Welcome to 2019-2020 school year

What a great buzz of excitement there is from both staff and pupils at the beginning of a new school year as teachers and classes meet one another and enjoy planning the year ahead. Our pupils look especially smart in their uniforms with our redesigned badge. However, please remember that uniform with the previous badge is absolutely fine as well.

There has been lots of action in Abbots Cross Primary during the summer months. We are delighted with our new playground markings which are great fun and educational. They will be used at break and lunchtime but also for numeracy and literacy outdoor learning. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to fundraising for this fabulous resource. Our Primary 1 pupils will also enjoy the newly installed state-of-the-art projectors in their classrooms. These will enhance interactive and online learning – and provide lots of fun activities and games.

The first term is a very focussed one in terms of academic learning, especially for our Primary 7 pupils, many of whom will be studying for AQE Transfer. Our Transfer Club will take place this term where pupils can receive individualised tutoring and support. We are also delighted to introduce Spelling Shed for all of Key Stage 2. This is a resource which has been proved to boost spelling achievement. Pupils can compete with their own score or each other and we are sure our pupils will make even better progress than before in this essential skill. Many of you are already familiar with Accelerated Reader and our pupils will continue to benefit from this programme. The majority of our pupils make outstanding progress with reading in this scheme and some have added a spectacular number of months to their reading age.

While we are determined that our pupils will fulfil their academic potential we are very aware of the impact on achievement and wellbeing of good pastoral care and support. We are delighted that FamilyWorks have agreed to provide a counselling service to our pupils. The work of this organisation is highly regarded in hundreds of schools in NI and is approved by the Education Authority. They will provide individual and class support and will also connect with the families of our pupils.

We are also excited to introduce our new wraparound care service in conjunction with Acorns Day Care. They have agreed to provide after school care in our own school building at a competitive rate. They provide a professional, experienced, approved service and we hope that this new arrangement will help support families who require safe, reliable, economical childcare.

As a school staff we are always willing to meet with you, parents and carers, to discuss your child’s needs and concerns. We look forward to meeting with you in September at our “Meet the Teacher” events and in October for parent-teacher interviews. We firmly believe that when we work together we give our children the best chance of a happy and successful childhood.

Joanne Griffith

“To be the best I can.”