What a busy terms this is! There is such a buzz around school at the moment with rehearsals for class assemblies, end of year shows, level assessments and plans for trips and celebrations. It is also a great term for us all to get outside a bit more, get active and get learning in our beautiful surroundings. Leith Links really comes into its own in the summer term. We are so lucky to have this fantastic place on our doorstep. Fingers’ crossed for lots of fair weather!
Sports Day Change of Date
We had originally planned to have our annual Sports Day on Wednesday 31st May however so many classes have clashing arrangements that we felt it would be best to switch to our back up date of Wednesday 7th June. We really do not wish any class to miss out on this fun event but do apologise for any inconvenience this might cause. We hope you understand our reasons for the change. Please see the times below:
Primary 1 – Primary 3: 09.15 – 10.30
Primary 4 – Primary 7: 11.00 – 12.30
Thank you in advance to the Sports Leaders from Leith Academy for supporting us with this and thank you to LPPC for the ice lolly refreshments.
Everyone is very welcome to come along and cheer. We love the community spirit Sports Days creates.
Children will bring along their water bottle as usual. We ask that parents and carers respect that it is still a normal school day and request that they do not bring along sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks and other items that would not normally be consumed during class time. Pupils will have their usual break time and lunchtime and the event will be no more strenuous than their usual twice weekly PE lesson.
Parents and Carers: We Need Your Feedback!
It’s that time of year when we reflect on the developments we have undertaken this year, ask how we can get better and identify our next steps for the academic session ahead. Our Parents and Carers are such an important part of our community so we really need to hear from you too. As our Step 1 in that process, we would really appreciate if you could complete this very quick survey to give us an idea of how you feel we are doing.
Recently, we have been asking our pupils for their feedback on matters that are important to them. We have been able to see how pupils’ answers have changed over the last two years. Here is a summary of how the P4-P7 pupils answered some of the survey questions this year:
| Statement | 2021 | 2023 | % Increase/Decrease |
| Even if I find something hard, I keep trying | 86.6% | 94.6% | + 8% |
| I try to learn from my mistakes | 89.1% | 94.6% | + 5.5% |
| I laugh at other people when they get into trouble or get hurt | 2.28% | 8.4% | – 6.12% |
| I enjoy being in school | 77.6% | 66.9% | – 10.7% |
| My teacher talks with me about how I can make my work better | 77.6% | 85.6% | + 8% |
| I can calm myself down quickly after getting angry | 87.9% | 86.9% | – 2.3% |
| I am encouraged to take part in after school activities | 60.6% | 72.5% | +11.9% |
| I enjoy learning new things | 75% | 93.1% | +18.1% |
| My teacher listens to what I have to say | 65% | 86.9% | + 21.9% |
| Most of the time, I am happy at school | 50% | 86.1% | + 31.1% |
| I feel positive about my future | 75% | 88.4% | + 13.4% |
Here are a section of pupils’ comments from the survey:
What is the best thing about Leith Primary School?
My friends
There are many kind people and it’s really fun to learn
All the different clubs like dancing, yoga and parkour
Kindness
That you learn skills
iPads
All the teachers are very kind
Making friends and having fun!
Class trips
Friendly people
How they try to get everyone to talk about their culture like culture day!
My friends and the people who care about me
Leith Primary knows that it is ok to have different opinions, disabilities and religions
iPads and laptops because it helps us do better maths
The different and unique people
I like it how the people that Work here try their best to make you feel comfortable at school.
The school pizza and the trips
The Loft is so calm and Mrs Richards makes you feel so much better
The teachers are very kind and encouraging
What would make Leith Primary even better?
A shelter in the playground
If some people were a bit more kind and friendly
Better playground equipment
Fix the girls bathrooms
Having better accessibility
More out of school trips
Clean toilets
If we could go to school later every morning, more Minecraft, free pens to take home, no assembly
Less bullying and racism
More outdoor learning
If maybe some people where kinder but most of people are kind!
More football
Leith primary would be a better place if we could help planting and the environment
Go Karts, more trips out of school, a swimming pool
Starting at 10 instead of 8.50
Mr Stuart and Ms Craig continue to meet with pupil focus groups every Friday morning for Bingo Ball Blethers. One of the best parts of the job is listening to the amazingly creative, honest and insightful views of the children. Whilst so many comments are positive, our pupils do not shy away from telling us about what could be better for them in their school.
As well as the day-to-day teaching and learning in class, staff and pupils are also working hard on developing different aspects of the school. Here is an overview of some of the improvement actions our staff and pupils have been working on this session:
Please do take 60 seconds to complete our Parent/Carer Survey so we can take your important views into account when we are planning for improvements next session. Click on this LINK
Support for Families in the North East of Edinburgh
Mental Health support for BAME communities
The Health in Mind Equal Access service in Partnership with MEHIS are running workshops at Craigmillar Library for adults from ethnic Minority communities. The Mental Health Toolkit sessions will run on Wednesdays 24th May and 31st May 11.30am-1pm (leaflet attached). There are also a fortnightly online wellbeing drop in groups running (leaflet also attached).
The Love Loss and Living course supports parents who do not have care of their children and may benefit from support in managing the emotions related to such a loss. A pilot was run last year, parents found the course incredibly beneficial.
Shared Parenting are going to be delivering the course again in two ways starting on Wednesday the 31st of May:
- Online, there are six modules that will be released weekly that will be supported by some coaching sessions.
- Face to Face training taking place in the Shared Parenting Scotland Offices (Edinburgh, address below) again weekly, commencing on the 31st of May 6-8 pm
Both courses are free of charge and people can self-refer through their website: www.sharedparenting.scot or call the helpline on 0131 557 2440
For more information visit https://www.sharedparenting.scot/new-free-course-managing-the-emotions-of-being-separated-from-your-child/ or contact Claire Ross Office : 0131 557 2440 Mobile : 07932601612
A new Buggy/ Parent and Toddler Walk (leaflet attached) will run each Tuesdays 10am-12pm from Hays Community Hub, 3 Hay Avenue, Craigmillar. Parents can enjoy a walk, meet other local parents, followed by refreshments afterwards at the hub. The group will be run by Places for People. For more information contact Paul Sanderson Tel: 07803453502 paulsanderson@pfpleisure.org
Growing Not Waiting – a stay and play group for mothers in temporary accommodation with a child under 5 starting Wednesday 24th May
Every Wednesday (term time) 10:30-12:30pm
Leith Community Centre, top floor of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre at the bottom of Leith Walk
Growing Not Waiting is part of One Parent Families Scotland Edinburgh. They provide a safe, welcoming play space for children under 5 and offer support and advice for mothers living in temporary accommodation. They run a monthly housing rights clinic in partnership with Shelter Scotland as well as financial support, parenting advice and guidance and any other wrap around support that may be needed regarding issues that result from the experience of living in temporary accommodation. They provide travel costs or a taxi to get to the group. No referral needed and drop ins welcome, if a parent is working with other services they can call Jenifer Hamilton on 07909112036 to make a referral over the phone or email Jenifer.hamilton@opfs.org.uk and they can contact the parent directly to support them to attend.
Thriving Green Spaces
Come Along to Our Daily Breakfast Club
Edinburgh and Lothians Out of School Care Network are running a breakfast club within the Leith Primary School from 7.30am. We serve children breakfast and give them time to relax and play before taking them to their class for the school bell. Our registration is now open for 2023/24 and you can register your child/children via this link – Leith Breakfast Club
Let’s Celebrate Our Fabulous Leithers of the last three Weeks!
| Mason | Primary 1a | Mason did a wonderful job with his cold writing this week! He knows it’s important to persevere and that challenges are good for his brain. |
| Jakub | Primary 1a | Jakub has settled in really well to P1. He is kind and helpful and has a smile for everyone he meets. Well done! |
| Lilly | Primary 1b | Lilly is a very responsible member of our class who always treats others in the class with respect and kindness. She has worked very hard in all areas of her learning this week and keeps going even when faced with new challenges. Well done, Lilly! |
| Jayden | Primary 1b | Jayden has made fantastic progress with his reading and writing this week and has been so excited to develop his skills further during play. He has challenged himself to read books independently and has enjoyed drawing and writing about our caterpillars! Well done, Jayden! |
| Alma | Primary 2 | Alma has been really persevering with her number work. She has been using her counting forwards and backwards skills and using this to count on and back from. Well done Alma, keep up the good work. |
| Momen | Primary 2 | Momen was really persevering with his writing this week, writing words by himself and making sure he had finger spaces. Well done Momen. |
| Tabitha | Primary 2/3 | Tabitha takes great responsibility for her learning and behaviour at school. She sets a fantastic example to her classmates by always being ready to learn, behaving in a safe and respectful way to her classmates and to staff and by putting a full effort into her classroom jobs and responsibilities. Well done Tabitha, you’re a great example to others! |
| Sarvesh | Primary 2/3 | Sarvesh always demonstrates a growth mindset at school. He takes on each new task with a smile and a positive attitude and perseveres when he is faced with a challenge. Well done Sarvesh – you’re a ray of sunshine in our class! |
| Taylor | Primary 2/3 | Taylor used her questioning skills for information, during our reading group session by asking others about their experiences. Well done Taylor, those questioning skills are helping you deepen your learning and getting others to think more about what they’re doing! Well done! |
| Ella | Primary 3 | Ella has shown an improved attitude this term towards her work and is now completing tasks in the allocated time. In particular, she is trying hard to persevere with writing tasks. Keep up the good work! |
| Mira | Primary 3 | Mira is showing improved confidence to join in with our learning and share her ideas in English. Keep up the good work! |
| Mariam | Primary 3 | Mariam has been trying her best in rehearsing for our class assembly. She has shown great enthusiasm in her singing and dancing. Well done Mariam. |
| Misha | Primary 4a | Misha has been responsibly helping keep his group table tidy and putting away resources. Thank you Misha! |
| Snithik | Primary 4a | Snithik is always ready to learn and contributes to class discussions. He has also been a responsible member of our class making sure we’re tidied up. Thank you Snithik! |
| Anjali | Primary 4a | Anjali has grown in confidence, making progress in her learning, being a supportive friend and a responsible member of our class. |
| Annabelle | Primary 4b | Annabelle is hard-working and kind to everyone in class. She has been very responsible this week, taking good care of our class resources. Keep up the good work, Annabelle! |
| Mateusz | Primary 4b | Mateusz has settled so well into Leith Primary School. He perseveres with new learning challenges and is always ready to learn. He has already made some good friendships and follows the school rules. Well done, Mateusz! |
| Iacov | Primary 4b | Iacov is settling in well to Leith Primary. He is learning our school rules and routines and beginning to follow them. Iacov has worked hard with his writing and did a super job trying all the different sports during Health Week. Well done, Iacov! |
| Struan | Primary 5 | Struan takes great responsibility representing our class as one of our Eco representatives. He has put in extra effort when helping with the planters and is always ready and keen to go to the meetings. |
| Coryn | Primary 5 | Coryn has been showing perseverance in her learning and challenges herself. Well done Coryn. |
| Sofia | Primary 5 | Sofia has been using technology to support her learning particularly her writing where she’s been writing longer stories. She always has great ideas. |
| Chloe | Primary 5/6 | Chloe has made a great start at Leith Primary and is proving to be a responsible member of our class. |
| Osh | Primary 5/6 | For his huge improvement when reading his JTG script. |
| Bikari | Primary 5/6 | Bikari for his excellent cold writing story |
| Lucy | Primary 6 | For setting an excellent example on our trip to the Scottish Parliament. She demonstrated respect at all times and asked interesting and thoughtful questions to the tour guide. Well done Lucy! |
| Maddison | Primary 6 | For her persevering with summarising her book. She took her time and asked for help when she needed it. She was then able to complete the final part of her summary independently. Well done. |
| Carter | Primary 7 | Carter has been taking responsibility for the set design as part of our lion king project. It has been great to see him get stuck in and work really hard on something that will benefit the whole class. Well done Carter! |
| Kirk | Primary 7 | Kirk has been a superstar this week and overcome his fears by performing in front of the whole class with confidence and courage. It was wonderful to see him bring the character of Pumba to life. Well done Kirk. |
| Kai | Primary 7 | Kai was a great team player at the handball festival on Tuesday. He made some new friends and worked well as a team. Well done Kai! |
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