WELCOME!!!

Newtonhill Primary School serves the coastal villages of Newtonhill and Muchalls and the surrounding rural area from Cammachmore in the north to Cookney in the west, to the Bridge of Muchalls in the south. At present we have 396 children attending school which includes four nursery classes.
On completing their primary education, pupils from Newtonhill transfer to Portlethen Academy.

Primary 1 – 3
9.00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m. 10.30 a.m. - 10.50 a.m. (interval) 12.10 a.m. - 1.20 p.m.(lunch)
1.20 p.m. - 2.45 p.m.

Primary 4 – 7
9.00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.
10.30 a.m. - 10.50 a.m.(interval)
12.20 p.m. - 1.20 p.m.(lunch)
1.20 p.m. - 3.20 p.m.

Parents of Primary 1 entrants will be informed of their special attendance times in their first few weeks at school. During interval, when the weather is good, the pupils will play outside but in adverse weather conditions pupils will stay indoors. They are supervised during interval and lunchtime.

Curriculum
To provide a curriculum that offers a breadth of experience and a balance of opportunity for every child. Through planned teaching and learning to promote the acquisition of the skills, knowledge and attitudes to enable our pupils to participate in and understand the world they live in.

Attainment
To provide an environment where each child is valued and has the opportunity to develop his/her individual potential and to experience success.

Learning and Teaching
To provide a range of teaching and learning approaches which reflect and draw upon the different abilities, characteristics and experiences of each child. To develop a positive attitude to learning.

Support for Pupils
To promote the emotional well being, social skills and personal development in an inclusive school environment.

Ethos
To encourage our pupils to have self discipline, respect and consideration for others. To encourage them to have a sense of identity and pride in the school and to work with us to create a welcoming environment.

To work in partnership with parents and to encourage them to be involved in their child’s learning and in the life of the school.

Resources
To ensure the effective use of all school resources to the benefit and positive development of all aspects of school life.

Management, Leadership and Quality Assurance
To work as a team to maintain a high standard of education and provision. To work together to ensure quality provision and continuous school improvement.

Ethos
Each member of the school community is valued as an individual and rules are agreed through discussion.
Good behaviour and positive attitudes are fostered through praise and recognition.
Assemblies, circle time, golden time and class discussions at all stages provide opportunities to discuss appropriate behaviour and acknowledge individual achievements.
Pupils are encouraged to value themselves and others through participation in the pupil council and the P7 playground helper scheme. The pupil council are elected in Primary 3 to 7. They work together with the Head T eacher to discuss and make changes within the school. They have recently devised a pupil charter which will be used in classes to reinforce the Golden Rules.
P7 playground helpers are expected to provide positive role models and support younger pupils.
Both ancillary and teaching staff help in creating a positive ethos within the school.

Our curriculum is delivered in accordance with Aberdeenshire Education Authority and Scottish Department of Education 5-14 guidelines in the following areas:

• Language
• Mathematics
• Environmental Studies
• Expressive Arts
• Religious and Moral Education
• Health Education
• Personal and Social Education
• Information and Communication Technology

Our curricular policies ensure we teach a broad curriculum and provide continuity at each school stage, especially from Nursery to Primary 1 and from Primary 7 to secondary school.

Progress is continually assessed on an informal and formal basis by class teachers. This is supported by the use of National Tests in English Language and Mathematics.

The school curriculum is set out within the context of the school aims and philosophy and within the government’s national guidelines of the 5-14 programme. These guidelines provide a structure for the teaching and learning of pupils at the primary and early secondary stages. They identify
the following main curricular areas:

LANGUAGE
MATHEMATICS
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
EXPRESSIVE ARTS
RELIGIOUS AND MORAL EDUCATION
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Sweatshirts and white polo shirts are available from the school office. PE shorts, ties and hats are also available. You may order any of these by completing a form (available from the school office) and returning it to the school.

Gym Kit
Pupils also require a pair of ‘non-marking’ gym shoes, shorts and a white polo shirt for physical education. Please check gym shoes regularly to ensure that they are the right size. All items should be clearly named.
We discourage the wearing of jewellery at all times but this is particularly important in the case of PE. For health and safety reasons earrings and other jewellery must be removed.