Have A Goal House Assemblies 15.1.18 #YOYP2018

Sciennes Have A Goal House Assembly 15.1.18 from Sciennes Primary School

On Monday 15th January we welcomed back pupils by holding our first House Assemblies of the new year for Grange (Ms Anstruther), Lauder (Ms Gallagher), Sienna (Ms Pearmain) and Tantallon (Mrs Noble). House and Sports Captains explained 'The Year of Young People', reflected on goals already achieved, shared their own goals for the coming year and asked pupils to think about their own goals.

Grange House - Maisie, James
Grange Sports - Iain, Flora
Lauder House - Fraser, Molly
Lauder Sports - Eilidh, Sam S
Sienna House - Sophia, Sam B
Sienna Sports - Louis, Emma
Tantallon House - Alice, Caspar
Tantallon Sports - Saad, Arwen

As part of the Scottish Government’s programme of themed years, 2018 is the Year of Young People (YoYP 2018).

YoYP 2018 activities and events are focusing on six themes that young people identified as most important for them as young Scots:

• Participation – looking at how young people can influence public services and decisions which affect their lives
• Education – creating a stronger role for young people in shaping their learning
• Health and Wellbeing –supporting young people to lead healthier, active lives and have opportunities to learn about and improve their mental health and resilience
• Equality and Discrimination – broadcasting the value of young Scots, challenging negative perceptions of young people, and supporting young people to take leading roles in challenging discrimination in all its forms.
• Enterprise and Regeneration – celebrating young people’s role in innovation, entrepreneurship and the Scottish economy as well as making Scotland a greener and more pleasant place to live
• Culture –celebrating young people’s talent and contribution to Scottish culture and arts.

Great to see almost all of our pupils in school uniform, and we appreciate parental support in continuing to encourage this. Warm, hooded jackets with hats, gloves and scarves at the ready, please, for the colder weather.

Article 2

You have the right to protection against discrimination.

Article 12

You have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously.

Article 13

You have the right to find out things and say what you think, through making art, speaking and writing unless it breaks the rights of others.

Article 15

You have the right to be with friends and join or set up clubs— unless this breaks the rights of others.

Article 24

You have the right to the best health possible and to medical care and information.

Article 29

You have the right to education which develops your personality, respect for others’ rights and the environment.

Article 31

You have the right to play and relax by doing things like sport, music and drama.

Mental Health Week Assembly and Swimathon Medals 12.5.17

Sciennes P4-7 Mental Health Assembly 12.5.17 from Sciennes Primary School

Celebrating a week of Mental Health awareness at Sciennes

On Friday 12th May we celebrated a week of Mental Health awareness and activities led by DHT Carolyn Anstruther, PSAs Mrs Helen Anderson and Mrs Sarah Sheehan, Staff Health and Wellbeing Working Group and Parent Council HWB Group which included some new as well as some firmly embedded strategies: Relax Kids sessions, yoga, Mindfulness, outdoor learning, Sensory Room, Seasons for Growth led by Mrs Fiona Barker and Mrs Helen Anderson, Social Thinking sessions, Nurture Groups, Emotion Talks, Happiness Is... posters, journalling and a whole school display of happiness bands. There were events for families, too, including world renowned author Nicola Morgan who gave an outstanding and very well-atttended talk "Blame My Brain" and our very own Alison Outred who gave an inspirational presentation on "The Introverted Child'. Staff enjoyed massage sessions and undertook anonymous Random Acts of Kindness with colleagues, in memory of Mark Hewitt, who introduced the project to P5 earlier in the year.

We watched a video created by parent Jimmy Chow which shows just how much work and dedication is involved in preparing our weekly fruit platters by Sciennes' Parent Council Fruit Group and explored a variety of things we can all do to maintain our mental health.



We watched a Kid President video "Life Is Like a Comic" to reflect on how things might not always be 'awesome' but our response can be. Everyone got to their feet to sing along with and do actions to Fischy Music's "Stronger" song.



James and James gave a presentation on Sciennes After School Care Club (SASCS) Holiday and Sports Camps.

James and James SASCS Summer Camps presentation

Our P7 Captains celebrated pupil achievements and Mr Neil Scott, SSO, assisted by our Sports Captains, presented this year's Swimathon medals. Thank you to Fiona Denvir and Bethan McEwan, Parent Council Health and Wellbeing Group Leads, for providing the medals and organising the event with Ms Christie. Thank you very much to all families who supported poolside and by sponsoring and encouraging.

P7 Sports Captains celebrated recent pupil achievements

Mr Neil Scott presented this year's Swimathon medals

Mental Health Foundation Survey

8th-12th May is Sciennes' Mental Health Week, led by DHT Carolyn Anstruther, Parent Council HWB Group and Staff HWB Working Group.

Sciennes' Parent Council HWB Group wishes to encourage parents and carers to complete the Mental Health Foundation's survey below:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/good-mental-health-survey

The Mental Health Foundation is a UK charity that relies on public donations and grant funding to deliver and campaign for good mental health for all.

It’s the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week today! Ambitious as ever and hoping for an impact on a broader scale - we are looking at the state of the UK’s mental health for Mental Health Awareness Week 2017. We are now asking: are we Surviving or Thriving?
We all have the ability to thrive and having good mental health is an asset to thriving in all parts of our lives. Our new report Surviving or Thriving? - The state of the UK's mental health states that only 13% of people are living with high levels of good mental health, and two in three adults face mental health problems in their lifetime. It is time to address this nationwide problem. 

Our survey uses the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing scale to measure your general level of mental health and wellbeing. Answering the seven questions gives you a score you can compare against the national average.  The survey does not reveal whether you have a mental health problem, but your ability to cope with the everyday stresses of life. On completion we outline a number of ways you can protect and sustain good mental health. 

Mental Health House Assembly 5.5.17

 
House Assembly Mental Health 5.5.17 from Sciennes Primary School

On Friday 5th May we held Assemblies for each of our four Houses: Tantallon (Mrs Noble, Grange (Ms Anstruther), Sienna (Mr McKenna) and Lauder (Ms Gallagher) to introduce everyone to our Mental Health Week, beginning next week.

House and Sports Captains asked everyone what they thought being healthy meant and we explored not only what physical health but also what mental health means.

We sang Hopscotch Theatre's SHANARRI song and explored how we use these health and wellbeing indicators (Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Active, Respected, Responsible, Included) to help us discuss and support everyone's health at school.




We watched a video where children described their own experiences of dealing with different emotions and some strategies that can help.




We also watched Pixar's short animation "Boundin'" to help us think about having a positive mental attitude in dealing with lifes ups and downs.

We loved singing Fischy Music's "Stronger" song and doing the actions!


The winning House will have a Fun and Frolics session on the Meadows at the end of term so everyone was encouraged to keep earning House points.

World Renowned Author Nicola Morgan at Sciennes Monday 8th May 7pm

Sciennes Mental Health Focus Week 

^{Monday 8th May 7pm}

As part of our Mental Health week, we have managed to book Nicola Morgan, world-famous author of “Blame My Brain”. Many parents and teachers who have heard Nicola speak have said, “I wish had heard that years ago!” Some reviews are given below.

Nicola Morgan is an engaging speaker. Her talk would be most suitable for parents of children of all ages, not just for those approaching the teenage years, but for those interested in the child development and parenting in general. This is an exciting opportunity to hear an international speaker. Numbers are restricted, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Signed copies of her book will be available at the end of her talk.

Date: Monday 8^th May 7pm

Venue: Sciennes School Hall

Cost: £3 per ticket via Parent Pay

Some reviews

British Medical Journal, Lesley Morrison, GP: “Written for teenagers but invaluable reading for those coping with them – parents, doctors, and teachers – Blame My Brain, a guide to the biology behind teenage behaviour, is informative, accessible, interactive, and fun.”

“Although she states clearly that she is not a scientist, she is well qualified to communicate scientific material about “the amazing teenage brain.” Her message to teenagers is subtle but clear: “You might even decide to respect your brain and treat it a bit better, once you know what’s going on inside it.”

“Blame My Brain is pro-teenager without being anti-adult, sympathetic without being sentimental, sensitive and funny.”

“It is very rare that an author succeeds in writing a book for teenagers which is also a “must read” for their parents and teachers. Nicola Morgan has done just that with her Blame My Brain. It does not seek to excuse anti-social teenage behaviour, but it certainly goes a long way to explaining it. There is no adequate text book for parents and their children, but this one fills an important gap, and Morgan deals with all the issues with good humour. … she ends on an optimistic note, emphasising that the brain is indeed a wonderful thing, and that while a small number of teenagers do suffer greatly during their teenage years, the vast majority come through relatively unscathed. Blame My Brain can only help them do that.”

Nicola Morgan recommends parents read the three documents below, ahead of attending.

Carolyn Anstruther | Depute Headteacher
  

Mrs Noble Leads the Easter Assemblies

Headteacher, Mrs Alison Noble, led the end of term Easter Assemblies

Stuart Irvin, Minister at St Catherine's of Argyll

Mrs Noble led the P1-3 and the P4-7 Easter Assemblies in the Hall on the last day of term Friday 31st March and wished everyone a safe and happy Easter holiday. Stuart Irvin, Minister from St Catherine's of Argyll Church, spoke about Palm Sunday and Mrs Noble told everyone about the Community Easter Egg Hunt. P5A have illustrated Easter eggs  that can be found in various locations.  See map below for details on how to take part:
http://stcaths.church/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Egg.Map_.2017.pdf

We look forward to welcoming everyone back on TUESDAY 18th APRIL.

Sciennes P1-3 Easter Assembly 31.3.17 from Sciennes Primary School

Sciennes P4-7 Easter Assembly 31.3.17 from Sciennes Primary School

P5 Growth Mindset Workshops Mon 20th March

We are extremely grateful to Hopscotch Theatre Company who have made exceptional efforts to reschedule their highly oversubscribed Growth Mindset workshops for P5 (due to take place on Monday 27th February but cancelled as a result of unforeseeable circumstances outwith their control).

We look forward to welcoming the team on Monday 20th March.

Comedian Patrick Monahan at Sciennes!

What a wonderful start to the new session to welcome celebrated and legendary comedian Patrick Monahan to the P4-7 Assembly on Friday 19th August. Patrick inspired our pupils with his sparkling tales about his own experiences of running and then joined most of the upper school for a Daily Mile run in the Meadows.

It was joyful to hear the children's laughter in Assembly. Patrick had them in the palm of his hand in the Hall and also later in the Meadows where he led a warm up session before the run. We are so grateful to him for giving up his time to inspire our pupils to be all they can be and to Believe they can Achieve. Thank you also to former Pupil Support Assistant, Rachel Inglis, who kindly contacted Patrick for us and joined us for the morning.

"So lovely to see everyone at Sciennes yesterday. It will always be a special place for me. Thank you for giving me and Patrick such a lovely welcome. We both had a brilliant time. Patrick says...&quote :Thanks for a great assembly and run out today, that was one of my favourite days at school. It was never that much fun when I was at school! 
Hopefully see you all soon, Miss Inglis and Patrick x"

Patrick's Edinburgh Festival Fringe evening show at The Gilded Balloon, Teviot - "That 80s Show" is recommended for 12+ but he is also running a children's show - "Pub Quiz for Kids", again at the Gilded Balloon, Teviot, which is for age 5 and upwards, at 2.30pm on 19th, 20th and 21st August and from 23rd-28th August.  Come along and win a unicorn! We highly recommend!

Thank you, Patrick, for inspiring us, spreading happiness and laughter and for being so gracious with your time with all the children.

Patrick Monahan at Sciennes P4-7 Assembly from Sciennes Primary School

Miss Inglis, Patrick Monahan and Mr Howie

Lovely to welcome back Miss Ingis who runs regularly with Patrick

Patrick Monahan leads the first Sciennes Assembly of the new session!

Children and staff loved hearing Patrick Monahan's funny stories about running

Patrick Monahan and Miss Inglis lead a warm up session

Patrick Monahan and Miss Inglis lead an extra special Daily Mile in the Meadows

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

 

Curriculum Evening – Health & Wellbeing

The Emotional and Mental Health information evening will take place in school on Thursday 4th February at 7pm. There is no cost for this evening, but we ask all interested parents / carers to book a place on Wisepay to give us an indication of the uptake. 

The aim of the evening is to highlight the importance the school places of developing happy, resilient and confident pupils. 

We will consider three main topics during the course of the evening: 
Mindfulness – to provide a brief outline of the many benefits of mindfulness for children, and to introduce the new Pawsb mindfulness programme 
Emotion Talks – to explain the programme for talking and learning about emotions and emotional well being that is used throughout the school 
Mindset – to discuss of how we foster a Growth Mindset in our pupils – the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort, persistence, trying different strategies and learning from mistakes.

Carolyn Anstruther, DHT, and Fiona Denvir, Parent Council