Penicuik High School

Parental Newsletter Easter 2006

I am very pleased to be able to share with you some of the events of the last few months here at Penicuik High School.

The New Year got off to a flying start with our HMIe inspection, it seemed that the Inspectors were here for the whole month in fact they were here for about a fortnight in total. During the inspection they looked at the work of the English, Mathematics, History and Physics departments as well as our arrangements for pupil support and leadership across the school. A confidential draft report has been submitted to the education department, the chair of the school board and myself for comment. The final report will be issued in May when a copy will be issued to all families.

The end of the inspection saw the launch of our consultation exercise on the issues of school dress and the structure of the school day and week. Included in this consultation exercise was a very well attended “Meet the Management Team” session. Issues that were raised along with the school dress code and the structure of the day/week included pupil behaviour, music lesson times and extra curricular activities. My thanks go to all those who attended this session.

The change in our school dress code was approved of by 86% of respondents and the change to the structure of our school day/week by 90%.  Can I thank you for your overwhelming endorsement of these changes.

The simplified school dress code will be

White shirt or blouse

School tie

Black trousers or skirt

Black shoes

Black V neck jumper or cardigan

All pupils should bring a bag with all necessary equipment for school.

The dress code will take effect from Friday August 18^th 2006.

The change in the structure to our school day/week will commence on 5^th June 2006 at the start of our new timetable.

SQA Arrangements

The final countdown to this year’s arrangements for the SQA examinations is underway.

Shortly, all candidates for the SQA examinations will be issued with a booklet published by SQA which contains helpful advice about preparation for the examinations, arrangements during the exams, and action to be taken in the event of illness.  The booklet also explains the appeals process.  Parents are encouraged to read the booklet.

Students will also be issued with their own personal timetable, with 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 will also be 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

Study leave for S4 will begin on Tuesday 2 May and end on Wednesday 31 May.  S4 students returning for 5^th year must attend Induction days and activities on Thursday 1^st and Friday 2^nd June.  The new timetable starts on Monday 5^th June.  Study leave for S5 and S6 begins on Thursday 11 May, until 1^st June.  There is an induction day on Friday 2^nd June for S5 students returning to S6.

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 Arrangements

Students intending to leave school must collect a leavers 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 in their future careers.

Congratulations to the following pupils for their recent achievements;

Parental Meetings

Our meet the management team meeting during February had a very impressive turnout of parents who raised issues to do with extra curricular activities, music lessons, pupil behaviour as well as the structure of the school week and school dress. Many thanks to all who attended, these meetings are a superb way of giving the management team the opportunity to listen to your views on issues which are of concern to you and your children.

Parents also turned out in very large numbers to our Senior Course Choice Evening and our S2 Course Choice Evening.

Rocking all over the World

Pupils from Penicuik High School enjoyed a superb Rock Night in the school that was followed up by the school hosting Midlothian’s “Battle of the Bands”. Penicuik High took the top spot in the competition, congratulations to all involved in both events.

Staffing

We said farewell to Mr Jim MacGregor from Mathematics in mid February and welcomed in his place Mrs Sarah Mallett from Leith Academy. In mid May, Miss Sarah Fleming will join the school Guidance team as Principal Teacher of Guidance, she is currently working in the English department at Newbattle Community High School.

Closure of Jackson Street Building

Plans are currently being explored regarding the closure of the Jackson Street facilities and a proposed move of these to Penicuik High School.  As a school we would welcome strengthening our working and collaboration with Community Learning and Development and Penicuik Integration Team. There is still much that needs to be discussed and planned but we will try to keep you as well informed as possible.

Fair Trade Stall

Fair Trade is all about making sure the people that grow or make the things we buy get a fair price for what they do.

In March a group of fourth year PRS students ran a fair Trade stall in the Bite Site at morning break to mark fair trade fortnight (3-17 March). This was an extension of their study into Trade Justice issues between rich and poor countries of the world. Goods which were popular with the students and the staff included “Divine and Dubble” chocolate bars, biscuits and chocolate spread. Tea, coffee and cocoa were also popular with staff. By buying Fair Trade products, the students showed their awareness of the importance of dealing more directly with the producers in developing countries. They were prepared to pay a little extra for their snack to ensure that the producers get a fair deal.

Well done to all who were involved - especially to Emma Kane, Jamie McKenzie and Marc Lyell. Thanks to all who supported this project.

Parents Association Fundraiser

The Parents Association is organising a fun fundraising competition based on the time of the first goal in this seasons Scottish Cup Final on May 13^th. Each possible minute (120) of the final had been divided up into six 10 second slots and the person who buys the winning slot (each slot costs just £1) will pick up the prize of £200. Pupils will be able to take sheet for a particular minute of the final and sell these six slots to their families and neighbours, all the money raised will go directly to the Parents Association who support the work of the school. Who knows with a guaranteed Edinburgh team in the final against a team from a lower league perhaps this year we might have a goal scored in record time, or maybe the “wee” team will hold out until extra-time!

Meet the Management Team  III

Can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very good Easter holiday and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our third meet the management team meeting in May when we would like to share with you materials and information on our sexual heath and relationship education programme. Further details will be sent out to you nearer the time. I would also like to welcome parents of P7 pupils in our associate primary schools to this meeting.

Mark Edie

Headteacher