New Multicultural Club at Forthview

Tracey Berry, our Families Liason Teacher at Forthview is working with Zaki El-Salahi from the Black Community Development Project (BCDP) to run a new multicultural club for 5-8 year olds at Forthview. Children attending the club have been exploring identity, global citizenship and prejudice through arts, games and sports. The current block finishes in December but we hope to continue the club through the year as there is a huge waiting list of children keen to join

BCDP also run a number of other groups and courses in the Greater Pilton area. If you are interested in finding out more you can contact BCDP on 0131 467 7990.

And in the midst of a busy term...

Our new Head Teacher arrived! Welcome to Mrs Moira Heatly. Here's what she has to say...

'I am delighted to be here at Forthview Primary and have been made to feel very welcome by children staff and parents.

We recently asked parents what they liked about Forthview and the most important things were the approachable staff and the work that they do with Tracey Berry, our family worker, and I would certainly agree. Working with parents and the wider community has always been important to me, so I am delighted that it is such an important part of Forthview.
Everyone works hard to make sure that the school is a welcoming supportive place and that we are all learning together.'

Primary 6 and 7 visit Scottish Parliament

Primary 6 and 7 visited the Scottish Parliament this week to learn more about how Scotland is governed, as well as looking at the symbolism throughout the building - of the Scottish countryside, bottles of whisky and the curtain-shaped cladding outside some of the windows allowing people the chance to look in to see what is going on.

Highlights included Mr Napier getting a row for taking a picture (in the press area of all places!) and James Guthrie debating where MPs could eat/stash their crisps without being caught on camera or by the public viewing from the gallery!

Where did James hide his crisps? Can you spot any budding MSPs?

Stars in Our Eyes Tea Party

Forthview Stars in Our Eyes children were treated to a lovely tea party after Assembly last week. All the children had received a Stars in Our Eyes Award at assembly, recognised by their teachers for working hard, being kind, making good choices or for generally being all-round charmers! Mrs Heatly set up a banquet of treats as a thank you...

Wish you were there? Me too - this blogger is certainly going to be thinking hard about good choices before the next Stars in Our Eyes Assembly!!

International Evening

At the start of November we held our first International Evening of the year. This fun evening is held twice a year and all Forthview families are invited to come along for food, a blether and a chance to make new friends. The next evening will be held next year in June - watch this space!

Chermaine and her wee sister, Ying, introduce themselves and their family to our new Head Teacher, Mrs Heatly.

As you can see we had a packed dining hall with over 60 people attending.

Parents sneak a quiet cup of tea, with a chance to talk to teachers from Edinburgh's English as an Additional Language (EAL) Service and representatives from Edinburgh University Billingualism Matters.....

Meanwhile, the children keep Forthview teachers on the run with a spot of basketball in the Hall!

Mr Wright and Miss Dickson look like they're avoiding the running around! Is Mr Wright singing?!In the play room, the younger children are at play...Briana and Kyllian are serving Mrs MacDonald in the cafe!

Igor and Monzir are in truck heaven!

Juan, Lana and her big sister Aya - International Evening regulars!- show new Forthview friends Hala and Hanadi a few more basketball moves!

While big brother Juan plays, a quiet moment for dad Cesar and wee sister Gabriella.Tasty homemade food, a chance to catch up with friends, a song from Mr Wright...a lovely evening was had by all!

Confident parents in action!!

Well if you have a team of confident parents ready to go, what do you do? Put them to work, of course!

Mrs Berry's Steps to Excellence group hosted a visit from Moray House Teaching students, answering questions and taking them on a tour of the school. We value the partnership with our parents and carers at Forthview, so what better way for the students to learn about building good relationships with families in their own teaching careers....from the best, of course!

Edinburgh City Council celebrates Raising Children with Confidence Programme

Forthview parents recently attended an event to celebrate their involvement in the City of Edinburgh's pilot project Raising Children with Confidence. The project was aimed at parents and carers across Edinburgh and the pilot involved ten Primary schools in Edinburgh.

Raising Children with Confidence forms part of the Growing Confidence project’s approach to promoting positive mental health and well-being and was designed to complement ongoing work in the same primary schools with children, staff and the community. The workshops covered the latest research around mental health and well-being and topics included child development, emotional resilience and the role of positive relationships including: Why do kids do that? What’s love got to do with it? Cotton Wool Kids? Staying Connected? What makes us, us? Time Well Spent?

Thanks to the involvement of parents at Forthview and the other pilot schools the Council now plan to roll out another 28 courses, including further sessions at Forthview with male carers this session-watch the blog for more details. Time well spent? We think so - we're proud of our fabby parents and carers at Forthview! And we're very proud of the fabby Mrs Berry, our Family Support Teacher, who has led and supported parents and carers through these sessions. Well done to you all!