1. NEWSLETTER 2018 Dear Parents/Carers,
Dates To Remember:
March
Friday 16th March - SHARK Beach Clean
Monday 19th March – NASA in Aberdeen
Friday 23rd March – Bunny Drive
Monday 26th March - Growth Mindset/Easter Service
Tuesday 27th March – P4-7 Trip to Stirling Castle
End of Term – Thursday 29th March
Full details are enclosed.
Clubs
Good News Club
Good News Club has been suspended for the duration of this term and will resume in term 4.
Baking Club
Begins Thursday 15th February. This club is currently full.
Technology Club
Begins Friday 16th February.
Chess Club
Now open to P3 pupils.
Dear Parents/Carers,
What a relief to get back to school following the ‘Beast From the East’. Mr Ness, Mrs Kydd and I worked on curriculum development during those three days and we look forward to sharing this with you over the coming weeks.
We have been reviewing our security in school as part of the Emergency Response Plan which is annually updated. As part of this process I have met and discussed security with partner agencies including Risk Assessment Project Manager, Malcolm Duckworth, Supervisory Janitor, Julie Wallace and the police.
All staff and visitors are currently undertaking a review of security arrangements in school and will be issued with guidance on this. I would like to communicate this guidance with all parents and carers as it will bring about changes to accessing the school. Please see the attached guidance.
These measures are in place to ensure every child is learning in a safe environment at all times and that staff have every opportunity to plan for the best learning. I thank you for your co-operation and am happy to discuss the guidance issued with parents either by appointment or at our next Parent Council meeting on 27th March at 7pm.
Beach Clean
On Friday 16th March, at 10.50am we will be helping SHARK with a beach clean. The area we are cleaning is the stretch from Lathallan Burn heading north, along by the community compost site. WE will be out of school for 1 hour including walking time.
Children should come to school prepared for all weathers on that day. Parent helpers will be required to support the pupils.
Ipayimpact
Should you experience any difficulties activating or accessing your school meals account please call free:

2. Our new school vision and aims:
Curriculum Development
Reading Accelerator
We are almost finished with categorising the books in our reading scheme. These will be uploaded onto the reading accelerator site and will be banded with levels. The next step will be to stick coloured labels onto the books. If anyone can support us with this by giving us an hour of your time please do let me know. We will aim to have this done by the end of term.
Vision
Our new school vision and aims:
"An ambitious, vibrant learning community which inspires us all to develop within ourselves the skills and attitudes to realise our full potential in a modern world.“
Our learners feel safe to take risks and challenge themselves.
We care for and value each other.
Our children take ownership of their learning.
Successful learning requires grit and determination
Our pupils have high expectations of themselves.
Primary Sportshall Badminton Challenge
Bervie Event
Date: Thursday 15th March
Venue: Bervie Sports Centre
Time: – 11.45
The pupils in P3 and P4 will take part in this event. We are currently organising transport to Bervie and will be in touch to confirm arrangements with parents who have volunteered with this.
PARTNERSHIPS
Fundraising
Are you interested in helping out with fundraising but feel you don’t have time to join a committee? Please come along to our more informal fundraising planning evenings. We will try to organise these get-togethers in a more informal setting within the village.
Next meeting – Thursday 15th
Venue - The Anchor – Curry Night!!
Bunny Drive
The Bunny Drive will take place in the Village Hall on Friday 23rd March.
Entry: £5 adults
£2.50 children
£12.50 family
Entry fee includes crisps and soft drinks.
Friends of Johnshaven School
The next Friends of Johnshaven meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 28th 7pm in school. Change of date is due to caretaker arrangements. This meeting will focus on school developments only.
All parents are welcome to contribute to this meeting. If there is anything you would like raised please do contact:
or talk to the committee members directly.
Community Hub
Messy Play sessions have been planned to take place on the following dates in school and are free to all local families with preschool children from birth onwards:
Friday 16th March  
Friday 23rd March
Tuesday 27th March
All events will take place at 10am.

3. **New Feature Celebrating Achievements – Do Something
Each month I would like to feature a written piece from the children about their personal achievements. It is important that we recognise and celebrate the determination our pupils demonstrate to improving skills in their personal lives, as well as in school.
This month we take a look at Mia Mason’s success through her Highland Dancing. Thank you very much for contributing your article Mia.
NASA in Aberdeen
P4-7 have been selected to attend Aberdeen Science Centre to meet Space scientist Dr Sue Lederer and former astronaut Richard Heib.
Date: Monday 19th March
Bus departs: 9.15am
Bus returns: 1pm
A packed lunch will be required for this day.
Parent helpers are also required. Please return all information on the tear off slip accompanying the newsletter.
Fundraising
Recently I signed up for easyfundraising to help raise funds for school. This is an app/site that collects donations from online companies when you shop online, at no extra cost to you! Simply register and follow the very simple instructions to help us raise funds to enhance your children’s learning.

4. Security Arrangements – Johnshaven School
It is very important to all staff, families and children at Johnshaven School that the welcoming ethos of school is maintained. We are developing great relationships with our community groups and promoting our values of Friendship and Caring and Responsibility everyday, ensuring a relaxed and happy learning environment for all.
The following guidance is issued with the intention of creating a shared responsibility for the safety of our pupils and staff and to maximise on planning and preparation time. It is not intended to cut down communication or to minimise parental engagement. In time, these new routines will become second nature and we thank you all for helping us to make these changes comfortably.
Class Dojo should continue to be used to communicate information to the teaching staff about changes to routine such as dental appointments, forgotten equipment or homework etc. Our admin staff are also happy to take calls and answer machine messages are checked regularly.
Teachers can be seen by making an appointment in advance. This can be done through Class Dojo or by calling the office to arrange a time that suits both parent and teacher best. Staff will still be available for a quick catch up at home time if they make themselves available in the playground. Otherwise an appointment will be necessary.
Parents arriving at the school door during teaching time will be met by admin/PSA or Teaching Staff when possible. If there is no-one available to attend to the door it will not be possible to gain entry to school.
Children are aware of the guidance and have been advised never to open the school door during school hours, even if they recognise who is on the other side of the door. We appreciate all parents support with this by not encouraging children to open the door.
Welcome In Wednesday, MAD Time and Find Out Friday etc will remain and we continue to value the support of our parents. Parents will continue to be asked to sign in upon entry to school and wait in the entrance foyer until the task is ready to start. Hold ups can happen for a number of reasons and we would like to preserve the respect and dignity of pupils and staff at all times.
At any time in the day children are learning either in whole class/ small group situations or through targeted support. Again, to preserve privacy and respect for all we ask parents not to enter classes during teaching time unless invited by the class teacher.
On a Friday, before 9am the teaching staff hold a meeting where they plan for the week ahead. This is a time when our phones will not be answered. The answer machines will be checked at 9am.