Weekly Bulletins

Good morning,

Safe

1. Thank you to all the parents who helped grit paths in the playground during the recent snowy spell.  We have purchased a grit trolley to use during the next snowy spell.  We share janitorial support with other schools in the Northfield Area so rely on goodwill of staff and parents to help clear larger areas of the playground and surrounding pavements.

Achieving

1. All P7s will walk to Northfield Academy on Friday morning for a transition visit.

2. P4 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday – please bring your library card.

3. We monitor lateness and attendance each day - please ensure you arrive at school by 8.50am to avoid missed learning.

Nurtured

1. Our Christmas Fair opens at 3.05pm on Friday.  All children and their families are welcomeThe first hour is usually very busy, so those who do not enjoy being around large crowds should attend from 4pm.  Please bring a shopping bag and cash, as card payment is not yet possible.  Most of the stalls will be run by classes and Parent Voice volunteers so almost all money raised will directly benefit your children.  At present the Parent Voice are able to run a raffle, tombola and Santa’s Grotto.  Hot food will not be available this year due to insufficient volunteer numbers.

2. We are seeking donations of Bric A Brac, toys, teddies and raffle prizes – please hand these in to the school office.  Thank you for all the donations of chocolate and bottles.

Included

1. You are all invited to Westpark Family Christmas Movie Night at 3.30pm on Wednesday 10th December.  Vote here.

2. For those parents who are yet to order school photographs online, you have until Thursday 4th December 2025 to take advantage of free delivery back to school.

3. Parent Voice meets at 5.30pm tomorrow (Tuesday 2nd December) – please come along to find out more, or to offer help with the school fair.

4. Aberdeen City Council – School Age Childcare Parent and Carer Consultation 2025

Part 8 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 requires Local Authorities to consult regularly with parents about the provision of day care. Following our recent Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Parent and Carer Consultation 2025, Aberdeen City Council is now carrying out an online consultation with parents and carers on School Age Childcare provision in the city.  We would be very grateful if parents and carers could complete the consultation, which should take no longer than 5-10 minutes. It can be completed online using the link: SACC Consultation 2025All answers are confidential and anonymous.  The information gathered will be used by Aberdeen City Council to inform our ongoing support, development and delivery of School Age Childcare locally.

The closing date for completing the survey is Wednesday 17th December 2025.              Please note, this communication will be sent via Schools, Parent Councils and School Age Childcare providers for circulation to parents and carers.  Apologies if you receive this more than once.  We are trying to ensure it gets circulated widely but you need only complete the survey once.

5. Message from Catalyst Vineyard Church - Gilcomston Park!

We hope this email finds you and your staff well as the Christmas season approaches - we are keeping your staff and school families in our prayers during this busy time of year!

As a local church, we believe in supporting our community and local families, so we have prepared some free, fun, family Christmas events and resources that we are excited to share. We are writing to ask if you would consider sharing this community event detailed below with your school families. We hope it will be a wonderful and relaxing treat for families in our community this year as we countdown to Christmas!

Christmas Cinema - The Star ⭐

This Christmastime, bring your family along to our Christmas Movie Morning where we'll be showing The Star, a Christmas movie all about the story of the first ever Christmas. It's a fun film for all the family to enjoy and you can watch the trailer here.. Not only that, but we will have craft stations all around the room for kids (and adults!) to get creative and take home their creations!

Key Details:

·  Who: Families with preschool or primary school-aged children.

·  What: Movie morning with Christmas crafts 

·  When: Saturday 13th December, 10 AM

·  Please Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult.

·  Sign-up Link: click here to sign up

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

• All children will have their photograph taken by the school photographer today.  If you would like a sibling group photograph please call the office or reply to this message.

Active

• Getting into the festive spirit Active Schools are delighted to invite your P1-4 pupils to our Festive Festival on Mon 1st Dec 4-5pm. They can sign up using the below link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/festive-festival-tickets-1972512455854?aff=oddtdtcreator

• It was great to see four Westpark runners participating in junior parkrun yesterday – we hope to see them there again soon!

Achieving

• Today we welcome visitors from the central team along with senior members of staff from Ferryhill and Culter Schools.  They will be visiting all classes as part of the Quality Assurance process.

• P6 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please bring your library card.

• Did you know that we have a school Beano subscription?  Children from all classes enjoy reading this comic for pleasure, and discounted subscriptions are currently on offer: this could be a great Christmas gift which will also promote regular reading opportunities at home.

Included

• Dress as you please (optional) on Friday – please bring a chocolate or bottle for the Christmas Tombola.

• P1-7 Concert on the afternoon of Wednesday 17th December and morning of Thursday 18th December.  Each child will have two seats reserved for them – parents will be able to phone to request these from 10am on Monday 8th December.  Active members of the Parent Voice group and school volunteers will be given priority seating.

• Stella's Voice are now accepting requests for their Christmas Bike Delivery scheme. They are working in partnership with Sport Aberdeen and Active Schools to roll this out across Aberdeen City, with the aim of this scheme being to provide refurbished bikes to children at primary or secondary school, who are facing barriers relating to cost and wider life challenges/ or are Young Carers or Care Experienced Children/ or Those who cannot meet the cost or are in receipt of a benefit.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson if you wish to apply for a refurbished bike for your child.

• Class Christmas parties will take place during the last week of term.  Children may wear party clothes if they wish, but do not need to.  Drinks and ice poles will be provided. P1, P2 and P3 on Tuesday 16th December, P3/4, P4 and P5 on Thursday 18th December, and P6, P6/7 and P7 on Friday 19th December.

• King’s Church, Bridge of Don would like to extend an invitation to an event we will be hosting this December.

DECEMBER 7TH – CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE

On December 7th we have our annual Christmas Experience.

We’ll have four time slots throughout the day: 10AM, 12:30PM, 3PM, and 5PM.

It is family friendly event and will be a festive day filled with so much fun and joy.

The event will feature a Christmas concert, fun fair rides, nativity animals, and a wide selection of delicious food stalls.

This is always one of the highlights of our year, a chance for friends, families, and neighbours to come together, celebrate, and make memories.

We would love to see you there!

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.kingschurchaberdeen.com/christmas

Alternatively, please email office@kingschurchaberdeen.com

Good morning,

Dates for your diary:

• 28th November  is Dress as you please day.  Please bring a donation of chocolate or a bottle for the Christmas tombola.

• 10th December 3.30-5.30 Westpark Family Christmas Movie Picnic  - bring a blanket and a snack (Christmas Jammies optional!).  Film to be decided by vote – form to follow on 1st December.

• There will be a change to bells ringing in school starting today.  From now on, only one bell will ring at 8.50, and one at 3pm.  Break and lunch will remain at the same times, but staff will signal the end of these using whistles.  Staff have decided to trial this approach due to the recognition that the volume and frequency of bells ringing is distressing for some learners.

Safe

• All P6 learners are taking part in a Cybersafe workshop on Monday afternoon.

Achieving

• On the in service day PSA staff spent time looking at self regulation strategies.  The Parent Voice group are funding sensory focus toolkits for learners to use in class and around the school.  These will contain ear defenders as well as focus tools such as squidgys and poppits.  Should you find any of these are taken home by mistake please return to school.

• Teaching staff looked at new approaches to writing, as well as improving feedback and having high aspirations for learners.  Please encourage your child to take care with presentation of their learning – learners may be asked to complete work at home or lunch if they do not meet expectations.

• Thank you to all who attended the Open Afternoon on Thursday.  We appreciate your engagement in your child’s learning.

Active

• Our hockey team are representing Westpark in a tournament on Thursday.

• This Friday we welcome parkrun ambassadors to assembly as we have become a parkrun primary!  All learners are encouraged to meet us for junior parkrun in Duthie Park this Sunday at 9.30am.  Registration is free (you should select Westpark AC as your club): home | Duthie junior parkrun | Duthie junior parkrun - prizes and stickers for attending will be given out in assembly next week.

Responsible

• P6/7 are visiting Mastrick Library on Tuesday.  Please bring a library card.

• P7 are visiting Cineworld on Tuesday – please bring your bus pass.

• P6, P6/7 and P7 are visiting Aberdeen Science Centre on Friday to learn about Circuits.  Please bring your bus pass.

• Each month we have a focus metaskill at Westpark.  This month it is “Feeling”.  Please share any examples of your child demonstrating this at home – please see video in the link.  This could include: listening and relating to problems and finding solutions, putting themselves in someone elese’s shoes, describing how they feel to other people.

Nurtured

• P3/4 are welcoming minister Fiona Lister for a visit on Thursday.

Included

• Family Learning Christmas Party on Friday the 12th of December at Northfield Academy 5.30pm - 8pm. 

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-learning-northfield-christmas-party-1212-tickets-1963572622572?aff=oddtdtcreator

• Link to Raring2Go Winter Magazine: CLICK HERE FOR LINK

• Thanks to all who have volunteered to help at the school fair, it will go ahead as planned from 3pm on Friday 5th December – please call the office to add your name to the list of helpers.

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

Our Parent Voice group meets at 5pm tomorrow (Tuesday 4th November).  Please join us to help plan for school improvement and events, and reply to this message to let us know if you can attend.  Children are also welcome.

The school office will be closed this afternoon from 1pm.

Safe

• Firework night – P6 and P7 classes have been learning about the firework code.  We recommend our families attend Aberdeen City Council’s firework display at the beach, as this is the cheapest and safest way to enjoy the celebration.

• Cybersafe Scotland will be working with small groups of P7s to learn about managing risks online.

Active

• Active Schools have a range of festivals on offer this term, alongside our usual clubs, starting with a double one open to all primary age groups and hosted by our RGU students at Heathryburn School.

Details on attached poster, please sign up below:

P4-7 Ball Games:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/p4-7-ball-games-festival-tickets-1828390107029?aff=oddtdtcreator

P1-3 Multi-sports

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/p1-3-multi-sport-festival-tickets-1828360939789?aff=oddtdtcreator

• Spaces are available at our Friday lunchtime tennis clubs. Please sign up here:

• Stella's Voice are now accepting requests for their Christmas Bike Delivery scheme. They are working in partnership with Sport Aberdeen to roll out across Aberdeen City, with the aim of this scheme aiming to provide refurbished bikes to children aged between 9 and 12, who identify within the following groups:

Children facing barriers relating to cost and wider life challenges

Young Carers and Care Experienced Children

Those who cannot meet the cost or are in receipt of a benefit

  All of the above

Please contact Mrs Atkinson if you wish to apply.

• ASV Energisers commences this week, with booking now live! ASV Energisers is a free sports programme offering free after-school coached sessions in a variety of sports, free hot meals, access to sporting facilities, sports kit.

The next block of sessions will commence tomorrow and run for 6 weeks, continuing to provide free sporting opportunities for local primary school pupils in Aberdeen City & Shire.

Partner clubs for the next block:🏃‍♂️ Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club,⚽ We Make Footballers Aberdeen,🏓 ASV Table Tennis Academy, 🏊 ASV Learn to Swim. Their continued support allows delivery of high-quality sessions, giving children the opportunity to stay active and inspiring the next generation of young athletes! Over 30 NESCol Sports Coaching students will gain invaluable hands-on experience working alongside our expert partner club coaches as the Energisers programme continues to grow and develop.

A huge thank you to generous sponsors, Serica Energy and CNOOC International, whose support enables us to keep providing these free opportunities for local children. Each child who attends the ASV Energisers programme in 2025/2026 will get a free Energisers water bottle thanks to their sponsorship.

Important information: Please note, children under the age of 8 MUST have a parent/guardian present to sign in and pick up at each session. To comply with our risk assessments and safeguarding requirements, we must maintain an accurate register of all participants, including their emergency contacts, medical conditions, allergies, and any relevant disabilities. This ensures we can provide a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for every child. For this reason, and to prevent sessions from exceeding capacity while ensuring all registered children receive their entitled hot meal, we can only accept those who have registered in advance. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate unregistered participants, including siblings, for the sports sessions or free hot meal.

Programme dates: Tuesday 4th November – Thursday 11th December

To book, visit the ASV Energisers webpage and follow the links to each sport. Alternatively, follow the links for each sport on the attached PDF (please note, you may need to download the PDF attachment for links to be active.)

Responsible

• P7 will be visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please bring a library card if you have one.

• All P1-7s will be taking part in multi-age skillshops on Wednesday afternoon.

• Bikeability 2 continues on Friday – please ensure you bring your bike and permission form.

Included

• Please see updated Family Calendar attached.  Paper copies available from the school office.

• P6VP are sharing some of their learning at an assembly this Friday at 2pm.  Each child will have two seats reserved in their name.  Please contact the school office should you require additional tickets or have accessibility requirements.  Entry is via the breakfast club door.

• Our Westpark Wishlist can be viewed here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2Z5VRDWRMI03I?ref_=wl_share

27.10.25

Welcome back!

This week at Westpark:

Safe

• Reminder: Crocs are not to be work at school (indoors or outdoors)

• Bikeability Level 2 begins on Friday – learners must have returned permission forms to take part (these were handed out to target pupils prior to the holidays).

• Bike checks take place on Wednesday – please bring your bike in and park it in the bike shelter to be checked (this is particularly important for Bikeability children, but other bikes may be checked if there is time)

• Bikes and scooters should be chained up in the bike shelter or to the fence – we do not have space to store bikes safely indoors.  Helmets must be worn when cycling or scooting.

Healthy

• Breakfast Club resumes today.

• Childsmile fluoride application this week.

Active

• Rugby Club is now finished – thanks to all who attended.

• Tennis Club starts this Friday lunchtime – members will receive a Group Call message informing them of their place.  They must attend every Friday.

Achieving

• P1 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Parent helpers welcome. We encourage all learners to apply for their own library card and bring it along to library visits.

• Our school attendance for this year is currently 93%.  P3 and P7 are the year groups with the highest average attendance – this is closely monitored and we aim for all learners to have good attendance (over 95%).  A child with 90% attendance will have missed one year of school by S3, so we are aiming for 95%+!

• As part of the Quality Assurance process Mrs McNair and Mrs Atkinson will be sampling reading work from groups of children in each class over the next two weeks.

Nurtured

• Befriend A Child have spaces available at their Tuesday evening Youth Club for age 6-12 at Northfield Community Centre 6.00pm – 7.30pm – Term Time. Please see attached flyer and application form or contact Mrs Atkinson for details.

Responsible

• A group of P5 and P6 learners will be visiting Somerville Books in Rosemount on Thursday afternoon.  Following the success of our P7 partnership with Space Solutions, the Bookateers will be planning a project which will help them learn about and develop skills necessary to running a bookstore.  The store welcomes customers in fancy dress this weekend and will be decorated for Hallowe’en.

Included

• The Hallowe’en Disco will take place that evening.  No ticket presale – donations on door (suggested donation £2).  Fancy dress and pumpkins welcome – please label your pumpkin with your name and class.

Nursery-P3 5.15-6.00 pm Enter and exit by breakfast club door

P4-7 6.00-7.00 pm enter by front door, exit by breakfast club  door.

If you wish your child to  walk home alone afterwards (or be collected by someone other than their own parent) please inform us by calling the office or in writing, otherwise they will wait for you with staff at school. 

Reminder: mobile phones are not permitted at school events.  Please leave these at home, or hand in to Mrs Atkinson on arrival.

• Theatre Club: We still have a few tickets remaining for RSNO The Snowman (Wednesday 17th December, 6.30pm Music Hall - £17 children, £23 adults).  Parents may book tickets for themselves and their child(ren) or for their child(ren) only – then drop them off at the venue to be supervised by school staff.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson to book: alice.atkinson@ab-ed.org

• Fiona Lister and Aberdeen North Church would like to invite P7s to a free event on the evening of Saturday 22nd November specifically aimed at youth. Would you be able / happy to advertise it around the p7s. It is a Christian worship event – please see flyer attached for more details.

10.10.25

School returns on Monday 27th October.  The Hallowe’en Disco will take place that evening.  No ticket presale – donations on door (suggested donation £2).  Fancy dress and pumpkins welcome – please label your pumpkin with your name.

Nursery-P3 5.15-6.00 pm

Enter and exit by breakfast club door

P4-7 6.00-7.00 pm enter by front door, exit by breakfast club  door.

If you wish your child to  walk home alone afterwards please inform us in writing, otherwise they will wait for you at school.  Please also inform us if they will be collected by a family friend or other parent.

Breakfast club continues from Monday 27th October.

Thank you to P2 and P3 parents who attended yesterday’s Book Bug session.  Please help us plan future events by completing this form: https://forms.office.com/e/bYqSMaECYK

Robotics Fortnight (13 – 24 October)

Aberdeen City Libraries are launching a Robotics Fortnight to mark the beginning of the Innovation Station housed at Central Library. There will be lots of hands-on coding/robotics session – from Sphero Indi cars, author event, Toy Tear Down, film afternoon (The Belmont) and LEGO Spike sessions throughout the school holidays. Sessions are FREE to attend and activities are suitable for 4-7yrs, 8-11yrs and 12-15yrs.  To book a space at any of the activities, please follow this link: Robotics Fortnight | Aberdeen City Council

Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, in partnership with Police Scotland, are hosting a Breakfast Club during the October holidays at North Anderson Fire Station for families to attend. This is an opportunity to drop in for some breakfast, socialise with others & have a fun morning.

06.10.25

This week at Westpark:

Friday is the last day of term.  School will close at 3pm. We reopen at 8.50 on Monday 27th October.

Members of teaching staff and senior leaders value working with you to meet children’s needs, but we are not able to accommodate drop in visits or phone calls.  If you wish to make an appointment or receive a phone call please contact the school office and we will get back to you to arrange an appointment.  Alternatively, members of SLT will be in the playground some mornings and afternoons before/after school and are able to discuss informal queries with parents then.

Safe

1. We are hoping to offer Learn to Bike sessions for  P4-P7 learners.

This is for children who cannot ride a bike at all.  It is not to improve riding skills.  P7s will take priority, and a maximum of 2 sessions will be offered to each child.  Contact Mrs Atkinson if you would like to register your child for the sessions (which will take place during the school day)

Active

2. Tennis Club – places available for P2-7 learners to join tennis club starting at lunchtime on Friday 31st

3. Duthie junior parkrun invite all learners age 4 and above to join a (free) fancy dress Halloween Run in the Duthie Park at 9.30 on Sunday 26th October.  Register here: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/?eventName=duthie-juniors  Under “club”  please select “Westpark AC”.

Nurtured

4. We have a large number of new items (jumpers, jackets, water bottles) in stock at New to You – please come along and help yourself!

Parent volunteers sought to help keep the stall neat and tidy. Please contact the school office if you can spare some time to do this – even 20 minutes a week would make a big difference.

5. Lost Property is sorted out each week, and it is a huge help if clothing and other items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. 

6. Minister Fiona Lister will join us for a Harvest Assembly on Friday.  We will also be collecting non-perishable food and toiletry items in the foyer for donation to a local foodbank.  All items gratefully received.

Achieving

7. Children’s Book Groups

Aberdeen City Libraries hosts children’s book groups, 9-11yrs, at several libraries throughout the city: see link below. The groups are held every 4 weeks and aim to encourage children to read for pleasure, explore what they have been reading with others and have fun! The groups are free to attend and children can just drop in.

Dates for October’s groups can be found at https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/CYPBG%20Oct25.pdf

8. P2 and P3 parents are invited to share in opening this year Book Bug bags on Thursday at 2.30pm in the main hall.  Entry via the breakfast club door.

Responsible

9. P2 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday morning.  Please bring your library card.

Included

10. Thanks to all who attended Parents Evening on Thursday.  There is still time to respond to our Parent Questionnaire using this link: https://forms.office.com/e/wefTL7raQB

11. School Improvement is most effective when parents work in partnership with schools.  You are all invited to attend our monthly Parent Voice meeting tomorrow  (Tuesday) at 5pm.  In addition to meeting with staff and discussing updates to the School Improvement Plan we are also reliant on parent volunteers to ensure the success of events such as the Halloween Disco on Monday 27th October. Active members of Parent Voice and parents who volunteer in school are offered priority seating at concerts as a perk of the job!

12. Christmas Card and book club orders may be placed at the school office at end of the day on Monday.  It is not possible to process late orders.

13. Please see attached Makaton Level 1 and 2 Workshop poster. 

14. Nursery and P1-5 classes use Seesaw to share learning with parents, and you will find class updates as well as details of weekly learning targets there.  P6 and P7 classes use Google Classroom.  Please contact us if you need help to access these.

Join in celebrating 200 years of the modern railway by visiting ‘Inspiration’ The Railway 200 Exhibition! This unique travelling exhibition, curated in partnership with The National Railway Museum, features interactive displays, inspiring stories, and hands-on activities for all age groups to enjoy. The train features four carriages:

• Railway Firsts: Showcasing groundbreaking innovations in railway history

• Wonderlab on Wheels: Offering engaging hands-on activities to explore the science and engineering behind railways

• Your Railway Future: Uncovering some of the more hidden roles in rail and encouraging people to consider a career in rail to shape the next 200 years

• The Partner Zone: A place for local organisations to tell their stories (content will vary event to event)

Where and When?

• Location address: Aberdeen railway station, Union Square Guild Square, Aberdeen AB11 5RG

• Dates: Sunday 19 October to Monday 20 October

• Opening information:

• • Sunday 19 Oct opening times 10:00am – 5.00pm. Last entry will be at 4:00pm.

  • Monday 20 Oct opening times 09:30am – 4.30pm. Last entry will be at 3:30pm

Ticket Info

Tickets are free and can be booked online: Buy Inspiration Tickets online - Railway 200

29.09.25

This week at Westpark

Healthy

1. Applications for Friday lunchtime Tennis Clubs are now open.  There are 16 places available for P2-P4 learners, and 16 for P5-7.  Members must commit to attending every Friday lunchtime until Christmas.  If they choose not to continue after this time you should notify the coach in writing so that the space may be reallocated.  The club begins on Friday 31st October.  In the event of oversubscription we will allocate places initially to those not already a member of a sports club.  Please register your interest by Friday using this link.

2. There are still spaces available for P2-4 Basketball Club after school on a Monday, Wednesday afternoon cycle club, Wednesday lunchtime Bible Club and P5-7 after school Rugby Club on a Thursday. Please contact Mrs Atkinson to join.

Active

1. 40 P5s and P6s will be selected to visit the Scottish Cup at Enermech on Tuesday afternoon.  You will be notified by Group Call later today if your child’s application was successful.

Achieving

1. Parents night is this Thursday.  Bookings may be made after 10am on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.  Teachers are unable to accommodate appointment requests made after this time, and parents choosing to do so will be asked to email queries for the teacher to respond to next week.

Whilst attending your appointment please take some time to peruse the book fair, check lost property (unclaimed items will be donated to New To You/charity on Friday), scan order details for Christmas Cards and complete Parent Voice questionnaires.

2. P6/7 are sharing some of this term’s learning at an Assembly this Friday at 2pm.  Each child will have 2 seats reserved in their name.  If you require additional seating, or have accessibility requirements please contact the school office.

3. P3 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday – please bring your library card if you have one.

4. FREE author events this Saturday:

Age 8-14 Free Writing Workshop - Write a Historical Mystery

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/wayword-festival/write-a-historical-mystery-for-ages-9-12-with-katherine-woodfine/e-pboqlm

Age 9-12 Free Author Talk

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/wayword-festival/celebrating-a-decade-of-the-sinclairs-mysteries-with-katherine-woodfine/e-ogoddp

5. Date for your diary: All P2 and P3 parents are invited to share Bookbug book bags with their children at 2.30pm on Thursday 9th October in the main hall.  Entry is via the breakfast club door.  Please let us know if you cannot attend so that we can match your child with a Buddy Reader for the afternoon.

6. Headphones – it is helpful for learners to have their own (labelled) headphones to keep in their tray and use with Chromebooks and Laptops to access talk and type technology, Sumdog and Literacy Planet.  Each class has a few sets of headphones to share, but we find children take much better care of these if they belong to them, so please provide these if you are able to.

Nurtured

1. We are pleased to let you know that AberNecessities’ Charity Christmas Eve Box applications are now open – please contact Mrs Atkinson if you wish your child to benefit from this.

2. P1 will welcome Fiona Lister, minister of Mastrick Church, for a visit this Thursday.

Included

1. Sea Cadet Juniors run on a Monday Night from 1845-2100. 

There are 2 steps to joining. Firstly, it's an online joining form at www.sea-cadets.org/apply (no commitment made when form completed). Once completed, its then it's a visit to the unit for the new cadet and their Parent/Guardian to have a look around and meet the rest of the Staff and Cadets. 

They ask for a small contribution of £7.50 a month for juniors to attend but if this is going to be an issue then please let them know. 

2. Parent Voice meets next Tuesday at 5pm.  All welcome – your voice is important, and we need your help to plan events such as discos and fairs as well as the Westpark Glow Up.

Please see new resources from the Community Planning Aberdeen website designed to help us all stay safer, more informed, and more connected:

1) How to Spot and Stop Misinformation Online

This guidance from UNICEF and the United Nations helps you spot, understand, and counter misinformation and false content online. Whether you’re seeing something on social media, forwarded in a message, or shared through a group chat — these tips will help you check facts and share responsibly.

Find it here: Misinformation Guidance

2) Report It: Help Us Tackle Hate Crime in Aberdeen

If you’ve witnessed or experienced hate crime — or know of something that isn’t right but could be harmful — this page explains how to report it safely and securely. It’s part of our collective effort to make Aberdeen a welcoming, safe place for everyone.

Learn more / Report here: Report It – Help Us Tackle Hate Crime in Aberdeen

What you can do

Please:

1. Read and share – Explore both pages and share them with friends, family, colleagues, or your networks.

2. Use the tools – Apply the misinformation checks in your own online life. If you see something inappropriate or hateful, use the reporting guidance.

3. Talk about it – Conversations can help shift culture. Encourage others to think before sharing, to ask questions, and to speak up against hate.

The refreshed Local Housing Strategy (LHS) has been approved which will focus on providing the people of Aberdeen good quality, safe, sustainable and affordable homes in thriving communities over the period 2025-2030. The Local Housing Strategy now has much more of a person-centred focus and considers the impact of housing on the people of Aberdeen through our exploration of the social determinants of health. In addition, consideration of personas, based on our citizens with complex housing and support needs, have helped ensure that the new Strategy takes account of those who need our help most. This significant change in approach represents a shift in primary focus from buildings to people.  It also serves to remind us of why we are here, and who it is that we support.

All feedback from stakeholders in relation to the Local Housing Strategy gathered during the “Your Place, Your Plans, Your Future” engagement exercise was collated into a “You Said, We Did” format, which outlines exactly how the comments and suggestions were used to improve the strategy and its accompanying Delivery Plan. The Delivery Plan sets out a list of targets and actions which will help to achieve the overall vision of the LHS between 2025-30, with the plan being continually reviewed over the lifespan of the LHS to ensure that progress is being made and opportunities for improvement are identified.

The Local Housing Strategy and the consultation feedback, including the “you said, we did” can be found here 

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are looking for resources to upscale Free Learning and play within the school.

Free Learning involves using a wide selection of everyday objects and materials to create, build, experiment, play and invent with. Research has found that free learning has a significant number of benefits for all our children P1 to 7 including; developing their imagination, emotional intelligence, creativity, curiosity, physical health and fine and gross motor skills. It provides children with the opportunity to use and build on the skills they are learning in school in a meaningful way.

We are beginning a loose parts collection of a range of materials that children can use in their play. If you have any items you wish to donate, please hand these into school. Please ensure all items are safe for children to handle. If you are unsure ask a teacher.

We are looking for;

·   Corks

·   Buttons

·   Ribbon, Wool and String

·  

Wooden disks

·   Shells

·   Jars

·   Beads

·   Wooden and Foam bricks/blocks

·   Sticks of Varying sizes

·   Fabric

·   Flooring Samples

·   PVC Pipes

·   Kitchenware- cake/muffin tins, sieves, colanders, china plates, cups, bowls

·   Metal teapots, trays etc..

·   Paper Plates

·   “Junk Materials” - cardboard boxes, bottle tops, kitchen roll tubes etc..

·   Any other appropriate items

23.09.25

• Parents’ night is next Thursday (2nd October).  Appointments may be requested via email or by calling the school office from 10am on  Thursday or Friday.  Please do not call prior to this as office staff must prioritise attendance.

• P7s are going to Newtonmore tomorrow and returning on Friday – please avoid parking in the kiss and drop space to allow the bus to park there.

• P3/4 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please bring a library card if you have one.

• Date for diary:  The date of the Halloween Disco has been changed to Monday 27th October (the first day back after holidays) – more details to follow.

Tuesday 30 September, 3.30pm at Kincorth Library

Thursday 2 October, 3.30pm at Culter Library

Looking for a creative way to spend an afternoon during Climate Week North East?

Join us to craft your very own cloud mobile - a fun, hands-on activity perfect for ages 6+ and families to get creative and learn through play.

Book A Place for Kincorth Library

Culter Library is a drop-in session. No booking required

Unearthed: The Power of Gardening Quiz

Wednesday 1 October, 6pm at Central Library

Love a quiz? Passionate about plants, seeds, sowing, and mowing? Then join us at Central Library for the final event of the Living Knowledge Network and British Library's Unearthed: The Power of Gardening exhibition.

What to expect:

A lively garden-themed quiz

Brilliant prizes including seedbooms, mini gardening tools, a gardener’s handcare kit, British Library tote bag, and bookmarks

Come solo or as a team (max 4 people) Flying solo? No problem—we’ll have an open team for individual participants.

Book A Place

Bookbug Sessions

Tuesday 23 September, 10.30am at Tillydrone Library

Thursday 2 October, 2.15pm at Torry Library

Friday 3 October, 10.30am at Children’s Library

Looking for something free, friendly, and fun to do with your baby, toddler or pre-schooler? Come along to our Climate & Nature Themed Bookbug sessions to celebrate CWNE25

Enjoy 30 minutes of stories, songs and rhymes

Support your child’s development while having a giggle

Meet other families in a relaxed, welcoming space

Whether you're clapping, singing, or snuggling up for a story — it's the perfect way to spend quality time together. 💛

Tillydrone and Torry Library are drop-in sessions. No booking required.

Book A Place for Children’s Library

15.09.25

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

School is closed for a holiday on Friday and next Monday.

Safe:

• Cybersafe Scotland will be working with groups of P7 girls on Thursday.  Please ensure consent forms have been returned.

• Police Scotland invite you to a firework safety information session:

Firework Safety Session 21st October 2025- 0930-1030 hours
Police Scotland will speak about aspects of the Fireworks & Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 and highlight the main areas that could affect young people, power of search, proxy purchase and Firework Control Zones.
https://policescotland.webex.com/policescotland/j.php?MTID=m9f379722aba14c2f307ec82c46812696

Active:

• A group of 12 P6s will set sail on our Tall Ship, The James Cook.  They will return on Wednesday.  At Westpark we say “We Can Do Hard Things”  - well done to the P6s who volunteered for this opportunity, and their parents for encouraging them and making it possible.

• We are now officially registered as a parkrun school.  Junior parkrun takes place every Sunday morning in Duthie Park, and is free for 4-14 year olds.

• We are looking for volunteers to accompany P4 learners to swimming lessons in the new year – please contact us if you can help.

Nurtured:

• Please take a look at information from parents produced by the Educational Psychology service: Educational Psychology Service - Emotion Coaching for Parents & Carers

Achieving:

• We are seeking parent volunteers to laminate and cut images for visual timetables.  These are designed to support neurodivergent learners, and will provide routine and consistency throughout the school.  Please call the school office if you can help – by taking items home to prepare, or volunteering during the school day.

• A group of P7s are continuing to work with Space Architects to apply numeracy skills in a real world context.

• Parents Evening will take place from 3.30-7pm on Thursday 2nd October.  Next week’s bulletin will include details of how and when to make an appointment.

Responsible

• P4 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please bring your library card.  Regular reading for pleasure

Included

• Bible Club for P4-7 restarts on Wednesday lunchtime.  Children who choose to sign up are expected to attend every week.  Pamela and Paul, who run the club, will visit classes on Wednesday morning to invite members to join.

08.09.25

This week at Westpark:

Safe

• Following concerns raised at last week’s Parent Voice meeting, Traffic Wardens patrolled roads around the school on Friday, and will return to do so again.  Please walk to school wherever possible.  If using a vehicle, consider parking at Byron Square to park and stride to school.

• This week all classes will take part in the Hands Up Travel Survey to find out how many children walk to school across Scotland.

Healthy

• Every month we spot check children registered as carrying their own inhalers to make sure they are able to access them when needed – this means they should have them on their person at playtimes and lunchtimes as well as during class time.  Alternatively, inhalers may be stored in the school office to be accessed by staff when needed.

Active

• Sport Aberdeen will be starting a P3 – P6 Cycle group from 1.30-2.30 every Wednesday.  The group is intended to build confidence in cycling, so members must be able to ride a bike.  Bikes will be provided if you do not have your own.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson if you would like you child to join – we are limited to 8 members.

• P2-4 Basketball Club starts at 3pm today – members must attend each session (unless absent from school).

Only three members joined P5-7 rugby club last week so there are lots of spaces left.  Please sign up here:

Basketball Sign Up - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/westpark-p2-4-basketball-tickets-1643519674589?aff=oddtdtcreator

Rugby Sign Up - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/westpark-p5-7-rugby-tickets-1643593906619?aff=oddtdtcreator

Achieving

• We aim for all children to have more than 95 % attendance, and a great many have maintained an attendance  rate of 100% so far this term.  Only two year groups – P5 and P7 – have over 90% of leaners attending 90% of the time in August.  Consistent good attendance in September will allow other year groups to climb up the rankings.  An attendance rate of only 90% adds up to a full year of absence by S3.

Responsible

• All P1-7s will take part in our monthly Westpark Skillshop on Wednesday.  This month’s focus skill is Initiative.

• The Pupil Council are seeking help to improve the appearance of our school – please read letter attached and contact us if you or your employer can help with equipment (power washers) or time.

• P6/7 will visit Mastrick Library on Thursday. Please bring your library card – and apply for one free of charge if you do not have one already!

• Learners will spend breaktimes and lunchtimes outdoors unless weather is extremely bad. Please make sure your child always has appropriate shoes and a jacket.  A change of clothes (socks, trousers) kept in their bag can be very useful.  Donations of new socks and pants always welcome as we keep a small stock of spares in case of emergency.

Included

• ASN parent group - Cummings Park Centre 

Every Thursday from 9:30 - 11:30

• Autism Outreach parent session - Sensory Processing focus

Tuesday 7th October at Quarryhill School, 9.15am - 11.15am 

Monday 27th October at Bramble Brae School, 9.15am - 11.15am 

01.09.25

This week at Westpark:

Healthy

• P1-7 learners will take part in an asthma workshop on Thursday to learn more about managing asthma. This links with class learning about the SHANARRI indicators, and how we keep ourselves safe and healthy.

Achieving

• P7O will be sharing their learning in a class assembly on Friday.  Entry is via the breakfast club door.  Each child will be allocated two reserved seats – please contact the school office if you would like additional seating or have accessibility requirements.

• Change to calendar: P5 will visit Mastrick Library on Thursday instead of P6/7R.  Please bring your library card. Egmont UK reported in February 2020 that 'children who read for pleasure simply do better in life'. They have a better sense of well-being. They reach greater levels of attainment’

• QIO colleagues from Aberdeen City Council will be visiting us on Tuesday morning to support our school improvement plan.

• You may be aware Scotland’s education system is being reformed, this includes the creation of a new qualifications body, Qualifications Scotland, and a new education inspectorate, with further changes to national education public bodies occurring throughout the upcoming school year. Improvements to the curriculum and approach to qualifications, and assessment are also planned in the coming years. This work will enhance outcomes for children and young people educated in Scotland with the aim of ensuring excellence and equity by raising standards and giving every child and young person the same opportunity to succeed. Further information can be found on the Scottish Government’s website.

Nurtured

• Cash for Kids Winter Warmer grants are available for children who do not, and will not, have the means to access suitable warm winter clothing. Grants will be £40 per child in the form of an e-voucher for a clothing retailer selected by Cash for Kids. The voucher must be spent on warm winter clothing including coat, jumpers, shoes, hat, scarf, gloves, socks, vests and blankets.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson directly if you wish a referral to be made on your behalf.  Referrals must be made by the end of September.  alice.atkinson@ab-ed.org

• Our New to You stall is always open – please help yourself to uniforms, jackets and shoes.  Volunteers wanted to help keep it neat and tidy.

• We have a school wishlist – if you would like to support our school please take a look with your child and write a message along with your purchase.  A big thank you to those families who made purchases of paints and books last week – you received a big round of applause at assembly.

Active

• Northfield Academy has a P5-7 basketball club set to start on Mon 8th Sept in their games hall, for all ASG schools.  Sign up here:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/northfield-asg-p5-7-basketball-tickets-1643620435969?aff=oddtdtcreator

• Please sign up for basketball (P2-4, Mondays 3-4pm) and rugby club (P5-7, Thursdays 3-4pm) starting in our gym hall next week:

Basketball Sign Up - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/westpark-p2-4-basketball-tickets-1643519674589?aff=oddtdtcreator

Rugby Sign Up - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/westpark-p5-7-rugby-tickets-1643593906619?aff=oddtdtcreator

Members are expected to attend EVERY week this term to develop mastery of skills. If they choose not to carry on they should inform the coach and school office in writing prior to the holidays.  Both clubs take place in the gym hall, and children will be dismissed from the gym hall door (by the basketball hoop in the playground).

Responsible

• Please keep special toys and treasures at home unless otherwise agreed with class teacher. This allows greater focus on learning, and ensures personal property is kept safe.

• P7 parents are invited to an information meeting about the Newtonmore Residential trip on Friday at 2.30pm (straight after assembly).  This is your chance to ask any questions.

• P6 Tall Ships parents are invited to an information meeting on Tuesday at 2.30pm.

• Lost property from the current week is displayed on the table by the school office.  House Captains check this each week to return named items to their owners.  Parents and children are also welcome to check, please understand that office staff do not ordinarily have time to search for you.

Included

• You are all invited to join our Parent Voice group.  The first meeting takes place at 5.00pm tomorrow, Tuesday September 2nd. Elected members from Aberdeen City Council will also be joining us to hear about school improvement plans.

• Theatre Club – Scottish Ballet Mary Queen of Scots.Friday 3rd October, 7.30pm. School tickets are £12.50.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson to reserve.  Parents and ex-pupils welcome.https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/mary-queen-of-scots/

• Do you have any bubble wrap from parcels?  We are collecting it to help create a sensory walk.

• Did you see this article about two of our new P1s? https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/education/schools/6833429/twins-ella-elsa-allan-nicole-clark-northfield-aberdeen-cerebral-palsy-start-school/

25.08.25

We have all enjoyed our first week back in school and are getting used to our new classes and routines. Thank you to all parents for supporting us with excellent attendance last week and we would encourage you to continue this throughout the term.

This week at Westpark:

Healthy

• Sign up here (using your child’s full name): Breakfast Club.  Unless otherwise notified all those signing up will be allocated the requested days.

Achieving

• Change to calendar: P6VP will visit Mastrick Library on Thursday instead of P6/7R.  Please bring your library card. Egmont UK reported in February 2020 that 'children who read for pleasure simply do better in life'. They have a better sense of well-being. They reach greater levels of attainment’

• Mrs McNair, Mrs Airey and Mrs Atkinson will be visiting all classes over the next two weeks to observe pupils learning, ask them questions and help to plan for appropriate supports and challenges.  This is a regular feature of our school improvement calendar.

Nurtured

• Cash for Kids Winter Warmer grants are available for children who do not, and will not, have the means to access suitable warm winter clothing. Grants will be £40 per child in the form of an e-voucher for a clothing retailer selected by Cash for Kids. The voucher must be spent on warm winter clothing including coat, jumpers, shoes, hat, scarf, gloves, socks, vests and blankets.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson directly if you wish a referral to be made on your behalf.  Referrals must be made by the end of September.  alice.atkinson@ab-ed.org

• Our New to You stall is always open – please help yourself to uniforms, jackets and shoes.  Volunteers wanted to help keep it neat and tidy.

• We have a school wishlist – if you would like to support our school please take a look with your child and write a message along with your purchase.

Active

• AAAC free satellite athletics club will be held weekly up at Northfield Academy. Sign up poster with details attached.

• It is great to see some of you cycling to school!  Please lock bikes in the bike shelter rather than trying to take them inside.

• P5-7 learners will take part in a dance taster session on Friday.  Please wear your Team Westpark t-shirts, appropriate shorts/tracksuit/leggings and trainers/gym shoes.

Included

• You are all invited to join our Parent Voice group.  The first meeting takes place at 5.00pm on Tuesday September 2nd.

• Our baby/toddler group starts this Wednesday from 1:30 - 2:45 in Nursery’s rainbow room.  It is for anyone with a child under 3 years. It is run by the parents and is a great support network for you and your child.  Please come along.

• Girls Brigade poster attached – Miss Thompson from Nursery is one of the leaders.

• Boards & Beans Community Café in Mastrick – families welcome.  Follow link for details.

• Theatre Club – Scottish Ballet Mary Queen of Scots.Friday 3rd October, 7.30pm School tickets are £12.50.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson to reserve.  Parents and ex-pupils welcome.https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/mary-queen-of-scots/

19.08.25

We welcome all our pupils and families back after the summer break. We hope you all had a lovely time and enjoyed a particularly warm and sunny holiday this year!

I am delighted to be with you all in Westpark and am looking forward to getting to know you all over the coming weeks. Please come and say hello if you see me out in the playground and remember you are all welcome to get in contact to make a face to face appointment at any time! There will also be opportunities for us to meet throughout the year at open afternoons, class assemblies, parent voice meetings and parent evenings.  I would encourage you all to be as involved in the life of the school as you can.

Mrs Aileen McNair

Head Teacher

This week at Westpark:

School returns on Tuesday at 8.50am.  The school office is not open today, uniforms were for sale at the end of term and will be again from Wednesday.  P7 hoodies will be distributed as soon as they arrive.

Many children will have forgotten where to line up, so here is a reminder:

P1 

4 

Mrs  Grant 

Mastery 

P2 

6 

Miss Seaman 

Independence 

P3 

2 

Mrs Green 

Kindness 

P3/4 

10 

Miss May 

Belonging 

P4 

9 

Mrs Gibbs (Miss McAllan)

Kindness 

P5 

3 

Miss Godoy 

Mastery 

P6 

8 

Mrs Violeta /Miss Pretious 

Independence 

P6/7 

11 

Miss Ritchie 

Belonging 

P7 

7 

Mr O’Neill 

Independence 

Independence door: by the basketball hoop.

Mastery door: by the bottom of the stairs

Belonging door: by the nursery fence

Kindness door: by the bike shelters

Healthy

There is no breakfast club this week.  Sign up here (using your child’s full name) to begin next week: Breakfast Club.  Unless otherwise notified all those signing up will be allocated the requested days.

Achieving

We want to work with parents to support all our learners to have excellent school attendance.  Every day counts – if your child has an appointment they should attend school for the remainder of the day.  Our office staff prioritise the wellbeing of learners by processing attendance first thing every morning, and will contact you by Group Call and phone call to ascertain the reason for absence if you have not already communicated this to us.  If attendance drops below 90% you will be invited to meet with Mrs McNair or Mrs Atkinson along with the Home School Liaison Officer to plan for improvement.  Attendance of just 90% means a child misses a full year of school by the time they are in S3.

Nurtured

Cash for Kids Winter Warmer grants are available for children who do not, and will not, have the means to access suitable warm winter clothing. Grants will be £40 per child in the form of an e-voucher for a clothing retailer selected by Cash for Kids. The voucher must be spent on warm winter clothing including coat, jumpers, shoes, hat, scarf, gloves, socks, vests and blankets.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson directly if you wish a referral to be made on your behalf.  Referrals must be made by the end of September.  alice.atkinson@ab-ed.org

Our New to You stall is always open – please help yourself to uniforms, jackets and shoes.  Volunteers wanted to help keep it neat and tidy.

Included

Our Family Calendar attached – this will be updated each term and via the weekly bulletin every Monday.

All families will receive bulletins every Monday – please take the time to read this to ensure you do not miss important information.

P1-5 classes will also receive learning updates on Seesaw.

P6 and 7 will use Google classroom to share their learning.

You are all invited to join our Parent Voice group.  Meetings will take place at 5.00pm on the first Tuesday of every month, beginning on September 2nd.

30.06.25

Good morning,

The summer holidays commence at 3pm on Friday.  School reopens to learners on Tuesday 19th August.

Thank you to all who attended the Family Picnic on Friday, it was great to see so many of you in the playground.

Healthy

It looks like a sunny week! Please remember water bottles this week – these may be refilled at the water fountains.  Classes are likely to be spending time outside in addition to playtimes, so please apply sunscreen at home before leaving for school. Westpark baseball caps are available from the school office. 

Achieving

P7 will perform to the whole school on Wednesday at 1.30pm.  Two seats will be reserved for each P7, with additional seating available on request.  Entry is via the breakfast club door from 1.25 (we cannot admit parents any earlier as the hall will be used for lunch and time is needed to clear it).

Nursery would like to invite everyone to their end of term celebration on Thursday 3rd July at 1.30pm in the dinner hall.  Entry is via the breakfast club door at the side of the school.

Nurtured

All P1-7 classes will be walking to Mastrick Church after break on Friday.  They  will return in time for lunch.

Responsible

Lost property is stored on the table by the office for one week after it is found – parents and children may peruse this table themselves at any time.  Older lost property is stored in the admin corridor and then donated to new to you/charity shop after one term.  Please encourage children to be independent in looking for lost property (or come in to look with them) rather than asking office staff to do it as this leads to delays in answering calls and in person visits.

Included

Parents may purchase and order school uniform for the new year this week.  The school office will not be open over the holidays or on the in service day.  Our new to you shop has  a range of uniform available free of charge – please consider donating outgrown jumpers, fleeces, wellies and waterproofs.

Team Westpark t-shirts can be returned and swapped for larger sizes.  P7s should return theirs to school at the end of the week as these belong to the school.  We also welcome returns of school books and resources which you may have lurking at home!

American theme day for school lunch on Wednesday – please see attached poster.

23.06.25

Good morning,

This week at Westpark

Safe

Police Scotland have requested that we share the following message:

FEARLESS have released a new Sextortion resource which is available on the following link.  This provides Professionals, Parents/Carers and Pupils with a wealth of information to assist in understanding the topic and providing support if Children identify themselves as a victim of Sextortion.

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless/professionals/fearless-scotland/sextortion-campaign

It’s recognised that there are victims of this offence, well under the age of 10 years old and as such, supports have been put in place, with a view to create an age appropriate online engagement programme, suitable from the age of 4-7 (with assistance from parents) 8-10 and 11-18, designed to maximise understanding and ensure safety online.

Active

Races – parents are invited to watch races from the pavement on Byron Terrace.  During the races, as with playtimes and lunchtimes, children should not approach adults at the fence before first checking with a member of staff and making sure they know who they are.  Please do not ask your children to come over to you without first telling a member of staff who you are – it is important that we safeguard children when in the playground, and that they understand it is important that we know who they are speaking to.

Mon – All P1s

Tuesday – All P2s, All P3s

Wed – All P4s, All P5s

Thursday – All P6s

Fri – All P7s

P4S are visiting Hazlehead Park on Wednesday.

Please bring £1 for Pets Corner, as well as a snack/waterbottle/lunch, and be dressed to go in all weathers. 

There will not be a chance to go to the café, so no money needed for snacks or ice cream. P4’s christmas fair fund was spent on the bus to visit so the whole class will experience the same trip

P6/7 x 3 are going ice skating on Wednesday.

They will leave school in two groups: 8:15am and 8.30am to go ice skating at the Linx Arena. They are travelling by public transport so please bring in bus cards. They will be back in time for lunch so a snack and drink are what is required to bring along. Pre-ordering using your account would be beneficial. 

The hard earned Grow a Fiver funds are covering the costs. (Additional contributions appreciated if you chose not to take part in Grow A Fiver)

On Thursday, P6/7O and some P6/7M are going to Pizza Express and Cineworld. They will be leaving the school at 8:35am, again using public transport. Donations of  £3 - £5 per childwould help cover the cost.  The class intends to make popcorn and cookies for the trip. Unless you don't like pizza, there is only need to bring a small snack and drink. They should be back in time for the P6 races.

On Friday, P6/7O are having a water fight. The R7 P7s decided they would enjoy this more than their races, but the option is still there for them to race instead. We would love your support in making this as fun as possible. Dropping filled balloons to school, keeping water flowing, getting a drop of water splashed on you etc. would make it much more fun for everyone. The intention is to start outside the dinner hall at 2:30pm. Children should bring a towel to dry a bit at the door and will leave their bags outside. We won't be traipsing water around the school at the end.

Thank you to the parents who have offered up their time to support us for the activities. It is very much appreciated.

P6/7M are having a fun day on Thursday, and a water fight next week (Date TBC)

Uniform should be worn for all trips, along with appropriate shoes and a jacket.

Nurtured

Family Picnic

You are all invited to bring a picnic to the playground on Friday lunchtime (12.10-1pm).  Please let your child and their teacher know if you cannot attend.

After lunch there will be opportunity for parents to take part in a raffle and tombola in the gym hall – cash only, please bring a bag!

Orders for sandwiches/hot dogs should be placed by 5pm today.

Responsible

P2/3 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please bring your library card.

P7s had a successful visit to Northfield Academy last week, and will visit again tomorrow afternoon.  They will be dismissed from Northfield Academy.  Please let us know if you would like your child to walk back to Westpark with staff.  Many children are nervous about these visits, and so parent volunteers are invited to join the classes to support them walking there from 1.30pm.

Included

Next Friday (4th July) we will all be visiting Mastrick Church for an end of term service.  All P1-7s will walk to church after break.

Parents of new P1 learners are invited to an induction meeting in the main hall today at 3.15pm.

P7 Leavers’ assembly is next Wednesday (2nd July).  Each P7 will be allocated two reserved seats.  Please contact the school office if you have accessibility requirements, or wish to book additional seats.  It will start at 1.30pm, entry is via the breakfast club door.

Monday 16th June 2025

This week at Westpark:

Can you help our Early Years classrooms collect loose parts for play? We are looking for:

plastic bottle caps, shells, beads, string/wool, small pebbles, pinecones, mini figures, chess pieces, bottle corks, buttons and baking/cooking  equipment (scales, trays, measuring jugs, rolling pins, mixing bowls, cutters, small pans, wooden spoons/spatulas)

We would also be very grateful if you could donate any Age 5-8 puzzles, books, games and lego. These items can be dropped off at the school office. Thank you!

Active

Races take place at 2.45 pm on the following dates.  Parents are invited to spectate from the pavement on Byron Terrace (please walk to school where possible to avoid traffic congestion and to be good neighbours.  Learners may wear Team Westpark t-shirts, or their house colours (Harris – green, Coll – red, Skye – blue, Iona – yellow)

Mon 23rd June– All P1s

Tuesday 24th June – All P2s, All P3s

Wed 25th June – All P4s, All P5s

Thursday 26th June – All P6s

Fri 27th June– All P7s

Aberdeen Athletic Club are running 4 weeks of camps at Aberdeen Sports Village over the summer holidays.

It is open to all primary years, and is suitable for beginners.

Booking link below, and poster attached:

https://app.loveadmin.com/EventsLink/93ef4bbc11aab17c0bdabe2155c1efd4.htm

Every Sunday we encourage our learners to represent Westpark at Duthie junior parkrun, but did you know there is also a junior parkrun in Inverurie?  It is a free event, open to all 4-14 year olds.  To register or find out more visit their website: www.parkrun.org.uk

We hope to see you there this Sunday at 9.30am

Nurtured

Educational Psychology Service – information for parents to help support children.

Westpark Family Picnic on Friday 27th June.  All parents invited to bring a picnic lunch to eat with their children, or order a school packed lunch.  Next week you will have the chance to pre-order hotdogs from the Parent Voice group.  The Parent voice will also be holding a mini fair in the gym hall at 1pm: Raffle, chocolate and bottle tombola, plants and bric a brac.  Cash only.

Achieving

P1 will be sharing their learning in a short assembly on Friday afternoon at 2pm.  All P1 parents are invited, and two seats will be reserved for each P1.  Please call the school office if you would like additional seats, or have accessibility requirements.  Entry is via the breakfast club door from 1.55pm.

Responsible

P3 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please bring your library card.

Our P7s are visiting Northfield Academy on Wednesday and Thursday.  They should wear their Westpark uniforms and register at Northfield.  We look forward to hearing all about it on Friday.

P6s are visiting Northfield Academy on Tuesday afternoon to watch a performance.  They will walk there for 2pm and leave to walk back at 2.45pm when the performance finishes.  If you would prefer them to walk home from Northfield (rather than back to Westpark with their teacher) please let us know.

Included

P1-7 Shorts and Shades Disco this Thursday (19th June) 5.15pm-6.15pm.  Tickets available at the door, suggested donation £1.  If you wish your child to walk home alone please notify us in writing.  Children should bring a water bottle.  Please leave phones at home, or hand to Mrs Atkinson at the door.  Enter and exit by breakfast club door.

Theatre Club – The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – His Majesty’s Theatre this Thursday at 7.30pm.  Those who ordered tickets will receive them by Wednesday.

Dress as you please (optional) this Friday.  Please bring a donation of a chocolate or a bottle.

P4 are looking for helpers to accompany them to Hazlehead Park on Wednesday 25th June.

P6/7 x 3 are going ice-skating on Wednesday 25th June.  The main P7 trip was the residential to Newtonmore in September, with school subsidising the cost of this and the leavers’ hoodies to ensure that all learners are included. 

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

Parent Voice meets tonight at 5.30pm in R5 – please join us to support end of term events (Family Picnic, Raffles, Shorts and Shades Disco) as well as planning an itinerary for next session.

A large number of greetings cards have been donated and are available in the school foyer – please come and take a look at pick up time and help yourself!  Thank you to the mystery donor!

Safe

Thank you for making sure children are wearing appropriate shoes to school – remember that crocs/mules/sliders are not permitted.

Learners have all been reminded that they should not approach adults at the fence without first seeking permission from a member of staff.  Please do not be offended that your child does not run to greet you if you pass – it is important that learners do not normalise speaking to adults at the fence without first ensuring it is safe to do so.

Cybersafe Scotland have been working on developing options for parent and carer support. With the summer holidays coming up they thought it might be helpful to focus support on some key information about the most universal platform – Roblox.  

They are running a short (20 minute) online session open to all parents in Respected and Safe schools to provide key advice and tips for keeping children safe on Roblox.   

The session will run on Thursday 19th June at 7pm on Teams.  

Roblox appeared in over half of the ‘name its’ P7 learners submitted to Cybersafe this year about harm they’ve experienced online, and knowing the platform and its risks are universal across age groups, we feel it’s really important to give parents the option to learn some key information and advice before the holidays.  

Cybersafe work with children in our school and 9 other primary schools in Aberdeen, protecting them from online harms. We know from the children that Roblox is a space where we really need adults to support children. Cybersafe’s 20 minute online session will give you all the information you need to get safer for summer.  

To test your knowledge, play this short quiz now: 

https://kahoot.it/challenge/0413588?challenge-id=60c82dec-e212-438a-a5ed-3ba454ca1c90_1748946181742

Sign up for the session using this form:  

https://forms.office.com/e/Bx4GTfaR5e  

Healthy

Please remember water bottles – water fountains are available to refill during the day.

Achieving

Aberdeen Reads Summer Challenge (Reading challenge)

Open to everyone in the city, this year’s Aberdeen Reads Challenge will see Library Bear (LB) sail across the seas. This year, we are aiming to beat our total of 2800 books read across the city as part of last year’s challenge.  For every book or challenge logged, Library Bear will travel 10 nautical miles – trying to travel 30,000 (3,000 books) nautical miles and visits lots of fictional islands.  Get reading and Library Bear may visit your favourite book islands.  Young people aged 4-15yrs will be able to earn rewards throughout the summer for reading books and completing challenges.  A challenge card can be collected from any city library, with online cards available from the Aberdeen Reads website.  Young people will be able to collect up to two stamps for every visit to their nearest library. 

This year, all participants will also receive a certificate.  Keep reading over the Summer and enjoy Library Bear’s adventures on the seas!

Water Safety & the RNLI

The RNLI will be visiting all the city’s libraries during July to promote water safety and to share the work of the charity.  The visits will be interactive, and we have heard that water and safety suits might make an appearance!   There will be sessions for all ages – session for 5-7yrs, 8-11yrs & 12-15yrs.  To book your youngster’s space at one of the sessions, head to the Library Events webpages.

Hebocon

Thanks to funding from the Public Library Improvement Fund, Aberdeen City Libraries will be hosting its inaugural Hebocon – a Japanese idea to encourage people to build the world’s best worst robot!  Young people can come along and build their own robot using old toys – think Sid from ‘Toy Story’.  No building experience or knowledge of robots is required to get involved in the Hebocon! You’ll also have an opportunity to find out a bit more about the robotics and coding programmes the libraries are working on. To book your space and find out more about the Hebocon go to https://bit.ly/heboconacl

Pond Dipping with Duthie Park Rangers

Join the Rangers at Duthie Park on the 16 July for two pond dipping sessions to support our water-themed reading challenge.  Find out what little minibeasts and creatures live in the pond at Duthie Park.  This is a double header of a session – 40mins pond dipping and 40 mins doing a game/craft.  Spaces are limited to 12 for each session.  Parents/carers will need to sign a permission form for their youngster.  You can book a place at Library Events

Rockpooling with Countryside Rangers

We are delighted to have Jack from the Countryside Rangers join us at Central Library for a fascinating talk about rockpooling on 11 August.  If you’d like to know more about the beasties that live in rockpools, this is the event for you!  Another interactive session for young people.  Further information can be found at Library Events.

Craft, Coding, LEGO and more @ ACL

We are not finished yet!  Libraries across the city will be hosting craft and story times, LEGO clubs and coding workshops throughout the summer.  Some sessions are drop-in and don’t require booking.  Head to Library Events or look out for poster/social media posts to find out what’s going on in your nearest city library. Join Aberdeen City Libraries for a summer of fun!

On Wednesday 2nd July 2025, Aberdeen City Music School will be performing a special family-friendly Summer Prom pop concert at King’s Church, Bridge of Don. This free event will feature iconic pop hits from the past 30 years, including current chart favourites, classic rock anthems, Bohemian Rhapsody, and even a touch of heavy metal!

Although ACMS is known for its work in classical, jazz, and traditional music, for one night only their talented young musicians will be showcasing something completely different in one of Aberdeen’s most exciting venues.

Concert Details:

      •     Date: Wednesday 2nd July 2025

      •     Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

      •     Venue: King’s Church, Bridge of Don

      •     Cost: Free admission – all welcome

A link to ticket booking is also HERE:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2cK7hDoaJOPOJ-S5UjrbcgzMCPEJ0rjuWef7rqJ5gPYHpnA/viewform?usp=dialog

Responsible

P4 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please bring a library card if you have one.

Included

Where possible, children should avoid bringing personal property (toys/make up/treasures/mobile phones) to school.  Children do not have access to secure storage, and are often upset if items end up broken or missing.  Where needed for comfort or concentration these should be limited and children encouraged to take responsibility for these.

Can you help us to develop our Belonging Beehive?  We are looking for donations of bean bags and floor cushions

02.06.25

This week at Westpark

The appointment of new Head Teacher, Mrs Aileen McNair, was announced on Friday.  We look forward to welcoming Mrs McNair in August.

Safe

Crocs/mules/sliders are not permitted for school or PE – parents will be called to drop off replacement shoes, so please avoid wearing these to school.

If you need help to find trainers or plimsolls for school and PE, please check the New to You stand, or contact the school office if you require financial assistance.

All children have Team Westpark t-shirts which were provided free of charge, these should be worn for PE (and other days too if you wish).

Achieving

Learners showed exceptional confidence in talking about their skills and what they must do to be successful during last week’s QA visit.  Well done everyone!  Learners talk about this every day at school, and you can support at home by asking your child what feedback they have had from their teacher, which skills they have used, and how they know they have been successful.

Nurtured

We are in the process of setting up a new targeted support room, and are looking for donations of floor cushions and bean bags – are you able to help?

All Staff have been taking part in emotion coaching training.  This is supported by the educational psychology team, and is an approach to helping young people to recognise and regulate emotions.  You can find out more here.

Responsible

P5V are visiting the Lemon Tree this Friday morning.  Please bring your bus pass and a packed lunch.  School uniform should be worn. Tongue Twister

P4/5M are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday – please bring your library card.

Included

You are all invited to the Family Picnic from 12-1pm on Friday 27th June.  The Summer Fair has been cancelled, so there will be some stalls following the picnic at 1pm (chocolate and bottle tombola, raffle, plant stall)

Dress as you please (optional) on 20th June – please donate bottle or chocolate.  Additional donations gratefully received.

Shorts and Shades Disco P1-7 5.15pm-6.15pm Thursday 19th June.  Tickets on door, suggested donation £1.  Helpers wanted – please contact Mrs Atkinson if you are available.

Parenting across Scotland, a network of charities which offer support to children and families in Scotland have asked that we share the following:

One of our main policy areas is around leisure and play, with a current focus on children and young people’s access to hobbies. We know taking part in hobbies can have huge benefits for children and young people, but there are various reasons which make hobbies inaccessible. We are looking to do some research to collect the views of parents and carers of children and young people aged 4-17 years to see what they feel about hobbies and the barriers to them. Some countries, such as Finland and Iceland, have national hobby policies in place which support children and young people to access free hobbies – something we are interested to see if people would support if introduced in Scotland.

We have a short survey for parents and carers.

What role do hobbies play in the lives of children and young people in Scotland?

In Finland and Iceland, national policy supports children and young people to access free hobbies.

Parenting across Scotland is exploring whether something similar could be developed here — and need your input.

They are looking for parents and carers to complete a short survey to help understand the barriers and opportunities. Your insights will inform a new report on hobby access in Scotland.

Please take a few minutes to complete their short survey: forms.office.com/e/NzC7BS9yTB

We are also looking to do some in-person sessions with around 10 parents and carers per group. If you have or know a parent/carer group that you feel may be interested in taking part for a session which would be approximately 90 minutes long, then please do let me know. Participants will be given a gift voucher as a thank you.

25.05.25

This week at Westpark:

• Parent Voice meets this evening at 5.30pm.  Please call or email to confirm your attendance.  This is your chance to help plan future events and find out more about school improvement planning.  All welcome.

Active

Parents of children taking part in the Tall Ship trip are invited to a short planning meeting on Friday at 9am.

Achieving

• Please return any and all books belonging to school – this can include books taken home by older siblings which you may have had since lockdown!  Our reading book stocks are much depleted so we desperately need them back.

• Lights, Camera, Action! – Summer Drama Camp
  Dates: 7th–11th July 2025
  Location: St Margaret’s School for Girls, Aberdeen
  Ages: Open to boys and girls aged 8–14

A  popular Summer Drama Camp returns this July, offering a fun, creative week of acting workshops, improvisation, scriptwriting and stagecraft. Whether seasoned performers or brand new to drama, young people will enjoy a supportive, energetic environment where they can build confidence, express themselves, and make new friends. Led by experienced drama teachers and using our fantastic on-site drama facilities, this week-long camp promises a memorable and inspiring experience. Spaces are limited - early booking is advised. Book here: https://stmargaretsevents.com/dramacamp  

Members of the Quality Improvement team and Head Teachers of our trio schools (Culter and Ferryhill) will be visiting Westpark on Thursday morning to observe learning in classes and discuss school improvements.

Responsible

• All P1-7 learners will take part in our monthly Skillshop this Wednesday.  The focus skill is curiosity

• P5 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please bring your library card.

Included

• Are you interested in borrowing a copy of “The Anxious Generation” and learning more about the impacts of a phone based childhood?  Please contact Mrs Atkinson, or request a copy at the school office.  We also have a monthly newsletter to share recommended reading on the subject.

• Please see Family Learning poster attached.

• P7 visit to Northfield Academy tomorrow afternoon – learners will be dismissed from Northfield Academy.  Please contact us if you wish your child to be accompanied back to Westpark by a member of staff.

This week at Westpark:

Healthy

• There are water fountains available in school – please use these to refill water bottles.  If you need financial help to access a water bottle for your child please contact us.  Children are discouraged from asking for single use plastic cups.

Active

• Westpark’s tall ship – the James Cook – has invited a small group of  twelve learners to experience sailing on board for two days this September (dates TBC, but will be midweek).  The cost is around £300 per head, and involves taking a bus to Newcastle and spending one night on board.  Bursaries are available.  Participating learners must be aged 10 or over.  This is open to current P5 pupils, but if all 12 spaces are not filled it will be open up to current P6s.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson for more details or to add your name to the list.

• Tuesday lunchtime tennis club has now finished.

• Final Sheddocksley Fun Run this Wednesday at 4pm.

Achieving

• Mrs Ailie Jones will be running a drop-in session for parents on Thursday from 2.30-3.30 in the Dinner Hall. She will be available to answer any questions and will have a range of resources and supports available to look through. Learners are welcome to join at 3pm to play some learning games with their parents. 

• Children arriving late to school will be asked to sign in on entry, starting from today.  This is to avoid confusion with updating registers.

• P2 will be sharing some of what they have learned this term at a class assembly at 2pm on Friday.  Two seats will be reserved for each child; please contact the school office if you wish additional seating or have accessibility requirements.  Entry is via the breakfast club door.  We understand that you all have other commitments and that you may not be able to attend.  If this is the case, please let your child know that you will not be there so that they understand not to expect you.

• Composite class information can be found here – we do not yet have classes for next year, but we know that every year there will be a mix of straight and composite classes as we have more children than will fit into 7 classes, but not enough for 14!  Please let us know if you have any questions about these, they are a normal part of most primary schools. Attached you will find a template for a learner passport – teachers will be passing on transition information during the month of June, but you and your child may also wish to contribute by filling in one of these.  Paper copies available on request.

Responsible

• P6/7M are visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please bring your library card if you have one.

Included

• Some tickets remain for theatre club performances of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (£18 for both child and adult tickets, Thursday 19th June, 7.30pm, HMT) and RSNO The Snowman (Wednesday 17th December, 6.30pm Music Hall - £17 children, £23 adults).  Parents may book tickets for themselves and their child(ren) or for their child(ren) only – then drop them off at the venue to be supervised by school staff.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson to book: alice.atkinson@ab-ed.org

• Aberdeen City Council Early Learning and Childcare Consultation with Parents and Carers 2025

Aberdeen City Council is committed to offering high quality Early Learning and Childcare (ELC), which encourages learning and development through play, exploring and having fun, to all three and four-year old children and eligible two-year olds in the city.  ELC can make a significant contribution to a child’s development, which is why the Council is committed to offering all children the best start in life so they can grow into healthy, happy and confident adults who in turn achieve great things.

Since August 2021, all three and four-year-old children and eligible 2-year olds have been entitled to 1140 funded hours of high quality ELC per year at a local authority ELC / nursery setting and from private nurseries, playgroups and childminders working in partnership with Aberdeen City Council. This has almost doubled from the previous entitlement of up to 600 hours of ELC per year. There are currently over 4,500 children receiving a funded Early Learning and Childcare place in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen City Council would like to hear from parents, carers and future parents and carers about their views on funded Early Learning and Childcare for all three and four-year olds and eligible two-year olds. The Council has been able to offer 84% of all on-time applicants their first choice in an Aberdeen City Council setting for August 2025 admissions. By taking part in the consultation parents/carers and future parents/carers can help shape the Council’s Early Learning and Childcare offering for all three and four-year olds and eligible two-year olds.

The purpose of this consultation is to seek the views of parents and carers in order to:

• Continue to review the impact of the implementation of the expansion of Early Learning and Childcare;

• Inform the development of our Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan, which is published every two years and sets out the strategic direction for the delivery of Early Learning and Childcare in the city, responding to local need and reflecting the diversity of communities in Aberdeen; and

• Meet our statutory consultation duties under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

The consultation is open until 11.59pm on Friday 30 May 2025. Your views are important to us. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and can be accessed by clicking on the following link: Early Learning & Childcare Parent & Carer Consultation 2025 | Commonplace

Reminder: No Monday Morning Fitness Club today

No bible club this week.

Mrs Blair is absent this week, we will be welcoming Miss Peacock to work with all classes.

This week at Westpark:

Safe

Cybersafe Scotland will be working with P7s on Tuesday

Active

Ryan from Active Schools is absent this week.

Sheddocksley Fun Run #3 this Wednesday at 4pm.  We had 23 runners the first week and 28 the second.  Please come along and help us beat our score.  Active Schools request that those who have entered previously bring along their number and safety pins.  New runners sign up here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/active-schools-fun-run-events

Nurtured

Parent Survey from last week’s parents evening – please complete if you missed it.

Enhanced Transition visit to Northfield Academy for a small group of learners this morning.

Responsible

P6/7O are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday morning.

Included

P4 and P4/5 will be filmed during Big Sing rehearsals in school on Tuesday afternoon – please ensure you contact school office if you want to make changes to the photo permissions you granted at the beginning of the year.

Please come and check lost property this week – it is overflowing, and unclaimed items will be donated to New to You or charity recycling on Thursday.

All learners were provided with a Team Westpark t-shirt free of charge – these should be worn on PE days, for sporting events (make sure your race number does not cover your Westpark badge!) and on any other school day.  T-shirts may be returned and swapped for a larger size, or additional shirts purchased.

Please see attached invite to Springhill Garden

Tuesday 6th May 2025

This week at Westpark: School reopens tomorrow at 8.50am.

Safe:

Smartphone Readiness – tips for parents Smartphones: Assessing Readiness - Children and Screens

Healthy

Please read attached leaflet on treating head lice and check regularly.

Active

Please sign up and come along to the Active Schools May Fun Run Series on Wednesday evening at 4pm.  Children who run at 3 events this month will receive a medal in June.  Last week we had 23 runners – 7 from P6/7O, 5  from P4, 3 from P6/7M, 3 from P2, 2 from P5 and 1 each from P1, P6/7R, P3.  Can you join this week?

Aberdeen AAC are running this event on Saturday 24th May at the track at Aberdeen Sports Village.

Its open to entries from all P4 -P7 pupils in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.  See info attached.

Achieving

Parents Evening begins at 3.30pm on Thursday – appointments must be made in advance.  Staff from Cybersafe Scotland will be available to meet with parents to offer advice and support.

Nurtured

Please sign up to 8 week Well Being Programme for parents, delivered in partnership with Parent Network Scotland, starting on Monday 12th of May 2025, 10.00-12.00 at Cummings Park Community Centre.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-learning-well-being-programme-step-into-spring-tickets-1333673947679?aff=oddtdtcreator

Responsible

P1 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday morning.

Aberdeen City Council Early Learning and Childcare Consultation with Parents and Carers 2025

Aberdeen City Council is committed to offering high quality Early Learning and Childcare (ELC), which encourages learning and development through play, exploring and having fun, to all three and four-year old children and eligible two-year olds in the city.  ELC can make a significant contribution to a child’s development, which is why the Council is committed to offering all children the best start in life so they can grow into healthy, happy and confident adults who in turn achieve great things.

Since August 2021, all three and four-year-old children and eligible 2-year olds have been entitled to 1140 funded hours of high quality ELC per year at a local authority ELC / nursery setting and from private nurseries, playgroups and childminders working in partnership with Aberdeen City Council. This has almost doubled from the previous entitlement of up to 600 hours of ELC per year. There are currently over 4,500 children receiving a funded Early Learning and Childcare place in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen City Council would like to hear from parents, carers and future parents and carers about their views on funded Early Learning and Childcare for all three and four-year olds and eligible two-year olds. The Council has been able to offer 84% of all on-time applicants their first choice in an Aberdeen City Council setting for August 2025 admissions. By taking part in the consultation parents/carers and future parents/carers can help shape the Council’s Early Learning and Childcare offering for all three and four-year olds and eligible two-year olds.

The purpose of this consultation is to seek the views of parents and carers in order to:

• Continue to review the impact of the implementation of the expansion of Early Learning and Childcare;

• Inform the development of our Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan, which is published every two years and sets out the strategic direction for the delivery of Early Learning and Childcare in the city, responding to local need and reflecting the diversity of communities in Aberdeen; and

• Meet our statutory consultation duties under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

The consultation is open until 11.59pm on Friday 30 May 2025. Your views are important to us. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and can be accessed by clicking on the following link: Early Learning & Childcare Parent & Carer Consultation 2025 | Commonplace

Monday 28th April 2025

Next Monday (5th May) is a holiday, and Tuesday (6th May) closed to learners.

Breakfast club restarts tomorrow – volunteers wanted to help run this.

Active

Please enter P1-7 Active Schools Sheddocksley Fun Run - starts on Wednesday:

https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/active-schools-fun-run-events

Westpark School are almost always the school with the most runners - let's beat last year!

It is great to see so many children taking bike and scooters to school – please use padlocks to lock these to shelters provided as we do not have secure storage inside.  We were recently awarded a Cycling Friendly School award – please avoid driving to school to keep our roads as safe for walkers and cyclists as possible.  This week we have groups of learners taking part in Bikeability 2 and Learn to Bike courses – please remember helmets and permission letters.

Achieving

Please find attached a letter from Education Scotland detailing the findings from their visit to Westpark in January this year.  We are working with Aberdeen City Council to continue implementing actions resulting from this, and they will submit a report to Education Scotland on this within the year.

Parents Evening is at 3.30pm on Thursday 8th May.  You are invited to book appointments by telephone from 11am-12 noon on Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th April, and  Wednesday 8th May.  Please do not call outwith these times.  You should email to request appointments if unable to call.  Appointments are available with your child’s class teacher, Mrs Atkinson and SFL staff.

Nurtured

Please see the attached poster advertising training  for parents with children at school in order to work in the childcare sector.

Respected

P4-7 learners will take part in a short anti-bullying assembly with staff from Priority Families on Wednesday afternoon.  They will return during the month of May to work with P6 and 7 learners in their classrooms.

Responsible

All P7s transitioning to Northfield Academy will be attending a transition event on Tuesday afternoon.  They will be dismissed from there at 2.50pm.  If you wish your P7 child to walk back to Westpark with P7 teachers please contact the school office to let us know.

All P1-7 learners will take part in Skillshops on Wednesday.

Included

Head Teacher interviews take place this Friday.  Members of the Parent Voice will be part of the panel, and a team of learners will also ask questions of the candidates.

At last week’s Parent Voice meeting it was decided to cancel the Summer Fair and amalgamate with the family picnic on 27th June.  An optional dress as you please day will take place on 20th June and learnes will be asked to contribute a chocolate or bottle prize.   Hot dogs will be for sale during the picnic.

P6 and some P7 learners will be taking part in a Time for Inclusive Education workshop on the theme of gender stereotypes on Wednesday morning.

Representatives from each P4-7 will take part in an Anti-Racism workshop this afternoon and share what they have learned with their class and school mates.  Staff will also be taking part in anti-racism professional learning this evening.

Monday 21st April 2025

No breakfast club or bible club this week, all others running as normal.

On Monday evening/Tuesday we will be migrating to a new IT system.  This may result in periods where staff are unable to access emails and Seesaw.  Please phone with any urgent messages or queries.

Safe

Some P6s and P7s have bikeability level two on Friday – parent volunteers needed to support – can you help?  This would prevent the need for staff to miss literacy and numeracy support groups.  Please remember bikes and helmets on Friday and also Thursday so that they can be checked by Dr Bike.

P5s continue bikeability level one.

Achieving

Our average attendance is currently 93% - this means most learners are able to learn and practise new skills regularly.  We aim to increase this to above 95% - please support this by avoiding all but essential absences.

Mrs Airey and Mrs Atkinson will be monitoring numeracy jotters this week, and are looking for carefully presented and dated work, clearly formed numbers taking one square each, and evidence of learners responding to feedback from teachers to improve.

Nurtured

Parent Voice meets this evening at 5.30pm.  Please join us to plan for the Summer Fair, and discuss letter resulting from the visit by Education Scotland inspectors in January.

A group of P7s will be taking part in an enhanced transition visit to Northfield Academy this morning.

Active

Good luck to all our runners at Run Balmoral this Saturday.  Please wear your Team Westpark T-shirt or Westpark AC vest so that we can see you and cheer you on!

Respected

P2/3 will be sharing some of their learning at a class assembly this Friday at 2pm.  Each child will have two seats reserved for their family.  Entry is via the breakfast club door.  Please contact the office if you require additional seats or have accessibility requirements.

Responsible

P2 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please bring a library card if you have one (and apply for one free of charge if you do not!)

Included

No Monday morning fitness club on Monday 12th May.  New members welcome to join every other Monday morning – entry via gym hall door, suggested donation £2.

Have you participated in Your Place; Your Plans; Your Future Engagement? If not, there are still lots of ways to get involved and share your view – see all the ways below.

1. Grampian Regional Equality Council (GREC) Event

Grampian Regional Equality Council (GREC) are hosting an in-person event next week, to support people to take part in Community Planning Aberdeen's consultation, "Your Place, Your Plans, Your Future." All Aberdeen residents are invited to share what things are good now, and what improvements you think would make our city and our neighbourhoods better in the future.  

Details for the event:

• Thursday, 24 April, 4:00-5:30pm

• Aberdeen Arts Centre, 33 King St, Aberdeen AB24 5AA. 

Could you please confirm your attendance using the following form https://forms.office.com/e/0QKe89h9kB 

2. Locality events (drop in sessions, no booking required):

• Saturday 26 April, 10am-12pm - Aberdeen Sports Village, Linksfield Road, AB24 5RU

• Saturday 26 April, 2-4pm - Airyhall Library, Springfield Road, AB15 7RF

• Saturday 10 May, 10am-12pm - King's Church, King's Way, Bridge of Don, AB23 8BL

• Saturday 10 May, 2-4pm - Get Active @ Northfield, Kettlehills Crescent, AB16 5TL

3. Online sessions for people with a disability

7 May, 6:30-8:30pm: Book here 

https://aberdeencity.zipporah.co.uk/Events.AberdeenCity/StandardTicketBookingProcess/ViewEventDetails/4977974

There's also a session in British Sign Language (BSL): 8 May, 1:30-3:30pm, Marischal College. Please email mequality_and_diversity@aberdeencity.gov.uk  to register.

4. Online Survey

Pariticipate in the online survey, it's open until 18 May: https://yourplaceyourplans.commonplace.is 

We also have an online version for children and young people under 16 here

5. Outreach

We are also offering targeted sessions and taking the conversation into schools and communities across Aberdeen, capturing thoughts and feelings about life in Aberdeen. See our outreach programme for all the locations we’ll be at to help support you have your say. Please note that this calendar will continue to be updated throughout the engagement. If you wish a targeted session or outreach to be held with your group/location please email communityplanning@aberdeencity.gov.uk

14.04.2025

Good morning,

We hope you all had a lovely break.

School will be closed to everyone this Friday (18th April) and will reopen as normal on Monday 21st April.

No breakfast club this week or next week.  It will restart on Tuesday 29th April.

Your Family Calendar for this term is attached – paper copies are available from the school office.  Please make sure you read the weekly bulletin every Monday to avoid missing out on updates.

Safe

On Thursday afternoon a group of 9 P5s will take part in Bikeability  Level One – your child will have received a permission letter if they are part of the level one group.  Please return this as soon as possible.  Please bring your bike and helmet to school if you have them.

Healthy

P1 are working with the NHS today to learn about the Teddy hospital.

Active

Children from P2-P5 will be able to sign up for tennis club today.  It runs every Tuesday lunchtime, and those who choose to join are expected to attend every week.  You will receive a message to let you know if your child has a place.

Nurtured

Nursery children are having an Easter family picnic on Thursday at 1.30pm.  Please enter the dinner hall via the breakfast club door. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/Uwh2cD3dUoiaKn5s5

Two P7s are taking part in an enhanced transition visit to Northfield Academy this morning.

Achieving

We are delighted to welcome Mrs Ailie Jones back from maternity leave.  She will be working alongside Mrs Angela Jones to support learning across the school.

Mrs Atkinson and Mrs Airey will be looking at samples of writing jotters from all classes on Tuesday.  All learners have regular opportunities to practise and improve writing skills, and receive feedback from their teachers to help set targets.  They are also encouraged to take pride in presentation and date their work.  Opportunities to practise writing and typing at home are really valuable – writing lists, letters, stories and postcards.  We love to see examples of these!

Responsible

P2/3 are visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please bring a library card if you have one.

Included

No bible club this week.  Children will have the opportunity to sign up for this next week and are expected to attend every week.

Nursery, P1 and P7 will have group photographs taken this Wednesday.  School children should be wearing school uniform.

Parent Voice meets next Monday at 5.30pm.  All are welcome – please join us to help plan school improvements.

24.03.25

Safe:

We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday.  Term ends at 3pm this Friday, and begins again on Monday 14th April.

Healthy

There is no after school rugby club this week.  We hope to extend the club into the summer term, more details will follow.

Active

Run Balmoral 26th April – Enter here: https://www.runbalmoral.com/enter/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fenter%2f

Safari run event: https://gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org/safari-series/

Nurtured

Three P7 learners visit Northfield Academy to take part in enhanced transition today.

LATNEM are a local Charity who provide mental health peer support for Mums.  We have support meetings in Inverurie, Aberdeen, Peterhead and online which are free of charge; any Mum who needs support with her mental health is very welcome to join us.

Booking is essential via this link:

http://latnem.eventbrite.com

LATNEM are running a “Mile for Mummy” fundraiser for Mother’s Day this year, it may be that some of the children would like to take part!

Achieving

The P7 finalists will present to the Cowie Cup this Thursday.  The Cowie Cup is presented in memory of former Head Teacher Fraser Cowie.  It will be awarded to someone who has demonstrated the school aims of mastery, belonging, independence and kindness.

Respected

P3 visit Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please bring your library card.

Responsible

We will be practising a Fire evacuation this week.  We practise safe evacuation once per term to ensure everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.

Included

Easter Disco this Thursday.  Suggested donation £1, tickets available on the door.  P1-3 enter and exit by breakfast club door 5.15-6pm. P4-7 6-7pm.  Enter by front door, exit by breakfast club door.  Please inform Mrs Atkinson in writing if you wish your child to walk home alone.

Easter assembly on Friday at 2pm with minister Fiona Lister.

17.03.25

This week at Westpark

Safe

P7 have their final Cybersafe Scotland session on Tuesday afternoon

Achieving

P3 will be sharing their learning at a class assembly this Friday at 2pm.  Entry is via the breakfast club door.  Two seats will be reserved for each child – please contact the office if you require additional seats or have accessibility requirements.

Would you like any children’s chairs for use at home?  For homework or arts and crafts?  We have some chairs available free of charge – please contact the school office and help yourself.

Mrs Ailie Jones will be accompanying a group of P7s to the University of Aberdeen maths challenge on Thursday.

A small P7 group will be attending Northfield Academy  as part of their enhanced transition program this morning.

Active

This week will be the last week of rugby club prior to the holidays.  Basketball will run next Monday as normal, as will morning fitness.

Responsible

P4 will be visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please bring your library card.

Respected

All P6s will be visiting Mastrick Church for a Holy Week Walk Through on Wednesday morning.  They will be provided with a snack, but may choose to bring their own.

Included

Indoor Car Boot Sale – details attached

8-12 years Youth Group – info attached

10.03.2025

Safe

P7s are continuing to work with Cybersafe Scotland to help them understand how to be in control of what they view and share online.  They have information for parents on their website: https://www.cybersafescotland.org/parents  We regularly receive reports from parents concerned about unsafe online behaviours, and recommend that all of our learners agree time limits with their parents so that devices are not used late at night away from family supervision and support.

Learners have been reminded that they may wear croc style shoes indoors, but should have trainers suitable for running in for playtimes and PE.

Active

No girls bike group this week - it will resume next week.

Some P5-7 learners will be representing Westpark at Balgownie Cross Country Championships this Friday.  Parents of children involved will receive a message with all the details and are welcome to come along and spectate.  Younger learners wishing to take part next year should enter Run Balmoral and come along to Duthie Junior parkrun (free of charge, every Sunday).  Well done to the four Westpark runners who took part yesterday.

Nurtured

Parent Voice group meets this evening at 5.30pm.  All are welcome.  We will be discussing plans for the Easter disco and the appointment of a new Head Teacher.

Mrs Blair will be absent this Tuesday and Mrs Airey will be teaching P1 in her place.

Achieving

All P1-7 parents are invited to an open afternoon this Thursday.  Entry is to the main hall via breakfast club door, where some learners will present their learning to you.  You will then have the opportunity to visit your child's classroom where they will share learning with you.  We appreciate not all parents are able to attend.  If this is the case, please ensure your child is aware that you will not be attending.  We are then able to pair them with a buddy to share learning with.  Parents should leave by 2.45pm to allow classes to pack up, and  meet children at 3pm as normal.

Well done to our P7 team who came third in last week's Rotary Club Quiz.

Respected

P4/5 are visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please bring your library card.

Responsible

Last week almost all children carrying their own inhaler had these on their person when checked.  They are reminded regularly that they should ensure they carry them at all times, including break and lunchtimes.

Included

Attendance meetings continue this week.  When attendance falls below 90% we work with parents to offer support from Home School Liaison Officers as well as other agencies such as school nursing service and educational psychology, as we know that good attendance is vital for children to reach their potential and feel secure at school.

Good morning

This week at Westpark:

Safe

We have been offered P6 and 7 Learn to Bike sessions next term.  We will ask learners if they would like to participate, but parents may also reserve spaces by contacting Mrs Atkinson.

Active

It was great to see 3 P7s, 1 P6, 1 P3 and 1 P2 at junior parkrun yesterday.  It is free of charge every Sunday.

Achieving

A team of P7s will represent Westpark at the Rotary Club Quiz this Thursday.

Thanks to the Parent Voice, who raised £487 for Aberdeen Twinnies at the Family Bingo Night.

On Thursday we welcome S1 visitors to share a performance of “Tiddler” with P1 and P3.

Children will find out their % attendance for February during this week.  We aim for all learners to have high or increasing attendance.  Parents will be contacted to meet with school staff if it is below 90%

Responsible

P5 visit Mastrick Library on Thursday morning.  Please bring your library card.

Respected

P2 and P2/3 are visiting St Machar Cathedral on Thursday to follow on from our Westpark Researches project.

Included

Parent Voice ASN Support Group  meets at 2pm this Friday in the Rainbow Room.  All welcome.

Our book fair leaves tomorrow morning.  Learners may make purchases at the start of the day.

17.02.2025

Safe

P7 Bikeability group this afternoon – please remember bike and helmet if you have one.

Healthy

Morning Fitness restarts today at 8am in the gym hall.  All P1-7s welcome (suggested donation £2).

Active

Please see Active Schools info attached

Basketball 20th @ Oldmachar Academy - 21 max spaces

https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/news/mep_events/p5-7-basketball-festival-oldmachar-2

Badminton 11th @ Get Active Kincorth - 16 max spaces

https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/news/mep_events/p5-7-badminton-festival

Postball 3rd @ Get Active Sheddocksley - space for 7 teams max

No link as its a team sign up, information on poster.

Nurtured

We are looking for donations of prizes for next week’s bingo night (27th Feb).  Boxed toiletries, chocolates and toys would be very welcome.  If you can help out organising the night please come along to the Parent Voice meeting at 5.30pm on Monday 24th Feb.

Achieving

The enhanced transition program for P7s begins today, with two groups visiting Northfield Academy.

Respected

P6/7O are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please remember your library card.

Responsible

We are encouraging all learners to take responsibility for improving/maintaining attendance and reducing lost learning time.  Attendance of less that 90% will result in a letter from school, and the arrangement of a meeting to discuss which supports are needed to ensure your child does not miss out on learning time.

13.02.25

Welcome back.

Safe

P6 Bikeability sessions continue this afternoon.

Healthy

Breakfast club restarts today as normal.

Family learning are running a sleep course starting next week - open to any parents that think it would  be of interest or benefit them.

Poster attached

Sleep Course, Cummings Park Centre, Northfield, Tuesdays 18th, 25th,  Feb & 4th Mar.  9:30 am – 11:30am. 

Active

Morning fitness restarts on Monday 17th February at 8.20.  All P1-7s welcome (suggested donation £2 if possible).   Please enter via gym hall door (nearest Byron Court gate).

P1 and 2 fitness club will not restart until March.

P4 swimming lessons continue on Friday.

Nurtured

Autism Outreach – Biscuit and a Blether – support for all parents today from 1.45pm to 2.50pm. Please arrive at reception to sign in.

This session will focus on:

Managing behaviour that challenges

Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided😊

Responsible

• P6/7R are visiting Mastrick Library today. Please bring a library card if you have one (and apply for one free of charge if you don’t!). Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success  (Scottish Book Trust).  This includes all types of book, comic, magazine and audiobook.

27.01.25

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

Healthy

• P4 swimming continues this Friday.

Active

• Our after school Rugby Club is open to all P3 and P4 learners and starts this Thursday at 3pm.  Please collect children from the gym hall door at 4pm.  You must sign up here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/news/mep_events/westpark-p3-4-rugby

• P6/7s all have rugby session as part of Northfield Academy transition on Wednesday.

• Please find attached poster for some festivals Active Schools are running throughout February.

Nurtured

• Dates for diary: PV ASN parent support group will meet at 2pm Friday 31st Jan and Friday 7th March in the Rainbow Room (entry via nursery door).  All parents welcome, no diagnosis needed.  These are informal meetings to chat and share concerns and supports.

• Baby Group (for under 2s) in Rainbow Room Wednesday at 2pm-2:45pm to allow their babies to play. This also gives familes times to chat and get to know each other. This will be run by families.

• Would you like the opportunity to meet and chat to other like-minded parents and carers? 

• Autism Outreach Service will be hosting a series of parent online support groups focusing on different themes each week. There is no expectation that you come to all of them, it may be just one topic which you are interested in. These online parent groups can provide a platform for parents and carers to meet, learn and discuss more about support available within the local area, share  experiences and learn about different strategies you could use at home to support your neurodivergent child.

Sensory Differences

Monday 27th January – 4.30pm – 5.30pm

To book your place please use the link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sensory-differences-tickets-1219103524459?aff=oddtdtcreator

Achieving

• P5 will share some of what they have learned this term in a class assembly on Friday at 2pm.  Each family will be allocated two reserved seats.  Please contact the school office if you have accessibility requirements or would like to request extra seats.

• Thank you to the new (and old) parent volunteers who have been in touch to offer support with literacy interventions.  Please get in touch if you can help with this, or breakfast club/housekeeping.

• P7 parents please see attached letter detailing transition meeting on 4th March 4.30pm

Responsible

• BP have donated 10 birdboxes for our playground.  Please contact the school office if you have joinery skills and are willing to volunteer to help the gardening club install around the school grounds.

• P2/3 are visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday. Please bring a library card if you have one (and apply for one free of charge if you don’t!). Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success  (Scottish Book Trust).  This includes all types of book, comic, magazine and audiobook.

• All P7s are taking part in their second Cybersafe session on Tuesday.

Included

• Tuesday 28th January:  All P6 parents should attend meeting at 3pm regarding the residential trip to Newtonmore in September 2025 (learners and siblings welcome).  We plan to take all P7s, so it is important that we resolve any worries and overcome barriers as soon as possible to allow them to do so.

• Aberdeen North Parish Church invite you to celebrate their 4th Birthday. Please find invitation attached to our birthday party on Sunday 2nd Feb at 2.30pm.

Spaces are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis with pre-registering essential to save disappointment. The QR code will take folks to a google form for registration.

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

We are welcoming visitors from Education Scotland on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  They will be visiting all classes and meeting with staff, learners and parents to evaluate progress made over the past year.

All learners have been gifted Team Westpark T-shirts, and P7s Westpark Hoodies too.  Learners are encouraged to wear these for PE, and as school uniform throughout the week.  If you have outgrown yours you may swap it for a larger size at the school office.

Healthy

• Some children have reported being worried that they will have their hair checked for lice at school.  School staff do not carry out head lice checks, but would like to pass on the following advice from the school nurse: 

: Scan for NHS advice page

Treatment can be expensive, but some pharmacies minor ailments scheme covers head lice treatment. All you need to do is go the pharmacy and as long as you are registered with a GP you can sign up.  The important thing is to keep combing for at least 2 weeks after treatment to make sure all eggs are gone. 

• P4 swimming continues this Friday.

Active

• Our after school Rugby Club is open to all P3 and P4 learners and starts this Thursday 23rd January at 3pm.  Please collect children from the gym hall door at 4pm.  You must sign up here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/news/mep_events/westpark-p3-4-rugby

• Active Schools ASN Stay, Play & Connect Sessions are open for booking for the months of January & February, with six sessions across five areas of the city, Bridge of Don, Bucksburn, Northfield, Torry & Countesswells. Each session is one hour long with a relaxed nature to the session allowing for flexible arrival and no pressure to remain throughout the duration of the session either. Equipment is laid out to allow families and the young person to explore their interests and to engage however suits them, Parents/ Carers are expected to stay for the duration of the session to engage with their young person and to build connections with other families attending the sessions.  To book on to any of the sessions please use the URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/stay-play-connect-sessions-3790973 Any queries please contact Smitchell@sportaberdeen.co.uk  

Nurtured

• Biscuit and a blether… THIS THURSDAY

Would you like the opportunity to meet and chat to other like-minded parents and carers without fear of judgment?

Westpark along with Autism Outreach are hosting a neurodiverse informal support group. Our group is a safe space for you to meet, learn and discuss a variety of topics.

The group meets once per month with no expectation what you attend each one. Each session will have a different focus that will be decided by you.

Join Heather on Thursday 23rd January between 1.45pm and 2.50pm. Please arrive at reception to sign in.

This session will focus on: Managing behaviour that challenges

Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided😊Heather looks forward to seeing you there!

• Dates for diary: ASN parent support group will meet at 2pm Friday 31st Jan and Friday 7th March in the Rainbow Room (entry via nursery door).  All parents welcome, no diagnosis needed.  These are informal meetings to chat and share concerns and supports.

Achieving

• Thank you to the new (and old) parent volunteers who have been in touch to offer support with literacy interventions.  Please get in touch if you can help with this, or breakfast club/housekeeping.

Responsible

• BP have donated 10 birdboxes for our playground.  Please contact the school office if you have joinery skills and are willing to volunteer to help the gardening club install around the school grounds.

• P3 are visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday. Please bring a library card if you have one (and apply for one free of charge if you don’t!). Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success  (Scottish Book Trust).  This includes all types of book, comic, magazine and audiobook.

Included

• Family Boccia starts Tuesday the 28th of January after school at Cummings Park Centre – see attached flyer.

• We welcome Mrs Blair to our Westpark Family.  She starts this Friday with P6/7M, and will join P1 a week on Tuesday and P4 on Wednesday mornings.

• In April 2024, the amount people can earn before they start paying the High Income Child Benefit Charge increased to £60,000.  
   For parents and carers who have not yet claimed Child Benefit, or who opted out of payments and have income between £60,000 and £80,000, it can now be financially worth their while to claim. The easiest way to do this is on the HMRC app or online.  See attached info.

• Prize Bingo night has been postponed to February 27th – volunteers needed to help plan and run this event.

• Tuesday 28th January:  All P6 parents should attend meeting at 3pm regarding the residential trip to Newtonmore in September 2025 (learners and siblings welcome).  We plan to take all P7s, so it is important that we resolve any worries and overcome barriers as soon as possible to allow them to do so.

• Minutes from last week’s Parent Voice meeting:

• Postpone Prize Bingo night to 27th February 

• Noticeboard updated

• £530 raised by Parent Voice stalls at school fair, Movie night £54 (Class stalls raised money in addition to this)

• New breakfast club – Mon-Fri – Louise Beaton is gauging interest.  Intention will be cost free for everyone. 

• Actions: 

• Consider Christmas shopping night/wrapping night 

• PV to source a sensory box for each classroom – spend not to exceed £1000 

• Two parents to do training for HT interview

13.01.25

Good morning,

Safe

• Please take care if driving into the school car park as classes use it to access outdoor learning throughout the school day.

Healthy

• P1 and P2 Fun Fitness club starts after school on Monday  17th February 3.00-3.45pm– please sign up here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/news/mep_events/fun-fitness-club  It is free of charge but donations to school fund always welcome.

• Monday morning fitness is cancelled until February 17th.

• Breakfast club restarts on Tuesday at 8.20am.  Volunteers wanted to help supervise – please contact school office if you can help.

Active

• Our after school Rugby Club is open to all P3 and P4 learners and starts Thursday 23rd January at 3pm.  Please collect children from the gym hall door at 4pm.  You must sign up here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/news/mep_events/westpark-p3-4-rugby

• P6/7 classes will be working with a Northfield Academy Rugby Coach as part of the transition program.

• Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club is offering free athletics sessions for children in the Northfield and Mastrick areas.

These sessions are coached by UKA-qualified athletics coaches. They focus on teaching fundamental running, jumping, and throwing skills while incorporating fun games. At the end of each session, we also provide fruit for the participants.

To sign up, please click Booking Link

• Run Balmoral – enter now for Saturday 26th April.  Events for all ages, and a great Westpark Family day out.  Please contact school office if you would like to travel on the school coach (leaving from Westpark).

• Run Garioch – enter now for Sunday 11th May.  Events for all ages.

Nurtured

• Biscuit and a blether…

Would you like the opportunity to meet and chat to other like-minded parents and carers without fear of judgment?

Westpark along with Autism Outreach are hosting a neurodiverse informal support group. Our group is a safe space for you to meet, learn and discuss a variety of topics.

The group will meet once per month with no expectation what you attend each one. Each session will have a different focus that will be decided by you.

Join Heather on Thursday 23rd January between 1.45pm and 2.50pm. Please arrive at reception to sign in.

This session will focus on: Managing behaviour that challenges

Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided😊Heather looks forward to seeing you there!

• Thanks to all who ordered Christmas Cards.  School fund has earned £77 commission as a result.  This will help us pay for supplies to support learners in class.  Items on our wish list include: ear defenders, headphones, sensory toys.  If you have any at home which you no longer use we would be happy to take them.

• Northfield Academy Crew are collecting food bank items (non-perishable food and toiletries) to distribute in our community.  Please hand in any items to the school office.

Achieving

• All classes are taking part in an attendance challenge to encourage all learners to maintain high attendance levels.  Poor attendance has been linked to lower levels of attainment; peer relationships; emotional and behavioural difficulties and poorer employment opportunities. Some initial studies have indicated that missing 10% of schooling (one day every two weeks) over the course of a year can impact on attainment.

• We are looking for parent volunteers who are willing to help support learners on a 1:1 basis with a literacy intervention.  Training will be provided, all we need is for you to be able to commit to one hour (or more) a week, and offer encouragement and understanding.  It will also help you to support your own child’s literacy development at home.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson if you can help.

Respected

• The Parent Voice Group will meet tonight (13th January) at 5.30pm.  All are welcome.  We will be reviewing the Christmas Fair, planning for future events, including family bingo night, and members of the Parent Voice will also be involved in  recruiting a new Head Teacher.

Responsible

• BP have donated 10 birdboxes for our playground.  Please contact the school office if you have joinery skills and are willing to volunteer to help the gardening club install around the school grounds.

• P4 are visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday. Please bring a library card if you have one (and apply for one free of charge if you don’t!). Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success  (Scottish Book Trust).  This includes all types of book, comic, magazine and audiobook.

Included

• Family Learning – Managing My Money and Ceilidh events for families – please see attached flyers.

• Theatre Club: HMT & Juliet – February 6th 7.30pm.  Four tickets available at £17.50 each – contact Mrs Atkinson to book one.

• Little Women – Thursday 15th May HMT 7.30pm £17.50 – would you like to order tickets? Please contact Mrs Atkinson to your name(s) to the list. Children may attend with members of staff if parents can drop off and pick up at the theatre.  Parents or older siblings may also join the club if they wish.

07.01.25

Happy New Year!

This week at Westpark – we are open today (Tuesday) and looking forward to welcoming everyone back.

Safe

Snow and ice!  We really appreciate our community helping to clear snow and spread grit during snowy periods – it makes it safer and easier for everyone to attend school.  We have shovels at school which can be borrowed, but please bring your own if you have one.

Healthy

P1 and P2 Fun Fitness club starts after school next Monday  3.00-3.45pm– please sign up here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/news/mep_events/fun-fitness-club  It is free of charge but donations to school fund always welcome.

Monday morning fitness is in the gym hall before school every Monday, and open to all P1-7s.

No breakfast club this week – restarts next Tuesday at 8.20am.  Volunteers wanted to help supervise – please contact school office if you can help.

Active

Run Balmoral – enter now for Saturday 26th April.  Events for all ages, and a great Westpark Family day out.  Please contact school office if you would like to travel on the school coach (leaving from Westpark).

Run Garioch – enter now for Sunday 11th May.  Events for all ages.

Nurtured

Biscuit and a blether…

Would you like the opportunity to meet and chat to other like-minded parents and carers without fear of judgment?

Westpark along with Autism Outreach are hosting a neurodiverse informal support group. Our group is a safe space for you to meet, learn and discuss a variety of topics.

The group will meet once per month with no expectation what you attend each one. Each session will have a different focus that will be decided by you.

Join Heather on Thursday 23rd January between 1.45pm and 2.50pm. Please arrive at reception to sign in.

This session will focus on: Managing behaviour that challenges

Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided😊Heather looks forward to seeing you there!

Achieving

All classes will be undertaking start of term assessments.  This helps teachers plan learning for the term and identify support needs.

We would like to thank all parents for supporting high attendance rates so far this session.  More than 75% of learners have good attendance (more than 90%) allowing them to make the most of learning opportunities at school.  Please help increase this by the end of term.

Respected

Fiona Lister, minister of Aberdeen North Parish Church, will be visiting classes P4, P4/5, P5 to help them learn about key figures and stories from Christianity.  All classes are learning about a range of religions this term and we would like to welcome visitors of all faiths.  Please let us know if you or a member of your family would be prepared to visit a class to talk about your religion.

Responsible

BP have donated 10 birdboxes.  Please contact the school office if you have joinery skills and are willing to volunteer to help the gardening club install around the school grounds.

Family Calendar attached.  Paper copies also available at the school office.  Please read the weekly bulletin every Monday for additional dates as they become available.

P4/5 are visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday. Please bring a library card if you have one (and apply for one free of charge if you don’t!). Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success  (Scottish Book Trust).  This includes all types of book, comic, magazine and audiobook.

The Parent Voice Group will meet next Monday (13th January) at 5.30pm.  All are welcome.  We will be planning for future events, including family bingo night, and members of the Parent Voice will also be involved in  recruiting a new Head Teacher.

Included

Theatre Club: HMT & Juliet – February 6th 7.30pm.  Four tickets available at £17.50 each – contact Mrs Atkinson to book one.

Little Women – Thursday 15th May HMT 7.30pm £17.50 – would you like to order tickets? Please contact Mrs Atkinson to your name(s) to the list.

Children may attend with members of staff if parents can drop off and pick up at the theatre.  Parents or older siblings may also join the club if they wish.

Bible Club restarts this Wednesday lunchtime.  New members welcome, all members are expected to attend every week.

New Netball club sign up P5-6 - children signing up for Thursday lunchtime netball club must attend every week.

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

School closes for the Christmas holidays at 3pm on Friday 20th December.  We reopen on Monday 6th January.

Safe

P6 Girls Cycling Group will take place on Wednesday afternoon – members should dress warmly and remember to bring gloves!

Healthy

Please help yourself to warm clothes and toothbrushes from New to You by the front door.

Achieving

P1-7 Musical World concerts (1.30pm Wednesday, 9.30am Thursday).  Entry is via the breakfast club door.  Booking is now closed, and those who requested tickets have received ticket numbers by email, so please check your inbox and junk folder rather than calling the office to ask for your numbers.  If you requested additional tickets or tickets on both days you will have received multiple emails.  House Captains will be on hand to help you find your seat, please be patient and read your ticket number carefully (note that row I is different to row L).

Nurtured

Teachers will be updating wider achievement trackers this week – do you have any photographs you can share of your child achieving outside of school?  We would love to hear about the different skills they are developing.

Active

P1 after school Fitness Club starts on Monday 13th January. Sign up here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/news/mep_events/fun-fitness-club

Respected

After the holidays all classes will be researching different religions.  Are you able to help by visiting a class to talk about your faith?  Or helping to arrange a visit to a place of worship?

Responsible

We will be visiting Mastrick church after break on Friday – please let your child’s teacher know if you would like to walk there with their class.

Included

Inspectors from Education Scotland will be visiting Westpark during the week beginning 20th January.  They are keen to gather your views about our school.  Please fill in their survey here:

The online survey for parents/carers (Primary)

Parents / Carers (Primary)

The online survey for parents/carers (ELC)

Parents / Carers (ELC)

09.12.24

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

Safe

Thank you for not parking on the pavements on zig zag lines.  This makes it safer to walk to school.

Healthy

Christmas lunch in the dinner hall this Thursday – Christmas jumpers/hats optional!

Active

Active Schools clubs will finish this week and restart on the second week of term.

Fun Fitness Club for P1s starts in the main hall on Monday 13th January at 3pm.  Please sign up here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/news/mep_events/fun-fitness-club

Run Balmoral entries are open – primary and secondary races, plus adults 5k and 10k.  Would you like to travel on the Westpark bus?  We will book a coach if there is enough interest.  It is a great day out for families, please sign up here: https://runbalmoral.com/content/

Nurtured

Thank you so much to all those who contributed to the Christmas Fair by helping to set up/clear up/run a stall or attending.  The children enjoyed the event and money was raised for school funds – we will share the amount in next week’s bulletin.  Please let us know if you have any feedback, and if you are able to join the Parent Voice in the new year.

Northfield Academy have launched their Crew Community Collection. They are collecting food and toiletries to support families in need this winter. 

They are collecting items until the end of January..  Please see this video for more details: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w5fzPN_1bZ6iOW3NfDua_ANlPX6D_Hr9/view?usp=sharing

Achieving

All classes have been learning about Westpark’s Musical World this term.  They would like to share their learning with you in the form of a concert.  Each child will be allocated two tickets.  Please fill in the form to request tickets by the end of this week, and you will be allocated seat numbers at the beginning of next week.  Additional seating will also be released at this time.  Members of the Parent Voice group and parent volunteers will be allocated priority seating to thank them for their contributions. https://forms.gle/6UYrpve5uJDryEAu5

Theatre Club – Little Women Thursday 17th May, His Majesty’s Theatre.  Discounted tickets (£17.50) are available for school groups.  Children may be dropped off to be supervised by school staff, or parents may book a ticket too.  Please let Mrs Atkinson know by the end of the week if you would like to order tickets.

Respected

Cybersafe Scotland are continuing sessions with P6 and P7 girls.  Information for all parents can be found here: https://www.cybersafescotland.org/parents

Responsible

P5 are visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please bring a library card if you have one.

Included

Family Christmas Movie Night on Wednesday – The Grinch.  Entry by the breakfast club door for a 3.30pm start.  Please bring a blanket/cushions and your own snacks.  Tea and coffee will be available.  Seating will be available at the edges of the hall – please do not move chairs into the middle.  The event is free of charge, but you may make a donation to school funds if you wish.  Westpark tote bags will be on sale for £5 – the first customers may fill them with teddies of their choice!  Children needing to visit the toilet during the screening should be accompanied by a parent.

Parent Voice will meet on Monday 13th January at 5.30pm – this is different to the date listed on the family calendar.

02.12.24

Good morning

Safe

Please walk to school where possible to minimise traffic around the school grounds.

Healthy

Christmas Lunch on Thursday December 12th (Christmas jumpers optional).  Please order here: https://forms.gle/a5cnX2sdkEjPRQeC7

Active

Monday Morning Fitness club (P1-7) and Monday after school basketball club (P4-7) have spaces available. 

Nurtured

Family Christmas Movie Night – Wednesday 11th December, 3.30pm in main hall.  Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/ceXo8SMLLh3qt4sA6

Achieving

Northern Alliance colleagues will be visiting all classes on Wednesday to support staff in embedding pace, challenge and differentiation.  You can help by asking your children what they are learning in class, how they know when they have been successful and what their targets are.

Respected

Next term all classes will be learning about different beliefs and cultures in our community.  Are you able to help by visiting classes to share your experiences, or helping organise a community visit?

Responsible

P6/7 M visit Mastrick Library this Thursday – please bring a library card.

Included

Christmas Fair this Friday 3-5pm.  Please bring cash (especially coins) and reusable shopping bags.  Stalls will be in the gym hall, main hall and foyer.  Please use bins provided for litter.

Bible Club this Wednesday lunchtime will be the last of the year.

All P4-7 learners will watch a performance of “The Forgotten Orchard” in the gym hall on Thursday and take part in a post-show Q&A and apple tasting.

Westpark “We Can Do Hard Things” tote bags are available from the school office.  £5.

25.11.24

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

Safe

A reminder: we regularly spot check inhalers.  Children carrying their own should keep them on their person for easy access in both the classroom and playground.

Healthy

All learners are welcome to join Monday morning fitness club, or Tuesday-Friday breakfast club from 8.20.  Please contact the school office to sign up.

Flu vaccinations on Thursday.

Active

P4 parents received an email on Friday with details of swimming lessons – these begin on January 17th.

Nurtured

There will be no Bible Club this Wednesday lunchtime.

The Autism Outreach Service are hosting various sessions for Parents/Carers and Professionals. The sessions will be held at Orchard Brae School, spaces are limited, and booking is essential. 

Everyday Transitions workshop delivered by Autism Outreach Service

Monday 9th December 2024 3.45pm – 4.45pm

This twilight course explores how autistic children and young people may experience everyday transitions and how professionals and families can support more successful transitions. 

Book now using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/everyday-transitions-tickets-1086295973499?aff=oddtdtcreator

Achieving

All P7s will be visiting Northfield Academy for their first transition visit after playtime on Monday 25th November.

Respected

P6/7O are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday 28th November.  Please bring a library card if you have one.

Egmont UK reported in February 2020 that 'children who read for pleasure simply do better in life'. They have a better sense of well-being. They reach greater levels of attainment’

Responsible

Parent Helpers wanted for the Christmas Fair on December 6th.  Are you available to help set up the hall (1.30-3.00pm) or to run a stall (3.00-5.00pm, or a section thereof)?  We need helpers to serve tea and coffee, and to run stalls  (temporary tattoos, Westpark merchandise).  Please contact the school office or a member of the Parent Voice with your availability.

Included

Limited edition “We Can Do Hard Things” canvas tote bags are available at the school office.  They were designed by one of our P6 learners and cost £5.

Autism Outreach Parent Group: Please complete this survey to inform future meetings: https://forms.gle/KCJG3drbwWsEJpHr7

Dress as you please this Friday (optional).  Please bring a donation for the tombola – either a bottle or chocolate item. Donations containing alcohol should be handed to a member of staff at the office or in the playground. 

18.11.24

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

Safe

First Aid training sessions for upper stage learners on Tuesday morning.

Healthy

On snowy days you should expect that school will be open as normal.  Any change will be communicated to parents via GroupCall.  Help clearing paths is always appreciated and helps make the journey to and from school easier for everyone.

Active

Family Golf is in the main hall at 3.30pm on Wednesday.

Nurtured

Biscuit and Blether – Would you like the opportunity to meet and chat to other like-minded parents and carers without fear of judgment?

Westpark along with Autism Outreach will be hosting a neurodiverse informal support group. This will be a safe space for you to meet, learn and discuss a variety of topics which may be causing you worry or equally something you can help others with.

The group will meet once per month with no expectation what you attend each one. Each session will have a different focus that will be decided by you.

Join Heather on Thursday 21st November between 1.45pm and 2.50pm. Please arrive at reception to sign in.

This session will focus on an introduction to autism outreach and what as a group we would like to do moving forward.

Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided😊

Achieving

P6/7R will be sharing some of what they have learned at a short class assembly this Friday at 2pm (entry via breakfast club door).  All learners will have two seats reserved in their names – if you would like additional seating or have accessibility requirements then please contact the school office.

Would you like the opportunity to meet and chat to other like-minded parents and carers? 

Autism Outreach Service will be hosting a series of parent online support groups focusing on different themes each week. There is no expectation that you come to all of them, it may be just one topic which you are interested in. These online parent groups can provide a platform for parents and carers to meet, learn and discuss more about support available within the local area, share experiences and learn about different strategies you could use at home to support your neurodivergent child.

Our first session will be – Anxiety and Emotional Regulation

Monday 16th December 5pm – 6pm – Held online via Microsoft Teams

Spaces are limited, booking is essential. To book your space please use the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/anxiety-and-emotional-regulation-online-workshop-tickets-1086304107829?aff=oddtdtcreator

Everyday Transitions workshop delivered by Autism Outreach Service

Monday 9th December 2024 3.45pm – 4.45pm

This twilight course explores how autistic children and young people may experience everyday transitions and how professionals and families can support more successful transitions. 

Respected

Parent Voice meets tonight at 5.30pm – all welcome.

Responsible

P6/7R are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday morning – please bring a library card if you have one.  Parent helpers welcome to join the walk to and from Mastrick – please be at school for 10.40am.

P6/7O are visiting the cinema on Thursday morning – please remember your bus card!

Included

Mrs Green’s class would like you to donate any picture books or children’s novels you no longer want.

Our Barnardo’s stall would like donations of unused toiletries, make up and other gift items.

Mrs Troup would like donations of bric a brac.

Mrs Atkinson would like teddies for the teddy tombola.

Raffle prizes – vouchers, gift sets, hampers – all gratefully received.

P4-7 learners are invited to join Aberdeen City Music Service Junior Choir

Aberdeen City Music Service is running a Junior Choir on the following Saturdays 23rd, 30th November and 7th December at Muirfield Primary from 10am-12pm. The choir will perform on Wednesday 11th December at our annual Beach Ballroom, with a rehearsal on Monday 9th in the evening at the ballroom. More details will be given once children are signed up.

The sessions will be led by Mr Sneden (P4-6 will recognise me as “Sing-along with Sneden” from the Big Sing), and Mr Lovegrove. Miss Hamilton and Mrs Deans run the Bridge of Don feeder Junior Choir on a Monday after school which will run concurrently with us.

We are singing some wonderful fun Xmas songs, and it would be great to have a good number of children involved.

Another event that we have been asked to do is to accompany Bon Accord Brass with singing some festive carols in their spot at Duthie Park on December 14th. There are three separate performance times 11am, 12:15pm and 3pm for around 45 minutes each, where the children can sing some carols with the band as well as a potential performance on their own each time. This is event is free and we would be advised that the children wrap up warm for the day. 

If you would like for your child to be involved, please can you follow this link to a google form to sign up for participation; if you have any questions please contact musicservice@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

https://forms.gle/HALzCoSy7QNLimVf7

Christmas Card orders will be distributed this week – please be patient as it may not be possible to distribute all classes on the same day.  It is not possible to process late orders.

11.11.24

Good morning,

Safe

School will be closed to learners on Friday 15th November. We reopen next Monday as normal.

Healthy

Dental nurses will visit school on Monday and Tuesday for fluoride application.

Active

Basketball club after school Monday, tennis club Tuesday lunchtime and netball club Thursday lunchtime – members are expected to attend clubs every week to build on and master skills.

Family Golf at 3.30pm in the main hall – P4-7 learners and parents welcome.

Nurtured

See info about Northfield Academy Nurture Shop attached.

Donations wanted – our Barnardo’s Christmas group are looking for (unused) toiletries, candles, baskets and boxes as well as any other gift items and small toys.  Mrs Troup is seeking donations for her Bric a Brac stall.

Achieving

Parent support workshop: Thursday at 3pm.  Come along (with or without your child) to learn how to use talk and type technology to support learning at home.  All parents very welcome.  Staff from Dyslexia Outreach will lead the workshop, but the technology is helpful for all learners at school and at home.

Flyer attached: Aberdeen Sinfonietta Orchestra offer free tickets for pupils under 16 years old, if accompanied  by a responsible adult to aconcert to be given at the Music Hall on Sunday November 17th

Respected

All learners are encouraged to wear school uniform every day.  Westpark snoods and beanies are available from the school office - £5 each.

Responsible

Parent Voice meeting Monday 18th November 5.30pm.  Please come along to help plan for Christmas Fair and Movie Night.  Learners told us they had a great time at the Halloween Disco – this is only possible thanks to parent volunteers.

P1 visit Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please take a library card if you have one.

Included

All learners will have individual photographs taken by the school photographer on Thursday.  Photographs will be linked to school files, and parents will have the option to purchase them.  Sibling group photographs will only be taken for those families who have requested this at the office.

04.11.24

Good morning,

This week at Westpark

Safe

Bonfire night tomorrow.  Please read safety information here: https://www.scottishspca.org/firework-safety

Aberdeen City firework display starts at 7.30pm.

Healthy

Breakfast Club restarts tomorrow at 8.20am.

Active

Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club is offering free athletics sessions for children in the Northfield and Mastrick areas.

These sessions are coached by UKA-qualified athletics coaches. They focus on teaching fundamental running, jumping, and throwing skills while incorporating fun games. At the end of each session, we also provide fruit for the participants.

The current block of sessions will run for 6 weeks, and it would be fantastic if you could help spread the word to encourage more participation.

Session details:

• Day: Tuesdays

• Time: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

• Location: Northfield Academy

To sign up, please use this link: Booking Link

Active Schools are starting up a football session on a Friday monthly at Garthdee for P7 pupils that do not currently play for clubs because we have a lot in that position. Please see poster attached.

Nurtured

Mission Christmas Gift Applications are open – please contact Mrs Atkinson if you are in difficult circumstances and require support with Christmas gifts.

Fiona Lister, our local minister, will be visiting some classes on Thursday afternoon.

Peep in Aberdeen has also been fortunate enough to receive funded training spaces for Peep and Antenatal Peep training. Attached is an application for upcoming Peep training- the deadline is Friday Nov 8th. Antenatal Peep training will take place in early July. If you’re interested in a space, please get in touch with me. I understand not everyone has capacity in their role to delivery Peep groups but this training has been useful for people who manage Peep practitioners and/or practitioners who work with families on a one to one basis. Part of this funded training is to increase the language of Peep across the city.

Achieving

P6/7O will be sharing some of what they have learned this year in a class assembly on Friday at 2pm.  Each child will be allocated two reserved seats.  If you do not require seats, have accessibility requirements, or would like additional seats reserved please contact the school office.  Entry is via the breakfast club door.

Respected

The Autism Outreach Service are hosting various sessions for Parents/Carers and Professionals. The sessions will be held at Orchard Brae School, spaces are limited, and booking is essential.

Autism and Emotional Regulation workshop delivered by Autism Outreach Service

Monday 18th November 2024 15.45 – 16.45 – Orchard Brae School

This twilight course explores the various parts of emotional regulation and how families and professionals can support autistic children and young people to develop supportive emotional regulation skills. 

To book your space please use the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autism-and-emotional-regulation-tickets-1068985146349

Autism and Anxiety workshop delivered by Autism Outreach Service

Monday 2nd December 2024 15.45 – 16.45 – Orchard Brae School

This twilight course has been designed for families and professionals and explores understanding the link between anxiety and autism and different ways to support autistic children and young people that are experiencing anxiety. To book your space please use the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autism-and-anxiety-tickets-1068995397009

Responsible

Our Christmas Fair is at 3pm on Friday 6th December.  Can you help us collect the following items?

• Mrs Atkinson is collecting teddies and soft toys for the teddy tombola.

• Miss Morgan and her Barnardo’s group are looking for (unused) make up, toiletries, candles and small toys/fidgets.

• Mrs Troup is looking for Bric a Brac and toys.

Included

Christmas mug orders should arrive and will be distributed this week.  The Christmas cards arrive separately and will be distributed once we have them.

School photographs will be taken for all individuals on Thursday 14th November.  If you would like a sibling group photograph (for children attending Westpark) please inform the school office.

Welcome back!

This week at Westpark:

Family Calendar attached – paper copies for November and December are also available from the school office.

Safe

P5-7 are taking part in first aid training this week.

Healthy

We follow the statutory guidance supporting the implementation of the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools Regulations 2020  - this applies to classrooms and clubs as well as the dinner hall,

Breakfast club will recommence on Tuesday November 5th – no breakfast club this week.

Achieving

All classes will be updating wider achievement trackers this week.  Have you mastered a new skill this year?  Or joined a new club?  Let your teacher and classmates know how and what you did.

All classes are starting a numeracy jotter challenge this week.  We are looking for numeracy work which shows the date and title clearly, uses a ruler for straight lines and has clearly formed numbers (one number per square).  Classes are competing against one another, so you may want to practise at home to help!

Date for the diary – Thursday 14th November 3pm, parents are invited to come along (with their children) to learn how to use talk and type technology.  P5-7 learners took part in workshops prior to the holidays, and now it is the adults’ turn!

Nurtured

Family Learning Family Golf will be in the gym hall this Wednesday, 3.30pm-4.30pm.  Suitable for all P4-7s and their parents – please come along.

Scripture Union (Bible Club) starts this Wednesday lunchtime in the ICT suite.  P6/7R and P5 at 12.10-12.35, P6/7O, P6/7M, P4/5 and P4 12.35-1.00.  Members are expected to attend every session.

Active

Basketball club restarts at 3pm on Monday 4th November.  All members are expected to attend every week – parents should inform the office if this is not possible. Spaces available, please sign up here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/news/mep_events/westpark-p4-7-basketball

Rugby club has finished.

Respected

All P1-7s are taking part in Westpark Skillshop on Wednesday afternoon.  The focus skill this month is Integrity.

Poppies will be available at the school office in exchange for a donation.  House Captains will also be visiting all classrooms with them until November 11th.

Responsible

P2/3 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday morning.  Please bring a library card if you have one.

We have three tickets remaining for Theatre Club’s trip to the Music Hall to see RSNO’s The Snowman on Thursday 19th December at 18.30.  They are £14 each.  Children attending must be dropped off and collected by parents (parents and siblings may also purchase tickets if they wish).  Please contact Mrs Atkinson if you would like to attend.

Included

Hallowe’en Disco is this Wednesday.  Tickets are available on the door – suggested donation £1/£2.  Please bring your own water bottle.

Nursery 3.00-3.45pm - ENTRY AND EXIT via breakfast club door

P1-3 5.15pm-6pm – ENTRY AND EXIT via breakfast club door

P4-7 6pm-7pm – ENTRY AND EXIT via front door

All learners should be collected by an adult.  If you wish your child to walk home on their own please contact the school office.

Games, challenges and prizes

Good morning,

This week at Westpark School:  We close for the two week October break on Friday at 3pm.

Safe

You are all invited to Parent Voice meeting tonight at 5.30pm.  We will be making plans for the Hallowe’en Discos and need your help to ensure these events go ahead.

Healthy

Parkrun celebrated its 20th birthday this weekend, please join Westpark runners at Duthie junior parkrun every Sunday at 9.30am.  Register for free here: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/?eventName=duthie-juniors and remember to select Westpark AC as your club.

Active

Family Learning Boccia poster attached.

Nurtured

Family Learning Family Golf sessions starting this Wednesday at 3.30pm in the main hall.  See attached leaflet for details.

Achieving

The annual soundfestival will be taking place from 19th - 27th October 2024.

Percussion and Science Exhibition

Explore Aberdeen Science Centre, one of Aberdeen’s top visitor attractions, and learn about the science behind tuned percussion in an educational and interactive exhibition.

Date: Sat 19th - Sun 27th Oct

Time: 10am - 4.30pm 

Venue: Aberdeen Science Centre

Ticket is included in an entrance ticket to the Science Centre: www.aberdeensciencecentre.org/visit 

20th Anniversary Celebration Concert

A free performance by local musicians from Any Enemy, Con Anima, and members of the Get Creative Ensemble of Graham Fitkin’s new work commissioned by sound to celebrate our 20th Anniversary. 

Date: Sun 20th Oct

Time: 3.30 - 4pm

Venue: Cowdray Hall, Aberdeen

No booking required.

Family Promenade Concert

soundfestival’s popular free family-friendly promenade concert takes you on a journey of musical discovery around Aberdeen Maritime Museum. All ages are welcome to come and enjoy this relaxed and informal event with members of the New London Chamber Ensemble.

Date: Fri 25th Oct

Time: 10.30 - 11.30am

Venue: Aberdeen Maritime Museum

No booking required. 

Joby Burgess’ Family Concert

Explore the wonderful and varied world of percussion, as Joby Burgess demonstrates unique instruments such as spaceharp, aluphone, kalimba, vibraphone, marimba and more. This rhythmic adventure includes works by Dobrinka Tabakova, Yazz Ahmed, Tunde Jegede and Joby Burgess. 

Date: Sat 26th Oct

Time: 10.30 - 11am

Venue: The Anatomy Rooms, Aberdeen

Price: £4 per child, accompanying adult free

Tickets can be booked at the following link: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/sound-festival-family-concert-jody-burgess-percussion/ 

Respected

Head Teachers and Quality Improvement Officers from Aberdeen City Council visited us on Friday.  They spent time in almost all classes and found our learners to be polite and helpful

Responsible

P3 will visit Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please bring a library card if you have one.

Included

Active Schools ASN Stay, Play & Connect Sessions are now live on Eventbrite for October. There will be 5 sessions this month, St Machar Academy, Kaimhill School, Greyhope School, Milltimber School & Orchard Brae School- all sessions are 4:30pm-530pm with a relaxed nature of the session allowing for flexible arrival and no pressure to remain throughout the duration of the session either.

The sessions are free form, expression of interest style sessions allowing the children to decide what they are interested in doing during the session, we aim to support families with a varied option of activity.

To book on to any of the sessions please use the URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/asn-stay-play-connect-sessions-3206429

Any queries please contact Smitchell@sportaberdeen.co.uk  

This week at Westpark:

Safe

Police Scotland are visiting school this morning to speak about recent damage to the school building and playground.  Our playground is open for children to play safely in their neighbourhood after school.  We encourage all families to discuss what safe and responsible play looks like when encouraging children to develop independence, and to help them plan what to do if they see something which makes them uncomfortable.

Healthy

P7 parents may collect medication from the office this week.  Leftover snack bags will be distributed to P7s at 3pm today.

Active

P5 have ski-ing lesson number 2 on Wednesday morning.

P4, P4/5 and P5 start SooYangDo taster sessions this afternoon.  P1 and P6/7R can sign up for lunchtime sessions if they wish.

No Morning Fitness club on Monday October 7th.

AAAC are back running a FREE satellite athletics club in the area – see flyer attached.

October Football Camp info attached.

Nurtured

Parent Voice group meets next Monday at 5.30pm.  Your input is welcome as we look at planning our Hallowe’en Disco and continue work on our School Improvement Plan.

AberNecessities can provide Christmas Eve boxes for families who may otherwise not be able to receive a visit from Santa.  Boxes includes PJs, socks, books, activities, toiletries and other treats.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson if you wish to apply for one for your child.

Achieving

Teaching staff are looking forward to sharing achievements with parents on Thursday evening.  Please make appointments by phoning the office after 10am today or tomorrow.

Get Creative Orchestra offers free music making sessions for 8-11 year olds at the University of Aberdeen.  https://bit.ly/sound-get-creative

Respected

Fiona Lister, minister of Mastrick North Parish Church, will be leading our assembly this Friday at 2pm.  Children may bring a donation for the harvest table if they wish.  All donations will be delivered to a local food bank.

Responsible

The Travelling Book Fair arrives at school tomorrow.  All classes will be invited to view the books over the course of the week and may purchase books if they wish.  Parents will also be able to view the collection during parents’ evening on Thursday.

P4 visit Mastrick Library on Thursday morning.  Bring a library card if you have one.

Included

We welcome our P7s back from Newtonmore.  The trip was a great success, and all of them showed that they can absolutely do hard things – the first time away from home for many, and an important step towards independence and embracing future opportunities. P6 parents will be invited to begin a payment plan in October to help spread the cost of next year’s residential trip.

Mastrick Library Monthly Book Group (age 9-11) starts on Thursday 10th October 3.45-4.30pm.  Book your space on 01224 788558

24.09.24

Good morning,

Safe:

Each week we receive reports from members of our community concerned about children riding electric scooters on the road, and children causing damage to the playground.  We love to see children showing independence and playing outside after school, but it is important that they do so safely.

Healthy:

All learners are encouraged to take a healthy snack at playtime.  They should not eat during class time, or chew gum at any time in school.

Active:

Many of our P5s start a series of three ski lessons tomorrow morning – they can do hard things!

Nurtured:

An amazing opportunity for Young Carers during the October School holidays, with our partnership with Kings Camp- a sports and activities day camp based at Robert Gordon University ( RGU Sport) for those 5 to 17 years old. As a Young Carer- you are offered a 90% subsidy that will grant them a weeks space during the holidays for approx. £25.

To apply for a subsidised space, please complete the following application form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=w3hmOv72QkWSZhOGi8cqEAfltO4IZz9PkmVD-b5HUTlUQkEzVFpGUkRCVlpPMkhEVVRHTjVaVlRZMy4u

A young carer is someone who has caring responsibilities for a parent, grandparent or sibling.

Achieving:

Parents’ evening is next Thursday (3rd October) 3.30pm-7.00pm.  Booking opens tomorrow at 10am. Please call the school office to make an appointment with your child’s class teacher.  You may also request appointments with Mrs Atkinson, Mrs McCreath and Mrs Jones.

Aberdeen City Music School Come and Play Day P5-7 – please contact school for more details.

Respected:

Thank you to all who attended the open day on Thursday, it was great to welcome you to Westpark.

Responsible:

P4/5 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please bring a library card if you have one.

Included:

23 P7s leave for Newtonmore tomorrow morning.  We aim for ALL P7s to attend next year’s residential as we do not want to leave anyone out of this opportunity. Miss Ritchie, Mr O’Neill, Miss Morgan and Mrs Atkinson are accompanying them, so will be unable to respond to email and phone messages for the rest of this week.

Please avoid parking in the bus bay on Wednesday morning and Friday afternoon.

Information about an after school bridge club is attached.

Congratulations to our cook Laura Dow who will now be based permanently at Westpark 

This week at Westpark:

We are closed on Friday and Monday for the long weekend.

Safe

It is great to see so many children playing outside after school.  Children are welcome to play in the nursery and school playgrounds and should leave them as they found them (or by weeding and litter picking leave them better than you found them!)

Healthy

Family Learning ,  Parents & Parents and Children Sessions; Cuppa Chat. Wellbeing Golf for Mums and Afterschool Golf for 9 yrs+) – please email for info

Active

Sooyang Do is a Martial arts that promotes fitness , self defence & self improvement, along with balance , coordination, strength.

There is a class in Mastrick  suitable for 5-12 year olds (juniors) 13- adult  (adults)  - please see attached flyer.

There are 4 spaces remaining for free ski lessons open to P5 pupils.  Please register your interest here: https://forms.gle/itnowovosnA7YqN87

Nurtured

Aberdeen City Libraries is hosting 2 sensory storytelling sessions with the fantastic Ailie Finlay on Friday, 20 September at Torry Library (based at new Greyhope Community Campus).  This free event is aimed at children and young people with Additional Support Needs and their families.  Booking is required for both events.  Call Torry Library on 01224 764747 or us the links below to book your space.  Please see further details in flyer attached:

Under 8s: 1.30pm-2pm Booking

8-15yrs: 2.45pm-3.15pm Booking

Achieving

All parents are invited to visit Westpark for our open afternoon this Thursday.  Please meet in the main hall at 1.30pm, entry via breakfast club door.  Classes will close to parents at 2.45pm. 

Respected

P5V are visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please bring a library card if you have one.

Responsible

P6 and 7 classes are taking part in a workshop on Thursday morning to learn about the role of a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Included

P1-7 are taking part in the second Westpark Skillshop this Wednesday 1.30-2.30pm, focussing on the skill of initiative.

This week at Westpark:

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

Safe

All classes will take part in the Hands Up Scotland travel survey this week.  The majority of children walk to school – thank you for encouraging them to do so.

Healthy

Do you shop at Asda?  If so, please opt into the Cashpot for Schools campaign and select Westpark.  Asda will then donate a percentage of your shop to Westpark and will not affect your own Cashpot earn.  https://www.asda.com/cashpotforschools

Active

P5 learners have the chance to take part in a series of 3 ski lessons starting on September 25th.  All equipment and transport is provided free of charge.  Please complete this form if you would like your P5 to take part.

Nurtured

Active Schools ASN Stay, Play & Connect Sessions are now live on Eventbrite for September. There will be 9 sessions throughout the city in our 9 venues. Hazlehead Primary, St Machar Academy, Kaimhill school, Greyhope school, Milltimber school, Northfield Academy, Bucksburn Academy, Bridge of Don Academy, Countesswells schools. Sessions are from 4:30pm until 5:30pm (4:00-5:00pm in Northfield) with the relaxed nature of the session allowing for flexibility on arrive after start and no pressure to remaining for the duration if your child isn’t able to stay.

The sessions are free form, expression of interest style sessions allowing the children to decide what they are interested in doing during the session, we aim to support families with a varied option of activity.

To book on to any of the sessions please use the URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/asn-stay-play-connect-sessions-3206429

Any queries please contact Smitchell@sportaberdeen.co.uk  

Achieving

P6/7M will be visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday after break.  Please bring your own library card in order to borrow books to take home. The benefits of reading—even for a short time each day—are varied and life-changing, from improving employability, language skills, social skills, and family bonding, to reducing stress and anxiety.

P6/7M will be sharing a short presentation about their learning at assembly this Friday (2pm).  Parents are invited to come along (entry via breakfast club door) and two seats will be reserved for each child.  Please contact the school office if you would like additional seats, or if you have any accessibility requirements (buggies, wheelchairs etc).

Respected

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry’s participation project, Let’s Be Heard, has invited staff and pupils at Westpark School to engage with the Inquiry.  Professionals in education were greatly impacted by the pandemic, as were Scotland’s children and young people and it is important everyone is able to share their experience. We want staff and pupils from Westpark School to be able to inform the recommendations the Inquiry writes to Scottish Ministers.

Children and young people | Let's Be Heard | Sharing Scotland's COVID experience (covid19inquiry.scot)

Responsible

The next Parent Voice meeting is on Monday 7th October at 5.30pm.  New members very welcome.  Volunteers are needed to ensure that events such as the Halloween disco can go ahead, and the meetings are your opportunity to be involved in school improvement.  Please contact us if you can help at the Disco (set up/tidy up/games/supervision).

Please note change to published calendar date:  The Hallowe’en Disco will take place on 30th October, not the 31st.

Included

Heather Ross from Autism Outreach is looking to gather information to help set up a parental group at Westpark. Please complete this form:

https://forms.gle/G7wEpixZm2k8tXXT8  A family’s child/children do not require diagnosis to be invited. The link will remain open until Friday 13th Sep.

This week at Westpark:

Safe

All classes have been working on SHANARRI webs to show what they do to keep themselves safe, and can discuss who helps to keep them safe.

Healthy

All classes have toothbrushes to carry out regular toothbrushing in class time (please see attached letter).  Your child will be enrolled in the toothbrushing programme automatically. You do not need to do anything. However, if you do not want your child to take part in the Childsmile toothbrushing programme please write to your child’s nursery or school within two weeks. You can of course change your mind at any time.

Active

Fitness Clubs – Monday Morning Milne’s Mini Fit every Monday morning (P1-7), Tuesday Lunchtime Tennis (P2,2/3,3,4,4/5), Thursday Lunchtime Netball (P6-7) and Friday Lunchtime Rugby (P2/3. P3. P4, P4/5).  You will be notified if your child signs up for a lunchtime club.  Membership is free, and comes with the expectation that those who join commit to attending every week for the term to ensure time to consolidate and master skills.

Nurtured

Please see attached Makaton Level 1 and 2 Workshop poster for parents/carers and education staff. 

Achieving

All classes have been busy completing assessments.  This helps teachers to ensure learning provides the appropriate level of challenge, and set a brisk learning pace in class.

Respected

It is great to see learners wearing school colours.  Please make use of the New to You shop in the foyer – take what you need.  Volunteers wanted to help monitor and tidy stock.

Responsible

All learners are applying the skill of Initiative at Golden Time this week.

Included

P1 parents are invited to a parent learning input in the ICT suite on Wednesday morning at 11.30am.

Theatre Club – tickets available for evening performances of RSNO The Snowman (19th Dec, Music Hall, £14) and also &Juliet (6th Feb, HMT, £17.50).  Please contact Mrs Atkinson for more details.  All family members welcome, or children may be dropped off to meet school staff.

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

Safe:

A parent shared this useful defib finder: Defib finder – find the defibrillators nearest you.

Please do not let dogs walk in the playground, and report anyone you see allowing dogs to foul the neighbourhood to the city dog warden.

Healthy:

Please see tick safety information attached and check children and animals after time spent in long grass or forested areas.

Active:

Morning fitness starts next week.  Please sign up here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/news/mep_events/morning-fitness

Basketball club will take place after school – day to be confirmed.  Sign up will be shared once details finalised.

Nurtured:

It is helpful for children (especially those in younger classes) to have a change of clothes in their bags in case of toileting accidents.  Older children may also find spare socks are welcome in wet weather if they don’t wear wellies! (Several pairs of wellies available free of charge at “New to You”).

Education Pathways leaflet attached – an educational psychology service for young people who are adopted or living in kinship care.

As we adhere to Scottish Government Nutritional Guidance, classes do not share birthday cake, but may choose to donate a book or game to their class instead.

Please contact Mrs Atkinson if you would like to be referred for Cash for Kids Winter Warmer Appeal.

Achieving:

All P4s are meeting author Cressida Cowell at the Beach Ballroom this afternoon.

Theatre Club – tickets available for evening performances of RSNO The Snowman (19th Dec, Music Hall, £14) and also &Juliet (6th Feb, HMT, £17.50).  Please contact Mrs Atkinson for more details.

Respected:

P6/7O are visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please bring your own library card.

Responsible:

All children are encouraged to take a refillable water bottle to school.  There are several available at the “New to You” shop.  We do not use disposable cups so please make sure children have their own cup or bottle for use in class.

Parent volunteers wanted to look after the “New To You” shop each week – tidying and sorting donations.  Please contact the school office if you can help.

Included:

Parent Voice group meets this evening at 5.30pm.  This is your chance to be involved in school improvements and events.  All welcome.  A copy of the Family Calendar is attached and paper copies will be given out this evening.  Dates will be added as the year goes on – please ensure you read the Monday bulletin for additions or changes.

Breakfast club starts tomorrow at 8.20 am and registration closes today.  You will be notified if you have NOT been allocated a place – there is no need for a waiting list at present so all those who have applied so far have places.

Leaflet attached with information on the following Aberdeen Performing Arts workshops:

• Junior Youth Theatre – S1/2 students – Thursday - 6.30-8.30pm – Studio – His Majesty’s Theatre 

• Intermediate Youth Theatre – S3/4 students – Wednesday – 6.30-8.30pm – Studio – His Majesty’s Theatre 

• Senior Youth Theatre – S5/6 (or up to 18) – Tuesday – 6.30- 9.00 – Studio – His Majesty’s Theatre 

• Let’s Play! – Primary 1 – 3 – Saturday – 09.30-10.30 – Studio – His Majesty’s Theatre 

• Tutti Tots – 1-2 years – Wednesday – 10.00-10.45am – Tutti Studio – Music Hall (Child and Grown-up) 

• Tutti Toddlers – 2-3 years – Saturday – 10.00-10.45am – Tutti Studio – Music Hall (Child and Grown-up) 

• Tutti Explorers – 3-4 years – Saturday – 11.00-11.45am - Tutti Studio – Music Hall (Child and Grown-up) 

Info also attached for ASN art classes age 7-10.

20th August

Good morning and welcome back,

This week at Westpark:

Safe

We hope to see all children and staff walking, biking or scooting to school.  We have contacted the city wardens regarding pavement parking as this can be a barrier to the safe use of our pavements. 

Healthy

Breakfast Club will start again next Tuesday, please register here: https://forms.gle/QeyQqWMaXxmbahmA7

We need parent volunteers to help supervise – can you help?  Please contact Mrs Atkinson or the school office.
It takes place in the main hall at 8.20 on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Please enter via the fire exit by the kitchen.
It costs £1.50 per session (payable via ParentPay), and children select up to 4 items from the following: Toast , Weetabix, Branflakes, Porridge, Fresh Fruit,  Semi-Skimmed Milk.
If more than two sessions are missed (other than through illness or pre-arranged appointments) your place may be reallocated.
P7s are able to join their friends in the playground after they have finished eating, all others will remain in the hall until the bell rings at 8.50am.
Board games and colouring activities will be provided.  Children may use the time to do homework if they wish.
Members of staff and parents run the club on a voluntary basis - parents will be informed via GroupCall if the club is to be cancelled.

School lunch menus can be viewed here.  Catering staff have previously been able to provide alternatives if a child does not like the items on offer, but this will no longer be possible.  If your child does not wish to eat the items on offer they should be provided with a packed lunch from home.

Achieving

All P4s will be visiting the Beach Ballroom next Monday afternoon to meet author Cressida Cowell.  They will travel by coach.  A contribution of £2 towards the cost of this would be welcome, but please be assured that all learners will take part.

Please see attached info from STEM Returners, an organisation that helps people return to a technical, scientific or engineering career following a career break, which is incredibly difficult through standard recruitment channels. 

They returner programmes with a number of private and public sector organisations in Aberdeen which will provide opportunities for people to return and transfer to roles in the energy sector.

Nurtured

We are able to make applications for the Cash for Kids Winter Warmer Appeal (previously called the coat appeal).  Please contact Mrs Atkinson (aatkinson@aberdeencity.gov.uk) if you would like an application to be made on your behalf.

Active

P7 trip to Newtonmore is next month, and the next payment of £100 is due this Friday.

Respected

P7 hoodies have been ordered and will arrive in September.  We look forward to seeing all of our learners wearing uniform – sports T-shirts are provided free of charge and can be exchanged for larger sizes when you return the original.

Responsible

All children are encouraged to apply for and use their own bus and library card (these are available free of charge).  Each Thursday one class visits Mastrick library, starting with P6/7 R on Thursday.  Parent volunteers always welcome to walk there and back with classes.

Included

Coffee for parents of children with ASN (no diagnosis needed) on Friday at 2pm in the Rainbow Room.

Please see attached info from Get Creative, a free year-round creative music making programme for children aged 8-18, giving young people the opportunity to gain skills, experiences and a wider understanding of creative music making with professional composers and musicians. Get Creative Orchestra is for children aged 8-11 in primary education. Any standard of player is welcome and they have a small number of keyboards and percussion instruments available. The first session is on Sunday 1st September. 

Theatre Club:  We have school tickets for RSNO The Snowman at the Music Hall on Thursday 19th December 6.30pm.  Tickets are £14 and attendees should meet at the Music Hall and be collected from there.

For P6s and P7s (plus parents and ex pupils) we also have tickets to & Juliet at His Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday 6th March 2025 for a special price of £17.50 - will be open to P7s. Family members welcome, transport not provided.  https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/juliet/  Please make payment to the school office and contact Mrs Atkinson to reserve seats.

School Bank Details: Westpark School, Account Number – 70087722, Sort Code – 82 60 07.  Please use your child’s name as a reference.

This week at Westpark school finishes for the summer holidays at 3pm on Friday.

Safe

Please put rubbish in the bin and do not feed the seagulls in the playground.  Children have been reminded not to approach or touch the chicks.

Healthy

There are football boots and other sports items at the New to You stall – please help yourself.

Active

Did you enjoy racing last week?  Please enter Run Balmoral 2025: https://runbalmoral.com/content/  Primary, secondary and adult races.  There will be a coach providing transport to and from Westpark.

Nurtured

Theatre Club – RSNO The Snowman 19th December 18.30.  We have secured tickets at a discounted price of £14 each (adults and children).  If you would like to come (or you would like to drop your child off to attend with the club) please contact Mrs Atkinson aatkinson@aberdeencity.gov.uk.   Open to all children and adults, including older siblings and ex pupils.

https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/rsno-christmas-concert-the-snowman-2/

Parent helpers wanted:  can you help organise or New to You stall? 

Achieving

Children will take some artwork etc home this week, but jotters will be kept at Westpark as evidence of progress made this year.

Respected

We say goodbye to our P7s with a Leavers’ Assembly at 1.45pm on Wednesday.  Two seats will be reserved for each child – please contact the school office with requests for additional tickets or accessibility requirements.  Entry via breakfast club door.

Responsible

Please return all school reading and library books by the end of term.  P7s should also return their Team Westpark T-shirts on Friday for redistribution.

Included

Please order additional Team Westpark T-shirts using this form by the end of the day Wednesday: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdLBO6eVgoe-Zlekzw5PaCArR4AONcs_RrsMFcQ9rRBJSSpAg/viewform?usp=sf_link

P6 parents will receive a link to order additional P7 hoodies later today or tomorrow – please look out for this as it will not be possible to order additional hoodies after the summer.

We are all visiting Mastrick Church at 11am on Thursday morning.  Please let your child’s class teacher know if you are able to accompany them on the walk there.

Safe

Some P5s and P6s will be taking part in Bikeability on Tuesday and Wednesday – please make sure you return the permission form if you received one.

We carry out spot checks to ensure children carrying their own inhalers have these on their person – please make sure your child has theirs on them (including during playtime and lunchtimes).

Healthy

R7 are visiting Pizza Express on Wednesday to learn how to make their own pizza.  Please remember your bus card, and to arrive at school for 8.30am.

Active

All P7s have a silent disco this Tuesday afternoon. They may dress as they please for this event (or get changed at lunchtime), but should be in school uniform the rest of the time.

All year groups will have races this week.  Parents wishing to spectate should do so from the pavement side of the fence on Byron Terrace to avoid crowding children.  Learners will be dismissed from the playground on the day of their races, please wait until then to provide snacks or drinks.  Children are allowed water bottles in class and are encouraged to stay hydrated throughout the day.  In the event of inclement weather a GroupCall will be sent to inform parents of cancellation as soon as a decision is made, so there is no need to call the office.

Monday 24th June 2.45pm: All P1s

Tuesday 25th June 2.45pm: All P2s and P3s

Wednesday 26th June 2.45pm: All P4s and P5s

Thursday 27th June 2.45pm: All P6s

Friday 28st June 2.45pm: All P7s

Some children wear crocs to school and complain of sore ankles – these are not designed for physical activity so may be worn as indoor shoes/slippers with trainers for PE and outdoor play.  Children should wear Team Westpark sports T-shirts.

Parents seeking more formal running and racing opportunities should sign up for weekly junior parkrun, active schools fun runs and the annual Run Balmoral race, all of which are supported by school staff.

Morning Fitness will have the last session at 8am next Monday (1st July).  All other after school clubs will finish this week (lunchtime clubs on as normal next week).

Nurtured

Family picnic this Friday – all families are invited to bring a picnic to the playground from 12 noon – 1pm.  Classes will join you outside from 12.10pm.  Please let your child know if you are unable to attend so that they know not to look out for you.  Those wishing to order a school lunch (cheese sandwiches) for the picnic should do so by calling the school office or replying to this message by lunchtime on Tuesday.   There will be no hot lunches on Friday.

Achieving

New P1 parent meeting in the main hall at 8.30am on Wednesday.

Respected

Westpark Musical Revue - Choir, Brass, Strings, Woodwind and Piano – Thursday at 2pm.  Parents of children performing are invited to attend, entry via breakfast club door.

Responsible

P6 Newtonmore deposit of £70 (or bursary application) is due on Friday.

School bank account details for transfers:  Westpark School,Account Number – 70087722, Sort Code – 82 60 07.  Use your child’s full name as reference.

We are looking for paint in pale/pastel/neutral colours for display boards – does anyone have any left over from decorating? Volunteers wanted to paint boards in the corridors ready for the new term.

Included

All P7s visiting Innoflate on Monday – thank you to the parents who fundraised to make this possible.  Please ensure outstanding balances for last month’s Newtonmore trip are paid.

All P7s are going ice-skating on Friday and should arrive at school early (8.10am) – please see class Google Classroom pages for timings and what to bring. Children arriving late will be unable to attend as there will not be staff available to transport them there.

P3 are going tubing on Friday morning.  Please wear long sleeves, long trousers and  a pair of gloves (spare could be useful!).  They will return by 11.20 in plenty time for the picnic.

Many of you have asked about ordering additional Team Westpark T-shirts for the new year.  This can be done at a cost of £13 per T-shirt by filling in the order form by the end of this week.  All children were provided with one free of charge, and these may be exchanged for larger sizes as they grow out of them.  P7s will need theirs for leavers’ assembly and end of term, but should wash and return them on Friday 5th July or at the start of the new term.

This week at Westpark:

Safe

It’s great to see lots of children scooting and cycling to school and wearing their helmets.  The more children cycling and walking to school, the safer the roads around school become as there are fewer cars dropping off.

Healthy

Our team of litter pickers are busy every day, and notice most litter picked up comes from Fruit Shoot bottles and crisp packets.  Please use reusable water bottles (some are available free of charge at “New To You” by the front door and take just one small snack for playtime.

Active

Last week of Rugby today – P5-7 girls club at lunch, P1-3 after school and class coaching throughout the day.  See flyer attached for Girls’  Rugby sessions at Woodside.

Nursery Sports on Tuesday.  If any event is cancelled due to weather we will notify all affected parents via GroupCall.  There is no need to call the school office – it can be assumed that events will go ahead if no cancellation message received.

AAC Summer Camps flyer attached.

Nurtured

Drop in coffee for parents of children with ASN (with or without diagnosis) – 2pm Friday in Rainbow Room (entry via nursery door).

As a result of our partnership with Aberdeen North Parish Church we hope to be working with two TLG mentors to support learners next session.  Please contact Mrs Atkinson if you would like your child to take part.  More information can be found here: https://www.tlg.org.uk/

Achieving

All classes were challenged to focus on improving handwriting this term.  Mr Watson will be visiting classes and sampling jotters to find out who has made the most progress.

Respected

House Captain election campaigns begin on Friday.

Responsible

P7s will be visiting Northfield Academy on Wednesday and Thursday.  They should make their own way there and wear their Westpark uniforms.  Those attending different secondary schools should register at Westpark as normal.

Included

If your child is turning five, you can apply for their National Entitlement Card (NEC) with free bus travel up to two weeks before their 5th birthday. Open up a world of possibilities and save money on public transport, making regular journeys and new adventures more affordable for your family!  Find out more about how it works and how to apply at freebus.scot

Good morning,

Safe

CyberSafe Scotland invite you to join them for a supportive and vitally important live webinar to increase your understanding of financially motivated sexual extortion, and help you to respond positively to support your child or the young people you work with.

We are immensely privileged to be joined by: 

• Ros Dowey campaigner and mother of Murray - who tragically took his own life after being targeted by criminals, and

• Paul Raffile globally renowned expert in Sexual Extortion, Network Contagion Research Institute and Harvard University,

who will speak with Annabel Turner, Director of CyberSafe Scotland. 

This webinar will not only increase your understanding of the issue, but also provide an important opportunity for you to hear directly from the experts on how to help to protect children and young people.

Join us on: 

🗓 12th June 2024

⏰ 7 - 7.45 pm

During the webinar you will:

• hear first hand about how the attacks happen,

• the current patterns that are facilitating these attacks,

• what the apps should be doing to prevent them,

• what you can do to support your own family,

• how to tackle powerful and important conversations with your children, and

• have the opportunity to ask questions with our experts

Register for your free ticket here:Get your ticket

Healthy

Childsmile dental nurses will visit school on Wednesday to observe classes brushing their teeth.  Toothbrushes and toothpaste are available free of charge at the “New to You” stall in the foyer.

Active

You are invited to a tennis opening event to mark the official opening of the newly refurbished courts at Northfield Outdoor Sport Centre. There will be a bouncy castle, face painting, bowls, ice cream and more.

A team made up of Sport Aberdeen and active schools staff will deliver the event but would love to have some community involvement so are also looking for volunteers to help out with the event so if anyone is happy to get involved please get in touch.

Nurtured

Shorts and Shades summer disco this Thursday.  £1 donation on the door (no pre-sales of tickets). Nursery-P3 5.15-6pm – enter and exit via breakfast club door.  P4-7 6-7pm – enter via front door and exit via breakfast club door.  Please notify us if your child is permitted to walk home alone, otherwise they will remain at school until collected by an adult. Bring a water bottle – no snacks provided.  Phones should be kept at home, or switched off and given to Mrs Atkinson on arrival and collected at home time.

Achieving

After school clubs – Rugby (P1-3 Monday), Choir and yoga (Thursday) – please make sure that members attend every week.  Parents should notify the office if they are unable to do so.

This year’s Aberdeen Reads Challenge will see Library Bear (LB) travelling back in time all Summer!  Pupils from the city’s schools suggested historical periods and events for LB to visit…these will be revealed throughout the summer.  Will LB come face to face with dinosaurs, or will there be visits to Ancient Egypt?  It will take 350 books read, challenges completed and/or library activities attended to let LB jump through the time portal to the next historical ADVENTURE!

Young people and families can pick up their FREE challenge cards from any city library.  Take your challenge card into the library and collect stamps to earn rewards.  Aberdeen Reads Challenge is open to everyone, with rewards available for 4-15yrs taking part in the challenge.

If you can’t make it to a library, you can take part online by downloading a challenge card from our website – let us know what you’ve been reading at LibraryEvents@aberdeencity.gov.uk. 

Further information can be found at https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/aberdeenreads

Respected

The Cowie Cup final is at 9am this Thursday.  Good luck to our P6 finalists.

All P1-7s will take part in a multi-age Westpark Workshop on Wednesday afternoon.  Please check google classroom with your child to see which skills they have been developing.

Responsible

House Captain applications from eligible P5s and P6s are due this Friday.  Candidates should demonstrate belonging by wearing school uniform every day.

R7 are visiting Escape Rooms on Friday – please remember bus cards.

Included

P1P Class assembly this Friday at 2pm.  Entry via breakfast club door.  All children will have two seats reserved for parents – please contact the office if you require additional seats or have accessibility requirements (buggies/wheelchairs).

Drop in for P6 parents this Thursday at 3pm (main hall – entry via breakfast club door) – to share information and answer questions about residential trip to Newtonmore this September.  Our intention is for all new P7s to attend so if your child is unsure or anxious please come along to help plan to make it manageable for them.

Good morning,

Safe

Local residents have contacted us with concerns about unsafe parking and speeds at pick up and drop off time.  Please walk to school or park and stride.  If driving please observe 20mph signs, be mindful of our neighbours and park with consideration for them.

Healthy

It is great to see so many children wearing the new sports t-shirts.  Parents had the option to order additional t-shirts earlier in the year and in response to recent requests we are in discussion with the supplier regarding a supplementary order.  Cost will be around £13.

Please wear trainers or other comfortable running shoes to school – crocs are OK for indoor shoes but children complain of sore ankles when running around in them.

Active

P1-3 Rugby today 3pm.

Lunchtime clubs:  Monday lunchtimes  Chess and P5-7 girls rugby, Tuesdays Running and Netball, Wednesday Bible and Basketball, Thursday LGBT Allies, Friday tennis.

Nurtured

Autism Outreach staff are supporting core Westpark staff in school this week.

Unpaid carer survey: mainly multiple-choice questions should take no longer than 25 minutes to complete and is available online here. The survey is open until 31 July 2024.

Achieving

P5/6, P6/7 plus some P5s and P7s are visiting Sky TV studios on Wednesday.  They should arrive at the usual time on Wednesday and the bus will leave after registration.  They should wear school uniform, an outdoor jacket and shoes for playing in Camperdown Park and bring a packed lunch.  Children carrying their own inhalers should bring them on their person.  Medication normally held in school will be taken, but any additional prescribed medication (eg travel sickness) should be handed in to the office today or tomorrow.

The bus should return by around 7pm – parents will be notified of updates via GroupCall.  The bus will park on Byron Terrace – please do not park in the bus bay.  Children should take an afternoon snack (please avoid anything with strong smells or likely to cause nausea) as we will not be stopping for an evening meal. 

Respected

Every week we have a school meeting in assembly.  Children are encouraged to make an apology, a stand and an appreciation in recognition of the school aims.

Responsible

Both P1 classes visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please let class teachers know if you are able to walk there with them.

Included

Helpers needed for Summer Fair and Disco - please contact school office or Parent Voice member if you can help.  The events cannot go ahead without volunteers to help set up, tidy up and ensure safety of participants.

Summer Fair 3-5pm Friday.  Please bring cash (in change) and shopping bags.  The busiest time inside is 3-3.30pm.

Donations of soft toys, raffle prizes and bric a brac welcome – please hand in to the school office.

Shorts and Shades disco on Thursday 13th June. Bring a water bottle (no refreshments provided).  Entry – suggested donation £1 on the door (no pre-sales)

Nursery-P3 5.15-6.00 pm

Enter and exit by breakfast club door

P4-7 6.00-7.00 pm enter by front door, exit by breakfast club  door.

Please notify office or Parent Voice on drop off if you wish your child to walk home alone.

This week at Westpark:

Safe

How do you help your child find their way in the world? To manage friendships and relationships, being online, or complicated things like consent? The Chat national survey,  for parents and carers is open until May31st: https://thechat.scot the Chat is a conversation with parents and carers about where, what, when, why and how children and young people learn about relationships, sexual health and parenthood. Supported by NHS Grampian.

Healthy

Dates for diary: P1-7 races will take place on the following days at 2.45pm.  Parents wishing to spectate should do so from the pavement by the fence on Byron Terrace.

Monday 24th June: All P1s

Tuesday 25th June: All P2s and P3s

Wednesday 26th June: All P5s

Thursday 27th June: All P6s

Friday 28st June: All P7s

Classes will also have sports and games throughout the month of June – please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for running every day.  We have some children wearing crocs to school and complaining of sore ankles – these are not designed for physical activity so may be worn as indoor shoes/slippers with trainers for PE and outdoor play.

Parents seeking more formal running and racing opportunities should sign up for weekly junior parkrun, active schools fun runs and the annual Run Balmoral race, all of which are supported by school staff.

Active

Active Schools wish to thank all Westpark runners, parents and support crew for making the Fun Run series a success.  Well done everyone who took part!

There will be a new Streetsport session running at Allan Douglas Park (the skatepark) during the summer, every Monday 7-8.30pm which complements sessions at the Academy. If you aren’t aware Streetsport sessions are put on, primarily, to try and reduce youth annoyance and anti-social behaviour as well as providing a platform for young people to access free opportunities to sport and creative activity.  It is targeted at young people aged 8+.

Nurtured

Nursery T-shirts have arrived.  Please collect from nursery staff.  Parents should sign to confirm receipt, and return T-shirts once outgrown.  All nursery children will be provided with an age 3-4 t-shirt free of charge (unless parents requested larger size at time of ordering).

Achieving

Mr Watson and Mrs Atkinson are visiting all classes to observe learning this week.  They will be asking children about learning goals and feedback.

Respected

P2 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday – please bring library cards if you have them.  Parent volunteers wanted.

P1V, P1P and P5 are visiting Techfest on Friday.

Thank you to the community members providing dog poo bags around the school.  Please take and use what you need, and keep the roads around our school clean.

Responsible

P7s are visiting Northfield Academy this morning as part of the transition program.

All P7s  will be invited to attend our Transition Days on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th June. A letter will be issued closer to the time for parents and carers with all the information required.

Included

Dress as you Please (optional) – on Friday – please bring a bottle or chocolate as a donation for the school fair.

Parent Voice group are meeting tonight at 5.30pm.  This is your chance to be involved in the school improvement plan, as well as planning for school fair, summer disco and family picnic.

This week at Westpark:

Safe

Westpark baseball caps are available at the school office (£5).  We also recommend sun cream at this time of year.

Healthy

P4 are taking part in The Big Sing at the Duthie Park this Wednesday 1130-1200..  Transport provided.  The weather forecast is showing a chance of rain on the day of the event. The event will still go ahead if there is rain, so please remind pupils to dress appropriately.  There are around 3000 children attending the event, so it may take some time to get them in place to perform and then back on buses after the event. Please prepare for some periods of waiting.

Active

All P7s have a rugby transition event at Woodside on Wednesday.  Transport will be provided. It will be on grass, P7s may bring boots if pupils have.  They will need a water bottle and lunch.  They should wear Westpark sports T-shirts.

Milne’s Mini Fit is open to P1-7 and runs every Monday at 8am in the gym hall.  Suggested donation £2 per week, all welcome.  Please call the office to register.

Final Sheddocksley Fun Run at 4pm this Wednesday.  Westpark runners outnumber all other schools there – please come along and join us this week.

Nurtured

P1V will be sharing what they have learned in a class assembly at 2pm this Friday.  Two seats will be reserved for each child.  Entry is via the breakfast club door.  Please contact the school office to request additional seats or to make us aware of any accessibility needs (wheelchair/buggy access)

Achieving

P3 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please bring library cards if you have them.  Are you able to help walk there and back?

Respected

Unfortunately there have been several incidences of vandalism in both girls and boys toilets recently, causing damage to dispensers and plumbing as well as wasting supplies of sanitary products.  All children are encouraged and expected to use washrooms safely and respectfully.  We would appreciate parents discussing this with children, as we want all of them to have a clean and tidy space to use.  Increased supervision of toilets is in place, but this has a negative impact on the capacity of staff to support learning in classrooms.  Classes will also be reminded of the importance of using cubicles individually. We offer school nurse referrals to support any parents with concerns about toileting issues (such as children using the floor).

Responsible

School Fair on 7th June. Are you able to help? Please come to Parent Voice meeting on 27th May at 5.30 to make arrangements.  We are also looking for donations of teddies/soft toys, bric a brac and prizes.  There will be an optional dress as you please day on Friday 31st May – donations of bottles or chocolates please.

Included

P6/7 and P5/6 are visiting Sky TV studios on June 5th.  If you have not returned the consent form please do so asap. Please note they will return to school late on that day (around 7pm).

Please discourage children from bringing in toys/gifts for their friends in the playground as this can lead to confusion and upset.

This week at Westpark: 

Safe

Welcome back to our P7s – safe, sound and very tired after a weekend of doing hard things at Newtonmore.

Please see attached letter from Police Scotland about online safety and extortion.

Healthy

Please remember sunscreen and/or a hat as we come in to warmer days.

Active

Sheddocksley Fun Run continues on Wednesday at 4pm.  Please come along and join in (P1-7 races) or cheer on your friends.  More details on Active Schools facebook page.

Nurtured

P5/6 and P6/7 will be visiting Sky Academy on Wednesday June 5th.  Please return permission forms to school, with a contribution towards the cost if you are able (the coach costs £20 per head, we understand that not every family can contribute this amount so please contribute what you can)

Achieving

Have you taken a career break from an engineering or a technical sector and wish to return? Are you working below your experience in a different sector? Do you have an engineering or technical qualification that you aren’t using? Do you just wish to transfer sectors but don’t have any experience? If so this could be the opportunity for you!  After the unprecedented success of our previous programmes we are currently searching for candidates for a number of STEM Returners campaigns across Aberdeen. All candidates not only get to access a different route to finding a new role, you will also have the opportunity to obtain free 1-2-1 career coaching and mentoring, supporting you from interview stage through the work placement and beyond.  No career break is too long, register to return to STEM today! For more information please visit www.stemreturners.com or email anouska.carling@stemreturners.com.

Respected

Westpark Workshops for P1-7 on Wednesday afternoon.  Please ask your child about the skill they developed.

Responsible

P4 are visiting Mastrick Library on Thursday.  Please remember your library card.  Are you available to help walk the class there and back?

If you aged 8-11yrs, could you become a Library Champion and help make a difference to library services for young people?  Library Champions will have the opportunity to be involved in the planning, development, delivery and evaluation of city-wide library initiatives.

Library Champions will be asked to commit to being a Champion for a minimum of 6 months, meet once a month and need to be able to attend a different library each month.  Most importantly, they’ll need to be a champion for our libraries, initiatives and be keen to help us deliver the BEST library services for young people in the city.

If your young person would be eager to get involved and share their thoughts, opinions and ideas on future library services, get in touch by emailing LearningDevelopment@aberdeencity.gov.uk

For more information check out https://bit.ly/AberdeenLibraryChampions

Included

P6/7 are getting the public bus to Pizza Express on Wednesday.  Please remember your bus card.

08.05.24

This week at Westpark:

The school office will be closed from 1pm on Friday afternoon. 

Drop in appointments with staff are not available at any time.  Parents may request appointments by phone or email, and indicating the subject matter will allow the relevant member of staff to respond efficiently.

Safe

Please read attached information about tick safety, and check children and pets for ticks after spending time in long grass or wooded areas.

Our RSHP project starts next month (Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood).  The policy is available on the school website and handouts will be available at Parents evening tomorrow.

Healthy

Fruit snacks are always available for those who have forgotten or cannot manage their own. Donations welcome.

Achieving

Parents’ evening starts at 3.30pm this Thursday.  Please arrive promptly and let us know if you are unable to attend.  Lost property will be available for perusal, and any unclaimed items donated to charity at the end of the week.

Nurtured

No breakfast club until further notice.

Active

Sheddocksley Fun Run continues today at 4pm.  Please contact Active Schools directly (via their facebook page) if you wish to request a late entry.

Yoga is on as normal tomorrow.  There will be no choir due to Parents’ evening.

Respected

It is great to see children wearing sports t-shirts for PE.  There are also Westpark baseball caps and neck warmers available.

Responsible

P3 are visiting the University of Aberdeen today (Wednesday).  Please remember your packed lunch.

Included

Almost all P7s will be leaving for Newtonmore at 1.30pm on Friday.  If you are coming to wave them off please do not park in the bus bay!  We aim to be back between 7 and 8pm on Sunday – updates will be shared with parents en route.

We would love for ALL of next year’s P7 to take part in the residential as do not want to leave anyone behind.  Parents may start paying towards the trip with an office payment card starting now, and should discuss any concerns at parents’ evening to allow us to address these.

22.04.24

Good morning,

This week at Westpark:

No morning fitness today.  All other clubs are up and running as usual.

Safe:

We have had a number of reports of children using scooters at high speed and without helmets.  Please keep scooting and cycling to school safely and making sure you are aware of cars and pedestrians around you.

Healthy

Breakfast club restarts on Tuesday morning and will finish on Friday until further notice.

Active

Good luck to everyone running at Balmoral this Saturday!

P7 parents – please return Newtonmore consent forms as soon as possible.

Everyone is invited to enter Active Schools Fun Run series: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/active-schools-fun-run-events

Nurtured

Our cook, Chris Keith will be leaving Westpark this Friday.  He will be missed very much by both staff and learners, and we would like to thank him for his unfailing good humour and dedication.

Befriend a Child are hosting an Information Evening at Northfield Community Centre on Tuesday 23rd April 2024 from 7pm to 8.30pm. They hope to connect families to local organisations by creating an accessible platform for this to take place. Empowering them by providing them with knowledge and information to facilitate meaningful change in their own lives.  See flyer attached.

Achieving

Pupil focus groups will be meeting with Mr Watson and Mrs Atkinson to verify levels achieved in literacy and numeracy.

Respected

We are pleased to welcome Mr Roberts-James to Westpark.  He will be taking over P5/6 R9 until the end of the school year.

Responsible

P6/7 are visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Are you able to come along on the walk there and back?

Included

Parent Voice group meets this evening at 5.30pm – all welcome.  We welcome your input in planning for aspects of school improvement, including literacy, numeracy and travel as well as school fairs and discos.

P7s are visiting the Treasure Hub on Thursday afternoon.

Please complete this survey to help Family Learning provide support in Northfield: Survey link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=aw-pJD2_E02ip4k2nOs16wVLR44WI5RKrnjExqnUPCZUMFpINDhKMVRLOFJXQ09NQ1Q5TVEyNlFVRy4u

15.04.24

Welcome back, we hope you all had a happy and safe holiday.

Safe

Some upper stage girls will be taking part in a Cybersafe session on Thursday and will feed back to their classes.  Golden Time this week focusses on digital skills, and discussions on online safety is a regular feature of all classes.

Healthy
Countdown to Run Balmoral – spaces on the bus must be booked by the end of the day today.  You are welcome to come for a picnic and day out even if you are not racing.

Achieving

A selection of learners from P1-7 will be taking part in pupil focus groups with Mrs Atkinson and Mr Watson to demonstrate their progress in numeracy and literacy.

All classes will begin the World “Westpark Invents” this week, and will work towards a class and whole school “Dragon’s Den” presentation.

P7 (R7) will be visiting Mastrick Library this Thursday – please bring library cards if you have one.  Parent/grandparent volunteers welcome to help walk there and back.

All P7s will visit the Treasure Hub on Tuesday afternoon– see Google Classroom pages for details.

Mrs Jones will be taking a P7 team to represent Westpark at the University of Aberdeen Enterprising Maths Challenge on Tuesday.  Good luck to the team!

Nurtured

P6s have been invited to apply to be awarded this year’s Cowie Cup.  It will be awarded to a community champion who demonstrates the school aims of kindness, belonging, mastery and independence.

Active

All classes continue to take part in daily mile and to log active travel to school. 

Respected

All P1-7 learners will take part in multi-age Westpark Workshops this Wednesday – please take some time to look at Google Classroom with your child at the end of the week to see the different ways the groups are developing skills and improving our school.

Responsible

P7 parents are invited to an information meeting regarding the residential trip to Newtonmore.  The meeting is at 2.30pm on Thursday – entry via the breakfast club door.  It is an informal meeting and an opportunity to ask any questions about the trip.

P6 parents are invited to begin a payment card for next year’s residential trip – this will allow you to spread the cost over a full year.  Please contact the school office for more details.

Included

Breakfast and after school clubs will not be running this week. They will restart on the week beginning 22nd April.

Group photos for Nursery, P1 and P7 pupil on Wednesday.  Please let the class teacher know if you do not wish your child to be included.  Parents will have the option to purchase the photograph if they so wish.

25.03.24

This week at Westpark:

School closes at 3pm on Thursday and will reopen on Monday April 15th.  We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday.

Safe:

We are almost on track to meet our bike/scoot target, and it is also great to see the majority of our learners walking to school every day.  Parents needing help to access helmets or bikes should contact us or visit Becycle: https://www.facebook.com/beCyCleWorkshop/

Healthy:

Easter in the city 2024: Early Intervention have released an Easter program for children with ASN and their siblings. All Sessions are Free funded by Aberdeen City Council

Direct Booking Link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/early-intervention-aberdeen-33289346587. The sessions are not drop and go, a responsible adult is required to attend the duration activity with their child.

Active:

FREE spaces at the ARFC Youth Easter Camp running from 1st-3rd of April.  https://link.edgepilot.com/s/194de791/eNcYQYkr40ePm6Pn6e87lg?u=https://www.universe.com/events/arfc-youth-easter-camp-2024-tickets-9YV4X6

Open for P1 – S6, all participants get a hot meal provided and a free gift, and to play lots of fun rugby games!

Last chance to sign up for Run Balmoral this week: https://runbalmoral.com/content/  We also need to confirm our coach booking for Saturday 27th April – if your family would like a day out to support (or race) with a picnic and activities by Balmoral Castle please contact the school office to reserve seats on the bus.

Nurtured:

Unfortunately the Easter Disco has been cancelled as a result of advice from Public Health Scotland.  All clubs (other than breakfast club) have been cancelled.

Prizes for the best recycled Easter bonnet.  Mrs Zebedee and Mrs Dewsbury will be modelling the winning designs at school on Thursday.

There will be no Breakfast club in the first week back.

It will continue as normal from the week of the 22nd April.

Achieving:

All classes are working hard to complete end of term assessments this week.

Respected:

Fiona Lister, Minister, will be joining us for an Easter assembly on Thursday afternoon.

Responsible:

Thank you to the parents and learners who help keep the New To You Stall tidy – this is an ongoing job so volunteers always welcome.  At the moment there are a lot of homeware items which you are all invited to help yourselves to.  Excess items will be donated to charity at the end of the week. 

Included:

The pupil council would like to invite the whole school to a pyjama day on Thursday (remember a warm jacket as we will be playing outside as normal).

Family Fun days at St Machar’s Cathedral we are running over the Easter holidays. They are suitable for all the family – whatever age- to explore the beautiful surroundings of the oldest building in Aberdeen still in use today. Explore with an easter trail, create an Easter ornament to take home, dress up in period costumes or discover our stories on an interactive tour around the building.  Flyer attached with further details.

18.03.24

This week at Westpark:

Safe:

All learners are encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot or park and stride to school.  Please help make this safer by reducing vehicle traffic around the school grounds.

Healthy:

Easter Disco will take place on Wednesday 27th March.  Children should bring a water bottle as refreshments are not provided.  Nursery – P3 5.15-6pm, P4-7 6-7pm.  Prizes for best Easter bonnet (made from recycled materials).

Tickets are £1 and will be on sale at playtimes next Monday and Tuesday in Mrs Violeta’s room, or after school in the foyer.

Active:

P1 and P2 Yoga Club starts on Thursday at 3pm.  Children should be collected from the gym hall door at 3.45pm.

Raring 2 Go magazine link: CLICK HERE FOR MAGAZINE LINK

Nurtured:

Our second parent coffee and chat will take place this Friday at 2pm in the Rainbow Room (enter by nursery door).  It is an informal opportunity for all parents, particularly those supporting children with ASN.

Achieving:

Four P7s will represent Westpark at the Rotary Club Quiz this afternoon.

Did you know that turning on the subtitles on your TV at home is the easiest way to get your child reading? Doing this can double the chance of your child becoming a good reader. Yes, it’s really that simple.
Please visit https://turnonthesubtitles.org/parents/ to see Hollywood legend Jack Black explain how you can turn screen time into reading time in 10 seconds.

Respected:

All learners are encouraged to show they belong to Westpark by wearing school uniform.  Westpark baseball caps are available for the summer months (£5).  Please contact the school office if you need help with any item of uniform or equipment.

Responsible:

P1V will visit Mastrick Library this Thursday.  Please contact school if you would like to walk there and back with them.

Included:

P2 are visiting the Maritime Museum on Thursday.  They should bring a packed lunch and wear school uniform.

P5/6 are visiting Duthie Park tomorrow.  They should bring a packed lunch, a bus pass and wear their school uniform with comfortable shoes for walking/running and a waterproof jacket just in case!

Aberdeen City Library events are free and open to all:

Junk Sculptures

Join us the CWNE for a special craft and story session, making your own special sculpture from recyclable resources. Suitable for ages 5-12.

Airyhall Library – Monday 18th March, 3.30pm - Book A Place

Mastrick Library – Wednesday 20th March, 3.30pm - Book A Place