HT Update: Week ending 9th September 2022

Friday 9th September 2022

HT Update: Week ending 9th September 2022

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

Queen Elizabeth II:  Following the sad events of yesterday the school is now following protocols agreed with all local authorities.  This morning all of our flags were removed and later today a Union flag will be raised and then lowered to half mast as a mark of respect.  A Book of Condolence will also be placed in our Library, and is available for students, staff and members of the public.  We expect further information over the next few days regarding expected actions/protocols and we’ll keep you informed as we get information.  

GroupCall:  Please note that we did not Groupcall parents/carers last Friday regarding this update.  Today will be the last regular Friday Groupcall to alert parents.  Rest assured we’ll still publish the Update and Feedback/Response weekly on the website. 

Calendar: Discussions are continuing with Midlothian Council regarding our Whole School Calendar and temporary arrangements on our website. Upcoming significant events next week include House Assemblies for Melville, St Anne’s and St Leonard’s,  Senior Phase Award Ceremony rehearsals and Student Voice Year Council Meetings.    

September Weekend Holiday:  Please note that Friday 16th and Monday 19th September are school holidays.  Students should not attend.  School reopens on Tuesday 20th September.

Parent Council:  Thank you to those who attended our Parent Council Meeting on Tuesday this week.  It was lovely to see so many new attendees as well as those more established Parent Council members.   It was our first in-person meeting for some time.  The main item of what was a lively discussion was on the Purpose of Education and what we need to change/improve to meet that purpose in what is a changed, changing and uncertain world.  Please note that our next meeting has been rescheduled to Monday 10th October.  All Parent Council dates for the session are accurate on the relevant website page click here

Attendance: We are pleased to see our overall attendance levels return to figures closer to those typical of pre-pandemic times.  The figure we ‘pulled’ from the system placed our attendance levels at 92.3%.  Unauthorised absence is at 2% and this is what we ‘chase-up’ with students and families to establish a reason.  Please be proactive and contact the school if your child is off.  Good attendance and good timekeeping are great habits for young people to establish with research clear on the link between high attendance levels and those achieving and attaining well at school.  

S1 Assembly:  I’m disappointed to report that on Thursday morning we held an extra-ordinary S1 Assembly.  This followed several incidents of immature and inappropriate behaviour by S1 students.  While the vast majority continue to do the right thing we felt it important to remind all students of our Core Expectations and behaviours we expect to see.    

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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