Dear Parent / Carer,

We have a busy term ahead of us and you will find further information about activities planned in the attached termly diary.

Staffing News

• Mr Foggo left us last week, we wish him well at his new school
• Miss Mery returns from her Maternity leave on Thursday. She will be in school on Wednesdays and Thursdays and will teach P.E. from nursery to Primary 5 and French in Primary 6 and Primary 7. We look forward to welcoming her back
• We have a number of student teachers on placement – a warm Oxgangs welcome to Daniel Grant in P5B, Stephanie Cale in P2M, Katherine Wilkinson in P2P and Gillian Blackadder in P1B
• Erica Wilson is a student Nursery Nurse and she is currently on placement in our Nursery

Filming in School

We have a pupil in Primary 6 who has been filmed over the last four years as a documentary about his life is being made for Channel 4. Aimara Reques from Aconite Productions is in charge of the project and has requested that she be permitted to carry out some filming in our school. Most shots will take place in the Primary 6 classroom but some may be taken in the dinner hall, corridors or playground. If you do not wish your child to feature in any of the filming please contact the school to let us know. Thank you.

P.T.A Social Evening / May Fair

A quiz night and disco has been organised for Saturday 25^th February at Colinton Bowling Club from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are £6. It would be great to see as many of you as possible there.

The May Fair will take place on Saturday 12^th May. This is the main fundraising event of the year and many volunteers help to ensure that it runs smoothly. If you would be able to help please contact the P.T.A.

Science Festival

Science experiences are being provided for all of the children in the school, nursery to Primary 7, and the P.T.A. are funding these.

• P4s and 5s will learn about how to save our seas for future generations when they take part in ‘Marine Detectives’ which is a hands-on workshop delivered by Deep Sea World.
• P1s and 2s will take part in a storytelling introduction to ‘Day and Night’ looking at the Sun, Moon and Earth.
• P3s will go on a magical journey through time to learn about materials and recycling in the show ‘Future Earth’.
• P6s and 7s will discover how scientists developing artificial limbs are making use of some of the most exciting new robotic technologies around in ‘Make a Move’
• In March the nursery children have the opportunity to look after chick eggs and watch them hatch whilst taking part in ‘Living Eggs’. Parents please feel free to take a look when you collect your children – it sounds very exciting! 

Global Links

Thank you to Primary 4s who have been working hard to produce an information booklet about their lives in Edinburgh for our partner school in Chogoria, Kenya. I will be visiting the school in Chogoria during the February break and look forward to taking the work with me.

UNICEF – National No Uniform Day

This takes place next Friday 3^rd February and all children are invited to come to school out of uniform. Donations will be collected for the privilege. All funds raised will enable UNICEF to use sport and play to reach vulnerable children in Uganda and enrich their lives, building confidence and respect and helping them to learn the importance of teamwork.

Burns Day – 25^th January 2012

In response to a request from the Pupil Council children are invited to come to school wearing tartan  or Scotland tops tomorrow to celebrate Burns Day.

Special Achievements

• Thank you to all parents for encouraging your children to talk about the targets that have been set in class. Your response has been overwhelmingly positive and many children talk enthusiastically about their targets and how they intend to reach them.

Well done to:

• Eve, P6/7, who came second in the Butterfly at her recent swimming club competition
• Emma, P3W, who did well in her Highland Dancing Exam
• Maya, P3M, who completed the ‘Santa Run’ before Christmas with her mum and they came second!

Yours sincerely,

Liz Walshe

Headteacher.

Dates for your diary
Termly Diary Jan 12 (word)

PTA Minutes 17.1.12
In Attendance
Rachel Pickett  Jacqueline Mackenzie Michael McLeod Amanda Roberts Lucy Dryburgh Lynn McKie Gabby  Carlyon Martine Milne Kaye Innes Janet Craig Sharon Duffy Louise Arthur Sharron Callachan Lesley Fisher
Apologies
Gemma Robertson Lisa Johnstone Val McDowall Yvonne Moore
MATTERS DISCUSSED
BOOK FAIR

There were adequate numbers of volunteers to help run the book fair. The event would have [...]

OXGANGS PARENT COUNCIL
MEETING – 24th January 2012
AGENDA

1.        Apologies                                                                                               2 
2.        Minutes of last meeting                                               AF                   5
3.        Parking / Roads                                                             ALL                 20
4.        Liz Walshe – School wide Report                              LW                  15
5.        Meeting with Mrs G Tee                                               GM                  10
6.        Equalities policy                                                             LW                  15
7.        Newsletter                                                                      GM                  10
8.        PTA funding request                                                    RP                  5
9.        AOCB                                                                              ALL                 10
10.    Next meeting                                                                 ?                      [...]

Dear Parent / Carer,
Thank you to everyone who came to support the children at the Nativities, carol concert and coffee morning. Everyone enjoyed themselves and we have had a huge amount of positive feedback. Look out for photos appearing on the website.
We are also grateful to the large number of parents and members of the [...]

Oxgangs Newsletter Dec_11
Information about upcoming Active Schools clubs for next term

Check out our new Eco website page for tips on how to have a greener Christmas!
Eco Group Information

oxgangs Primary School
We have again entered the Garrison FM X-Mas Factor competition. Click above to hear our P 1 and 2 pupils singing.
Visit http://www.garrisonfm.com  to hear the songs from other local schools and to vote for your favourite.
Also everyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 worth of shopping vouchers [...]

Purpose :  
Meeting to receive overview of NHS Lothian proposed development on former school grounds (between School Astroturf and Colinton Mains Drive/Tesco) 

Venue :  
Oxgangs Primary School 

Date : 
Monday 5th December 2011

Time :
7pm

Item
Topic

1
Welcome & Introductions

2
Purpose of Meeting

3
Overview of NHS Lothian Proposal

4
Q&A

5
Date of Next Meeting

6
Close

Thank you to everyone who came to our Open Day on the 23rd November. Visitors were treated to a guided tour of the school, accompanied by some of our P7 pupils.
Here’s what some of our visitors had to say about Oxgangs School:
“We had a wonderful visit with our guides, Hannan and Courtney were fab. They [...]