Gelston Primary School Handbook

The School Vision Statement:

General Background

Homework

Parent Teacher Association

The School Vision Statement:

Our school is working hard to create and maintain a safe and secure environment for children, with an atmosphere that fosters happiness and growing self-confidence. We aim to teach literacy and numeracy first and foremost, but in a way that will equip our children for the many challenges that face them now and in the new century. We also seek to develop in each child the realisation that individually they are unique and of immense worth, but also that they have an important contribution to make in maintaining and developing the society in which they live. Back to top

General Background

Our school is a co-educational day school for children aged 5-11 years with 41 on roll.

The school is set in its own grounds with large playing fields, separate playgrounds and a variety of play areas. There is also a school environmental area with a large pond.

The school has two composite classes split P1-4 and P5-7. The old school is used for assemblies, music and P.E. as well as the dining area. Classrooms are large, carpeted and well resourced.

The portakabin is now our Library and I.C.T. Suite. The latter has been recently upgraded. This ensures that our children can benefit from using the latest technology, including a smart board, broadband for faster Internet access. We have also developed our own website so that parents and the wider community can learn more about the school. The children have contacts as far away as Romannia. Back to top

Homework

Our belief is that work done at home with parental help and encouragement is very beneficial to a child's overall educational progress. There is no doubt that in the early years children benefit enormously from parents who actively encourage the love of books. Sharing storybooks, discussion of words and pictures and a willingness to talk with children about their experiences greatly enhances a child's reading readiness and provides the best possible role model. Teachers offer guidance to parents on ways in which parents can help their child at home. Our school has started C.A.P.E.R (children and parents enjoying reading) and more recently Maths Sacks have been introduced. Back to top

Parent Teacher Association

The school has a flourishing P.T.A. that organises a rich variety of activities. Many of these events are aimed at fund-raising and the P.T.A. has been very successful in this work during recent years. The P.T.A. is only asked to support the purchase of items that are beyond the normal provisions made from the school's allowance. In this way it is clear that the P.T.A. is making a real contribution to the school and its environment. Its gifts to the school are almost too many to number but recent donations have enabled the head teacher to buy a new reading scheme for P4-7. The new books are being complimented by both pupils and parents. Back to top