Please find details of the Aberdeen City schools telephone information service for parents/guardians. This is the Schools Information Line. The main...
It has been great to see so many more children return to school this week and we look forward to a full return from 12th April which I hope First Minister will confirm.
We have 1 week left of this term before we break for the Easter holidays. I know First Minister published the route map out of lockdown this week which had many different dates and what is to happen on those dates.
I have included a link for you below which I hope you might find useful.
This link takes you to the government web page and lists each date and the changes that are proposed as long as the virus levels continue to be supressed.
I have attached 2 documents that Police Scotland has asked that all schools share with families regarding online safety and railway safety. These documents will also be posted on our website.
This Monday sees the next stage of the phased return to schools.
P4-P7 children return from Monday and over the next 2 weeks S1-S6 pupils who are not attending under the keyworker or vulnerable pupil criteria will also be in school on a rota basis.
We continue to work hard with our health and safety colleagues and health protection team to find solutions that I hope will enable children who have been unable to access in school learning since the start of the pandemic to also return to school as soon as it is safe to do so.
Please find the link to the March Education Service Newsletter below:
As the Covid-19 vaccination programme continues to rolls out across the city, a dedicated quiet space to support people with Learning Disabilities has been set up at P&J Live. This will allow them to receive their vaccination away from the hustle and bustle of the main hall.
It’s recommended that if you wish to use this facility, you should book it in advance – you can do this by contacting the Aberdeen City Learning Disability Health Duty Team on 01224 812900 or email: gram.cityldhealthduty@nhs.scot.
You can request to use the facility on your arrival at P&J Live but you will have an additional wait as the quiet area is only staffed as required.
P&J Live have also produced a video, walking through the vaccination centre, which may be helpful to prepare your young person ahead of time.
We are absolutely delighted to announce that Orchard Brae has been awarded a second Green Flag from Eco Schools Scotland.
In the two years since we were awarded our first Green Flag, everyone at Orchard Brae has continued to work hard on developing our Eco awareness as part of our ongoing Eco Schools journey.
We have participated in a range of activities based around the topics of Litter, Global Citizenship and Biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goal of Climate Action.
One of our biggest successes was the development of our new sensory garden which enabled us to build links with local businesses and the wider community.
We also explored different habitats and the insects and animals found in them as well as developing our knowledge of what plants need to grow through activities based around our growing garden and enterprise projects.
We have been truly amazed by the comments we received from the Eco-School Scotland Team who noted that:
‘It was inspiring to read and see how you have encouraged your students and community to become more aware around developing their knowledge of Biodiversity. It was lovely to read how you have thought of both simple, sensible, and ambitious changes that I am sure will have long lasting effects on the students and staff.‘
‘Also, just so you know this is one of the strongest applications I have seen in my short time with Eco-Schools and is something that you and all your staff you be very proud of the great work you are doing around your sustainability work.‘
A huge well done to all the students, staff and families for their on-going work and effort in enabling us to achieve our second Green Flag.
We would love to see how you get on with you Home Economics activities so please feel free to share any photos or videos via your child’s teacher, through Google Classroom, or email Amy Dunnett (Principal Teacher Primary) adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
It has been a very busy few weeks in the Primary Department.
Last week saw staff busy participating in a range of In-Service training and it was wonderful for all of our staff to be able to welcome our Primary 1, 2 and 3 pupils back to school this week.
However, there has still been lots of learning taking place at home over the last two weeks and we are delighted to share some of what you have been up to!
Snowy Fun
Many of you continued to make the most of enjoying the snow while it was still here. You continued to explore the snow and cold weather using your senses and even participated in some chilly science, learning what happens when you blow bubbles in the cold weather and creating your own exploding snow volcano!
Outdoor Learning
Even once the snow disappeared there was lots of learning taking place outdoors.
You participated in different types of exercise, feeling the effects it had on your body.
One pupil even took part in a horse riding lesson, allowing him to develop his balance and core strength.
You also enjoyed making some new friends!
Life Skills
You have also been busy developing your personal care and life skills ver the last two weeks. Some of you sat patiently to get some new haircuts and we think you look amazing!
Last week, we celebrated pancake day and we hope that you had fun making pancakes and choosing your favourite toppings. You’ve also been busy following other recipes, shopping for ingredients and making some delicious treats for yourselves and your families to enjoy.
Working Hard
You’ve all been busy working hard at both home and school, learning new things and consolidating what you’ve already learned.
In school, some pupils were learning all about Chinese New Year through the exploration of different props and using masks of different animals to retell the story behind this celebration.
At home, you’ve been practicing and developing lots of skills, from fine motor skills through art and writing tasks, to turn taking and patience during games and your awareness of time and weather through circle time routines.
And Finally…
We love seeing what you have been up to at home and school, but it is always wonderful to see how much you enjoy spending time together with the important people in your life!
I have a few pieces of information to share with you today.
I will start with the phased return to school. As I am sure you will have heard First Minister shared more detail of the return to school.
From March 15th should the Covid-19 figures allow P4-P7 and S4-S6 will return to school. We are expecting further guidance and detail to be released early next week along with information regarding S1-S3. I will of course keep you informed.
The levels of Covid-19 continue to improve in the NHS Grampian area which is encouraging and it is positive to have more detail of the Scottish Governments timeline for coming out of lockdown should the levels of the virus continue to improve.
The school submitted the report to have out Eco Schools Green Flag status revalidated, and I am delighted to say we passed with flying colours. A big thank you to Amy Dunnett PT Primary for compiling the report and to the pupils and staff for all their hard work. I have attached a copy of the feedback for your information.
Please find a couple of links below which you may find helpful:
What’s new in the city to support families?
ACC are launching Stronger Families Series – a range of free events for parent and carers to support children’s health and wellbeing (P7-S3). The main events will take place throughout March with additional focused webinars in April and May. There is something for everyone, why not sign-up now. To find out more information and book a space click here.
Information from NHS Grampian
NHS Grampian are currently developing a new family-based healthy lifestyle service that offers support to help your child get active, eat well and work towards a healthy weight. A range of topics will be covered including healthy eating, physical activity and behaviour change. The programme would run throughout Grampian and we are seeking the views of local families to help shape what the service could look like. Thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire. It should take around 10 minutes to complete and all responses will be treated anonymously.
