New Website in Development

Several years ago, former Convenor of our Parent Council Communications Group, Tanya Boughtflower, steered us in the direction of WordPress for our school website.

Over the summer, our P1-P7 Class Pages were migrated from Blogger to WordPress and our teachers find them easier to use. We hope you are enjoying all the posts!

We are currently developing a new main website in WordPress, which is still a work in progress, with content being transferred, so would welcome any feedback meanwhile. Are there further items you would find useful to be included?
Contact lucy.gallagher@sciennes.edin.sch.uk

https://sciennesprimaryschool.com

Mrs Noble Leads the Whole School Easter Assembly

Easter Assembly March 2018 from Sciennes Primary School

On Thursday 29th March, Headteacher Mrs Alison Noble led the whole school Easter Assembly. Mrs Ruth McVicker played the Sciennes School Song, and it was lovely to be joined by recently retired co-composer Mrs Claire Ford. Minister Stuart Irvin joined us from St Catherine's of Argyll and retold the Easter story. The children really enjoyed the Emoji theme! Congratulations to P6 pupils Rory, Isla, Ella and Evie who collected an amazing 310 Easter eggs in their Foodbank Appeal.

Mrs Noble then wished staff well, first thanking Edinburgh University Volunteer Language students Lucas and Tycho for their support this term to classes in Spanish and French and then passing on all our best wishes to Miss Kirsty Gallagher who is getting married in the Easter holidays, to Mrs Emma Kidd who is expecting her new baby soon and to Ms Chantelle Hall who is heading off on new adventures in London.

Mrs Jennie Waters has been an outstanding, devoted and much loved teacher at Sciennes for fourteen years and Mrs Noble spoke for everyone in thanking her sincerely and wishing her well in her new post at Dunbar Primary School. She will be sorely missed but hope she will keep in touch with all her friends at Sciennes.

The special whole school Assembly also marked the retirement of our incomparable and dynamic Business Manager, Ms Angela Christie, who has worked tirelessly throughout her career at Sciennes to provide the best possible experiences and learning for generations of our pupils. Her talents and capabilities are countless and the impact she has had at Sciennes is staggering.

Sciennes Legend, Angela Christie

A former Sciennes parent herself, Ms Christie has always worked indefatigably in close partnership with the Friends of Sciennes School Charity Trust and all the many Parent Council subgroups over many years. We were joined at the Assembly by several parent representatives, including Sue Lewis, Emma Kirk and Phoebe Cochrane, who presented her with a gift and a banner of messages made in secret by all the pupils.

Mrs Noble and pupil Oscar presented Ms Christie with a beautiful floorbook which Ms Anstruther had arranged to be filled with lovely and creative messages from each class in school. Mrs Noble celebrated some of Ms Christie's outstanding achievements: arranging innovative cycling programmes for P1-P7, promoting sustainability, Active Travel and Spanish, introducing online payments, driving improvements in digital learning, championing outdoor learning and our wonderful playground and ever striving to light the flame of learning in all she does. And all this on top of and far beyond her Business Manager remit, where she also excels! Truly, a Sciennes Legend and thoroughly deserving of now being able to timetable some time for herself. We wish Angela a very happy retirement, with deep love and grateful respect.

After School News, the whole school sang the 'Spring Chicken' song and Mrs Noble wished all our families a safe and happy Easter holiday. School resumes on TUESDAY 17th April.

Headteacher Mrs Alison Noble leads the whole school Easter Assembly

Stuart Irvin, St Catherine's of Argyll

Good luck in your new adventures, Ms Hall!

With love and best wishes to Jennie Waters

Much love for Mrs Jennie Waters, P4 Teacher

Chair of the Parent Council Phoebe Cochrane and Convenor of the Parent Council Communications Group Emma Kirk and Parent Sue Lewis

Sue Lewis gives a presentation on behalf of the Parent Council and families

A banner made in secret by all the children for Ms Christie

Oscar presents Ms Christie with a special book from all the classes

Thank you, Ms Christie, from us all x

Tycho and Lucas. Happy Easter!

Cycle to School in Honour of Ms Christie!

Cycle to School in Honour of Ms Christie! from Sciennes Primary School on Vimeo.

What a truly wonderful Cycle to School event on Friday 23rd March, in honour of our truly wonderful Business Manager Ms Angela Christie who retires next week.

Thank you very much to all the secret organisers who managed to keep it a complete surprise and to the spectacular masses of parents, pupils and staff who turned out in force to meet at King's Buildings at 8.15am and escort her in style en route to school.  Ms Christie has been fundamental in Sciennes' Active Travel movement, providing innovative cycle training programmes for all age groups over many years and developing generations of cyclists. It was a perfect tribute and show of respect and thanks to truly remarkable, inspirational and much loved Angela.

Sport Relief 2018 - Be Kind to Others 23.3.18

Sciennes Sport Relief Be Kind to Others 23.3.18 from Sciennes Primary School

On Friday 23rd February P7 pupils again led everyone in the 'Step It Up' Sport Relief song with everyone in the Hall joining in the dance. P7 Sports Captains led Assembly by thanking those who had dressed up and purchased wrist bands and explaining why we were fundraising and how the money would be used in the UK and abroad.

P7 pupils Emily, Eilidh and friends announced they raised a fabulous £150 last Friday with their Sport Relief Bake Sale, completely selling out of a huge array of home baking within twenty minutes.

Thank you to P7 pupils who have been selling wrist bands over the last few weeks and P7 Louis announced that an amazing £274 had been raised!

It was lovely to welcome families to school this week to Parent Consultations on Tuesday and Thursday evening.

P7 Isaac and his brother Reuben continue with their 'Marathon in a Month' campaign and we are fortunate to have made contact, with their mum's help, with representatives from Asthma UK who will visit school next term to celebrate the boys' achievement and raise awareness of asthma.

P7 Sports Captain Sam congratulated and presented certificates to the P7 Basketball team who played very well in the recent Hope Trust Basketball Final at the Crags (which was won by Broughton Primary in an exciting match against James Gillespie's Primary).

Sports Captain Eilidh presented Cross Country certificates to P6 pupils (with P7 certificates to follow) and Louis congratulated P6 Dylan on 4th place and P7 Sam on his Bronze medal at the Lothian Schools Cross Country League. Grateful thanks to Mrs Kitchen and all the families who have supported P6 and P7 participation throughout the year.

Three of our ECO Reps, P7 pupils Alejandro, Camille and Rachel told everyone about Earth Hour on Saturday 24th March 8.30pm-9.30pm and encouraged pupils to take part in switching off lights during the hour. They also explained ways we can live more sustainably, beyond Earth Hour, including walking and cycling to school.

What a truly wonderful Cycle to School event this morning, in honour of our truly wonderful Business Manager Ms Angela Christie who retires next week. (Video and photos to follow.) Thank you to all the secret organisers who managed to keep it a complete surprise and to the spectacular masses of parents, pupils and staff who turned out in force to meet at King's Buildings at 8.15am and escort her in style en route to school.  Ms Christie has been fundamental in Sciennes' Active Travel movement, providing innovative cycle training programmes for all age groups over many years and developing generations of cyclists. It was a perfect tribute and show of respect and thanks to truly remarkable, inspirational and much loved Angela.

P6 pupils Rory, Isla, Ella and Evie thanked everyone for the tremendous generosity of families in donating Easter eggs to their Foodbank appeal. The big count took place at the end of the day and is in excess of 300 eggs! Thank you very much to all who contributed and to Rory, Isla, Ella and Evie for leading their campaign so confidently and successfully.

Next week, Mrs Noble will lead a whole school Easter Assembly on Thursday 29th March at 1.30pm and we will be joined by Stuart Irvin, Minister at St Catherine of Argyll's Church. In preparation, P4-7 pupils practised the 'Spring Chicken' song.

After Assembly, P.E. Specialist Mrs Beth Walker kindly arranged a practice for P7 pupils taking part in the forthcoming EPSSA Swim and Dive gala on Wednesday 28th March 9.45am-12.30pm.

Term ends next week at 3.20pm on THURSDAY 29th March and all resume on TUESDAY 17th April.

Get 'Reddy' for Sport Relief Assmebly 16.3.18

Sciennes 'Reddy' for Sport Relief Be Kind to Others 16.3.18 from Sciennes Primary School
 

On Friday 16th March we got 'reddy' for Sport Relief 2018, continuing our focus on "Be Kind to Others" from City of Edinburgh's "Be Resilient' Health and Wellbeing programme.

We watched two video clips showing how money raised has been used abroad and in the UK and sang the 'Step It Up" song. P7s led at the front to demonstrate dance moves and encourage everyone to sing along.

P7 Sports Captains have been selling Sport Relief wrist bands for £1 and on Friday 23rd March pupils can wear red or sports clothes and bring a donation if they wish. P7 Emily and her friends have arranged a Bake Sale for 12pm Friday 16th March in aid of Sport Relief.

P7 Isaac gave an update on his 'Marathon in a Month' for Asthma UK with brother Reuben. P7 pupils Niamh, Alice, Stella and Margret shared their idea to help a new P6 group carry on their gender equality projects next year and have designed their own application forms. P6 pupils Rory, Isla, Ella and Evie reminded everyone about their Easter Egg Foodbank appeal which closes on Friday 23rd March and they will man stalls at both Parent Consultation Evenings.

What a wonderful P4/5 disco and many thanks to families and staff who came along to support.

P7 Captains congratulated P7 Lucy on her Grade 4 Musical Theatre certificate, P6 William on his First Place at the recent Edinburgh Music Competition Festival and P6 Machlan on becoming SCOTTISH boxing champion!

Hannah in P6 gave a stunning performance of Tam O'Shanter which won her the Steven Lui Cup 2018 for Burns Recitation. There were six extremely strong P6 Finalists this year and congratulations to all who took part.

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Be Kind

Sciennes Be Kind 9.3.18 from Sciennes Primary School
 

On Friday 9th March we continued with our 'Be Kind to Others' topic from City of Edinburgh's Health and Wellbeing 'Be Resilient' programme. Pupils from P4 and P6 shared their learning on the topic and gave examples of acts of kindness.

We welcomed Austrian Primary Education students Elisabeth and Daniela and bade fond farewell to Erasmus French teaching student Elodie (from Lyons) and Erasmus Spanish trainee teacher Adriano (from Madrid University) thanking them for all their tremendous support at school.

Our P7 House and Sports Captains have been busily working for several weeks with the Fiona Denvir, Bethan McEwan and Cathy McCormack from the Parent Council to redesign and plan our annual school fundraising events. P7 Captains Flora, Caspar and James introduced their new logo and explained their ideas for P1-4 to continue to take part in a Swimathon, while P5-P7 will take part in a new 'Meadows Mayhem' obstacle course.

P7 pupil Isaac updated us on his 'Marathon in a Month' campaign with brother Reuben to raise awareness and funds for Asthma UK and explained how others can take part, to raise funds for Asthma UK, or for Sport Relief or simply just to participate.

Emily and friends in P7 told everyone about their Sport Relief Bake Sale on Friday 16th March at 12pm in the playground and P7 Sports Captains will continue to sell wristbands for £1.

Alice, Niamh and Margret talked about International Women's Day and updated everyone on their P1 and P2 survey about gender equality. P2 pupils and Girl Guides Penny and Catriona were congratulated on their launch of the Citizen Girl campaign.

P6 pupils Rory, Isla, Ellie and Evie promoted their annual Easter Egg Foodbank Appeal running from 12th - 23rd March. There will be an opportunity to donate eggs at Parent Consultations on Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd March.

What a wonderful P6/7 Disco!

P6/7 Cross Country were congratulated on their participation in the recent EPSSA event at the Meadows where P6 Anna and P6 Dylan both received a 4th place medal.

Huge congratulations to Sean, Evie, Katharine and Tomos on their outstanding success at the recent Edinburgh Semi Final of Euroquiz, as Runners Up, only one point behind eventual winners Stewart Melville's after an unprecedented TWO tie breaking sudden death rounds. Congratulations to Stewart Melville's who will now progress to the Final at Parliament.

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Did You Get the Memo?

If you did not receive City of Edinburgh Group Call texts last week from school advising you of school closure updates directly to your mobile phone, chances are we do not have an up-to-date emergency mobile phone contact for you.

If you have recently changed your number, it is vitally important you inform the School Office.

Thank you and we look forward to welcoming everyone back today and hearing about all the snowy adventures.

Sciennes Open as Normal Monday 5th March

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school, warmly wrapped up, on Monday 5th March. Thank you to our very own 'snow angels' Mr Scott, Ms Christie and Mrs Noble for all their hard work in snow clearing and for all their efforts in making sure the building will be warm and safe.

School Anticipated to Open as Normal on Monday 5th March

Sciennes and other City of Edinburgh Council schools anticipate opening as normal on Monday 5th March.

If any cannot open as planned, there will be an update posted on the Council website by 3pm on Sunday.

We look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday and hearing about their snow adventures! Please note that we will no longer be celebrating World Book Day but are interested to hear how the children celebrated at home.

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

P1-3 Ceilidh Kids Rescheduled to Friday 9th March

Thank you very much to Caroline Brockbank and Jay Santhanam for rescheduling today's P1-3 Ceilidh Kids event to:

FRIDAY 9th MARCH

12.30pm -2.15pm

School Hall

Schools remain closed Friday 2nd March

All City of Edinburgh schools will remain closed tomorrow, Friday 2nd March. We fully anticipate opening as normal on Monday 5th March.

Thank you very much to City of Edinburgh for texting families and staff to advise of updates, and to Mrs Noble and Ms Christie for emailing information quickly, which have proved extremely effective methods of communication. Please make sure school has your correct mobile number.

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

Due to the Met Office's weather warnings, the following are closed on Friday 2 March 2018

• primary, secondary and special schools - pupils and staff should stay home.
• nurseries and early years centres - pupils and staff should stay home.
• libraries
• community centres
• recycling centres
• all Edinburgh Leisure venues
  
  We apologise for this but staff and customer safety is a priority.
  

Schools, nurseries and early years centres will remain closed on Friday 2 March.
We will send text messages to parents to alert them to school closures. Please make sure that your school has your correct mobile phone number.

P4/5 Disco Rescheduled to 15th March 6.30-8.00pm

Thank you very much to our longstanding friend DJ Norval Barclay at Barclay's Beats and to Parent Council Events and Fundraising Convenor Mrs Jay Santhanam for kindly rescheduling our P4/5 Disco from Thursday 1st March to  

THURSDAY 15th MARCH 6.30pm-8.00pm.

Thank you to all parent and staff volunteers who offered to support the disco and please contact Jay if you are not available to assist on the new date.