I think that we can be certain that winter is upon us now. I have been advising pupils to dress appropriately and to layer up before coming to school, but within Dress Code: white shirts, ties, black knitwear and black skirts or trousers/jeans and all black footwear. I would be grateful if parents could reinforce this for me. We also put out letters last week requesting information on the “Plan B” that you have made with your youngsters for bad weather and school closures. Please can you return those forms (plus the Family Update ones) as soon as possible.
Despite the cold, the Under 18 Rugby Team travelled to Hawick on Wednesday to play in the final of the Brewin Dolphin Plate. Sadly we didn’t win but played hard against a strong Hawick team. One player remarked to me that the conditions were among some of the most unpleasant in which he had played – and knowing him, and his enthusiasm for the sport, I guess it must have been pretty miserable. However, my congratulations go to all involved and I am delighted that we gave a good account of ourselves.
I experienced some of the cold weather on Wednesday when myself and Mr Simpson popped up to Colstoun House to visit our Prince’s Trust group who were up there. They are helping to renovate the Walled Garden. I expected to find them hard at it, digging and raking, instead we encountered them finishing their soup and roast chicken lunch in the magnificent dining room! I was assured that they had been working hard and, when I went out with them to the garden (me being woefully dressed and shod for the excursion) they had, indeed, been hard at it. I suspect that there were some aching limbs yesterday morning. Huge thanks to Cameron at Colstoun for making this possible.
On Tuesday we hosted our, now annual, Haddington Business Question Time. My thanks go to all the business people who gave so generously of their time. It’s quite daunting speaking to an audience of pupils, but I hope they enjoyed themselves. Mr Flood was mightily impressed with the co-Chairs of the event: Shannon McLauchlan and Holly Taylor. Well done one and all!
Some of our senior PE pupils are working towards their CSLA (Community Sports Leadership Award) and have been going to King’s Meadow Primary School to organise sporting activities for the youngsters. The primary teacher has been very happy with their work commenting, “The hockey today was fabulous... the pupils came with their own sessions and all were very keen to be independent. I was delighted with them.” High praise indeed!
Next Wednesday sees the final Parent School Partnership meeting of 2013. Any parent is welcome to come and we will be in L3 (down the corridor on your left as you come in the main doors, first door on the right) from 6.15pm. I look forward to seeing you there.
The S4 Parents’ Consultation Evening will take place on the 3rd December. The letters will be coming out to you either today or Monday, and pupils will be making appointments with their teachers over the coming week. Progress reports are being collated and you should receive them (photocopier willing) by next Tuesday.
I wish you well for the weekend.
S Ingham
