From the Preschool/Elementary School Principal

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*This week's photos show Grade 2 students explaining their inventions at their Stay-and-Share morning, Grade 5 students sharing their research projects with fellow students (with visitors ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 7), a Grade 4 student preparing "Bob, the Buddy Bench" with an undercoat of paint, and the newly-unveiled corridor display for Children in Need Day.

Action that makes a difference

Each Friday afternoon during assembly, we take time to focus on the ISA Values that shape our community. These values (i.e., being Balanced, Reflective, Open-minded, Communicators, Knowledgeable, Caring, Thinkers, Risk-takers, Inquirers and Principled) remind us of the kind of global citizens we aspire to be.

Our Statement of Citizenship reminds us that “we grow through our understanding of ourselves, others and our mutual interdependence. Together we strengthen our voice and agency, developing our values. Thus we make positive changes both here and in our diverse local and global communities.” This, along with our school mission, guides our efforts to contribute meaningfully to the communities around us. Over the years, ISA has developed a strong tradition of encouraging students to take action and support others, both locally and globally. One way this happens is through service projects. Within the Preschool and Elementary School, each grade level takes responsibility for leading different service initiatives throughout the school year.

This week, our Grade 4 students took centre stage as they organised a range of activities in support of BBC's Children in Need. They have been fully involved in the process from start to finish: planning and agreeing upon a themed fundraising day ("The Big Play"), creating and delivering presentations to explain the cause to other students (including a schoolwide assembly presentation), and even setting up spot-counting sessions with classes across the school. Their efforts have not only raised funds for an important cause, but also helped them develop valuable leadership skills in planning, teamwork and public speaking.

Congratulations to the Grade 4 students, along with their teachers, Mrs. McMahon and Mrs. Cooper, for bringing the ISA value of caring to life through this initiative. By Friday lunchtime, the children estimated that they had raised over £300. An incredible achievement! In the coming weeks, our Grade 3 students will continue the theme of service and compassion as they prepare to lead a food drive in support of families in and around Aberdeen.

Staying Healthy

As winter approaches, we would like to remind families about the importance of maintaining good hygiene and staying alert to illness. Simple habits such as thorough handwashing and coughing or sneezing into one’s elbow (rather than into hands) can make a big difference.

We also ask families to exercise caution when deciding whether a child is well enough to attend school. A child who is still recovering is better kept home for an extra day than sent in too soon, which can risk spreading illness or lead to a longer recovery. The same advice applies to our staff; we all need to be fully well before returning to the classroom.

Please continue to follow our school’s illness procedures, which align with Public Health Scotland guidance:

  • If a student or staff member has a fever (defined as a temperature over 37.5℃), they will be sent home.
  • A child may return to school once the fever has passed and they are feeling well — there is no need to wait a full 24 hours, as long as the fever is genuinely gone.
  • If fever-reducing medicine (such as Calpol) is required to keep the temperature below 37.5℃, the child should remain at home until medication is no longer needed.
  • If a child has vomited, they must remain at home for 48 hours after the last episode of sickness.

These guidelines are in place to help protect the health of everyone in our school community, ensuring that both students and staff can thrive in a healthy environment.

Important Dates (next two weeks)

Please remember to routinely check the Daily Notices in the Community Hub and the Events Calendar.

  • Monday, November 17: In-service/training Day - no students in school
  • Thursday, November 20: Lunchtime Concert (12:30pm in the Black Box Theatre)
  • Thursday, November 27: Thanksgiving lunches (in the Preschool; in the cafeteria for Kindergarten-Grade 2; in the corridor for Grade 3-Grade 5)
  • Friday, November 28: Preschool/Elementary School Ceilidh (1:15pm in the Gym/Hovde Hall)


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