Highlights 2022/23

Welcome back for the new academic year.

Term 1

All pupils came back on the 23rd August after a lovely 7 week break. The new P1s joined us too and they were so grown up and ready to learn. They started with 1/2 days for the first 2 weeks. Then on Friday, 2nd September the P1s invited their parents/carers to come into school to have lunch with them. There was a super turn out.

An officer from the SSPCA came to visit the school and talked to both classes. Pupils and parents/carers had been very generous in donating food stuff for cats, dogs, hamsters, and rabbits and other useful items, which the SSPCA can use at Drumoak. The SSPCA Officer thanks you very much.

I am sad to report that the country has been in a period of mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Thursday, 8th September 2022 at Balmoral Castle.  To allow for a state funeral for Her Majesty The Queen, and to thank her for her service to the country, Monday, 19th September was designated a holiday. 

P1/2/3/4 are currently undertaking a Topic entitled “Our Community”. As such they have lots of events scheduled for this term. They are going:

Tuesday, 13th September – to visit the Church and meet with Rev Amy for a tour and a history lesson about the church.

Monday, 26th September – to meet Toni, BCT, to go for a walk to look at the flora and fauna of the area.

Wednesday, 28th September – to visit the Finzean Farm Shop to see the mobile Post Office in operation.

Monday, 3rd October – going to the School Woods to map out the woods.

This term, the homework has been related to the topic.

P1/2/3/4 and P4/5/6/7 are participating in a trip to the Saw and Bucket Mills at Finzean:

Thursday 15th September – before going to the Mills, we are delighted that on Thursday, 15th September 2022, Ms Loftus, BCT, will run an information session for each class, on the importance of the Bucket and Saw Mills in history.  This will help the pupils to understand how the mills worked and will make the site visit more meaningful for them.

Friday 16th September – the SPAB, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, working party are holding a volunteer work party at the Sawmill, Turning Mill and Bucket Mill, from the 14th to 18th September.  We were delighted that we were invited to have a site visit to the Bucket and Saw Mills to see the traditional craftspeople at work.  Both classes will go on the site visit on Friday 16th September.  

P4/5/6/7:

Had a rugby session with Deeside Rugby on the 9th September and are having another 2 sessions – 30 September and one in October.

P4/5/6/7 are the Enterprise Committee, and as such they are running the MacMillan Coffee Afternoon on the 30th September.

Term 2

P1/2/3/4 made a guy. Thank you to the parents who dropped off straw and a boiler suit so he was a lot taller this year.

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Art Competition

We were delighted to hear that Robert (P6) was one of the winning artists for the 2022 GWCT Art Competition. As a result he, and members of his family, were invited to attend Fingask Castle, on the 4th December 2022.  He received a Certificate of Commendation . and had a great day out. Well done Robert – we are all really proud of you.

 

Monday, 5th December

We had a great Open Afternoon where pupils led the learning. Parents/carers, friends and family members came into school to see their work. Lots of great learning was on show. Well done everyone.

Thereafter everyone was invited to stay for tea/coffee and cake in the gym hall. Thank you for the great feedback on how the school is doing (Q1 what are we doing well and Q2 what could we do to improve the school). We really appreciate it.

Parents/carers were introduced to the proposed Curriculum Rationale. This was also submitted to the Parent Council at their meeting on the 6th December and put out to consultation until the 23rd December.

Thursday 8th December and Wednesday 14th December 2022 are snow days – both the school and the nursery have to close due to the weather and the road conditions.

View from the Head Teacher’s office – quite wintry here today – Tuesday, 13th.

Finzean School and Ballogie Nursery are closed due to adverse weather and road conditions:

Thursday, 8th December

Wednesday, 14th December

Work for P1/2/3/4, P4/5/6/7 and the Nursery have been uploaded to parents via Groupcall

Thursday, 15th December

Work for P1/2/3/4 has been uploaded to parents via Groupcall

Work for P4/5/6/7 has been uploaded via Google Classroom

Term 3

We have been busy here too.

Parents and Carers were invited to the Open Afternoon to see their child’s learning. Added to this, the P7s ran a coffee/tea and cake Cafe and raised over £86.00 towards the cost of their Hoodies. Well done P7s.

We had our usual Easter Egg and Easter Bonnet competition before the Easter Holidays. We had some great entries.

Term 4

The P7s along with their Class Teacher, went to Nethybridge for their Residential Trip from the 24th to the 28th April 2023. They had a great time.

Going to the Academy can be a daunting time, so the P7s are given 4 Transition Days to go to the Academy to acquaint themselves with the building and the staff. The P7s had their first day at the Academy on the 11th May and they have come back excited. Which is really good news.