December Bulletin

As another very successful and exciting year at Liberton High draws to a close I am delighted to bring to your attention a brief summary of some of the things that are happening in and around the school at the moment. Events to finish off the term will include our annual Carol Concert and traditional staff/pupil Pantomime to mark the last day of term.

Along with this newsletter you will also receive a copy of your child’s attendance summary. I am pleased to say that overall attendance across the school is improving. Please continue to support us in reinforcing the importance of attendance to all pupils. Do contact Guidance Staff if you feel the record is inaccurate or you can update absences recorded as unexplained. Many potential employers do look at punctuality and attendance before deciding on who to interview.

I hope that pupils sitting prelims in January will make time to do some revision work in preparation for their prelim exams at the end of January. I take this opportunity of wishing all of our families a very happy Christmas and a prosperous and successful New Year.

Parent Council News The Parent Council is very concerned about the impact of budget cuts on our school. The budget for all schools in Edinburgh was cut by 1.5% this year and we have been informed that it will be cut again next year. The Parent Council will send out a newsletter (by pupil post) with more details about this and what action we intend to take.

We have been asked to consult all parents about the school session dates for 2010/11. The proposed dates can be found on http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Learning/Schools/Parent-involvement. Please send any comments to us by 23 January 2009. Either send a note to the Parent Council (c/o the school office) or e-mail (lhs.parentcouncil@googlemail.com)

The next Parent Council meeting will be on 20 January 2009 at 7.00 pm in the school staff room. All parents are warmly invited to attend.

Very well done to the following:
• Kirsten Kryzaniwsky, Lauren Hand and Lauren McHugh, all in S2, who won a trip to London, after winning a national competition on Stem Cell research. Runners up were Georgia King and Lauren Bell our S3 team.
• Rebecca Stevenson (2T) and Rebecca Graham (2C) who took first and second places in the Central schools trampolining championships.
• Andrea Sheen who was a medallist in the 200M and put in a personal best time at the Edinburgh Schools swimming finals – this despite being off school ill for the two days before the races! Additionally, her younger brother, Murray Sheen, who is in P7 at Liberton Primary, also swam brilliantly in the 50m breaststroke breaking the magic 50 second barrier.
• Connor Hounsom who has achieved black belt 1st Dan in Tae Kwan’ do
• Jack Crawford, Michael Ellis, Matthew Gilliland, Cameron Laing and Darren Reid (all S3) took part in an investment challenge. They did very well and managed to increase their £15,000 cash to a portfolio value of £95,400 and ended up a very respectable fifth out of 25 schools, the highest position and value in the 3 years in which we have been taking part in the competition.
Staffing update. Mr Bryant (Art), Ms Nowosielska (Bursar) and Mr Scott (Art) will miss the last few weeks of this term; I am sure you will wish to join me in wishing them a speedy recovery and return to work early in the new year.

Dress Code. Friday 19 December will be a dress down day for charity for all pupils and staff. This is sure to be fun and it is fitting that we use some of the money raised to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Each pupil and teacher is invited to pay a minimum of £1 each.

Events that have taken place in the last three weeks include:
• AIDS/HIV awareness workshops for a range of pupils from across the school.
• Auditions for Grease, which will be staged in June 2009
• Pupils entry to Lego challenge– involves programming a robot and presenting a climate related project.
• Oral history information gathering by various pupils working with Edinburgh University
• S6 pupils engaged in reading with S1 pupils
• £326 raised by the school for Children in Need
• The House Captains have led assemblies on anti-bullying
• Senior pupils have visited local primary schools (Liberton and Gilmerton) to share skills and interests with younger learners
• Visit by S3 standard grade chemistry pupils from LHS to The Royal Society of Chemistry Christmas lecture, on the chemistry of fireworks at Edinburgh University.
• Pupils involved in a number of activities across the school to commemorate Guy Fawkes’ use of Gunpowder
• Our HE department and pupils raised £136 for one of our sponsored children in Nicaragua by having a wraps and soup lunch.
• A travelling Art Gallery visited our school on Monday 1 December
• Several pupils featured in an advert by the British Heart Foundation to encourage the eating of healthy food
• S3 and S4 pupils attended a conference at Edinburgh Zoo on Global Climate change
• A large number of pupils continue to take part in a range of extra curricular activities every week

Dates for the Diary
Thursday 11 December S4 Parents’ Evening (6-8 pm)
Monday 15 December Carol Concert
Friday 19 December Term ends
Monday 5 January All resume
Thursday 15 January S2 Parents’ Evening (6-8 pm). A general information session on courses for S3 will take place in the library at 5.30 pm.
Monday 19 January Meeting for parents of those going to Paris in June 2009
Monday 26 January Intermediate and Higher prelims begin

Please share any news with me that you would like me to publicise. Do also let me know if there is anything in particular that you would like to see included in future editions of this bulletin.
Check the school website for copies of all previous bulletins and other important news! (http://www.liberton.edin.sch.uk)

My sincere thanks for your continuing support in 2008.

Donald J Macdonald (Headteacher)

CONGRATULATIONS

To Ms S Thomson who achieved the following qualification.
Post Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership and Management

Adult Education at Liberton HS

LIB 33351 Badminton Mon 26 Jan 18:00-20:00
LIB 33151 Badminton Mon 26 Jan 20:00-21:30
LIB 42952 Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings Tue 27 Jan 19:00-21:00
LIB 43352 Dance:Ballroom/Latin Tue 27 Jan 19:00-21:00
LIB 43553 Dance:Ballroom/Latin Wed 28 Jan 19:00-21:00
LIB 43254 Dance:Ballroom/Latin Thu 29 Jan 18:30-20:30

Details about these course including costs can be found by clicking on the title above, and in the turquoise box select Liberton as your venue or copying and pasting the following into your address bar.
http://ces.egfl.net/programme/prog01?category=evening

Evening classes at Liberton are a great way to learn new skills or brush up on some old ones.

CONGRATULATIONS

Mr G CRAWFORD Principal Teacher Physics
Who has gained the following qualification
Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management

CONGRATULATIONS

At the weekend 2 of our S2 girls were competing in the Central schools trampolining championships. I am pleased to say that Rebecca Stevenson 2T got first place and was closely followed by Rebecca Graham 2C in second place. This is Rebecca's first victory at this level of competition and she is quite rightly very proud.

Liberton High School Association 100 Club

Thank you to those who are supporting the school. If you know of anyone else who would like to join, it is not too late. We are really looking for more, as our numbers have dropped to 66 members. The 100 club is open to staff and parents and costs £12 per year. The profits are used to buy items for the school. There is a monthly draw with 3 winners. Anyone who would like to join please get a form from the school office. Or download the form and return it to the school

Thanks for your continued support.



Liz kettle

100 Club Secretary

CONGRATULATIONS!

To Lauren Hand, Lauren McHugh and Kirsten Kryzaniwsky (all S2) who have won the Scottish final for their poster on Stem Cell Research.




Their prize is a trip to London!

Congratulations also to the runners up – Georgia King and Lauren Bell (both S3) who have won Amazon vouchers.




Well done to all entrants – the standard was very high.

Diving Straight In!

At the beginning of November three of our S2 pupils – Rebecca Graham, Daisy Forbes and Rebecca Stevenson – travelled to Dublin to take part in the Irish Open National Diving Championships. They competed at a variety of heights in both Age group and Novice competitions, securing very creditable placings.

They also managed to do a bit of sightseeing, including the Guinness Factory, and hope to return to compete next year.



Well done to all three girls and we look forward to hearing about future successes.

Jack Robertson

A massive congratulations to Jack Robertson (S3). After our highly successful L Factor Jack was contacted by Grant Stott to come to the Forth 1 studios where I believe jack performed for management. From there Jack was asked to perform at Forth 1's award dinner on Wednesday night. Jack shared the stage with, James Blunt, Alesha Dixon, Sharleen Spiteri, Leon Jackson and Jason Donovan, as well as the Stereophonics, all whom I believe were mighty impressed with our wee Jack. Jack was also interviewed for the Evening news website where you can see him on video, here's the link
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/features/Radio-Forth-Awards-Stars-shine.4689912.jp
There is an article on Jack in today's Evening news.
Jack is also set to meet up with Sandi Thom's producer in the next couple months.

Liberton in the News

As previously mentioned on this blog we are very proud that our L Factor winner Kirsty Evans has been asked to duet with Sandi Thom at her January Concert. Kirsty's story was featured in todays Evening News - click here to read all about it.

Jack goes to the Awards

Congratulations to Jack Robertson (S3). Thanks to his stunning opening performance at the L Factor in October he has been invited to perform at the Radio Forth Awards on 12th November in Edinburgh. He will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Duffy and Leon Jackson as well as a host of local celebs. Jack's amazing voice recieved its Liberton debut in S1 when he won our first ever talent show. We predict great things for this very talented young man - have a fantastic night Jack and very well done.

Click here to read the Evening News article about the evening.

October Bulletin

The next 50 Anniversary event will be a Ceilidh on Friday 28 November. Tickets costing £8 are available from Mrs Babbs, our school librarian. Please check the school website to find out what else is planned! (www.liberton.edin.sch.uk)


Parents’ evenings. I was very disappointed with the low turnout for our S5/6 parents evening on Wednesday 29 October. Only 39% of the parents from these year groups attended. Last year’s attendance for S5/6 was 38%. This is particularly disappointing as the vast majority of parents who responded to the summer survey on the timing of parents’ evenings, indicated that they preferred a 6–8 pm slot. I am really keen to hear from parents who were unable to attend so that we can make arrangements that allow us to engage more with parents. If you haven’t already done so, please call guidance staff to find out how your children are progressing. By working together in this way we can support pupils in achieving their potential.


Reading for Gold. All of S1 and S2 are taking part in a new reading programme. It is called Reading for Gold and it is fun, flexible and creative! It involves the pupils being given targets and reading five books. Once they have completed a book they will do a creative task on it. After the five books have been read and a task has been completed, the pupils will receive a RFG certificate signed by their class teacher and Mr Macdonald. They will then move on to the Silver and Gold projects. These tasks are a bit trickier but they are just as much fun and give something to aim for! So far, the project has been warmly received by the pupils and the certificates will be achieved in no time!


A whole school photograph to mark our 50 Anniversary was taken on the afternoon of Wednesday 27 August. Orders for these must be placed with us no later than Friday 7 November.


Improving pupil attendance in session 2008/09 is a priority for the school. Attendance across the school has improved this session. Thank you to all parents who took the time to respond to the questionnaire posted in the summer. However, a minority of pupils continue to cause concern because of their erratic and/or poor attendance. In early December I intend to notify all parents of their child’s current levels of attendance and the cut offs we will use to look at who should be repeating the year and who is not ready to sit exams.


Staffing update. I am sure you will wish to join me in wishing Mrs Coburn a speedy recovery following a recent knee operation. Mr Robertson is currently leading the PE department. Mrs Steele (English) and Mrs McKerrecher (French) are currently in acting PT positions in their departments.


Homework concerns: I take this opportunity of informing parents that you will now be sent a text if we have concerns about your child’s homework.


The L Factor on Thursday 16 October was a fantastic success and an unforgettable evening! Warmest congratulations to Kirsty Evans who won the contest. On returning from the October break we learned that Kirsty has been invited to perform with Sandi Thom at her Edinburgh concert in January 2009. Many thanks to all who supported us and particularly to Mr McCorquodale who oversaw the entire show.

The Home Economics department staged our annual Ready, Steady, Cook event on the afternoon of Wednesday 22 October. In an exciting contest, PC Thomson’s rabbit stew was judged to be tastier than Mr Macrae’s spam fritters!


This year’s National Antibullying Week takes place from 17-23 November. Among other activities happening in the school, pupils in S2 and S3 will be working on antibullying presentations in SE and a group of S6 plan to launch some of their own initiatives during the week.

Megan Bryant (S5) and Stuart Wilson (S6) participated in the “Lessons from Auschwitz Project”. This included a visit to the former Nazi extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. Megan and Stuart are planning a programme of activities to disseminate the lessons they have learned. These will be held in the run up to Holocaust Memorial Day in January 2009.
A further 20 pupils are being trained in Heartstart this term. The S3 Intermediate 1 Biology pupils have so far learned the skills involved in recognising a heart attack, providing CPR and knowing how to treat bleeding in relation to their coursework on The Heart. If any parents are interested in attending evening Heartstart sessions, led by Liberton High pupils themselves, please keep an eye on future bulletins for dates and times.


Parent’s association news. (Liberton High School Association LHSA)

LHSA held another successful Car Boot Sale on Sunday 5 Oct raising £260 for the school. Thanks to all who made this possible.

One of the objectives of the LHSA is to promote partnership between parents, pupils and the school, and the LHSA felt that funding the purchase of new, better maths books for all pupils studying higher maths this year was an investment that would directly benefit pupils and also assist the school in its aim to raise attainment.

This year alone LHSA has funded the purchase of new resources for the library, strips for the rugby team and a new saxophone for the music department. This has been made possible through a variety of fundraising events such as car boot sales, raffles, quizzes and the sale of tea, coffee & tuck at school events.

The main ongoing fundraiser however is the 100 Club and many parents, grandparents, staff and former pupils are already members, but we need more members to keep this going. You can download an application form from the school website.

If you feel you would like to help LHSA support Liberton High School in any way please email us at liberton_pta@yahoo.co.uk.



Dates for the Diary

Tuesday 18 November S1 Parents’ Evening (6-8 pm)
Wednesday 19 November S4 prelims begin (Standard grades only at this stage)
Friday 28 November 50 Anniversary Ceilidh (Tickets @£8 from Mrs Babbs)
Thursday 11 December S4 Parents’ Evening (6-8 pm)
Monday 15 December Carol Concert
Friday 19 December Term ends

Please share any news with me that you would like me to publicise or let me know if there is anything in particular that you would like to see included in future editions of this bulletin.
Many thanks.

Please check the school website for copies of all previous bulletins and other breaking news. (http://www.liberton.edin.sch.uk)
Donald J Macdonald (Headteacher)
3 November 2008

Events@Liberton

A new section has been added to the school website to tell you more about what's happening around the school and what's coming up in the next couple of months.
Click for Events@Liberton

When Sandi came to Liberton

photos by Lou Hardless (cactusclimber@hotmail.co.uk)

Thursday 16th October saw one of the most exciting evenings Liberton has ever witnessed. Our annual talent show was delighted to welcome a very special celebrity judging panel including million selling singer songwriter Sandi Thom, Forth One Celebrity DJ Grant Stott and Big Brother Celebrity Hijack winner John Loughton. And what a show we gave them - the talented students of LHS sang, danced and played their hearts out to a sell out crowd of students, parents and invited guests.

After some tense moments in the judges room the winners were announced - Third place went to Uni Kim (S5) for her rendition of 'The Heart Never Lies', Second place to Iain McBain and Cecily Kingston (both S5) for their version of 'The Prayer' and the overall winner was Kirsty Evans who performed 'Chasing Cars'. The judges were amazed at the standard of all the acts and we are delighted to announce that Sandi Thom was so blown away by Kirsty that she has asked her to perform with her at her Edinburgh concert in January.

It was a wonderful evening and something for the whole school to be incredibly proud of.

Read more about the evening here

Kirsty Evans L Factor winner

As a result of winning the L Factor, Kirsty has been asked to perform with Sandi Thom at her Edinburgh Concert (29th January Liquid Room) which forms part of her UK tour. Kirsty has obviously said yes and is really excited about it. If you see her give her a big well done!
For anyone that would like to attend tickets are priced £13 and are available from www.tickets-scotland.co.uk
Scott

End of term

What a fantastic end of term week we have had. In addition to all the usual classes and activities that take place there were another four major events that were staged this week at Liberton High School.

On Tuesday we had an enterprise day for all S1 pupils. On Thursday we had a Ready, Steady Cook competition involving staff and pupils. Throughout the week we had 'Book week'. This is a celebration of literature with this year's emphasis being our 50th anniversary year. The week culminated with our third 'X' factor, which, this year, we called 'L' factor. (see Evening news report) All of these events could not have happened without the amazing support of parents and pupils.

At morning break today, I read a poem to staff. I chose this poem to emphasise the importance of unity with parents.

Unity

I dreamed I stood in a studio
And watched two sculptors there,
The clay they used was a young child’s mind
And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher:
the tools she used were books and music and art;
One was a parent
With a guiding hand and gentle loving heart.

And when at last their work was done,
They were proud of what they had wrought.
For the things they had worked into the child
Could never be sold or bought!

And each agreed she would have failed
if she had worked alone.
For behind the parent stood the school,
and behind the teacher stood the home!

By Cleo V. Swarat

I take this opportunity of wishing all associated with our school a very pleasant and relaxing holiday.

Swimming success

Congratulations to Andrea Sheen who took fourth place in the 100m Freestyle with a time of 1:10:26 at the recent heats of the Edinburgh Schools Swimming Championships and second place in the gruelling 200m Individual medley event with a time of 2:54:52. This takes Andrea to the Edinburgh Finals at the Commonwealth Pool on 20 November. Please congratulate her if you see her.

Joe Walker,

Dress Code for Last Day

Parents and pupils are reminded that Friday 17 October will be a normal dress day.

Curriculum for excellence

Over the coming months I will want to communicate more with parents about what 'Curriculum for excellence' is and how it will affect pupils' education at Liberton High. The following link for 'Curriculum for excellence' is intended for parents and is worth looking at.

Sci-Fun

Sci_Fun came to Liberton on Friday 10/10/08. All S2 pupils heard about the latest stem cell research in a fascinating presentation. After that they had a chance to play with the fun science exhibits.

Swiming records!

Congratulations to Jennifer Somerville (S6) who, last weekend, at the East district time trials in Glenrothes, broke the British record for 200m breaststroke and the Scottish record for the 100 m individual medley. What a fantastic achievement from such a delightful girl!

MacMillan Coffee morning

Big success!
I still have some money to come in but the total now stands at about £200.
Well done to all.
Marie Maciver.

Parent Council Newsletter

September 2008

The Parent Council has been running for just over a year and our meetings have covered a wide range of subjects. This newsletter is intended to give you a brief summary of our activities since we started.

Parents’ views and concerns have been passed on to the appropriate people between meetings. Our contact details are on the back of this letter. Please let us know if there is something that you think we should be doing or should be aware of.

Every year we invite parents and carers to join the Parent Council - details on how to do this are also on the back of this letter.

School closures

The Parent Council had to arrange an informal meeting at short notice at the beginning of the last school year to study the plans to close schools in Edinburgh and decide on a response to them. By the time of our first formal meeting the school closures had been cancelled and it was not necessary to take any further action. This left us able to concentrate on issues directly affecting Liberton High School.

HMIe

HMIe made their final visit to the school in March this year and were pleased with the progress that the School had made. Progress on the HMIe action points has been discussed at every meeting for the last two years. The Parent Council (and before that the School Board) had the opportunity to ask questions about the changes that were taking place and give views on any proposals. There have been tremendous improvements and we look forward to the continued progress of the school.

Policies and consultations

Throughout the year we discussed changes to school policies including homework and dress code. We also considered Council policies and consultations on mobile phone use and school session dates. We will continue to inform parents about consultations via school newsletters and the school website.

At present the Scottish Government are consulting on proposed changes to national qualifications (Standard Grades, Highers, Advanced Highers) which will affect pupils currently in primary school. You can find information about this at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/06/09084232/0. The closing date for responses is 31 October 2008. If you have views on this you can either respond directly or contact us and we will pass on your views.

Representing Parents’ Views

The Parent Council have raised parents’ concerns with the School and the City of Edinburgh Council on a number of matters ranging from staffing and budgets to changes to the school catering service. We also submitted an objection to a planning application that would have effectively closed the gate into the Malbet estate. The unfortunate timing of this application (end of the summer term) meant that it was not possible to inform all parents but we are grateful for the support of those parents who we did manage to contact. This planning application was refused.

Improving parental involvement and communication with parents

There has been lively and positive discussion at Parent Council meetings about ways to encourage more parents to become involved with the school. We are also keen to improve communication with parents and would be pleased to hear any ideas that you may have on both of these matters.

Meetings 2008/9

The Parent Council meets approximately twice a term at 7.00pm in the staff room in the school and all parents and carers are welcome to attend meetings. The dates for this year are 7 September 2008, 25 November 2008, 20 January2009, 24 March 2009 and 2 June 2009

How to join the Parent Council

Each year parents and carers are invited to join the Parent Council. This is an opportunity to influence decisions and become more involved with the School. If you would like to join the Parent Council, please send your name and contact details to us by Friday 17^th October 2008.

How to contact the Parent Council

· E-mail us at LHS.parentcouncil@googlemail.com

· Write a note and send it to us either by post or ask your child to give it to their tutor teacher

· Telephone the school and we will call you back

· Come to a Parent Council meeting

And last but not least - Liberton High School Association

The Liberton High School Association (LHSA) organises fundraising activities and social activities for the school. The Parent Council works closely with LHSA with one place on the Parent Council reserved for a member of the LHSA committee. Please send your contact details to the LHSA if you would like to join the committee or help at school events. You can do this by e-mail to liberton_pta@yahoo.co.uk or by sending a note into the school addressed to the LHSA.

Former pupil achievements

We have received information from The University of Aberdeen regarding 2 former pupils:



Ross Irving has received a Degree of Master of Arts in History, Upper second class Honours.



Gregor Scotland has received a Degree of Bachelor of laws (with Honours), Upper second class Honours.

Iain Hutcheson

Strike on Wednesday 24 September

The school will be closed to pupils in S1, S2 and S3 on Wednesday 24 September as a result of strike action by a number of non-teaching unions. Only pupils in years S4-6 incl. should attend on Wednesday. There will be no catering available in school on this day.

Normal services will resume on Thursday 25 September.

September Bulletin

(Bulletin No. 10: September 2008)

Thank you to everyone who helped us launch our 50 Anniversary celebrations by attending our Open Day on Saturday 23 August. On the day we had over 300 people who came along to share their memories of their school days. Please check the school website to find out what else is planned! (www.liberton.edin.sch.uk)

Our exam results improved again this year. There were outstanding performances from many pupils across the school. Well done to everyone who offered support and encouragement and especially the parents. It will come as no surprise that the ones who do well are those who attend all classes and work hard throughout the year.

A whole school photograph to mark our 50 Anniversary was taken on the afternoon of Wednesday 27 August. Details of prices and how to obtain a copy will be made available to pupils in the next few weeks.

University applications. I am delighted to see that this year we have 53 pupils who are applying for university places. In 2004 this number was 8. This increase clearly illustrates the progress we are making as a school.

Improving pupil attendance in session 2008/09 will be a priority for the school. Thank you to all parents who took the time to respond to the questionnaire posted to parents in the summer. Following further discussion with pupils it is our intention to introduce attendance targets for all pupils. All parents are respectfully reminded to avoid taking pupils off on holiday during term time.

Staffing update. Welcome to the following staff who joined us in August: Ms Gallagher (English); Ms Thayne (English); Mr MacLeod (Maths); Mr Mazadza (Maths); Mrs Carbery (Maths); Ms Birrell (Biology) and Mrs Ellis (History).

Timing of Parents’ evenings The vast majority of parents who responded to the survey on the timing of parents’ evenings indicated that they preferred a 6–8 pm slot. Thus, with the exception of the S3 parents’ night on Wednesday 17 September, which will be from 5–7 pm, all other parents’ nights will take place between 6 and 8 pm. I am hoping for a 100% turnout at this year’s meetings with your child’s teachers. Please make every effort to attend. Your input and support really does make a big difference to your child’s interest and effort in school.

The L Factor is coming……………

On Thursday 16 October Liberton’s legendary talent show returns for a third year. This year is going to be even more exciting. We are delighted to announce that among our celebrity judges this year we have none other than the top selling Scottish singer/songwriter Sandi Thom.

Auditions have been taking place to find the cream of Liberton talent for what promises to be an unforgettable evening. Tickets for the show (priced at £5) will go on sale on 6th October. Don’t miss it! Judges for the evening will include:

• Sandi Thom (Best Selling Singer Songwriter)
• Grant Stott (Forth 1 Flagship DJ)
• John Loughton (Winner of Big Brother Celebrity Hijack)
  
  

Teambuilding weekend. Many thanks to Mr Russell and the 8 other staff who spent a weekend in Dalguise with 30 senior pupils. The purpose of the weekend was to develop teamwork and to foster relationships in our new S6. By all accounts this was a highly successful weekend!

Welcome to PC Mark Thomson who has just started with us as Community Police Officer at Liberton High. Mark has already made an impact in the community through his presence around the main road at busy times. Parents are requested to drop pupils off at the school games hall and, in the interests of the safety of others, not to bring vehicles any closer to the school building.

The Home Economics department ran heats for pupils to enter The 'Smoothest Smoothie in Scotland' competition which was to encourage pupils to use Scottish produce. Jonathan Walker and Darren Reid became the Liberton Liquidisers and produced the Zingy Pear Dazzler.

The boys won through to the 'Smoothie Off' which was held at the Countryside Festival at Glamis Castle on Sunday 7 September which Jonathan attended and managed to wow the judges with his professional performance and delicious smoothie to win second prize. He was awarded

his prize by the Dowager Countess of Strathmore. Well done Jonathan!

Well done to Megan Bryant (S5) and Stuart Wilson (S6) who have been selected to take part in this year's "Lessons from Auschwitz Project". This will involve participation in seminars and a trip to visit Auschwitz on 18 September. Megan and Stuart will be invited to share their experiences with the wider school later this session.

Parent’s association news.

• LHSA are holding our bi-annual Car Boot Sale on Sunday 5 October 9.30 am – 12.30 pm, £6 per car. No need to book, just turn up and pay on the day. Top car park beside tennis courts; set up from 9.00 am. Teas/Coffee will be available.

• 100 club is a monthly prize draw for parents, carers. The more members the higher the prizes and the more cash to support the school. See school website for further information. For this month only all pupils handing in their parents completed application forms will be entered into a £20 Prize Draw. Forms and standing orders already handed in will also be included in the draw.

• We are looking for more volunteers to join the LHSA or just to help out with teas and coffees at parents' nights. If interested, please contact the school and leave your name and address or through email to liberton_pta@yahoo.co.uk.

Dates for the Diary

Wednesday 1 October P7 Open Evening (7-9 pm)

Monday 13 October Book Week

Monday 20 October Mid-term (5 days)

Tuesday 28 October Pupils resume

Tuesday 18 November S1 Parents’ Evening (6-8 pm)

Thursday 11 December S4 Parents’ Evening (6-8 pm)

Monday 15 December Carol Concert

Friday 19 December Term ends

Please share any news with me that you would like me to publicise or let me know if there is anything in particular that you would like to see included in future editions of this bulletin.

Many thanks.

Please check the school website for copies of all previous bulletins and other breaking news. (http://www.liberton.edin.sch.uk)

Donald J Macdonald (Headteacher)

15 September 2008

University Applications

Anyone who has attended an assembly with me during the last three years will know that every pupil at Liberton High School is expected to aim for University level qualifications by the time they leave us in S6.

I am delighted to learn that this raising of expectations for all pupils is paying dividends. In our current S6, 53 pupils are currently completing application forms for a variety of university courses. In 2004 only 8 pupils were applying for university courses at the same stage. This is a very strong indicator of the fantastic progress we have made in the past few years.

Smooth as Silk

Big congratulations to the Johnathan Walker from S3 who took second prize at the Countryside Festival at Glamis Castle in a competition to find the smoothest smoothie in Scotland. The Liberton Liquidizers concoction was called a 'Zingy Pear Dazzler' and its ingredients included Pear, peach, sparkling water, apple and elderflower cordial, lemon juice, single cream (recipie avaliable from the HE Department)

Very well done Johnathan and the other students who took part in the heats.

Entrepreneurs in training!

I am always keen to support opportunities for pupils to develop their entrepreneurial skills. I was delighted to recently receive this email from Ross Hunter, one of our S4 pupils.

Dear Mr MacDonald,

I just thought that you might like to know about how successful our S3 business management project was. As you know, Lisa Watson and I, along with a couple of others, produced and sold CDs featuring student performers. What you may not know is that we sold all our CDs and made just over £150 profit! We donated £60 to the four children that the school sponsor and felt that due to Mr McCorquodale’s support and contribution that we should present £40 to the music department to help towards the cost of a new microphone for the school. The remainder was split amongst the team members.

Very well done to Ross and his team!

S6 Office Bearers

Congratulations to our new S6 Office Bearers

Head Boy – Mark O’Neill
Head Girl – Rachel McDade
Deputy Head Boy – David Donoghue
Deputy Head Girl – Joanna Greig

The standard of interviewing and level of competition this year was exceptional and we wish them all the best in executing their duties over the coming session.

Top 1/3rd placing in Maths competition

A team of 4 from Liberton – Ross Hunter, Gemma Anderson, Yi Yi Whitchelo and Jian Yang took part in the annual Enterprising Maths competition recently at Meadowbank.

The team, consisting of 2 S2 and 2 S3 pupils, tackled the 5 rounds and achieved a commendable 10^th place out of 35 teams from Edinburgh and the Lothians who took part. So well done to them!

Jan Ingram

Depute Head Teacher

Last week I learned that two members of the Bay City Rollers were pupils at Liberton High School. Does anyone out there have pictures of the boys whilst they were at Liberton High or memories they can share. I wonder if the boys could be persuaded to come back to the High School to perform at one of our 50th anniversary events?

June Bulletin

(Bulletin No. 9: June 2008)

Our follow through HMIe report was published on Tuesday 10 June and has been posted to all parents. If you haven’t received one, it is available on the HMIe website or you can ask for a copy by contacting the school office. As a school community we are justifiably proud of the enormous progress made over the past few years. Onwards and upwards!

Dress Down day. There will be a dress down day for charity/school funds on Friday 27 June.

Staffing update. Ms Rankin joined the English department on 9 June. Mr Macleod joins the Maths department in August.

Well done to Paula Manners. Paula ( S6 two years ago) won four prizes at the end of her first year studying English and Languages at Glasgow University. Paula will use her £2,200 of prize money to fund a year abroad in Bolivia, thus furthering her languages skills.

Well done to members of Miss Mackinnon’s Media Studies class who made one of the films that have been selected to be shown at a special screening as part of the Edinburgh Film Festival in June.

Mrs Ferguson took a group of seven S3 pupils to very successful Anti Racism Conference at Dynamic Earth on 15 May. After taking part in a variety of enjoyable and enlightening workshops, our pupils put forward their views on what an Anti Racism Action Plan for schools should contain. The final version of the plan will be forwarded to schools shortly.

Well done to Gemma Bartie who is part of the Hibs Girls' team who were recently crowned U-15 British Champions! The girls paraded their medals and trophy at Easter Road during half time at a recent fixture.

Well done to the S1 pupils who have participated in the Edinburgh University wider access programme over the last two months. They held a well attended presentation evening on Monday 2 June to highlight all that they had learned. All the pupils involved have been absolutely superb and a real credit to the school.

On Wednesday 28 May fifteen pupils from S3 attended IT4U, a unique event organised by local universities and IT organisations, entitled, “Being part of the Future of Computing”. The Liberton group were described as very advanced by one group of workshop leaders in recognition of the speed and accuracy with which they completed the practical tasks. When asked which of the employers he had enjoyed chatting to most, Ross Hunter replied: All of them!

Some second years enjoyed French breakfasts before the change of timetable. They had orange juice, croissants, pain aux raisins and pain au chocolat. They made their own invitations in French to invite their chosen teachers and they made French menus for a class competition.

Parent Council – Parental Involvement with the school

The Parent Council is looking at how parents are involved with the school and what could be improved. The first thing we are looking at is parents’ evenings and we would like to know what you think. What is good and what can be improved? You can contact us either by sending a note to us via the school or e-mail us at lhs.parentcouncil@googlemail.com

International praise! Having attended a S2 assembly which lasted half an hour and required pupils to sit on rather uncomfortable benches, two teenagers from Ohio, USA, who have just finished High School there, commented that the behaviour of our pupils was spectacular and that the event they had witnessed could never have happened in their school. They seemed genuinely surprised to see such a large group of pupils quietly listening to staff!

The LHSA would just like to thank everyone who made our second Car Boot Sale so successful and a special thanks to Walter and Andy the janitorial staff for all their help on the day. We managed to raise £351 with the cars and tables and approx £50 for the teas and coffees. Hopefully we will be holding another one later on in the year.

We are looking for more volunteers to join the LHSA or just to help out with teas and coffees at parents' nights. If interested please contact the school and leave your name and address or through email to liberton_pta@yahoo.co.uk.

Well done to Natasha Jacobs who was selected to represent Scottish Ladies U15 hockey squad.

Dates for the Diary

18 and 19 June (Evening) Dance Show

Monday 23 June Activities Week

Friday 27 June Dress down day for charities/school funds

Friday 27 June Summer Holidays begin

Wednesday 20 August Pupils resume

Please share any news with me that you would like me to publicise or let me know if there is anything in particular that you would like to see included in future editions of this bulletin.

Many thanks.

Please check the school website for copies of all previous bulletins and other breaking news. (http://www.liberton.edin.sch.uk)

Donald J Macdonald (Headteacher)

16 June 2008

HMIe report

Our follow through report was published today. I am delighted with the progress we have made as a school. All those associated with the school, including staff, parents and pupils deserve enormous praise for having rolled up the sleeves and getting on with the job of taking our school forward. Of course, progress in recent years is just a beginning. We must now ensure that we continue to go from strength to strength. WE will do this if we continue to work together as a community.

''It takes a village to raise a child'' (African proverb)

As we begin our celebrations to mark our 50 anniversary, the timing of such a positive report could not have been better!

Liberton Primary School

Mrs Taylor's Retirement Night!!

When: 19th June 2008
7 - 9 pm
Where: Liberton Primary School Hall

After 23 years of dedicated service, Marilyn Taylor (Deputy Head) is retiring from Liberton Primary School. To mark this occasion, we are having an informal gathering to which all former pupils and parents are invited to attend.

If you wish to attend YOU MUST contact Liberton Primary School:
email taylorretirement@hotmail.com
phone 664 2337
and register your details (no admittance unless you contact us to be included).

Pupil entrepeneurs

A group of young Liberton High pupil entrepeneurs (Lisa, Emma, Sabina and Ross) has set up a business in the school to produce and sell CD recordings of some of our musical talent. The business name is "LHS Records"

The company is currently selling the CDs in school at break and lunchtime and will also sell them at the dance shows and prizegiving.

A new CD is in the process of being made and this will be sold at the same venues.

Scottish Lacrosse at Liberton

Lacrosse Scotland Senior Squad Exhibition Match and Coaching Afternoon, 4th June 2008, Liberton High School, Edinburgh, EH17 7PT


Scotland Senior Squad, Home Internationals 2008 (Cardiff)


On 4th June the Scotland Senior Lacrosse Squad are taking on one of the top USA University teams, George Masons, who are touring across the UK for a couple of weeks. This is going to be a very exciting match and we are therefore keen to get lots of supporters along to watch and cheer us on!!

We also see this as a great opportunity to exhibit the game to all the young players in Scotland. It provide the perfect chance for them to watch lacrosse played at the top, international level so that they can aspire to follow in the footsteps of the players and represent Scotland when they are older.

We would like to invite your school to come and take part in a coaching afternoon organised and run by our National Coach and some of the national players before the match. This will be a fun and introductory coaching session for junior players of all standards and ages, boys and girls, who are keen to come and learn more about lacrosse and give it a go!

The structure of the afternoon will run as follows:

3.30 – 3.45 Arrive and coaching session begins
3.45 – 4.30 Basic skills/drills sessions
4.30 – 5.30 Mini Tournament

5.30 – 8.30 BBQ and Drinks for all players/supporters (small fee per head)

6.00 – 8.00 Exhibition match: Scotland Senior Squad v George Masons


Information:

We will charge a small fee of £2 per child for the coaching session.

The all inclusive BBQ will cost £4 per child or £5 per adult.

If you would like to attend both the coaching and the BBQ it will cost £5 per child.

The venue is Liberton High School, Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, EH17 7PT.

We really hope that you will be able to come and take part in our coaching afternoon and then cheer us on during the match afterwards!
playersgp@gmail.com. If you have any questions please contact Emily Knight (07887 854839) or Diana McCosh (07881 907359).

………………………………………………………………………………………..


NB – Please bring a cheque made payable to Lacrosse Scotland for the required amount (£2 per child for coaching and £4 per head for BBQ – if both then £5 per child).

Solar Cookers

The S3 Intermediate 1 Physics class designed and built solar powered cookers. They managed to get water up to a temperature of 750c in half an hour. This would be good enough to cook vegetables in about 2 hours. Not bad for free renewable energy.

Football success for Gemma Bartie

Gemma’s team played in Manchester on Saturday against Cardiff City (Welsh champions) winning 3-0 and Bedwell Rangers (English champions who beat Arsenal and Manchester United) wining 2-1. The Irish team pulled out meaning that Hibs Girls are now U-15 British Champions! The girls will be parading with their medals and trophy at Easter Road during half time at their game on Thursday. Please congratulate Gemma when you see her.

Rachel Meighan
PT Guidance

If you are interested in fostering a child (click here to get more information) you are invited to attend to attend an information session anytime between 10 am and 8 pm on Thursday 22 May in the Thistle Hotel in St James centre. Staff and parents who have experience of fostering will be there to answer any queries you may have.

Your support could make all the difference.

Prize Winners

Congratulations to our superb Chaplaincy Team who have been successful in gaining the distinction of being identified as the best Chaplaincy Team in the country. They have won the Stevenson Prize.

I’m sure this will come as no surprise to anyone associated with our school.

Many thanks to Joe Walker who did a power of work in compiling our submission in support of the nomination.


Donald j Macdonald (Headteacher)

Congratulations Gemma Bartie

As you may know, Gemma plays football for Hibs Girls – I am delighted to share the news that her team played in the final of the U-15 Scottish Cup at the weekend and won 9-8 on penalties. This takes them through to the British Championships in Manchester next Saturday. Please congratulate Gemma when you see her.

Rachel Meighan
PT Guidance

Internet Safety - Reminder

All parents and carers of pupils between P5 and S6 within the Liberton High School Cluster are invited to attend an information evening on Internet Safety on Thursday 15^st May 2008, from 7:00-8:30pm. It will be held in the Assembly Hall at Liberton High School.

The purpose of the evening is to help parents understand more about internet safety for children. In particular, we will learn what we as parents can do to keep our children safe from those that may seek to make contact with them for the wrong reasons.

Don't miss it!

Headteacher's bulletin

Bulletin No. 8: May 2008

An ‘Internet Safety for Children’ training session for parents will take place on Thursday

15 May from 7.00–8.30 pm. Please come along and find out what you can do to keep your children safe while they are online.

Dress Code. Parents and pupils are reminded of the school’s expectations on Dress Code. All pupils on exam leave are respectfully reminded that adherence to dress code is expected when examinations are being taken. This helps enormously in creating and sustaining the best school environment at a time of year when all pupils in our school need to be fully focussed and engaged with their learning. As always, the support of parents is much appreciated.

Staffing update. I am pleased to say that three new staff will be joining us in the English Department over the coming months. I expect that Ms Rankin and Ms Gallagher will join us for the change of timetable in June. Ms Thayne will join us in August, when we resume after the summer vacation. Mr Thomson (PE) is restored to health and is back with us.

Mr Major (English) will be leaving us in August this year to take up a post at Stewart’s Melville College. Ms Birrell will be joining the Biology Department and Ms Hay the History Department in August 2008.

Catering. Message from HQ: “For both pupils and staff, there will be a packed lunch only service on Fridays from Friday 9 May. Where a morning service is provided, this will remain”.

Well done to Helen Traill 6C, who was accepted again for the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra for 2007/08 and was playing with the Orchestra over Easter 2008. Ann Traill 1C was offered a place on the NCO Strings Training programme during Easter which she completed successfully. Ann also passed her Grade 4 piano examination in March 2008.

Fizzy Drinks. A reminder that fizzy drinks are now banned from the school grounds. Once again, I seek the support of all parents in encouraging pupils to choose one of the healthier options available in our canteen and in all good shops.

Ski Club. The Easter Ski trip to Italy was a fantastic success. Both the coach company and the tour operator have contacted us to comment on how enthusiastic the pupils were and how well they conducted themselves throughout the whole week. Ms Mathie has just about recovered and has already started planning for next year’s trip!

Liberton High School Golf Club. Preparations for this year’s outing to the Isle of Arran are going well. Please contact Mr I Hutchison at LHS if you would like to contribute to fundraising.

Budding film directors! Ms Mackinnon (English department) has been informed that one of the films made by the Media Studies class this year has been selected to be shown at a special screening as part of the Edinburgh Film Festival in June. This is a fantastic achievement as we have just recently started to teach Media Studies at Liberton High. Well done to all concerned!

Well done to the S3 pupils who took part in the French play competition in Dundee last month; they were excellent and represented their school very well. They won a prize for best costumes and everyone performed exceptionally. They all received certificates and prizes.

Forty of our S1-S3 pupils will be taking part in the Edinburgh Youth Games on Thursday

15 May. They will be representing Liberton in a number of sports including basketball, volleyball, football, golf and hockey. Our pupils are very excited about the day and we wish them lots of luck!

Well done to Joanna Greig on her selection for the U-16 Scotland Hockey Squad.

Pupils from all cluster primary schools will be taking part in an afternoon of sporting activities on the 13 and 22 May. The PE department are very much looking forward to working with them and finding out who the next up and coming PE stars are going to be!

The School Garden is now looking quite colourful as a result of Mrs Perriss’s Intermediate 1 Biology class planting seeds, bulbs and shrubs. You may also spot a mushroom made by Lindsey Pretswell and some pupils in his class last year. Thanks to Dave Watson and the pupils who have built and installed a bird table and bird houses.

The ICT Department would like to say congratulations to all pupils who are sitting their exams in S2 (Intermediate 1 Computing) and S3 (Intermediate 1 Business Management and Administration). Good luck and well done for working so hard over the year.

LHSA are holding a Car Boot Sale on Sunday 25 May 9.30 am to 12.30 pm in Liberton High School Car Park - £6 per car. Set up time from 9.00 am onwards. In case of inclement weather, sale will take place inside the School. If required, tables will be available for an additional cost of £2. Come along to buy or sell and support your local school. All proceeds go towards funding for the school.

100 Club Lucky Winners

February Draw March Draw April Draw

1^st Bill Harris £20 1^st Carol Scott £20 1^st Alan Smith £20

2^nd Mrs Pringle £10 2^nd Zela Jones £10 2^nd Sharon Stevens £10

3^rd Michael Campbell £6 3^rd Mrs P Knox £6 3^rd Moira Lamb £6

It’s still not too late to join, only £1 per month until September, or download a form for next year from the school website.

Our next LHSA meetings are on 14 May and AGM 12 June at 7.00 pm in the school staff room. Come along and join us, and see what we do.

Dates for the Diary

Thursday 15 May (7.00 pm) Internet Safety night for parents

Monday 19 May Monday Holiday (Pupils and staff)

Tuesday 20 May Staff training day (Pupil holiday)

Thursday 5 June Sports day

Thursday 5 and Friday 6 June Induction days for new S5 and S6 pupils

Monday 9 June Timetable changes – start of new session

Wednesday 11 June School Prizegiving

Wednesday18 Dance Show

and Thursday 19 June at 7.30 pm

Monday 23 June Activities week

Please share any news with me that you would like me to publicise or let me know if there is anything in particular that you would like to see included in future editions of this bulletin.

Many thanks.

Donald J Macdonald (Headteacher)

9 May 2008