Gibson News March 2026

KEY DATES

Monday 16 March – School Closed to pupils.

Monday 17 March – School Closed for St Patrick’s Day Holiday.

Friday 27 March – School Closes for Easter (Early finish for pupils).

Monday 30 March – Friday 10 April (inclusive) – Easter Holidays.

Change to school closures

Due to proposed changes to the NI curriculum schools have been provided with an additional two Staff Development Days to aid planning.

In order to keep this as straightforward as possible our children will now be finishing for Easter on Friday 27 March at 12.30pm for Year 1 – 3 pupils and 1.00pm for Year 4 – 7 pupils with Monday 30 March and Tuesday 31 March being used as Staff Development Days.

There are no other changes to the school calendar.

After School Activities

After school activities for Year 2-3 have finished for this term.

Year 4 – 7 additional activities will conclude on Friday 6 March.

School Dinners

Our updated dinner menu began on Monday 16 February and will be in place until further notice.  This is available on our school website. 

School dinners MUST be booked and paid for prior to the school day commencing. Outstanding balances must be cleared by the end of the week as we are under increasing pressure from EA regarding this.  If your child is entitled to free school meals these also MUST be booked via the online system.

PTA Meeting

Our next PTA Meeting is scheduled for Monday 9 March at 7.00pm in the school library. We will be planning for Easter events.  New members are welcome.

World Book Day

This year we celebrate World Book Day on Thursday 5 March. As previously communicated pupils are encouraged to dress up for this day, however there is no need to purchase costumes specifically for this event.   

SEAG Arrangements

Pupils in Year 6 are already beginning preparations for the SEAG test they will sit in Year 7. Mrs Jobb and Mrs Baird have begun practice tests in school.

More information will be provided at a meeting for Y6 parents on Thursday 19 March at 3.15pm.

School Uniform

Thank you to all those parents who took time to complete our consultation relating to school uniform.

We have carefully reviewed your responses and comments. I will be writing out to you shortly with more details including pricing, timings etc. however, our plan is as follows:

·         Updated PE kits can be purchased from June

·         Sample Kits will be on display in the school foyer after Easter

·         Academic year 2026/27 will be a transition year and existing and updated PE kits are both fine for pupils to wear

·         Optional hoodies will always remain optional and are not part of compulsory school uniform

Non – uniform Day

We are planning on holding a non-uniform day on Friday 27 March costing £2 per pupil.  This is in aid of a fundraising initiative held by Bishop Forester who visited us last Friday. He is raising funds to support mission and ministry in the Diocese of Kondoa, Tanzania.