Beancross and Bothkennar Primary Schools
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Session 2016-2017
We hope that everyone has had a fun-filled, enjoyable summer with their families. Our staff team are looking forward to a great school year and are busy planning high quality learning experiences with the children.
I hope that you find the information within this booklet helpful. Should you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s education or their experiences at school, please don’t hesitate to contact me via the school office.
Thank you for your support of Beancross and Bothkennar Primary Schools.
Yours Sincerely
Andrew Watson
Mr Watson
Headteacher
Our Vision
Our Vision
At Beancross and Bothkennar Primary Schools we are a Learning Community committed to creating a safe, happy, caring and vibrant environment, where all children are motivated to learn and achieve, to become independent, ambitious and responsible future citizens.
To achieve this we will:
*Actively promote an holistic approach to developing every child.
*Positively engage with our parents in a spirit of mutual partnership.
*Foster strong reciprocal relationships with our partners and the local community.
Our Core Values
Ambition – Motivation – Nurture – Respect
23/23 Inset Day / AUGUST 2016S / M / T / W / Th / F / S
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13
14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20
21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27
28 / 29 / 30 / 31
/ FEBRUARY 2017
S / M / T / W / Th / F / S
1 / 2 / 3 / 4
5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11
12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18
19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25
26 / 27 / 28
/ 14 Inset Day
27/28Fairtrade Fortnight
6 Nursery Photographs
7 School Photographs
7 Improve Your School 7pm
16 Sponsored Bounce Day
21 Meet the Teacher 1.30pm / SEPTEMBER 2016
S / M / T / W / Th / F / S
1 / 2 / 3
4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17
18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24
25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30
/ MARCH 2017
S / M / T / W / Th / F / S
1 / 2 / 3 / 4
5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11
12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18
19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25
26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31
/ 1-10Fairtrade Fortnight
2 World Book Day
(Dress as favourite character)
10-11 P6 Residential - Dalguise
13-17 P7 Residential - Belmont
17 Inset Day
28 Hallowe’en Dress Up / OCTOBER 2016
S / M / T / W / Th / F / S
1
2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15
16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22
23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29
30 / 31
/ APRIL 2017
S / M / T / W / Th / F / S
1
2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15
16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22
23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29
30
/ 28Dress Down Day
16Parents’ Night
17Parents’ Night
25Dress Down Day / NOVEMBER 2016
S / M / T / W / Th / F / S
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19
20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26
27 / 28 / 29 / 30
/ MAY 2017
S / M / T / W / Th / F / S
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13
14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20
21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27
28 / 29 / 30 / 31
/ 4Inset Day
26Sports Day
31Optional Parents’ Night
5BXP7/P6 Party
6BXP5/P4 Party
7BK Christmas Party
8BXP3/P2 Party
9BX P1 Party
12/13BX Nativity (P1-2)
14/15BXCake and Carol (P3-4)
16Pantomime
19Nursery Concert
20Nursery Party
20 BK Christmas Celebration
21Dress Down Day / DECEMBER 2016
S / M / T / W / Th / F / S
1 / 2 / 3
4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17
18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24
25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31
/ JUNE 2017
S / M / T / W / Th / F / S
1 / 2 / 3
4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17
18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24
25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30
/ 12Children’s Day Races
13-15P5-P7 School Show
17 Children’s day
26 BKAchievement Assembly
27BXAchievement Assembly
28BX P7 Assembly
28P7 Party
29Nursery Graduation
23-27 Scottish Week
27P7/P6 Burns’ Supper
27Wear Tartan Day / JANUARY 2017
S / M / T / W / Th / F / S
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14
15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21
22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28
29 / 30 / 31
/ Inset Day / Pupil Event
Parent Event / Themed Week
Holiday / Fundraising Event
BX / Beancross Primary Only / BK / Bothkennar Primary Only
Our Diary 2016-2017
Aiming High
This session we have introduced a new and exciting initiative to promote positive behaviour and reward pupils for going the extra mile. Our Aiming High charts will be displayed in every classroom and our learners will be encouraged and supported to ‘Aim High’.
In previous systems, pupils who tried hard every day remained on green, however, the new system will change that. Now being on ‘green’ is okay but aiming to reach the ‘Top Of The Chart’will take time, hard work, perseverance, a positive mindset and exemplary behaviour.Reaching the ‘Top Of The Chart’ is an amazing achievement for those who consistently try hard and their success will be celebrated throughout the school.
Aiming High promotes our core values of Ambition, Motivation, Nurture and Respect. Moving through the chart, children will live the core values of our schools.
We are excited to launch ‘Aiming High’ and we look forward to sharing with you the achievements that your child will make throughout this school year.
OVERVIEW
Top of the Chart
A childis developing a Growth Mind-set. They arehighly motivated and motivate others. They are ambitious about their own and others’ learning. They have a respectful and nurturing attitude. They are a positive role model.
Outstanding
A child excels in achieving all six Golden Rules. They are respectful and nurturing towards others.
Great Job
A child follows all six Golden Rules and excels in achieving two or more of them. The child is motivated to learn and strives to achieve their full potential.
Good Day
A child follows all six Golden Rules and excels in achieving one or more of them.
Green
Green is the starting point for every child. At the end of a school day, any child finishing below the smiley face will be moved back to the smiley face ready for the next day. Being on the green smiley face denotes good behaviour and effort for that child. A child on this stage follows all six of the Golden Rules.
Think About It
A child will move to this stage when they have displayed undesirable behaviour. The child’s teacher will have a restorative conversation with them to discuss ways of improving their behaviour and they will be made aware of the consequences of continuing the undesired behaviour.
Consequence
At this stage, the identified behaviour has continued. As a result, moving to this stage now requires a consequence. Consequences include loss of golden time / privilege, referral to Management Team or phone call to parent.
Parent Contact
At this stage, the child has been through the previous stages for the identified behaviour and there has been no positive change following this. The child’s parents will be contacted.
Beancross’ School Day
8.15am Breakfast Club
Our Breakfast Club provides breakfast to children every morning. Children can enjoy cereal, toast and a piece of fruit or a yogurt and a drink. Breakfast club is available to all children and costs £1.45. Discounts are available to families in receipt of housing and council tax benefits. Breakfast is free to children entitled to a free school meal. Further information is available from the school office.
8.55am EarlyBell
All children should make their way to their class lines.
9.00amOur school day begins
All children should be in their class lines and we would ask that parents stand back from the lines to allow our teachers to welcome the children into school. Please note that class teachers are not able to meet with parents at this time. If you wish to discuss anything please contact the class teacher via the school office – 01324 508720.
10.45am – 11amPlaytime
Please provide your child with a healthy snack and a drink (fizzy drinks are not allowed in school).
12.15pm – 1.15pmLunchtime
Your child can choose to do one of the following at lunchtimes:
- Go home for lunch at 12.15 p.m. and return by 1.10 p.m. (Please collect your child from the infant playground. If it is a wet lunch, children should return via the reception doors.
- Packed Lunch—You can provide a lunch which you know your child will enjoy e.g. a sandwich, an apple, a yogurt and a drink all put into a named container. We ask parents to provide any cutlery that is required.
- School Lunch – School lunches are provided free of charge to children in primaries 1 – 3. Children from in primaries 4-7 can buy a school lunch for £2.05. A menu is available on our website and via Facebook. Please can parents ensure that their child has the correct money each day.
3.15pm Our school day ends
At the end of the school day, our class teachers will dismiss all children into the infant playground. If your child is to be collected by an adult, please ensure that the adult is in the playground by 3.15pm. Please can all adults stand back from the doors.
School Bus
If your child uses the school bus, they will meet outside the Headteacher’s office at 3.10pm. A member of our staff will walk the children to the bus.
Bothkennar’s School Day
8.55amEarlyBell
All children should make their way to their lines.
9.00amOur school day begins
All children should be in their lines and we would ask that parents stand back from the lines to allow our teachers to welcome the children into school. Please note that class teachers are not able to meet with parents at this time. If you wish to discuss anything please contact the class teacher via the school office – 01324 508740.
10.30am – 10.45am Playtime
Please provide your child with a healthy snack and a drink (fizzy drinks are not allowed in school).
12.15pm – 1.15pmLunchtime
Your child can choose to do one of the following at lunchtimes:
- Go home for lunch at 12.15 p.m. and return by 1.10 p.m. (Please collect your child from the infant playground. If it is a wet lunch, children should return via the reception doors.
- Packed Lunch—You can provide a lunch which you know your child will enjoy e.g. a sandwich, an apple, a yogurt and a drink all put into a named container. We ask parents to provide any cutlery that is required.
- School Lunch – School lunches are provided free of charge to children in primaries 1 – 3. Children from in primaries 4-7 can buy a school lunch for £2.05. A menu is available on our website and via Facebook. Please can parents ensure that their child has the correct money each day.
3.15pmOur school day ends
At the end of the school day, our class teachers will dismiss all children into the playground. If your child is to be collected by an adult, please ensure that the adult is in the playground by 3.15pm. Please can all adults stand back from the doors.
Our Staff
Leadership and Management Team
Mr Watson Headteacher
Mrs Williamson Depute Headteacher
Mrs Hunter Principal Teacher
Mrs HunterPrincipal Teacher
Miss Burns Principal Teacher
Teaching Team
Class 1Miss White
Class 2Mrs Lennie / Mrs Rowan
Nursery Mrs Rowan
Primary 1Miss Morrow
Primary 1Miss Risk
Primary 1/2Miss Kell
Primary 2Miss Finlayson
Primary 2Miss Morrison
Primary 3Miss Girvan
Primary 3Miss Gerc
Primary 4Miss Miller
Primary 4Miss Brierton
Primary 5/4Miss Cummings
Primary 5Miss Gibb
Primary 5Miss Moqsud
Primary 6Mrs McPhail
Primary 7/6 Miss Stalker
Primary 7Mr Stanners
Additional Support for Learning Team
ASfL Coordinator Miss Burns
ASfL TeachersMr Campbell and Mrs Cummings
ASfL AssistantsMrs Wright, Mrs Hannah, Mrs Dickenson,
Mrs Kennedy, Mrs McAllister,Mrs Shirra, Mrs Meikle
ASfL Early Years Officer Mrs Brown
Early Learning and Childcare Team
Senior Early Years OfficerMrs Clarkson
Early Years Officers Mrs MacLean, Miss McPhee, Miss Rennie
Miss Campbell, Mrs Brown and Mrs Niven
School Support Team
Clerical Assistants Mrs Laing and Mrs Gill
Janitor Mr Hartley
School Attendance
It is important that your child maintains high attendance and is on time everyday and ready to learn.
Absences
If your child is unable to attend school, please telephone the school office by 8.45am. The staff at Beancross Primary may answer calls for both Beancross and Bothkennar Primaries. If your child is absent and you have not contacted the school, you will receive a text message from us regarding their whereabouts. Please contact the school office upon receiving this text.
Following an absence from school, please provide your child with a note explaining their absence.
Lateness
If your child arrives at school after 9am, please bring them into the main reception. A member of staff will welcome your child and take their lunch choice for the day.
Holidays
Our school holidays are marked in yellow on page three of this booklet. It is important that family holidays are taken within the dates coloured yellow. Holidays taken outwith this time are recorded as unauthorised absences. Further information regarding holidays during the school term can be found on Falkirk Council’s website.
Keeping You Informed
Class News
Every class in our school has a Twitter page which is updated regularly with examples of the learning that has taken place in class. Most of our pages have pictures of our learners’ and class achievements are celebrated here. We would encourage parents, grandparents and extended family to follow their child’s class teacher on Twitter. Our Twitter pages are also available via the school website.
Our class teachers will send home a termly newsletter to let parents know what is coming up in class.
School News
Our school news is reported via our school Twitter and Facebook Pages. From time to time we will send home printed news updates and reminders of key events. Please ‘like’ our Facebook page and follow our Twitter feed for more regular updates.
Reporting to Parents
We report progress to parents formally and informally throughout the school session. There are opportunities for parents to get involved in the learning that takes place in class through Open Afternoons, Showcases, Meet the Teacher and Family Learning events. Parents’ Nights and an end of session progress report are our formal means of reporting.
School Uniform
It is important that children wear their school uniform every day.
Beancross Primary School / Bothkennar Primary SchoolBeancross sweatshirt / purple sweatshirt
Beancross polo shirt / white polo shirt
Or
White shirt with Beancross tie
Black/grey Trousers or black/grey Skirt
Black shoes
In summer, children are welcome to wear black/grey shorts or a school summer dress.
Please Note:
Trainers are not part of our school uniform. / Bothkennar sweatshirt / royal blue sweatshirt
Bothkennar polo shirt / white polo shirt
Or
White shirt with Bothkennar tie
Black/grey Trousers or black/greyskirt
Black shoes
In summer, children are welcome to wear black/grey shorts or a school summer dress.
Please Note:
Trainers are not part of our school uniform.
All items of clothing must have your child’s name written on it.
The Beancross school/nursery uniform can be purchased online or by visiting the Borders Embroideries shop in Vicars Street, Falkirk.The Bothkennar uniform can be ordered via the school office.Physical Education
INDOOR- shorts
- gym shoes or clean training shoes, no outdoor shoes/trainers
- t-shirt, no football colours
- jogging bottoms
- sweatshirt
- outdoor trainers
- rain jackets, hats and gloves should be worn when appropriate
Jewellery is not allowed on PE days and earrings must be removed at home.
Medical Information
Medication in School
Our school staff are only able to administer medicines that have been prescribed to a child. Prior to administering medicine, a parent must complete a medical form at the school office. Parents must bring and collect medicine via the school office.
Inhalers
The school must be provided with two inhalers.
- Inhaler 1 will be kept by your child during the school day.
- Inhaler 2 will be kept in the medical room.
School staff will assist children with their inhalers if required. Please discuss this with your child’s class teacher.
CHICKENPOX/MEASLES/SHINGLES – IMPORTANT INFORMATIONWe have children in our schools with medical conditions that affect their immune system. If your child develops any of the above viruses, please inform the school office in order that appropriate action can be taken by the families of these children.
The health of other pupils depends on your co-operation on this important matter.
Important Information
Lost Property
From time to time items of clothing do go missing in school and are often found the next day. If your child loses an item of clothing, the janitor will check for a name tag and return it to them. If your child’s lost item does not have a name tag, please check the lost property box which is kept at the janitor’s office.
Property
The school provides all of the stationery that is needed by the children including, pencils, rubbers, rulers, pens etc. Parents are welcome to provide additional stationery for their child if they wish. Toys and games from home must not be brought to school. The school has a wide selection of games and activities for children to participate in at break times. Please note that the school is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to property brought in from home.
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed in our school grounds. This includes dogs of all sizes and dogs that are carried by their owners. Dogs must never be tied to our school gates or fences. Some of our children are afraid of dogs.
Bikes and Scooters
Children are welcome to ride their bikes or scooters to school. All children must come off of their bike/scooter as soon as they get to the school gate and walk it to the bike/scooter stands. Please note that the school is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to property brought in from home.
Beancross Car Park
The school car park and driveway areas are for the use of school staff only. Please do not bring your car into the car park or driveway at any time.
School Improvement Priorities
2016 – 2017
Strategic Aims 2016 – 2019
- Improvement in children’s health and wellbeing.
- Improvement in attainment in literacy and English.
- Improvement in attainment in mathematics and numeracy.
This is what we will do this session towards achieving our strategic aims.
Health and Wellbeing
- To develop knowledge and understanding, skills and capabilities which children need for mental, emotional and social wellbeing.
- To develop the nurturing school approach.
- To develop a ‘growth mindset’ to promote enthusiasm, motivation and ambition.
- To develop responsibility, respect, resilience and creativity through natural and loose play.
Literacy and English