The S5/6 prelims have been taking place this week and run until 4 February. Study leave is now finished and all pupils return to normal timetable from 31 January, and they should be in all classes unless they are sitting an examination.

It has been a busy week for assemblies; as the assembly hall is in use for the S5/6 examinations, ‘virtual’ assemblies were played in each classroom for the S1-4 Tutor Groups to view.  On Tuesday, pupils celebrated Burns’ Day by reading about the poet, reciting and sharing some of the poems and gathering Scottish words. To add to the celebration, KASG funded the ingredients for shortbread for each pupil and the Home Economics Department made hundreds of delicious pieces of shortbread. The assembly was planned and developed by Mr Swinney and the English Department. Congratulations and thanks to all involved.

On Thursday, we had another virtual assembly to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The theme was ‘Untold Stories’ and the pupils had the opportunity to listen to the stories of individuals who had experience of the holocaust and other genocides. Each pupil was given an information booklet. Later, saplings were planted as part of a memorial area. Many thanks to Mr Campbell for organising this moving event.

During the week I visited all S4 classes in column D of the timetable. The theme was homework. It is a pleasure to report that the vast majority of pupils were considered satisfactory by staff, regarding homework. A few however, need to be more organised and meet deadlines. All S4 pupils should have, and be following, a revision programme.

Best wishes,

JB Craig