I have read statements from other school leaders and colleagues after the recent events across the world. They have expressed outrage and horror at acts of racism and inequality.
BUT I thought the most powerful thing I could share with you was written by the families, staff and young people of Royal Mile Primary School this school session.
They didn’t feel that they needed to make any reference to the colour of people’s skin, their cultural background or their beliefs – they just wrote simple, aspirational words for EVERYONE in our community.
Our Vision
To promote ambition, creativity and responsibility in a safe and happy environment; to create supportive, happy, healthy and collaborative lives for everyone in our community.
Our Values
Be kind and gentle Be positive Be friendly and welcoming
Be responsible Be resilient Be Respectful Included
Our Aim
Everyone at Royal Mile Primary should feel happy and safe!
I am proud that our young people and their families, our staff and friends view everyone as equal, valued and respected. At Royal Mile we work together to make sure everyone knows that they matter!
We are following the guidance from the Scottish Government and the City Of Edinburgh Council as we plan how Royal Mile will open for our staff and pupils. We know that the date we are working towards is August 11th 2020, but at the moment we don’t know exactly what returning to school will look like.The most important thing will be for everyone to be safe and feel safe learning at school again.
The term ‘blended model’ is being used to describe how learning will be probably be organised; a combination of learning in school and some home learning remotely. This means we will continue to use our Blogs, website and for older pupils Microsoft Teams as well as hard copies and classroom learning.
It’s great that we have so many families actively taking part in learning online and our activities like Health Week and Bear Hunting. We have been able to lend ipads to families and put them in touch with local Old Town Services who have helped with data bundles and access, craft supplies, food deliveries… We have also delivered paper copies of learning packs and activities. Please get in touch using email admin@royalmile.edin.sch.uk, or reply to groupcall messages from us, comment on the blog and ask for a call and just now you can leave us a telephone message on 0131 556 3347 (but we only check these weekly at presen)t, if we can help in anyway.
from this ….
to this!
So what happens next? The school buildings are being prepared for August. We will find out about the building works and how they will proceed. The scaffolding around the school was due for removal at Easter and we are hopeful that will happen soon.
TRANSITIONS – We will be planning how to support everyone with transitions at this tricky time. They are going to be important for us all.
Nursery children coming to Primary 1 are taking part in a Bear Hunt. you can find out more about that on the Nursery Blog. We have a page on the website just for children starting Primary 1 as well. We will be updating it regularly and posting information about starting school.
Primary 7 children moving to High School have had information from their schools. Lots of virtual tours, online forums and opportunities to ask questions or find out about High School life are being offered as well. The High School websites have lots of information and guidance for pupils and their families.
Moving up – We will be using blogs to introduce our pupils to their Class Team for next session later in June. We will be posting information and pictures of the classrooms, how we are organising the school day and what children need to know to stay safe and enjoy being back at school.
We aim to ‘virtually’ celebrate our achievements and even possibly a whole school virtual outing in the final week of the year. We are all learning some amazing new skills – Health Week was a great example of the fun, inventiveness and adaptability of our staff team – so that we can enjoy our online schooling.
Please remember to keep us informed of changes to your telephone number, email or address. We are using emails, texts, blogs, Twitter and telephone calls, as well as good old mail, to keep everyone informed. Get in touch (email admin@royalmile.edin.sch.uk, Comment on blog, telephone message, reply to groupcall) if you have questions but please bear with us, the picture is constantly evolving.
Mrs Speedie is collecting ‘say something nice day’ comments in home languages as we celebrated this on Monday. I’d like to say how proud I am and how lucky I feel to be part of the Royal Mile Primary Community. The staff, pupils, families and local community are all amazing and we are all ‘belters’. (I’m from Derbyshire)
Take care, stay safe and be kind to each other. Mrs Jessop
I am really enjoying health week – so many activities to try!
It is lovely to see all the pictures and work everyone is sharing. I have also been busy sending out postcards congratulating people. That has been excellent for my wellbeing – it made me feel really proud and happy!! So Thank you!
Miss Finlayson – please can Cookie feature in the workouts more often? My cats would like an autograph – though they are finding the workout quite challenging!
Take care, stay safe and be kind to each other, Mrs Jessop
Wow! what an amazing start to Health week -Wake up Shake up with Miss Finlayson and a healthy breakfast with Mrs Cameron. Mr Jessop is busy making me stilts ……. Mrs Swan kept that a secret! Did you spot Mrs peoples showing off her baby bump as well! we are all sending her our congratulations and we will miss her next session but know she will definitely have her hands full!
The learning Grid looks great as well. Remember there are lots of activities as well from @ActiveSchoolsEd, PE with Joe Wicks, Cosmic Yoga, Headspace. All this and movies as well!
A big well done and thank you to Miss Finlayson and Mr Madine, as well as all the staff at RMPS for organising an amazing week!
Looking froward to seeing all the pictures and ideas you share with us!
Apologies for my late post. But I hope that all of our families who observed Ramadan and then celebrated Eid this weekend had an opportunity to spend time, virtually and socially distanced, with friends and family.
I followed Lynda’s recipe and made these lovely barquettes. Mr Jessop really enjoyed them. My neighbours loved them too and all my family after seeing the photographs have asked for the recipe. So proud of myself!
Thank you Lynda and family for sharing the recipe and your kind comments on Twitter as well.
Royal Mile Primary School 