Liberton High School Bulletin ( 25 March 2011)

As we approach Spring all of our students should be very busy as they prepare for the national exams which are now only 6 weeks away.

Continuing support and encouragement in ensuring that students are working hard at home and have a positive attitude to studying will help ensure that students do as well as they can in these exams. Those students who have done less well than anticipated in the prelim exams should now be aware of what next steps they must take in order to be well prepared for the ‘real’ exams in May/June. I sincerely hope that all of our students put the necessary hours into their studies in order to achieve their potential. As with so many other aspects of life, success follows hard work. Students are strongly discouraged from being involved in part-time employment until the exams are over.

Exam leave for S4 students begins on Tuesday 3 May 2011 and for students in S5 and S6 a date has been set for Monday 9 May 2011. Study leave is provided to allow students the opportunity to prepare for exams. To that end, students are encouraged to attend school to consult with teachers and to access quiet places to work as an alternative to working at home. Our new timetable begins on Wednesday 8 June 2011. All students should now be aware of what exams they are sitting and when these take place. Personal timetables will be issued after the Easter holidays. Parents are asked to contact their child’s Guidance teacher if they wish clarification on presentations this Summer.

Parents of students whose attendance continues to cause concern have been alerted by House Heads. As mentioned in previous correspondence, students with unsatisfactory attendance will either be repeating the year or withdrawn from exams. Well done, and thanks to the vast majority who have managed excellent levels of attendance this session.

Parents of students who are eligible to leave school this summer should note that no student should be leaving school unless he/she has something suitable to go to. Starting work or going to college or university are the options to be considered for school leavers. Unemployment is not an option for any student. Any former students who are currently unemployed are strongly encouraged to contact school to discuss re-enrolling as an adult learner.

Warmest congratulations to the students who were selected to attend a three week immersion course in Chinese culture and language studies at Beijing University in July this Summer. In future years as the development of Chinese develops in our curriculum I hope that other opportunities such as this will be made available to our students.

Well done and congratulations to Michael Selkirk and Jamie Turnbull who both passed the Open University Psychology course they have been following in school this year (SCQF Level 7 – Advanced Higher Level).

Revision for exams: All students are reminded of the programme of revision classes that take place in the school during the first week of the Easter holidays. Additional classes will continue to be on offer after school after the Easter holidays. Details of these will be shared with students and will appear on our website. Please take advantage of these.

Litter: All students are requested to be considerate of others and our environment when disposing of waste. As a result of complaints about litter, the gate into the Malbet Estate has been closed at lunchtimes. This is one of the issues that will be addressed by our newly formed Eco-schools committee. All members of our school community are requested to use the litter bins provided or take refuse back to school to place in bins.

Events Update

• On red nose day the Home Economics department raised £180 by selling cakes made by students.
• HPV injections are taking place for some students on 29 March 2011.
• On Sunday 24 April 2011 there is the opportunity for students to attend an English premiership match. Please contact Ms Forgan, Active Schools Co-ordinator, for details.
• Our hugely popular school dance show will take place on the evenings of both Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 April 2011. Tickets are now on sale.
• Well done to all of our younger students who represented us so well in the schools’ cross country event on Monday 21 March 2011. In particular, Ben Wright came a fantastic 12th out of 60 and Emily Robertson was our fastest girl in 30th position out of 60.
• On Thursday 31 March 2011 we welcome a group of Norwegian trainee teachers to learn about the innovative learning and teaching that is happening here.
• On Wednesday 16 March 2011, a group of 20 senior students at Liberton High School were the first in Edinburgh to have the opportunity to learn about anti-terrorist policing.
• On Thursday 24 February 2011, Ben Kearsley, a classical guitarist, gave a lunchtime recital to staff and students.
• An interhouse sports event took place for S1 on Friday 11 February 2011 with Tay House emerging as worthy winners.
• On 11 February 2011 an S3 class in Business Management organised the delivery of (anonymous) red roses to some delighted pupils and staff!
• There will be a dress down day for charity on Friday 8 April 2011.

Staffing Update

• Mrs Blair is with us in Maths
• Mr Martins is with us in PE
• Mrs Cross is with us in Art

LHSA Update

• 100 Club February draw winners - 1st prize £20 Simone Lennie, 2nd prize £10 Susan Imlach, 3rd prize £8 Shelagh Lee.
• We are holding our Car Boot Sale on Sunday 15 May 2011 so start clearing those cupboards and lofts out now, check website for further details.
• We have just recently funded the History department with much needed (30) Higher History books.
• If you would like to find out or get involved in how we raise and distribute our funds please come along to our next meeting.
• If you would like to contact us all our details are on the school website or we can be contacted through the School Office.



Key Dates For Your Diary

Wed 6 and Thurs 7 April 2011 Dance Shows at Liberton High School
Friday 8 April 2011 (12.35 pm) Term Ends (dress down day for charity)
Tuesday 26 April 2011 New term begins – all resume
Friday 29 April 2011 Holiday (Royal Wedding)
Monday 2 May 2011 Holiday
Tuesday 3 May 2011 Exam leave begins for S4 students. S1 – S3 resume
Monday 9 May 2011 Exam leave begins for S5 and S6 students
Monday 23 May 2011 Victoria Day Holiday
Tues 24 and Wed 25 May 2011 In-service days. Additional holidays for students

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 2011.

Donald J Macdonald (Headteacher)

School closed on Tuesday 30 November

As a result of th eadverse weather conditions Liberton high School will remain closed on Tuesday 30 November. Please continue to listen to Radio Forth and check the Council website for the latest news.

When the school does reopen all parents are asked not to drive vehicles into the school grounds. Only taxis for children with disabilities should require to access the school grounds. Your cooperation will be much appreciated.

School closed on Monday 29 November

Due to the severe weather conditions currently being experienced across Eastern Scotland Liberton High School will be closed on Monday 29 November. Parents and students are advised to listen in to Radio Forth for updates over the next few days.

Golf Success

Well done to both Scott Finlay (S5) and Thomas Brock (Former pupil) who won the Scottish Golf finals (under 18s) on 4 October. Both shot highly creditable rounds in the 70s on the beautiful Spey Valley golf club in Aviemore. Perhaps a Ryder Cup place beckons in the future!

Both boys now go forward with our best wishes to represent Scotland in the British finals in Spain in January 2011.

Well done to Kieran Armitage and Sammi Adams who were given the ‘coveted’ title of Liberton high school sports ambassadors!

Their first assignment is to attend a conference on the 8 October at Ratho Climbing Centre from 10 – 5pm.

Good luck to both in the coming session.

World Record

We can announce that Liberton High School took part in establishing a new world record(subject to Guinness confirmation) with 2,508 bell ringers at over 20 nursery, primary and secondary schools across Scotland on Wednesday 22 September.

Our efforts to promote European Car Free Day by simultaneously playing 'The Blue Danube' on bicycle bells were featured on STV from around 6am, and across Classic FM, Moray Firth Radio, Sunny Govan and Leith FM. There was also a live webcast from one of the nursery schools, over the GLOW network, into the Learning Teaching Scotland annual conference in Glasgow.

However, more importantly, there were thousands of children having a great time taking part in a Guinness World Record, as well as thinking, talking and taking part in cycling.

Thanks to Mr Bryant who organised our participation and to all the staff and pupils who took part!

Bulletin - 31 August 2010

I am delighted to report that this session has started very smoothly and we are all now settled into a working routine after the summer break. There have quite a number of staffing changes this session. The numbers in our senior school continue to grow with many more students choosing to stay on at school and to apply for university this session. Every pupil starting at Liberton High is expected to work towards gaining qualifications that will allow them to go to university. I fully understand that not all pupils will choose to go to university, but gaining excellent qualifications will provide our youngsters with additional options, even if it is later on in life.

The new S1 have settled in well. Staff invariably describe our new charges as polite, well-mannered and sensible. Well done to our new S1! The Guidance Team will shortly be interviewing all of S1, individually, as a welcoming and getting-to-know-you exercise.

It is that time again for renewing or joining the 100 Club. It runs from October to September and only costs £12 for the year. If you are interested in joining you can download an application form from the school website or if you need more information, please contact the school office and leave your name and contact number. All proceeds are used to help pupils.

Exam Results. I am delighted to report that our exam results have improved again this session. Pupils did extremely well and should be very proud of what they have achieved. Those whose results were not as good as they would have hoped for will have to work that bit harder in the coming session. As in previous years, pupils in S2 and S3 sat national exams much earlier than normal and were highly successful. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all parents, staff and, of course, the pupils for their continued hard work. The challenge for all of us is to improve even more in the coming session.

Litter. We seek the support of everyone in tackling litter. Environmental wardens will be around at lunchtimes and have the power to issue fines to those who drop litter.

Dress Code. Thank you to parents for your continuing support with dress code. Our pupils look very smart. I would remind everyone that pupils have been asked not to wear bangles and bracelets to school. As has been the practice for the past few years, please provide pupils with a note if there are problems in adhering to our dress code on a particular day.

Feedback requested
Given the staffing changes over the past few months and building on the progress made by the school in the last few years we are now taking the opportunity to restructure both the Senior Leadership and Support for Pupils teams. I anticipate that we will reduce to three houses, each led by a DHT and supported by a Guidance PT as in the current system. If you have a view on any aspect of the current model or if there is some change that we ought to be considering then please share this with me.



Staffing Update.
Welcome to:
• Mr Marsden (Maths) Ms Donaldson (Maths)
• Mr Barker (Maths) Mr Donoghue (CDT)
• Miss Reid (CDT) Miss Ayre (English)
• Mr Harley (History) Mrs Percival (Business Education)
• Mrs Mohler (English)

Farewell and best wishes to:
• Mr Adens (Change of career)
• Dr Fleming (Early retirement)
• Mr Macleod (Change of career)
• Mrs Thomson (Retirement)
• Miss Ferrier (Taken up a full time position at Boroughmuir)
• Miss Largey (Change of career)

Congratulations to:
• Mrs Kean (Acting DHT for Clyde House)
• Mrs Wilson and Mrs Gillespie (Shared acting PT responsibility for Business Education)
• Mrs Barraclough (Acting PT Geography)
• Mrs Ellis (Acting PT History)
• Miss Arnold (S4,5 and 6) and Miss Birrell (S1,2 and 3) (Shared acting PT Guidance responsibility for Dee House)

Activities Week I am disappointed to have to inform you that there will not be a designated Activities week in June 2011. The number of families taking children out of school during the last week of June has resulted in us not being able to offer a viable programme. Please note that educational excursions will continue to operate throughout the year. I take this opportunity of respectfully requesting parents to avoid taking pupils out of school for holidays in term time. It goes without saying that pupils with poor attendance invariably struggle to gain good qualifications. In addition pupils with poor attendance and poor time keeping struggle to adjust to the demands of work when they leave school. At Liberton High School pupils with poor attendance will be asked to repeat the year in order to ensure that they can cope with the work of the class.

Dates for the Diary
Wednesday 8 September (7 – 8pm) Parent Council information evening
Monday 20 September Monday holiday
Wednesday 29 September Open evening for P7 pupils
Friday 8 October Tracking letters to parents for S3-S6 incl.
11–15 October Book/Health week
Friday 15 October Term ends (normal dress day)
Monday 25 October Pupil holiday (staff training day)
Tuesday 26 October Pupils resume

Please let me know if there is anything in particular that you would like to see included in future editions of this bulletin. Donald J Macdonald (Headteacher)

Dress down day for charity

The Dress down day on Thursday 1 April raised nearly £400. this money will be going to our 4 sponsored children. Thanks to everyone who helped with this, especially the office for persistently making sure the latecomers contributed and banking the money!

LHSA Car Boot Sale

Start looking out your bric a brac
LHSA are having their summer Car Boot Sale on May 23rd from 9am to 12.30 all welcome.
Sale will be held on the field in front of the school. Teas and coffees available in the games hall.

Thursday 1 April

Thursday 1 April will be a charity dress down day for pupils and staff. A collection wil be taken during registration.

Please note that this will be a normal day, finishing at the usual time of 3.25 pm. Schoolbags as normal.

I take this opportunity of wishing everyone a deserved and relaxing Easter Holiday.