Category: News

Wellbeing Workshop

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Please see the poster below regarding an online 6 week course facilitate by AndBreathe123, focusing on mindfulness, breathing techniques and other ways to help support your and your children’s wellbeing. This will take place online every Thursday from 29th Oct – 3rd Dec, 10 – 11.30am.

For more information or to book your place, please contact Ruth Hamilton, Family Learning Development Worker on 07387064465 or message on Facebook @ Ruth Family-Learning.

We Too! Magazine

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As many of you already know, We Too!  produce a ‘What’s On Guide’ for families and children with Additional Support Needs.  Prior to March’s lockdown, schools distributed this magazine to families on a quarterly basis.  However, due to current Covid-19 restrictions this is not possible at the present time.

We Too! have organised for the autumn issue to be posted directly from the printers to families for free. To request your free copy please subscribe via their website www.wetoo.org.uk by 8th October. 

Review of Aberdeen City Council Minimising Exclusion Policy

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Aberdeen City Council are currently reviewing their Minimising Exclusion Policy & Guidance and are consulting with families, staff and partner agencies to obtain feedback and inform a revised draft .

The policy and guidance can be viewed below:

As a mechanism for gathering feedback, we would be grateful is you could please take the time to make your views known via the following link:

Minimising Exclusion Feedback Form

Please note that this feedback form closes on 9.10.2020.

Local Holiday

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Just a reminder that the school is closed tomorrow, Friday 25th September and on Monday 28th September for the local holiday.

We look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Tuesday 29th September.

Updated Covid-19 Risk Assessment – 24th September 2020

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Please find below an updated version of the Orchard Brae Covid-19 Risk Assessment which reflects further advice and guidance received from Health Protection Scotland and Aberdeen City Council . This contains an updated appendix B outlining the use of PPE within the school day.

The class cleaning record has also been updated to reflect these changes.

Best Start P1 Grant

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The Best Start Grant School Age Payment is a £250 payment made around the time a child normally starts Primary 1. The grant is open to people who are in receipt of certain benefits or tax credits and are the parent/carer of a child born between 1st March 2015 and 29th February 2016.

If you think you may be eligible, please apply online at mygov.scot/beststart or cal 0800 182 2222 between 9am and 3pm Monday to Friday.

 

Our Sensory Garden

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We were overwhelmed by the response we had to our sensory garden appeal. The donations of resources, time and money have helped to make a unique and already well loved area for our pupils to enjoy and explore.

A huge extra special Orchard Brae thanks to:

  • The Little City Garden – design and landscaping
  • Gerbera Designs – landscaping
  • James Gettka – landscaping
  • Morrison Construction – access path
  • Mike Bruce – path
  • James Millerby – boulders
  • Jenna Killoh – pallets
  • Dobbies Aberdeen – compost
  • Trees Are Us – logs
  • GI Cladding and Joinery – posts
  • Clan Miller Construction – slabs and posts
  • Bissett and Ross – tarpaulin
  • Alpha Fencing – new gate and fence
  • MB Landscapes – boulders
  • Karen Underwood – fruit tree
  • Karen Robertson – fairy house
  • James Polson Garden Creations – woodwork sculptures
  • BFLABDN – art work
  • Round Table Aberdeen – sponsorship for artwork
  • Linda Lovie – tactile sensory display
  • Dulex Paint Aberdeen – paint
  • Khyber Pass Association – donation
  • Unison Union – donation
  • Mrs Ann Thain – donation
  • Betty Craig – donation
  • Evelyn Drennan – donation
  • And last but not least our amazing fundraising families, the Simons and the Cruikshanks.

Friends Of Orchard Brae Kiltwalk

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Our fabulous fundraisers have been busy again, participating in the Kiltwalk. While the official event was cancelled due to Covid-19, the virtual event held last weekend was a huge success!

Everyone met at Tesco car park in Banchory on Sunday afternoon and set off on their walk through the woodland paths to Crathes Castle. It was a dry warm day and everyone enjoyed our walk, with a pit stop at the castle grounds for snack and drinks of juice for the kids and coffee for the grownups. Everyone then headed back to the car park and reached the finish line of their walk.

So far the team have raised over £900, plus there will be a further 50% matched from Hunter foundation.  If you would like to contribute, please follow the link below.

https://edinburghkiltwalk2020.everydayhero.com/uk/team-orchard-brae

Outdoor Education Update

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As the weather gets cooler, classes have been making a bug hotel in the new sensory garden.  We have been exploring different plants and textures to make a place where insects can keep warm over the winter.  We have used grasses, thistle down and a variety of plants to create a cosy environment for our tiny guests to stay in over the colder months.

We have also been setting up tasks for pupils to help keep our playground tidy, like raking the sandpit.  These jobs are great experience and provide a fantastic opportunity to be involved in real work.

We have also been establishing bird feeders outside class and in the new sensory garden.

Covid-19 – Know The Symptoms

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Thank you to all our families for their continued support and understanding throughout our return to school with regards to Covid-19.

We would like to remind parents and carers of the common symptoms and that pupils should not attend school if:

  • They are displaying any of the symptoms associated with Covid-19 such as a high temperature (37.8C or above), a new continuous cough or a change in sense of smell or taste.
  • A member of the household has tested positive or is displaying symptoms.
  • They have been contacted as part of the Test and Protect programme.
  • If a pupil is returning from a country from which as are required to quarantine for 14 days. An up to date list of countries affected by this can be found at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-health-checks-at-borders/pages/exemptions/

Should you require to arrange a test for a your child or a member of your household, please follow the guidance given on the NHS Inform website and book a test via https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk

We recognise that accessing a drive through test site or a home test kit may be extremely challenging for some of our pupils and if this is the case, you may be eligible for testing to be carried out at home by the NHS. If you require this, please email gram.staffcovid19testing@nhs.scot giving the pupil’s name, date of birth, full address, GP information and a brief explanation for special circumstances which require the need to be tested at home rather than through a home test kit or drive through test site.

We kindly ask that parents and carers keep the school informed of any testing being undertaken and the results by phoning the school on 01224 788950.