Please click here for the updated Free Schools Meals/BACS information.
School holidays – no change (updated 3 December)
The Scottish Government has announced there will be no changes to the planned Christmas and New Year holiday dates for schools. This means Midlothian schools will close for the festive break on Tuesday 22 December and will reopen to pupils on Wednesday 6 January, as planned.
Please click this link for further details.
November’s Newsletter
Please find attached this month’s newsletter.
Storehouse Christmas Appeal 2020
Please see the attached letter detailing this year’s Storehouse appeal.
Smacking Ban
The law on all forms of physical punishment of children in Scotland changed on 7 November 2020. From this date all forms of physical punishment of children became against the law in Scotland. Scotland is the first part of the UK to ban the smacking of children.
This change in the law is about making things better for children in Scotland.
Updated guidance for parents
Contingency Planning for St. Luke’s Primary School
Please see the contingency plan below for St Luke’s. This details scenarios that may occur as we continue to operate under COVID restrictions and National Guidance for schools.
A message from Fiona Robertson, the Executive Director Children, Young People and Partnerships
I’m writing to thank parents, carers and pupils who are helping keep local people safe and ultimately saving lives by complying with national coronavirus restrictions. I am sure you will appreciate the significant effort of all of our staff working in schools to do the same. However, I also need to stress we must remain vigilant as local cases of coronavirus are rising. As is the case across other areas in Scotland, this is, in part, because of transmission within local gatherings.
We continue to work alongside NHS Public Health and Police Scotland to protect local people. Please remember the restrictions in place on indoor gatherings in private homes. You should not meet anyone from outside your household inside your home or their home. This ban includes extended family members although you are permitted to provide care or support to a vulnerable person in their home and there are exemptions for childcare and tradespeople doing essential work. The rules on indoor gatherings apply to you and your family, including your young people over the age of 12, so we ask you to help them understand the rules and set an example for them too.
Where there are breaches of the legislation, Police Scotland will engage, explain the legislation and encourage compliance and will use enforcement action as a last resort.
We know that the overwhelming majority of people of all ages are following the rules and realise not meeting friends and family is hard, particularly on young people. However, to reduce the number of transmissions of the virus and keep schools open, all of us, young and old, need to do our bit by complying with the rules.
Thank you again for you and your family’s continued support.
Fiona Robertson
Executive Director Children, Young People and Partnerships
September’s Newsletter
Previous posts
Monday 10th August-Further information for parents and carers about returning to school.
Wednesday 29th July-Return to school information from Midlothian Council
Revised School Session Dates 2020/21
School Recovery Plan. Phase 1. Information for parents and carers.
Information from Midlothian Council for Parents and Carers-12th June
5 ways to wellbeing for young people.
5 ways to wellbeing for adults.
Information for Parents regarding dates for return in August-Tuesday 2nd June
Reporting to Parents
Scottish Government guidance states that ‘local authorities and schools will be planning how they communicate with parents and families about their child’s progress during Term 4 and many early learning practitioners will wish to share information on children’s development. This will require a different format to those that may have been taken before’.
If you have not already received a progress report for your child this session, you should expect by the end of this term to receive a revised, simplified version of the school’s usual format.
The report will focus on:
· The child’s strengths and achievements
· Their progress to date
· Their next steps in literacy and numeracy
If you have any questions about your child’s progress, please contact the school direct.
Some great advice and tips here for Home Learning.
Local supports available during this challenging time
Information about the Gore Glen Hub