October 2016 Newsletter – ROMPS

October 2016
Head Teacher: Mrs. M Thomson
ROBERT OWEN MEMORIAL
PRIMARY SCHOOL
October 2016
Tuesday 25th
9.30am- Parent meeting to
discuss Vision, Values
and Aims for the school.
6.30pm- Meeting to
discuss Lockerbie outing
2017.
Thursday 27th
Halloween Discos
House Day
Our first House Day took place on the
14th October, the last day of term, and
what an exciting way to end the term.
We were very lucky to have a visit
from our Lord Cornet, Mr Gordon
Jess and a local historian and Ex
Lord Cornet, Mr Paul Archibald. They
joined us at our House Assembly to
tell us a little bit about the origins of our school house names. We welcomed them to the
school with a warming rendition of the Lanark song to the tune of Highland Cathedral. We
learned lots about the history of the March Stones and Lanimers.
After playtime, our Houses were split into three group and each group had to come up with a
song/rap/jingle for their house. Later on in the day each group performed to the whole school.
Each house chose their favourite which they will use at all house events.
In the afternoon all children began designing a mascot for their house. The winners will be
chosen by the Captains and Vice Captains and then will be made into the Mascots to
represent their houses at all house events.
A few days before House Day, 13 Primary 7 pupils put themselves forward to be Captain or
Vice Captain of their house. They all stood up at an assembly and performed a speech
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October 2016
Head Teacher: Mrs. M Thomson
telling the pupils and staff why they should be chosen to
lead their house. All of the pupils made excellent
speeches and spoke confidently and proudly. Following
the voting session, where every pupil got a vote, the
following children were chosen to lead their houses.
Our new House Captains and Vice Captains are:
Glenburnie Captain-Ben
Vice Captain-Josh
Leechford
Captain-Abigail
Vice Captain-Lisa
Committees and
Working Parties
Oakwood
Captain-Rohan
Vice Captain-Niamh
We as a staff feel it is very
important to get the views of all
stakeholders so we will be inviting
Parents/Carers to join us on these
groups.
Homework
Reminders
Can I remind you that ROMPS
is a ‘Nut Free School’. We
have several children who are
allergic to nuts and can
become very ill if in contact
with them. In order to keep all
of our children safe, could you
please refrain from sending
your children to school with
food which contains nuts. This
includes Nutella chocolate
spread.
The Healthy Valley after school
club continues to run every
Friday from 3pm-4pm. All
children are welcome. Parents
are required to bring their child
the first week of attending in
order to complete the required
paperwork.
Halloween Discos
The Lanimer Committee will be
organising two Halloween
Discos for the children on
Thursday 27th October. The
first disco for children in P1-P3
will be from 6pm-7pm and the
second one will be from
7.15pm-8.30pm for children in
P4-P7.
Bonnington Captain-Elizabeth
Vice Captain-Caelan
We have received a very positive response regarding the
changes to the homework programme and hope that this
enthusiasm will further encourage the children to be
adventurous and creative in their reading diet. I would also
like to alleviate fears and state that we, as a school,
continue to fully endorse and encourage research activities
in relation to the class topics and other areas of interest
and is exactly what we are hoping to achieve by
encouraging pupils to read online, visit the library for nonfiction books etc.
As this term progresses, we will be sending home other
tools to aid you as you work with your child to develop a
love of reading through the reading activities.
Carpark
As previously indicated I have now secured a meeting with
the Roads Department on the 3rd November to see what
we can do to make our carpark safer at peak times.
In the meantime I would like to try a new measure. The
janitor will close the gate at 2.50pm until 3.00pm. This
will allow time for our children to get on buses/taxis
safely. At the moment the car park and also the waiting
area at the main entrance is congested with cars and
people. Very often bus lines get split up etc and this
makes it harder for Support Staff to ensure all children
are on correct buses. The gates will be opened on the
bell at 3pm to allow you to meet your child at the main
entrance.
Open Evening
Thank you all for joining us at the Open Evening to see the
work the children have been doing over the last few weeks.
I hope you found it useful and informative.
As always the Travelling Book Fair was there. Mrs Gallant
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October 2016
Head Teacher: Mrs. M Thomson
ensured all children got to peruse the books before the Open Evening and kindly gave up her
evening to man the Book Fair. I am delighted to announce that £1758.85 was spent on books by
the end of the week. As we are entitled to 60% of the takings we will get to choose books to the
value of £1055.31. This will help us purchase books for our class libraries to encourage the
children to develop a love for reading. I hope you and your child/children have been enjoying
reading the books together you have purchased.
School Chaplaincy
Our School Chaplain, the Reverend Bryan Kerr was invited to attend the Parent Forum meeting
in September. Bryan outlined his role as School Chaplain and provided the parents with the
following information which I feel may be of interest to you.
Chaplains develop spiritual awareness and religious observance in line with the ethos of the
school. They are initially there as pastoral support for staff and children as and when required.
There is a legal requirement for schools to have religious observance as outlined in SLC
Operation Procedure A31. Mr Kerr and Mr Drew Sheridan, from Christ Church hope to be
involved in this at ROMPS this session.
Parents have the right to request information about the content of religious observance and can
also request that their child be withdrawn from this.
If you would like more information please contact myself at the school.
On the 8th December, New Lanark Primary will be joining us here at ROMPS to participate in a
day of, ‘Living the Christmas Story’. This event will be organised by Mr Kerr. More info to follow
nearer the time.
Credit Union
The Credit Union has again opened for business at
ROMPS. We have new pupils trained up as cashiers and
they got off to a flying start by collection more than £125
during the opening session alone.
If your child would like to take advantage of this
opportunity, please send in a note or call Mrs McCallum
and she will arrange for an application form to be sent
home.
The Credit Union Savvy Savers bank is open each Tuesday at 9.15am and we would love to
welcome your child as a Savvy Saver.
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October 2016
Head Teacher: Mrs. M Thomson
School Website (http://www.robertowen-pri.s-lanark.sch.uk)
Have you been on the school’s website recently? Miss
McAllister has been working very hard to ensure it is
kept up to date with current information and
photographs.
Following our new approach to Homework which is
concentrating on Literacy, some of our parents have
asked for the names of websites they can go onto to
work with their children on Maths. Miss McAllister has
put lots of useful websites and free Apps on the Parent
Area for you . If you come across others which you
would like to share, please put a note in your child’s
diary and Miss McAllister will add them to the website.
Can I also draw your attention to the ‘What’s happening in the classroom’ section as you will find
a ‘Homelink’ each term which will outline what your child will be working on that term.
Nursery Extravaganza
The Nursery Extravaganza will take place here in the
school on the 17th November from 6.30pm-8.30pm. The
School support staff will be having a lucky dip stall for
children and adults. Could you please send in items for
the stall including unwanted gifts, for example, toiletries.
All donations will be gratefully received.
Lanimers 2017
For the first time ever the Lanimer Committee
came to a school assembly to ask the children
what theme they would like for Lamimers 2017.
The Lanimer Committee showed the children a
great Powerpoint illustrating two themes. The
children were then asked to choose by voting with
their feet as they moved to two sections of the hall
to indicate their choice. The theme has now been
set but in true Lanimer tradition I am not allowed
to tell you what it is!. Watch this space! I hope that
you will encourage your child/children to be part
of Lanimers this year to represent the school.
Details of cost, costumes etc will follow.
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