I hope that this update finds everyone safe and well given the extremely “blowy” weather yesterday.

On Tuesday night we saw about one hundred parents arrive for the S4 Parents’ Evening.  It was good to catch up with parents and carers and I was delighted at the positivity around the building.  The new system of National Assessments is proving to be workable, but it’s all taking a bit of getting used to for staff, pupils and parents.  I know that some youngsters are getting anxious about the amount of assessment and we are doing all that we can to ensure that we aren’t over-assessing and that we are getting the evidence of competence that we need. Indeed, parents with whom I spoke often mentioned that they are very impressed with how well staff are able to pinpoint “where” pupils are in their learning and what they need to do to improve.  Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you feel that your youngster needs a bit of extra support or reassurance.

Mrs McInnes has been speaking at all our assemblies this week, reminding pupils about our Christmas Box competition.  We encourage each tutor group to decorate a box and fill it with goodies for the local elderly.  The theme for the boxes this year is “Christmas around the Commonwealth”.  Please ensure that if you are donating foodstuff that it is within its “Use By” date and that if pupils make anything e.g. baked goods that they list the ingredients and a "Use By" date on the packaging, otherwise it can’t be given out.  Every year I am amazed and heartened by the effort that the pupils make with the boxes and I suspect this year will be no exception.

Next Friday we are raising funds for “Save the Children” by having a Christmas Jumper Day. Pupils pay £1 to wear a Christmas jumper to school.  From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, Save the Children fight for children’s rights, help children reach their potential, and given the recent devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, they are working night and day to get life-saving supplies to children and families.  Please help your youngster to support this day if you can – there’s no need to buy new clothes – customising a sweater with a bit of tinsel will do just as well.

Next Tuesday is the Christmas Dance (rules for dances can be found here) and on Thursday it’s theS5/6 Parents’ Evening.  The Christmas Concert is on the 17th December and the Panto Preview (Oh! Yes it is!) will be on the evening of the 19th. 

Looking forward to seeing you at these events.
S Ingham