Dear Parents and Carers,
As we are in the run up to the Easter holidays I
thought it a good time to keep you informed about
all the exciting things we have been up to and our
plans for the near future at St Andrew’s.
judges who will choose the best two. The speak
will be about why they want to represent the
school and what makes them the best candidate.
So get thinking.
A FOND FAREWELL
PLAYGROUND NEWS !!
As you all know, Mrs Dickson is retiring at Easter.
She has been with the school for 10 years and has
been responsible for setting up the ASD base. Her
passion for inclusion has been instrumental in the
development of support for learning for ASD
children authority wide ensuring the inclusion of
ASD children in mainstream education which is
very much part of the GIRFEC agenda (Getting It
Right For Every Child). We as a whole school team,
and the children in our care, would like to thank
her for the part she has had to play in making our
community grow and develop. We wish her well in
this new part of her life.
Well, after a lot of moaning and phoning we have
managed to secure an extension to our playground
area. Thanks to the Parent Council and the
authority we at last have a plan in place to make
our tiny playground a bigger, more child friendly
place. The work will begin in the summer months
and be ready for use by August 2015 on our return
to school for academic year 2015-16. We are all
very excited at the prospect and would ask if there
is any member of our parent body with skills and
talents to make our playground facilities better.
Please feel free to donate time, expertise and
resources. Attached to this letter is a plan of how
things will look.
We take the recruitment of new staff seriously so
have been very pro-active in filling our PT ASD
Base post as quickly as possible so that there is a
smooth transition for our children. I am very
happy to tell you that we have successfully
recruited Mrs Clare McCallum. She comes to us
with a great deal of experience from Edinburgh
Authority and is looking forward to working with
the whole community.
Borders Railway Royal Guard
We are privileged to be invited to send two
children as part of the Royal Guard to mark the
opening of the Borders Railway at Waverly Station
on Friday September 4th. The organisers have
specified children from P5-7 are eligible. To make
the choice fair and to mark the occasion properly
we are holding a competition for all P5-7 children.
They will write a speech to deliver to a panel of
Next term sees the beginning of our school
rehearsals for the end of year show. P3 – P7 pupils
will all be involved. P5/6 & P6/7 will be writing the
scripts so watch out Mr Shakespeare!
On our return from the Easter break we will be
missing the P7 who have signed up for camp. They
will be accompanied by Mr Taylor, Mrs Dickson
and Mrs Lucchesi. Last year was a great success
and the children all came back with glowing
reports about their accommodation and
experiences. Have a great time kids. We’ll be
expecting a full account on your return.
As I have been asked by several parents for advice on how to spend the Easter beak productively with your
children, I have put a package of suggestions together. While I am aware that you will have planned the Easter
break with the family, I would be remiss if I did not respond to parental wishes.
At St Andrew’s we all know that the school
holidays can sometimes present parents
with challenges. Most of the staff are busy parents themselves and are aware of the stresses of
thinking up activities which will keep kids occupied during the break.
It can be tempting to switch on the TV or allow children more time with an electronic game but is it
the best use of their free time? We know that lots of you plan exciting activities and take the kids on
days away but there will be those times when you are at a loss to think what to do with them. We
have done some research on what is available around and about so below are some suggestions to
keep your children healthy, happy, occupied and challenged.

Keep to a regular timetable – make sure the kids get up early, having breakfast together and
planning the day ahead. They will enjoy being part of the decision making.

Have something definite to do everyday so that they have something to look
forward to and, in the case of bad behaviour, something which can work as a
carrot for good behaviour.

Make sure they go to bed at a reasonable time with no TV for an hour before hand.
Research tell us that electronic stimulation close to bedtime can cause sleeplessness.
If you are at home with the kids during this holiday there are lots of activities which are free and
enjoyable for them to get involved in:
 Easter Play Scheme – Gorebridge Play Scheme are holding sessions on Wednesday
mornings – April
8th & 10th 10.30-12.30pm and Friday afternoons on April 15th & 17th
2.20-4.30pm. This excellent event is open to children aged 5 -12yrs and costs 50p a
session.
 Baking – why not make cup cakes or pancakes (you can then have a picnic in the garden with
the results)
 Gardening – it’s the right time to do a bit of planting and tidying up.
 Walking – why not go on a Spring Watch walk. You could ask them to find 10 things that
show that it is spring. Take photos of the new lambs and beautiful spring flowers.
 Painting – use the photos they took to paint pictures for their rooms. Ikea sell really cheap
frames they could use and give their work to Gran as a gift.
 Visit the library (Newtongrange only as Gorebridge is being renovated during the break).
Read a book to the kids serialising it daily and talk about the characters and story. They may
want to write a new character in to the story and draw them too.
 Vogrie Country Park is a great spot for some outdoor activities. As most youngsters love a
picnic, it would be an idea to plan the whole thing together. Their baking could be included
and they could learn how to make a good picnic sandwich. There is a great activity play park
there too or perhaps you could take them on a nature trail.
 Swimming – the leisure centre is open. Why not look on line for their timetables. This is a
great activity and isn’t weather dependent.
 Invite a friend – this shares the burden. Parents can take turns giving you a well deserved
day/afternoon off.
 Mining Museum – the museum has regular activities and a ballroom too.


Trips away – the museum in Edinburgh, Chambers St is free and a wonderful place to grab
everyone’s attention. This trip need only cost the bus fare since you can take a packed lunch
and eat it in Princes Street Gardens. Watch out for the squirrels stealing your grub!
An Easter Egg Hunt – organising this event is so easy and you can invite a couple of friends
for each of your children. Get together with other families to arrange it. The children can
have juice and biscuits or a small chocolate egg. Probably the adults will want something a
bit more fortifying. The prize of course, a large chocolate egg.
The list is endless and, since I have been asked by several parents for advice about school holidays, I feel
these suggestions go some way to helping with the dilemma. Do not hesitate to come to see me if
you need further advice.
Have a great Easter Holiday.
Regards,
Mara Matthews