Welcome to Sunnybank Primary School - School Handbook - Sunnybank School
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Welcome to Sunnybank
Primary School
School Handbook
Sunnybank Primary School
Sunnybank Road
Aberdeen
AB24 3NJ
Tel. 01224 261700
School Email sunnybank@aberdeencity.gov.uk
https://sunnybank.aberdeen.sch.uk/
Twitter @sunnybanksch
Contents Page
Welcome 2
Our School Team 3
School Hours 4
GIRFEC 5
Safe 6
Healthy (school meals) 7
Achieving 10
Nurture 12
Active 13
Respected 14
Responsible (uniform information) 15
Included 16
National Contacts 17
Insurance and Personal property 18
Addressing Complaints 19
Useful Dates 20
-1-
Welcome to our school!
On behalf of the staff, pupils and parents, I would like to welcome you to Sunnybank School.
Sunnybank School offers a unique primary experience for our pupils as we offer mainstream
education for around 400 pupils. This includes our Nursery which has places for 100 pupils. We
believe that children learn best when there is close cooperation between home and school and we
value parents and carers as partners. We encourage parents to get in touch with any queries.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance by either phone or email.
Miss Taylor
Head Teacher
Our Vision
Sunnybank is a nurturing school. Our vision is to provide a happy, vibrant and safe environment in
which we work to ensure the highest quality learning takes place and where success is celebrated.
Our School Values
Empowerment
Children’s Voice - Pupil Groups - Master classes - Rights of the Child - Celebrate Diversity
Ambition
Learning, Teaching & Assessment - Learning Experience -
Visible Learning/Learning Dispositions
Nurture
School Ethos - Health & Wellbeing/SHANARRI
Our School Motto
Our School Aims
To build a nurturing school ethos based on inclusion, fairness and respect for ourselves and
others, promoting the health and wellbeing of all
To provide stimulating, challenging and meaningful learning experiences, meeting the needs
and aspirations of all our children enabling them to face the challenges of the future
To foster interest and enjoyment in learning, supporting children to become successful and
confident lifelong learners
To work in partnership with families and the wider school community
The main achievements of the school over the last 12 months can be found here
-2-
Our School Team
Head Teacher
Miss L Taylor
Depute Head Teachers
Mrs D Kidd – Nursery and Infant Department
Mrs K Benson – Senior Department
Principal Teacher
Ms Trail
Mrs Gordon (Acting)
School Administrator
Mrs Fraser
School Support Assistant
Mrs Walker
Mrs Brownie
Teaching Staff
Mrs McIntosh
Mrs Anthony
Mrs Dillon
Mrs Ritchie
Ms Storey
Mrs Metcalfe
Miss Ord
Miss Balakireva
Miss Robison
Mrs Casey-McKay
Miss Wallace
Miss O’Sullivan
Mr Wilson
Mrs Taggart
Mr McPherson
Mrs Hobin
Miss Donald
Miss Rutherford
Mrs Thomson (PE)
Miss Hutton (Maternity Leave)
Pupil Support Assistants
Mrs D'Arcy Mrs Brownie Mrs O’Neill
Ms MacLeod Mrs Milne Mrs Uddin
Mrs Reid Mrs Duncan Mrs Ainsley
Senior Early Years Practitioners
Ms Morton
Early Years Practitioners
Miss Anderson (Maternity Leave) Mrs Anderson Mrs Cruickshank
Mrs Mitchell(maternity leave) Mrs Forsyth Mrs Bannerman
Mrs Skrycka Miss Merchant Mrs Rickaby
-3-
SCHOOL HOURS
School Day
Primary 1, Primary 2 & Primary 5
8.50 am - 2.50 pm
Primary 3 & Primary 6
9.00 am – 3.00 pm
Primary 4, Primary 7/6 & Primary 7
9.10 am - 3.10 pm
-4-
In thinking about your child joining primary school, you may have heard of legislation – the Children
and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, or more commonly known as the GIRFEC Approach.
What is GIRFEC? . www.scotland.gov.uk/gettingitright
GIRFEC stands for ‘Getting It Right for Every Child’. It is the Scottish Government led approach to
making sure that our children and young people – and their parents or carers – can get all the help
and support they need from birth right through to age 18.
The wellbeing of children and young people is at the heart of the GIRFEC approach. Wellbeing is
about how things are going for children in their lives. The GIRFEC approach uses eight words to
describe what it looks like when things are going well –
Safe
Healthy
Achieving
Nurtured
Active
Respected
Responsible
Included
These words can be used to find out where a child’s strengths lie and also, if there are concerns, to
see where some advice, help or support might be needed. They help everyone to understand
wellbeing in the same way and use the same language to talk about it. You can expect to hear
wellbeing referred to when your child’s health visitor or school contacts you.
These wellbeing words are often known as the SHANARRI indicators and illustrated in the SHANARRI
wheel, which you may see dotted around the school and medical centres, etc.:
-5-
SAFE
Health and Safety
Safety takes a high priority in school. Our main school doors are locked, this means that when you
require entry you should go to the school office. Remember though, you are always welcome in
school.
When travelling to and from school you can encourage good road safety
habits by using the marked crossings, which are patrolled by our lollipop
people and by always holding your child’s hand when crossing roads.
We also ask that when entering/leaving school, that the school car park should not be used.
Notices about fire emergency procedures are displayed in classrooms and fire drills are practised at
regular intervals.
Lining Up
In the morning and after lunch, the children line up outside their door
where they will be met by their teacher.
At the beginning and end of the day, we ask that parents wait in the
playground for the children to be collected/dismissed by their teacher.
If you need to speak to your child’s teacher at the end of the day, please wait until all children have
been picked up. If you have a lot to discuss it would be appropriate to make an appointment first,
as the class teacher may have after school commitments.
It is very important that children are collected on time. Children can become confused and
upset if they are left at school once all their classmates are collected. If you are going to be
late for any reason, please contact the school office as soon as possible. If your child is to
be collected by anyone other than their parent/carer you must let the school know too.
Child Protection
Schools are required by law to report any suspected harm done to a child by possible abuse or
neglect. Every school has a named senior member of staff appointed responsible for Child Protection
matters. GIRFEC legislation refers to this as the ‘Establishment Contact.’
In our school that person is the Head Teacher, Miss Taylor.
-6-
HEALTHY
Health Promoting School
As a health promoting school, we reinforce a positive message about food to
children through the snacks and drinks provided. In doing so, we hope to support
you, the parent, in developing good eating habits for your child.
*Please let us know if your child has any allergies or religious reasons for
avoiding certain foods.
Snacks
Each day, children should take a small snack for break time along with a drink, preferably water. A
piece of fruit is what we encourage. As we are a health promoting school, crisps, sweets, biscuits,
etc. are discouraged. Also, it is only a short time between break and lunchtime; if the children are
eating only fruit, they are more likely to enjoy a hearty lunch.
Please note, nut products are not permitted in school due to staff and pupil allergies.
School Lunches
In Scotland school meals are provided free for every child in Primary 1-3 and are
offered once the children begin all day attendance. School meals are cooked
within our own kitchens. The children are offered a choice of main courses and
a dessert each day. A non-meat dish suitable for vegetarians is always one of
the main courses on offer. Menus are sent home with the children or can be
viewed on our website or https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/education-and-childcare/view-school-
meals-menu .
P4 – P7
Pupils in P4-P7 are required to pay for lunch unless they are entitled to a free school meal. A Free
School Meal Application Form is available from https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/education-and-
childcare/school-life/apply-free-school-meals further information is available on our website. If you
prefer, you can provide a packed lunch for your child. Please make sure that they can open
packages and boxes with as little help as possible. We discourage families from dropping off hot
lunches. This can often disrupt learning time or result in children eating separately from peers. We
ask families provide a cold packed lunch or for children to take a school dinner. Fast food is not
permitted in school.
-7-
Sickness
Please do not be persuaded by an unwell child that – “they want to come to school.”
Bringing a sick child to school puts all the other children and staff at risk. Children
should not attend school for 48 hours after the last bout of any vomiting or
diarrhoea. Please inform the school office by 9.15am on the first day of absence
and update on the fourth day if absence continues.
Head Lice
We encourage the regular checking of heads for live head lice and eggs (nits). Please, if you
discover live head lice, do inform the school so that we can monitor the spread of any infection.
Medication
If your child needs medication at school, whether this is regular or infrequent, we are
not able to administer it until the relevant permission forms and instructions are
completed.
These can be collected at the School Office. Medicines should only be handled by adults so please
do not send anything into school with you child.
Tooth Brushing – Childsmile!
Childsmile aims to improve the oral health of children in Scotland, and reduce health
inequalities.
Runny Noses
As I’m sure you can imagine, we have many runny noses throughout the school year. We
would thoroughly appreciate it if you could provide a box of tissues on occasion to
encourage the best possible hygiene in class.
-8-
Covid-19
Parents/Carers
Look out for any symptoms of Covid-19 within your household
Before leaving for nursery, if you can, take your child’s temperature (should be less
than 37.8°C).
Make sure your child only brings into nursery what is allowed – spare clothes, waterproof
clothing for outdoors and a water bottle
Health and Safety procedures are in place to protect everyone in school
Only school staff are permitted to enter the school building
All areas will be aired, cleaned and disinfected daily
Start times and pick-up times will be staggered
Set procedures will be followed in cases of suspected infection: the child will be
isolated in a designated room, supervised by an adult wearing appropriate PPE, until
collected by parent/carer.
-9-ACHIEVING
Our Curriculum
At the heart of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence are the 4 capacities
Successful Learners
Confident Individuals
Responsible Citizens
Effective Contributors
The curriculum works towards achieving these through the 8 subject areas listed:
Literacy Religious and Moral Education
Listening Christianity
Talking World religions
Reading Development of beliefs and values
Writing
Sciences
Mathematics Planet earth
Number, Money & Measurement Forces, electricity and waves
Shape, Position & Movement Biological systems
Information Handling Materials
Health and Wellbeing Social Studies
P.E., physical activity and sport People, past events and societies
substance misuse People, place and environment
food and health People, society, economy and
relationships business
Expressive Arts Technologies
Drama Technological developments in
Music society
Art ICT to enhance learning
Dance Computing science
Food and textiles
Craft, design, engineering and
graphics
Curriculum Levels
Progression is indicated through curriculum levels, as detailed below.
Level Stage
The final two years of early learning and childcare before a child goes to
Early
school and P1, or later for some.
First To the end of P4, but earlier or later for some.
Second To the end of P7, but earlier or later for some.
Third S1 to S3, but earlier for some.
Parents’ evenings normally take place around November and March. Formal written pupil
reports are usually distributed prior to the March Parents’ Evenings.
-10-The Totality of Experiences
The curriculum includes all of the experiences which are planned for children and young people
through their education, wherever they are being educated. These experiences are grouped into four
categories:
Curriculum areas and subjects: As detailed above
Interdisciplinary learning: How the curriculum should include space for learning
beyond subject boundaries which will provide learners with the opportunity to
develop insights and apply skills in a way and/or to a degree not offered through the
study of a discrete curriculum area
Ethos and life of the school: The starting point for learning is a positive ethos and climate of
respect and trust based upon shared values with genuine engagement across the school
community.
Opportunities for personal achievement: Children and young people need opportunities for
achievements both in the classroom and beyond, giving them a sense of satisfaction and building
motivation, resilience and confidence.
Homework
Homework is set by the class teacher and we ask for your support in completing this.
Parental Support
At all stages parents are requested to sign the homework diary and we encourage parents to use
this as a form of communication. Parents are also encouraged to become involved in supporting
their child with tasks, comment on the efforts of their child and engage in dialogue with the class
teacher with their queries or observations.
-11-NURTURED
As a school, we are a nurturing school. We follow the six principles of Nurture which are noted below.
The Six Principles of Nurture
1. Children's learning is understood developmentally
2. The classroom offers a safe base
3. The importance of nurture for the development of wellbeing
4. Language is a vital means of communication
5. All behaviour is communication
6. The importance of transition in children's lives
Ref: Lucas,S., Insley,K. and Buckland,G. (2006)
Nurture Group Principles and Curriculum Guidelines Helping Children to Achieve,
The Nurture Group Network
What does this mean for you and your child?
Settling into school can be emotional! At Sunnybank Primary, when your child needs care, comfort
and guidance, we give it to them. We talk, we listen, and we look for solutions to any problems.
Emotions Check-in
Every morning the children “check-in” how they are feeling. If children are
hungry then they will be able to have a bowl of cereal and a drink. Staff
will monitor check-ins to make sure they are caring for each child
appropriately.
Sunshine Room
Children can access our nurture room to help build on their emotional wellbeing. Please talk to a
member of staff if there is anything you would like support with.
-12-ACTIVE
The Scottish Government recognises the positive impact physical education can
have on a pupil's health, educational attainment and life chances and that it can
form a key element of a school’s plan to deliver the broad health and wellbeing
outcomes and experiences contained within Curriculum for Excellence.
Sunnybank School is committed to ensuring that every school pupil will benefit from at least 2 hours
of physical education, per week.
For health and safety reasons, we ask that children have a suitable gym kit.
This should consist of:
• a drawstring gym bag
• slip on gym shoes
• shorts
• hair bobbles/bands for tying up hair
• spare pants/trousers/tights/skirt in case of any “accidents”.
PLEASE LABEL ALL CLOTHING CLEARLY (GYM KIT AND SCHOOL UNIFORM)
Clubs & Activities
We work closely with Russell Anderson Development School, Saltire and the Active Schools
Network who help to develop and support the delivery of quality sporting opportunities for our pupils.
Throughout the session, your child may have opportunities to take part in sports/physical activities
either during lunchtime and/or after school. In recent years, these clubs have included athletics,
basketball and multi-activity club. More information will follow as it becomes available.
-13-RESPECTED
We always promote a respectful relationship and culture between:
• Pupils and pupils
• Pupils and all staff
• Pupils and parents
• Parents and all staff
• Pupils, parents and the wider community
Aberdeen City Council Schools are committed to becoming “Rights Respecting Schools (R.R.S)”
where we make children, parents, staff and the wider community aware of the United Nations
Convention for Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Pupil and Parent Participation
We respect and appreciate pupil participation in developing the life and
accomplishments of the school. Your child will receive opportunities to participate
in various committees, groups, and activities to widen their experience, and most
importantly, to let their voice be heard. In these groups, we encourage parent
participation.
-14-RESPONSIBLE
School Uniform
We encourage the wearing of school uniform – it promotes a sense of identity and belonging to the
school, the children look smart and it is relatively inexpensive. Sunnybank School uniform is
available online:
https://www.myclothing.com
https://www.koolskools.co.uk/product-category/sunny-bank-school/ for a Fairtrade option
Or from The Dugout, 687 George Street, Aberdeen Tel 01224 641071.
Please note, Book Bags are only available from https://www.myclothing.com and The Dugout.
If buying from other shops and supermarkets, our colours are: green cardigan/jumper, black/grey
trousers/skirt and white polo shirt. Please note, the black sweatshirt is for Primary 7 only!
School Clothing Grants
School clothing grants are available.
https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/education-and-childcare/school-life/apply-school-clothing-
grant
Further information can be found here.
Praise and Positive Behaviour Management
All children respond favourably to praise and recognition, along with clear, firm but fair boundaries.
Our staff will deal with your child in a kind and caring manner. Similarly, the children are encouraged
to treat each other and adults with respect and to be kind and caring.
We ask that parents co-operate with us in encouraging children, by offering praise when their child
copes with a difficult situation, achieves a goal, masters a new skill or behaves well.
Sunnybank School’s Positive Behaviour Policy is available on the school website.
-15-INCLUDED
Parents and Home/School Communication
We consider our daily contact with you to be vitally important – time
for us both to exchange information – for the benefit of your child.
Please don’t rush away! It is helpful to share with staff any special
events, or problems, happening out-with school – weddings, deaths,
family splits etc. If we are informed we can help your child should
they become unsettled. Please use the Homework Diary or class
messaging service to note down any queries/concerns, if you cannot
see the teacher at the end of the day.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
We have teachers and Pupil Support Assistants from the EAL service who support children with
EAL. They support children with talking and listening, reading, writing, phonics and spelling. We
have, and value, the many different languages being spoken at Sunnybank. We believe it adds to
the culturally diverse and vibrant nature of the school. If any pupils are struggling in their
understanding, we do our best to ask an older pupil to come and translate, if/when necessary.
Additional Support Needs (ASN)
At Sunnybank we have the Language Development Unit. We also offer targeted support from
Children’s 1st, Nurture room, sensory room, Learning Hub, music therapy and motor skills groups.
We at Sunnybank, aim to identify and support any additional support needs children may have, be it
social, emotional, behavioural or academic, short or long-term. If you feel your child is requiring
further support in any of these areas, please speak to the class teacher in the first instance.
Welcoming and Including Parents
As parents, you are a hugely valued part of the school community – you have been your child’s
first teachers and provide the main role-model in their lives. It therefore makes sense that we work
together as much as possible. We welcome you to our Parent Coffee afternoon held on the last
Monday of each calendar month. We hold an Open Evening in Term 1 and two Parent/Teacher
consultations throughout the year.
Parent Council
Sunnybank School has an active Parent Council (Parent Voice), which relies on the support of
every parent in the school. You are a member of the Parent Forum and will receive regular
updates on its activities. Please try to help by becoming involved and supporting organised events.
The Parent Council can be contacted by emailing Sunnybank Parent Voice at
sunnybankparentvoice@gmail.com
Parent Information
Further information can be found here.
-16-National Contacts
NAME & ADDRESS CONTACT DETAILS
Care Inspectorate (Social Care and Tel: 0345 600 9527
Social Work Improvement Scotland) enquiries@careinspectorate.com
Johnstone House www.careinspectorate.com
Rose Street
Aberdeen AB10 1UD
Childline Tel: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Children in Scotland Tel: 0131 313 2322
Children in Scotland is the national info@childreninscotland.org.uk
agency for voluntary, statutory and www.childreninscotland.org.uk
professional organisations and
individuals working together with
children and their families in Scotland.
Enquire Tel: 0345 123 2303
The Scottish Advice Service for info@enquire.org.uk
Additional Support for Learning www.enquire.org.uk
Education Scotland Tel: 0141 282 5000
Denholm House enquiries@educationscotland.gov.uk
Almondvale Business Park www.educationscotland.gov.uk
Almondvale Way
Livingstone EH54 6GA Education Scotland is an Executive
Agency of the Scottish Government,
tasked with improving the quality of the
country's education system.
Grampian Racial Equality Council Tel: 01224 595505
(GREC) info@grec.co.uk
41 Union Street www.grec.co.uk
Aberdeen AB11 5BN
Parent line Scotland Tel: 0800 028 2233
www.parentlinescotland.org.uk
Connect Scotland https://connect.scot
(formerly Scottish Parent Teacher
Council) work with parents and Tel: 0131 4746199
educators. They provide information,
advice and training, all focused on
parental engagement in children's
learning.
The National Parent Forum of https://www.npfs.org.uk/
Scotland
Gives parent councils and parents an Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace,
opportunity to discuss and raise Edinburgh, EH12 5EZ Tel 0131 313
educational issues or mutual interest or 8842 office@npfs.org.uk
concern at a national level. The provide
Nutshells to ensure parents understand
changes at government level
The Parent Zone https://education.gov.scot/parentzone
Find out how you can support your
child’s education; information for
parents and carers.
-17-Insurance and School
Aberdeen City Council does hold third party liability insurance which indemnifies the Council for
claims from third parties (e.g. parents and pupils) who have suffered injury, illness, loss or damage
arising from the negligence of the Council or its employees. However, if there is no negligence, no
claim would be accepted by the Council.
Personal Property
All personal property (including school uniforms) must be clearly marked with the pupil’s name.
Loss of property must be reported immediately to a member of staff. Any item found should be
handed into the school office. If at the end of term, items have not been claimed after being on
display, the school will dispose of them.
No valuables or cash, unless specifically required, should be brought to school. All jewellery and
watches must be removed for P.E. This is in accordance with Aberdeen City Council Guidelines.
These items are the child’s responsibility. Pupils are discouraged from bringing mobile phones into
school, if a parent/carer requires to send a message to their child, this can be done by contacting
the school office. Pupils who do bring a mobile phone into school will be asked to hand it into the
office to be stored in a locked cupboard until the end of the day.
-18-Addressing Concerns and Complaints
Our school recognises the vital role that parents play in supporting their child’s learning and is
committed to building positive relationships with parents. No matter how strong partnerships are, or
how good our policies are sometimes things can still
go wrong and there may be occasions when you as a parent wish to express unhappiness or
dissatisfaction with Council services, policies or staff behaviour.
Please give us the opportunity to put things right first by contacting the Head teacher or any
member of senior leadership team by telephone, email or in person.
If you are not satisfied that your issue has been resolved, you can then make a complaint using our
online form: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/have-your-say/make-complaint
You can also make a complaint in person at any council office or by contacting our Customer
Feedback Team by telephone or in writing:
Customer Feedback Team Telephone 01224 523058
Business Hub 6
First Floor South
Marischal College
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1AB
Our Customer Feedback team follows a complaint handling procedure to make sure that every
complaint is dealt consistently and quickly as possible.
Disclaimer
Booklet correct at time of printing. Due to COVID-19 further changes may have to be made.
These will be communicated to you when appropriate.
-19-IMPORTANT DATES FOR SESSION 2020-2021
Further information for sessions after 2020-2021 can be found on
Aberdeen City Council Website: http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/
Term 1
11 August 2020 to 9 October 2020
In-service day - Monday 10 August 2020
Term starts - Tuesday 11 August 2020
September holiday - Friday 25 September to Monday 28 September 2020
Term ends - Friday 9 October 2020
October holiday - Monday 12 October to Friday 23 October 2020
Term 2
26 October 2020 to 18 December 2020
Term starts - Monday 26 October 2020
In-service day - Friday 20 November 2020
Term ends - Friday 18 December 2020
Christmas holiday - Monday 21 December 2020 to Monday 4 January 2021
Term 3
5 January 2021 to 26 March 2021
Term starts - Tuesday 5 January 2021
Mid term holiday - Monday 15 February 2021
In-service day - Tuesday 16 February 2021
In-service day - Wednesday 17 February 2021
Term ends - Friday 26 March 2021
Spring holiday - Monday 29 March to Friday 9 April 2021
Term 4
12 April 2021 to 25th June 2021
Term starts - Monday 12 April 2021
May Day holiday - Monday 3 May 2021
In-service day - Tuesday 4 May 2021
Term ends - Friday 25th June 2021
-20-You can also read
