Penicuik High School
Parental
Newsletter Easter 2009
www.penicuik.info
Dear
Parents and Carers
This
term has been as busy as ever in the life of the school I hope that
you find the following items of news and information helpful. We
break for Easter holidays on Friday 3rd
April and we start back to school on Tuesday 21st
April.
S1-2 History picture
competition
Lower
school students won cinema vouchers for identifying what the display
pictures in the History corridor were all about. Parents are welcome
to join in the guessing if they’re passing by- or waiting during
parents’ evening.
S2 Hiroshima birds
Again
this year the S2 students are making memorial birds to send to
Hiroshima. Each year millions of Japanese origami paper cranes are
folded and sent to Hiroshima as a memorial. The idea came originally
as a memorial to Sadoko- a girl who died of ‘atom bomb disease’
(cancer). She tried to make 10,000 paper birds as an offering to ward
off the sickness. Now the memorial is for her and all others who have
died in wars.
S2
Trip to Surgeon’s Hall
A
medieval cure for headache: drill a hole in your head!
S2
have been studying How Medicine has improved.
Ms Oliver’s class didn’t really believe her descriptions of what
things were really like hundreds of years ago. Only one thing for it:
see for yourselves. So a trip was organised to the Surgeon’s Hall
in Edinburgh to examine the history of surgery. Students learned
about the body snatchers, Burke and Hare, as well as the invention of
anaesthetics and anti-septics and ‘cow-ination’. Ask an S2
student to see if they really know why medicine improved!
S3-4 Trip to All Quiet
on the Western Front
Beeslack
and Penicuik High School History departments have been cooperating in
a number of areas- we’ve shared the development of a new unit,
organised a Higher History conference together and this was our first
trip together. We took 70 students to see the great classic of First
World War protest literature- All Quiet on the Western Front. This
was being performed as a play at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh.
Students found it a really powerful description of conditions in the
trenches during the war. What was best? The actors were all male, so
the re-enactment of the red light district was a lighter moment in
what could have been a rather depressing evening. Once again our
students were a credit to the school. We’re looking forward to
taking many of them to Berlin in the summer.
Holocaust Memorial
Trust visit to Auschwitz
Two
S5 students were lucky enough to get a place to visit Auschwitz in
Poland and to interview survivors of the Holocaust. Auschwitz was the
centre of Nazi Germany’s attempt to murder all the Jews of Europe
during the Second World War. It is an extremely moving place to
visit. Ann Scarr and Jill Morton will be explaining this in more
detail to the school community in January as part of Holocaust
Memorial Day and as part of the S2 course on the Holocaust.
Mock
Trial Competition
Ever
wanted to see a real trial? Be a lawyer? Actor? Journalist? In PR? 15
students in S5-6 thought that they would and joined the prestigious
national Bar Mock Trial Competition. Our school prepared two cases
and took on all the roles from lawyers, court clerks, witnesses to
juries. We prepared by watching real cases at Edinburgh Sheriff’s
Court and then went to Glasgow High Court to prosecute and defend
against other schools. We won one case in a very challenging
competition, but unfortunately didn’t make it through to the final
at the Old Bailey in London. Congratulations to the outstanding
performances of everyone who took part. If you’re interested in any
of the roles above, or just want to have fun, look out for our
preparation at the end of the summer term for S3-5.
Higher Trip to Dublin
and Belfast
Anarchy
in the UK! Well at least in the Irish part of it in 1916 and in the
troubles in Northern Ireland until 1998. History students in S5-6
study this period and as usual a vital part of History is seeing and
learning about events in context. 15 Penicuik Students made the trip
to Dublin and then on to Belfast to research the reasons and results
of the Irish troubles. They were helped by Ms Van Aswegen and
occasionally hampered by Mr Hayes. (For reasons of economy we
travelled with small bags; so packing was an issue for some.)
We
went round the only Victorian gaol in Europe that is open to tourists
(there are plenty open for other inmates). We stood outside the
General Post Office and read the Irish Declaration of Independence.
We checked out Ireland’s top university, Trinity College Dublin,
and sampled some of Dublin’s fine architecture. We then moved into
the North to see the memorials of the Troubles, take the Black Taxi
Tour through some of the front line areas of the troubles and added
our graffiti to the so-called Peace Wall that still divides the two
communities.
The
students were a credit to the school- with exceptional interest and
engagement in what we were doing. Well done!
Damian
Hayes
PT
History
Malawi
Visit
Our
links with Thyolo Secondary School in Malawi are continuing to grow.
A number of departments in both schools are in touch sharing ideas
and resources. In October a party of 10 from Penicuik High School
will make our first pupil exchange visit to Thyolo. This is a huge
undertaking financially and also in terms of energy and
organisational logistics. Our sincere thanks go to Mrs Stewart and
the Thyolo Committee for all the work that they have put into the
preparations for this visit. I wish them all the very best of luck
with their fundraising efforts.
Sydrek Nachuma
It
was with the deepest sadness that we learned of the death of our dear
friend and colleague Mr Sydreck Nachuma during the early hours of
Thursday 5th March
2009 in Malawi. I know that I speak for the whole staff and pupils of
Penicuik High School when I say that Sydreck made a very great
impression on our lives during his visit with Alan Gawani to Penicuik
High School last year. His death leaves us all very saddened but all
the richer for having met and enjoyed spending time with Sydreck
when he visited.
Our deepest sympathy goes first of all to all of his
family and also all the staff and students of Thyolo Secondary School
who have not only lost a valued colleague, an inspirational teacher
but most of all a warm and caring man of great humility and great
humanity.
Pupils and staff of Penicuik High School
observed one minutes silence in memory of Mr Nachuma at all our
assemblies the following week.
Rotary
Club Young Technologist Challenge
Four
groups of S2 girls were entered into the Rotary Club Young
Technologist Challenge at Musselburgh Grammar School earlier this
term. Each team had to design and make a device for firing ping pong
balls vertically into the air. The teams were judged on their problem
solving skills, their design folio and how far the device fired the
balls up into the air.
They
were accompanied by their teacher Mr Merson who did well in the staff
competition.
Congratulations
to Megan Scott, Beth Casebow, Amy Steel and Amy McNeil who were the
winning team and well done to the other PHS pupils who participated
in the event.
S6 KPMG Project
In
December last year a group of S6 pupils were invited to work with an
educational charity called Space Unlimited who bring young people and
businesses together. The group were asked to solve a problem for
accountants KPMG ‘How does KPMG improve communication with the
young people in the organisation?’
The
approach to managing the project was by non directive mentoring i.e.
the pupils had to decide how they would solve the problem and how
they would present their final ideas to the client. The more they put
into the project the more they would get out of it.
Each
week the pupils had a meeting with myself and a mentor from Space
Unlimited. The format of each meeting and the entire project was ‘A
thoughtful beginning, A creative middle and A valuable ending’.
The
project started with a launch day at KPMG offices in Glasgow followed
by a ‘middle’ meeting organised by the pupils at Edinburgh Zoo
and ended with a final presentation event in Glasgow to a group of
European directors from KPMG.
The
pupils planned an entertaining and thought provoking event where they
presented their ideas to the client. This included a short film made
during the project along with demonstrations of various ideas aimed
at solving the problem. During a question and answer session with the
directors the pupils articulated their ideas in a very confident
manner.
The
KPMG directors were very impressed with the work that the pupils did
and pledged to take many of the ideas on board.
Well
done to Fiona Sheal, Murray Gallacher, Ross Buchan, Conor Blyth,
Connor McCormack, Alex Mitchell, Stuart Mitchell, Ryan White and
Lewis Thomas.
Paul
Beards
PT
Design, Technology, Business and Computing
Duke
of Edinburgh
Four groups of Duke
of Edinburgh participants planned and walked a 9 km route across the
Pentlands on Saturday 28th March. The weather forecast was chilly and
we could see snow showers passing us by - however we had sun and
great views. The groups practised leading each other, putting up
tents (somewhat challenging in the wind), cooking outdoors on Trangia
stoves and using compasses. Hopefully they all got a taster of what
they will need to do in their expeditions in May and June. Staff were
extremely impressed by the abilities of the participants, so well
done. Thanks also to the very many staff who volunteered their
time to help.
John Muir S1
Over
term one and two all the S1 pupils have been completing the John Muir
Award Discovery level. It has been run jointly between the
Geography, Art and CDT departments. We are now in a position to
award all the 1st
years their certificates. The award ceremony will take place in
School in term 3. This is a great achievement for the pupils and the
school. Next year the award will be run with the involvement of more
departments and possibly P7 pupils.
John Muir S3
A
number of S3 pupils who achieved a Discovery level John Muir Award in
their first year are now taking it further and are developing the
school quad as a garden which encourages wildlife. So far the group
have planned their garden and have made a start on the raised beds.
They have also made a presentation to the whole school to encourage
other year groups to join them. The group has now grown to about
20-30 pupils in all and has a committee who share responsibilities.
They are hoping to organise a BBQ for the summer term to show off
what they have done. Parents will be invited to come along and will
be offered the chance to pick up a spade and help out.
Eco Schools
The
Eco schools group is joining with the John Muir group in developing
the Quad area. They are also looking at energy saving around the
school and have been in contact with the Head of Education, Donald
MacKay, to invite him into school to discuss their ideas. The group
have so far set up and run the school paper recycling initiative
which has been well supported by everyone in the school and will now
carry on.
Activities
Week
Our
Activities Week will take place during the last week of session from
Monday June 29th
until Thursday 2nd
July inclusive. All pupils will be back in school for the last day of
term on Friday 3rd
July.
A
number of residential visits are already planned with pupils visiting
Berlin, Norway, London and Iona. A wide range of active learning fun
activities will be offered to pupils throughout the school. These
activities will include visits to the Zoo, Theme Park, Sailing, Make
a Movie, Big Art, Adventure Days, Orienteering, Mountain Biking,
Beauty Treatment, Beach Activities, Multi Sports and other events.
We
surveyed pupils earlier in the year to find out what kind of
activities they wanted and we have matched this up with staff
availability and cost considerations to produce a range of events to
suit most tastes. A booklet giving choices will be launched during
the early days of next term, I am sure that these events will be well
supported. We intend to have events that last for 1 or 2 days as well
as 4 day events to give as much flexibility and choice as we can
manage.
Our
Activities Week forms an important part of your son or daughter’s
educational experience allowing them to learn some important social
skills in a fun and enjoyable way - often memories of these trips and
events stay with pupils for the rest of their lives. Can I thank you
in anticipation for your support of Activities Week.
Mobile
Phone/Audio Equipment Policy
A
copy of the new Mobile Phone Policy is included with this newsletter.
The school wishes to clearly state that we do not accept liability
for any mobile phone or audio equipment and advise that these should
not be ordinarily brought to school. We do recognise that from time
to time parents may wish that their son or daughter bring a phone or
audio equipment to school, these are brought to school entirely at
your own risk.
SQA ARRANGEMENTS
The
final countdown to this year’s arrangements for the SQA
examinations is underway.
Students
are required to wear school uniform for all examinations.
Candidates
for the SQA examinations have been issued with the “Your Exams
2009” booklet published by SQA, which contains helpful advice about
exam preparation and arrangements, and action to be taken in the
event of illness. The booklet also contains a summary timetable, and
explains how results are notified to pupils. Parents are encouraged
to read the booklet.
Students
will also be issued with their own personal timetable, with further
details of the examinations being taken – the subjects, levels,
dates and times of the exams, and also room and seat numbers.
Students are asked to check them carefully to ensure the details are
correct. Please note that examination times listed on these
timetables may differ slightly from the times posted on the SQA
website. The school has discretion to adjust the times so that
wherever possible examination candidates are not disturbed by junior
classes at break times or lunchtimes. Students with coincident
examinations also sit their exams at different times.
Students
have been issued with a laminated card on which they can write their
SCN (Scottish Candidate Number). They are permitted to bring this
into the examination room.
Please
note that mobile phones, pagers, MP3 players, or any other electronic
devices must not be brought into the examination room – whether
switched on or not. Any student found to be
in possession of such a device in an examination room will be
reported to SQA and their result will be cancelled.
This
is not an idle threat – well over 100 candidates across Scotland
were affected last year. Don’t let it be your son or daughter this
year.
Study
Leave
The
SQA exam diet begins on Tuesday 5th
May*. Exam leave for S4 pupil begins on Tuesday 5th
May, and for S5&6 pupils on Thursday 14th
May.
Please
note that S4 are expected to take part in normal classes until
12:40pm on Friday 1st
May. Equally, S5&6 pupils must follow their normal timetable
until 3:30pm on Wednesday 13th
May. In both cases, teaching will take place as usual until exam
leave begins.
Pupils
are encouraged to visit their subject teachers during exam leave as
part of their exam preparation. However, they should make
appointments to do so, and should aim to see teachers on the same day
and at the time when they would otherwise have that subject.
* Standard
Grade Art 30th
April
Int.1
Hospitality 21st
– 24th April
Int.2
Hospitality 28th
& 29th April
Return
of Textbooks
All
textbooks should be returned to the appropriate class teacher so that
they can be checked and issued to the next class. Please ensure that
your son/daughter returns books promptly and in good condition.
Leaving
Arrangement
Students
intending to leave school must collect a leaver’s form from the
School Office and have it signed by each class teacher to ensure that
text books and other materials have been returned.
Again,
we would ask that parents ensure that this has been done, so that we
can have a clear picture of the demand for places in senior classes.
Lastly,
we wish all candidates every success in the examinations, and our
leavers the very best in their future careers.
Mark
Edie
Headteacher
Penicuik
High School
School
Policy
Mobile
Phone and Audio Equipment
To clarify
Penicuik High School’s position on the use of mobile phones and
audio equipment within the school day, the following policy will
apply to all pupils with immediate effect.
These
policies are designed to minimise the disruption to teaching and
learning caused by the misuse of mobile phones and audio equipment.
www.penicuik.info
Dear
Parents and Carers
This
term has been as busy as ever in the life of the school I hope that
you find the following items of news and information helpful. We
break for Easter holidays on Friday 3rd
April and we start back to school on Tuesday 21st
April.
S1-2 History picture
competition
Lower
school students won cinema vouchers for identifying what the display
pictures in the History corridor were all about. Parents are welcome
to join in the guessing if they’re passing by- or waiting during
parents’ evening.
S2 Hiroshima birds
Again
this year the S2 students are making memorial birds to send to
Hiroshima. Each year millions of Japanese origami paper cranes are
folded and sent to Hiroshima as a memorial. The idea came originally
as a memorial to Sadoko- a girl who died of ‘atom bomb disease’
(cancer). She tried to make 10,000 paper birds as an offering to ward
off the sickness. Now the memorial is for her and all others who have
died in wars.
S2
Trip to Surgeon’s Hall
A
medieval cure for headache: drill a hole in your head!
S2
have been studying How Medicine has improved.
Ms Oliver’s class didn’t really believe her descriptions of what
things were really like hundreds of years ago. Only one thing for it:
see for yourselves. So a trip was organised to the Surgeon’s Hall
in Edinburgh to examine the history of surgery. Students learned
about the body snatchers, Burke and Hare, as well as the invention of
anaesthetics and anti-septics and ‘cow-ination’. Ask an S2
student to see if they really know why medicine improved!
S3-4 Trip to All Quiet
on the Western Front
Beeslack
and Penicuik High School History departments have been cooperating in
a number of areas- we’ve shared the development of a new unit,
organised a Higher History conference together and this was our first
trip together. We took 70 students to see the great classic of First
World War protest literature- All Quiet on the Western Front. This
was being performed as a play at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh.
Students found it a really powerful description of conditions in the
trenches during the war. What was best? The actors were all male, so
the re-enactment of the red light district was a lighter moment in
what could have been a rather depressing evening. Once again our
students were a credit to the school. We’re looking forward to
taking many of them to Berlin in the summer.
Holocaust Memorial
Trust visit to Auschwitz
Two
S5 students were lucky enough to get a place to visit Auschwitz in
Poland and to interview survivors of the Holocaust. Auschwitz was the
centre of Nazi Germany’s attempt to murder all the Jews of Europe
during the Second World War. It is an extremely moving place to
visit. Ann Scarr and Jill Morton will be explaining this in more
detail to the school community in January as part of Holocaust
Memorial Day and as part of the S2 course on the Holocaust.
Mock
Trial Competition
Ever
wanted to see a real trial? Be a lawyer? Actor? Journalist? In PR? 15
students in S5-6 thought that they would and joined the prestigious
national Bar Mock Trial Competition. Our school prepared two cases
and took on all the roles from lawyers, court clerks, witnesses to
juries. We prepared by watching real cases at Edinburgh Sheriff’s
Court and then went to Glasgow High Court to prosecute and defend
against other schools. We won one case in a very challenging
competition, but unfortunately didn’t make it through to the final
at the Old Bailey in London. Congratulations to the outstanding
performances of everyone who took part. If you’re interested in any
of the roles above, or just want to have fun, look out for our
preparation at the end of the summer term for S3-5.
Higher Trip to Dublin
and Belfast
Anarchy
in the UK! Well at least in the Irish part of it in 1916 and in the
troubles in Northern Ireland until 1998. History students in S5-6
study this period and as usual a vital part of History is seeing and
learning about events in context. 15 Penicuik Students made the trip
to Dublin and then on to Belfast to research the reasons and results
of the Irish troubles. They were helped by Ms Van Aswegen and
occasionally hampered by Mr Hayes. (For reasons of economy we
travelled with small bags; so packing was an issue for some.)
We
went round the only Victorian gaol in Europe that is open to tourists
(there are plenty open for other inmates). We stood outside the
General Post Office and read the Irish Declaration of Independence.
We checked out Ireland’s top university, Trinity College Dublin,
and sampled some of Dublin’s fine architecture. We then moved into
the North to see the memorials of the Troubles, take the Black Taxi
Tour through some of the front line areas of the troubles and added
our graffiti to the so-called Peace Wall that still divides the two
communities.
The
students were a credit to the school- with exceptional interest and
engagement in what we were doing. Well done!
Damian
Hayes
PT
History
Malawi
Visit
Our
links with Thyolo Secondary School in Malawi are continuing to grow.
A number of departments in both schools are in touch sharing ideas
and resources. In October a party of 10 from Penicuik High School
will make our first pupil exchange visit to Thyolo. This is a huge
undertaking financially and also in terms of energy and
organisational logistics. Our sincere thanks go to Mrs Stewart and
the Thyolo Committee for all the work that they have put into the
preparations for this visit. I wish them all the very best of luck
with their fundraising efforts.
Sydrek Nachuma
It
was with the deepest sadness that we learned of the death of our dear
friend and colleague Mr Sydreck Nachuma during the early hours of
Thursday 5th March
2009 in Malawi. I know that I speak for the whole staff and pupils of
Penicuik High School when I say that Sydreck made a very great
impression on our lives during his visit with Alan Gawani to Penicuik
High School last year. His death leaves us all very saddened but all
the richer for having met and enjoyed spending time with Sydreck
when he visited.
Our deepest sympathy goes first of all to all of his
family and also all the staff and students of Thyolo Secondary School
who have not only lost a valued colleague, an inspirational teacher
but most of all a warm and caring man of great humility and great
humanity.
Pupils and staff of Penicuik High School
observed one minutes silence in memory of Mr Nachuma at all our
assemblies the following week.
Rotary
Club Young Technologist Challenge
Four
groups of S2 girls were entered into the Rotary Club Young
Technologist Challenge at Musselburgh Grammar School earlier this
term. Each team had to design and make a device for firing ping pong
balls vertically into the air. The teams were judged on their problem
solving skills, their design folio and how far the device fired the
balls up into the air.
They
were accompanied by their teacher Mr Merson who did well in the staff
competition.
Congratulations
to Megan Scott, Beth Casebow, Amy Steel and Amy McNeil who were the
winning team and well done to the other PHS pupils who participated
in the event.
S6 KPMG Project
In
December last year a group of S6 pupils were invited to work with an
educational charity called Space Unlimited who bring young people and
businesses together. The group were asked to solve a problem for
accountants KPMG ‘How does KPMG improve communication with the
young people in the organisation?’
The
approach to managing the project was by non directive mentoring i.e.
the pupils had to decide how they would solve the problem and how
they would present their final ideas to the client. The more they put
into the project the more they would get out of it.
Each
week the pupils had a meeting with myself and a mentor from Space
Unlimited. The format of each meeting and the entire project was ‘A
thoughtful beginning, A creative middle and A valuable ending’.
The
project started with a launch day at KPMG offices in Glasgow followed
by a ‘middle’ meeting organised by the pupils at Edinburgh Zoo
and ended with a final presentation event in Glasgow to a group of
European directors from KPMG.
The
pupils planned an entertaining and thought provoking event where they
presented their ideas to the client. This included a short film made
during the project along with demonstrations of various ideas aimed
at solving the problem. During a question and answer session with the
directors the pupils articulated their ideas in a very confident
manner.
The
KPMG directors were very impressed with the work that the pupils did
and pledged to take many of the ideas on board.
Well
done to Fiona Sheal, Murray Gallacher, Ross Buchan, Conor Blyth,
Connor McCormack, Alex Mitchell, Stuart Mitchell, Ryan White and
Lewis Thomas.
Paul
Beards
PT
Design, Technology, Business and Computing
Duke
of Edinburgh
Four groups of Duke
of Edinburgh participants planned and walked a 9 km route across the
Pentlands on Saturday 28th March. The weather forecast was chilly and
we could see snow showers passing us by - however we had sun and
great views. The groups practised leading each other, putting up
tents (somewhat challenging in the wind), cooking outdoors on Trangia
stoves and using compasses. Hopefully they all got a taster of what
they will need to do in their expeditions in May and June. Staff were
extremely impressed by the abilities of the participants, so well
done. Thanks also to the very many staff who volunteered their
time to help.
John Muir S1
Over
term one and two all the S1 pupils have been completing the John Muir
Award Discovery level. It has been run jointly between the
Geography, Art and CDT departments. We are now in a position to
award all the 1st
years their certificates. The award ceremony will take place in
School in term 3. This is a great achievement for the pupils and the
school. Next year the award will be run with the involvement of more
departments and possibly P7 pupils.
John Muir S3
A
number of S3 pupils who achieved a Discovery level John Muir Award in
their first year are now taking it further and are developing the
school quad as a garden which encourages wildlife. So far the group
have planned their garden and have made a start on the raised beds.
They have also made a presentation to the whole school to encourage
other year groups to join them. The group has now grown to about
20-30 pupils in all and has a committee who share responsibilities.
They are hoping to organise a BBQ for the summer term to show off
what they have done. Parents will be invited to come along and will
be offered the chance to pick up a spade and help out.
Eco Schools
The
Eco schools group is joining with the John Muir group in developing
the Quad area. They are also looking at energy saving around the
school and have been in contact with the Head of Education, Donald
MacKay, to invite him into school to discuss their ideas. The group
have so far set up and run the school paper recycling initiative
which has been well supported by everyone in the school and will now
carry on.
Activities
Week
Our
Activities Week will take place during the last week of session from
Monday June 29th
until Thursday 2nd
July inclusive. All pupils will be back in school for the last day of
term on Friday 3rd
July.
A
number of residential visits are already planned with pupils visiting
Berlin, Norway, London and Iona. A wide range of active learning fun
activities will be offered to pupils throughout the school. These
activities will include visits to the Zoo, Theme Park, Sailing, Make
a Movie, Big Art, Adventure Days, Orienteering, Mountain Biking,
Beauty Treatment, Beach Activities, Multi Sports and other events.
We
surveyed pupils earlier in the year to find out what kind of
activities they wanted and we have matched this up with staff
availability and cost considerations to produce a range of events to
suit most tastes. A booklet giving choices will be launched during
the early days of next term, I am sure that these events will be well
supported. We intend to have events that last for 1 or 2 days as well
as 4 day events to give as much flexibility and choice as we can
manage.
Our
Activities Week forms an important part of your son or daughter’s
educational experience allowing them to learn some important social
skills in a fun and enjoyable way - often memories of these trips and
events stay with pupils for the rest of their lives. Can I thank you
in anticipation for your support of Activities Week.
Mobile
Phone/Audio Equipment Policy
A
copy of the new Mobile Phone Policy is included with this newsletter.
The school wishes to clearly state that we do not accept liability
for any mobile phone or audio equipment and advise that these should
not be ordinarily brought to school. We do recognise that from time
to time parents may wish that their son or daughter bring a phone or
audio equipment to school, these are brought to school entirely at
your own risk.
SQA ARRANGEMENTS
The
final countdown to this year’s arrangements for the SQA
examinations is underway.
Students
are required to wear school uniform for all examinations.
Candidates
for the SQA examinations have been issued with the “Your Exams
2009” booklet published by SQA, which contains helpful advice about
exam preparation and arrangements, and action to be taken in the
event of illness. The booklet also contains a summary timetable, and
explains how results are notified to pupils. Parents are encouraged
to read the booklet.
Students
will also be issued with their own personal timetable, with further
details of the examinations being taken – the subjects, levels,
dates and times of the exams, and also room and seat numbers.
Students are asked to check them carefully to ensure the details are
correct. Please note that examination times listed on these
timetables may differ slightly from the times posted on the SQA
website. The school has discretion to adjust the times so that
wherever possible examination candidates are not disturbed by junior
classes at break times or lunchtimes. Students with coincident
examinations also sit their exams at different times.
Students
have been issued with a laminated card on which they can write their
SCN (Scottish Candidate Number). They are permitted to bring this
into the examination room.
Please
note that mobile phones, pagers, MP3 players, or any other electronic
devices must not be brought into the examination room – whether
switched on or not. Any student found to be
in possession of such a device in an examination room will be
reported to SQA and their result will be cancelled.
This
is not an idle threat – well over 100 candidates across Scotland
were affected last year. Don’t let it be your son or daughter this
year.
Study
Leave
The
SQA exam diet begins on Tuesday 5th
May*. Exam leave for S4 pupil begins on Tuesday 5th
May, and for S5&6 pupils on Thursday 14th
May.
Please
note that S4 are expected to take part in normal classes until
12:40pm on Friday 1st
May. Equally, S5&6 pupils must follow their normal timetable
until 3:30pm on Wednesday 13th
May. In both cases, teaching will take place as usual until exam
leave begins.
Pupils
are encouraged to visit their subject teachers during exam leave as
part of their exam preparation. However, they should make
appointments to do so, and should aim to see teachers on the same day
and at the time when they would otherwise have that subject.
* Standard
Grade Art 30th
April
Int.1
Hospitality 21st
– 24th April
Int.2
Hospitality 28th
& 29th April
Return
of Textbooks
All
textbooks should be returned to the appropriate class teacher so that
they can be checked and issued to the next class. Please ensure that
your son/daughter returns books promptly and in good condition.
Leaving
Arrangement
Students
intending to leave school must collect a leaver’s form from the
School Office and have it signed by each class teacher to ensure that
text books and other materials have been returned.
Again,
we would ask that parents ensure that this has been done, so that we
can have a clear picture of the demand for places in senior classes.
Lastly,
we wish all candidates every success in the examinations, and our
leavers the very best in their future careers.
Mark
Edie
Headteacher
Penicuik
High School
School
Policy
Mobile
Phone and Audio Equipment
To clarify
Penicuik High School’s position on the use of mobile phones and
audio equipment within the school day, the following policy will
apply to all pupils with immediate effect.
These
policies are designed to minimise the disruption to teaching and
learning caused by the misuse of mobile phones and audio equipment.