STAFF at Newton Primary School have welcomed vital funding by Ayr Rotary Club to help boost a list of school projects.

Headteacher Fiona McAvoy, along with Deputy Danielle Miller and Nicola Killick, Principal Teacher, gave the rotary members an insight into working life at the school, support for which is to be one of the club’s main community projects this year.

They provided the Ayr school with funding for nine starter packs which were recently authorised to be purchased for the beginning of new term. Starter pack contents are varied and are determined by the particular needs of individual children. They include things like a new school bag with a stationery set, school jumper, water bottle, toothbrush and paste and cuddly teddy.

Fiona told how Newton is “an amazing school” with staff dedicated to its mission to reduce the many stresses on families and thus to enable better support for the pupils in the school environment generally. This caring and supportive ethos, she said, permeated the entire school.

The initiatives developed and implemented include: breakfast clubs; supper clubs; foodbank provision during holidays; hygiene items distribution; lightbulb donations; sporting opportunities; help with claiming universal credits; assistance with language and speech problems; access to school washing machines; free haircuts; literacy and numeracy lessons for parents; music tuition; and travel assistance. The list is seemingly endless, speaking volumes for the vision and commitment of the dedicated teaching team and their supporters.

Fiona emphasised that in addition to attempting to alleviate the everyday stresses faced by families, the school strived to encourage people to take a pride in their community and the good work being undertaken by many to improve their local environment. The success of their efforts she measured by growing family engagement in these many activities but conceded that it was more difficult to get dads involved – a difficulty which was being addressed.

Club member John Ewing, in his vote of thanks to the teachers, said he was extremely heartened by the obvious commitment of the Newton staff and that he looked forward to Ayr Rotary Club helping them to realise successful outcomes on a number of fronts.