Session Dates – School holidays and In-Service Days for 2019-20

Session Dates

With a number of changes for this school session, please find the updated information below.

East Lothian Council has published the following Session Date Information (including school holiday dates):

An additional day’s leave has been allocated for the 75th Anniversary VE Day Celebrations – calendar updated in January 2020

Two additional in-service days were granted for session 2019/2020 as part of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers’ pay negotiations. These dates for these were: Tuesday 22 October 2019 and Tuesday 7 January 2020. Pupils did not attend school on these dates. 

For future planning, parents and carers may find this information useful.

June 12/06/2020.

Update: Following the Scottish Government decision for schools to re-open in August 2020 – the 10th and 11th shall be staff in-service days and Pupil Return will start from the 12th August, but to a blended learning model. Each school will be in touch with families directly regarding which days and times will be allocated – and the procedures for attending school on those days. As the start back date is a week earlier than planned, the school year will end on Friday 25th June 2021. A revised Session calendar will be available in due course.

 

 

 

Another May holiday

V.E. Day – School’s will be closed 8th May 2020.

Letters were sent out recently advising parents and carers of outcome of consultation in November – regarding potential VE Day closure of schools on 8th May and updated list of holidays and in-service dates for this school year were also distributed.

Although feedback received through PPS Parent Council poll was not in favour of another day closure (permission for which had to be requested from ELC) the outcome generally across E. Lothian had been ‘overwhelmingly in favour’.  (This was the only vote opened, in line with letter from Fiona Robertson, former Head of Education).

**This means that East Lothian’s education staff and children will not be in school on Monday 4th May or Friday 8th May.**

Full letter from Lesley Brown can be read here – letter to parents and carers

Christmas Jumpers Time.

Christmassy Fun with P6

Step 1 – look out last year’s Christmas jumper or top and check if it

Christmas Jumper day at PPS
Primary 6 are inviting a Christmas Jumper share, and wearing with pride as part of their fundraiser.

fits.

Step 2 – If it doesn’t, bring it to the P.6 swap shop.  (Take in by 6th Dec).

Step 3 – Choose something from the swap shop if you don’t have a jumper or top for this year. (Donations welcomed but completely optional).

**Opens on Monday 9th Dec.**

Where? – Playground                                                          When?  – Stall will be set up at the end of each day.

Step 4 – Wear your Christmas gear on Friday 13th Dec – and if you can, bring a donation too to help us fundraise for Save the Children.

 

VE Day Consultation.

Your say matters!
Letters were recently sent home, advising families of proposed plan in East Lothian, to enable as many as possible to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day in 2020.

Victory in Europe Day
Photograph from BBC announcement of VE day anniversary celebrations.

Newsround link to explain VE Day.

Various options were discussed by elected members and the decision made reflects on all school children and staff. The Education Dept have asked for parents and carers to respond to their consultation, prior to requesting an extra day of closure for EL schools on 8th May.

**Please find some of the key points about the VE Day – 75th Anniversary Celebrations – Friday 8 May 2020**

  • UK Government has approved a change to the date of the May bank holiday from Monday 4th May to Friday 8th May 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
  • East Lothian Council does not have a universal fixed holiday in May so there is no opportunity to move any existing May holiday for all council staff.
  • Schools are in a different position – the Education Service has already published term times for East Lothian Schools for 2019/20 showing a range of holidays including Monday 4th May 2020.
  • A range of options to mark this were considered Full Council, 29th October 2019.
  • A decision was taken to recognise Friday 8 May 2020 as an additional one-off leave day. Permission will have to be sought from Scottish Government for exceptional closure of schools on this day.
  • In agreeing this option it was requested that Parents/Carers be consulted on their views regarding an additional day’s school closure on Friday 8th May 2020.The link to the questionnaire about this is here. It is open until 6th Dec.

PTA – Pencaitland Thank you ALL

What a night! 

A message from PTA Chair, Vicky –

We are really pleased to announce that we raised £900 (profit) at last week’s Quiz Night.  We would like to say a huge thanks to the wonderful quizmaster Jon Heggie who made the night very enjoyable and entertaining.  Thanks also goes out to Winton Brewery who gave us a great deal on the very tasty local beer.  A special thanks to all our generous raffle donors who helped us raise over £350 on the raffle alone (I’ve included a full list below).  And finally, thanks to all those who came along, bought raffle tickets, spent money at the bar and made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening. 

Thank you to all our wonderful donors, both new and old friends of PPS

Prize donations from….
and there’s more..                                                      

 

Over £350 raised at the Quiz Night Raffle – congratulations to all the winners.

 

Links will take reader to external sites.

https://www.facebook.com/LV-hair-beauty-432023723656632/ https://www.malts.com/en-row/distilleries/glenkinchie/ https://www.spicepots.com/  https://www.facebook.com/ToniBateKCREastLothian/    https://www.instagram.com/cuckooblue/ https://www.sarahcampbellphotography.co.uk/          http://wintonbrewery.com/                                http://www.wilsonphotography.co.uk/                                     http://bubbayoga.co.uk/                                                      http://www.fantooshart.co.uk/                                    https://www.elspethscott.co.uk/    https://www.facebook.com/EastLothianGutterClean/    http://carolinewolfemurray.com/                                                                              Pencaitland & Winton Bowling Club  https://www.facebook.com/AloeHealthbyPaula/  https://www.lydiamacdonalddesign.com/           and last, but not least…. https://www.facebook.com/Pencaitland-Petcheckers-1071245552935408/