their many gifts and talents. Please contact Julie Collins should you have any questions regarding the programme. Julie Collins 669 8089.

 

 

 

 Remaining Dates:

 

Monday 28^th April @ 7pm           In Preparation for First Eucharist

 

Monday 26^th May @ 7pm            Service Rehearsal

 

Sunday 1^st June @ 12.00noon  Confirmation & First Holy

 

                                                         Communion Mass

 

 

 

 

 

 St John’s School Term Planner

 

Please find attached. This planner has been prepared by the Parent Council’s Communication Group. Please keep this handy. Also, remember to check the fortnightly newsletter for updates.

 

 

 

 

 

 Parent Council

 

There will be a Parent Council Meeting on Thursday 17^th April at 7.00pm in the school staffroom. Please find attached a resume of the minutes.

 

  

 

  

 

 Dates for the Newsletter

 

The dates for the fortnightly newsletter are:

 

 April

 

Friday 11^th & Friday 25^th

 

 May

 

Friday 2^nd & Friday 16^th

 

 June

 

Friday 6^th, Friday 20^th & Friday 27^th

 

 

 

   

 

 Have you paid?

 

Just a wee note to remind parents that the Health Week cost £2.50, if you have not paid please hand this in to school next week.

 

 

 

  

 

Questionnaires  

 

Thank you to all who completed questionnaires. Results will be collated and interpreted and conveyed to you following the Parent Council meeting.  

 

   

 

 Lining Up………

 

 It is imperative that we encourage independence in our younger pupils, I would ask parents to stand back from the lines to allow the teacher to lead the children into class. I would also ask parents to ensure that children line up with their class and not use the front door entrance as a matter of course.

 

 

 

   

 

Parking  

 

You will be aware that the Traffic Wardens are patrolling outside our school. They are issuing parking tickets. So please park safely!

 

 

  

     

 

ICT Club  

 

The ICT will start up again on Wednesday 16 April.  The children will be given a letter on Wednesday with the remainder of the dates for this term.

 

 

 

 

 

    Wine Tasting Evening….  

 

There will be a wine tasting evening in St John's Church Hall on Friday 18th April at 7.30pm.  Cost is £8.00.  

 

 St John’s Dyslexia Group

 

We will meet again on Friday 25^th April at 9.00am in the Portable Huts in the school playground. Anyone who has a child at St John’s who is or may be dyslexic please feel free to come along. For more information contact Jacquie Robertson on 669 6891 or Oonagh O’Brien on 669 5315.

 

 

 

 

 

 Active Schools…..

 

Active Schools is currently working with St.John’s RC Primary School to develop new opportunities for Physical Activity.   After a short break in the winter term, the Basic Moves After School Club is continuing this term for P1 and P2 children.  Basic Moves is a PE training programme developed at Edinburgh University .  It is designed specifically for young Primary school children to encourage enjoyment and participation in sport and physical activity.  The sessions are run by trained parents on a volunteer basis and our aim is for the kids to have fun whilst exercising!  There is no charge for the After School Sessions which will take place in the school games hall on Thursdays from 3.20pm till 4.15pm for a period of 6 weeks from Thursday 24 April.  Letters are being sent out to all P1 and P2 children but if you have any queries, please contact Ann Johnstone (0131 657 9146) or Alison Holligan (0131 657 4666).

 

 

 

 Pupil Council News……

 

The Councillors are busy preparing the magazine page for the Cluster Newsletter.

 

 

 

   

 

 Football Stars…

 

    Congratulations to Jordan Sinclair and Marcus Campanile, both P7b, who during the Easter holidays, travelled to Barcelona with Tynecastle Football Club to take part in a football tournament, Trofeo Mediterraneo. Having won all their group games against Italian, French and Edinburgh teams, they went on to win the semi-final, and then won the final 2-0 against a Swiss team. Well done to them both, they are a credit to St John’s Primary School and we are all very, very proud of them.

 

 

 

    Irish Dancing Star……  

 

Well done to Grant Morrison of P6b, who took part in a World Irish dancing competition in Belfast on Easter Sunday. He came 5^th in the World for his solo dancing and for his mixed ceildh he came 3^rd in the world! Great news Grant, keep up the good work!

 

 

 

    Swimming Stars…… …

 

Four St John’s girls braved the snow on Sunday 6th April to compete in the Portobello Spring Aquathon (swim followed by a run). All the girls won medals!  In the 8-year old class, Ellana Gilbert (P4B) took 1st place, Kate Johnstone (P3B) was 2^nd, and Ishbel Morton (P3B) was 3^rd. In the 9-10 year old class, Lucy Hart (P4A) was 3^rd.  Ellana and Kate’s mums also took part - Ann Johnstone won the medal for first female veteran. Well done to all!

 

 

 

   

 

Karate Kid……………………  

 

Rachel Scotland, P7b, is now the Scottish Champion in Karate! She won a gold medal at the Scottish Karate Federation Junior Team Competition on Sunday 6^th April at Meadowbank. She is now going to compete in the British Open in Sheffield in September. Well done, Rachel we wish you all the best for the British Open.

 

 

 

 

 

 Cardboard Cut Outs…………….

 

The Craigmillar Arts & Environment Project will be working with local primary schools and our P7’s on a very exciting new project. There will be 2 workshops in April to show the children how to make a life sized cardboard figure of themselves. The children should bring a large cardboard box to be reused as material for the figures. They will then draw round each other, cut out the figure and decorate as a self-portrait with classroom paints. The results of these workshops will be a crowd of cardboard people who will be installed by

Niddriemains Road

. It would be helpful if any parent has surplus cardboard, they could donate to us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Monday Holiday

 

Please remember that Monday 21^st April is a public holiday and the school will be closed. We will re-open on Tuesday 22^nd April at 8.50am.

 

 

 

 

 

Many thanks for your continued support and

 

 co-operation.   

 

  Ms Barbara A Service, Head Teacher