Anti-Bullying Week

The theme for this year’s Anti-Bullying week was ‘one kind word’ We decided to use the acroynmn B.L.U.E. in Rasharkin P.S. We all tried to find BLUE things to wear with our school uniform to highlight our ‘B.L.U.E.’ day (Be Loving Unto Everyone).

In assembly P1-3 thought about how Nathaniel didn’t think he would like Jesus because of where he was from. I’m sure if Nathaniel was around today he could tell you how wrong he was!

We think it is really important that everyone plays their part in helping end bullying. You can see the information here.

School Assembly Wednesday 10th November

We are delighted to welcome Lynda (CEF) to school assemblies. Lynda shared a story of a missionary to Africa with P1-3 and reminded them that God hears us when we talk to Him.

Healthy Lunches

The ‘Are you Packing a Healthy Lunch?’, ‘Healthy Breaks for Schools’ and ‘Healthy Choices’ resources are all available at the following links.

 Are you packing a healthy lunch?

 Healthy breaks for schools

 Healthy Choices – Choose wisely: advice for parents on nutrition and activity for primary school children

The Public Health Agency, in partnership with Health & Social Care Trust dietetic teams, are running a series of nutrition webinars including a session on healthy lunchbox and snack ideas, which parents may find useful. For further details and joining instructions please check the PHA social media channels.

NI100 Art Competition

Well done to all the children who worked very hard to produce these excellent entries for this competition, run by DE. Winners are to be announced in December. Please click on the links here (set 1, set 2) to view the entries.

Set 1, Emma & Kirsty

Set 2, Grace, Dathan, Brooke & Sam

Attendacnce Survey

The Education Authority are undertaking a transformation project of the Education Welfare Service to ensure an efficient and effective service to support young people to engage with education. They are seeking the views of pupils through a survey. Click here for more information.

PIRLS

We were delighted to be asked by the Department for Education to participate in PIRLS. The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is an international assessment and research project designed to measure reading achievement.  NI has been in the top five countries, beating all of the other UK nations, in the past.  P7 children were presented with a certificate to mark their participation.

NI100

As part of our celebrations to mark NI100 a tree has been planted in the school grounds, with thanks to Mr. Calderwood for his help.

Poppy Appeal

We will be having a ‘Poppy Shop’ in school next week. Any child who wishes to purchase items should being the correct change in a labelled envelope. The items for sale can be viewed here as well as poppies (suggested minimum donation 50p).

(9/11) Chidlren were delighted to be ‘customers’ at the ‘Poppy Shops’ that opened for each class at lunchtimes this week. Thanks to the very efficient ‘shopkeepers’ from each class.

P6/P7 Tables Certificates

Children in P6 and P7 were presented with certificates for improvement in their times tables. Well done for all their hard work.

Micropython 100

We were delighted to be selected as 1 of 150 schools for this free 8 week programme delivered by Sentinus which allows our pupils to develop coding skills in Micropython language.

- Free BBC micro:bit mini computers for our school

- In-school practical coding workshops

- Children learn to use block editor & micropython

- Design & build simple games to be played on the micro:bit

Bling Your Bike

Thank you to all the families who walked, cycled and scooted to school during Bike to School Week 2021. Replacing car journeys with active forms of travel makes for a healthy and environmentally friendly start to the day. It also helps children arrive into school alert and ready to learn. If you enjoyed it, why not continue to walk or wheel to school and help reduce traffic in the vicinity of your school as well as improve health and wellbeing for all. For those who live a little farther out, a ‘Park & Stride’ location is a great option! On behalf of everyone from Sustrans, thank you for making Bike to School Week a success. Johnny McCrystal (Sustrans Schools Officer, North East)

Coaching for Christ

Coaching4Christ aims to have a positive influence on the next generation and empower young people to become impactful leaders. We are delighted that they are providing high quality coaching to all levels of ability that promotes unity & teamwork to three classes each term. Each of the sessions are custom-made to ensure everyone participates & has fun. Every session includes a group discussion from a biblical perspective that addresses important issues every young person faces, including pastoral care & anti-bullying provision and mental health and wellbeing.

Reading Certificates

Congratulations to all the children who have been working hard on their phonics and reading. Some children have earned certificates for their great progress in ReadingEgss and ReadingEggspress programmes. All children in our school have access to this programme through the generosity of school fund contributions from parents.

Certificates and a ‘homework pass’ were also awarded to children who reached their Accelerated Reading target. The ‘AR cup’ was presented to a pupil in P6/7.

Well done to everyone for their hard work.

Shoebox Appeal

We are delighted that over 30 shoeboxes were generously donated to Blythswood Shoebox Appeal. Also, from our School Fund we donated £50.00.

Harvest Hoolie

Today P1 and 2 enjoyed some fun and games at the Harvest Hoolie. We made chocolate apples, tried a little line dancing and created some lovely leaf characters.

Support for Maths (from Eedi)

1. Free webinar for parents on helping your Maths-anxious child
Some common phrases at parents' evening: "I'm afraid she gets her maths brain from me", "I'm not a maths person", "I'm useless at maths", "What they learn in school is so hard these days"... etc etc. As maths teachers this is heart-breaking, but what these parents are really saying is that they are maths-anxious, under-confident and unsure how to help their child with maths. At Eedi, we want to help those parents.

Using both the latest research and her vast experience in this area, Rachel will give practical advice on ways parents can help their children with their maths, whether they are struggling with maths anxiety or stuck on their homework. And they'll learn tips for keeping their own maths anxieties at bay too!

The webinar takes place on Wednesday 3rd November at 7:30pm.


https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RaZtoO11RlGk7HzuDRVYMA

2. Free course for Maths-anxious Parents
In addition to the live webinar, we also have a short online course called "Helping with Homework: For Maths-Anxious Parents" that is ready to access now. It guides parents through a few of the ways they can help their child without having to know too much about the maths. Why not check it out for yourself and see if you think your students’ parents would benefit from it?

Welcome to Primary One

We are delighted to have ten new primary one children join our school. The children have all settled well into school. They have been enjoying playing together and getting to know the primary two children in their class.

School Councillors

In Rasharkin Primary School we like to hear the thoughts and opinions of the children. Chidlren are invited to write their own ‘manifesto’ and the class then vote on who would be the best represenatives to bring their ideas to meeting with Mrs. Howe. We have eight new school councillors. 2 children from each class have been elected from P4 to P7.

P4- Harry & Evie. P5- Mason & Hollie. P6- Harry & Dan. P7-Emma & Kirsty.

Playground Buddies

Children in P6/7 have the opportunity to apply for the position of Playground Buddies. Below are some of the chidlren who completed a successful application to help the younger children at lunch time. Playground Buddies help the children by showing the how to  play with the toys and teaching them simple games; e.g. ‘What time is it Mr Wolf?’

Digital Leaders

All children in P7 have the opportuntity to apply for the position of digital leader. A digital leader helps pupils and staff with ICT. We are delighted that Grace and Emma are our two digital leaders for this school year.