November Newsletter
Dear Parents/Carers,
We have had a busy first couple of weeks of the new term since the October half-term break. The children have all settled well into their school routines and we look forward to sharing more examples of learning and updates through Showbie, School Facebook page and in our newsletters. Many thanks to everyone who came along to parents consultations before the October break. If you were unable to make or keep an appointment, please do contact your child’s teacher to rearrange via the school office.
I look forward to working with you all this term. Thank you for your ongoing continued support.
Kind regards,
Mrs Horsburgh
Head Teacher
Harvest Thanks
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Harvest Thanksgiving table. Your kind donations have been greatly received by the Eyemouth Parish Church Larder.
Staffing update
At the end of last term Mrs Laura Stobbart changed places of work and she is now based at another school within the Eyemouth Learning Community. Mrs Stobbart made a super contribution to the school in the time she was with us at Ayton Primary. We wish her well and thank her for her contribution to our school.
We recently welcomed some new faces to our Pupil Support Assistant team in school. Mrs Laura Purves and Mrs Deborah Butterfield. Both ladies are experienced practitioners and will be working in their base schools of Reston and Eyemouth Primary School, alongside some hours here at Ayton. They are both very impressed with the warm welcome they have had from the children and staff.
Your child may also tell you that on occasion they may have met Mr Scott Agnew or Mrs Elizabeth Hiroz, Depute Head Teachers at Eyemouth Primary Schools. Mr Agnew and Mrs Hiroz are both experienced school leaders and they may on occasion be in Ayton Primary School to support Mrs MacLeod and myself with the leadership and management of the school.
Curriculum Overviews
Curriculum Overviews for P1-3, P3-6 and P6-7 have been issued by Groupcall/Eduspot today, Monday 3rd November. Class teachers will also have these uploaded to Showbie for your ease.
Poppy Collection
Poppies will be available to buy in school in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday. These will be available from Monday 3rd November. We will be holding a two-minute silence in school at 11:00am on Tuesday 11th November.
School Photographs
Phototronics will be returning to school on Monday 3rd November to capture individual, sibling and class photographs for all children.
Flu Vaccinations
Vaccinations will take place in school on Wednesday 5th November for children in ELC to P7 who have returned their parental consent forms.
Library Van
The mobile library van will be in school on Wednesday 5th November. Please ensure books that are currently on loan are returned for this date.
P4-7 Inspire Learning iPads
Please ensure all children in P4-7 bring their Inspire Learning iPad to school every day, charged at least to 50%.
P4 Inspire Learning Information Event
Thank you to those people who came along to the informative parent information session for all P4 parents/carers in Eyemouth Primary School on 27th October. Mr Paul Graham who ran the event welcomed your feedback, and we look forward to organizing further information sessions in the future.
BBC Children in Need Appeal
On Friday 14th November we invite all children to wear ‘something spotty’, or dress down for BBC Children in Need. Our P7 House Captains and Mrs Pearson, have organised fun activities between break and brunch for the whole school. We also welcome any donations on the day; donations can also be made via ParentPay this year. Please look out for this on your child’s account.
Book Week Scotland 17th – 21st November - Read, Write Count and Book Club
Book bags will be distributed the week commencing Monday 17th November for children in P1, P2 and P3.
Scholastic Book Fair
We will have a Scholastic Book Fair in school on Thursday 20th November as part of Book Week Scotland. Further information will be communicated nearer the time but there will be an opportunity for you to come into school and browse the books that are for sale, as well as different open events linked to reading during that week.
ELC and Primary 1 Enrolment Week
Monday 17th November – Friday 21st November - Session 2026/2027
Enrolment week for ELC, Primary 1, Placement Requests and deferred entry to Primary 1. Communication is being published by Scottish Borders Council and will be distributed to parents/carers.
The link for enrolment and further information is: School and nursery places – Scottish Borders Council. Please do not apply for a place in the 2026/2027 session before enrolment week or the application will be rejected.
If you wish to visit our school or know someone who has a child ready to start school for next session, please encourage them to contact the school office on 018907 81350 or email the school to arrange a visit. Thank you.
PFA Christmas Raffle
Our PFA will be holding a Christmas raffle at one of our Christmas shows next month. The PFA along with children in P6/7 have been working hard to bring you some great prizes. Information on tickets and pricing will follow soon along with dates for the whole school Christmas show.
P1 and P7 Dental Screening
Children in P1 and P7 will be visited by the NHS dental health team on Tuesday 11th November. Letters have already been issued to all P1 and P7 parents with details of how to let the NHS dental health team know if you do not want your child to take part in the screening.
St Andrew’s Day
On Friday 28th November children can wear something tartan with their school uniform to celebrate St Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland if they wish.
St Andrew’s Day – Holiday and Local Eyemouth Learning Community holiday
School will be closed to pupils and staff on Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd December.
Ayton PFA
The Parent Friends Association of Ayton Primary School met on Tuesday 28th October.
Office Bearers for the school session ahead are:
- Mrs Joanna Waddell, Chairperson
- Mrs Laura Cooksey, Vice Chairperson
- Mr Toby Foster, Treasurer
- Mrs Katie Aitchison, Secretary
Many thanks to everyone who attended and continues to contribute the valuable work of the PFA. A special mention and thanks to Mrs Louise Birkett who has stepped down in her position of secretary.
The PFA will next meet on Tuesday 18th November 8:00-8:45pm on Teams. Please email the PFA or the school mailbox if you wish to be added to the mailing list for this meeting. Thank you.
Dates for your diary
- Monday 3rd November: Curriculum Overviews will be issued
- Monday 3rd November: Poppy collection starts today
- Monday 3rd November : School photographer in school to take individual, sibling and class photographs
- Wednesday 5th November : NHS Flu Vaccinations for children in P1-P7
- Friday 14th November: BBC Children in Need Day
- Tuesday 11th November: P1 and P7 Dental health screening
- Monday 17th to Friday 21st November: Book Week Scotland
- Monday 17th to Friday 21st November: Enrolment week for ELC, Primary 1, Placement requests and deferred entry to Primary 1
- Tuesday 18th November: PFA Meeting 8:00pm on Teams
- Friday 22nd November: Primary 7 residential payment due today
- Friday 28th November: St Andrews Day – children can wear something tartan with their uniform
- Monday 1st December: School closed – St Andrews Day holiday
- Tuesday 2nd December: School closed – Eyemouth Learning Community casual holiday.
- Friday 19th December: Last day of term for Christmas holidays
- Monday 5th January 2026: School open to all staff and pupils