Category: News

We would just like to say a huge thank you to the Friends Of Orchard Brae for this wonderful hamper full of hand creams that they kindly gave to staff.

Their kind gesture is very much appreciated and these will be distributed to staff at the beginning of next week.

Time is flying by and before we know it, Christmas will be here.

To help get you in the festive spirit, we are delighted to announce the launch of our very own Orchard Brae Advent Calendar! Starting on Saturday 12th December, each day in the run up Christmas we will bring you two festive treats from pupils and staff at the school.

This will be shared both on the website and our Facebook page, so get ready to join in the festive fun!!!

Please find below our timetable of Christmas events starting in school next week. We’re all looking forward to lots of festive fun!!

 Please find details of the Aberdeen City schools telephone information service for parents/guardians.  This is the Schools Information Line.

 The main features of this service are:

1. Emergency Arrangements message for Parents/Guardians

To be used to inform parents/guardians of emergency arrangements and important announcements, e.g. early closure arising from adverse weather conditions/failure of heating systems.

2. Voicemail for Recording non-urgent Messages from Parents/Guardians

The system also has the potential to record brief messages of a routine nature from parents/guardians.  You will be advised at a later date if this feature is to be activated.

3. List of Messages containing School Information

This could hold routine information for parents/guardians, e.g. the times for a Parents’ Night, School Concert details, etc.

Parents/Guardians can access these features by dialling this National Rate number:

Tel: 0870 054 1999

 A Council message will be heard followed by a request for a six-digit PIN number specific to their child’s school.

The Pin Number for Orchard Brae School is     011890.

 Once connected, a voice will speak out the name of the school and a series of prompts will guide the caller to the appropriate option.  The cost of calls is no more than 10p/call (landline calls).  You can also check school closure status on the School Closure page on the Aberdeen City Council website. Please use the link below:  

https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/school-closures

We are fast approaching Christmas and we are finalising our plans and the Christmas jumpers are already out 😊.

The school and Friends of Orchard Brae have come together to make a request.

This year due to restrictions we are unable to accept gifts or cards for staff. Instead we ask if you would like to send a thank you using our digital Christmas cards and make a small donation with the money you saved on cards and gifts. You can choose your design, add your message and share the goodwill with Orchard Brae.

Please use the link below to create your e-Christmas card and donate to Friends of Orchard Brae school.

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LisaSimons3

Our local family magazine Raring2go! has gone on line during the pandemic! This winter issue brings you lots of fun things to do locally and at home in your bubble this Christmas.

You can view it online HERE.

What is Child Winter Heating Assistance?
Child Winter Heating Assistance is an annual payment to children and young people with disabilities to support with the increased costs of heating their homes in Winter.
Families who meet the criteria and are eligible will receive a payment of £200. The payment is made per individual rather than per household which means there are no limits to the number of children per family who can receive this payment. If a child or young person receives the qualifying benefits for one day in the qualifying week, they will get this payment.
Whilst Child Winter Heating Assistance is intended for paying those increased winter fuel costs, clients do not need to provide evidence that the money was spent on fuel bills.

Eligibility
In order to be eligible for Child Winter Heating Assistance the following criteria must be met ;
– a child or young person must receive the highest rate care component of DLA child in the qualifying week. The qualifying week for Child Winter Heating Assistance is the 3rd week in September each year. This year, the qualifying week was Monday 21 September to Sunday 27 September 2020.
– be resident in Scotland*
As long as someone is getting the highest rate care component of DLA Child on any day of the qualifying week, they will get the payment.
If a client is awarded a backdated payment of the higher rate care component of DLA Child at a later date for the qualifying week, they will need to contact Social Security Scotland to let us know. We can then process the Child Winter Heating Assistance payment.

How to apply
There is no need to apply for Child Winter Heating Assistance. We will use information provided by the Department for Work and Pensions. People will automatically get this payment annually, as long as they remain eligible.
Clients will get a letter in advance of the payment. This will let them know that they will be receiving a payment and telling them why. As highlighted earlier, the payment is made per individual rather than per household, meaning each eligible child in the household will receive a payment.
Payments will be made from the week commencing 23 November. The payment will be made to the same account as the clients DLA child payment. We will be making payments in batches and everyone should get their Child Winter Heating Assistance by Friday 11 December.

For further information about Child Winter Heating Assistance you can visit MyGov.scot or contact the local Relationship Lead noted below.

Aberdeen City Local Relationship Lead – Lisa Buchan email: lisa.buchan@socialsecurity.gov.scot Tel: 07341 790184

Please find below an updated version of the Orchard Brae Covid-19 Risk Assessment. All updates have been highlighted in green.

Guidance has also been given around the use of clear face masks.

Both of these documents can also be found on the Covid-19 website page. https://orchardbrae.aberdeen.sch.uk/covid-19/