HT Weekly Update: Week-ending Friday 22nd September 2023

Friday 22nd September 2023

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, where appropriate, will be responded to and published by Monday afternoon on the school website link. 

With the holiday last weekend it has been a fortnight since the last update. 

Key messages from this week

Calendar:  Next week:  Monday through Friday is our DofE Gold Qualifier; on Friday our N5 Media students are at Sky Academy and it is also our September Dress Down Day.

Staffing: We recently said farewell and thanks to Mairi McTighe, Teacher of Music,  She has taken up a new teaching post in Edinburgh.  We have appointed Mairi’s successor but as yet have no confirmed start date.  Congratulations to Ross Paterson who was successful following a competitive interview process and was appointed on a permanent basis as PT BGEd in PE. Congratulations to Stella Fotheringham who was successful in securing the PT BGEd Creative Design fixed term post. This post begins after the October break and runs through until June 2024.  Congratulations also to Nicola Hogan who was successful in securing a permanent post at LHS as a Teacher of Biology.  This transition is seamless as Nicola has been with us on a temporary capacity.    

Relationships to Support Learning: We have continued our focus on Praise Postcards. As of the September Weekend we have sent over 500 since returning to school. This has had a positive impact on these students and continues to be recognised by parents and carers.

SQA 2024:  In recent weeks I advised parents/carers on the dates of exams then live on the SQA website.  The original timetable was withdrawn.  It has now been updated on the SQA website click here  Much nearer the time students will be issued with their individual timetable.  

Senior Phase Awards Ceremony: A huge thank you to all students, staff and parents/carers who made the ceremony such a success. Over the course of the evening, we celebrated the achievements of over 120 young people, past and present. Our School and House Captains hosted and presented the entire evening. Our student photographers were present and busy throughout.  The Captains and Photographers were clear, engaging and professional in their ‘work’.  We enjoyed an inspirational speech from our guest speaker, Ben Smith. The musical performers were outstanding. Osmond, Eilidh, Maggie and Alex really stepped up to the mark and played beautiful pieces. Lastly, the Senior Drama performance was one of the most memorable performances I have ever seen. What a joy to see our students celebrating the importance of equality and kindness and sharing their own personal messages.

Strike Action:  Please note that staff in Midlothian Schools are not taking part in the strike action next week.  Midlothian is one of 6 local authorities where non-teaching colleagues in schools are not striking.  The challenge could be if our staff are indirectly affected by school and nursery closures in other local authorities.  We are currently assessing the potential impact of this if any of our staff are unable to make alternative childcare arrangements.   

Lost Property:  We hold/have a large amount of lost property at Student Reception, most of which had been left in the PE department.  Students are welcome to check through this at break and/or lunch during the school day, between now and the October break.  Parents and carers can come in during the school day and ask at reception.  After the October break this current lost property will be disposed of in a responsible and sustainable manner.  Our advice is to encourage parents/carers to ensure names are on students’ ziptops and blazers, this will enable us to return these items to students directly.

Loanhead Travel Cards:  All students who use home to school coach transport from Loanhead have now been issued with their travel cards.  Students must travel on the coach they have been allocated by the Travel Team, if there are any questions regarding home to school transport they should be directed to travelteam@midlothian.gov.uk

If you have any feedback/questions relating to this update please submit them via the link below

Feedback here

Take Care

Campbell Hornell,  Head Teacher

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