HT Update – Friday 22.04.16
Dear parents/carers,
Despite our challenges this week, I am very proud of what we have all achieved.
I recognise our current situation remains challenging; however, our
focus is on ensuring our young people are safe and receiving the highest
standard of education.
There are a few key issues to highlight.
Senior School – S4-6
SQA
Exams – yesterday the local authority announced that senior pupils
would sit their SQA exams in their host school. Plans are at a highly
advanced stage and all relevant personnel from Liberton and Gracemount
have been working closely to ensure all arrangements are in place. Key
information will be given to pupils early next week.
Senior
Assemblies - there will be a brief assembly first thing on Monday
morning for all senior pupils led by Mr Hunter and Mr Hutchison which
will take place in the assembly hall at Liberton High School. This will
be followed up by an exam briefing on Wednesday afternoon, same
location, led by Mr Mackenzie (Business Manager and SQA co-ordinator)
and Mr Hutchison. It is very important all senior pupils attend.
GASS
– in most subject areas class teachers continue to offer lunchtime and
after school study support. Senior students should continue to liaise
with class teachers over times and dates. There has never been a more
important time for seniors to utilise this opportunity and attend these
sessions in preparation for forthcoming SQA exams. Please encourage them
to do so where possible.
Exam leave – as you’ll be
aware, we had planned for a significantly reduced period of exam leave
this session. This will now officially start on Tuesday 3rd May. Mr
Hutchison is currently working on a timetable to ensure that throughout
exam leave all senior pupils have access to a subject specialists. This
will be issued to pupils next week and will enable senior students to
access the school to revise and/or complete outstanding coursework. This
will run throughout the period of exam leave to support senior
students.
New Timetable – it remains our intention to
start our new Timetable on Monday 30th May. This is the date all senior
pupils will return to school. I will keep you informed regarding
progress on this.
Junior School S1-3
Timetable
– Mr Hutchison continues to work on the timetable for the junior
school. He has managed to ensure that all pupils have accessed a range
of subjects and plans are well in place for next week. We are currently
working on a timetable for the week after next as more teachers will be
available due to the start of exam leave. This will enable us to further
enhance the experience of the junior school.
Bus
travel – I’m delighted to say that travel to and from WHEC this week has
run very smoothly, traffic problems aside. All pupils are now aware of
their bus number and we are able to organise them very quickly for
departure at both Gracemount and WHEC.
Please note that
from Monday 25th April, in order to extend the school day and increase
time for learning, departure times from WHEC will change. We will now
depart at 3.15pm on Monday to Thursday and 12.15pm on Friday.
Behaviour on the buses has generally been excellent. Where there are issues parents/carers will be contacted.
Tree
of Knowledge – we have successfully managed to secure input from the
Tree of Knowledge for our S1-3 pupils. Next week all S1 and S2 pupils
with have two sessions with staff from Tree of Knowledge. This will also
take place for S3 pupils at a later date.
Tree of
Knowledge have recently visited Gracemount and we are developing a very
successful relationship. They work with our young people to develop and
enhance a range of skills related to life, learning, and the work place.
We really look forward to their input. For more information please
follow the link below.
http://treeof.com/
Finally
– I cannot thank our community partners, parents/carers, staff, and
host schools for all they have done to support us at this time. The
offers of support have, at times, been overwhelming and I’ve never been
prouder to be part of your community.
When I arrived at
Gracemount I was keen to establish a new set of values for the school.
The purpose being that we turn to these values to support us as a
community. As an educator, I will always stress the need to build
character and intelligence in young people and to encourage our young
people to make decisions based on their core values. For me, as Head
Teacher, our school values are more important than ever and with your
support they will help us to overcome the challenges we currently face.
As always, should you require further information or
support please contact by telephone:
0131 664 7514 (Liberton High
School)
0131 442 2201 (Wester Hailes Education Centre)
By email:
admin@gracemount.edin.sch.uk
Kind regards,
Ross Hunter
