THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCILDepartment of Children and Families

Holy Cross R.C. Primary School Craighall Road Edinburgh EH6 4RE

Telephone: 0131 552 1972 Email: admin@holycross.edin.sch.uk Website: https://holycrossrcps.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @holycrossrcpsHead Teacher: Mr James McDevitt

M.A. (Hons.), P.G.C.E.(Primary)__________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEWSLETTER No 6, March 2019

POLISH ANTARCTIC EXPLORERSOn Thursday 7 and Friday 8 March, Anna Grebienlow and Maciej Samulski spoke to Primary 4, Primary 5 and Primary 6 about the work of the Polish Antarctic Station. The presentation was excellent and featured photographs, 3D visuals and music. The children found the presentation fascinating! Our thanks to Anna and Maciej for sharing their work with us, and to one of our parents, Mrs Burgess, who made us aware of this opportunity.

BOOK CHARACTER DAYOn Friday 8 March, many children (and teachers!) dressed up as their favourite character from a book as part of World Book Day celebrations. The costumes were amazing and some of these can be seen on our school website. Thanks to all of those who took part in what was a very colourful and enjoyable morning.

SCIENCE WEEKBritish Science Week ran from Monday 11 March to Sunday 17 March. During that week, every class had visits from people who work in science, many of them parents of children who work in our school. The children then had a special assembly on Monday 18 March to share what they had learned with the rest of the school. The children were inspired and enthused by what they had seen and done during Science Week. Thanks to all those visitors who made this event such a success, and to Miss Macnaughton for all her work in organising this event.

RED NOSE DAYFriday 15 March was Red Nose Day, and all of the children and staff were encouraged to wear something red or something connected with Disney. We raised £261.57 for the Red Nose Day appeal, a great effort. Thanks to everyone who took part and who contributed so generously.

ODD SOCKS DAYThursday 21 March was World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. In common with many people around the world, staff and children wore odd socks to school on that day to raise awareness of Down’s Syndrome. All children from P1-P7 also attended a presentation from Morag Dalrymple of Down’s Syndrome Scotland to find out more about this condition.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION FOR P3 CHILDRENThirty-six of our P3 children are making their First Confession this month. Nineteen made theirs at St Margaret Mary’s Church on Saturday 23 March, with the remaining 17 making their First Confession at a special service on Saturday 30 March in Holy Cross Church. Thank you to Miss NiBhradaigh and Mr McHugh for all their hard work in preparing the children for the Sacrament. Thanks also go to Father George for leading us in such prayerful and reflective liturgies.

P7 SHOW- “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”Children in Primary 7 will stage their performance of “Beauty and the Beast” on Wednesday 3 April in the school hall at 7 pm. Tickets are still available on ParentPay.

SCHOOL TRAVEL PLAN QUESTIONNAIREThanks to all those parents/carers who have already completed the above questionnaire. This survey is absolutely crucial, as it will form the basis of our future discussions with the Council in our efforts to make the roads around school safer for our children. Please follow the link below, then scroll down to “Have Your Say” and then click on “Consultation Hub”, where you will see the Holy Cross School Travel Plan Survey:

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20029/consultations_and_participation

We would strongly urge all parents/carers to complete this survey. The larger the number of responses, the stronger will be our case with the Council for making the necessary changes. Please note the closing date of Friday 5 April. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support.

MASSES IN SCHOOL- CHANGE OF TIMESUnfortunately, Fr George will no longer be able to celebrate Mass for us in school at the normal time of 0915. This means that our two remaining Masses for this session will take place as follows:

Thursday 30 May- Feast of the Ascension at 1100 Thursday 27 June- P7 Leavers’ Mass at 1100

We appreciate that the later time will be less convenient for many of our parents/carers, but it is outwith our control. Fr George has to prioritise the celebration of Mass in one of the parish churches, and there are now no other priests available to help him. This also means that future Masses celebrated in school in session 2019/20 will also take place at this later time.

SHARING EVENT FOR PARENTS/CARERSOur next Sharing Event for parents will take place on Wednesday 15 May between 0900-0945. At this, children in all classes will share what they have learned about Non-discrimination on grounds of nationality, gender, religion and all of the other protected characteristics. Afterwards, from 0945-1015, an Assessor from UNICEF would like to meet a group of parents to discuss the school’s work on the Rights Respecting School award> If you would like to take part in this group. Pease contact Mrs Burnett via the school office. Thanks!

END OF TERM FOR P1-P7 & REMINDER OF FORTHCOMING HOLIDAYSTerm ends at 12.15 pm on Friday 5 April for children in P1 and P2, and at 12.2 5 pm for children in P3-P7. The children will return to school at the normal time of 8.50 am on Tuesday 23 April. School will also be closed to pupils on the following days next term:

Monday 6 May- May Day Holiday Tuesday 7 May- In-service Day Monday 20 May- Victoria Day Holiday

James McDevittHead Teacher29 March 2019

“We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world. ”

(Prayer before each Station of the Cross)