Thursday 12th November P1 Enrolment for August 2016

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.

Communications

To view the main page of the Sciennes website without its surrounding frame, click on the link at the top of the site: 'CLICK TO VIEW WITHOUT FRAME'

We currently send a Tweet each time a post is added to our website, Class Pages and many other school blogs which automatically updates our Twitter account. We also pass on information about local events and initiatives via Twitter. Follow us on Twitter to keep up to date.

We are always interested to hear any comments regarding our communications so please feel welcome to email admin@sciennes.edin.sch.uk with any feedback.

The Sciennes School Website comprises:

• The School Calendar - Diary Dates
• The Parent Council Website
• The Sciennes School Flyer - weekly online newsletter sent by email and published on the School website
• Sciennes Twitter 
• Sciennes Facebook
• Class Pages - blogs for each year group P1-P7
• Curricular blogs e.g. Health and Wellbeing, Rights Respecting Schools, Music, Reading
• Community Pages - e,g, Active Schools, Active Travel, Playground Improvement Group, Sciennes After School Care Scheme (SASCS)

Call Parents
The system we use to communicate directly with you via personal email and text.

Uniform
Online ordering using Image Scotland.

WisePay

Our online system for lunch, milk, trips, clubs and permissions. Sciennes was the first school in the city to adopt this system a few years ago and remains one of few to have implemented it, in Edinburgh and indeed in Scotland, thanks to the efforts of Angela Christie, Business Manager.

Please do contact us or your Parent Rep if you would be interested in receiving support with our online communications.

Playground Officially Opened! - A Message of Thanks from our Headteacher

Official Playground Opening Ceremony

Youngest pupil David and oldest pupil Liza with David Ewart, SportScotland and Alison Noble, Headteacher

Thank you to everyone who came along on Saturday 31stOctober 2015 to mark the Official Opening Ceremony of our amazing new Playground. Many thanks to piper and drummer who provided us all with a warm welcome, lending to the sense of occasion. Liza, the eldest pupil, and David, the youngest, performed their honorary duties superbly by cutting our official ribbon. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to give my sincere thanks in public to the parents, children and members of the community who have devoted so much of their time, commitment and resources. Together we believed and together we achieved, raising a truly extraordinary sum to turn playground visions into reality for all our children. 

We are grateful to the parents who worked so hard on submitting funding applications, enabling us to secure match funding from SportScotland through the Commonwealth Legacy Fund. David Ewart, from SportScotland, presented us with a plaque to mark our achievement in creating such a magnificent active space together, as a singly united community. We all enjoyed delicious cake and thankfully the rain didn’t arrive until we were leaving!

Establishing a natural environment which provides endless opportunities for activity and creativity was key to the vision developed by parents and school and it has been an absolute joy to witness that vision come to fruition. The playground supervisors and Senior Leadership Team have noticed a remarkable improvement in the quality of play and behaviour at playtimes. Our accident statistics have dropped and while previously we used to have several children who regularly visited the Care Zone just for some TLC, there has not been one child since August.

The playground has been timetabled for curriculum activities and the Class Teachers are greatly enthused by the opportunities our new area has provided. Fiona Sellar, Class Teacher and Outdoor Learning Coordinator, has inspired all the staff with her presentation on how the play area will support, enhance and enrich learning.

We have been using the strip of land across the road for curriculum activities but recently gave access to the area at lunchtime for play. It is offering a superb space for running, jumping, climbing, building and great teamwork.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to the members of the Parent Council Playground Group, who volunteered almost three years ago to support playground improvement. Following a parent survey, the playground was identified as an area causing concern and a priority for action. An exceptional group of people offered their time, skills, talents, knowledge and valuable support, encouragement and kindness to support improvement. At times, as Headteacher, I have felt overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness and dedication. They spent a huge amount of their personal time, in addition to their busy family and work commitments, to help create and develop a shared vision for our playground. The vision has now become a reality and is a true reflection of powerful parental and community engagement to improve the learning outcomes and experiences for the current and future children at Sciennes and in the community. 

The generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness of so many companies, individuals, parents and families have been tremendously valued and appreciated. Particular thanks to Stephen Mozier from Grounds for Learning, Louise Caldwell City of Edinburgh's Play Development Officer, Margaret Westwood Chair of International Play Association Scotland,  Savills and the Grange Association. My most sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who has given their support to this vitally important initiative. There is still more to do and the Playground Group will be meeting again soon to take forward our next steps. Parents and carers will be most welcome to come along and support. 

Thank you to Chris Hill for providing us with these photographs of the opening ceremony. We hope you enjoy the photographs that will be posted regularly showing our children having fun and learning. 

Alison Noble, Headteacher 

 

 

Thank you to Business Manager Angela Christie, who has been a driving force in delivering our playground vision

P7 CEC Open Day Tour Guides

Mrs Noble, Headteacher, with P7 House and Sports Captains

Thank you to our wonderful P7 House and Sports Captains for giving tours to visitors on Wednesday 4th November at our City of Edinburgh Catchment School Open Day. Everyone enjoyed welcoming the new Primary One families, due to start school in August 2016, and the Primary Seven captains were delighted to receive such positive feedback on the forms. Thank you to Pupil Support Assistant staff who led tours while P5, P6 and P7 were at the Festival Theatre in the afternoon.

Road Safety Week 23rd-29th November

The theme for this year's Brake's Road Safety Week is 'Drive less, live more.' Our School Streets pilot continues (see below).

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

P3 Dance Show Friday 6th November

Primary Three pupils and staff have been working hard and busily rehearsing to put on their spectacular Dance Show in the Hall on Friday 6th November11.00am -12pm. Doors open 10.45am.

P2, P6 Buddies and siblings have been invited to a dress rehearsal on Thursday 5th November 11.00am-12pm.

Catchment Primary School Open Day November 4th 2015

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

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