HT Update: Week-ending Friday 19th December 2025

Friday 19th December 2025

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.  Any feedback received, given the holiday, will be responded to and published on Monday 5th January 2026 on the school website.

Feedback from last HT Update:  Click here.

Key messages from this week  

Calendar:  Significant events week beginning 05/01/26;   on Monday staff return for our In-service Day;  on Tuesday our students return to school,  we’ll begin the S2 into S3 Course Choice process,   we’ll hold a series of Welcome Back Assemblies for all year groups;  on Wednesday we’ll hold our S2 Student Support Consultation Evening for parents, see below  

Staffing:  We have no posts currently live on myjobscotland.  

Student Support SPCE:   This consultation evening,  where Student Support teachers are available, is running on Wednesday 7th January.  It’s an online event for S2 Parents/Carers.  It may be particularly helpful as we enter the S2 to S3 Course Choice process.  Click here  for details.

Peter Pan:   Our 2025 School Panto was held on Wednesday and Thursday.  In total the cast and crew did 3 performances across 2 days as we hosted the P7 pupils from our Associated Primary Schools on Wednesday afternoon.   Each performance was outstanding,  particularly considering the age and stage of the cast.  What we are seeing is result of our curriculum model and in this case our Academy of Performing Arts (APA).  Not all of the cast were APA students but many were.   Congratulations to them.   An inspirational way to end 2025.  

Save the Date:  Progressive Masculinity:   This session we have worked with this organisation; https://progressivemasculinity.co.uk/  On Tuesday 3rd February, from 6.30pm,  we’ll hold an in-person session at the school.  This session is for parents/carers and aims to provide insights and strategies to support their children in developing a positive understanding of masculinity at home.  Particularly in the context of the on-line world that many young people are now exposed to.  There will be practical advice on how to communicate effectively with boys about their feelings and experiences and how to model positive behaviours. I cannot recommend this session highly enough.  More details in January.   

Wider Achievement News:  If you’ve got a wee bit of time over the next couple of weeks have a look at the latest Wider Achievement News.  It’s the December 2025 Edition and you’ll find it here on our website,  click here.  Be aware  there’s a lot in it and it might take a minute to load.  My thanks to Rebecca Hardie who works in our Creative Design Team for her leadership on this.  

Christmas Appeal 2025:  It’s been a busy few weeks collecting food donations and gifts for local families in need.  Thank you all for your support.   This year, we are providing 29 students with gifts and 14 families (59 people) with festive food hampers.  The team in the school, staff and students, have worked tirelessly.  Thank you.  A phenomenal effort.  We’re so proud of you! 

Phone Replacement:  Reminder. All of our school phones will be upgraded over the Christmas break, which will include a change of our main external phone line. The new main number will be shared with all parental contacts via text on Monday 5th January.  Please save the new number to your phone.  We’ll adjust all our ‘public’ contact details and there will also be a 90-day overlap period where the old external number will be redirected. 

 

Feedback here

Take Care

Campbell Hornell,  Head Teacher

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