April 2026 Newsletter

Louise McAskill, 24 Apr 2026

Welcome back to the new school term. The staff and I hope you all had an enjoyable and fun Easter break.
—Mrs Horsburgh

Red Nose Day

Thank you to everyone who kindly donated through our JustGiving page for Red Nose Day and cash donations. We raised an amazing £52.00 for the charity.

Scholastic Book Club

Thank you to everyone who placed an order from the Scholastic Book Club which was open during March, from the orders placed the school has received rewards of £10.57 which we can use to purchase books for the school.

Report Slips for P1 to P7

Children were issued with reports on the 27th March. Please complete and return the response section at the rear end of the report.

Library Van

The library van will be visiting on Wednesday 29th April and Wednesday 27th May. Please ensure all library books are returned by this date, to allow the children to loan another book.

Curriculum Overviews

The week commencing the 27th April, you will receive a copy of your child’s class curriculum overview of planned learning for the term for children in P1-3, P3-6 and P6/7.

P3-6 Outdoor Learning

Mrs Lannagan’s class with be having weekly trips to the Castle grounds, starting on Friday 1st May. Please ensure that pupils have snack and a water bottle. Pupils will be leaving at 9am sharp and will be back in school before 11.30am.

School closure – reminder

A reminder that the school will be closed on Monday 4th May for the May Day Bank Holiday. Staff will resume on Tuesday 5th May for an In-Service day but school will remain closed to pupils. School is open to all on Wednesday 6th May.

P7 Residential

Primary 7 pupils are attending the cluster residential from Wednesday 6th May to Friday 8th May with Mrs MacLeod. Information on the trip including kit lists was provided to parents / carers in March. Please contact the school office if you would like an additional copy. A further letter will be issued next week with additional information.

P6 Jim Clarke Museum

Following the very successful Goblin Car Project, P6 children will visit the Jim Clark Museum on Wednesday 13th May to learn more about motorsport and engineering. Permissions and further information will be communicated to parents / carers.

P5-7 Rugby

James Thompson the Rugby Development Officer has begun teaching pupils for PE sessions, to prepare the P7’s for the Primary 7 Rugby festival on Thursday 14th May, and to give the P4 pupils an introduction to rugby.

Walk to School Week

This will be held during the week of 18th May. Our Junior Road Safety Officer from Primary 7 will be sharing information with the children about this.

It is lovely to see so many children travelling to school in the village on their scooters and bikes, however they should wear a helmet for their own safety and the safety of drivers on the roads.

P5 Countryside Day

On Tuesday 19th May Primary 5 pupils will travel to Springwood Park in Kelso with a member of staff, to take part in Countryside Day. Pupils will require a packed lunch and snack. Please wear school uniform. The bus will return in time for normal transport arrangements home.

Parent Consultations

Parent consultations are being held on Wednesday 20th May between 5:00pm and 7:00pm and Thursday 21st May between 3:30pm-5:00pm. Parents Evening Booking System (PEBS) information will be communicated to nearer the time to allow everyone an opportunity to book an appointment with class teachers and Miss Morton, support for learning teacher. The booking system will be live from 8.30am on Friday 1st May and will close on Friday 15th May. Please note that amendments requested after his date cannot be accommodated. A link will be emailed to all parents / carers with more information.

ELC Transitions to Primary 1

Transition to Primary 1 activities will start at the end of next month. Here are some dates for your diary.

Thursday 21st May 2pm – 3pm
Thursday 28th May 2pm – 3pm
Thursday 4th June 2pm – 3pm

Letters have already been issued to parents / carers with dates and finer details. If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact the school office by telephone or email.

An information session has been arranged for parents/carers of children starting Primary 1 on Thursday 9th June at 3.30pm with Miss Patterson, class teacher and Mrs Horsburgh.

Attendance

Please do phone the school if your child will be absent from school. The school office hours are 8.35am to 3.10pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.35am to 12.30 on a Friday. Mrs McAskill will send a group call message if a child is absent and we have not heard why.

Parent-Pay

Please continue to make meal choices for your child before 8.00am on the day you wish the booking to be taken.

Changes in pick up

Please contact the school before 2.30pm if you are changing your child’s pick up arrangements at the end of the day. It is very important that we know of have changes so that class teachers can be informed. You can contact us by telephone, email or Groupcall.

Water bottle and Snacks

Please ensure your child is sent to school with a filled water bottle and with a snack for break-time. We also have a fruit fix in the afternoons, pupils are encouraged to bring fruit in for an afternoon snack.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast continues to operate daily. Breakfast club is open from 08.15am - 08.30am every day and costs 50p. Please remember to book on ParentPay if you are using breakfast club to ensure there are no overdue payments. If you feel that you could volunteer for 45 minutes on any morning, please contact the school office for further information.

Dates for Diary

Week commencing 27th April: Curriculum Overviews issued for P1-3, P3-6 and P6-7
Wednesday 29th: Library Van
Monday 4th May: Bank Holiday Monday – school closed to pupils and staff
Tuesday 5th: In-service Day – school closed to pupils
Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th: P7 Residential
Wednesday 13th: P6 trip to Jim Clarke Museum
Thursday 14th: Primary 7 Rugby Festival
Monday 18th – Friday 22nd: Walk to school week
Tuesday 19th: P5 Countryside Day at Springwood Park, Kelso
Wednesday 20th May: Parental Consultations 5pm – 7pm
Thursday 21st May: Parental Consultations 3.30pm – 5pm
Thursday: 21st, 28th May and 4th June: New P1 pupils to visit their new classroom
Wednesday 27th: Library van

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