Welcome to our Primary 7 Newsletter Session 2018-2019 We are happy to take on the role of senior pupils in setting an example to the rest of the school and accepting responsibility. We enjoy being monitors, house captains and buddying children in P1. Part of this involves wearing our uniform smartly. We need a white shirt and our special P7 tie for formal occasions and for assembly every Monday morning. Our teachers this session are Mr Barrett P7a and Mr Duffy P7b. P7a have PE on a Monday, Thursday and Friday and P7b have PE on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. All jewellery must be removed before coming to school on PE days. This year we are expected to take more responsibility for completing our work and improving standards in preparation for moving on to Secondary School. As pupils we like to feel we can make suggestions to Mrs Bell, the staff and the Parent Council. We can do this through the Pupil Council, which meets about once a month. P7 are allowed to elect 6 Representatives to the Pupil Council, 2 of whom become the Chairperson and Secretary. Primary 7 will be a very busy year and we are looking forward to our Bring & Buy Sale, our Burns Supper, our residential trip to Ardentinny, visits to Gryffe High, our Leavers’ Dance and the Valedictory. In line with Curriculum for Excellence, the focus in the curriculum will be skills development. Our context for learning in Social Studies will include the Rainforest, World War ll and Robert Burns and various other topics Our year planner which gives an overview of our year programme is attached. (Please note this is subject to change). We will visit Whitelee Wind Farm We will also be studying some topics in Science such as Structure of the Earth, Space Exploration and Renewable Energy. Learning At Home Our homework will consist of spelling and sentences, maths and activities from other curricular areas. Homework will be set on a Monday and must be returned at the latest on a Friday. This system is used to encourage us to take some responsibility for planning our own homework schedule in preparation for secondary school. Every week, reading from a given text is set. In addition we are expected to be reading novels of our own choice for homework, which is important preparation for transition to high Unfinished class work may be sent home for completion as homework. The pattern of homework changes when particular preparation is needed for special events, such as learning poems for the Burns Supper or song words for the Christmas Celebration. To help us remember our homework we use a homework diary. We should bring 2 sharp pencils, rubber and ruler to school each morning. If any of our Mums or Dads have a special interest or knowledge in any aspect of our school work then please let our teachers know. We would be delighted to hear from you. Finally, if you have any concerns about any aspect of your child’s time in P7, please do not hesitate to contact us, through the school office to arrange an appointment. Mr Barrett and Mr Duffy Mr Barrett Mr Duffy We have been reminded by Mrs Bell that all of our privileges (including Ardentinny) depend upon our continued high standards of work and behaviour throughout the year.