Kinlochbervie High School

Newsletter 2 - October 2009

Vision Statement

Kinlochbervie High School is an inclusive community.  Excellence in education, the welfare, security and happiness of all pupils and staff are our priorities.

Kinlochbervie High School endeavours to take the needs of the individual into account.  We aim to provide pupils and staff with the skills, experiences and qualifications they need to give them choices in their progression through life.

Swine Flu

In August we received information regarding swine flu.  Dr Smith took the decision to delay highlighting this possible problem.  However, actions are now being taken to raise awareness and help reduce the spread of infection (such as hand washing and cleaning computer keyboards).  Also, attached to this Newsletter is a letter for parents from the Scottish Government.

Youth Voice

Rebecca Marsham has been elected to represent pupils at Youth Voice, the Highland youth parliament.  She joins our existing representative, Esther Richards.

Wear A Hat Day

The final day of term was a non uniform day, with the emphasis on head gear.  Over £128 was raised for Age Concern.

Golf Tournament

The last day of the term also saw the school’s golf championship – this year’s winners are Alistair Morrison and Mary McCowan.  Well done to both!

McBeath Project

The first Newsletter of this session stated that we had hopes for some pupils and staff visit to Vancouver.  In the final couple of weeks of last term a decision was made to go in June 2010 during Activity Week.  All pupils were presented with lots of information and then those interested were asked to make a formal application.  As there were many absences through illness in the run up to the deadline it has now been extended until the end of this week – Friday 30 October 2009.  This is a wonderful opportunity for pupils.  The cost will be no more than £600 but could be much reduced if our fundraising is as successful as previous campaigns.  Information is available from the school office and on the school web site.

In-Service Days

There were three in-service days at the end of the October holiday.  Staff had a very worthwhile time.  There were many productive meetings and preparations for the future continued positively.  On the third day all class teachers travelled to the wonderful new Dingwall Academy (in the school minibus therefore reducing both our costs and carbon footprint!) to attend a huge event – the Highland Curriculum for Excellence Showcase.  The Support for Learning Auxiliaries were at Golspie High learning more about dealing with autistic spectrum disorders.

School Projects

During the in-service days time was spent continuing to plan for two new projects.

Oral History – this will start with the visit of a specialist to train staff and pupils in taking, recording and archiving oral histories.  S1/2 pupils will then go out into our communities to do the groundwork.  The school web site will be used to allow open access to all the material gathered.  Although we received £3000 after a successful grant application and this money will be spent by Easter, the project should become embedded in our curriculum so that each year our youngest pupils will be able to continue with some aspects of this work.

Defending the Past – this impressive project is supported by a lottery funded coordinator from the Royal Commission for Ancient and Historic Monuments (Scotland) and the MoD (Defence Estates).  Activities will be centred in and around the military training area of Cape Wrath to encourage access, enjoyment and understanding of its heritage and allow the community to share that understanding with tourists and visitors (including the many military personnel that come to our area).  Over the next year the project will involve pupils as they as part of their work for many of the subjects within the S1/2 curriculum.  Also, there will be opportunities for some senior pupils to participate, but it is likely most of these will be extra-curricular.

Sweat Shirts

The office is (among many other things) a repository for lost property, including school uniforms.  If items of clothing have no identification and are not claimed, they are cleaned and made available for pupils to borrow.  The number of sweatshirts increased alarmingly last term and there are now 50 in our collection!  Please do something to allow identification of your child’s clothing, but even if you do not and your child comes home without their uniform, either ensure they ask at the office or phone us yourself.  Also, the number is so large and this is such a waste that we would like parents to contact us to ask for then receive, very discreetly, a second hand sweatshirt.

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