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January newsletter

Dear pupils, parents/carers and friends of Rattray I hope this January newsletter (a little later than planned—my apologies!) finds you well and that you enjoyed a joyful and restful festive break. The new term seems to have begun much like the last one ended, with both staff and pupils contending with a range of winter bugs. We’re hopeful this passes soon and that everyone’s energy returns. Despite this, our dedicated staff have already launched into another busy and exciting term of learning, with a wonderful variety of activities, projects, and special events planned for your children. Over the next few weeks, we have several events taking place. As always, these can be found in the annual dates section at the end of each newsletter, but I’ve included additional detail below to help keep you informed. I encourage you to stay connected with our school community through our communication channels and by joining us at school events whenever possible.

P1-7 Come and Try - A day of sport

Please see attached flyer for more details. 

Scottish Afternoon Info

Scots Afternoon (change of date) – Friday 6th February – 2pm (sharp)
Our Scots Afternoon (poster also attached) will be led by our upper school pupils from P6, P6/7 and P7. During the afternoon all our classes will entertain parents/carers and relatives with Scots poems, songs and dancing in Rattray Community Connect.  We hope you can join us on this celebratory afternoon but do remember to wear something tartan or Scottish and bring your dancing shoes - there may also be some shortbread on offer! 
Use this link to book your tickets https://forms.office.com/e/JDpSsEu7X7
 
On this afternoon you will have the opportunity to hear our Scots poetry winners from each class. Parents of these children will be informed separately, and we will ensure that seating is kept at the Scots afternoon for2 family members of each winning child.
 

After school clubs

Please see attached letter regarding after school clubs. 

December Update

Please find attached our December update which will get you informed of what’s going at Rattray over the next week.

Thanks
 

Useful CAMHS links

Please find below and attached some useful links from CAMHS

Understanding and Supporting Your Child:
This is the course we recommend starting with if you have a child who has big emotions or big behaviours, or who is or may be neurodivergent. In this course we explore preventative and in the moment strategies for supporting your child’s development and focus on building on your child’s strengths. 
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/understanding-and-supporting-your-child-3782053 

Supporting Your Child's Communication: 
Did you know that around 80% of social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in children, have an underlying communication difficulty? Join us for this online session exploring communication basics and strategies to help with communication.
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/supporting-your-childs-communication-4620083 

Understanding Sleep 
Join us for this online session exploring both sleep basics and strategies to help with problematic sleep patterns.
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/understanding-sleep-4620053 

Understanding Big Emotions 
Before attending this session we recommend completing our Understanding and Supporting Your Child course first, then join us for this online session exploring emotions and strategies to support your child.
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/understanding-big-emotions-for-parents-and-carers-4794815 

Understanding and Supporting Behaviour
Before attending this session, we recommend completing our Understanding and Supporting Your Child course first, then join us for these online sessions exploring behaviour. Over two weeks we'll look at strategies to help us better understand behaviours, preventative strategies, and specific strategies related to the function of behaviour.
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/understanding-and-supporting-behaviour-4794907

Executive Function 
Join us for this online session exploring supporting your child's focus and organisation skills. 
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/executive-function-4795078 

Decider Skills 
Join us to learn about the 12 Decider Life Skills, based in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. These skills aim to support children and young people to learn to manage emotionally difficult situations in less damaging, more positive ways. The skills support distress tolerance, emotional regulation , mindfulness and interpersonal communication.
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/parents-decider-skills-training-3001949 

Supporting Your Child With Anxiety and Worries
Over 4 weeks our Mental Health Education Officers will explore anxiety:

• What is it? Why do we have it?
• When do we know anxiety is becoming a problem?
• Anxiety Traps? What are they? How can we avoid them?
• Ways to cope.

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/supporting-a-childteen-with-anxiety-worries-3001979 

Your Resilience for Parents/Carers of Teens
Join our 4-week online programme aimed at building your understanding of resilience. We will discuss how to support your teen with coping with stress and distress; managing friendships and social pressures; and how to talk with your teen about resilience and mental health.
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/your-resilience-for-parents-and-carers-of-teens-3702449

Winter Wellbeing Event

Find out some of the support that is available in your community for children, young people and adults.This includes mental health, bereavement, carers, and general wellbeing.

Come for a chat and a cuppa!
If you live or work in Blairgowrie, Rattray or nearby, this event is for you.

Find out more here
There will be further events in 2026 which will include evening sessions. If you have any suggestions for future events or would like to be involved in them, please email SuicidePrevention@pkc.gov.uk
 

ELC Consultation 2025

Please see attached poster for more information

Festive plans

It’s that magical (and for some, slightly hectic!) time of year again—Christmas is just around 
the corner at Rattray! As our classrooms sparkle with decorations and festive cheer fills the 
corridors, the excitement is truly building. Our incredible staff have been working tirelessly to 
make this season joyful and memorable for every pupil and their family, and I want to take a 
moment to thank them for their dedication.

PLease see attached for a full list of celebrations we have plans.

Xmas hampers 2025

Primary 7 are organising the Christmas Hampers again this year to raise funds for the school.  We are looking for donations of any new cupboard foods, drinks, toys, Christmas things, candles, toiletries, cleaning products for the hampers please.  Anything suitable to create nice family hampers!
If these could be donated to the office / class teachers anytime from now until Wednesday 17th December 2025.  Tickets will be available to purchase on Parent Pay and the draw will take place on Monday 22nd December 2025.
Many Thanks.
Primary 7