HT Update Week Ending 3rd March 2023

Friday 3rd March 2023

This concise weekly HT Update will be published every Friday afternoon with 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 on Monday afternoons on the school website link. 

Key messages from this week

Calendar: Key events in the school next week: on Wednesday through Friday our Silver DofE students undertake their practice expedition, on Wednesday we’ll hold our S5/S6 SPOTY Assembly

Staffing Update: This week we offer our congratulations to Colin Fulton, our Learning Technologist,  who has secured a new, exciting post within the IT business sector.  Colin will be a big loss to our team but fortunately is with us until 24th March.

Staffing and Cover:  Please note that our current staffing levels are particularly challenging.  This is a temporary, and hopefully short-term, issue as we await new appointments receiving their official start dates.  It is always the case that it takes significantly longer to secure a replacement teacher when someone submits their resignation and leaves.  A ‘gap’ in staffing is just an inevitable part of the HR process.  What it does mean is that our ability to cover classes may well be compromised over the next two/three weeks.  We will not cover senior study classes and as a last resort may need to consolidate some classes in the Assembly Hall or Atrium area.    

SCQF Award: We are delighted to report that we are now the proud recipients of the SCQF Silver Award which we were notified of this week. There are only 11 schools in Scotland with this level so we are one of a select few who have had their curriculum development and future thinking recognised with this award.  Well done to our SCQF Ambassadors and staff, including the leadership of Miss Wallerstein,  who have been a critical part in achieving this award.  We will continue to work on our curriculum offer to students as we aim for the SCQF Gold Award.

Positive Destinations: Insight is the national statistical database that schools access to help analyse our outcomes for young people.  These outcomes relate to attainment in a range of contexts and the Positive Destinations our school leavers move into.   Insight data was updated and released this week.  It reflects the outcomes of 2022 SQA appeals and the destinations of our 2022 school leavers. Of note is our leavers data which now sits at 97.3% of those who left in 2022 moving into a positive destination,  usually, Higher Education, Further Education or Employment. This figure is our highest ever and reflects the coordinated and collaborative work across the school and with our external partners to support young people into positive destinations beyond school. The small number of young people not yet in a positive destination continue to be supported by our careers service, Skills Development Scotland. 

Message from our S6 Yearbook Committee: Our yearbook committee has organised an S6 Bake Sale to support the cost to students, and families, for the S6 Yearbook and their Hoodies. The Bake Sale will take place on the morning of the 10th of March between 10am and 11:30am.  There will be home baking supplied by both S6 and staff; everything will be priced (cash only) and have possible allergies listed appropriately.  Please encourage your child to support this student led initiative and bring a small amount of cash next week if they are able to.  

Easthouses Education Consultation:  As indicated last week please follow the link below to access information on the proposal to establish a new primary school and its associated catchment area within the land at Easthouses and to realign the catchment areas of three high schools including Lasswade High School.  This consultation is now open and closes on Sunday 23rd April.  Midlothian Council are seeking your views.  To find more information, such as the consultation proposal document and online survey, click here  

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

Tweet  Share on Facebook
 

Other News

Whole School

01

Jan

1970


HT Update: Response 25/03/24

Response to feedback submitted from HT Update week ending 22/03/24. 

Whole School

01

Jan

1970


HT Weekly Update: Week-ending Friday 22nd March 2024

This concise weekly HT Update is generally published every Friday afternoon.  

Whole School

01

Jan

1970


Study Leave and Easter Study Supports

Details of study leave and opportunities for Easter study support.

Whole School

01

Jan

1970


Parent Council 5: Postponed

Unfortunately, we've had to postpone our fifth Parent Council Meeting of the session.