Welcome Back!

Dear all

A warm welcome back to everyone, especially our new P1s and pupils joining us from other schools! I hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer break and are looking forward to the new school year. 

I just wanted to share a couple of pieces of information before the first day back. 

Communications:

While some of you are receiving this message via Dojo, I wanted to let you know that we will now no longer be using this platform within Smithton as a communication tool with teachers now not having access. We will be moving to a new platform called Seesaw about which more information will be circulated over the next week or so.  In the meantime, if you need to speak to a member of staff, please email or phone the school office who will arrange a call back / email etc.   Tel: 01463 791606 email: smithton.primary@highland.gov.uk.

Please also keep an eye on the calendar on our school website for key dates coming up and our school blog for more outward facing activities in the community, including any posts the school are recruiting for. 

Staffing

I am pleased to welcome to the team, Miss Jodie Keiro-Kirk who is our probationer this year.  Miss Keiro-Kirk will be working in our P2/3KG class.  I also wanted to let you know that Mrs Lambert from the PSA team has moved onto a new role through the summer holidays.  I would like to thank her for her years of service in Smithton and would wish her all the best in her new post. 

Lining Up

Pupils will continue to line up in the playground in the morning when the bell rings.  The lines will be very similar to those of last session but to support children and families, but class teachers will be outside before 9am tomorrow with signs to guide pupils and families. For our new P1s, you will be lining up towards the large grey cabin to the right of the playground.  Miss Mackay, Ms MacKay and Mrs Goodall will also be there with signs to support.  Mrs Watt and I will be on the playground tomorrow morning too so please do ask if you have any questions about where to go. 

Medication(s)

Please remember that any child requiring medication of any description will need to sign it back into the school for their child.  While some medications were not picked up at the end of the session, please ensure any required medication is brought to school and signed in by a parent or guardian.  Mrs Watt will be in the Community Room from 0830 tomorrow morning to support this after which you will be able to sign in any medication through the school office.  Please note that we are not able to administer any medication unless the correct paperwork has been completed. 

Road Safety & Parking

Please remember that parking near to the school is limited and that the school car park is for staff only, this includes drop-off and pick-up.  We would commend to parents travelling to the school by car to use the ‘Park and Stride’ strategy by parking at Smithton Free Church and walking down to the school.  I’m pleased to say that the crossings directly outside the school have been greatly improved over the summer which will add to road safety but please do remember that parking or mounting the pavement around the school area is not permitted at any time. 

School Uniform

Please can you ensure that your child’s name is written on all their clothes?  This is extremely useful when things are misplaced or lost.

I very much look forward to welcoming you back in person tomorrow.

Dùrachdan,

Mr MacIver