Author: Amy Dunnett

Letter To Parents & Carers – 17th May 2021

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Dear Parent/Carer,

Today we move into protection level 2 which has been long awaited by everyone. I have listed below what this means as a guide as I know how confusing it can get trying to keep track of what is and is not permitted within the different protection levels.

At Level 2:

  • you can meet socially in groups of up to:
    • 6 people from 3 households in your home or theirs – and can stay overnight
    • 6 people from 3 households in an indoor public place like a café, pub or restaurant
    • 8 people from 8 households outdoors
  • under 12s do not count towards the total number of people or households meeting outside but do count towards household numbers indoors
  • you do not need to physically distance from family and friends in a private home
  • you can travel anywhere in Scotland in Levels 0, 1 or 2 but must not enter a Level 3 or 4 area unless for a permitted reason
  • you can travel to England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands – before you travel you must check the travel rules in those countries
  • you can provide informal childcare, for example to look after a grandchild
  • up to 50 people can attend weddings and funerals
  • tradespeople can carry out any work in your home such as painting, decorating or repairing
  • you should work from home where possible

What can open at Level 2

Places and business that can open at Level 2 include:

  • cafés, pubs and restaurants
  • all shops and stores
  • all close contact services including hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons
  • gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools
  • tourist accommodation
  • visitor attractions
  • public buildings like libraries and community centres
  • cinemas, theatres, concert halls, amusement arcades, casinos, bingo halls, bowling alleys and snooker/pool halls
  • stadiums and events – with maximum numbers

What must close at Level 2

Places and business that must close at Level 2 include:

  • soft play, funfairs, nightclubs and adult entertainment

This is not a full list. You can get more information in the sections below.

Full details can be found in the link below.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) protection levels: what you can do – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Once I have received the updated school’s guidance from the Scottish Government, I will update our Covid-19 risk assessment and share it with you.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact school.

Take care

Kind regards

Caroline

On The Road In Room 9

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The pupils in Room 9 have been very busy investigating their new topic theme, transport. Transport is a fantastic topic to explore as it’s something that we all use in our everyday lives as we travel from A to B.

As you can see the pupils had lots of fun creating different track layouts and exploring how the toy vehicles moved around the track.

Having A ‘Jelly’ Good Time In Room 7

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The pupils in Room 7 have been busy participating in some sticky, fun sensory play using jelly.

They explored the jelly with their hands, feeling the textures and observing how it changed as they squashed and squeezed it through their fingers. They also watched what happened when they mixed the different colours of jelly together.

And of course, what else can you do in a sensory play session with jelly? Have a smell and a taste of course! Don’t panic parents…it was sugar free!!

What will be next in their sensory exploration? Hopefully some more fun with food!

Investigating Forces In Room 5

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Room 5 are investigating how the forces of push, pull and twist affect the way in which objects move and change shape. A force is an action that makes something or someone move.

We are learning that a force makes things move and that pushes, pulls and twists are forces.

In Room 5 everyone has lots of fun pushing, pulling and twisting play doh to create interesting creations.

We have also enjoyed experiencing the feel of pushing and pulling using a large stretchy elastic band. This was so much fun for all the boys and staff.

Letter To Parents/Carers – 29th April 2021

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We have certainly seen a change in the weather this week but we have enjoyed a busy week in school. In outdoor learning the children have been planting a variety of trees within the grounds creating our very own orchard. Look out for photos appearing on our website.

As part of my final term here at Orchard Brae I have been invited by each class for a special appointment to spend tie with them in class and enjoy a wee snack together. This week I have been in Room 9 and Room 18. I am really looking forward to spending some time with each class. I will keep you posted on what I get up to. Room 9 shared a lovely snack with me and then we went out to plant some trees in the new orchard. I am visiting Room 18 tomorrow afternoon. 😊

Next week sees the May Day holiday Monday and then an Inset day on Tuesday 4th. Work starts on the new polytunnel next week and we will share pictures once it is complete. I hear we have a pumpkin patch planned and that the seeds have already been planted so lots of growing going on.

I have attached a couple documents that I was asked to share by Karen Crozier one of our NHS physiotherapists. Karen is looking for help with a research project that she is doing relating to 24 hour postural management. The documents will also be posted on our website and FaceBook page if you are unable to access via this email.

I hope you all have a pleasant May weekend.

Take care

Caroline

Letter To Parents/Carers – 23rd April 2021

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I hope this finds you well.

I have attached a copy of the school’s updated Covid-19 risk assessment. This reflects the changes in guidance from the Scottish Government as well as Aberdeen City Council’s guidance.

It has been nice to see the school busy with the full return and I continue to work closely with NHS, Health Protection Team and families of those pupils that have not yet been able to return to school to ensure we have procedures in place that will enable this to happen as far as is possible.

The display of tartan in school today has been tremendous to mark our virtual Kiltwalk day. I have seen a kilt, tartan troose, tartan skirts and many more tartan garments and the weather has been on our side too.  I know many of the pupils, parents/carers and staff have been busy fund raising for Friends of Orchard Brae so a very big thank you to everyone.  

I hope everyone has a good weekend

Take care

Kind regards

Caroline

A Busy Start To The Term In Room 4

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Room 4 have had a busy start to the new term.

We have been having lots of fun learning through play and this has helped us introduce our new topic by exploring different means of transport through art, songs and sensory play! We have made drawings using cars and trucks of various sizes!

We are also exploring the outdoors and taking advantage of the good weather!

We enjoyed making some ladybug crackers and smelling and touching all the ingredients we used!

One of our classmates had his birthday! We celebrated with him and did some festive games, like individually wrapped pass the parcels!

Sensory Fun In Room 8

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Over the current school year, we have created a number of sensory experiences for our pupils. Many of the sensory play activities we create are in the form of sensory bins. 

Shredded paper sensory activity was the cheapest sensory bin we have ever put together. Playing with shredded paper is so much fun. Shredded paper is a tactile sensory learning experience.  But what is the point of this apart from making a mess?

The children have learnt to:

  • relax and enjoy the process rather than the end result
  • social interaction including co-operative and parallel play
  • promote gross and fine motor skill development
  • affirm individuality and build self-esteem as they engage in spontaneous play without pre-set ideas
  • allow them to explore care free and make a mess
  • explore messy play without getting dirty (some children don’t like getting dirty)
  • gain social skills and strategies for sharing space to gain spatial awareness

And we know, the activity doesn’t have to be perfect, but it has to be FUN!!!



Orchard Brae Connect Parent Workshop

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Orchard Brae Connect are delighted to be hosting a Parent Workshop in conjunction with Alyson O’Brien from Sleep Scotland. This will take place online on Tuesday 8th June between 10-11 am.

In this session Alyson will talk about why we sleep, what happens when we don’t sleep, why we wake through the night and general ideas on how we can get a better nights sleep. Although Alyson might not be able to discuss specific individual sleep issues, it would be useful for her if you are able to briefly describe your child’s sleep problems, to allow her to focus on any common themes, only if you are happy to do so of course.

Please note that this event is only open to parents and carers of pupils attending Orchard Brae School and nurseries.

If you are interested in attending this event please email rebecca.j.duncan@gmail.com by Monday 17th May