Welcome to St Athanasius’ Primary School

1. Welcome to St Athanasius’ Primary School Pre-Entrant Meeting 21st May 2014 Mr Francis Farrell HT Veritatem Persequi

2. Parents and Carers First Educators Important influence and guide Know children best of all; how they are likes and dislikes good points little ways talents what makes them anxious what makes them special SHARE THESE WITH US!

3. Getting Ready for School • Grant Form • Booklet • Information on website

4. We work in Partnership • Parents, Carers, extended family • Nursery Staff • Staff of St Athanasius’ Primary • Buddies in Primary 7 • Parent Partnership Worker • Visiting Specialists • Father Naughton Pastoral links to the school

5. Primary 1 31 pupils enrolledMrs Smith P1 Mrs O’ Hara P1/2 Start School Wednesday 13th August First Day 10am – 12 noon First week 9.00am – 12.15pm From Monday 25th August… 9.00am – 3pm

6. Day One • First day, enter through Main Entrance into the hall just before 10am. • Class teacher will call all new P1 to line up and they will leave swiftly for their classroom • Parents / Carers should leave the hall quickly through the Main Entrance • Parents will collect their child in the classroom on the first day at 12 O’ Clock. They enter via main entrance. • Each day after that P1 should line up and be dismissed at the Infant doors. Class teacher will take children down to school gate at 12.15pm • Parents / Carers should stand well back from the gate to allow the staff a clear view

7. Uniform • Blue Shirt & Tie • Grey skirt/pinafore • Grey trousers • Grey cardigans/jumpers • Burgundy blazers • Outdoor jackets • Soft shoes for new school • PE kit ( no football strips) • Athletics Kit/ tracksuit

8. Uniform Purchased from; • LOGOS-ON in Carluke www.logos-on.com Also available on line from LOGOs EXPRESS • South Lanarkshire Council • DO NOT permit the wearing of clothing with brand names or football colours

9. Can your child - Dress/undress Hang up coat Tie shoe laces Use handkerchief Getting Ready for School

10. Getting Ready for School • Eat independently • Tidy away toys • Share • Act confidently and responsibly

11. Practical Tips • Label clothing- use permanent markers • Attach a small label to child’s jacket • Small Purse or wallet • Lunch Boxes • Fruit available from Dining Hall • Children supply own water • Check schoolbag everyday • Soft shoes for new school

12. Medication • If child is prescribed medication or is allergic or asthmatic please let us know • School cannot administer medicines but we can supervise and accommodate parents or their representative to administer medicines • Inhalers should be labelled with child’s name • Medication should be regularly checked that it is up to date • School has a First Aider – Mrs Crockett and liaises with outside agencies to promote and monitor health checks ie medicals, dentist visits.

13. Absence and late coming • Please telephone the school on the first morning that your child may be absent • School must know why a child is not present • If we receive no telephone call, there is a text system in place to inform you. • A note on arrival back to school must accompany your child on his / her return for our records • Always encourage excellent attendance • Please discourage lateness as this is very disruptive to the teacher and the class and stressful to the pupil • Remember we are always a phone-call away!.

14. Holidays • Term time holidays are discouraged at any time • Only in very exceptional circumstances after discussion and permission from the Head Teacher which is then passed to South Lanarkshire Council and then the Attendance Officer

15. Getting Ready for School • Safety • Curriculum • Parental Involvement • Discipline – Policy on website • Contact details – permission slips EV5

16. School bag • A bag big enough to hold A4 size folder and PE kit • Check bag for homework, letters and information from the school regularly.

17. Curriculum • Curriculum for Excellence 4 capacities • Active Learning – using SMARTBOARD • Cooperative / Collaborative learning • North Lanarkshire Literacy Pack • Write To The Top • This Is Our Faith • Formative Assessment (AifL) • On - going assessment • Pupil profiles/ portfolios • Story worlds / Jolly Phonics/ Handwriting • Scottish Heinemann/ Active maths • Health Promoting School • Enterprise • Science

18. PE • 2 Hours Physical Activity per week • Part of Connections programme • Change of clothes • T shirt or polo shirt from uniform • No football tops • Shorts / Black Gym shoes • No earrings to be worn on PE and Drama days for Health and Safety reasons

19. Art and craft work • Art is messy and fun! • Provide an oversized shirt or T shirt to cover uniforms • This can be kept in class all year

20. Mathematics- Numeracy • Our Mathematics programme consists of a balance of ‘Number’, ‘Money and Measure’, ‘Information Handling’, ‘Shape, Position and Movement’ and ‘Problem Solving’ activities covering the outcomes and experiences of the CfE • ‘Heinemann Maths’ is our main resource • The use of the computer in mathematics is encouraged. • We promote the use of oral and interactive maths and encourage our children to enjoy the world of number. A problem-solving also takes place'. • The children work collaboratively using a variety of strategies to solve problems. • As with Language, our children are assessed on a continuous basis using a variety of formative and summative assessments

21. Language - Literacy • Reading • The core resource for reading is 'Storyworld' and 'Literacy World'. The children start on Storyworld at the early stages where visiting the different 'worlds' stimulates the new reader and fosters a love of reading through tales, fantasy, fact and fiction. • 'Jolly Phonics' is our phonic/spelling programme. The emphasis is on oral work using 'Onset and Rime' strategies - rhymes, clapping rhythms and word families.  • As the spelling skills progress, the children move on to a very structured spelling programme with homework activities to support and extend new vocabulary.

22. Literacy Cont • Functional/Imaginative/Personal writing is taught using a highly structured programme that includes a variety of sources. Children are encouraged to 'Have A Go' from their first day at school continuing the work of the nursery. • 'Nelson' handwriting programme is used to develop handwriting skills. • Writing skills and strategies continue to be taught using a comprehensive programme that provides opportunities for extended writing. • Listening/Talking • Listening and talking activities are linked to either the language programme or the Environmental Studies programme. Commercial materials to develop listening skills are also available. • Assessment • Assessment is continuous and linked to the CfE. The school uses formal assessments, standardised assessments, and 'Assessment for Learning' strategies to monitor the progress of all pupils.

23. Personal Social Development • At St Athanasius’ Primary there is a strong emphasis on the Personal and Social Development. Every class has a 'Circle Time' each week to discuss issues such as friendship, anti-bullying and confidence. The school also has a programme of study, which helps to build self-esteem and to encourage independence and responsibility. • Citizenship is high on the school agenda and the weekly assemblies encourage ownership of the school by all our pupils. Every month our OSCARS assembly is led by the House Captains and have a focus such as safe choices, looking after the environment and inclusion. Awards such as weekly Star of the Week encourages and rewards good behaviour and work • The aim of our programme is the development of the child who will be able to take his / her place in society with a broad understanding of themselves and others.

24. Cross Curricular Topics • Our Environmental Studies programme is planned using the E’s and O’s of the CfE. Each class undertakes a variety of topics in Health, Science, Geography and History throughout the school year and full attention is paid to ensure that the children are exposed to not only ‘Knowledge and Understanding’ of the topic, but also the ‘Skills’ necessary to make use of these.  Some classes may showcase their work. • We endeavour to enrich our Environmental Studies programme with field trips and also with guest speakers coming into school to speak to the children.   • The use of I.C.T. for research and presentation purposes is also encouraged throughout the school.

25. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY • INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY • I.C.T. skills are taught at all stages as an aspect of the CfE in 'Mathematics' and ‘Information and Communication Technology’, and also as a cross curricular element.  • We have computers in each class, along with an Interactive SMATBOARD in each class as well as a suite of 24 computers that are used by pupils, staff and parents.  • Our I.C.T. programme is seen as a vital component of the 21st century where the use of the our Interactive Whiteboards have proved to be very successful in its delivery and practice.

26. Assessment • Assessment informs the learning that has taken place. • On going assessment • AifL • workshops

27. Parental Involvement • Gala • PTA • Parent Council • Pupil involvement – House Captains, Pupil Council

28. Promoting Positive Behaviour • Class Rules /Rights respecting school • Class Rewards • Star of the Week • OSCARS • Consequences - 5 stage approach • House System

29. Be prepared • We will take exceptional care of your child • We wish them every success • This is a huge event for them and you • Expect everyone to be tired • Their day will be more structured and demanding • Remember we work at all times in Partnership with you to provide the best for your child. Help us to work together.

30. Getting Ready for School • “Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.” W.B. Yeats • “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela • Happy Children are more ready to settle to work! • See you on Wednesday 13th August at 10am & 12 noon in main hall.