HT Update Week-ending 21st August 2026

Friday 21st August 2026

This concise weekly HT Update is generally published every Friday afternoon.  There is also an opportunity for you to provide feedback/ask questions via the link at the bottom of each Update.  

Our next HT Update will be on Friday 28th August 2026.

Key messages from this week  

Calendar:  Parents/carers should note that the ‘draft’ message across our school calendar on this website has now been removed.  All dates should now be accurate.

Significant events week beginning 24.08.26: Our Duke of Edinburgh Gold group will be out all week on their expedition; S2-S6 Student Voice groups will meet; we have whole school photographs on Wednesday and Thursday. Lastly, Friday will be a dress down day for students and staff.

Staffing: Today we said goodbye to Calum Boyd, Teacher of History. Callum has taken up a permanent post in another authority – we wish him well there. We are interviewing this coming week for the Principal Teacher Complex Needs (Temporary Post) position in the Pod. We currently have no vacancies live on MyJobScotland.

NHS Flu Vaccination Forms: These are being distributed to students over the next week, please complete and return by Friday 28th August to ensure your young person is included in the vaccination scheduled for November.

ParentsPortal: Thank you to parents/carers who have already signed up to ParentsPortal, this is a quick way to view your young persons timetable, report absences, view attendance. Please see this section of the school website for more information on how to link your account.

Appeals: Monday is our deadline for entering any appeals to Qualifications Scotland. If any student wishes to appeal a grade they should speak with their teacher on Monday to ensure this can be processed.

Photographers: Urpix are in school on Wednesday and Thursday next week for individual student photographs schedule attached, this is however subject to change.  The S6 group photo has been rearranged for October.

Online Safety: It has been brought to the attention of Police that a number of WhatsApp chat groups are currently circulating and appear to have originated in countries outwith the UK. Individuals from various countries have been added to these groups, where content described as “anime” along with other potentially inappropriate material, has been shared. These groups may pose risks to children and young people and could have a harmful impact on their safety and wellbeing. Parents and carers are therefore encouraged to regularly check their child’s phone and online activity, where appropriate, and to ensure that suitable parental controls and privacy settings are in place. It is also important to speak openly with your child about online safety and encourage them to tell a trusted adult if they receive anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, worried or unsafe.For further advice and guidance, please see this helpful resource below from Internet Matters.

Building Security: Ensuring building security is vital and families are reminded that students can access the main school building from 8:20am every day. Students who arrive earlier than this are welcome to attend our Breakfast Club which runs every day in CL5, opposite the school reception. Students are reminded that they should only be in the school building after 3:35 if they are attending a supervised extra-curricular club or activity. Students looking for a quiet study area can use Lasswade Library which is a public space.

Additionally, we would like to remind parents and carers not to use disabled spaces when collecting their children at the end of the school day, unless you one is required, as this is preventing disabled members of the public from accessing the spaces they need.

Home to School Transport: We appreciate that some issues with school transport have continued this week and understand that there are continuing frustrations across Midlothian with this.

Please remember that the allocation of transport and available spaces is managed centrally  and is outside the school’s control.  If you need to apply for your young person to use Home to School Transport please email travelteam@midlothian.gov.uk. Students who do not have a bus pass should not attempt to board a school bus. Thank you for your patience and understanding while these issues are resolved.

For more information relating to eligibility, transport arrangements, and application processes. Transport FAQs – School Transport for Mainstream Schools

 

 

Feedback to: lasswadehsoffice@midlothian.education

Thank you,

Have a lovely weekend,

 

Lynsey Struthers

Interim Head Teacher

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