Mental Health And Wellbeing

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As we progress through another lockdown period, it is more important than ever to ensure we look after our own mental health and wellbeing.

On the school website you will find a variety of links to different resources to support the health and wellbeing of our parents, pupils and staff.

Wellbeing Supports For Parents, Pupils And Staff – Orchard Brae School

NHS Grampian have also launched a Mental Health and Psychological Wellbeing Support page full of advice and signposts on where you can seek support and advice.

Mental Health and Psychological Wellbeing Support (nhsgrampian.org)

This includes links to:

  • Grampian Coronavirus Assistance Hub who can be contacted on 0808 1963384 for a range of support. This service is available Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm. At any other time you can get lots of advice and support on the website www.gcah.org.uk
  • Who Cares? Scotland who have set up a 7 day helpline to support Care Experienced people during Covid-19.  The Helpline is open from 10-6 Monday to Friday and 10-4 Saturday and Sunday. The numbers are 07756 047389 or 07545 337152. An experienced member of our team will take the call as a first responder and then provide immediate support or pass information on to our local team to provide additional/ongoing support. More information can be found on the Who Cares? Website.
  • Self referral guidance for the Grampian Psychological Resilience Hub, who can offer additional support with your own mental health or that of a family member. How do you self-refer to the Psychological Resilience Hub? (nhsgrampian.org)

For staff, our remember that our Employee Assistance Programme providers, Time for Talking, are also available 365 days per year, 7 days per week, 24 hours a day if you need them.  They have also produced some really helpful podcasts for us, to explore how we can deal with some of the challenges we now all face. 

Google Classroom

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Our Google Classrooms are now live!  Your child’s teacher will be using Google Classroom to share a range of learning activities with you but if you haven’t logged in yet or having difficulty accessing Google Classroom, please contact your child’s teacher who will be able to offer you support and advice.  Here is a short video to show you some of the exciting things happening on Google Classroom.

We are aware that some families are waiting on technology and other supports to enable them to access Google Classroom and we are currently trying to source appropriate devices.  If you require a device to support home learning and did not complete the online form sent out last week, please contact Amy Dunnett (Principal Teacher Primary) adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk. 

We love seeing how everyone is getting on with their learning and if you would like to share any photos or videos please do so via your child’s teacher, through Google Classroom, or email Amy Dunnett (Principal Teacher Primary) adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk.  

Home Economics Activities

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Recipes for Home Economics will be based around ‘The Stickman’ story by Julia Donaldson.

The story is available to watch online through BBC iPlayer using the link below and can also be found on YouTube.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06t09rk/stick-man

Here are the recipes for this week’s lesson.

Quick Savoury Rice

Rainbow Rice

We would love to see how you got 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. 

New Nursery Blog

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Resources, Guidance, Advice and Ideas

Hello 🙂

Welcome to our new Nursery blog page.

We have set this page up for all our parents and children of Orchard Brae Nursery at Howes Road and Ashgrove.

We hope this page will provide you with easy access to any guidance, resources, advice and ideas specific to the early years that we think you might find useful!

The staff will still be in regular contact but we wanted you to have a page that you can access at anytime to suit you and your family circumstances.

We will update with new resources as and when we can, so please check back regularly to see what’s new!

To get us started, the following booklet published by Falkirk Council, gives some practical advice and information for parents and carers with young children at home.

Countdown To Christmas

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Orchard Brae Advent Calendar: Day 24

Christmas Day is almost here and we are delighted to share the final installment of the Orchard Brae Advent Calendar.

Today brings you a message from Caroline Stirton, Executive Head Teacher, along with a special video from staff.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year from everyone at Orchard Brae.

Countdown To Christmas

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Orchard Brae Advent Calendar: Day 23

We are nearing the end of our amazing virtual advent calendar and for today, Day 23, pupils in Howes Hoose demonstrate their musical talents while asking one very important question….

…Can you name that tune?

Countdown To Christmas

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Orchard Brae Advent Calendar: Days 21 and 22

We hope that you enjoy the latest installment of the Orchard Brae Advent Calendar.

For Day 21, Room 4 are delighted to share how Diane, our art specialist, helped them to make the own Christmas tree decorations.

For Day 22, Room 6 bring you a sensory exploration of a Christmas light switch on.

Countdown To Christmas

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Orchard Brae Advent Calendar: Days 19 and 20

We hope that you are enjoying the Orchard Brae Advent Calendar and that today’s festive features get you into the spirit for a fun filled Christmas.

For Day 19, Ashgrove Nursery PM are delighted to share their wonderful Nativity outfits along with ‘Little Donkey’.

For Day 20, Room 15 bring you their own unique version of ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day’.