HT Update: Week-ending Friday 21st March 2025

Friday 21st March 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.  Feedback received, and where appropriate, will be responded to and published on Monday afternoon on the school website.  

Key messages from this week  

Calendar:  Significant events week beginning 24/03/25;  on Tuesday  we have our staff and S6 Blood Drive, there are N5 German and Spanish Speaking Exams as well as Higher German;  on Wednesday it’s N5 and Higher Mandarin Speaking Exams;  on Thursday we have a Bake Sale, the  Drama N5 Practical Exam, students on a RMPS Trip, it’s the N5 and Higher French Speaking Exams, the final Senior Phase Report of the session is issued and from 6.00pm we have our Extra Curricular Showcase, see below;  Friday is our March Dress Down Day and the Senior Phase Course Choice process ends.  Special Saturday Bonus:  29/03/25,  LHS U18s Rugby East Shield Final, see below.

Staffing:  Today we held Learning Assistant interviews.  Next week we’ll aim to appoint Teachers in Business and PE, and our PT Humanities.  LHS posts currently live on myjobscotland are Teacher of Computing and Teacher of Biology, both close on Wednesday of next week. 

SPOTY 2025:  Last night was a superb evening once again in our school.   Congratulations and thanks to the PE Team, but in particular Kathryn Park, Sarah McKay and Judith Clyne-Parker (Active Schools) for their work in organising the event.  Mark Martin hosted the evening and our special guests were Ellis Notley (Football), Scott Steele (Rugby) and Gary Locke (Football).  Kic Dance also helped out with yet another epic performance.  Our four finalists for the main award were Cooper Brown (Boxing), Eva Small (Dance), Josh Beveridge (Football) and Joss Mair (Rugby) with Joss taking the main award.  Congratulations to Joss and all our sports people, students and staff,  who were recognised last night.  Next year is our 10th SPOTY anniversary.  The planning begins after Easter.  It’s going to be phenomenal!  

Extra Curricular Club Showcase: This is an opportunity for all parents/carers to see the clubs we offer in the school and celebrate the brilliant work they have done over the past year. The event has been organised by Alister Doig, one of our School captains, as his leadership project.  We have also invited our P& parents/carers and their children to see what great extra curricular opportunities they will have in their time at LHS. The night will involve performances from the clubs and a stall walk around, as well as a special talk from an employability expert from Lloyd’s Banking Group.  It begins at 6.00pm.

Parent Council 4:  Thanks to all who attended our Parent Council meeting on Tuesday.  I know it’s not always possible to attend, hence this request.  Sara Adam, our Parent Council Chair, is looking to set up a sub-committee focussed on fundraising.  We had 2 signing up on Tuesday but could do with a few more.  If you’re able to help, just give your name and contact details via the feedback option below and I’ll pass them onto Sara.  

French Teachers Visit: Next week we welcome two teachers from a high school in France into LHS to spend the week observing classes and experience the Scottish system. Zoya is a teacher of Biology / Social Science and Sandrine teaches Nutrition / Microbiology.  They, and we, are keen they have a broad experience so they will experience LHS across the whole school, not just within Languages.    

Transition – ‘School of…’ programme August 2025:   A huge thank you to all the staff involved in recruiting and communicating with our P7’s for next year’s S1 ‘School of…’ programme. The selection process and communication with families is now complete. We will have an Academy of Performing Arts, School of Basketball, School of Cookery and Nutrition, School of Dance, School of Football for boys and girls, School of Modern Language and School of Rugby.   Next year we’ll plan ‘School ofs…’ in new areas for implementation for all S1 in session 2026/27.  

Coldwell Art/Parent/carers of S6 Students: I’m pleased to share with you an opportunity to visit  coldwellsart.co.uk. Please log in, select Lasswade HS, and then choose “no” to indicate that you don’t have your unique ID.  This will take you to a form where you can enter your details, remember to use the exact class, then all your child’s ID will be displayed. Click on any ID and all the options will remain at the top of the page.  Have fun reminiscing through your memories, any questions email Coldwells directly,  info@coldwellsart.co.uk.  

Rugby Final,  Reminder: On Saturday 29th March, Lasswade High School Under 18’s will compete in the East Shield Final at Lasswade Rugby Club against their local rivals Preston Lodge. The previous game between the two teams was a thriller, finishing 38-31 to Lasswade. The boys would really appreciate the support of the school community in their biggest game of the season. Kick off is at 2pm on the main pitch. Hope to see you there! 

UNICEF Donation:  Throughout February, Tareena, one of our School Captains has been sharing her thoughts on the humanitarian impact of conflicts across the world.  As stated, in March, the plan is to move to a series of in-school fundraising events.  As parents/carers I appreciate that you also may want to contribute.  To that end we have set up an option for you through Parentpay, click here.

Feedback here

Take Care

Campbell Hornell,  Head Teacher

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