HT Update: Week-ending Friday 7th November 2025

Friday 7th November 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 will be responded to and published on Monday afternoon on the school website.  

Feedback from last HT Update:  click here.

Key messages from this week  

Calendar:  Significant events week beginning 10/11/25;   on Tuesday we’ll have digital Remembrance Assemblies with S1 through S5 and an in-person Remembrance Assembly with S6,  there will be a two-minute silence for students and staff at 11.00am,  it’s also the last of our LassLang sessions with P7s;  on Wednesday and Thursday we have Advanced Higher Chemistry students at Edinburgh University,  also on Wednesday we have S1 to S3 students involved in Midlothian Student Voice work;   on Thursday it’s our LHS Student Parliament,  we have HE students visiting The Paper Mill, we have Senior Phase students involved in Midlothian Student Voice work and in the evening we have our Creative & Cultural Showcase, see below;  on Friday we have a visit from the Navy 

Staffing:   Congratulations to Emma Haynes, Teacher of PE,  on the birth of her son, Rory.  Both mother and son are doing well.  This week we secured a teacher for our Temporary Maths position.  Our ASN Teacher vacancy in The Pod is live on myjobscotland.

Extraordinary Parent Council Meeting:  Following the recent Parent Council AGM a couple of matters requiring attention have emerged.  This is necessitating an extraordinary meeting on Friday 21st November.  Click here  for more details.  

Creative & Cultural Showcase:  This phenomenal evening of entertainment and student work is held on Thursday 13th November.  Click here for details.   

Acting Executive Director:  All school staff yesterday were informed of arrangements that will be put in place after the retirement of Fiona Robertson, Executive Director Children, Young People and Partnerships, at the end of November.   The role of Chief Education Officer has been assigned to Michelle Strong who is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Education.   Derek Oliver, currently Chief Officer Place, is the preferred candidate for the post of Acting Executive Director Children, Young People and Partnership.   

P7 Open Evening:  Our P7 Open Evening on Tuesday was a huge success and our busiest yet,  797 guests! The workshops were well received by P7 pupils and their parents/carers.  There was a palpable and positive atmosphere and energy around the building. My thanks to the LHS staff and students involved, and to Mrs Brown and her team for their organisation.   Click here  to access the slides from the evening.  

S3 Girls in STEM:  My thanks to Caitlin Coyle, Jordana MacDonald and Robyn Taylor for their work in bringing together our first ever Girls in STEM event on Thursday.  The event was aimed at our S3 Girls and involved a range of partners, essentially looking to challenge traditional stereotypes and encourage our students to think about pathways and careers in occupations that are not always filled by females.  Click here   for further information regarding partners we worked with.   

Annual Data Checks:  A reminder to all parents and carers to please complete your annual data check through Parentsportal as soon as possible. This helps us ensure that all contact details, emergency information and health details are accurate and up to date. Families who are not yet registered on Parentsportal will have received a paper copy of the data check form this week, with the exception of S4 students, who are currently on work experience, their forms will be distributed next week. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our school records accurate.

Christmas Fair:  Reminder.  With our Christmas Fair fast approaching on Monday 24th November plans are progressing well.  Details are available on the Parent Council Facebook Page, click here,  and have been shared with staff and S6 students in LHS. We hope to see as many of you as possible at the event on 24/11/25.  It’s a great way to kickstart the festive season and support the school.   Any questions please do not hesitate to contact the PC on fundraising.lhs@gmail.com  

Feedback here

Take Care

Campbell Hornell,  Head Teacher

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