information have a look at our class website.

In Novel Writing we are writing our very own novels. We are all writing about different things. Some of us are working in pairs. Some of us are writing 3rd person and some of us are writing in 1st person.

Another busy term!

I can’t believe how busy we all are just now, never a dull moment. The end of term trips have been organised and letters will be coming out this week about payment. I am sure you will be wondering about classes and staffing for next year but unfortunately this has not yet been finalised with the authority. I know that all primary schools in Prestonpans are in the same position and we will inform you as soon as possible. We have two possible scenarios and we will continue to work on both to progress the organisation for next session.

Have your say.

We hope you were given the school’s self evaluation questionnaire last week. We would be very grateful if this could be returned to school as soon as possible. This will allow us to categorise your comments and use the information to feed into our self evaluation process. All comments will be on display in school once collated and available for any parent / carer on request.

What’s happened to Golden Time?

This term Golden Time has been replaced by skills academies. Children were able to choose a skill that they would like to learn or improve. They had 15 choices and most children got their first choice. The cooking was heavily over subscribed. We will look at our curriculum planning for next year to include cookery skills in all year groups.

Taking responsibility.

Children were also asked to choose a responsibility they would like to undertake for the well being of the school community. Some children are looking at the yearly self evaluation, some transition and others Rights Respecting school. A large number of children wanted to tidy the PE cupboard and I assume that this reflects the tidying that goes on in their own homes!

Responsibility activities takes place on a Tuesday at 1.20 and next year we plan to have these every three weeks.

Primary 4 News

Primary 4RD Trip to Stirling Castle has now been arranged for Thursday 9th May and they will now be going to Edinburgh Castle.

Our end of term trip will be to Blair Drummond Safari park on Tuesday 18th June.

Primary 5 News

Our End of term trip will be to East Links Farm Park in Dunbar on Tuesday 18th June.

Primary 6 News

On Monday P6W and P6G visited Loretto School to look at the Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry. Transport to and from the event was organised by Loretto school and we wish to say a huge thank you to them for allowing us the opportunity to come and see the tapestry.

Our end of term trip will be to John Muir Country Park and Dunbar Splash pool on Tuesday 25th June.

Primary 7 News

P7 are busy organising their end of term celebrations. We have a committee looking at the all important “prom “ , one organising the year book and others sorting out their trip to Vogrie Country Park on Monday the 17th June. We are sure the last 10 weeks of term will fly by.

Visits to the High school will take place on Wednesday 19th June , Thursday 20th and Friday 21st.

Fundraising

Summer Fair

Will be held on Saturday 25th May. We look forward to seeing you all there and raising money for new school computers. Please see attached flyer.

Read-a-thon

What a fantastic week last week was with lots of children undertaking additional reading. We will let you know as soon as possible the overall figure raised and the winner of the Kindle Fire. Mrs Parkin will be announcing the winners of the pizza party tomorrow at assembly. Currently we have raised an amazing £1481.90.

Dress Down Day

On Friday 19th April we held a Dress Down Day to raise funds for the Gala and managed to raise £120.25. Thank you everyone who donated. The collective total from the three schools who took part was £337.

School News

On Thursday 25th April four P7 pupils competed in the next round of the Rotary Quiz at the Maitlandfield. After having to go to tie break we triumphed. It was a fantastic evening and a delight to see our pupils excel. Many congratulations to Jamie, Michael, Brandon and Anna. We wish them every success in the next round.

School Meals

The new 2-week summer menu is well underway and children are enjoying the additional option of salads. You should have received your menu and it can be accessed at all times through our website.

Tuesday 7th May Boiler Shutdown –no hot lunches

School Uniforms

We shall be sending off a large order for sweatshirts before the end of the summer term. Please find an order form attached. Items will be ready to collect on either of the In-Service days in August.

Walk to School Week – Monday 13th to Friday 17th May 2013

Please encourage your child to walk to school this week. Prizes are being offered to the six most improving schools in East Lothian during Walk to School week. Please help us be one of these schools!

Run & Become

We are starting an early morning running club on Tuesday 7th May from 8.15 am. Please arrive at school and meet on the playing field in your running kit ready to start at 8.15 am. (Bring your school uniform with you to change after we have run). The club will run for 6 weeks initially.

The aim of our climb is to run a mile before school, improve our fitness and energise us for a day of learning. Pupils, parents/carers are all welcome to the club.

Events in May and June

Wednesday 1st May John Home Robertson Football at Meadowmill

Thursday 2nd May Cricket Tasters for P6

Monday 6th May Holiday

Tuesday 7th May Boiler Shutdown –no hot lunches

Wednesday 8th May P7 Rugby Festival at Preston Lodge

Thursday 9th May P4RD to Edinburgh Castle

Monday 20th May Holiday

Tuesday 21st May Holiday (In-Service Day)

Wednesday 22nd May Little & Large Cooking Competition at PL (P6) pm

Thursday 23rd May P7 Transition Outdoor Challenge Day

Saturday 25th May Summer Fair

Wednesday 29th May Meadowbank Athletics

Thursday 30th May PL Marketplace Event

Tuesday 4th June P7 Dental Inspections in school

Thursday 6th June 10.00 Sports Day

Tuesday 11th June 8 x P7 children to Sea to Summit in North Berwick

Wednesday 12th June P4/5 Primary Games at Meadowmill

Monday 17th June P7 Trip to Vogrie

Tuesday 18th June 8 x P7 children to Sea to Summit in North Berwick

P4 Trip to Blair Drummond

P5 Trip to East Links Farm

Wednesday 19th June P7 Transition day at PL

Thursday 20th June P7 Transition day at PL

Information Evening for P7 parents at Preston Lodge

Friday 21st June P7 Transition day at PL

Tuesday 25th June 8 x P7 children to Sea to Summit in North Berwick

P6 Trip to John Muir Country Park & Dunbar Pool

Friday 28th June End of Term

Place2Be – Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge becomes Royal Patron of Place2Be

I am extremely proud to share very exciting news with you – Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has become Royal Patron of Place2Be.

I am sure that like me, you will feel hugely honoured that The Duchess of Cambridge has chosen to become our Royal Patron. This is a tremendous endorsement of the tireless work and commitment of our partner schools, with whom our staff and volunteer counsellors work to help troubled children to overcome emotionally difficult times in their lives.

The Duchess’s support will help Place2Be hugely in our efforts to shine the spotlight on child mental health, and on the need to tackle these issues at the earliest possible stage, so that children have the brightest possible futures, as they deserve.

By helping to raise awareness of our early intervention work in schools, The Duchess will also help us to reach even more of the UK’s most vulnerable children and their families who so desperately need support.

The Duchess’s decision to support Place2Be is a reflection of her personal interest in and commitment to improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children in the UK. Place2Be is one of three new charities that The Duchess has announced she will support.

You have my deepest gratitude for your trust in Place2Be and your support of our work. The Royal Patronage of The Duchess of Cambridge is wonderful recognition of what you have enabled us to achieve.

Community News

Homework Clubs for children 8-12 years

East Lothian Library Services are running new homework clubs in the following libraries:

Haddington Library, Wednesdays, 3.45-4.45pm

Musselburgh Library, Thursdays, 4.00-5.00 pm

Tranent Library, Tuesdays 3.45-4.45 pm

Ormiston Library, Wednesday 3.45-4.45 pm

Wallyford Library, Thursdays, 4.00-5.00 pm

The Library Service is looking for adult volunteers to run a homework club in Prestonpans. If you are interested, or know someone who would be interested please telephone the school and we will pass on your details. Volunteers will need to have a PVG check but this will be paid for by the library service.

Music Tuition

Music tuition for both drum and guitar lessons started on Wednesday 24th April at Port Seton Community Centre. Both drum and guitar lessons are in a block of 10 lessons at £1.50 per lesson.

Drum kit lessons are delivered in small groups of 4 people, sticks will be provided. No prior experience necessary. The classes take place on Wednesday afternoons between 4.30 and 5.30 and 5.30 and 6.30 pm. Acoustic Guitar lessons are taught in small groups of 6 children. The classes take place on Wednesday afternoons between 4.15 and 5.15 and 5.15 and 6.15 pm.

If you are interested please phone 01875 818181.

Lothian Colts Football

Lothian Colts are looking for Players Born 2003 & 2001 For All Positions.  Teams Train Tuesdays & Thursdays at Meadow Mill Sports Centre 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

Why Not Visit our Club Website for Additional Information At http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/lothiancolts/ or Pop along to Training and speak to one of the SFA /FA Qualified Coaches

Food Hygiene Certificated Course – Part 1 (Minimum numbers of 6 people to run the course)

Participants must complete both parts of this course to receive the certificate

Certificate required if you are to prepare and sell any food at fundraising events, ie home baking/bacon rolls etc

Cost: £35 per person.   The cost can be met from individual Parent Council Budgets.

When: Wednesday 24 April

Where: Musselburgh Grammar

Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

Tutor: Catherine Hall

Food Hygiene Certificated Course – Part 2 (Minimum numbers of 6 people to run the course)

Participants must complete both parts of this course to receive the certificate, as outlined above.

When: Wednesday 1 May

Where: Musselburgh Grammar

Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

Tutor: Catherine Hall

Recruitment and Selection

To enable Parent Council members to participate in the Recruitment and Selection process for promoted posts within schools.

When: Tuesday 7^th May

Where: Musselburgh Grammar

Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Tutor: Stewart MacKinnon, Depute Head Teacher, Musselburgh Grammar

Facebook Training

For any Parent Council Members wishing to learn how to use and maintain a successful Facebook page.  Covering policies, privacy settings and much more.

When: Tuesday 28^th May

Where: Knox Academy

Time: 7pm – 8pm

Tutor: Karen Haspolat, Quality Improvement Officer

To reserve a place on any of the above training courses please email parentcouncil@eastlothian.gov.uk stating which course you are interested in and the Parent Council you are representing and we will confirm that a place has been allocated in due course.

Parent Council Meetings:

Informal Chairs Meeting

The next Informal meeting for Chairs will take place on Tuesday 23^rd April at Knox Academy, Haddington.  Invitations have been sent to all Chairs.   However, if the Chair is unable to attend the Vice Chair or nominated Parent Council Member is welcome to attend in his/her place.

Kind Regards

Laura

Laura  Muir

Services for People

Education Department

East Lothian Council

John Muir House

Haddington

EH41 3HA

Telephone: 01620 82 7562

Email: lmuir@eastlothian.gov.uk

Parent Council Inbox: parentcouncil@eastlothian.gov.uk

Education Enquiries: educationenquiries@eastlothian.gov.uk

http://edubuzz.org/prestonpansprimary/files/2013/03/Parent-Council-Minutes-5.3.20134.pdf

Hot Chocolate has now stopped until next winter but the Fair Trade Tuckshop has opened once a week , selling a variety of cereal bars and other snacks.Please remember to bring your money on Wednesdays to support Fair Trade both in your school and as part of our wider Prestonpans Community.