September bulletin

Liberton High School Bulletin (Bulletin No16. 24 September 2009)

I am delighted to report that this session has started very positively and we are all now settled into a working routine after the summer break. 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 understand that not all pupils will choose to go to university, but gaining good qualifications provides this additional option, 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.

Car boot Sale. The LHSA has organised a Car Boot Sale for Sunday 4 October
9.30 am-12.30 pm. Cost is £7 per car. There is no need to book - just turn up on the day. We will be on the tennis courts at the back of the school.

It is that time again, folks, 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.

Exam Results. I am delighted to report that our exam results across the board have all improved again this session. Once again, 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. At assemblies last week we revisited dress code and what we expect of all our pupils. In particular, pupils/students have been asked not to wear bangles and bracelets to school. Following feedback from Parents etc we are now allowing dress shorts to be worn as long as they extend to or below the knees. In order to ensure consistency, a note of the revised dress code (minor changes made) will be posted in the news section of our Website.

Staffing Update. Welcome to Dr Fleming who joined us as a Depute Headteacher in August. Dr Fleming will be House Head for Clyde House.

Congratulations to Mr Russell on being appointed Senior Depute at Liberton High.
Mr Russell takes over from Mr Macrae, who retired in the summer. Mr Macrae has asked me to relay his gratitude and appreciation for the many messages of good luck he received from all associated with Liberton high School.

Thank you to Miss Arnold who has organised a trip for seniors on Friday 25 September to visit Samye Ling Monastery.

Teambuilding Weekend. Many thanks to Mr Russell and the nine other staff who spent a weekend in Dalguise with 28 S6 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!

Study Support and Extra Curricular. All pupils are encouraged to become involved in the wide range of study support and other activities available beyond the normal school day. These opportunities are great for helping with learning, getting to know other people and pursuing new interests. Most activities are free of charge. Parents – please encourage your child to become involved! An example of this is the start up of the Moonshine Band which involves staff and pupils playing a variety of folk-country instruments such as banjos, fiddles, mandolins etc. Please se Mr Walker for further information!

A flavour of the events pupils are or have been involved in is as follows:

• Mrs Kean is organising a S1 History trip to New Register House in Edinburgh.
• A group of S3 pupils known as the ‘Cooldown Crew’ have been working with the fire service during the past week. Well done to all the pupils who were prefect ambassadors for the school.
• On 28 August, Tim Barraclough (Head of UK Relations, Events and Protocol for the Scottish Government) visited Liberton to meet with S3 pupils studying Intermediate Modern Studies and S6 students studying Higher Modern Studies. Discussions centred on how the Scottish Government makes decisions affecting us and co-operation and conflict between the Scottish Government and the UK Government.
• Mrs Brown and Mrs Babbs accompanied 21 pupils to the Edinburgh Book Festival on Thursday 26 August
• S5 and S6 students attended a Business Dynamics conference at Edinburgh University on 8 and 9 September.

The ‘On Board’ rewards system is, once again, up and running. Pupils will gather points as they go around their classes for punctuality, good behaviour, effort and homework. Last year we had several very enjoyable reward trips for those scoring the most points. Please note that pupils arriving after 8.30 am will be marked as late and encourage your children to do their best in all categories to enable them to be part of the reward trips this year.

Warmest congratulations to Edinburgh foster carer, Mike Perry, who won the Evening News Carer of the Year award this year. Mike was the carer of one of our former pupils.

Well done to Jack Robertson who won the talent contest, hosted by Steve McKenna from Real Radio on Thursday 3 September.

Congratulations to Mr Skelly (Physics department) on having now completed eight modules of the Chartered Teacher Programme.

Congratulations to Anne Traill, who was once again selected to play with the Edinburgh Secondary Schools Orchestra at the final gala concert on the evening of Saturday,
5 September in Central Hall, Tollcross.

Health Week at Liberton High School will take place week beginning 12 October. Health week is for all pupils/students, parents and staff from S1-S6. There will be many activities on offer during and after school and the objective is for all pupils/students, parents and staff to become more actively involved in promoting good health within and out with the curriculum. There will be a number of activities on offer including yoga, aerobics and mental health workshops. We look forward to inviting you into school that week to experience some of the activities and to see some of the work being done by our pupils/students. Keep your diaries free!

Activities Week. We would like your opinions on what we should be offering to your children and when activities week should take place. There has been a suggestion that we move it from the last week of term for S1-S6 to the last week before the change of timetable for S1-S3 only. We would like to hear your views. Please follow the weblink below and answer the three questions provided. This should take less than two minutes. We would like all responses by 2 October please so we can start organising trips. Many thanks.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=SAHesv0G5ifMHpqKqSkFSw_3d_3d

Parent Council Update. The Parent Council is looking at the impact the plans to close some schools in Edinburgh would have on Liberton High School and we would like to know what you think. You can contact us in a number of ways:
• Write a note and send it into the school office either by post or ask your child to give it to their tutor teacher
• E-mail them at LHS.parentcouncil@googlemail.com

Dates for the Diary

Wednesday 30 September Open evening for P7 pupils
Friday 25 September Target letters to pupils in S3–S6.
12–16 October Book/Health week
Friday 16 October Term ends (normal dress day)
Monday 26 October Pupil/student holiday (staff training day)
Tuesday 27 October Pupils/Students 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)

SQA results

SQA results should arrive in the post on Wednesday 5 August. In the event that the results do not arrive on Wednesday 5 August it may be that the post has been delayed. If they still haven't arrived in the post on Thursday 6 August parents/pupils should phone the SQA to enquire further. (SQA Phone number: 0845 279 1000)

If the results have not arrived by Monday 10 August, parents or pupils can access their results by going to the school office, where one of the office staff will provide the required information.

Please note that teaching staff resume on Monday 17 August. From that date we will deal with any appeals that can be made. The school is aware of and has made arrangements to meet the deadlines set by the SQA for the submission of appeals. Please note that appeals can only be made when the school has detailed evidence to support such an appeal.

From 19 August, we will consider making some changes to classes where the results indicate that a change of class to that timetabled in June will be beneficial.

Good luck with the results!

Appeals for SQA exams

In August of this year, usually at the end of the first week, this years exam results will beposted out to pupils across Scotland by the SQA. Pupils or parents who wish to contest the results awarded should look at the web page on appeals at the SQA for information about how appeals can be made. Please note that appeals can only be made by the school or college involved.

Here's hoping that no appeals will be required by any of our pupils!

Swine Flu Advice

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q What can I do to help?

Help your childminder, nursery, pre-school group, school or out-of-school club by making sure that they have your up-to-date contact details – your address, phone number (home, work and mobile) and e-mail details as appropriate. They will need to get in touch if there is a case of swine flu confirmed among the children or staff and they suspect that children may be at risk.

Q What should I do if my child (or indeed anyone else in the household) shows any signs of flu-like illness?

If your child is unwell and you are concerned about their health you should contact your local GP or NHS24 (0845 242424) for advice.

You should keep them at home and not send them to school, nursery, childcare organisation or summer activity. You should also inform the school, nursery, childcare organisation or summer activity organiser.

Q Is hand-washing and the use of tissues important?

Yes, very, and as much in the home as in the school or nursery. The advice in the leaflet you received through your letterbox recently should be followed. Frequent hand-washing and use of tissues to cover coughs and sneezes is very important in helping to slow the spread of swine flu among children and young people because they are so more likely than others to catch and spread it.

CLOSURES & ATTENDANCE

Q Why have schools and nurseries been closing?

To try to contain and slow down the spread of swine flu. Children and young people are 4 times as likely as the general population to catch swine flu, and when they have it they are more likely to pass it on.

Q What happens if a pupil or staff member at the school or nursery is suspected of having, or has swine flu?

If this happens, the education and health authorities will liaise very closely and decide what is the appropriate action to take. This may or may not involve temporary closure of part or all of the school or nursery.

Letters from the local NHS will explain to parents and pupils what is happening, whether or not Tamiflu anti-viral treatment is being offered, and why.

Where the flu is already spreading in the local community the authorities may decide against closing the school or nursery.

Q What are my rights as a parent to keep my child off school or nursery if I am concerned?

If your child is at school and the school remains open, your normal responsibility to send your child to school still applies.

Contact the school though and discuss your concerns with them.

Q Are alternative arrangements being made for childcare if schools or nurseries are closed?

No, because the main reason for closures is to reduce the spread of infection by closing places where children come together in groups.


SUMMER CAMPS, ACTIVITIES, EVENTS ETC

Q What about camps, play schemes and other organised events and activities over the summer holidays that my child will be attending?

Do not change any plans you already have, although you may wish to check in advance with the organisers. The health authorities will be keeping a very close watch on the flu situation over the summer and will be liaising closely with the organisers of summer activities and events.

A SWINE FLU VACCINE

Q I have heard about a vaccine against swine flu? Will my child receive it and when?

A vaccine is being developed against swine flu and the Government intends to run a vaccination programme for the whole population. The timing will depend on how quickly the vaccine can be manufactured and distributed. It is not yet possible to say when it will begin or which groups of people will be vaccinated first. Further information will be available in the autumn.

FOREIGN TRAVEL

Q I have a foreign holiday planned over the summer – is it safe to travel?

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s website has the most up to date and detailed advice about travelling overseas – www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu

Stem Cell Research Poster Winners

Last month 3 2nd year pupils went on a day trip to London. This was their prize in a poster competition to raise awareness about the importance of Stem Cell research. As you can see from the following account a good day out was had by all!

My trip to London was a fantastic experience since I’ll probably not get the chance to do this again and also because it was such a great prize for winning a poster competition! My 2 classmates and I went with our Science teacher (Mrs Maciver) to the famous London Eye, a really interesting Science Museum and Piccadilly Circus. We also got a rare chance to watch the rehearsal of the Trooping the Colour for the Queen’s birthday. We couldn’t have got a better view if we’d tried!

Later on, we had a lovely meal in Bella Italia and a nose-about in the famous Harrods.

Overall it was a great day and everyone enjoyed it. I would lastly like to finish off by saying thank you very much to our science teacher Mrs Maciver for kindly taking us on this fantastic trip to London.

Words provided by: Lauren Hand, Kirsten Kryzaniwsky and Lauren McHugh

Scottish Youth Parliament Elections

Are you good at listening to and supporting other young people?

Could you act as a champion for young people’s issues in your area?

Are you aged 14–25?

Want to make yourself heard?

...then put yourself forward as a candidate for election in the Scottish Youth Parliament elections. There are 11 Edinburgh seats in the Scottish Youth Parliament that need to be filled and one of them could be yours! For more information or for your candidate pack, please contact Mary or Kelly at Youngedinburgh on T: 529 6585 or go to www.youngedinburgh.org by 10 July.



Elections will take place in September and you will be in good company if elected - Big Brother Celebrity Hijack Winner John Loughton was formerly the chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament!



Go on! Make yourself heard!

Grease - the musical!

2009 has been a fantastic year for performing arts at Liberton – a highly successful celebrity ‘L’ Factor, a great Carol Concert and success in the Edinburgh schools Battle of the Bands contest. Now as the icing on the cake of our 50th anniversary year we present out first whole school production in many years – the musical ‘Grease’.

Grease was chosen as it was written in 1959; the year that Liberton High School opened. While the young people of Edinburgh were dancing to rock and roll, greasing their hair and falling in love, so is our cast at the fictional American Rydell High school.

Many of the students who were successful in the ‘L’ Factor have major roles in Grease. Kirsty Evans (S6) takes the lead role of the sweet and innocent Sandy. Kirsty won the ‘L’ Factor and was invited to perform with Sandi Thom at her Dunfermline gig.

Cecily Kingston (S6) and Iain McBain (S6) took second prize in the ‘L’ factor and take on the roles of Rizzo – the acerbic leader of the pink ladies and Danny the supercool t-bird who steals Sandy’s heart. Third prize winner Uni Kim also had a principal part and will be flexing her comedy muscles as Jan. These four students are talented musicians who have performed at many events during their Liberton careers. They all studied Higher Music this year.

The other success story from our ‘L’ factor is the incredibly talented Jack Robertson (S4) who toured with Sandi Thom, and is being mentored by her, also lends his vocal talent to Grease. Jack is cast in the dual role of Johnny Casino/Teen Angel singing the much loved ‘Beauty School Dropout’.

Many of the audience will be familiar with Grease from the 1978 film version and may be surprised that the musical has some differences. As well as the very familiar songs ‘Summer Nights’, ‘We go together’ and ‘Sandra Dee’, the musical also includes more unfamiliar songs such as ‘Freddy My Love’ and ‘Shaking at the High School Hop’.

Preparing for Grease has been a whole school effort and the non-singing star of the show is definitely the car – Grease Lightning. It has been lovingly designed and built by members of the CDT department who have been burning the midnight oil for many weeks. The car is based on a 1940’s ford convertible and is the subject of one of the favourite songs from the show sung by Mark O’Neil – our current head boy of the school who is playing Kenickie.

The show will take place from Tuesday 16 June – Thursday 18 June at Liberton High School. Tickets can be reserved by calling 0131 664 7514. (Words provided by Mrs Graham. 10 June 2009)

Congratulations

Congratulations and well done to Graham Crawford (PT Sciences) whio recently graduated from the SQH programme. Graham is one of a number of very talented and aspiring school leaders who recently received awards from Fiona Hyslop (MSP and Cabinet secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning) at a ceremony in Glasgow.

Music for a Spring Evening

This evening I had the pleasure of attending an exhibition and musical performance at the Royal Scottish Academy on Princes Street. Along with colleagues, parents and pupils we had been invited by the Friends of the Royal Scottish Academy to join then on this special evening.

I was so proud of young musicians from Liberton High who had been invited along to entertain the guests. They played and sang magnificently!

Performing this evening were:

Ross Hunter (Clarinet)
Kellie Hunter (Saxophone)
Anne Traill (Cello)
Liam Allison (Guitar)
Mike Ainsley (Guitar)
Uni Kim (Flute and Piano)
Ian McBain (Voice)
Kirsty Evans (Voice)
Amy McVicar (voice)
Hannah Cowie (Voice)
Cecily Kingston (Piano)
Laura Klem (Flute)

Led by Scott McCorquodale, Principal Teacher of Music.

What really pleased me tonight was how well our pupils interacted with guests. They really were the most fantastic ambassadors for Liberton High School. Experiences like this will last a lifetime for these very talented youngsters.

Astronomy Club

This image of a section of the moon was taken on our first moonwatch event on 2nd April. After processing the image we were able to identify craters smaller than 20km in diameter. The area of the moon on view shows the sea of tranquility, sea of serenity and the sea of vapours. The smile on the moon is created by the shadows of the apinninus mountains.

Our telescope was a gift from the Society for Popular Astronomy and the camera was funded by Liberton High School Association. The astronomy club would like to thank both organisations for enabling us to have access to such good equipment.