UN at 70 P4-7 Assembly 30.10.15

UN at 70 P4-7 Assembly 30.10.15 from SciennesPS

Sciennes continued our journey to becoming a Rights Respecting School at P4-7 Assembly on Friday 30th October. Mr Howie explained that many of the UNESCO landmark sites around the world, including Edinburgh Castle, were lit up by blue lights last weekend to mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. (Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is also 70 this year.) Mr Howie explained the background to the United Nations and Unicef and why they were set up. 193 countries have signed the United Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) but Mr Howie asked our pupils if they believed that all children actually have these rights around the world. He then asked our pupils how they felt about not all children having their rights and to think about what they could do.

The Sciennes community has already taken action to support some Syrian refugee children to have their right to play by fundraising for the P3 Harvest Appeal. £2100 has been raised to fund seven playgrounds in refugee camps and Mr Howie asked everyone to think about what else we could do to help children have their rights locally and globally.

Our House Assemblies on 20th November will mark Universal Children's Day, on the anniversary of the UNCRC, and Sciennes is taking part in the annual Unicef OutRight campaign. OutRight empowers children and young people to play a role in the realisation of their rights and to speak out in support of all children’s rights. This year OutRight will focus on children’s rights in humanitarian emergencies – empowering children to speak out and share their views on protecting children affected by these crises.

Our P7 Sports Captains did a wonderful job of celebrating this week's achievements.

Our first week of using the new wildlife/nature playground area has been a great success and pupils were asked to pass on their suggestions for a name for the area to their Pupil Council rep. We look forward to the offical opening ceremony of our new playground on Saturday 31st October 11.00am-12.30pm.

Article 42 All adults and children should know about the UNCRC
Article 31 The right to play

Official Opening Ceremony for Playground

Families are warmly invited to Sciennes' Official Opening Ceremony of our new playground on Saturday 31st October 11am - 12.30pm.

The School Streets Pilot at Sciennes

Why School Streets?

City of Edinburgh Council is introducing 'School Streets' at a number of primary schools across Edinburgh, including Sciennes Primary School, for an initial period of eighteen months. These locations have been experiencing ongoing road safety issues caused by drivers bringing their vehicles too close to the school gate.


The benefits of introducing school streets are that:
    •    walking, cycling and active lifestyles for pupils and parents will increase 

    •    traffic speed, congestion and pollution around school gates will reduce 

    •    we are responding to a demand from parents and residents.

How will it operate? 



Vehicles will not be able to drive in, out or around the school streets when the scheme is in operation. Large signs will be at the entrance to the scheme and they will have flashing lights to indicate when the scheme is in operation. Only those with permits will be exempt from the closure. 


Which streets will be closed and at what times?
Streets affected:
 

Livingstone Place


Sciennes Road (between Sylvan Place and Tantallon Place)


Times
: 

8.35am to 9.00am and 2.40pm to 3.30pm Monday to Thurs
day

8.35am to 9.00am and 11.55am to 12.20pm Friday


I am a resident of a school street. Can I drive in and out of my street when the signs are flashing?
Yes – local residents living within the streets that are closed should apply for a permit that must be displayed on the car windscreen. Residents who live in the School Streets zone will receive a letter from the Council giving advice on how to apply and further information is also available on the Council website. If your household has more than one car you should apply for one for each car. Please note this only applies to those living at the address and not visitors.


What other road users are permitted in the street?
Disabled users displaying a blue badge will be permitted as well as emergency services and contract school transport dropping or picking up pupils from the school.


Who will enforce school streets?
The scheme will be enforced by Police Scotland. The penalty for ignoring the signs will be a fine.


Where can I find out more?
Please go to www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolstreets or email schoolstreets@edinburgh.gov.uk

Warm, Waterpoof Jacket Time!

Today marks the end of British Summer Time. We really appreciate your support in ensuring all pupils wear warm, waterproof jackets with hoods. Later in the term our P6 Junior Road Safety Officers will be offering advice at Road Safety Assemblies on how to 'Be Bright and Be Seen'.

Thank you

Clocks Back One Hour

Reminder – Upcoming Sciennes Parent Council Meeting

Calling all parents! The next meeting of the Sciennes Parent Council is coming up quickly. Please join us Thursday 29 October, 2015, room 16. All are welcome.
If there is something you’d like added to the agenda, email sciennesparentcouncil@gmail.com
See you there!

Sciennes Parent Council

Playing Out Meeting: 10-11.30am, Tues 27 Oct at Newington Library

'Playing Out' is an initiative which currently operates in several cities in England - local councils have developed Temporary Traffic Orders which enable local residents to apply for permission to close their streets to traffic (eg - one afternoon a month) to encourage children outdoors to play all together without having to worry about traffic.

City of Edinburgh Council have been exploring this initiative and looking at ways of taking it forward. In South Edinburgh a number of local residents have started to discuss what it could look like / how it could work.  If you are interested in hearing more about or would like to get involved please come along to an open meeting at Newington Library which is taking place on Tues 27 Oct, 10-11.30am.

There is a Facebook page: Edinburgh Playing Out and a Twitter feed: @Edinplayingout

If you are a Facebook user it would be helpful if you could indicate if you plan on attending the meeting - or feel free to just turn up.

More info about the scheme in England can be found at www.playingout.net

P4-7 One World Week Assembly 25.10.15

On Friday 25th October at P4-7 Assembly we marked One World Week by sharing how our P3 pupils have successfully led a whole school project with Mercy Corps to change 'Hope into Action.'

Sciennes P4-7 One World Week Assembly 25.10.15 from SciennesPS

To date, the P3 Harvest Appeal has raised a fantastic £2100 which will provide SEVEN PLAYGROUNDS in Syrian refugee camps.

Together, we thought about Article 31: All children have a right to play and thanked everyone for their generous donations.



We looked forward to the opening of our new wildlife garden/corridor/strip on Monday 26th October and have asked pupils to give us their ideas for a name for this exciting new area for outdoor learning which will be available between 12.50pm and 1.15pm Monday to Thursday. Only one gate will be used with the adults who will escort and supervise and pupils were reminded that they must visit the toilet before going across.

We will officially open Sciennes' Playground with a ceremony on Saturday 31st October 11.00am - 12.30pm.

The Eco Group gave a presentation about their House Pine Cone competition. They weighed all the collections from each class and announced that Lauder is the winning House. Lauder will have an extra playtime as a reward for all their efforts in collecting cones for the new playground area.

Mr Howie explained the significance of our Poppy Appeal. Donations will be accepted for poppies from next week. P7 pupils will man a stall outside the Hall in the morning and at breaks.

Everyone was introduced to our new P7 House and Sports Captains. They take on these roles alongside the rest of our P7 leaders who are all Prefects within school.

Grange – Lewis, Lily, Chiara, Yash

Lauder – Joanne, Saul, Archie, Lena

Sienna – Ammar, Esther, Milenka, Luke,  

Tantallon – Holly, Shawn, Rose, Matthew C

P1 Enrolment Day Thurs 12th November 2015

P1 enrolment for catchment pupils due to start P1 in August 2016 will take place on THURSDAY 12th NOVEMBER 9am-11.30am and 2.00pm- 3.30pm. 

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20074/schools/388/school_places/3

http://sciennesenrol.blogspot.co.uk 

If you live in catchment and your child is 4 years old by 28^th February 2015 and due to start school in August 2016, please come along on Thursday 12^th November 2015, 9.00 – 11.30am or 2.00 – 3.30pm to complete an enrolment form.

Please bring the following with you: 

• Child’s birth certificate

• Name, address and telephone number of doctor

• Council Tax payment book or Council Tax letter

• a current utility bill (in your name)

• Names, addresses and telephone number of three emergency contacts. 

N.B. these are the ONLY accepted forms of proof.

Please feel free to bring your child but this is not essential if s/he is attending nursery. There will be transition and induction opportunities for your child to visit school in the summer term.

Open Day and P1 Enrolment Day

Sciennes will hold a City of Edinburgh 'Catchment Primary School Open Day' on Wednesday 4th November 2015 between 9.30am and 11.30am and then from 1.30pm until 3.00pm.

Further information available here:

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/primaryschoolsopenday

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20074/schools/388/school_places/3

http://sciennesenrol.blogspot.co.uk 

P1 enrolment for catchment pupils due to start P1 in August 2016 will take place on THURSDAY 12th NOVEMBER 9am-11.30am and 2.00pm- 3.30pm.

Sciennes : Rights Respecting Schools Initiative

Article 42 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child: 
Governments must make the Convention known to children and adults.

Sciennes: A Rights Respecting School

Sciennes Primary began the journey towards Level 1 accreditation of Unicef's 'Rights Respecting Schools Award' in September 2015. Our new blog:

http://sciennesrrs.blogspot.co.uk

will document our progress towards ensuring that everyone in our school community becomes aware of the Convention of the Rights of the Child and that we use it to underpin our values in becoming a Rights Respecting School.

Pupils Resume Wed 21st October

 

We look forward to welcoming pupils back to school on WEDNESDAY 21st OCTOBER.

School Streets Begins Wed 21st October at Sciennes

 

The School Streets Pilot will begin at Sciennes Primary on
 Wednesday 21 October

Why introduce School Streets?
City of Edinburgh Council is introducing 'School Streets' at a number of primary schools across Edinburgh, including Sciennes Primary School, for an initial period of eighteen months. These locations have been experiencing ongoing road safety issues caused by drivers bringing their vehicles too close to the school gate.


The benefits of introducing school streets are that:
    •    walking, cycling and active lifestyles for pupils and parents will increase 

    •    traffic speed, congestion and pollution around school gates will reduce 

    •    we are responding to a demand from parents and residents.

How will it operate? 



Vehicles will not be able to drive in, out or around the school streets when the scheme is in operation. Large signs will be at the entrance to the scheme and they will have flashing lights to indicate when the scheme is in operation. Only those with permits will be exempt from the closure. 


Which streets will be closed and at what times?
Streets affected:
 

Livingstone Place


Sciennes Road (between Sylvan Place and Tantallon Place)


Times
: 

8.35am to 9.00am and 2.40pm to 3.30pm Monday to Thurs
day

8.35am to 9.00am and 11.55am to 12.20pm Friday


I am a resident of a school street. Can I drive in and out of my street when the signs are flashing?
Yes – local residents living within the streets that are closed should apply for a permit that must be displayed on the car windscreen. Residents who live in the School Streets zone will receive a letter from the Council giving advice on how to apply and further information is also available on the Council website. If your household has more than one car you should apply for one for each car. Please note this only applies to those living at the address and not visitors.


What other road users are permitted in the street?
Disabled users displaying a blue badge will be permitted as well as emergency services and contract school transport dropping or picking up pupils from the school.


Who will enforce school streets?
The scheme will be enforced by Police Scotland. The penalty for ignoring the signs will be a fine.


Where can I find out more?
Please go to www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolstreets or email schoolstreets@edinburgh.gov.uk

Catchment School Open Day Wed Nov 4th 2015

Sciennes will hold a City of Edinburgh 'Catchment Primary School Open Day' on Wednesday 4th November 2015 between 9.30am and 11.30am and then from 1.30pm until 3.00pm.

Further information available here:

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/primaryschoolsopenday

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20074/schools/388/school_places/3

http://sciennesenrol.blogspot.co.uk

Happy Holidays

Wishing all our families a safe and happy holiday. We look forward to welcoming pupils back to school on WEDNESDAY 21st OCTOBER.

Well done, P7 Lagganlia Champions!

What a fantastic week at Lagganlia! Well done Primary Seven - all Lagganlia Champions! Have a well deserved rest in the holidays and we look forward to welcoming you back to school on WEDNESDAY 21st October.

Group One

 Group Two

Group Three

Group Four

Group Five

 Group Six

Group Seven

Group Eight

Group Nine

P3 Syrian Harvest Apppeal with Mercy Corps

P3 present at Assemblies

On Thursday 1st October Victoria Telford from Mercy Corps came to both P1-3 and P4-7 Assemblies to help P3 launch their Harvest Appeal. Pupils from P3 told everyone at Assemblies about their project to raise money to build playgrounds for Syrian refugees.

Victoria Telford from Mercy Corps

Victoria tells the pupils how Mercy Corps is helping Syrian refugees

After the Assemblies, groups of P3 pupils delivered hand decorated envelopes and asked families to make donations to the Appeal by Thursday 8th October. Great project, P3!

UN Global Goal 10 is Reduced Inequality

Sciennes P3 Mercy Corps Assembly 1.10.15 from SciennesPS

Article 22 The right to have help if you are a refugee 
Article 31 The right to play

Serena's Fundraising Cafe for Syrian Appeal

Very well done Serena in P2b, who has raised nearly £20 for the P3 Sciennes' Syrian Appeal with Mercy Corps by running a charity bake sale for her neighbours in the back garden on Saturday 4th October It was all her own ideas and work, including the Serena's Charity Cafe sign, menu and cakes. A tremendous effort!

‘Cost of the School Day’ Parent / Carer Session

Sciennes Primary School is proud to be one of six schools in Edinburgh committed to raising awareness of children in poverty and exploring ways in which we might reduce the ‘Cost of the School Day’. 

We are offering parents the chance to hear from Pattie Santelices, a member of the Health and Well Being team at City of Edinburgh Council, talk about the implication of children living in poverty in Edinburgh. 

The aims of the session are:
* To highlight the scale and impact of child poverty.
* To explore cultural and structural explanations of child poverty.
* To introduce the wider ‘1 in 5’ Project.
* To consider the costs associated with the school day at Sciennes
* To reflect on how we can make education fairer for all 

There are many costs associated with school and education (e.g. uniforms, materials, trips, meals etc...) and together we would like to explore ways to reduce these costs where possible in order to make education fairer for all. 

The presentation will be held on:
Tuesday 6th October 6.30-8.30pm and is repeated on
Wednesday 7th October 1.30 – 3.20pm 
If you would like to attend please email the school: admin@sciennes.edin.sch.uk 

Complementary sessions are taking place with staff and pupils in school. Feedback from everyone will contribute to new Council recommendations and guidance for schools. 

Council plans to beat child poverty

Published Friday, 2nd October 2015

 

Tackling child poverty is the focus of a new awareness drive being spearheaded by the City of Edinburgh Council.

A report going to the Education, Children and Families Committee next week (Tuesday 6 October) shows that just over 21% of children in Edinburgh live in poverty and this figure is forecast to increase significantly by 2020.

Every area of the city is affected with each Council ward having child poverty rates of over 10% and it’s estimated that the cost of delivering services to address the impact in the Capital is around £156m a year.

Next week’s Child Poverty report outlines various actions being taken by the Council to lessen the impact. 

Key areas identified include:
*Developing more flexible and affordable good quality childcare to meet the needs of families on low incomes
*Improving attendance at schools and early years establishments, and the attainment and achievement of young people
*Reducing the attainment gap between lowest achieving pupils and their peers across the city
*Identifying and developing more safe places to play

Other actions include increasing breakfast club provision, working in partnership with food banks to better understand why families in poverty are using their services and further developing family engagement with a focus on strong home-school partnerships.

A major school project – the ‘1 in 5: Raising Awareness of Child Poverty in Edinburgh’ - has already started in five primaries and one secondary school. It aims to identify best practice and changes that can be introduced to make school more affordable for families on low incomes. The project involves working with children, staff and parents to challenge the stigma that affects children living in poverty.

The report also highlights the importance of income maximisation to raising attainment. Research has shown that the level of household income plays a major role in attainment levels with more initiatives needed to increase wages, encourage take up of unclaimed benefits and other finance-related poverty costs.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Education, Children and Families Convener, said: “Child poverty matters to us all as it damages childhoods, damages life chances and damages society as a whole. Children from poorer backgrounds lag behind at all stages of education so it’s important we do all we can to close the attainment gap.

“We have developed a range of actions to challenge and mitigate the impact of child poverty in the Capital and will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to ensure everything is done to ensure children given every opportunity to have the best possible start in life.”

Alison Noble, Head Teacher at Sciennes Primary School, is one of the schools taking ‘1 in 5: Raising Awareness of Child Poverty in Edinburgh’ project.

She said: “This project provides a valuable opportunity for Sciennes to make a difference and ensure the outcomes for our children are not undermined by poverty and inequality. By taking part we can focus our efforts on addressing the barriers that exist within our community and help us to begin to fulfil one of the objectives in the Scottish Attainment Challenge - to close the attainment gap and provide every child with the same opportunity to succeed.

Our ward includes an area of multiple deprivation so raising awareness of the issues surrounding poverty may contribute to our children making a positive contribution to the school, local and wider community.”