Dear parent / carer,

Happy New Year everyone. I wish you a healthy, happy and successful 2018.

Thank you for all of your help and support last term. We arrived at the Christmas break and our feet

still haven't touched the ground! Another exciting, busy term lies ahead of us. It'll be Summer before

we know it! We have included all of the dates for the lead up in this newsletter so that you have plenty

of time to get organised.

Remember to keep in touch with us if there is anything you would like to share or have concerns

around. We are always happy and willing to help.

Mrs Rita Angus

Head Teacher

January to March Newsletter

Every living moment do your best. The rewards will be amazing. It’s just that simple.

Everything that you do or don’t do comes down to confidence.

Always believe in your-self even when it’s not easy.

Our Vision

Together we love to learn, excel, achieve, respect and nurture (L.E.A.R.N)

Our Values

We care for each other.

We listen to each other.

We take pride in our learning and celebrate success.

We stand up for what is right and speak out when things are wrong.

We take responsibility for ourselves and respect others.

Before each Parent Council meeting

there is an opportunity from 6.00–

6.30pm for you to drop in and see Mrs

Angus if you are unable to contact her

during the day and would like to discuss

anything. This will operate as a first

come first served basis.

Our next Parent Council Meeting is

on 16th January at 6.30pm.

All parents are most welcome to attend

and we look forward to hearing your

contributions towards the life of the

school.

Each year, all staff undertake a range of professional development courses and professional enquiry to

ensure their practice is as creative and current as possible and meets the needs of all learners in the

school. Among the courses attended by staff last term were Mindfulness, Oral Literacy Development,

Creative Writing Skills and SNSA (Scottish National Standardised Assessments) training.

This term there will be opportunities for staff to develop further partnership working focusing on

Numeracy and effective use of resources to enhance teaching and learning.

January to March Newsletter

We all have a conscience , listen to yours. Always ask yourself, “Is this what my best looks

like?” That one question alone will change your entire life.

Torphichen is Winter Ready

In the event of closures schools will contact parents/

carers in the normal way via Groupcall. Parents/carers

should ensure that their school/nursery has up to date

contact information. In addition changes will be notified

via Facebook, Twitter and local media.

Children will find ‘Winter Snow Activities’ on these days

on our School Blog.

Winter is fast approaching. The following website should

be referred to during the winter and periods of severe

weather:-

https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/5923/Schools-

and-severe-weather

January to March Newsletter

Parental Engagement is paramount to the success of our pupils’ learning and so we endeavour to provide opportunities for you to come in to school and experience your child’s learning, eg class assemblies, coffee mornings etc.

In line with child protection, we have to ensure the safeguarding and wellbeing of all pupils within our school. Therefore, we would must ask parents not to record any of pupils at such events.

To get started all you need is you. Focus on what you can do right now in this moment. Things don’t need to be

perfect for you to get started. Start now!

The new resources and increased hours of support staff will support achievements across all areas of the

curriculum. We will also, this term, be introducing a wider range of play equipment outdoors and further

developing outdoor learning. Digital learning at home will be developed through a range of different re-

sources which the children will be using in class to become familiar and confident with. Sum dog will also

continue as a way to support children’s developing confidence with numeracy and maths skills.

The Education (Scotland) Bill – to be introduced during this parliamentary year - will, amongst oth-er things, introduce 6 Regional Collaboratives across Scotland. Regional Collaboratives are one of a

number of provisions to reform how schools are run and put schools in charge of key decisions about a child’s education, including: • More freedom to make choices about curriculum, improvement, and funding at school level • More freedom for headteachers to choose school staff and management structure • Strengthened engagement with young people and parents in schools.

The new powers will be guaranteed in a statutory charter for headteachers, with provisions to en-

sure young people and parents also have a stronger voice in schools.

We will be a part of the above collaborative, which will include schools from: Clackmannan-shire, Falkirk, Stirling and West Lothian These collaboratives mean that schools will be able to access the support for the improvement they require. The priorities for our collaborative are: Performance and improvement, Literacy, Numeracy, Early Learning and Childcare and Professional learning and leadership learning.

After school clubs start week beginning 15.1.18

Monday

Running Club (Mr Turnbull)

Tuesday

Board Games (Miss Mcgeachy)

Arts and Crafts (Mrs Johnston)

Wednesday

Story Club (Mrs Gallagher)

Thursday

Sumdog Club (Mrs Telfer)

The children have already signed up for

these last term and have been allocated

places. Please pay the full amount to Mrs

Callan in the school office rather than on a

weekly basis.

The clubs will run from 3.20pm – 4.00pm on

the weeks:

15.1.18/ 22.1.18/ 29.1.18/ 5.2.18/ 19.2.18

26.2.18

Lots of wonderful new resources have been purchased to support learning, engage and motivate

all learners. There has been a focus on introducing more digital technologies including more iPads, digital

maths and reading schemes which are all being rolled out in classes over the coming weeks.

We have a wide selection of new materials to develop literacy, numeracy, problem solving and thinking

skills. These are already supporting and inspiring teachers to create enjoyable learning experiences and

the children are making effective use of these resources to develop their confidence as they learn new

skills . Come along to our next Torphichen Teas and Talks to see these resources in action.

January to March Newsletter

You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room to be destined for success. Even if you don’t see yourself as a success right now, if you’re committed to learning – success is just a matter of time. When you think about your a goals and dreams…what do you need to learn to make it happen? Commit to the learning process.

We owe a massive thanks to Hadden Construction who

gifted apple trees to be planted. This has enabled us to

create an orchard area near the garden. Six lucky

families were selected at random to come and plant a

tree. Each family was given a different type of apple

tree as well as an individual plaque to commemorate

this special event. We look forward to using the trees

as part of the children’s ongoing outdoor learning.

The new playground equipment (trim trail) has been

ordered and we look forward to this being

installed. The children have the opportunity to play

with different toys at break and lunch time in different

zoned areas as well as using the MUGA for team

games. As the building works reach their completion

we look forward to be able extend the areas in which

the children can play in.

Fall seven times, stand up eight.” Japanese Proverb

The P6/7 camp this term will be to

Lockerbie Manor.

Miss Mcgeachy, Ms Ferguson and Mrs

Agini will accompany the group over the

week. There is an amazing array of

activities lined up for all of the children.

This trip will be an opportunity to

enhance transition links and help pupils

to build friendships ahead of going to

the academy.

Last term was exciting, busy and very successful, with parental support being integral to this success. We had more

parents coming along to our Torphichen Teas and Talks, where they can join the children in their Soft Start activi-

ties. Attendance at our Christmas shows was excellent, ensuring the children had an appreciative audience. The

Christmas fair itself was a huge success, with a great sum of money being raised thanks to the high quality enter-

prise goods created by the children. Please contact the office and let Mrs Callan know if you can be a parent

helper and she will support you in completing the necessary paperwork. We would appreciate any talents and skills

you could bring to our school to enhance the children’s learning. Thank you all.

January to March Newsletter

As you will be aware our school is benefitting

from the Pupil Equity Funding. So far this

session we have been able to invite Mr Steven

Turnbull, the Brain Coach, into our school eve-

ry term to work with groups of children and

staff. We look forward to this continuing this

this term.

We have also been able to purchase a vast

amount of resources to support our children

within the areas of literacy and numeracy.

These new resources are being introduced into

classrooms this term.

Class and whole school stories are being added regularly, sharing all the amazing learning that is

happening in school each term. If you haven’t already, please sign up to receive regular news on your

child’s learning.

January to March Newsletter

As part of the Scottish topic, the whole school are taking part in the Scottish Literacy Compe-

tition. This will involve the children reciting a Scots poems, singing a Scots song or playing a

piece of instrumental Scots music.

The class teachers will then select 3 pupils from each stage to go forward to a final competi-

tion on Thursday 25th January, where 3 external judges will then award 1st, 2nd and 3rd places

to these pupils.

The class teachers have uploaded Scots poems onto Class Dojo which are appropriate for each

stage. If your child wishes to recite a different poem, it was be appropriate to their stage and

this can be checked with their class teacher.

Pupils should be ready to recite, sing or place their piece of music on Monday 22nd January.

We have already had two Torphichen Teas and Talks. This is a great opportunity for our com-munity to come into our school and see all of the great work that is happening. We look for-ward to seeing you at our next Teas and talks on Tuesday 27th February at 9.15.

On Tuesday 23rd January you are invited to share in your child’s learning at our Scottish As-

sembly. Each class will take it in turn to perform a set incorporating poetry, dance, song and

Scots literacy.

The assembly will begin at 9.15am and will finish approximately at 10.15am.

P1/2/3

Susan – “ I want to use finger spaces in all of my

writing.”

Quinn—“I want to write longer stories with more

than 3 paragraphs.”

Samuel – “I want to build a moveable robot.”

Olivia – “ I want to make my handwriting neater.”

Isaac R - “I want to write longer stories with more

than 3 paragraphs.”

P3/4

Kathryn – “I want to be able to tell the time more

accurately.”

Georgia – “I want to improve my handwriting

presentation.”

Alison – “I want to learn the more tricky times ta-

bles 6,7,8 and 9.”

Sophie – “I want to learn the more tricky times ta-

bles 6,7,8 and 9.”

Andrew – “I want to count amounts of coins and

money correctly.”

Grant – “I want to improve my strategies in

division.”

Finn – “I want to improve my handwriting

presentation.”

Chloe – “I want to improve my drawing skills in

art.”

Oskar – “I want to be able to do 3D sketches in

art.”

Ewan S – “I want to win more skiing races!”

January to March Newsletter

P5/6

Spencer – “I want to complete more challenging

questions in maths.”

Douglas – “I want to improve my pronunciation of

Spanish phrases.”

Isaac K – “I want to improve on my strategies in

numeracy.”

Lauren – “ I want to improve my French and

Spanish skills by learning more phrases.”

Leah – “I want to improve my handwriting

presentation.”

Alexander F-R – “I want to improve basketball skills

in PE.”

Izzy – “I want to build my confidence in literacy

activities.”

Adrien – “I want to improve my football skills by

passing accurately.”

Theo – “I want to create longer stories in writing.”

Archie – “I want to learn more Spanish greetings.”

P6/7

Rebecca – “I would like to try more challenging maths

activities.”

Cameron – “I want to use more description in my

writing.”

Ben – “I want to try more challenging maths ques-

tions and improve my numeracy skills.”

“You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any di-

rection you choose. You’re on

your own. And you know what

you know. And YOU are the one

who’ll decide where to go…” –

Dr. Seuss

Chase in P6 won the Linlithgow Rotary writing competition for her story on the theme of ‘Making a Differ-

ence’.

Ewan in P7 represented the Lothian Badminton Squad in Newcastle and the team came 2nd. Well done!

P1/2/3

Won the Scholastic book competition for the most different

genres read - Jonah

Moved up a skiing grade within school Ski team: Martin, Mar-

cus, Ruaridh, Alex, Isaac R, Cameron, Tilly, Libby, Quinn

Won Ballet trophies – Tilly, Marcus, Isaac R

Moved up a swimming level – Alliyah, Isaac, Freya, Camron,

Alex, Martin

P3/4

Moved up a skiing grade within school Ski team: Tom, Ewan S,

Cameron F, Andrew, Alexander N, Charlotte, Oskar

Came 2nd Place in swimming and won a trophy – Grant

Moved up a swimming level – Tom, Finn, Laura, Ewan S,

Cameron F, Alexander N, Merryn, Layla, Charlotte

Moved to a more advanced group in gymnastics – Laura, Lilly,

Layla, Alison, Sarah, Charlotte

Performed a solo in the school Christmas show – Ross

Achieved Golf masters Level 1 – Tom and Finn

Played Tinkerbell in the pantomime – Kathryn

Took part in the Camelot pantomime – Laura and Georgia

Won a rugby tournament – Elliot, Cameron, Daniel

Layla— “I was highly commended in the Rotary poster

competition.”

Charlotte and Alexander “ We were the Star pupils in the

NYCOS choir.”

P5/6

Moved up a skiing grade within the school Ski team: Miller,

Spencer, Archie, Tensho, Isaac, Will, Jacob, Euan M, Alexander

F-R, Luca

Izzy—”I am currently learning Portuguese.”

Alexander K—” I have been learning some Russian phrases .”

Adrien joined a new football team.

Douglas won 2nd place in a completion with the Boghall and

Bathgate Pipe Band.

Archie was a Badminton competition runner up at Perth

Lucy “I achieved level 3 gymnastics.”

P6/7

Moved up a skiing grade within school Ski team: Angus,

Ada, Imogen, Euan Mc, Murry, Alfie, Lewi, Matthew F

Achieved 2nd place for school ski competition at

Polmont – Skiing Team A

Skye “ I won three trophies for highland dancing.”

Rebecca “I achieved silver in a TaiKwonDo competition.”

Euan Mc “I achieved first place in a badminton tourna-

ment in Edinburgh.”

Silvana “ I was a winner in the world’s stone skimming

competition.”

Angus “I am currently learning to play the piano.”

Ben “I have been learning to do lots of different types of

knots connected with climbing.”

Matthew, Alfie and Lewis have all moved up to Scouts.

Well done everyone on your successes!

January 2018

Week beginning 15th - After School Clubs Start

Tuesday 16th—Parent Council Meeting 6.30pm

Monday 22nd—Scots Poetry Finalists event

Tuesday 23rd—Extended Scottish Assembly 9.15

Tuesday 30th—P6/7 Assembly

February 2018

Tuesday 5th—P1/2/3 Assembly

12th/13th February—Holiday for all

Wed 14th Feb—Staff and Pupils resume

Tuesday 20th—P4/5/6 Assembly

Tuesday 27th—Torphichen Teas and Talks

March 2018

Tuesday 6th March—P3/4 Assembly

Thursday 15th—Parent Consultations

Friday 16th—Art Exhibition and Coffee Morning

Monday 19th—Friday 23rd—P6/7 at Lockerbie Camp

Tuesday 20th—Easter Service in church with the Minister

Fri 23rd March—Dress Down day.

All break for Easter

Mon 9th April—All resume

January to March Newsletter

GOT A QUESTION, CONCERN OR FEEDBACK?

If you have any concerns about your child and school we would encourage you to contact

your child’s class teacher by letter, telephone or school email in the first instance to discuss

work together to resolve any issues.

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome please arrange to speak with Mrs Johnstone or Mr

Barrowman . If we still fail to resolve any issues or concerns you may have then please

arrange a meeting with Mrs Angus at the office.

There are several ways to get in touch with us:

Telephone:

01506 652246

Email:

wltorphichen-ps@westlothian.org.uk

Looking for Information:

Visit the School Blog: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/wl/Torphichen/

Schools in West Lothian have been advised of changes which have recently been made to the West

Lothian Complaints Procedure. To Make a complaint to Customer Care in West Lothian in writing it

should be addressed to:

Customer Care

Education Services

West Lothian Council

Civic Centre

Howden Road South