School Code

 

House System All our pupils are placed in one of 4 houses:  LEYS (red)                 INSHES (blue)                   CAWDOR (green)                      DALCROSS (yellow) The house system works in all aspects of school life – pupils gaining or losing points for their house depending on achievement, behaviour, good/bad manners etc.  House points are collected each week and a regular tally is kept by the senior pupils.  Weekly winners are announced at the P4 – P7 Star Assembly on a Friday afternoon and points are displayed on the House Notice Board.  A shield is awarded at the end of the session to the house with the most points.  As far as possible all members of one family will be allocated to the same House.

School Uniform

We encourage pupils to wear school uniform.  Wearing school uniform not only looks good but it also helps pupils to foster an identity with Raigmore School.  The choice of school uniform is as follows although the majority of pupils opt for a sweatshirt as opposed to shirts and ties: Boys – Grey or black trousers or jogging bottoms, grey, blue or white, shirt, grey pullover or school sweatshirt, school tie. Girls – Grey or black pinafore/skirt, trousers or jogging bottoms, grey, blue or white blouse, grey cardigan/jumper or school sweatshirt, school tie. (The school ties are available from Duncan Chisholm, Castle Street, Inverness.) P.E.:  All pupils need shorts, T-shirt and gym shoes (nothing fancy or expensive – just something comfortable and safe for them to work in). All articles of clothing should be clearly labelled irrespective of age of child – it is just as likely for a P7 pupil to lose something as it is for a P1 pupil!  It is not suitable for children to wear outdoor footwear inside school and, therefore, all pupils are asked to bring shoes or gym shoes to change into.  Many of our classrooms are carpeted and many practical activities are carried out on the floor – changing into clean footwear keeps the floor coverings clean and suitable to work on.  We are currently selling sweatshirts, polo shirts and fleeces – these can be ordered from the school office.  We also have some “good as new” clothes which are sold at vastly reduced prices.  Children grow out of uniform so quickly and clothes are so expensive that we feel it is more sensible for someone else to get the good of the clothes at a reduced cost.

Access to School

All pedestrian access to the school should be by the front gate.  The back gate is for vehicular access only and children should, on no occasion, be near that particular entrance.  Parents are asked to help us set a good example by always using the front gate.  Security fencing has been erected around the playground and to the side and rear of the school.

Cycling and Crossing

Children who cycle to school are reminded that they can leave their bicycles in the cycle shed at their own risk.  Ideally, only pupils who have successfully completed the programme of cycling proficiency should take bicycles to school.  Any parents wishing their children who have not yet completed Cycling Proficiency to cycle to school should contact the Head Teacher to make special arrangements. Children crossing from the vicinity of the Cameron Barracks are reminded that they should always cross at the Crossing Patroller on the Old Perth Road. The Crossing Patroller is on duty between:        8.15am and 9.15am         2.45pm and  3.30pm

Homework

Children are expected to work very hard while they are in school and any homework issued should not become an unnecessary burden to them.  Some form of homework can however form a link between home and school and can start to develop a pattern of individual study which will prove useful in later years of schooling.  All research shows that children who take part regularly in a Homework Programme achieve better results in school than those who do not.    We offer homework to all our pupils.  The range of activities varies from stage to stage but will very often include some form of Reading, Writing or Number practice.  It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that work is completed at home and we very much depend on parental support in this area.  If a pupil fails to return homework for two consecutive weeks, a letter will be sent home asking parents whether or not they wish their child to continue with the homework programme.  If such a request is not made, then it will be assumed that you do not want your child to participate in the school’s homework programme. It is important to distinguish between homework set – a piece of reading, finding out information from home, a piece of research from radio or TV – and work given home which, for one reason or another, has not been satisfactorily completed in school.  Any work sent home because it has either not been completed in the given time or completed to a satisfactory standard is accompanied by a homework sheet which details the work to be completed and explains the reason why it is being sent home.  This sheet will be signed by the class teacher and should also be signed by the parent before being returned to school.  Should it not be returned to school, a duplicate will be sent through the post -–just in case the original got lost between school and home! We are often asked to issue homework for children who are off school sick or who have gone off on holiday.  Because so much of our curriculum depends on specific resources and practical activities, we find that issuing work over a period of absence is very often unproductive.  Pupils on holiday are encouraged to read books and to keep a diary of events which they can subsequently share with the class after they return to school.  Pupils who are absent because of illness really ought to be concentrating on getting well again and will have no problem covering any extra work on their return to school.  In certain circumstances, however, where the child is off school but is not really ill e.g. a broken leg, certain work may be arranged for completion at home. Parents can play a very valuable role in several ways – being interested in their child’s school life, making sure that any homework set is done in a peaceful relaxed working environment and giving support and praise for work well done.  We would ask, however, that parents do not try to teach their child by the methods familiar to themselves – this may confuse the child.  At every stage reading to and with a child is one of the most valuable experiences any parent can give their child.  Playing board games is another very valuable experience.  These activities should not take long but are nevertheless very enjoyable and helpful.  Anyone wishing further advice on this subject should contact the Head Teacher.

Home From School Packs

Home School Packs are now offered to all classes throughout the school.  These packs contain books, games and activities to help support literacy and numeracy.  They may also include sports equipment to help with movement and co-ordination.  These are not compulsory but are offered to all pupils and are intended to be shared at home as a fun way of learning.

Personal Property in School

In the interest of safety, pupils should not bring items of personal property to school e.g. toys, games, comics, mobile phones.  We also discourage pupils from wearing jewellery in school – not only are items of jewellery dangerous in P.E. playtimes, drama etc but they are also frequently and very easily lost (stud earrings can be worn if necessary).

Lost Property

If a pupil loses anything in school the chances of finding it are much better if it is reported quickly to a member of staff or the Janitor.  Identification is much easier, of course if the item lost has been clearly labelled. Parents wishing to contact the Janitor regarding lost property are asked to do so between 9.00 – 9.15 a.m. or 3.00 – 3.15 p.m. if possible. If he is not in his office at these times a note can be left at his office window.