SUSTRANS DITCH THE DARK DAY

Aiming to raise awareness of safe travel to school during the darker days and we are encouraging children to actively travel (walk, scoot, cycle, park and stride) to school wearing the brightest clothing they can on Friday 22nd October (it's a non-uniform day!) Children are invited to get creative with their outfits and be super bright.

The possibilities are endless – bright clothing, fluorescent orange socks, a pink tutu, a neon green wig – get bright, brighter, brightest! Parents, you are more than welcome to join the fun yourself! Please feel free to dress to impress in your best neon bright clothing and travel to school actively with your child on the day!

We understand that it might not be possible for everyone to actively travel to school the whole way, particularly if you live far away. In this case we’d encourage you to park in one of the nearby car parks and walk the final part of the journey to school with your child. In doing so we hope to reduce the number of cars around school and have lots of active kids!

Join Portstewart Community Association for their next Community Litter Pick on Saturday 16th October. Meet at the Witch's Hat(Bandstand) at 10am.😀 Please bring your own gloves. 🧤 Everyone welcome.

Please adhere to social distancing!!  Spread the word 😊 let's keep our town tidy!

Flu vaccinations for all pupils who have returned consent forms on Tuesday 12th October.

Lunch menu for next week, from Monday 11th October.

Please book online through our SchoolMoney system. School lunches should be booked by 11pm the previous evening. If you have any problems accessing SchoolMoney, please contact the office ☎ 02870833010

REMINDER:

Early closure for Primary 3 - Primary 7 on Monday 11th October at 1:50pm, to faciliatate staff training.

Please see letter from Courtney, our harp tutor, regarding lessons this term for Primary 4 - Primary 7... https://www.stcolumsprimaryschool.co.uk/newsletters-2/

Please register interest with the office 02870833010.

Time for an autumn clear-out of old and unwanted textiles? Our next Cash for Clobber Collection is this Wednesday, 6th October.

Arrangements are a little different this year and we would ask that bags of clean, unwanted textiles are brought to school on Wednesday at drop off time and passed ‘over the wall’ to staff for storage in our Car Park until collection time. Please observe social distancing guidelines.

What can you put in the bag??

• All types of clothing (even with holes/tears/missing buttons etc!)
• Bags and shoes (please tie shoes together with laces)
• Hats and belts
• Towels and curtains
• Bed linen (sheets, pillow cases, duvet covers)

** Remember NO QUILTS or PILLOWS and all items must be clean.**

Many thanks for your continued support.

Lunch menu for next week, from Monday 4th October.

Please book online through our SchoolMoney system. School lunches should be booked by 11pm the previous evening. If you have any problems accessing SchoolMoney, please contact the office ☎ 02870833010

All parents, guardians and carers are invited to attend our PTA AGM on Wednesday 29th September at 8pm.  Things are a little different this year due to Covid-19 and the meeting will be held via Zoom. Please email stcolumspta@hotmail.co.uk for access details.

Many thanks for your support.

Following on from our BIG PEDAL success last term, we are looking forward to starting our Sustrans BIKE TO SCHOOL WEEK challenge tomorrow.

We are encouraging all our pupils, families and staff to travel actively to school this week... walk, cycle, scoot to school. 😃🚲🛹🛴🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️ Why not help to reduce congestion in front of the school by using Convention Avenue Car Park and 'striding' the short distance to school. 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

There are so many benefits to encouraging children to walk, cycle and scoot more regularly to school.

• It will reduce congestion and pollution around the school gates.
• And it will also help your child’s mental and physical health.
• Teachers find that pupils who walk and cycle arrive at school more relaxed, alert and ready to start the day than those who travel by car.

We will be recording the number of children and supporters who travel with them each day and there are some prizes to be won.🏆🏆

And for the first time SUSTRANS want to try and track how many families take part. Let them know if you and your family will be actively travelling to school this week by pledging your journeys via this link...Bike To School Week Pledge

By pledging your journeys you'll be in with a chance of winning a child's Frog Bike work up to £400. You'll also receive a free guide to walking, cycling and scooting to school with lots of great tips and activities.

Don't forget to send us your photos/videos of your active journeys to school... send to our Facebook page @StColums or email to stcolumsoffice186@c2kni.net

Many thanks for your continued support.