As we come to the end of our first term I would like to share how proud I am of our Trinity Learners and school community. It is a true privilege to be the HeadTeacher of such a great team. Whilst there is no doubt that the last few weeks and months have seen us face many challenges, this week has seen us manage a particularly high number of staff absences, we are continuing to face whatever comes our way with perseverance, respect and kindness.
COVID update
For the moment restrictions as to how we operate in school continue although I am hopeful that these will ease throughout next term. With 2m distancing between adults remaining in place we are unable to use our dining hall so children have eaten outside or in classrooms. After the October break all lunches will be eaten indoors. We have seen several cases in school, both of staff and of pupils, and I hope that the October holiday week proves to be ‘negative’ for everyone.
Care4Calais
Thank you so much for the amazing response to our appeal for items for Care4Calais. Unfortunately the charity now find themselves in the position of being unable to accept any donations. We have contacted LIFT (a local charity who support families on a low income) and they will be delighted to accept what we have collected. I hope that this is acceptable to you all.
Fairtrade Tuck Shop
It is great to have our Fairtrade Tuck Shop up and running again. The tuck shop will run fortnightly : Wednesday for those pupils who enter by the front gate and Thursday for those who enter by the back gate. Apologies for a miscommunication this week regarding this. Our next tuck shops will be on Wed 3rd and Thurs 4th November.
Playground
Many of you will be aware that work is currently taking place on the mound to repair parts that have deteriorated through wear and tear. Hopefully the area will be open and ready for action after the holidays. We are also hopeful that work to start our outdoor library will also start soon.
Rainbow School
This week has seen our P6 and P7 leaders of learning group take part in their first learning visits to other classes. They spoke to children about what they were learning and wrote a brief report. See below for a couple of extracts.
‘P5H were learning about chemical reactions in science. They had to clearly label the equipment and explain it in their jotters……….. They liked how the science includes food and drinks………. A few groups also mentioned that a good lesson is a lesson which is fun.’ Georgina, Emily, Lucee
‘The P2s were very excited to tell us about what they were learning……… Charlotte told us she liked using the counting on strategy………….it is all quite active so they are not just sitting at a desk and doing a worksheet. We think it is all very interesting and is an example of a great lesson.’ Phoebe, Meg
Today we have had an emotional goodbye to Mrs Martin. The comments and wishes from everyone show exactly how much she is thought of. We wish her every success at Blackhall.
I hope you all have an enjoyable October break and look forward to welcoming back all our learners on Tues Oct 26th ready for Halloween fun on Friday Oct 29th!
I have been made aware of some discontent amongst some of our learners and their families regarding the Christmas Card design. I have to take full responsibility for this as I asked staff to plan the content in the hope of ensuring a high quality end product from everyone. Possibly a bit too controlling and not in line with our value of creativity! The past has seen designs falling outwith the border, incorrect spelling, some of our learners unable to think what to draw and the card being unfinished etc. With this being one of our main fundraising opportunities quality control was a top priority. As I am sure you will appreciate for some learners a very clear structure allows them success whereas others welcome the chance to show their own artistic ability. To this end all of our P7s and P6s are very welcome to take home a design template to complete over the weekend. All that is asked is that it is returned to school by Tues Oct 12th.
Having seen some of the finished designs I think they look fabulous. Hopefully, whatever design your child chooses to submit will make them and you feel proud!
I hope you are all well. It is so lovely to see the sun shining again after the rain we have experienced. In true Trinity fashion we have continued to have our learners outside – as the saying goes ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes’. With that in mind please do make sure that your child comes to school with a suitable jacket and outdoor footwear. As well as knowing that fresh air has benefits for our wellbeing we are also continuing to ensure that our school is well ventilated in line with COVID guidance. Time outdoors allows us to manage this.
Learning @ Trinity
As you know our values at Trinity are Creativity, Perseverance, Kindness and Respect. This term we are seeing what might be an effect of the last 18 months on some of our learners. In simple terms there is an increase in the number of children who do not respond positively to being asked not to do something (we are having to be firm in saying that no means no), we are seeing an increase in children who will argue back and who can come across as being quite rude as well as some of our learners being unable to see the other side of a situation and accept their part in it. These last months have been tough on everyone, not least our children, and I am confident that together we can work through this. Please do not think this is pertinent to everyone at school but as part of our learning about respect we will be focussing on these aspects and ensuring that we have high expectations regarding behaviour. We are very much in a partnership with parents and carers and value the support that you give us. It is always helpful if you can take a few moments to chat to your own child about how they behave and what you expect from them.
Respect and Kindness go a long way!
Office and staffing update
As you are aware Katie Berry, our front of office clerical assistant, has now started her career break. Interviews for her post will take place tomorrow. In the meantime we will be operating a ‘reduced office service’. Please bear with us. We have a rota of very competent P7 learners who will assist Mrs Boath first thing in the morning. It is extremely helpful if everyone comes to school at the correct time, using the correct gate and with everything that they need – thank you. Being late, even by a few minutes, is disruptive to learning for everyone.
The office will be closed from 1.00pm each day to allow Mrs Boath to undertake her own job.
The fact that school has operated fairly normally this term and nearly all our learners are settled and progressing well is testament to the commitment, flexibility and professionalism of all our Trinity community as we have not had our full staff complement in school since the INSET day of Aug 16th. We are ever hopeful that next term will be a lot more settled but continue to ask for your understanding with this.
Start and end times to the day
We are hoping to make adjustments to the start and end times of the school day in the not too distant future. Unfortunately we do not yet have a specific date for these changes to happen as we are awaiting updated guidance from the Scottish Government. To allow you to consider what impact the changes may have please see below for the proposed times :
There will be NO change for P1 and P2. 9.00am – 3.00pm (Mon – Thurs) and 9.00am – 12noon (Fri) This allows for 22.5hrs of teacher contact.
P3 – P7 : move to 8.45am – 3.10pm (Mon – Thurs) and 8.45am – 12noon (Fri). This allows for 25hrs of teacher contact.
These times have been agreed taking into account the consultation with parents, carers and staff (survey in June). Whilst there will still be a ‘gap of time’ between P1 and P2 and the rest of the school we have managed to reduce the gap to 15mins in the morning, to 10mins at the end of the day and to no gap on a Friday lunchtime.
Uniform sale and lost property
Weather permitting preloved uniform will be available at the back gate tomorrow morning (Thurs 7th Oct). Please do take a moment to have a look as there are so many items looking for a new home. We simply ask for a donation to be made to school funds. The amount of lost property in school is unbelievable. If items are named they will make their way back to their owners. With no name this is impossible to do so items are washed and placed in the preloved uniform boxes. There are nearly brand new cardigans, sweatshirts etc.
Halloween
Everyone is welcome to come dressed up for Halloween on Friday October 29th. This is always a particularly fun day for all our learners and there will be Halloween activities to enjoy. Please look out for information about a fundraising opportunity from our TPSA.
Friday October 15th – non uniform day
School closes for the October holiday at the usual time on Friday October 15th. As it is the last day of term it is a non uniform day if your child wishes to dress up or down. It will also be Mrs Martin’s last day at Trinity as she takes up the post of Acting HT at Blackhall. Having been a part of Trinity for 21 years we’re gearing up for a bit of an emotional goodbye!
We are hoping for donations for a charity called Care4Calais which helps refugees. We have extended our deadline for handing in donations until Fri Oct 8th.
The items desperately needed are mens’ and boys’ jackets, jogging bottoms / jeans (26 – 34 inch waist), new boxer shorts, socks, hats, gloves, hoodies, jumpers, bin bags and toiletries (soap, toothpaste, shaving foam, shampoo).
The following food items would also be much appreciated
Dried fruit and nuts
UHT Milk
Sugar
Coffee
Tinned food
Cooking Oil
Black and Green Tea
Long Life Fruit Juice
Red Lentils
Please do not donate toys. It is very helpful if clothes can be folded.
Please help us to lend a helping hand.
Thank you
Reuben, Matilda, Freya, Chiara, Shae, Adam, Mya and Sara (house captains)
Thanks
Jacqueline Scott | Head Teacher | Trinity Primary School
I hope that the weekend went well for you all. It is incredible to think we are nearly in October although the change in the weather today certainly seems more Autumnal.
I do apologise for the length of this email. There is lots to share! Please persevere and read on for some news from Trinity.
Care4Calais – message from our House Captains
We are hoping for donations until Mon Oct 4th for a charity called Care4Calais which helps refugees. The items desperately needed are mens’ and boys’ jackets, jogging bottoms / jeans (26 – 34 inch waist), new boxer shorts, socks, hats, gloves, hoodies, jumpers, bin bags and toiletries (soap, toothpaste, shaving foam, shampoo). The following food items would also be much appreciated – dried fruit, nuts, UHT milk, sugar, biscuits, coffee, tea and tinned food. Please do not donate toys. It is very helpful if clothes can be folded. Please help us to lend a helping hand.
Thank you
Reuben, Matilda, Freya, Chiara, Shae, Adam, Mya and Sara (house captains)
Rainbow School
This year sees us developing our idea of Trinity as a Rainbow School. Over the next few weeks we will be adding a Rainbow School tab to our website but in the meantime here is a brief overview of what Rainbow School means to us.
7 colours = 7 commitments
Red Equalities and Diversity
Orange Outdoor Learning
Yellow Leaders of Learning
Green Sustainability
Blue Global Citizens
Indigo Health & Wellbeing
Violet Trinity Together
Each year group will take responsibility for Rainbow School at a certain time in the year and undertake learning and activities from each commitment. They will also share core picture books relating to each theme. Learning is being recorded in our Rainbow School scrapbook.
P5 have taken the lead on this so far and have done an amazing job. Here is just a flavour of some of their learning :
Road Safety – on Friday we had a group holding up signs on Newhaven Road ‘telling’ people not to park on the zig zag lines. They’re not asking but telling!
Relaunch of Fruity Friday – help us reach 100% by providing fruit (or vegetables) for snack on a Friday
Litter and recycling collection around school
Tidying the secret garden
Collecting learning from each class to display on our Learning wall
Celebrating Toasted Marshmallow day
Relaunching our Fairtrade Tuck Shop – Wed 29th (front playground for P5, P6M, P4 and P2 from 8.30am) and Thurs 30th Sept (back playground for P7, P6J, P3 and P1 from 8.30am)
Sorting donated uniform items and planning a recycled uniform sale
A message from P5
Dear Parents/Carers,
We are P5 and are currently in charge of the Rainbow School. We are part of the Sustainability Group. P5 are asking if people could kindly continue to donate good quality school clothes so we can recycle them. Our first uniform sale will take place from 8.30am on Friday 1st October in the grass area at the back gate.
Thanks for taking time to read this email.
Best wishes,
Rainbow School P5 Sustainability Group
Making and sharing a kindness boomerang film, a litter film and a film explaining Rainbow school – these will all be available soon on the website
A huge thank you to everyone in P5.
Christmas / Winter Cards etc : fundraising
Over the next two weeks the children will be creating a Winter / Christmas design. The design will be printed onto cards and families given the opportunity to purchase packs of cards, tea towels, mugs etc showing the design. All profits will go towards school funds. The sample card should be in school bags in the week of Oct 25th to allow plenty of time for ordering.
Change to holiday dates
Please note that in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Monday holiday scheduled for 23rd May 2022 has been moved to Thurs 2nd June and an additional holiday, Fri 3rd June 2022, has been agreed. This was approved by the City of Edinburgh council last week and will be updated on the council website.
Staffing update
As you know Mrs Martin will be leaving Trinity to take up the post of Acting HT at Blackhall. Mrs Martin’s last day with us will be Friday Oct 15th. She will be a great miss. I am delighted however that Mrs Cheryl Berthinussen will be returning from maternity leave from Mon Oct 25th. It will be great to have Cheryl back on the Trinity team. We are in the process of appointing an Acting DHT to replace Mrs Martin.
We have recently appointed three new PSAs to join our team. I am hoping they will be with us after the Oct holiday.
We continue to experience higher rates of staff absence than is our norm and whilst we are trying to ensure continuity please do bear with us if your child is supported / taught by different staff or if support groups are unable to take place.
School lunches message from catering services:
Due to current national supply chain issues, we may need to change our menus at short notice as we adapt to the changing situation. As you may be aware from the national media there is currently a shortage of HGV drivers, this in some cases may result in product substitutions. We are working closely with our catering suppliers to mitigate disruption and our catering teams are working to adapt menus at a local level based on product availability. Pupils with special diets will continue to be catered for, however menus may differ from that on ParentPay. In addition, COVID is having an impact within our catering team resources, in some isolated cases we are having to deliver a packed lunch service offering, our teams are working incredibly hard to provide the best service possible during unprecedented times, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Amazing Acts of Kindness
Please see below for a link to a fundraising page set up by one of our parents. Despite continuing to undergo treatment and managing the side effects, she has already raised over £10,000 through carrying out acts of kindness. She is an inspiration to us all.
The restrictions put in place at the beginning of the term remain in place. We have seen several positive cases at Trinity, including staff members, and ask that everyone continues to adhere to the following :
No parents or carers in the playground or school building unless specifically invited
Face coverings worn when dropping off or picking up pupils
Arriving at the correct time at the start and end of the school day
Keep children at home if displaying any of the symptoms of COVID and book a PCR test
Working together, I hope we can keep everyone safe
General reminders :
Mobile phones – many of our learners bring mobile phones to school. Whilst we understand why this is necessary for some of our children, phones must be switched off when in school and left in school bags. We are not able to take responsibility for any phones that may get damaged or lost.
Communication – please use the admin email address (admin@trinity-pri.edin.sch.uk) when communicating with school. All emails will be directed to the person best suited to respond.
Toys – we ask that children do not bring toys from home to school. These can be distracting in class and if they get lost or broken can cause a lot of upset!
Thank you
Dates for your diary :
Sept :
Wed 29th : Fairtrade tuck shop – front playground from 8.30am
Thurs 30th : Fairtrade tuck shop – back playground from 8.30am
Oct :
Fri 1st : Uniform sale – back playground from 8.30am
Tues 5th : TPSA mtg (virtual) at 7.00pm
Mon 4th : Donations for Care4Calais – can be brought in up to this date
Tues 12th : Parent Council mtg at 7.30pm
Fri 15th : Non uniform day
Mon 25th : INSET – school closed to pupils
Tues 26th : Pupils return
Fri 29th : Halloween in school. Children are welcome to wear Halloween costumes.
We had so hoped that by now we would be able to welcome parents and carers into school to share learning and enjoy a coffee or tea and a catch up. It still seems quite unbelievable that our last family events were house coffee mornings in January 2020. They do say that patience is a virtue! Here’s hoping it won’t be too long before we can ‘open’ our doors properly. In the meantime thank you again for your continued support and understanding.
