Month: March 2025

Leithers – Change Makers – Article 12

We enjoyed a lovely whole school assembly on Friday to celebrate and share our work towards the UNICEF Outright Campaign. This year, the focus was ‘Making Change’ so each of our Buddy Class pairs chose an area they wanted to create a campaign for. P1a and P4 have been encouraging people to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, P1b and P5 want to encourage people to bring healthy snacks such as fruit or veg that do not need a wrapper for Wrapperless Wednesdays, P3 and P7a have been helping to build the ‘Dead Hedge’ on our Wee Wilding area to encourage biodiversity so their campaign was to encourage others to look after it, P7a and P3/4 were campaigning for pupils to be kinder to one another in their words and actions, P2a and P5/6 focussed on developing a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise and the P2b and P6 campaign was about doing things to slow the progress of climate change. We also recognised the campaigns of the Pupil Council to stop dog fouling on the Links and to encourage people to behave considerately in the school toilets. Thank you to all our Buddy Classes and their teachers for supporting our young people to have their voices heard.

Junior Award Scheme for Schools

We want as many of our P3-P7 pupils to achieve their JASS Award this session. Most children should be able to gain their certificate by the end of June 2025 by choosing activities in school including a lunch or after school club and sports activity.

Pupils are welcome to use the activities they do outside of school time if they wish to as evidence that counts towards the hours required for each section. Copies of the log sheets can be sent home for coaches and parents to sign as evidence. Please ask at the office.

Here is a reminder of what is needed for each stage*:

*At the moment, we are starting at Red for Primary 3 working up to Silver for P7.

My Interests: hobbies and clubs

Get Active, Stay Active: sports & physical activity excluding pupils regular 2 hours of PE

Me & My World: activities that contribute to their environment, school & community

Adventure: Outdoor Education & nature experiences locally and further afield

You can find out more about the award scheme by visiting their website: https://jasaward.org.uk/about/jas

Please note, that we are still following the original colours as agreed with the Green Team who now run the awards.

Magic Maths Winners

Very well done to our two teams of mathematicians who took part in the annual Magic Maths morning at Leith Academy with other local primary schools. Leith Primary – Team A: Minh Duc, Cordy and Amos were the overall winners, each receiving a scientific calculator. Very well done too to Leith Primary – Team B: Megan, Keira and Dorothy who came a respectable fourth place. They all brilliantly represented their school.

P6 Netball Festival

Our Primary 6 pupils had a fantastic day at the new Meadowbank Stadium learning and playing netball with P6 pupils from other Leith primary schools. The children had a fantastic time at the event which was organised and supported by Edinburgh Active Schools and Edinburgh College. Many thanks to Aidan Haughey and the team for such an enjoyable event.

Pupil Achievements in Sport

A reminder to all parents to please send in photos of our pupils’ achievements in sports outside of school time. Ms Downie has created a display outside our gym hall and we would love to put up any photos you have of pupils with medals, certificates, trophies, belts or other form of recognition in any type of physical activity. Please send them in to admin@leith-pri.edin.sch.uk

Parent/Carer Teacher Consultations

Thank you to everyone who was able to make our Teacher Consultations last week. We had a great turn out and really appreciated being able to discuss the progress of your young people with us. If you were unable to make either our November or March Consultation events this session, someone from the school may get in touch to discuss anything we feel you need to know about your child’s progress. Please remember not to wait until the next Teacher Consultations event to raise any concerns you have. We are very happy to speak with parents at any time during the school year about concerns. Please arrange an appointment through the school office or get in touch with your child’s teacher via email.

Parenting Courses in Edinburgh Coming Up

Parenting Programmes in Edinburgh 2024/25

For Parents and Carers of 3 to 5 year olds

Go to this Sway

In Our Place

Scotland | inourplace

Teen Triple P

Teen Triple P is a positive parenting programme suitable for parents, carers and grandparents of pre-teen and teenage children. Teen Triple P can help parents and carers to:

•            cope positively with some of the common issues associated with raising a teenager

•            build stronger relationship with their teenager

•            resolve conflict in the family

•            manage problem behaviour

•            help keep their teen stay safe

We welcome applications directly from parents and carers or someone can apply on their behalf. Applications can be made by completing our online application form found here https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/teentriplepform

If you require more information or you wish to discuss particular support needs please contact jill.coleman@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Day Face to Face

Venue: Pentland Community Centre 21 Oxgangs Brae, Edinburgh EH13 9LS

Day and Dates: Wednesdays 30/04, 7/05, 14/05, 21/05, 28/05, 4/06 (telephone contact no group), 11/06 (telephone contact no group) and 18/06.  8 weeks.

Timings: 12.30-2.30pm.

Day Face to Face

Venue: North West Edinburgh to be confirmed. 

Day and Dates: Thursdays 1/05, 8/05, 15/05, 22/05, 29/05, 5/06 (telephone contact no group), 12/06 (telephone contact no group), 19/06.   8 weeks.

Timings: 10.00am -12.00 midday.

Evening  Face to Face

Venue: St Augustines High School, 208 Broomhouse Rd, Edinburgh EH12 9AD

Day and Dates: Thursdays 1/05, 8/05, 15/05, 22/05, 29/05, 5/06 (telephone contact no group), 12/06 (telephone contact no group), 19/06.   8 weeks.

Timings 6.00-8.00pm.

Virtual Group

This group will be delivered on Microsoft TEAMS. Attendees will require access to a laptop or tablet to undertake the course.

Incredible Years

Day and Dates: Wednesdays30/04, 7/05, 14/05, 21/05, 28/05, 4/06 (telephone contact no group),11/06 (telephone contact no group)18/06. 8 weeks.

Timings: 6.00-8.00pm.

 Autism Specific Language Delay – Incredible Years Course – starting on Thursday 28 August 2025 at Tollcross Community Centre 117 Fountainbridge EH3 9QG

Please note all applications are accepted from professionals only, on behalf of the family. Please get in touch with the school if you would like to be referred to attend one of these courses.

ASLD – Incredible Years Course

Thursday 28 August – 11 December 2025 (14 weeks term time)

10am – 12pm

Tollcross Community Centre

117 Fountainbridge

Edinburgh

EH3 9QG

EPAtS

Our FREE seven-week parenting programme, Early Positive Approaches to Support (E-PAtS) is a support programme for parents/caregivers who have a child aged 18 months to 7 years with additional developmental needs.  E-PAtS has been co-produced by families and practitioners and provides support for your child’s wellbeing, development and behaviour.  

We have groups starting , for further information please email enquiries@kindred-scotland.org

Free & Low Cost Spring Holiday Activities

 The flowers are starting to bloom, and the days are getting longer. The children are keen to go out to play and explore but the costs continue to soar. You can find a list of free and low-cost activities to do in the run up to and during the Spring school holidays on the Family Holiday Activities webpage of the Support for Families website. The City of Edinburgh council are updating the webpage all the time, so please keep checking back in for new activities.

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/family-activities/whats-families-holidays

Eid Mubarak!

Eid Mubarak to our Muslim families and staff who will be celebrating Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan on Sunday/Monday. We hope you and your family have a wonderful time and look forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday.

Leithers of the (last few) Weeks!!

Well done to everyone who has worked hard and showed us their best selves.

Ryan	Primary 1a	Ryan has been very enthusiastic about his learning this week. He showed good listening and followed instructions well while making pancakes. Well done, Ryan!
Flora	Primary 1a	Flora is an excellent role model who shows kindness to others and works hard. She created a fantastic book filled with pictures and sentences that she confidently read to the class. Well done, Flora!
Elijah	Primary 1b	Elijah worked really hard in class this week to draw the story of the Gingerbread man using lots of detail. He re-told the story verbally using great expression. Well done Elijah – super work!
Rawan	Primary 1b	Rawan has focused on tasks this week by thinking about her learning intention and what she needs to do to be successful. She has tried really hard in maths, learning her number bonds to 10. Well done Rawan!
Theo	Primary 2a	Theo has been demonstrating his excellent counting on and addition skills, during our numeracy activities.  He confidently tackles The Daily 10 and is enjoying seeing his success when self-assessing his work.  Well done Theo, we can see your skills building more and more each term!
Struan	Primary 2a	Struan has been working very hard on his writing for our topic book Kitchen Disco.  He has tried to check that he’s doing his steps to success and has produced fantastic pieces of work with all his non- negotiables of capital letters, finger spaces and full stops.  He’s also used interesting and descriptive language to make his sentences more interesting. Well done Struan!
Melaniia	Primary 2a	Melaniia is doing an excellent job, settling into the class. She is making friends, trying her best and listening all of the time. She’s also trying extremely hard to ask for what she needs. Well done Melaniia, we’re so glad you’re part of the class!
Tamara	Primary 2b	Tamara has been developing the ability to write independently and produced some fantastic pieces of work.
Ascia	Primary 2b	For being continuously kind and thoughtful to all children and staff at Leith Primary!
Oskar	Primary 2b	Oskar is continuously enthusiastic about his learning and has enjoyed pushing his learning to new places through writing and play.
Artem	Primary 3	You were so enthusiastic in our museum visit last week and showed a keen interest in learning. Every week you have been growing more confident in reading and I’m so proud of all of your hard work, keep it up!
Memphis	Primary 3	You have been showing great resilience in all that you do and have been working really hard across the board. You always have brilliant manners and show respect to all of your classmates. I’m so proud of you!
Maci	Primary 3	You have been working really hard in your maths and reading. You have shown a great understanding of arrays and did a wonderful job helping your classmates with their array work! Good work!
Eva	Primary 3/4	Eva has been applying herself more in class this past week and has shown more patience and kindness towards others. Keep it up Eva!
Liam	Primary 3/4	For showing excellent listening skills and wonderful contributions in Science!
Lilly	Primary 3/4	During our outdoor maths session, Lilly used her knowledge of symmetry to confidently create a piece of art made from things we could find outside. She also supported others to make theirs. We all very proud of her!
Balques	Primary 3/4	Balques, you were absolutely fantastic when showing me how to make halves and quarters with 2D shapes using a pencil and ruler. You even managed to make eighths and write the fraction- amazing! What a star you are!
Bhodi	Primary 4	Bhodi perseveres and shows commitment and determination in everything he does. Well done!
Momen	Primary 4	Momen has shown perseverance and focus in Writing this week.  Well done!
Jess	Primary 4	Jess was the first to successfully design and code a game for others to play! She showed perseverance and determination.
Jess	Primary 4	Jess has supported her P1 buddy with kindness and consideration this week.  Well done!
Keira	Primary 5	Keira is an incredibly polite, kind and respectful member of our class who tries her very best every day. Thank you for being such a great role model for others!
Taylor	Primary 5	Taylor has impressed Mrs Young and Ms Aitken with her participation in the Young Carers group. Taylor is a reliable member of the group and is always helpful and responsible. Well done Taylor!
Holly	Primary 5	Holly always has a positive attitude towards her learning and likes to practice new concepts at home just for fun! After creating a weather report in Spanish this week, Holly went home to create lots more and came in to share them the next day with the class. Thank you for going above and beyond, Holly!
Ibra	Primary 5	Ibra has made an excellent start to working on a new social studies project with his partner. He has been showing excellent teamwork and cooperation. Well done Ibra!
Ola	Primary 5/6	Ola set a great example to out P2 buddies this week as he volunteered to introduce our learning at the sharing assembly. Well done for being a confident learner.
Tempy	Primary 5/6	Tempy has been a responsible role model this week and has demonstrated kindness when listening to excerpts from her classmates stories before sharing her own.
Lamar	Primary 5/6	For her perseverance when writing a recount of our class debate. Great piece of writing from Lamar is now on display in the classroom.
Diego	Primary 5/6	For always giving his best effort and setting a great example for others.
Jack	Primary 6	For being always ready to go the extra mile and show kindness.
Erin	Primary 6	For being an example of perseverance when writing.
Katia	Primary 6	For being welcoming, kind and helpful. Well done!
Annabelle	Primary 6	For being supportive and show kindness when others need help.
Dominik	Primary 7a	For supporting the P1s and P2s at their first loose parts session. Dominik was a great role model to the younger ones.
Ndeye	Primary 7a	For supporting the P1s and P2s at their first loose parts session. Ndeye showed great leadership skills and kindness towards the younger ones.
Gary	Primary 7a	For his excellent work in numeracy these past couple of weeks. Not only has Gary been trying really hard he has also been supporting his peers during group time. Well done Gary!
Hadley	Primary 7a	For gathering information on William Wallace and presenting it in the style of rap! Well done Hadley!
Lily	Primary 7b	For her wider achievement in violin, kindness to those around her and continually putting her all in her classwork.
Dorothy and Jakub	Primary 7b	Dorothy – For her engagement and wider achievement in maths Jakub – For his willingness to help his peers and his teacher
Zaynb	Primary 7b	For being a team player, supportive and inclusive during all activities particularly during Rugby.

Parent Teacher Consultations استشارات أولياء الأمور والمعلمين

It’s that time of year we invite all our parents and carers to meet with their child’s class teacher to discuss how they are progressing towards their learning targets and getting on in general at school. We are lucky to have a high level of support and attendance at Parent Consultations, which lets our pupils know that learning is valued by you at home. Parental engagement in events such as Parent-Teacher meetings, along with good attendance and regular reading/being read to, are key indicators of future academic success for children of primary school age. If you were not able to attend the November Parent Consultations, please do make a point of scheduling an appointment with your child’s class teacher this time.

Our Support for Learning Teacher, Mrs Ciechanowicz, will be operating an Drop In policy on both days for your to speak with her if your child attends one of her regular groups on Wednesday 12th 3.30pm-5.30pm and Friday 14th 1.00pm – 3.00pm. As always, Ms Craig (Second Level: P5-P7) and Mr Stuart (First Level: P2-P4) will be on hand or in their office should you wish to speak to them about any matters to do with your child’s learning or development. Our Principal Teacher, Ms Fergusson, will also be available to speak with P1 parents as our Early Level lead.

We really look forward to welcoming you on the 12th or 14th of March.

Appointments can be made here: https://parents-booking.co.uk/login.jsp

Please let us know if you require an interpreter. يرجى إخبارنا إذا كنت بحاجة إلى مترجم.

World Book Day: Thursday 6th March

World Book Day is on Thursday 3rd March. This year, children are welcome to Dress as an Adjective (eg; red, sleepy, spotty, sparkly, jazzy, etc) or as a favourite book character. There will be book-linked events throughout the day and a general focus on developing a love of reading.

Pupil Appointments During School Hours

We have noticed a much greater number of parents than usual requesting to pick up their child from school early to attend appointments, often repeatedly and without forewarning office staff. When unplanned, this can cause unnecessary disruption to the learning of a class and at times can cause anxiety to the pupil who is not expecting to be picked up early. It also means that there is no one in our office to answer important phone calls or let visitors in or out of the building which has a disruptive impact on the smooth running of the school.

We appreciate that children may have to attend hospital or orthodontic appointments during school hours from time to time. In these instances, please can parents inform the school office at least the day before so that we can send your child to the office to wait for collection at the agreed time.

We kindly ask that all other non-urgent appointments are made out with school hours or during the school holidays wherever possible. We also request that parents endeavour to make their own appointments at times that do not effect the learning and attendance of their child at school.

As school attendance is a legal requirement, we reserve the right to ask parents for evidence of repeat medical appointments during the course of the same term. Please bring appointment letters to the school office when collecting your child.

From Monday, we will operate a Sign Out book so that we can keep a record of children who leave during the day for fire register purposes. You must ensure that this has been completed before taking your child to their appointment. Parents must never take their child directly from the playground without informing the school office.

Nursery parents are kindly asked to allow older children to complete their full school day on Fridays which end at 12.25pm. Only children with evidence of a planned medical appointment will be allowed to leave class early on Fridays.

We thank you sincerely in advance for your cooperation with these new measures.

Headlice

Headlice are a very common annoyance in all primary schools. It is no longer procedure to send out letters or have termly visits from the dreaded ‘Nit Nurse’. The best guidance we give is to put lots of cheap conditioner on your child’s head and then comb methodically through the hair with a nit comb. This needs to be done several days in a row to remove all the lice and the eggs. In addition, all members of the family should check and treat their hair as needed. Pillows, cushions, towels and soft toys need to be hot washed (or perhaps frozen in the case of a favourite teddy). Long hair should be tied up to prevent lice from moving from head to head. Please regularly check and treat your child’s hair to prevent the spread of headlice.

Toys in School

A reminder that pupils should not bring in any toys or other precious items to school. These can cause a distraction from learning and can go missing, get damaged and will be confiscated by staff for safekeeping if required. Please ensure anything of personal or financial value is kept safe at home. The school cannot accept responsibility for any lost or damaged items. Thank you for your support with this matter.

Save Pilmeny Development Project: Older People’s Services

Help us #SAVEPDP 2025

We are facing cuts to our older people’s services – a devastating loss of funding which will mean closure of our services to socially isolated older people in Leith Walk/ NE Edinburgh locality.

Please sign petition & share –https://chng.it/MJQhfyPT5h

Please follow us on social media: 

Twitter: https://x.com/PilmenyDevProj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pilmenydevelopmentproject/

• See video below of how this loss of funding would impact not only our service users, partner organisations and the local community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCTrs4LYpC4
• We have had press coverage from STV News highlighting the immediate impact the lost of funding will have on our service users, staff, partner organisations and the Leith community.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xxk2NAIDgo&t=1s

Keeping Your Child Safe Online – Events for Parents

As part of the council’s partnership with The Lucy Faithful Foundation, free events are being offered to parents and carers to support them to keep their child safe online. These will be delivered by The Lucy Faithful Foundation and Police Scotland.
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland and Police Scotland have teamed up to deliver a free one-hour evening event to help you keep your child safe online.
A survey of over 1000 parents and carers in Scotland found that most parents want to better understand the digital world their children are experiencing in order to keep their child safe. Our event will provide you with information and advice on three of the biggest challenges of the digital world children are living in.
. Pornography
. Nudes (sharing intimate images)
. Online sexual harm
The purpose of the event is for you not just to come away more informed, but to be provided with practical advice and tools to help your child navigate these online challenges.
We will be delivering the event 4 times throughout March 2025, tailoring the event to particular audiences.
Wednesday the 5th of March, 2025, 7pm-8pm – online – parents and carers of S1 and above children
Tuesday the 18th of March 2025, 7pm-8pm – online – parents and carers of P5/6 children
Tuesday the 25th of March 2025, 7pm-8pm – online – parents and carers of children with additional special needs
Wednesday the 26th of March 2026, 7pm-8pm – in person , Edinburgh Location TBC – parents and carers of S1 and above children

PLEASE NOTE: This event will be discussing sexual harm. This event is not appropriate for children to attend.

ASN Holiday Programmes

Ramadan Mubarak!

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, reflection and spiritual renewal. It’s a time of community, prayer and giving to those in need. Fasting from dawn to sunset is a key part of Ramadan, alongside acts of kindness, charity and self-discipline. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin this evening, Friday 28 February and end on Sunday 30 March, followed by the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. As we did last year, some of our older Muslim pupils will have the opportunity to pray at lunchtime if they choose to in Room 23 supported by staff.

Right of the Month

Our March Right of the Month is:

Article 24 (Health, Water, Food, Environment): Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food, and a clean environment and education on health and well-being so that children can stay healthy. Richer countries must help poorer countries achieve this. 

Leithers of the Week

Well done to these hard working Leithers this week.