Andover Primary School Newsletter

Newsletter 6
Dear Parents, Carers and Friends

March 2012

Here is an update of some of the recent activities at Andover. Margaret Jamieson Annual Strings Competition A few weeks ago the Primary Strings Competition was held at Andover Primary School. There was a great feeling of excitement as the musicians from Andover, Maisondieu and Edzell tuned up ready to showcase their talent. Prizes were awarded as follows: Camy White, Edzell PS Stevy Murray, Andover PS Alexandra Mackintosh, Edzell PS

Dance Festival The following children took part in a Dance Festival at Carnoustie last week. Kayleigh Cameron, Wallis Mathieson, Cally Ogilvie, Elena Williamson, Chanel Julien, Charley Hancox, Karolina Frankowski, Zofia Golicka, Kayley Duncan, Gwen Ogilvie and Brooke Moir. They have been attending weekly dance sessions led by Demi Moir and senior pupils from BHS and fared well at the festival.

We are a Health-Promoting School We have gained Reading School Accreditation Silver We are working towards Fair Trade Accreditation

E-mail: andover@andover.angus.sch.uk Web address: www.andover.angus.sch.co.uk Tel: 01356 622857 Fax: 01356 624948

Andover Primary School 50a Drumachlie Park Brechin DD9 7BU

Angus Potato Project Primary Four pupils at Andover are learning about growing potatoes as part of a mini theme on growing. Mr Bruce Christie from Burghill visited the classroom to give some tips on planting and encouraging a bumper yield! The class have great plans of what to make with their crop. Thanks go to Mr Murray at Trinity Garden Centre for supplying several varieties of seed potatoes.

Angus Orchards Project

Pupils at Andover were supervised by Craig Borland from the Parks Department recently, to plant fruit trees in the school grounds. This is an authority wide venture using tress grown locally (older varieties) not only to attract wildlife but encourage children to take an interest in growing their own food.

The weather has been wonderful this week and has made a terrific difference to our lunch interval. Everyone is now allowed on the grass which has been well received. You will be notified at the start of next term about our playtime arrangements.

Andover Primary School Community Caf

Andover Primary School opened the doors of their community caf for the first time on Tuesday 29th of February 2012. The caf has been named The Paddling Puddock Caf by the primary three children, who are running it with the assistance of parent helpers. Many areas and capacities of the curriculum are being covered through this enterprise project. The children have learned about hygiene and understand their responsibility when cooking and serving food for others. Baking has been a great way to practise reading scales and weighing using standard measures. They have also been practising adding and taking away with money so are able to man the till in the caf. The ICT skills they have worked on during the rest of the year have been invaluable when designing signage and menus for the caf. The children are gaining success in their learning through running their caf. They were able to apply for a grant through the Scotmid Community Grant scheme. The grant covered the costs of buying equipment, crockery and cutlery for the caf and contributed to the initial ingredient costs. Part of the grant included vouchers to be spent in their local Scotmid store. The children are hoping to buy as many Fairtrade products as possible including coffee, tea, sugar and chocolate. The comments from parents and relatives that have visited the caf have been very positive. Many have said that it is nice to have the chance to visit the school and chat to pupils and staff in a less formal setting. They have also been giving suggestions of other cakes and treats that the children could add to the menu. As their confidence in their cooking skills grows P3 are looking to try out a new recipes. Parent help has been invaluable when setting up and running the caf. It has meant that the children are able to bake every week or go to the shop to buy ingredients. Many parents and staff have been very generous with donations of crockery and cutlery. The caf will initially run every Tuesday from 10.30 to11.30, until Easter. After Easter the children will run the caf once a fortnight, possibly changing the day to allow parents who work on a Tuesday to have the opportunity to come. They are also hoping to invite parents from throughout the school and also other members of the Andover community.

The Four Capacities - Tips for helping your child. Lots of childrens learning is incidental, they learn as you are doing family chores or going on an outing but you as parents can assist in many ways. Here are some tips for the holidays! Responsible Citizens Children change their minds every week with new crazes. Help them to see they cannot have everything they want at once. Encourage personal saving and valuing what they have. Confident Individuals With the light evenings approaching encourage sport and activity. Even a walk to the shops or the park burns up energy and learning to ride a bike or swim builds up confidence. Successful Learners Our cooking club has been very well received. Cooking can be fun and nearly all children enjoy helping. Let your children help you weigh and measure and with older children introduce ratio and proportion. Effective Contributers Encourage turn-taking and sharing. Over the holidays get the children to assist with simple jobs round the home. It might even become a helpful habit.

School Lunches Attached is the Spring/Summer 2012 school lunch menu. Please note that this menu begins on Monday 16th April and the new cost for a school lunch will be 1.85. Tuna, cheese or ham sandwiches will also continue to be available in addition to the 3 options. Dessert Menu Changes Monday 16th April dessert will be fruit and custard. Tuesday 17th April dessert will be fruit jelly. Wednesday 18th April dessert will be marble sponge.

Yours sincerely

E.A. Howson Head Teacher