Start of term
The start of term was hectic with 210 first year pupils and a
total school roll of 1175. First year pupils did not take long
to settle into their new classes and quickly became able to find
their way round. They should be happy here now, but if any parent
has concerns, please see Anti-bullying Hotline details below.
Unfortunately I have to state that a very small number of pupils
were involved in what can be described as inter towns rivalry
against each other on the first day or two back after the summer
break. The pupils involved were excluded on the highest level
of exclusion available (Authority Exclusion) and referred to the
Police. Please ensure that you discourage your child or children
from becoming involved in any such nonsense, since it will lead
them into serious trouble with the Police, Education Authority
and the School. Any further incidents of this type will be dealt
with in a similar fashion.
I am pleased to say that since the above pupils were excluded,
things have been very much quieter, allowing well-behaved pupils,
which the overwhelming majority of our pupils are, to get on with
their school lives in a normal manner.
SQA results
This year's Scottish Qualification Award certificates were issued
to pupils on time on the 14th August. I am very pleased to say
that there were very few problems this year, compared to last
session's uniquely difficult situation nationally.
Results at both Standard Grade and Higher Grade were on a par
with the best we have produced in the past, with the quality of
the Higher Grades being particularly noticeable. There were many
"A"s and "B"s in Higher, which is very pleasing
and encouraging for future prospects of the pupils involved. All
staff hope that the students who have now left us with many good
grades continue to be successful in their Higher Education courses.
Appropriate school wear
When pupils returned after the summer break, it was very pleasing
to see most pupils following the school dress code. The school
certainly appreciates parental support on this issue. It was clear
from the recent parental survey, which was issued to more than
five hundred parents in May, that parents overwhelmingly support
the school dress code and would like to see it extended. Most
parents would like to see this code enforced more enthusiastically
than at present.
Staff will be discussing school dress code issues with older pupils
to see if acceptable alterations to the dress code can be found
which would make it more attractive to seniors.
Picking up pupils at 3.35pm
The school buspark is very busy at the end of the school day.
With over seven hundred pupils anxious to get on the correct bus
home, and twelve buses waiting in the buspark, supervising staff
have to be very alert to safeguard the welfare and safety of pupils.
This task is not helped by parents picking up pupils in the buspark
and trying to weave their way through pupils to get out before
the buses: this practice is positively dangerous. It would also
be impossible if every parent decided to do this. For the safety
of all pupils and staff, I strongly request that parents do not
pick pupils up in the school grounds between 3.30pm and 3.50pm.
If it is necessary to pick up pupils at this time, please make
arrangements to do so outside the school grounds.
New Dining hall layout
The layout of the dining halls was altered over the summer to
allow quicker serving times and to serve more pupils at lunchtimes.
A system which has six cafeteria serving points has been set up
in dining rooms D2 and D3. All pupils are served in these two
areas, although pupils still use D1 and D4 to eat in, as well
as in D2 and D3. Dining Area D4 is particularly for pupils with
packed lunches, and can seat over 175 pupils at tables.
The system seems to be working well, and seems to be preferred
by pupils.
Anti-bullying hotline
As in previous sessions, an anti-bullying hotline will operate
for three weeks from Monday 24th September. A separate letter
describing this facility should accompany this newsletter.
Calendar of Important Dates
The dates shown were included in the June newsletter, but some
parents have requested that they should be included again in this
issue. They are repeated here:
School Board Elections
You should have already received a letter indicating that there
are three parent vacancies to be filled in the current round of
school board elections. If you would like to join the school board,
nomination papers can be obtained from the school office any time
the school is open. Please note however that all completed nomination
forms must be returned to the school office by 3.00pm on Thursday
27th September. If there are more than three parent nominations,
an election will be held as required. All parents will be entitled
to vote in this. Information we hold with regard to parents was
issued two weeks ago via pupils, to all parents, for checking.
If there are any changes to the information provided, please ensure
that this is returned to the school office so that our records
can be updated.
Sex Education Guidelines
In keeping with a directive from the Scottish Executive, every
school pupil will soon be issued with a copy of a booklet called
"Sex Education in Scottish Schools - A Guide for Parents
and Carers." Please bear in mind that if you have any concerns
about this or any other matter concerning your child and the school,
please feel free to contact your child's Guidance teacher in the
first instance.
Calendar for Session 01/02
20 August, 2001 Monday New
term begins for pupils, 9.00
24 September Monday In-service day for staff - Pupils off
15...19 October October Break
15 November Thursday In-service day for staff - Pupils off
16 November Friday Holiday
19 November Monday Holiday
21 December Friday Term ends, 2.30
24 Dec...4 Jan, 2002 Christmas Break
7 January Monday Term begins, 9.00
18 February Monday Holiday
19 February Tuesday In-service day for staff - Pupils off
22 March Friday Term ends, 3.35
25 Mar...5 Apr Easter Break
8 April Monday In-service day for staff - Pupils off
9 April Tuesday New term begins for pupils, 9.00
6 May Monday Holiday
24 May Friday Holiday
27 May Monday Holiday
3 June Monday Holiday (Queen's Golden Jubilee)
28 June Friday Term ends, 1.00
Summer Holidays
Brian McNaught Rector 18th
September 2001
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