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