Saturday, 26 March 2016

Spring Forward Clocks Change

Clocks will go forward one hour 1am on Sunday, March 27th

Friday, 25 March 2016

Napier University Robots Science Festival Preview for P6!

Grateful thanks to Brian Davison, Lecturer and Teaching Fellow at Edinburgh Napier University's School of Computing, and his students for fantastic robot workshops on Thursday 24th March for each of our three P6 classes.

Excellent feedback from pupils and staff ahead of the team's Edinburgh International Science Festival free workshops next week at the National Museum, and wonderful to link up with the University. Remember to say hello to the team if you get a chance to visit, P6. Thank you to our Science and Technology Specialist, Mr Mark McKenna, for co-ordinating and donating use of his classroom for the day!

Drop in sessions open to all ages.

Pop-Up Science: Robots

Monday 28 — Tuesday 29 March

Join us in this hands-on activity making LEGO® robots perform simple tasks using the Scratch programming environment. The drag-and-drop interface is easy to pick up with no experience – even parents can do it! You can also have a play with pre-prepared robot-based activities – robot sumo, anyone?
Presented by Edinburgh Napier University

Age: All Ages
Time: 10:00 –17:00 (drop-in)
Venue: Hawthornden Court, National Museum of Scotland

After exploring all the stations, pupils reflected on each of the activities in a feedback session

P2 Pupils Address CEC 1 in 5 Conference

Confident Individuals, Emma and Bella, with Ms Anstruther

Audience at Faith Misson, Edinburgh 1 in 5 Child Poverty Awareness Conference

Sciennes is one of six city schools taking part in a City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) pilot project to raise awareness of 1 in 5 Child Poverty and explore ways to reduce the cost of the school day. Depute Head, Ms Carolyn Anstruther, and Headteacher, Mrs Alison Noble, accompanied P2 pupils, Emma and Bella, to the Faith Mission in Edinburgh on Tuesday 22nd March. In front of a huge gathered audience of Headteachers and school leaders, the P2 girls spoke about their award winning idea to 'Make a Difference.' They realised that events like World Book Day can cause expense for families so cleverly suggested that school could keep a 'dressing up' box of costumes for pupils to borrow and their idea was awarded £250! Ms Anstruther has invited everyone to donate any old, grown out of, costumes to school to add to the collection for borrowing.

Everyone is immensely proud of the terrific confidence shown by Emma and Bella and they were congratulated at the P1-3 and P4-7 Assemblies on Thursday 24th March.

Article 12 The right to be heard
Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living

Thursday, 24 March 2016

Mrs Noble Leads the Easter Assemblies

Sciennes Easter P4-7 Assembly 24.3.16 from SciennesPS

Mrs Noble led the P1-3 and the P4-7 Easter Assemblies in the Hall on the last day of term Thursday 24th March. Jane, Minister from St Catherine's of Argyll Church, talked about the symbol of the cross and what Easter means to Christians and we wish her well in her new post in Glasgow in May. Miss Dougal led the School Choir in a rousing rendtion of pupil penned "Come On and Sing With Me."

Ms Christie, Mr Robertson and pupils from the newly formed P5 Play Squad explained the new Small Play materials and how to look after them in the playground.

P2 pupils Emma and Bella were commended on their £250 Make a Difference award winning dressing up box idea to tackle 1 in 5 Child Poverty.

House Captains congratulated pupils on recent achievements - including remarkable success at the Edinburgh Schools Swim and Dive Gala and Lothian Schools Cross Country - and we bade a fond farewell to P7B pupil Alexandra who returns to Australia.

Mrs Noble wished everyone a safe and happy holiday.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back on MONDAY 11th APRIL.

Parent Council Support for Swim and Cycle Aims

For many years it has been our ambition to ensure that each of our children can cycle and swim by the end of P7. Funding for cycling and swimming initiatives was again approved this year, so we wish to thank our Parent Council, Chair Kristel Torokoff, Vice Chair Tanya Boughtflower and the wider school community for continued partnership, including financial support, in realising ambitions.

Sciennes is a Cycle Friendly School and we are fortunate to have tremendous parental support in maintaining a long established culture of promoting Active Travel. Thank you to all the parents who are volunteering their time and energy supporting our participation in City of Edinburgh's School Streets pilot and to all the families who regularly join in with Cycle to School days. Classes record how pupils travel to school on a daily basis using Living Streets 'Travel Tracker', to highlight and promote active travel. Parent Council Eco member Phoebe Cochrane phoebecochrane@hotmail.com is organising a school feeder group to Pedal on Parliament on 23rd April. Parent Council Eco Member Corinne is working with Class Teacher Kirsty Gallagher and Pupil Eco members to create a new display which reflects our Active Travel ECO topic (as well as School Grounds and Litter).

Ms Christie has again organised Cycle Proficiency next term for P6, funded by the Parent Council, and there are considerable opportunities for our children throughout their schooling to develop confidence and skills in cycling, supported by friend of the school, Chris Hill. Ross Crook's Bike Club (organised by Parent Council Club Co-ordinator Tim Pask) on Mondays for P1 and P2 and on Friday afternoons for P1-7 also has a very positive impact on building cycling confidence. Parent Council Health and Wellbeing Group members, Bethan McEwan, Fiona Denvir and Jane Mc'Eachan, are taking part in the Etape Caledonia Cycling Challenge to raise funds for school Emotional and Mental Health and Wellbeing resources, as well as for Marie Curie.

Curricular swimming, led by our P.E. and Swimming Specialist Beth Walker, and many extra-curricular swimming clubs, led by our P.E. and Swimming Specialist Cynthia Walker, help all our pupils to gain confidence in the water. Lunchtime swimming lessons, funded by our Parent Council, help us target support for individual pupils so they can progress. Our Parent Council is again leading the whole school Swimathon 25th-28th April. In addition to being a fun event and fundraiser, it also helps us identify pupils who may benefit from additional swimming lessons.

Many of our families devote hours of their time to support pupils who participate in local club swimming and competitions and/or attend RCP's Diving programme. Recent - remarkable - success in the Edinburgh Schools Swim and Dive Gala bears testament to a climate of high expectations for all our pupils from our whole school community and we are grateful to all who contribute to maintaining that ethos.

Thank you and Happy, Active Easter! We look forward to welcoming pupils back to school on MONDAY 11th APRIL. Please note that Monday 18th April is a holiday.

Wednesday, 23 March 2016

Medals Galore at EPSSA Swim and Dive Gala!

Gold, Gold, Bronze, Bronze!

Today at the annual EPSSA Swimming and Diving Gala held at the Royal Commonwealth Pool on Wednesday 23rd March our pupils had outstanding success! First place in the Breastroke meant a Gold medal each for Holly, Rose, Calum and Esther. Anna, Toby, Joanne and David won their heat then came Third to win a Bronze medal each in the Backstroke. Calum, Milenka, Joanna and Evie won their heat then also progressed to the final for Freestyle and won a Bronze medal each. For the first time, each of our swimmers won a medal, with Calum and Joanne winning two medals!

Ellen took First place in the Level 2 Diving competition to win Gold.

That's an incredible haul of thirteen medals!

Thank you to our P.E. and Swimming Specialists Mrs Beth Walker and Mrs Cynthia Berry for preparing the children so well for the competition, to Mrs Sally Nowell for helping to escort and to all the families who came to cheer along. P7 pupil Susannah had to withdraw due to injury so it was very good that meant she had a chance to join her mum poolside and assist her with officiating duties.

It was great to have two P3 pupils, Becky and Angus, join the Diving competition and also three P5 pupils this year. Well done to all our divers, particularly for their excellent sporting attitudes.

What a fantastic testament to the hours of dedication our pupils have put into swimming and diving practice and the tremendous commitment and support of their families in encouraging them. It really was joyful to see the children glow with self confidence in their achievements.

A remarkable, historic result for Sciennes!

Parent Council HWB The Etape Caledonia Challenge on BT MyDonate

HWB Group The Etape Caledonia Challenge for Friends of Sciennes School on BT MyDonate

Parent Council Health and Wellbeing Group parents, Bethan McEwan, Fiona Denvir and Jane Mc'Eachan, are participating in the 130km Caledonia Etape on the 8th May to raise funds for Marie Curie and resources for the HWB group.

In Autumn 2015, 3 of us (with varying states of fitness) challenged ourselves to complete the 2016 Etape Caledonia.
Monies raised will be split as follows:

Minimum 50% donation to Marie Curie Cancer; and
Maximum donation of £500 to support the Health & Wellbeing initiatives at our school.

Any monies raised over our target will be donated to Marie Curie Cancer in remembrance of dear friends and family who sadly lost their personal battles with Cancer.

Bethan McEwan, Fiona Denvir and Jane Mc'Eachan, Sciennes Parent Council HWB

Event details

Cycling

www.etapecaledonia.co.uk

Sunday 8th May 2016
Distance: 81 miles/ 130km
Climbing: 1,196km

In summary, the courses starts and ends in Pitlochry and will pass Loch Tummel and Loch Rannoch before we cycle up Schiehallion.

Event date

08-May-2016

Sciennes Swimathon 2016

SCIENNES SWIMATHON 2016

Monday 25 April – Thursday 28 April 2016

Back by popular demand, the most anticipated event of the pupil calendar! At the request of the children themselves we plan to hold another Swimathon this year to raise funds to benefit ALL children at Sciennes.

The Swimathon has been great fun in the past and we would like as many children as possible to take part again this year. Children will have the opportunity to swim as many lengths/breadths of the pool as they can in a specified time. Non-swimmers are encouraged to take part, using swimming aids in the shallow end of the pool, never going out of their depth. The Swimathon is well staffed, with a qualified life guard on duty at all times.

How it works

Primary 1 and 2 will swim breadths or half breadths for 5 minutes
Primary 3-7 will swim lengths or half lengths for between 5 and 10 minutes
Children can be sponsored per breadth/length or at a flat rate. You will get an email from the school once the MyDonate page has been set up.

How you can help
Parent helpers are required to help count breadths and lengths. If you are available, you can sign up to help out at http://doodle.com/poll/sywhzquvfuy62rh9. Come for just your child’s class, or volunteer for a larger block of time, the choice is yours.

FAQ
My child has never swum before, can he/she still participate?
Of course! We encourage every child to get in the pool and give a go. It does matter if they walk, jump, float or swim. We have floaties and arm bands and encourage children to use them if they feel unsure. P1s and P2s ‘swim’ breadths of the pool, across the shallow end. In P3 and up, children have the option of swimming half lengths so that they can touch the bottom the whole time.

Is it safe to have that many children in the pool at once?
We break each class down into smaller groups so there is usually around 5-8 pupils in the pool at a time. We have a fully qualified lifeguard on duty at all times and many other adults supervising.

What should my child bring for the swimathon?
All your child needs is a swimming costume and a towel (please label). Goggles are also useful if they have them. We know that sometimes children forget to bring these things in, and we have extra swimming costumes, towels and goggle available if necessary.

Any other questions or concerns? Let us know. Email t_boughtflower@yahoo.com

Class Schedule

Monday 25th	Tuesday 26th	Wednesday 27th	Thursday 28th
P1D 9.00-9.40	P2A 9.00-9.45	P7A 9.00-9.50	P6C 9.00-9.50
P1A 9.40-10.20	P2B 9.45-10.30	P7C 9.50-10.40	P6B 9.50-10.40
P1B 10.40-11.20	P2C 10.50-11.35	P7B 10.50-11.40	P6A 10.50-11.40
P3A 11.20-12.00	P5A 11.35-12.30	P4C 11.40-12.30
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
P1C 1.00-1.45	P5B 1.30-2.20	P4B 1.30-2.20
P3B 1.45-2.30	P5C 2.20-3.10	P4A 2.20-3.10
P3C 2.30-3.15

P6 Euroquiz Edinburgh Runners Up!

An outstanding result for Emil, Elissa, Sergi and Sam at the Edinburgh Euroquiz event held at City Chambers on Wednesday 2nd March. After some very challenging rounds of questions, the top two teams progressed to a head-to-head final round and our P6 team secured a highly commendable Second Place, only one point behind the winning team in a very exciting finish! Huge congratulations to Gylemuir Primary School who took the Edinburgh title this year and will progress to the Final. Thank you very much to families for supporting, to Mrs Nowell for accompanying and to Monika Wantoch, City of Edinburgh Council, for organising the event. Monika submitted a report on the event to City of Edinburgh's Bright Futures website. Well done, P6! Euro stars!

SSAA Cross Country 23rd April

Please note that today is the last day to inform school of P6/7 interest in competing in the Scottish Schools Athletics Association's Primary Cross Country annual event at Kirkcaldy High School on 23rd April. School is funding participation fees.
Email lucy.gallagher@sciennes.edin.sch.uk if anyone else wishes to take part.

Thank you.

P6 Girls

Lara

Erin

Olivia

Ellen G

Millie

P6 Boys

Cai

Sam

Robert
David

P7 Girls

Rose

Holly

Susannah

Scottish Schools Athletics Association (SSAA) Primary Schools Cross Country Championships
Saturday 23rd April 2016
Kirkcaldy High School
Closing date for entry 1/4/16 BUT 23/3/16 to notify Sciennes
TIMES Races 1 and 2 Primary Six Girls 1:00pm and 1:15pm
Races 3 and 4 Primary Six Boys 1:30 pm and 1:45pm
Races 5 and 6 Primary Seven Girls 2:00pm and 2:15pm
Races 7 and 8 Primary Seven Boys 2:30pm and 2:45pm AWARDS 3:30pm
Times are only approximate. Each Race will follow on from the completion of the previous one. Races will be now be ran schools A-L and M-Z.
AWARDS Runners finishing in the first three places and the first three teams in each race will receive an SSAA medal. The winning team in each race will receive a trophy, to be kept for one year.
AGE GROUPS The event is only open to Primary School pupils in Primary Six and Primary
Seven. No one in Primary Five or First Year of Secondary education is allowed to compete.

ENTRIES Each school may enter one team per race (not girls and boys combined). Five runners may be nominated for each team, all of whom may run on the day, but only the highest placed three runners will count for team awards. If a school does not have enough competent runners to enter a team, one or two individual athletes may be entered. However, if a school wishes to enter a team but does not have three runners born in the same age group, then a P6/P7 combined team (boys and girls separately) may be entered to run in the Primary 7 race.
Only pupils who have experience of running the Championship distance (approx 1500 metres) should be considered for entry. Only pupils whose names are in the programme may run on the 23rd April no substitutes on the day.
Spiked shoes are not allowed nor are spiked shoes minus the spikes,
hill running shoes, heavily studded football boots or rugby boots. All footwear will be checked on the day.

Lothian Schools Cross Country 24th March

Our pupils continue to have great success in the Lothian Schools Cross Country events which have been taking place throughout the year. Grateful thanks to families who have provided sterling support and encouragement, transporting and supervising pupils at these events. Participation in our Active Schools Lunchtime Running Club is also having a very positive impact on our pupils' sporting achievements. Many thanks to coach Willie and also parent Mary Ross. The final Lothian Schools event of the year and medal ceremony will take place on Wednesday 24th March 4.30pm at Mary Erskine's, Ravelston Dykes Rd, Edinburgh EH4 3NT

Thank you to Sciennes' parent, Sarah Winkler, for co-ordinating and for the update on progress:

Inverleith (Heriot’s) 24 February 2016

Fettes (relays) 02 March 2016

Saughton (Tynecastle) 16 March 2016

Mary Erskine’s School 23 March 2016 FINAL RACE AND MEDAL CEREMONY

Saughton (Tynecastle) 16th March

Girls

Rose 2

Rose K 30

Ellen 38

Isobel 42

Boys

Robert 7

Boris 17

Callum 25

Matthew 26

Cai 28

Sam 32

Ryan 40

Harvey 42

EPSSA Cross Country at Inverleith Park

Well done to our 20 P6 and P7 pupils who competed in the sunshine at the Edinburgh Final of the EPSSA Cross Country event at Inverleith Park on Monday 14th March. Congratulations to medal winners Rose (5th) and Holly (7th) in the P7 Girls' race. Thank you to all the families who came along to support and to Headteacher and EPSSA President Willie French for hosting and to our P.E. Specialist Mrs Beth Walker for all her support in organising the event.

Sunday, 20 March 2016

Make a Difference Award of £250!

Sciennes is one of six city schools taking part in a City of Edinburgh pilot project to raise awareness of 1 in 5 Child Poverty and explore ways to reduce the cost of the school day. Depute Head, Ms Carolyn Anstruther, accompanied five Sciennes Pupil Council members to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 14th March and she announced at Assemblies on Friday 18th March that two of our P2 pupils, Emma and Bella, have won an award for their idea to 'Make a Difference!' They realised that events like World Book Day can cause expense for families so cleverly suggested that school could keep a 'dressing up' box of costumes for pupils to borrow and their idea was awarded £250! Ms Anstruther invited everyone to donate any unused costumes to school to add to the collection for borrowing.

Sciennes Pupil Council at the Scottish Parliament

Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living

Friday, 18 March 2016

Make A Difference and Sport Relief Assembly 18.3.16

Sciennes Make A Difference and Sport Relief Assembly 18.3.16 from SciennesPS

Pattie Santelices and Ms Anstruther present at Assembly

Pattie Santelices, City of Edinburgh Principal Officer Health and Wellbeing, joined our Assembly on Friday 18th March to share information about City of Edinburgh's 1 in 5 Child Poverty Awareness project. Ms Anstruther accompanied five Sciennes Pupil Council members to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 14th March and she announced that two of our P2 pupils, Emma and Bella, have won an award for their idea to 'Make a Difference!' They cleverly suggested that school could keep a 'dressing up' box of costumes for pupils to borrow and their idea was awarded £250! Ms Anstruther invited everyone to donate any unused costumes to school to add to the collection for borrowing.

We were all absolutely delighted when Pattie announced that P6B pupil Asma's poster, highlighting 1 in 5 Child Poverty, has been selected as overall winner and will be used in campaign literature throughout Edinburgh! Pattie presented Asma with a framed copy of her artwork and a certificate. Runner up P6C pupil Samara also received a framed copy of her artwork. All the children who entered the competition received special highlighter pens for their contribution in highlighting 1 in 5 child poverty. Thank you to Art Club Teacher, Heather Lucchesi, and to Ms Anstruther for helping the pupils express their ideas so well visually.

Overall 1 in 5 Poster competition winner, Asma, with Pattie Santelices

Great achievement, Asma!

Runner up Samara

Highlighting 1 in 5 Child Poverty

All the pupils were congratulated for helping to Make a Difference by dressing up in sports gear and P.E. kit and donating to Sport Relief. Our end of day total was £450! Congratulations to Ella, Ailsa and Sarah for showing great initiative in organising their own bake sale and raising £14. Very well done to P7A and P5C girls who raised an incredible total of more than £400 rollerskating across the Forth Road Bridge! We look forward to hearing about any other personal fundraising efforts from our pupils since many are taking part in local run, swim or cycle events this weekend.

Extraordinary Sport Relief fundraising P7A and P5c girls!

Ella, Ailsa and Sarah baked to raise £14 for Sport Relief. Great initiative!

P7 Sports Captains congratulated pupils for their achievements this week and led everyone in singing the Sport Relief song, "Step It Up".

Special commendation to Alex, Rory and Alex for their initiative in Making a Difference by organising a school collection of Easter eggs for Foodbank. Outstanding citizens! Thank you to everyone who donated.

Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Parent Consultations 15th and 17th March

We hope you will enjoy coming to Parent/Carer Consultations on Tuesday 15th March (5pm-8pm) or Thursday 17th March (4pm-7pm) and that it will help further the partnership between home and school for your child’s learning.

We suggest it is worth trying to arrive about fifteen minutes ahead of your child's appointment time. This will allow you to locate your child’s classroom and spend some time looking at their work before meeting your child's teacher in the Hall. You can of course visit the classroom after your appointment. Primary Seven pupils meet their teachers on the top landing and have been invited to join the meeting with you. Please wait outside on the landing until called in.

There is a Book Fair in the Library.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Senior Leadership Team

Monday, 14 March 2016

Please note change of date for Easter Egg Appeal

Brothers Alex and Rory, supported by their mum, Sciennes' Pupil Support Assistant Helen Anderson, are again leading their own appeal to collect Easter eggs for Foodbank.

If you would like to support their appeal, please hand in Easter eggs to either pupil BY FRIDAY 18th MARCH.

Sunday, 13 March 2016

Lothian Schools Cross Country

Our pupils have had great success in the Lothian Schools Cross Country events which have been taking place throughout the year. Grateful thanks to families who have provided sterling support and encouragement, transporting and supervising pupils at these events. Participation in our Active Schools Lunchtime Running Club is also having a very positive impact on our pupils' achievements in EPSSA events. Many thanks to coach Willie and also Mary Ross. The next Lothian Schools event is on Wednesday 16th March 4.30pm Saughton Park, Edinburgh EH12 5TD

Thank you to Sciennes' parent, Sarah Winkler, for co-ordinating and for these updates on progress:

Inverleith (Heriot’s) 24 February 2016

Fettes (relays) 02 March 2016

Saughton (Tynecastle) 16 March 2016

Mary Erskine’s School 23 March 2016 FINAL RACE AND MEDAL CEREMONY

INVERLEITH 24th February
Boys 11
P6
Cai 30
Sam 41
Jonty 45
Harvey 40
Ryan 44
David 31
Robert 6

P7
Stephen 3
Boris 9
Matthew 10
Calum 12

Girls 7
P6
Rose 33
Erin 22
Ellen 26

P7
Joanne 28
Susannah 12
Rose 2

FETTES RELAYS: 2nd March

GIRLS
4th   Susannah, Erin, Rose N
11th   Rose, Isobel, Joanne
13th   Ellen, Susannah, Rose

BOYS
2nd   Robert, Boris, Stephen
5th    Cai, Calum, Matthew
11th   Sam, Harvey, David
12th   Jonty, Ryan, Cai

Results from last term at Royal High and Fettes:

ROYAL HIGH:
Robert 3
Sam 22
Cai 25
Ryan 26
Harvey 39

Erin 16
Isobel 22
Rose K 33
Isla 40

FETTES:
Stephen 2
Robert 6
Matthew 8
Calum 16
Boris 20

Cai 45
Harvey 46
Ryan 49

Rose N 2
Susannah 13
Erin 17
Rose K 31

Isobel 47
Martha 53
Isla 60

EPSSA Cross Country Inverleith Park Monday 14th March 11am-12pm

Very well done to all 40 of our P6/7 pupils who ran in the EPSSA Meadows Cross Country event on Monday 29th February. The top five Sciennes runners in each race P6 Girls, P6 Boys, P7 Girls and P7 Boys have been invited to compete in the EPSSA Final at Inverleith Park on Monday 14th March between 11am and 12pm. Spectators are welcome.

DETAILS OF ENTRANTS: EPSSA FINAL 14th March 2016

P 6 GIRLS
1 Erin

2 Emma

3 Ellen G

4 Millie M

5 Olivia

P 6 BOYS
1 Robert

2 Jonty

3 David

4 Liston

5 Cai

P 7 GIRLS
1 Rose N

2 Sophie

3 Holly

4 Amelie

5 Abby

(Best wishes to Susannah for a speedy recovery from her injury)

P 7 BOYS
1 Stephen

2 Archie

3 Matthew C

4 Calum

5 Matthew R