Kinlochbervie High School

Newsletter 2 - November 2008

Parents' Evenings

There is a Parents Evening for S1 on Thursday 20 November.  As the numbers in S1 are relatively small we have decided to open this evening to parents of S2 pupils, especially for those who have any concerns.  This could reduce the time available for each parent but as always, should more detailed discussions be required this can take place in school at a mutually convenient time.  A Monitoring statement for S1 and S2 will be issued to parents via Pupil Post some time during week beginning 17 November.

The Parents Evening for S 3-6 on Thursday 11 December will have two sessions: 4.30 – 5.30 pm and 7.00 – 9.00 pm.  Parents are welcome to attend either or both.  A Monitoring statement was issued to parents on 30 October and another statement will be issued some time during week beginning 8 December.

Wear It Pink

At the end of the first term we held a non-uniform day: Wear it Pink.  Pupils (and staff) came into school in a huge variety of wonderful outfits and raised £172.70 for Breast Cancer Campaign.  As always a great effort!

School Equipment

We are sometimes too easy-going when we lend pieces of equipment to pupils and there can be issues when items are not returned promptly.   Recently we welcomed the receipt of 5 calculators, 3 protractors 12 rulers and 1 mapping compass when a parent cleared out a senior pupil’s bedroom.  There will be other homes that have unreturned gear – is yours one of them?  If so, please arrange a return to school, anonymously if necessary; just leave things on the front desk!

Appointment

After a very competitive selection procedure Yvonne Mackay has been appointed as the Children’s Service Worker.  This is a Social Work position but Yvonne will work closely with the school to support children and parents within the high school catchment area.  

Competitions

The last Newsletter mentioned Elizabeth Marsham’s design that won the National Deaf Children’s Society competition.  Her flag was made up, taken to the North Pole and eventually returned to school.  We asked Pat Cooper to frame the flag and he very kindly did so free of charge.  Many thanks for this very generous gesture.

Tools for Schools

This charity sells subsidised refurbished computers to schools.  We are investigating buying some and then loaning them to pupils who have no access to a computer at home. Pupils have been informed and told to speak to Dr Smith if they are interested.    

Highland Literacy Project

Many of the council’s primary schools have been involved in this project in previous years and this session it has now been offered to secondary schools.  We decided to join and almost half of our teachers attended a training day immediately after the October break.  Further training will follow.  We hope this project will help all teachers to have a greater focus on the literacy skills of our pupils and also that we will increase our cross curricular collaboration.

Power Cut

Many thanks to all those who put in the extra effort to ensure the school kept going during the recent day of power cuts.  Special mention must go to Sandra Morrison (who, after 19 years in partnership, finally tied the knot during the October break) and her catering colleagues, including her special assistants for the day (Stuart Petrie, the S5 cookery class and S4 pupil Oliver) and to Ross Macleod, Graham McFadyen and Allan Cunningham (who worked on our own generator to get it up and running).

Panto

This year’s panto is entitled The True Story of Richard Whittington Esq.  There will be two performances on Wednesday and Thursday 3 and 4 December.  The programme will be available at the school from Monday 24 November.  Admission will be by programme only.

Quality Improvement Team

We have had two members of Highland Council’s Quality Improvement team in school for two days recently, visiting classes and speaking with groups of pupils and staff.  These are routine visits made to all Highland schools.  Initial feedback was very positive.  The areas of concern were also raised in last session’s questionnaires.  We have already started to address these issues.  The formal report will be sent to the school within 10 days.

Dates

Go to Newsletter Index Page

Return to Home Page