Category: News
Newsletter: February 2025
Newsletter: December 2024
Social Snack
Today we welcomed classes in the large hall for a Social Snack. It was wonderful to see so many classes joining and socialising with each other.

The pupils (and staff) enjoyed having the opportunity to mix and make new friends.

It was also a good opportunity for pupils to practice their life skills.




Whole School Assembly
This morning we held our monthly whole school assembly with a focus on celebration and Rights Respecting Schools. This month, we looked at Article 15 ‘ I have the right to meet with friends and join groups’.
We looked at some of the qualities that make a good friend and learned the Makaton signs for these and took part in a wee quiz to see which qualities were a good friend or not.
We then spent time celebrating all of the successes we have had in school. Class shared Star Awards for both pupils and staff. There was a very special Star Award for Lorraine who is retiring along with a special song written especially for her, which an be found in the slides.
Here is a copy of our assembly slides, if you want to share them with your child at home.
Have a wonderful holiday and we’ll see everyone on the 14th of April!
We did it! Orchard Brae achieves Silver RRSA!
We are delighted to share that today we had our Silver Accreditation visit with UNICEF to look at how we’re progressing our Rights Respecting School work. Our assessors enjoyed learning about the work that we do in Orchard Brae and the opportunity to meet with some pupils (thank you Room 19), parents and staff. A huge thanks to everyone that joined us virtually or in person.
Please enjoy the video that we shared to highlight some of our work.
We’ll share more about our next steps in future as we are keen to continue progressing, going for Gold in the longer term. For now, we’re delighted to have recognition as a Silver Rights Respecting School: Rights Aware.
We Are All Unique
Back in August, the Home Economics department started work on an exciting project to showcase our school in a vibrant and innovative way. By celebrating the unique styles and individuality of our students, we have highlighted the beauty of our diverse community. Each student crafted their own small square, and when combined, these squares create a stunning patchwork that represents our differences while illustrating how they harmoniously come together to form something truly remarkable – much like our school itself.
Every square is a true reflection of each child’s creativity, with personalised choices in colours, designs, and even fonts. This artwork, titled “We are OB 24/25,” beautifully encapsulates the essence of our collective spirit and individuality.







End of Term Newsletter
Another school year has gone and as I sat through the various ceremonies and prizegiving’s this week, it made me reflect on how well the community comes together to celebrate all our successes. This year we have been involved in lots of whole city events, where our children and young people have been recognised for their talents, skills and potential, a trend that I hope we can build upon. Once again, the pupils have made me so proud (and tearful) when I see all of their achievements.
Outdoor Classroom
It will finally be open in August! Many thanks to our partners, Fairhurst, especially Bob McCracken and Stuart Thompson who have been invaluable in moving this project forward. Also, we have many more “thanks” to give which we will do in due course. The official opening will happen in August.
Thanks
Many thanks to Orchard Brae Connect and Friends of Orchard Brae, whose support to the school is invaluable.
Thank you to all the staff who have, once again, worked hard to support all our pupils to be the best they can be.
Finally, thanks to all the parents and carers who have supported us this year, our community couldn’t thrive without you.
Important Dates
In-service day – Monday 19 August 2024
Term starts – Tuesday 20 August 2024
September holiday – Friday 20 September to Monday 23 September 2024
Term ends – Friday 11 October 2024
Orchard Brae Connect and Friends Of Orchard Brae Newsletter
Here is the latest newsletter from Friends of Orchard Brae and Orchard Brae Connect.
Links to book activities are below:
Summer 2024 at Orchard Brae by Orchard Brae Connect | Eventbrite
Orchard Brae Summer Holiday Stay & Play Sessions | Eventbrite
Friends of Orchard Brae 5K Run / Walk
We’re delighted to report that we’ll be hosting the Friends of Orchard Brae 5k Fun Run once again on Tuesday 11th June 2024. This is a fun, friendly event and runners of all abilities are welcome, as are walkers. Please do not worry about your time – we will have a tail walker at the back to ensure you all get home safely and nobody finishes last!
Greene King Brig O’Don Restaurant have kindly agreed to host registration for us again. This will be ‘open’ from 5:30 pm to 6:15 pm, although to help us you can pre-register by completing the Google form online: https://forms.gle/iE23ovdu5Girrhhq9 Please note the minimum age for participation is 11 years, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult as the route does run alongside roads.
After registration, we’ll walk together to the starting point in Seaton Park. The route is stunning, all the more so on the beautiful evenings we’ve had for previous events. All being well we’ll get another fine evening. Whatever the weather, fun and good banter is pretty much certain with the crowd of friends we’ll have along.
Post event, we’d encourage you to head back to Brig O’Don for food or refreshments as thanks to them for supporting us again.
The event is free to enter although donations are welcome. Online donations can be made at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/clare-russell-1715452972789?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fclare-russell-1715452972789&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share
Any queries, please give Clare Russell a shout!