September 2017
Dear Parent/Carer
It has been a pleasure to welcome our students back to school after the
summer break. The significant majority are smartly dressed, punctual and
working hard in class. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your
continued support in these matters.
Staffing Update
I
wanted to update you on our staffing, as we have had a number of new staff who
have joined us since the start of term. Details are as follows: -
•
Moira
Wilson (Support for
Learning Leader)
•
Rachel
Patterson (Support for Learning
Teacher)
•
Beata
Kilkiewicz (Maths)
•
Rachel
Jones (Modern Studies)
•
Mazhar
Yusaf (Maths)
•
Iain
Nugent (Physics)
•
Alan
Wilkins (Drama on a Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday)
•
Daniel
Davis (Music)
•
Rory
Wallis (Equity in
STEM)
•
Angela
Verity (Equity in
literacy and assistive technology)
•
Anne
Young (Education
Welfare Officer)
Due to staff absence in the Art Department,
some classes may be taken by different teachers since we allocate our experienced
staff to senior classes. We have been able to source a subject specialist
supply teacher so classes will always be taught by an Art teacher during this
time.
We are still seeking to recruit a
Drama teacher for Mondays and Tuesdays to support Mr Wilkins.
We are still actively seeking a
suitable supply teacher with subject specialism in English and Media to cover
staff absence in the English Department. In the meantime, and with effect
Tuesday 5 September: -
S1 classes have moved from 5 to 4 sets. Class
sizes will be approximately at 27.
· S2 classes will access the library for personal
reading development. These classes will continue. Please note that classes on
Monday P5 and Friday P2 will be allocated non-subject specialists but will however
be supported by the School Librarian for personal reading.
· S3 classes will move from 5 to 4 classes. Class sizes
will be approximately 28.
· S4 – Miss Flannigan will assume an additional N5
class and Mr MacDonald will assume an additional N4 class.
· S/6 (Higher) – Mrs Gordon will assume full
responsibility for this class.
· S3 Media – Mr Foley will take 2 periods of the allocated
4. The other periods will be allocated to cover teachers.
Please be assured that we are doing
all we can to address these staffing issues. Please do not hesitate to contact
your child’s Pupil Support Leader (Guidance Teacher) if you have any concerns.
SQA Examination Results
We continue to review our performance
in SQA examinations.
·
Our
S4 performance was strong with 19% of our cohort achieving a minimum of 5 qualifications
at level 5 or above. This was a 9% improvement on last year.
· Our
S5 results showed a slight dip in the number of pupils achieving 1, 3 and 5
Highers by the end of S5.
· Our
S6 results showed improvements in the number of pupils achieving 1 and 5
Highers by the end of S6. We maintained the number of pupils achieving 3
Highers by the end of S6.
· Our
Advanced Higher results also improved with 11% of the cohort achieving at least
1 Advanced Higher, the highest since 2013.
SQA Update – Changes to National Qualifications
We
are continuing to liaise with colleagues in the SQA over changes to national
qualifications. We have finalised our SQA policy which is now available to all
parents via the school website.
You
can keep up to date with the proposed SQA changes to by visiting www.sqa.org.uk/nqchanges
iPads
We continue to invest heavily in our 1:1 approach to give
all our pupils in S3-S6 equal opportunity of access to technology. We continue
to ask for your support in ensuring that the device including the cable and
charger are looked after. It is only with your support that we will be able to
continue to implement this policy which includes the safe return of the device
and its accessories when a pupil leaves school.
Please note that all pupils intending to leave school should
ensure that they return their iPad, cable and charger, otherwise they will
incur a charge.
School Funding Success
I am delighted to announce that we have made a bid for and successfully
received funding in the following areas: -
Food for Thought Programme
- The Food for Thought Education Fund gives financial support to
develop Food and Health as a context for learning. The fund aims to improve
practitioner confidence in providing progressive, high quality learning
experiences which help to embed food education into the ethos of the
establishment. Ms Bird successfully bid and received over £1000 to take forward
initiatives relating to Food and Health in school.
Cycle Scotland – On the back of our very successful first
year in delivering Bike Maintenance, Mr King made a bid to Cycle Scotland to
enable us to continue to develop this cycle friendly award. We have received £2,285
funding which will be used to purchase bikes and secure access to this
equipment for pupils across the school.
Trips Policy
We intend to devise a policy which will make the funding
process transparent and clarify how the school will support fundraising for
trips to support young people who may experience financial hardship. Further
details will follow.
Gracemount High School and Primary School Parents Big
Night Out
You may be aware that our parents are organising a
fundraising event for both the primary and secondary school. The event is to be
help on Friday 15 September at Gilmerton
Miners Club. Tickets can be purchased from the school reception at a cost
of £7.50 each.
We really hope you can make it along and support both our schools.
·
Monday 11 September – Parent Council Meeting –
6.30pm in the School Library.
·
Friday 15 September – Parents Big Night Out –
Gilmerton Miners Club - 7.00pm
·
Monday 18 September – school closed (Holiday)
·
Wednesday 20 September - S1 Settling in Parents
Evening from 4.30 6.30pm
·
Friday 6 October – Senior tracking issued
·
Friday 6 October – whole school sponsored walk.
