Dear Parents and Carers

I hope that this news update finds you well and able to enjoy the start of some Springtime weather.   It has been great having our P1 – P3 learners back in school and we are looking forward to having the date confirmed for the return of P4 – P7.  This lockdown seems, in some ways, tougher than the last one but, with perseverance and continuing kindness, we are getting there.   The opening of the school gates on Mon 22^nd saw our younger learners quite literally come flooding in, full of smiles and enthusiasm.  They have settled back into school, taking their new routines in their stride and showing us again how resilient and confident they are.

Please see below for several pieces of information :

COVID update :

In line with council guidance all parents and carers are expected to wear face coverings (unless exempt) when collecting pupils from the school playground.  We are also asking for these to be worn beyond the school gates when lining up in the park or on Newhaven Road.  Minimising the chances for any infection to be transmitted will allow us to keep schools open and we all have a part to play in this.  Staff now have access to lateral flow tests and we continue to distance adult to adult and ensure strict hand washing is in place.  Any child showing symptoms of COVID – 19 must remain at home and a test must be booked.  Your support is much appreciated.

Reporting to parents and carers :

From now to June you will receive both a written profile and a phone conversation to share your child’s progress.   Unfortunately continuing restrictions mean we ae unable to meet face to face.  Please look out for information from your child’s own teacher explaining when these will happen – some phone calls have already started.   If you wish to contact your child’s class teacher we ask that this is done through the admin email account on admin@trinity-pri.edin.sch.uk

Outdoor learning :

This week seems some of our learners helping to tidy the playground in preparation for everyone being back in school.  We have a couple of bikes and scooters that have remained untouched for weeks at the bike racks.  Please ensure that you remove your child’s bike / scooter at the end of each day.  Those unclaimed will be removed.

Huge thanks to Moira at our After School Club who has applied for, and been successful in securing, funding for our deluxe rabbit hutch and run.  Our aim is to introduce our Trinity rabbits in August. 

Reminder :  Dogs are not allowed in the playground

Road safety:

I have been contacted by a concerned local resident who has noticed parents and children standing in the middle of the road in Dudley Bank whilst children play around them.  Whilst Dudley Bank is a cul-de-sac it is still accessed by vehicles and the resident is worried that an accident may happen.

Equalities and Diversity :

Along with all other schools in Edinburgh we are working hard to improve all equalities issues.  Our School Renewal Plan sets out the actions we expect to achieve this session. They include better ways of tackling racist incidents and reviewing our curriculum.  One of the most important actions is to improve pupil voice in this area.  Our Pupil Equalities Coordinators will be leading this work.  They, and our staff Equalities Coordinator, Aimi Armstrong, will be in touch soon to ask for your support.  If you are interested in getting more involved, a city-wide Staff Reference Group for Equalities has been formed and you would be very welcome to join.  Please contact Annemarie.Procter@ea.edin.sch.uk to find out more.

Weeks ahead :

I hope those of you able to join our online House Coffee Mornings enjoyed them.  It was really encouraging to see so many of you – thank you very much for ‘coming along’.  As we move into the last few months of the school year we are looking to see how we can make other school events COVID friendly as I think it is unlikely that current restrictions will be lifted.   I’m sure we will be able to think creatively although I am SO hoping that next school year we will be able to bring everyone together.   Fingers crossed our school picnic in June 2022 will be one to remember for all the right reasons.

Whilst there are things we have missed and procedures we have found challenging,  it is also good to look at what has worked well.  Staff will be undertaking an evaluation of the year in the weeks ahead and we will be issuing a survey to parents and carers to ask for your views.  Please look out for this.

We are also starting the process of organising classes and staffing for August 2021.  If your child will not be returning to Trinity for next session please let us know as soon as possible.

Thank you once again for all that you are doing to support your children.  We continue to be together in all of this so please do not hesitate to get in touch and we will try to help in any way we can.  Let’s take a bit of time to congratulate ourselves on all that we have achieved since March 2020 and to look forward to the next 12 months with hope and optimism.  

See you soon

Jacqueline Scott