Merrylee Primary School
Newsletter 6
Dear Parent/ Carer
Staff news
Mrs Beattie leaves school on Friday 14th February to begin her maternity leave. She looks fabulous and
is keeping so well. We will all miss her but wish her all the very best for the exciting times ahead. We
have been delighted to welcome Mrs Margaret Miller to our office team every Wednesday and
Thursday. Margaret is covering the foster leave of Mrs Suzie Capaldi.
Extension news
All the major ground works are complete so we hope to see some steel work rising from the ground
very soon. Internal adaptations have been made to establish a new office for Mrs Haddock. Her room
is now next door to Mrs MacDonald’s office.
P1 registration for next session
We have registered 92 children for next session’s P1. 5 children will defer until next year and 14 have
made placing requests to other schools. (Most of these because they live much closer to other Glasgow
schools)
Christmas festivities
Seems such a long time ago now but all the pantomime visits and parties went well. The pantomime
seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by all ages this time. The parties were all lively events with Santa
making a surprise visit to the P1 party. Thank you also to our friends in Merrylea Parish Church who
welcomed us for our Christmas Service. The service was conducted by the Reverends Hood and Pearson
with their usual energy and sense of fun.
Monday 13th January
pm
Visit from African artists
We were very grateful to Mr. and Mrs Lynch, parents of Scott in P7, for arranging a visit from a group
of African musicians. Mr. and Mrs Lynch were so impressed by the learning undertaken by Scott’s class
about Tanzania that they wanted to enhance it further. The musicians entertained the senior classes
with traditional music and songs. They shared stories of their culture and allowed the children to have
a closer look at their hand made instruments.
P7 to GFT to see Boy in the striped pyjamas
The senior classes are studying conflict next learning block so P7 accepted the opportunity to visit the
cinema to watch ‘The boy in the striped pyjamas’. The children and adults were all very moved by the
film which was certainly thought provoking.
P6 & P7/6
Dance coaching
Both classes are engaging well in these coaching sessions and are thoroughly enjoying the experience.
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P7/6 & P7
Celtic Connections Concert
The classes went to the Royal Concert Hall to listen to the orchestra perform Far Far from Ypres. It
was a very moving experience.
P1 visit the Science Centre
P1 children have been learning about space. They are learning about identifying the sum, moon and
stars. They are also learning about how the pattern of day and night is linked to the position of the
sun, moon and stars. To enhance this learning they all had a great day at the Glasgow Science Centre.
The Clyde in the classroom project
The eco committee is heading up a whole school project about the River Clyde. A group representing
the committee went to the Science Centre to learn about how they could help with the rejuvenation of
life in the river. We now have a tank in which many young trout are now hatching and developing. The
children have to maintain the tank at the optimum temperature and ensure the eggs and young fish are
properly cared for. So far so good! In a few weeks the young trout will be released back into the river
to continue their journey into adulthood. A fabulous learning opportunity. Hopefully there will be a link
form the website soon that will lead you to our blogs about this project.
P7 Burn’s Supper
This was a fabulous event. We all enjoyed haggis, neeps and tatties and the various traditions of a
Burn’s supper. Several children had learned verse and were led by a very competent master of
ceremony. Following the supper we were entertained by talented musicians on the accordion, violin,
flute, clarinet, drum and piano.
P6 Tobacco Health Project
P6 children have now begun the Rangers Study Centre health project. This is to raise awareness of the
effects of tobacco on health and fitness. The lesson is a mixture of both practical and workshop.
P2a & P2b
Visit from Nancy Nicholson
These classes enjoyed storytelling sessions with Nancy Nicholson as part of the Celtic Connections
programme.
Science Team visitor
A science ambassador from STEM visited our science team to help them understand some very
challenging contexts. Mrs Sutherland said her visit was very helpful and the children learned much
from their visitor.
‘As new’ uniform board
A pin board has been put on the wall inside the first door at the community entrance to allow anyone to
advertise nearly new school uniform for sale or gift. The PA members have already put pins, cards and
pens on the board so it is ready for use. Why not make a few pennies by offering uniform your child
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has outgrown for sale to another parent? Or offer it as a gift to anyone who wants it? Or put up a
request for items you are looking for? This seems a great way to self-help within our community. Please
note that this board is only for uniforms.
The Parents’ Association Committee
The PA has just donated a cheque for £4000 to the school fund. This is amazing! Many thanks again to
every member of the extremely hard working committee and to all in our community who supports the
work of our PA committee. The money donated to the school fund helps enhance the learning of
everyone in our community. Below are just some of the ways money from the PA is spent.
*Every school trip is subsidised.
*The money funds class initiatives such as cooking, special art work, visitors to class etc.
*We have bought 8 hand held movie cameras.
*12 cases for our new ipads
*New Logo technology
*New mats for gymnastics
WE are so lucky to have this fund to enhance learning in ways we could only dream of otherwise. Many
thanks once again.
Mary’s Meals fundraising
Our young independent entrepreneurs continue to raise funds for the Mary’s Meals charity which has
clearly touched the hearts of our children. Well done to Hannah Mason in P3/2 who raised £3.35 by
giving turns to guess Cracker’s birthday. Well done also to Emma Copeland who raised £20 selling
tablet.
Medication
Please do not in any circumstance send medication to school in your child’s school bag before
registering it with the school office. All medication in school must be recorded and registered.
Call for spare school uniform please
If you have any uniform, especially for small boys, that you have no need for, please hand it in to the
school office. This is handy for those odd accidents!
Rag Bag Donations
Since the pods were installed we have noticed a sharp fall in the amount of donations to the Rag Bag
container. Please remember that it is there and encourage friends and neighbours to use it.
Stuart. Crossing patroller
This is a heartfelt plea from Stuart who is loved and respected in our community. He feels his role is
being undermined by parents who ignore him and cross the road without his assistance close by to his
normal position in the road. Please help Stuart by crossing with his help if you are crossing outside our
main entrance. Many thanks.
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Any information required? Need help with understanding what we do in school?
If there are any issues you would like me to address I would be very grateful if you could e-mail, letter
or drop in and let me know. We have arranged workshops, leaflets, discussion opportunities before
which have not always been well attended so I would like to offer you the chance to let me know how
best I can help you understand what we do in school. Such topics could be- How we help your children
learn? Methodology of learning? Help understanding the roles of ?? Teaching of a specific aspect of
learning? Or even the chance to discuss a range of topics. Please let me know how we can continue to
support and develop our home school partnership. I look forward to hearing from you.
Dates for your diary
Tues 5th Feb
17 senior children
Participating in the Glasgow Cross Country finals
P5a, P5b, P3a, P3b, P3/2 Visit from SSPCA
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th
Mon 10 , Tues 11
School closed for holidays
th
Wed 12
School closed to children for staff in service training
Tues 18th Feb
Basic life support training for senior pupils and staff
th
Wed 19 Feb
P6
To Glasgow Science Centre
th
Mon 24 Feb
P4a
To begin tennis coaching for 6 weeks at Newland tennis club
th
Wed 26 Feb
P2a & P2b
To Glasgow Science Centre
th
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Wed 26 & Thurs 27
All classes to have Powerwise workshops
Week beginning Monday 3rd March is Literacy Week.
Mon 3rd Mar
9.30am
Glasgow Lord Provost visiting
th
Wed 5 Mar
P6 & P7
Children’s author, Sam Wilding visiting
th
Wed 5 Mar
P7 & P7/6
Flood defence workshop
th
Thurs 6 Mar
World Book Day
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th
Thurs 6 & Fri 7 Mar PA run obstacle course
Fri 7th Mar
P4a, P4b, P5a, P5b Metaphog workshops
Fri 7th Mar
P6
To ‘Wee Write Festival’ to hear Dani Sacerdoti (children’s author)
th
Fri 7 Mar
P7 & P7/6 To ‘Wee Write Festival’ to hear Teresa Breslin (children’s author)
th
Tues 11 Mar
P6
To ‘Wee Write Festival’ to hear Philip Ardagh (children’s author)
th
Tues 11 Mar
All classes Parent/Teacher consultations 4-7pm
th
Thurs 13 Mar
All classes Parent/Teacher consultations 4-7pm
th
Wed 19 Mar
All P6
To Summerlee Museum
Wed 19th Mar
P3/2
To Glasgow Science Centre
th
Thurs 20 Mar
All P7
To Summerlee Museum
th
Wed 26 Mar
P1 & P7
Dental inspections
th
Fri 4 April
2.30pm
School closes for Spring Break
nd
Tues 22 April
9am
School resumes after the holiday
Best wishes
Liz Mahindru
Head Teacher
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