Dear Parents
Welcome back to a new session at Bent Primary. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday and fully enjoyed
the time spent with family and friends!
On behalf of everyone at Bent Primary, I welcome all new pupils whether new starts in Primary 1 or pupils
at other stages throughout the school. A special welcome also to the parents and carers of these new
pupils!
A Parental newsletter is issued at the beginning of each month. Please look out for your family’s copy
and if necessary search the deepest corners of school bags! The information contained in each
newsletter will keep you up-to-date with school news and important dates and details. These newsletters
can also be found on the school website.
Yours sincerely
Carol Fleming
Head Teacher
STAFFING UPDATE
We are delighted to welcome Miss Sarah Inglis to Bent Primary. Miss Inglis
will be teaching Primaries 3 and 4 this session.
Mrs Lynn Dyer has been successful in her application to ‘wind down’ and as a result will work
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Due to significant staff shortages across South Lanarkshire, we have been informed that no
extra cover will be provided as we have already been allocated extra staffing for this session.
This means that on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon, the children will come
together as 2 classes and staff will focus on specific areas of the curriculum such as PE,
Science, Art, Drama, Technologies and RME. This will also allow a greater focus on Literacy
and Numeracy on the remaining days.
From August 2006 class teachers have been allocated 2.5 hours per week non-class contact
time for preparation etc. These arrangements mean that your child is taught for 2.5 hours
each week by another teacher or teachers who will focus on a specialist area such as
Modern Languages, P.E. etc.,
Mrs Ethel Boag will be carrying out non-class contact cover this session.
PARENT COUNCIL
The first meeting of the Parent Council will be held on Tuesday 23rd August at 6p.m. in the
GP Room.
We would like to welcome any new parents to the Parent Council. For further information on
the work and functions of the Parent Council, please contact the school.
ADMINISTRATION
All pupils will be issued with an envelope containing a number of important documents.
It is vital that these are completed and returned promptly. We would therefore ask for
your cooperation in returning these as soon as possible.
We now have the facility through our computer system to text families in circumstances such
as early school closures. For this to be an effective tool, it is vital that the school is
informed of any changes to the main mobile number for each family. Please also add
your email address as information can be sent out in this format also.
We apologise for the seemingly endless form filling at this time of year but know that you
will understand how vital this is. Thank you!
PUPIL OUT of SCHOOL ACTIVITIES/INTERESTS
We are always interested in learning about our pupils’ participation in sports, interests and
other activities that happen out of school. So that we can be fully aware of your child’s
interests and hobbies, we would be most grateful if you or your child could complete a small
form giving this information. This will allow class teachers to get to know your child more
fully and be able to further celebrate their achievements and skills.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Uniform is the recognised attire for all pupils attending Bent and it is heartening
to see all the pupils looking so smart in their new uniforms. We thank all the parents
and carers for making this possible and ask that you continue to encourage the wearing of
uniform throughout the session including days timetabled for P.E.
Can I request that polo shirts are worn on P.E days and on any outings/school trips.
Please ensure all items of clothing are clearly marked with your child’s name.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The Scottish Government recognises the positive impact physical education can have on a
pupil's health, educational attainment and life chances and that it can assist in the delivery
of the broad health and wellbeing outcomes and experiences contained within Curriculum
for Excellence.
The Scottish Government has made the commitment that by 2014, every school
pupil in Scotland will benefit from at least two hours per week of physical
education in primary school, and two periods in S1 to S4.
Therefore, this session, all pupils will participate in 2 hours of P.E per week.
For Health and Safety reasons it is vital that the pupils are properly attired for P.E.
Whilst it is not school policy to insist on specialised clothing for P.E. or sporting activities,
it is important that the children wear appropriate clothing for the activities they engage in.
Training shoes, which are worn outside, are not acceptable in the gym hall as these hold dirt
on the soles. Plain sand/ gym shoes, which can be kept in a school bag at all times, are
recommended. Children are not allowed to do P.E. in their socks or bare feet. Trainers can
be brought in to wear for outdoor activities.
The wearing of jewellery, including pierced earrings, during P.E. sessions is also not allowed
for safety reasons.
If desired, the children can wear their shorts under their uniforms. This makes changing
for P.E. easier, particularly for younger pupils.
A note of your child’s P.E. day will be communicated to parents at the beginning of term
through the homework diary.
P.E. is an important part of the curriculum and all children must take part unless there
are physical or medical reasons, which prevent them from participating. Parents will be
contacted for those pupils who continually forget their P.E. kit.
Thank you for your support.
ABSENCE REPORTING
It is of vital importance that parents inform the school when their child is absent.
We would ask that you phone the school before 9 a.m. if your child is going to
be absent. This should be followed up with a letter to your child’s class
teacher when he/she returns to school.
The school absence answer machine is on 24 hours a day. If it is easier
for you to phone the night before to let us know that your child will be absent, then
please do so.
If we have not had confirmation of an absence we will contact you by text and it may be
necessary to phone your identified emergency contact number.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOL IS NOTIFIED OF ANY CHANGE TO CONTACT
NUMBERS.
School Swimming Programme
Primary 5, 6 and 7 begin a 12 week block of swimming lessons at Coalburn Leisure Complex
on Friday 26th August. Please ensure pupils have all necessary items with them each week.
Primary 1 Lunch Date!
We would like to give the Primary 1 children the opportunity to have lunch in
school on Friday 19th August accompanied by a parent / guardian. Your child
may bring along his or her own packed lunch or choose a meal from the school
lunch menu. All pupils have the choice of a pack a snack, red tray or blue tray.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
11th & 12th August
15th August
17th August
18th August
19th August
19th August
22nd August
23rd August
23rd August
26th August
3rd September
W/beg 5th September
W/beg 5th September
24th September
23rd/26th September
27th September
14th October
17th – 21st October
INSET DAYS 1 & 2
Pupils return
Primary Music Initiative begins for P5
SSPCA Workshops P1-3 + P4-7
School Photographer in
P1 lunch with parents/carers
P1 start full days
Credit Union Interviews and Training P6/7
Parent Council meeting +AGM
Swimming begins for Primary 5/6/7 pupils (until 4th Nov)
Tesco bag Pack
Financial Education Week
Parents’ Open Evening (dayTBC)
MacMillan Coffee Morning (staff)
Holiday
P1/2 Childsmile Visit
Interim Reports to parents/carers
October holiday
August 2016