LPS Newsletter

We do not usually send out weekly newsletters however there have been so many events and pieces of information to share with you we needed another edition!

One Planet Picnic

The whole school celebrated One Planet Picnic again this Wednesday afternoon on the Links. We do this each year as part of our commitment to being an Eco school, something we have been officially recognised for five times over the last fifteen years. One Planet Picnic raises children’s awareness of eating seasonal, locally produced fresh food as one of many ways to avoid relying on foods flown and shipped from across the planet contributing to the build up of greenhouse gasses and global warming. Children prepared simple snacks with their class of Scottish foods such as raspberries, strawberries, oats, yogurt, cheese, oatcakes and drop scones. Many children designed their own party hats for the occasion making links to keeping our planet healthy. Although it was a bit windy, we were very glad that the weather was not too Scottish for the picnic!

Open Classroom Sessions

Many thanks indeed to the large turn out of parents who were able to come along to our first Open Classroom sessions of the year. It was so lovely to see so many mums, dads and grandparents come along to see their child at school and to say hello to their new class teacher.

Parents and carers will have the opportunity to meet their child’s class teacher for a face-to-face parent-teacher consultation on the 19th or 21st of November (booking invitations will be sent in coming weeks). There will be another festive open classroom session on 11th December at the same time.

Young Carers

Leith Primary is a strong supporter of children who are considered to be a Young Carer. Three of our identified Young Carers were happy to share their experience of being supported at Leith Primary at this week’s assembly.

Definition of a young carer

A young carer is somebody who cares for or is affected by someone else at home – usually a parent or sibling – who suffers from physical or mental ill health, or who has substance misuse issues.

The person they care for may suffer from:

• mental health problems
• disability (physical, learning, developmental etc)
• drug and alcohol misuse
• chronic ill-health

Firstly, our main aim is to identify all those who might be a young carer. Sometimes this can be tricky as we understand it can be a sensitive area for families. We want to reassure people that we provide support in a caring, non-judgemental, understanding way. Our only aim is to ensure that any young carer is recognised, reassured and given additional supports when needed. Being a Young Carer has been a stigmatised role in the past however many of our Young Carers are proud of the role they play in their family, whether that is providing practical support for a parent or sibling, being an emotional support to someone or recognising that they may not get as much attention from a parent or carer due to the high support needs of a sibling or the challenges faced by their parent’s own circumstances. Our Young Carers can choose to attend a once a week peer support group run by our Pupil Support Officer, Mrs Aitken. Pupils can talk about what they are finding difficult at home or they can spend the time forgetting about any responsibilities they have and just have fun, knowing that the others in the group understand them. We take the group on trips, ensure they are well supported in their learning and make sure they are supported to access any clubs, events and activities they are entitled to. We can also refer them to the Edinburgh Young Carers group who can provide even more support such as an official Young Carer Statement of Need. Edinburgh Young Carers take children on free residential trips, support them with swimming, learning to ride a bike and can remain a support to them until the age of 25.

If you think you have a child who could be considered to be a Young Carer, we would love to hear from you. If your child has come forward to a member of staff, thinking that they might be a young carer we may call you to have a chat. Please do not take offense if we get in touch. We are not implying that your family is not coping, just that we would like to help if we can and to acknowledge that life might be tough at times for you and your child.

Please contact our Young Carers leads, either Mrs Scott (shenel.scott@leith-pri.edin.sch.uk), Mrs Aitken (Gillian.Aitken@leith-pri.edin.sch.uk) or message the admin email admin@leith-pri.edin.sch.uk

Footballs

We announced at Thursday’s assembly that from Tuesday next week, no footballs from home should be brought in to school. There have been a couple of issues with older children that have repeatedly caused upset, frustration and some unkind behaviours towards others, which we wish to end. The children are now clear about what is allowed and where and will continue to follow a rota for use of the metal goal posts. We thank you in advance for supporting the move to no balls from home rule.

Free Clothing Grant

A reminder to parents/carers to reapply for the School Clothing Grant again for this session if you have not already done so.

Your child can get free meals in school if you get:

• Scottish Child Payment
• Universal Credit (where your monthly earned income is not more than £850)
• Income Support
• income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Check if you’re eligible for Scottish Child Payment.

If awarded, you’ll get

• free school meals for children in P6 and P7, and in high school
• payments for lunches during school holidays
• free milk for children in primary and special schools
• a school clothing grant of £125 for each child in primary school, and £157 for each child in high school

You can apply or re-apply here: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/food-clothing/free-school-meals-school-clothing-grants/3

Please get in touch if you would like support to do this.

Discover Programme

Discover is a citywide programme for children and families impacted by poverty and meet one or more of the criteria below:

• family struggling to meet basic necessities (food, shelter, fuel, clothing, utilities or toiletries)
• meet criteria for both free school meals and school clothing grant school
• school have made a recommendation for family to food bank and/ or school uniform bank in the past 6 months
• family living in temporary accommodation
• receiving means tested social security benefits (e.g. housing benefit or universal credit)

Please get in touch if you would like to be referred.

Adult Learning Programmes

This Week’s Leithers of the Week

Leo	Primary 3A	Leo has persevered in Writing this week and made lots of progress.  Well done!
Lukas	Primary 3B	Lukas took on the challenge to extend his skills and used two of his spelling words in each sentence.  Well done Lukas, you produced some quality work and have a great attitude to your learning!
William	Primary 4	For consistently showing kindness and being helpful towards both pupils and staff. Well done!
Najah	Primary 4/5	Najah showed great responsibility during our One Planet Picnic and was helpful and considerate.
Bhodi	Primary 5	For persevering at swimming and trying hard in other aspects of his school work this week.
Arianna	Primary 6	For producing a creative and well structured cold piece of writing.
Julia	Primary 6/7	Julia has settled in well at Leith and demonstrates our school values of kindness and responsibility. She worked well as part of a team during our STEM challenge this week. Well done!
Felix	Primary 7	Felix has demonstrated exceptional writing ability this week and has produced outstanding work that reflects both creativity and perseverance. Well done, Felix!