HT Update Week Ending 19th May 2023

Friday 19th May 2023

This concise weekly HT Update is generally published every Friday afternoon.  It’s a simple opportunity for you to also feedback/ask questions via the link at the bottom of each Update.  Feedback received, where appropriate, will be responded to and published by Monday afternoon on the school website link. 

Key messages from this week

Calendar: Key events in school next week: on Monday we have our final In-service day of the session with school closed to students (other than those doing SQA exams);  on Tuesday our STEM Leaders begin visits to associated primary schools; on Wednesday and Thursday our Creative Learning Team will work with targeted students as part of our Study Leave Programme; on Thursday students will attend a Science Club trip to Heriot-Watt University;  Friday is our May Dress Down Day and Summer Fete

Staffing Update: On Monday we welcome Claire Crosbie, as our new Principal Teacher in  Melville House.  Claire will work with Mr McQueen and Mrs Jones within Melville.  Welcome also to Sandra Koivurinta who has recently started with us as a school counsellor.   Congratulations to Leah Burge who successfully secured the permanent post as Teacher of Wellbeing within our Creative Learning Team.  Leah switches from a teaching role within the school in PE.

Business Manager Vacancy:  As indicated in previous updates our current Business Manager, Ruth Watson, is leaving us after 19 years of service at the school.  The advert to secure her successor is now live.  This is a non-traditional school role and as the job title suggests we may appoint someone with a business background not just a school background. My request is that parents with networks, e.g., through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc spread the word.  The advert is posted on MyJobScotland and can be accessed via this link,  click here.  The post closes on Tuesday 6th June. 

Lasswade Learning Festival: As part of Monday’s In-service day we’ll hold our annual Learning Festival.  We will be joined by colleagues from Lasswade Primary School and Hawthornden Primary School.   Our programme lasts all morning with a keynote address from Alice Beveridge,  Director and Speaker from Tree of Knowledge.  Thereafter, staff will opt into 3 workshops from a selection of over 30.  

P7 Family Information Session 2: On Tuesday we held our second P7 Transition Information Evening via Zoom.  Thanks to Hana Petrie, Claire Anderson, Fraser Sands, Stella Fotheringham, Robyn Taylor, Caroline Gee, Euan Morrice, Jamie Graham and Mhairi McKenzie for presenting at this ‘My Learning’ session. The feedback we have received has been extremely positive and parents/carers have noted that they especially appreciated hearing from Principal Teachers and Programme Leaders. The final session, ‘My Support’, is taking place on Wednesday 7th June.

Summer Fete: Our LHS Summer Fete is happening on Friday the 26th of May, Periods 3&4. We have over a dozen stalls to date with further details shared with students next week, and with parents/carers via the website

Dress Code Expectations:  As indicated last week we have now posted a website story regarding school dress code expectations from August 2023.  Please click here to access the story and finalised guidance.  Thanks to all who have contributed to our consultation. 

Parent Council:   Our last Parent Council Meeting of the session will be held on Tuesday 30th May.  The meeting is held in-person from 7.00pm.  Details regarding the agenda will be posted on the website by the middle of next week.    

 

If you have any feedback/questions relating to this update please submit them via the link below

Feedback here

Take Care

Campbell Hornell and Ali Mitchell,  Head Teachers

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