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SEPTEMBER 2006
Dear Parent,
GEORGE�S TOP TEN
In May 2006 the pupils in Primaries 3 to 7 and all staff were surveyed on
what makes a good learner at Hillhead. The top ten responses have been
made in to a poster which all classrooms will display so as all pupils
have these targets available to compare their own performance against.
Hillhead�s top 10 ways to be a good learner based on the views of pupils
and staff are:
1. Listen carefully 2. Finish your work 3.
Get on with your classmates 4. Work hard 5. Be kind to others 6. Be polite
7. Be happy and positive 8. Act on advice given 9. Look after property 10.
Do your homework well
A small A5 laminated sheet of these
important characteristics will be distributed to each family in the school
over the next fortnight. Identifying specific behaviours and targets for
children has proved to be a useful way in influencing their learning and
behaviour.
ORDERING SCHOOL DINNERS
The school kitchen continues to have difficulties meeting the late demands
of pupils for lunches. Last week a total of 51 people came up and ordered
a school lunch the day they wanted to have it. This late increase in
numbers is very difficult for the kitchen to deal with. Could you wherever
possible make sure that your child books all the school lunches he or she
may require that week on the Monday? They can be paid for then or the day
the child receives the lunch. Please do try and help the kitchen by giving
them notice of your child�s dinner needs on the Monday.
ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL
Just a reminder that you should phone in to say that your child will not
be attending school on any day. It also removes the need for you to write
a note to explain any absence.
PUPIL POSITIONS
A number of pupils have been appointed to positions within the school
following pupil elections. The house captains and vice captains are:
House Captain Vice Captain
Girnigoe Tanya Howden Liam Macleod
Sandigoe Richard Budge Emma Coghill
Shelligoe Alex More Andrew Dunnett
Whaligoe Ryan Aitken Erin Mackay
A number of other Primary 7 pupils have also assumed positions of
responsibility around the school. Future newsletters will tell you a
little about the work some of these Primary 7 pupils are doing to assist
the school. Pupil Council
members have also been elected and details of the council will appear in
the next newsletter.
SCOTTISH ART WALL
The large fruit display which has presented such a colourful backdrop in
the hall is beginning to show its age. A replacement is now due. To this
end the school has chosen the topic of Scotland. This ties in well with
the Highland Year of Culture and it is important that the pupils are aware
of the national identity of their country. In previous years all pupils
have been involved in art activities on the same day to emphasize that the
art wall is a whole school project and to get the huge amount of art
required to cover the wall finished in one day. September 15th has been
chosen as the day of art. All pupils from nursery to Primary 7 will be
working on items for the wall display on this day. If you feel you were
able to help any of the classes with their art work on the Friday or
assist in putting it all up on the big wall on the Monday (18th
September), please advise the school. We would be delighted to hear of any
help we could get in connection with this.
CAITHNESS HERITAGE FAIR
This event which is held every two years is always one which the school
has supported. One of the school aims is to contribute positively to the
community. This year�s Heritage Fair is to be held in Thurso High School
on the weekend of 23rd and 24th September. The fair is composed of
displays by organisations, groups and schools from throughout the county
and have a common theme of CAITHNESS.
This year the school has applied to enter
three displays. These are 1. A display of the maritime rag rugs which the
pupils in Primary 4 to 7 produced with the artist Sally Orr. 2. Primary 7
pupils have recently visited Sinclair and Girnigoe castle and will receive
two visits from the archaeologists who are working there. A display will
result from this work.
3. The nursery pupils will look at a field, pre- and post harvest at
Hillhead Farm. Their work including some acrylic paintings of this on
canvas frames will create a display.
For those parents unable to attend the
Thurso event, we hope to once again show the school displays at the parent
open afternoon on October 2nd 2006 |
SPOT ON SPOT KICKS
The school was recently asked to choose a player to take part in a penalty
competition. The competition was held at half time in the Martin Gunn
testimonial match which saw Wick Academy play Inverness Caledonian.
Thistle. Hymie chose Primary 7 pupil Richard Budge. The competition proved
a thrilling one with Richard and another competitor on equal terms until
the third �Sudden death� penalty when Richard won the competition. Well
done to Richard for keeping a cool head in a very pressurized atmosphere
in front of a large crowd at the Harmsworth Park.
MR HENDERSON INVITATION
Following Primary 7�s recent success in winning the ICT and Learning
category at the 2006 Scottish Education Awards, class teacher Mr Henderson
has been asked to make a presentation at the SETT conference in Glasgow on
Tuesday 19th September. This is the major annual event which looks at
technology and education in Scotland. It is a great compliment for Mr
Henderson and the school that he has been asked to make a presentation at
such a prestigious gathering. It will also give Mr Henderson a valuable
opportunity to look at some of the most recent developments in educational
technology which could be used in Hillhead.
PARENT TIP SHEET
Look out for the September Parent Tip sheet accompanying this letter. For
those pupils in Primary 1 to 7 it will also contain the pupil challenges
for the Highland Year of Culture. Do encourage your child to tackle each
of these monthly challenges. A separate activity sheet for nursery pupils
will be distributed next week.
AUTHOR VISIT
The writer Simon Puttock will visit school on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday
20th September. He will talk to pupils in Primaries 2, 3, 4 and 5. Simon
Puttock has written a large number of children�s picture books and he is
reputed to give an entertaining performance to the pupils. The school has
currently purchased a number of his books and the pupils in these classes
have been enjoying them in preparation for his visit. This author visit is
as a result of a successful application to Live Literature Scotland and is
largely funded by this organisation.
BIRTHS
Robyn (Primary 3) and Grant (nursery have a new baby brother. Matthew
Aitkenhead was born on August 14th and weighed in at 7lb 4oz. Big sister
Robyn says her new brother �likes to lie down and look around the room.�
Grant says �He looks like my granddad.�
Dean Salim in Primary 2 has a new baby
sister Ellie who arrived on the 16th July. Dean says �She lies down a lot
and likes her bottle of milk�
A new baby sister for Keiran and Lesley
Christie. Gemma Ella Christie was born on August 28th and weighed in at
8lbs 4oz. Primary 4 pupil Keiran says �She�s beautiful.� Primary 2 sister
Lesley says �She is tiny and she�s got really little hands and
fingernails.�
James Thain in the nursery has a new baby
brother- Kieran Robert Murray was born on August 27th and weighed in at
7lb 12oz, James says that little Keiran � makes funny faces and he gets
his bottles out of the fridge.�
Chloe Sinclair in Primary 5 has a new baby
cousin called Sam. Chloe says �He is tiny and cute and I love giving him
his bottle.
CALENDAR
Monday 11th September Primary 1 pupils start full days at school.
Monday 2nd October Parents� open Afternoon from 1.40pm
Friday 6th October ; School breaks up for October holidays.
Monday 23rd October: School resumes after October holidays
Yours faithfully
A.Budge
Headteacher |
