This week, I feel like I have been mostly interviewing (with some excellent results), whilst the school has gone whirring on of its own accord.

The Maths exams seemed to go ok yesterday (although the National 5, Paper One seems to have been quite testing), and, as I said last week, it’s heartening to see so many senior pupils in the building, revising. When I speak to them, they are reassuring me that revision timetables are working and that they are feeling reasonably confident.

It was a real pleasure to attend the School of Rugby Dinner last Friday at Haddington Rugby Club. There was a brilliant turn out of parents, pupils, coaches and sponsors. The coaches spoke affectionately (and honestly) about how their teams had progressed this session, and the team captains spoke with humour and humility, congratulating their teams and thanking all those who have supported them through the season. Whilst this season has been successful, I get the impression that the next one is going to require a lot of hard work and commitment from everyone. I wish them all the very best of luck and look forward to hearing of their successes.

The F1 Team were guests of Haddington Rotary Club on Tuesday evening. They went to present on their Silverstone adventure. As one Rotarian wrote in his email to us: “they were brimming with enthusiasm - something which I am sure we Rotations can copy.  Obviously a lot of work had gone into the project both from you (the staff) and the team. I hope they and the new team are as successful next year.”

We had an excellent P7 Transition event run by the Health and Wellbeing Faculty on Wednesday.  It saw our prospective S1 running, jumping, and working together.  They got to know each other a bit better and we are getting to know them before they come up for "real" in August.  That was the second transition event that we have run and I would like to thank the Numeracy and Technology and Health and Wellbeing faculties (along with their S1 and S3 helpers) for running great events.

As I type this, I am listening to the S1s getting ready to visit Edinburgh College for some Home Economics input. In the absence of a Food and Health teacher, we have been working hard to give the pupils as good an experience of the subject as we can. This has involved a lot of hard work from Mr Simpson, Ms Duff, Mr Mackinnon, Mr Elms and our visiting chefs.

We are now getting set up for our Activities’ Week (30th May to 3rd of June). We have a number of foreign trips: waters ports in France; Paris; Iceland; Italy; and London. We also have the S1s going away to Wales to experience the outdoor life and, hopefully, gain their John Muir Award. There is a great in-school package consisting of things like mountain biking, yoga, film club, and model making. It’s a great week that pupils and staff alike get a lot out of. Please make sure that your youngster is prepared – especially for the vagaries of the Scottish weather (so pack sunscreen as well as waterproofs for days out).

Next week, on the 18th, is the final Parent Council meeting of the session. The meeting will be held in the Library from 6.15pm, and any parent is welcome to attend. I look forward to seeing you there.

Have a good week.

Sarah Ingham