HMIe visit. I am delighted to inform you that our return visit from HMIe on 28 and 29 February was very positive. They were very pleased with the progress we had made across the school. The inspectors commented on how impressed they had been with the huge amount of progress made by the school since their visit in January 2006. Well done to everyone associated with
Dress down day for charity (£1 per pupil) on Thursday 20 March. Proceeds will go to school funds and various charities.
Dress Code. Parents and pupils are reminded of the school’s expectations on Dress Code. The full details are on the school website.
Staffing update. We are currently advertising for English teachers to replace both Mrs O’Connor (appointed to the post of Principal Teacher at
An ‘Internet safety for children’ training session for parents in
Plastic bottle recycling update. The recycling of bottles is going very well - with frequent trips to the recycling bins - and arguments over who goes! This is on-going and all plastic bottles should be brought to Lab 9 (Mrs Maciver). Thanks also to the cleaning staff who are taking part!
The S5 Hospitality classes, with help from S3, are holding a Curry day on Tuesday 18 March to raise money for charity for our sponsored children. Well done to the HE department for their continuing efforts to enthuse pupils and staff!
A ‘Health Day’ for all pupils in S1 will take place on Wednesday 19 March. Our very active and energetic PE teachers have organised this in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure. The emphasis for the day will be on active and healthy lifestyles.
Fizzy drinks. Thank you to everyone who responded to the item on Fizzy drinks in last month’s bulletin. All the feedback received supported a ban on these in school grounds. Therefore the consumption of fizzy drinks will be banned following the Easter break. I seek the support of all parents in encouraging pupils to choose one of the healthier options available at all good shops.
Thanks to Mrs Babbs for organising a trip for S1 pupils on Friday 7 March to see the author, Theresa Breslin. Well done to the pupils who were described as great ambassadors!
Ski Club. With only days to go, the Ski Club are getting exciting about their Easter trip to
Well done to Cecily Kingston and Ian McBain who recently performed with the
Well done to the boys from the band ‘Minority’ (Michael Selkirk, Liam Allison, Callum Munro, Ross Hunter) who were invited back to the Sound Café recording studio to work on their own original song for the day. It has been suggested that the song may be used as part of Edinburgh City Council’s Anti-Bullying campaign.
Budding Scholars! Fifteen pupils in S1 are about to embark on the Edinburgh University Wider Access Programme. They will be undertaking a series of visits to various places, e.g. Royal Observatory and the Faculty of Advocates over the next 10 weeks, rounding it off with a presentation to parents and specially invited guests.
Budding leaders. On 4 March, S5 had a presentation from Outward Bound about the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award. This is a fantastic opportunity for S5 pupils to pursue this Award in S6, picking up invaluable skills and developing as people. Three of the current S6 are coming towards the end of the Award and are about to deliver their community projects, working alongside S6 from some of our neighbouring schools. Sincere thanks to Mr Russell for coordinating this exciting initiative.
Parent Council news. We will be discussing how to improve parental involvement with the school and communication with parents at the next Parent Council meeting. If you have any views about this or any other matter affecting the school, you are welcome to come along to the meeting on Tuesday 29 April at 7.00 pm in the staff room. Alternatively, you can send a note to us via the school or e-mail us at lhs.parentcouncil@googlemail.com.
There is a vacancy for a clerk to the Parent Council. The post mainly involves taking minutes and is paid on a ‘per meeting’ basis. If you are interested, please contact the Parent Council.
Dates for the Diary
Thursday 20 March (3.25 pm) Easter Holiday begins
Thursday 20 March Dress Down day for charity/school funds (£1 per person)
Friday 21 Mar – Friday 4 Apr Easter
Monday 7 April All resume
Monday 21 April Monday Holiday
Monday 5 May Monday Holiday
Monday 19 May Monday Holiday
1 May S4 study leave begins
12 May S5/6 study leave begins
Pupils in S3 who are taking exams will not have study leave.
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.
Donald J Macdonald (Headteacher)
17 March 2008
The new and very secure cycle sheds are now ready for use. They will allow up to 14 cycles to be kept under lock and key all day.All the prelims are now complete and I know that parents and pupils await the results with interest. It is essential that the prelim performance is used to inform next steps so that all our youngsters are fully prepared for the final exams in May and June.
Malbet Estate. Following discussion at the Parent Council it was decided that access to the Malbet Estate from the school will remain as it is. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to the proposal that the gate be closed at lunchtimes.
Dress Code. Parents and pupils are reminded of the school’s expectations on Dress Code. In particular, attention is drawn to our policy on shorts. Shorts are not allowed other than in PE classes. The full details are on the school website. Friday continues to be a problem for a number of families as a result of washing machines breaking down on Thursday night. The full cooperation of all is sought in ensuring that dress code is maintained on all 5 school days. We will follow up non-compliance with dress code but this does draw on valuable time that should be spent on other matters.
Latecoming A number of pupils have become persistent latecomers in recent weeks. From 18 February pupils who are late for school after 0840 will be required to bring a note to school on the same day. Those who fail to bring a note may be withdrawn from classes until contact has been made with parents and support measures to prevent latecoming agreed. All parents are respectfully reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure that pupils arrive in school for 0830. It is not acceptable for pupils to repeatedly disrupt classes because of a pattern of late arrivals.
Staffing update. Dr Rice joined us in the Chemistry Department in the January. Mr Waterhouse will join us in the CDT department on Monday 18 February.
I am delighted to report that all of S5 have been trained in emergency first aid through a programme called Heartstart. This will be extended across all year groups in the coming months.
On Thursday 7 February, a very well attended and successful ‘Internet safety for children’ training session for teachers in South Edinburgh was held at
The Health Promoting Schools Working Group has now completed the process for achieving Stage 1 status and I am delighted to report that we have received confirmation that we are now registered as a
Plastic bottle recycling is on-going - all pupils should be encouraged to bring their bottles to Lab 9 in Science.
As many of you will already know, Session 2008/09 will be
Fizzy drinks. Following the recent high profile being given to the negative effects of fizzy drinks on children’s physical health and behaviour it is proposed that fizzy drinks (Irn Bru, Coke etc) be banned from the school grounds. The school stopped selling these in the canteen in 2005, but, increasingly, pupils have continued to bring these in from ‘outside’. Parent and pupil views should be directed to the Headteacher by Friday 22 February.
Congratulations to the following pupils who produced fantastic work for the Learning for Life poster competition. They have also managed to get their work published in the Learning for Life book, to be published in March, with a launch at the Scottish Parliament. Copies will be given to all members of parliament. Keep a look out in good book shops near you.
Tricia Dixon, Aaron Hastie, Alannah Alexander, Carla Johnston, Lucy Manners, Hayley Hawthorn and Craig McPhail (who also won Third place in the S4 Edinburgh regional finals) Congratulations and thanks for all your hard work!
Congratulations to Ross Hunter who entered the Rotary Club young musician of the year and came out on top. He won first prize for best instrumentalist. He now goes forward to the zone finals at
LHSA update
Dates for the Diary
Mon 11 Feb – 15 Feb incl. February Holiday week
Monday 18 Feb Holiday for pupils; in-service for staff.
Thurs 28 February S4 parents’ consultation. Attendance essential.
Thurs 28 and Fri 29 Feb incl. Inspectors’ follow-up visit
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)
8 February 2008
