THE Early Bird After-School Club will be starting up again after the school holidays and would-be members have to register. Even those who attended last year have to re-register. Forms were sent out from the school and forms and fees were due back before the end of term. For further information about the After-School club and the Early Bird Breakfast Club see page 9 or ring Morag Campbell on 235554.

The summer term is particularly good for outings and pupils enjoyed a range of these. P1 pupils went to the Black Isle wildlife Park, while P7 went to Fort Augustus to see the locks on the Caledonian Canal in action. As reported previously P4M had a very enjoyable trip to the Coronation exhibition in Dr Black’s Halls - earlier in the summer they also went to Glen Affric for a day in the forest - and P7 visited the High School to give them some idea of what the “big school” would be like when they go after the holidays.

Merkinch Primary came third in the shinty tournament last term. They beat Holm 1-0, and North Kessock 2-0, and drew one all against both Raigmore and Kirkhill.

The cost of school meals after the holidays will be £1.45, Merkinch Primary have advised. Application forms for free school meals and for school clothing grants have been sent out. Those on Income Support are entitled to both free meals and a clothing grant once they show their book or entitlement letter to staff. Parents in receipt of Working Tax Credit are NOT entitled to free meals but they are entitled to clothing grant if they have an NHS exemption certificate.

Last month’s edition of the MPS newsletter, the Merkinch Times, reported that the Scholastic Book Fair had proved a great success this year, raising £618, plus £370 of free books. Thanks were paid to P6/7 pupils, Ms Bowie and Mrs Tracey who were involved in running the event.