Dear Parents/ Carers,
Assembly
At Monday’s Assembly, we shared photos and videos of the visit of Jason Connery and launched the ‘Keep Connected’ Unit.
Wee article in The Edinburgh Reporter this week: Connery legacy lives on in Bruntsfield – The Edinburgh Reporter
Wet Break
As Autumn fast approaches, please ensure your child brings a jacket to school every day. We had a couple of light rainfalls during our play this week and quite a few children didn’t have a jacket to keep them dry!
New Devolved Learning Community ASL Team
You may be aware that City of Edinburgh Council have changed the way they distribute their Inclusion Staff across the City. It will no longer be managed centrally, but in local Learning Communities. All 5 Head Teachers from our Learning Community (including Boroughmuir) have been meeting to discuss strategies and remits for the Additional Support Team (ASL) who have been allocated to our Community group. We now have an ASL Teacher, 2 Part Time English as an Additional Language Teachers and one Pupil Support Officer shared between all the schools. It will take time to have a strategy and policy in place, in the meantime, these excellent staff are working with some of our young people to support them in their learning. I hope to introduce them to you over time.
Parent Council Welcome Event – 7pm next Wed 3rd at St Oswald’s
Come and join us at St Oswald’s (the old church building right next to the school) to learn more about our Parent Council and how you can get involved in the fantastic working groups that support our school and family community. The evening will also include a warm welcome and Q&A with Mr Gilhooley. We’d love to see all parents there!
Polwarth Junction redesigned – community views needed!
You can now view proposals by the City Council to redesign the Polwarth junction – https://merchistoncc.org.uk/projects/the-polwarth-pavement-project/polwarth-junction-redesign-proposals-2025/. Merchiston Districts Community Council (MDCC) warmly welcomes these proposals which take forward recommendations in its 2023 report and are a major step towards improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists and enhancing local amenity. There are two design options for the eastern end of the Polwarth junction. MDCC believes design Option 1 is better for pedestrian safety. Residents will of course make up their own minds; and CEC is in charge of analysing and assessing the feedback from the community.
If you live in the area, please get involved and offer the City Council your views on the proposals. The deadline for comments is Sunday 21 September. Full details and how to give feedback – https://merchistoncc.org.uk/projects/the-polwarth-pavement-project/polwarth-junction-redesign-proposals-2025/
CAMHS Intellectual Disability Team
The CAMHS Intellectual Disability Team together with the City of Edinburgh Psychological Services will be delivering 6 information sessions on Intellectual Disability (ID) in children and young people. The flyer is attached and there is a link below to the event. Please feel free to distribute this flyer in your settings or signpost any families who may find this a useful resource.
Event: https://idinfosept2025.eventbrite.com/
National Curriculum Update
You may be aware Scotland’s education system is being reformed, this includes the creation of a new qualifications body, Qualifications Scotland, and a new education inspectorate, with further changes to national education public bodies occurring throughout the upcoming school year. Improvements to the curriculum and approach to qualifications, and assessment are also planned in the coming years. This work will enhance outcomes for children and young people educated in Scotland with the aim of ensuring excellence and equity by raising standards and giving every child and young person the same opportunity to succeed. Further information can be found on the Scottish Government’s website.
Diary Reminder!
Meet the Teacher – Tuesday 9th September. 4pm until 5pm.
Kind regards,
Stephen Gilhooley