East CraigsPrimary School

21st December 2018

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD TEACHER’S DESKWelcome to our December newsletter. We have had a very busy, but enjoyable, time in school as we approach the festive season. I would like to thank you all for the support you have shown the school in preparing our pupils for, and attending, performances and events. It really is greatly appreciated.On a personal note, I would like to take this opportunity to say a fond farewell to you all. I have loved my time at East Craigs Primary School and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know so many wonderful children and families over the last two and a half years. I shall miss you all.

Christmas HolidaysPupils will finish for the Christmas holidays at 12:00 noon, today, Friday 21st December. All pupils should return to school on Wednesday 9th January, 2018 at the usual times.

Staffing NewsYou will have read in my previous communication that Mrs Shelley Graham has taken up a secondment to the Edinburgh Learns: Learning and Teaching development Team. Mrs Graham’s secondment begins on Tuesday 15th January 2019 and I know that you will join me in wishing her all the very best as she takes up this exciting new opportunity. She will be missed at East Craigs by all.I should also like to share with you that Mrs Vivienne Bowden, our Business Manager has resigned from her post at East Craigs. Mrs Bowden has been part of the Senior Leadership Team for the past three years. We wish her all the very best for the future.In January, we welcome new members of staff to the team. Mrs Jude Ferguson, Ms Shona Sinclair and Ms Saima Hafiz will be joining our Pupil Support Team. We also have Mrs Julie Corrigan joining our Nursery Team as an Early Years Practitioner.

Jack and the Beanstalk

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East CraigsPrimary School

21st December 2018Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the Brunton Theatre, on 28th and 29th November, to see the pantomime “Jack and the Beanstalk.” I think the staff team enjoyed the performance just as much! Many thanks to PTA for their funding of the coaches for both trips.

Nursery Christmas Sing-a-longOur youngest pupils performed beautifully in their Christmas Concert on Wednesday 12th

December. They loved seeing their parents, carers and extended family, come along to cheer them on. Many of our visitors remarked on how nice it was to be in the school hall for the first time. They were also very impressed that our children had learned the words of so many songs. There was huge appreciation for our Nursery Staff team who work so hard in helping the children prepare. Many thanks to all pupils and staff involved.

P1 NativityOur P1 pupils gave wonderful performances of their show “The Nativity” on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th December. They delighted their audiences with their well-rehearsed and sometimes spontaneous interpretation of the Christmas

story. A huge congratulation to the children who worked so hard to fulfil their roles and to their families who supported them. Finally, a huge thank you to the Primary One team (including parent and student volunteers) who prepared the children so well for their performances.

Christmas Carol ConcertOur wonderful East Craigs Choir gave a fantastic performance at the “Evening of Carols” on Wednesday 12th December at Craigsbank Church. As always the quality of singing was outstanding and the children bowled us over with their confidence. It was lovely to hear both Erin Byrne and Maddisyn Hunter singing a duet together. Huge thanks to Mrs Graham for all her work in leading the choir from strength to strength throughout the year. Miss Clouston is looking forward to taking on the choir baton from

Mrs Graham in the New Year.It was also lovely to hear our violinists perform at their first Carol Concert this year and we look forward to watching their development over the coming months.

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East CraigsPrimary School

21st December 2018P6 EnterpriseCongratulations to the P6 yeargroup who held their Enterprise Fayre on Friday 14th December in school. This was a very well attended event. Parents, Carers and pupils enjoyed the variety of stalls, which were run by the P6 small businesses. These were formed as part of the P6 Virgin Money topic. Using a bank loan from Virgin Money, the pupils developed a business plan, including costings, and then presented their stalls at the Fayre. On the day, the pupils took in profits of £370. What an amazing achievement, and a rich learning experience. The profits made as part of our “Grow a £5” learning focus will go to two charities, as chosen by the children, Sick Children’s Friends Foundation and Cancer Research and UK.

Craigmount Christmas ConcertA group of our P7 pupils attended the Craigmount Christmas Concert on Monday 10th

December to join with other pupils across the cluster for their performance of ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ and George Ezra’s ‘Shotgun.’ This provided an additional transition opportunity for pupils, enabling them to strengthen relationships across the cluster and get to meet more of the Craigmount staff.

Christmas PartiesOur pupils have been having great fun at their parties, enjoying taking part in the dancing and games. Our Nursery, P1 and P2 pupils were delighted by their special visit from Santa! Many thanks to our PTA for funding the food for the parties.

Christmas ServicesThe Christmas Service at Craigsbank Church went very well, with our House Captains doing an impressive job of leading the proceedings. Well done also goes to the brass instrumentalists, led by Mr Hetherington and the choir, led by Mrs Graham for their excellent performances. I particularly enjoyed the gusto with which each of the year groups sang their chosen Christmas song and indeed still have ‘Run, Run Rudolph’ running around my head! Thank you P4!!

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East CraigsPrimary School

21st December 2018

Update from our Family Engagement Practitioner

Home Energy ScotlandLast week Mrs Sime, our Family Support Teacher, attended an event with Home Energy Scotland to find out what help is available for families who are struggling to pay their energy bills and keep their homes warm. If a household spends more than 10% of their income on energy, they are classed as being in fuel poverty. Fuel poverty affects 24.9% of households in Scotland. This can be particularly true for families with small children due to spending more time at home during the day. Home Energy Scotland offer impartial expert advice, free of charge. They are funded by the Scottish Government and their mission is to help people in Scotland create warmer homes and reduce their bills. You can speak to an advisor on the phone, or they can arrange a home visit. If you feel that you could benefit from talking to Home Energy Scotland please phone 0800 808 2282 or come and speak to Mrs Sime.

Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment

Could you get £600 for your first child and £300 for all other children? You may be eligible for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment if you are the mother of a child, her partner or you have a young mother dependant on you and you receive certain benefits. You can apply when you reach 24 weeks in your pregnancy up to when your baby is 6 months old. To apply please phone 0800 182 222 or online at mygov.scot/pregnancy-and-baby-grant. Or for a leaflet, please come and see Mrs Sime.

Head LiceWe have recently had reports of head lice in school. Please check your child’s hair regularly and seek treatment, if necessary. Advice can be obtained from your Local Pharmacist or Health Centre. The link below, from NHS Scotland, gives information about Head Lice.https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/

East Craigs Parent Council We would like to wish everyone a lovely festive break and a reminder that our next parent council meeting is on 21st January at 18:45.

Follow us on twitter @ecpcinfo

Or contact us by email eastcraigspc@live.com or via the school office

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East CraigsPrimary School

21st December 2018

East Craigs PTA

We would like to thank everyone for all their help and support all year round and would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy New Year.

Nursery NewsMany thanks to Mrs Young for the following:-

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our ‘Christmas Singalong’. The children had a wonderful time performing and did a great job learning their lines and singing the songs. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Our Christmas parties were a lovely end to the term. With Mr Boom – “A Children’s One Man Band from the Moon!” and a very special, early visit from Santa. Thank you to all the parents and families that made it along to share and join in this with us.

Many thanks for all your hard

work and support at this very busy time. We would like to wish you all a lovely, relaxing and happy holidays from the Nursery Team.

Pupils’ Achievements

In P6B Murray played in a badminton tournament at Forresters. He played 8 matches and won 6. Top of Group C.In P4A Zoe won gold at TaekwonDo competition for ‘pattern’ and won bronze for ‘sparring’. Jessica won her Level 4 Scottish Gymnastics Award on 3/12. Katie took part in a competition as part of the ‘strike’ team for simon says dance.In P4B Dillon has completed a grading and now worked through all his Kia’s and is now a 2nd don. He also took part in a Judo competition and gained a bronze medal in his group.In P5B Jack completed a full season with Hutchison Vale Football club kids school.Lucy has moved up from Beginners class to Level 1 in gymnastics at Drumbrae Leisure centre.

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East CraigsPrimary School

21st December 2018Charlie has reached Level 10 in his swimming. He can now swim 1500m in all strokes.In P5A Abbie has been highly commended in her recent Rock and roll and disco medals testsErin has made a house from shells collected at the beach.Kyle went to the Orian to play at a rugby tournament. He also took part in a friendly football game in which he scored 32 goals.Heidi won 2 races at swimming. She also took part in the Riding for the disabled’ fundraiser. She will be collecting money in exchange for sweets at the Santa run in Balerno.Daniel and his brother Joe in P1/2 Have collected clothes and toiletries and made winter survival packets for the charity Streetworks. They have also been donating items to the Bethany Christian Church.Abigail achieved her 50m unaided swim as part of her swimming lessons.In P6A Ryley has won a trophy for excellent training and talking part in some matches. He was boxer of the week.In P3B Nathan has won 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals taking part in the International Gathering of Scottish Highland Dance held at Disneyland Paris. He also won 2 gold medlas for taking part in a Scottish Gymnastics competition in Perth.

Skye won a medal for taking part in a Drama show at Forrester High School with her theatre school Razzmatazz. Skye also passed her Scottish Gymnastics Award Level 2 and is working towards Level 3.In P3B William won a bronze medal for floor and vault routines at the Gymnastics Competition in Perth.Eshnika was awarded a certificate for excellence in performing 3 Teluga dances.In P1/3 Lucas Reid received a certificate for achieving his 5m swim. In P3A Emma Gordon has achieved Level 2 in Scottish Gymnastics.Olly has achieved his 7th Kai in Judo.In P5A, Abigail has passed her 50m unaided swim.

We are so proud of you all and look forward to hearing more about your achievements out of school in the New Year!

Kirsten H. JohnstonActing Head Teacher

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East CraigsPrimary School

21st December 2018On behalf of the staff team at East Craigs Primary, I would like to wish all our pupils and families a safe, peaceful and enjoyable Festive Season and

Happy New Year.

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