Dear Parents and Carers

I hope that you are all well and managing to remain upbeat.   I do believe that whilst the tunnel does seem, at times,  to keep growing in length the light at the end is finally getting closer.   As is said in early November I honestly cannot believe how quickly time has passed.  Little did we think in March that we would still be living with restrictions.  Please accept my apologies for the lack of communication over the past couple of weeks. I realise I started to write this news update on Mon 9^th Nov and never completed it.   Life at Trinity is going well and we are looking forward to Festive Fun starting from Monday (calendar below).   Whilst things are not quite as normal there will be no shortage of fun – in many ways much needed at the moment.   Thanks to a very generous donation from our Parent Council, TPSA, local toddler group and the profit from the sales of Christmas cards, mugs etc we are able to have a NO COST to families Trinity Christmas.  Please do persevere and read on for various bits of school news and for our Christmas calendar

Parking 

Unfortunately a small number of parents and carers are putting all our children at risk by parking illegally and using staff car parks.    Despite asking parents and carers not to do this it is still going on.

We ask again that you DO NOT

• Enter the staff car park or park across the entrance
• Park, even for a minute, on the zig zag lines
• Use the car park for Trinity Academy staff

Please help to keep everyone safe.

Lateness

Being on time is a skill that needs to be taught.  Unfortunately we have a cohort of persistent latecomers to school.  Being late is disruptive not only to your own child’s learning but also to the learning of their class.

P5, P6 and P7 must be at the school gates for 8.30am

P3 and P4 must be at the school gates for 8.45am

P1 and P2 must be at the school gates for 9.00am

With COVID restrictions in place being on time every day is particularly important and is much appreciated.  Any latecomers must go to the front gate on Newhaven Road and phone the school office to be allowed entry.

Staffing update

There is a saying that ‘in education the only constant is change’.   This is certainly true of staffing at Trinity with five members of staff either on, or going on maternity leave, a staff member being promoted, another taking a career break and, unfortunately, some staff currently unwell.  We wish them all either good luck or a very speedy recovery.

To this end, following successful interviews, we have now appointed the following staff : 

• We’re delighted to welcome Aimi Armstrong, PT, to the post of Acting DHT whilst Cheryl Berthinussen is on maternity leave.  We are eagerly awaiting the news of the birth of Baby Berthinussen.

• Paul Bruce will join the P7 team
• Kirsty Trail will join the P6 team – we wish Cara Gordon all the best as she goes on a career break commencing Friday Nov 27th
• Sam Bell will join the P4 team and will provide maternity cover for Katie Lamb who is expecting twins

Claire Campbell will start maternity leave on Fri Nov 27^th.  We look forward to ‘meeting’ Baby Campbell in the not too distant future.

We are in the process of appointing a PSA to provide maternity cover for Ewa Bryla who will be going on maternity leave in early January.

Reporting to parents and carers

Many of you will have now received a profile and a phone call giving you some information regarding the progress your child is making.  Please bear with us if you are still to receive this.  All parents and carers will be contacted before the Christmas break. 

When do I need to isolate?

Please remember that children should not come to school whilst a member of their family is awaiting the results of a COVID test.  If the test is negative children are able to return immediately.  If the test is positive for another family member children need to isolate as directed by Health Protection Scotland.

Please do let us know if your child is displaying any of the symptoms of COVID and is being tested.

We continue to have had only one positive case in our school which is very reassuring.  The numbers across Edinburgh schools, as a whole, are relatively low.  Being careful and all playing our part certainly seems to be paying off.

Support

These last few months have seen many families face financial hardship that they could not have anticipated.  Whilst we are aware of some of our families who need a bit of support at the moment we are concerned that there may be others who would welcome clothing or food support.  Please do get in touch with us if we can help in any way.  There are several groups in our area with funding to support this.  Everyone has a time in their lives when they need a bit of a help and we are all in this together.

NO COST to families Christmas at Trinity – get those Christmas jumpers looked out!

So what festive fun is going to be happening?  

Winter poem displays – look out for a virtual tour

Christmas T shirt decorating – Mon 30^th Nov

Outdoor art gallery – pop along to see our Christmas panels on the railings at the front of school (from Mon 14^th Dec)

Christmas storytelling – from Tues Dec 1^st

Reverse advent calendar – from Tues Dec 1st

As we have done in the past we will operate a reverse advent calendar with families donating instead of getting!  This year we will supporting Steps to Hope.  £2 more than covers the cost of a three course meal.  Each class will get an ‘advent calendar’ of envelopes which the children can add any money donations to each day.

You’ve been Christmas Crackered!

Santa city hopping – this replaces our Santa fun

Silent disco (yay!!!) – week of 7^th Dec

Story and a satsuma – move over Book and a Biscuit as classes join with others across school to hear a story and eat a satsuma

‘White’ – theatre visit (online) for P1 and P2 : Tues 8^th Dec – look out for more details

Christmas Picnic (lunch) – Thurs Dec 10th.  All orders must be made on Parentpay.  A chance to Picnic, Party and Play!

Christmas parties – week of Dec 14^th.  More information will follow from class teachers

PJs and a Movie – Wed Dec 16^th.   No need to get dressed , children and staff are welcome to simply come to school in pyjamas ready to watch a film!

Christmas Star Time – Fri 18^th Dec

P1 Nativity – online premiere on Fri Dec 18^th.   More information will follow shortly.  

Christmas service –  Our online Christmas service will be shared with parents and carers on Mon 21^st Dec 

Tues Dec 22^nd :  Christmas holidays begin.  We are still awaiting confirmation regarding the time for school to finish.

Keeping everyone’s spirits up is really important at the moment and I am hoping that our Festive Fun activities will do exactly that.  

Thank you, as always, for your support, understanding and kind words.   I am so proud to be part of such an amazing school community.

Best wishes

Jacqueline Scott

HeadTeacher