OUR VALUES - Friendship - Honesty - Kindness - Respect - Trust
✨That is the end to a very special term 1 in P1S.
Thank you for all your hard work!
Have a super break, stay safe and we'll see you back at school well rested and ready for lots of learning in term 2. ✨
Miss Shepherd is still poorly but continues to be very pleased with all our efforts. Mrs Reid has looked after us brilliantly in her absence and we are very grateful. We enjoyed making games and pictures in chalk on the playground, watching the Alphablocks and can you spot our super jellyfish on the wall? These were fun to make and helped us with our cutting skills. ✂️
Miss Shepherd has been off this week but has been so impressed with our hard work! Mrs Reid has been keeping her posted on our progress.
Nessie Novels 📔
Each year at Ness Castle Primary School your child will complete a 'Nessie Novel'.
Each year will be another chapter in their Ness Castle journey and in the end they will have seven years worth of scrapbooks to complete their novel which is a learning profile.
Pupils, staff, parents and peers will all have an opportunity to contribute to Nessie Novels.
Photographs, assessment, certificates and pieces of work will be compliled and arranged to create a P1S chapter this year.
Should you ever feel there is something important you think your child could put into their Novel, that is important in their learning journey this year, then please send it in to school with their name and this can be added. 🖼️🏆📷
Take a look at some of our learning from this week.
We have been learning about and forming the numbers zero and one (remember to include zero when you are counting at home), recognising rhyming words and sharing our favourite foods with everyone, as we continue to get to know one another and build friendships.
In PE we have been practising sharing space, moving our bodies in different ways and learning some new games.
Take a look at what we will be learning this term in Primary 1!
Every day in Primary 1 is an adventure packed with discovery, creativity, and fun. Our classroom is a place where learning comes alive through hands-on activities, teamwork, and stories that spark imagination. Here’s a peek into some of the highlights of our week, and how they help our children grow.
Fire Drill - When we practice our fire drills, it’s all about keeping calm, following instructions, and working together. These drills teach children about safety and responsibility while helping them feel confident in new situations. We’re so proud of how quickly our learners listen and line up like champions!
Outdoor Games - The outdoors is one of our favourite classrooms. Whether it’s running, jumping, or engaging in group games, outside play helps children develop their gross motor skills, coordination, and team spirit. It’s also the perfect time to let off some energy and enjoy the fresh air.
Rainbow Table - At the Rainbow Table, the magic happens! Here, children can explore puzzles, crafts, and activities that encourage critical thinking and creativity. It’s a space where every child gets to try something new at their own pace, all while fostering independence and curiosity.
Our Ness Castle Values - growing together! Our Ness Castle Values guide everything we do in the classroom. Whether it’s kindness, respect, or perseverance, we weave these values into every activity, helping our children grow not just as learners but as thoughtful and caring individuals.
Storytime - Books like The Way Back Home transport us to magical worlds while teaching valuable lessons about friendship, problem-solving, and courage. Storytime is a cherished moment in our day, sparking imaginations and building a love for reading.
Paint and Sand - Art and sensory play are essential for young learners. Painting helps children express themselves while exploring colours and textures. The sand tray is perfect for building castles, digging tunnels, and practicing early math skills like measuring and comparing. These activities make learning feel like play, which is the best kind of learning!
Please ensure all property is named and this will ensure items find their way back to the correct classrooms and pupils.
Lost Property can be found at the school office in the labelled 'Lost Property' box or on the clothing rails.
Please be reassured that if your child has left anything in class then it will be there waiting for them the next day. However, they are responsible for their items out with the classroom.
Primary 1 are encouraged to put their jumpers/cardigans in their tray when they are not being worn. This means that at the end of the day, when we have group time to get ready for home, we can go through the trays together to ensure everything has been sent home.
Primary 1 are encouraged to take their jacket outside at break and lunch due to our ever changing Scottish weather. Jackets are to be placed on the nursery fence post rather than the ground so that they can be collected as the children come to line up - should they have taken them off whilst outside.
Please ensure if your child is school lunches you have looked through the menu together to help them decide on suitable lunch choices.
Any special diets, allergies or important information should be brought to our attention.
The menu is available here: https://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/download/9/school_menus
If your child is taking a packed lunch please ensure they have juice/water separate to their water bottle in the classroom if at all possible.
It would be great to discuss packed lunches together with your child to ensure lunchboxes contain healthy foods they enjoy, are able to feed to themselves and are filling to allow for learning throughout the afternoon.
NHS healthy lunchbox ideas are... https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes/
Celebrating Achievements Assembly💫
At Ness Castle Primary School we offer pupils the opportunity to share in their success both in and out with school.
Should a pupil have an achievement from out with school they wish to share then please feel free to allow them to bring in any trophies, medals, photographs or simply just help your child prepare something to say at assembly to share any recent success.
For example - learning to ride a bike without stabilizers, moving up a swimming group, earning a new belt in martial arts etc.
We love hearing about the success of our wee Nessies! 🏆💙
Dress Down Day
The school offers a Dress Down Day on a Friday at the end of each month. (dates provided in the school newsletter)
Sometimes there is a theme and if that is the case notice and information will be provided. Otherwise we ask that the children come to school in their own clothes - suitable for school.
We ask that P1 children continue to come to school, even on these days, in shoes which they can put on independently.
This Friday 30th August is the first dress down opportunity this year.
Thank you! 👟
29.08.24
Appointment times were sent home today for those of you who signed up for a Hopes and Dreams meeting. Please complete the form and return to school prior to our meeting on Tuesday 3rd September 2024. Thank you, I look forward to seeing you then.
Please be sure to check your child's bag as the NHS flu vaccine letters have been sent home this week.
The flu vaccine will be offered in school on 29.11.24 and is just a 'wee scoosh' up the nose.
📢Just a quick reminder to please ensure your child’s homework pack (clear named folder) is placed in their school bag every day.
In time this will help us keep their learning on track and send homework activities home.
At present, it is key in ensuring important information and letters go safely between home and school. Please check this each day.
Thank you for your support!
Dear Parents,
We hope the school year is off to a great start for you and your child! As we settle into our routine, we wanted to send a friendly reminder about the "All About Me" letters we sent home recently.
Why This Letter Is Important
The "All About Me" letter is a valuable tool that helps us get to know your child better. It provides insights into their likes, dislikes, interests, and any unique qualities that make them who they are. Understanding these details allows us to create a more personalized and supportive learning environment.
By sharing this information, you're helping us connect with your child on a deeper level, which can make a big difference in their comfort and success at school.
How You Can Help
If you haven’t had a chance to complete the "All About Me" letter yet, we kindly ask that you do so as soon as possible. Here’s how you can help:
Fill Out the Letter: Take a few minutes to fill out the letter with your child. It can be a fun activity to do together and a great way to discuss their feelings about the new school year.
Return It Promptly: Once completed, please ensure the letter is placed in your child’s school bag and returned to us. This will allow us to review the information and use it to better support your child in the classroom.
A week of making friends and learning new routines.
We have enjoyed lots of play - trying all the toys and we are getting much better at putting them back in the correct places too!
This is a brilliant skill to practise at home to support independence.
⬅️ Please find lots of helpful information about our class, routines for the term, some information about me, Miss Shepherd and helpful contact information.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch!
All smiles for our first day at school! 😀
We had fun on our first day meeting all of our classmates and investigating the toys in our classroom, Mrs Mudie's classroom and the open area. 🎲
We read a story called 'Hooray! It's our FIRST DAY' and we got to know each others names. 📖
Dear Parents, today’s the day,
Your little one begins to play,
In a world that's new, so full of light,
Where dreams take flight, from morning to night.
I know you’ve watched with tender care,
The first steps, the smiles they share,
But now they’ll learn and laugh anew,
In a place where friendships grow too.
Rest assured, they’re in good hands,
As they explore and understand,
With stories, songs, and colors bright,
We’ll nurture their growing sight.
Though the world may feel a bit wide,
We’re here, with love, right by their side,
To guide them as they learn and grow,
In this new place they’ll come to know.
So take a breath, though time seems fast,
Their future’s bright, built on the past.
Together we’ll watch them reach the sky,
With courage strong and spirits high.
Miss Shepherd
P1S Class Teacher
Ness Castle Primary School
We award a Nessie Knight certificate each week to a child who has wowed us. Mr Connon gives these out during our Friday assembly.
Congratulations to our Nessie Knight winners below!
has become one of Nessie's Knights for... a super start to Primary 1! Emma listens well and always shares a cheerful smile!
has become one of Nessie's Knights for... his super manners and trying his best with everything in P1!
has become one of Nessie's Knights for... making kind and sensible decisions and doing his best this week, well done!
has become one of Nessie's Knights for... showing kindness to others and always being an amazing helper at tidy up time. Well done and thank you!
has become one of Nessie's Knights for...