Dear Parent/Carer Welcome to our May newsleer. S4 examinaons are well underway, whilst S5 and S6 students have just begun their exam leave. This is the big opportunity to demonstrate their learning that students wait for all year and we wish them every success over the next month. I would like to thank our S6 students in parcular for their very posive contribuon to the school over the last year. Our Senior Team, House Captains, Prefects, Library Assistants and S6 Commiee leadership teams have made big efforts this year to further develop our Aims and Values. However, I would also like to thank all S6 students for the small things that they have done on a day-to-day basis which make all the difference. Whether it be helping a younger student or supporng learners in class, their input has been impressive. Thank you. We now move into the work of preparing for the next academic session. In the meanme do get in touch if you have any quesons about any aspect of our work and good luck once again to all students in their examinaons. Yours faithfully Gavin Clark Head Teacher Preston Lodge High School 7 May 2013 Page 1 Issue 6 Welcome 1 School Updates 2 Columba 1400 4 Learning In and Out of School 5 Sport Update 7 Sports Personality 7 Extra Curricular Activities 9 PLHS Mobile Phone App 11 New National Qualifications Update 12 Dates for your diary 16 Inside this issue: Stage 3 2009-2012 @PrestonLodgeHS May Newsletter Kelly Lundberg with S6 students Jamie Halvorson, Rebecca Muir, Scott Naylor, Lauren Edmonds, Anna Wright, Louise Bain and Anna Devine after her presentation in school
Transcript
Dear Parent/Carer
Welcome to our May newsletter.
S4 examinations are well underway, whilst S5 and S6 students have just begun their exam leave. This is the big opportunity to demonstrate their learning that students wait for all year and we wish them every success over the next month.
I would like to thank our S6 students in particular for their very positive contribution to the school over the last year. Our Senior Team, House Captains, Prefects, Library Assistants and S6 Committee leadership teams have made big efforts this year to further develop our Aims and Values. However, I would also like to thank all S6 students for the small things that they have done on a day-to-day basis which make all the difference. Whether it be helping a younger student or supporting learners in class, their input has been impressive. Thank you.
We now move into the work of preparing for the next academic session. In the meantime do get in touch if you have any questions about any aspect of our work and good luck once again to all students in their examinations.
Yours faithfully
Gavin Clark Head Teacher
Preston Lodge High School
7 May 2013
Page 1
Issue 6
Welcome 1
School Updates 2
Columba 1400 4
Learning In and Out of
School
5
Sport Update 7
Sports Personality 7
Extra Curricular
Activities
9
PLHS Mobile Phone
App
11
New National
Qualifications Update
12
Dates for your diary 16
Inside this issue:
Stage 3 2009-2012
@PrestonLodgeHS
May Newsletter
Kelly Lundberg with S6 students Jamie Halvorson, Rebecca Muir, Scott Naylor, Lauren Edmonds, Anna
Wright, Louise Bain and Anna Devine after her presentation in school
Issue 6 Page 2
School Updates
Staff Update
This term we bid farewell to Eilidh Proudfoot in our Pupil Support team. Eilidh was a PT Guidance in the school, having previously been a Business Education teacher since 2003. Currently on secondment to the SQA, Eilidh takes up a Business Education post at Mary Erskine’s School in Edinburgh. Eilidh has made an enormous contribution to the school and many staff, young people and their families will be very sad indeed to see her go. She has delivered the challenging role of a guidance teacher with great skill and confidence. We will miss you Eilidh, but wish you all the very best in your future work.
We also say farewell to Rachel Hull in Numeracy on a more temporary basis. Rachel recently started a period of maternity leave and is being replaced by Jade Hunter whilst out of school. Jade was previously a probationary teacher in this school. Welcome back!
In Technologies we recently appointed Emma Thomson to the post of Computing teacher in the school. Emma joins us from Penicuik High School in August. We also this week appointed John Troup as a CDT teacher in this same faculty and he will also take up post in August. John was previously at Hawick High School.
Finally, in Science we also recently appointed Kirsty Henderson to the post of Biology teacher. Kirsty joins us from St Thomas of Aquin’s on 13 May.
New Qualifications Update
All parents of current S3-5 students know Scottish Qualifications are changing. We have spent quite some time engaging with directly affected parents/carers over the last few months, and it is now important that we make all our community aware of the new qualification structure. Accordingly, you will find an SQA update on pages 11-14 which explains the nature of the new qualifications, and further information can be found at www.sqa.org.uk/cfeforparents. Anyone who would like to discuss the new qualifications in further detail is encouraged to contact any member of our senior management team or guidance staff.
Activities Week
We are currently finalising our home programme for Activities Week 2013. This year’s students are making
their choices electronically and the deadline has now passed. However, despite a record return rate we still have a small number of students who have not yet completed choices and it is still possible for them to do so. Students in this position should see Mr Lanyon as soon as possible. We are pleased that there are a number of free activities as well as a selection of relatively cheap experiences for all students. Here is a flavour of some of the activities on offer on the home programme:
Norwegian Visit
On Thursday 14 March a group of Norwegian students from Odda, Norway, visited the school during a trip to Edinburgh with two of their teachers (one of whom is Mrs Mercer’s brother, who teaches English in Norway). They participated in a tour of the school, very ably accompanied by some of our senior students (Louise Bain, Jamie Halvorson, Rebecca Muir and our two Norwegian students Hannie Araste and Kristin Lode) followed by a talk from Mr Clark. They thoroughly enjoyed their visit and were amazed at the range of subjects and activities offered in the school. Our students also learned a good deal about the education system in Norway.
Page 3 Issue 6
Persian Ladies
Thank you to everyone who turned Preston Lodge into a sea of pink two weeks ago and for all the contributions - we raised £634.78 for cancer charities.
Our King of Pinkness was Mr Stewart
Our Queen of Pinkness was Mrs Pow
Our Prince of Pinkness was S1 Alastair Clarke
Our Princess of Pinkness was S6 Thea McDougall
All register teachers made a return on the number of students wearing pink and the winning House was Grange.
However, recent rumours of a change in the Preston Lodge uniform to pink as of August are most definitely not true!
S3 Prefects
As of next week S3 students will be the oldest year group in the school for five weeks and each year we ask them to volunteer as S3 prefects. This year we are running the scheme once again and look forward to working with a committed group of students who will be given the opportunity to spend five weeks monitoring student behaviour and ensuring that our school continues to be a safe and positive place in the absence of our senior students.
S6 Charities
Congratulations to our S6 Charities Committee, who this year raised the grand total of £5374.95 for a range of worthwhile causes. Blythe McGuire, Holly Munro, Thomas Johnston, Laura Gibbons, Sarah Lyon, Cara Ross, Amy White, Clare Strock, Kyle Anderson, Daniel Laing, Jack Thomson, Taylor Horsburgh, Emily Horton
and Euan Russell have done a great job, and we are really proud of their achievement. The totals raised were:
Children in Need £ 1409.39
Jeans for Genes £ 705.57
Sick Kids £ 448.09
Stand up for Cancer £ 615.00
Rotary Club Appeal £ 372.93
Rachel House £ 928.56
Comic Relief £ 895.41
Film News – Screening Dates
Our after-school film club will be
presenting their documentary about
Cockenzie Power Station on
Thursday 13th June 2013 at 7pm in
the school assembly hall. As well as
the film, there will be music from the
music department and refreshments.
All are welcome to attend.
The S3 film options group will be
presenting their film about World
War Two having interviewed
members of the community who
took part in the war. The first
screening of the film will be shown
at Longniddry Parish Church on
Wednesday 12th June 2013 at 2pm.
As well as the film, there will be
music from World War Two courtesy
of the music department and World
War Two style refreshments courtesy
o f t h e H o m e E c o n o m i c s
department. All are welcome to
attend.
Issue 6 Page 4
Columba Update Columba 1400
Last weekend our Leadership Academy 3 and 4 graduates spent Friday and Saturday at Columba 1400’s Ardoch Centre near Loch Lomond. Whilst reconnecting with their own personal learning around leadership they also spent a great deal of time about how best to ensure their ideas for positive change within our school community might be realised. A very interesting and challenging set of plans emerged from this weekend and we will be hearing much more about these Columba graduates’ work across the school in the coming months.
At the same time our first group of Columba 1400 graduates, who participated in Leadership Academies 1 and 2 are now starting to move on. Seven of our S6 graduates enter the wider world next week via examinations and we wish them all the very best. Thank you for the contribution that you have made to the school, which has been undoubtedly strengthened by your involvement with Columba 1400.
But the story doesn’t end there. Next session we will once again be seeking staff and student volunteers to participate in Leadership Academies 5 and 6. Do watch this space for more details and anyone who would like to find out more about Columba 1400 in to meantime should take a look at their website at www.columba1400.com
PRESTON LODGE HIGH SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL
WHAT’s it all about? Having a better understanding of
what the school is trying to do for our children and to say
to the school what we expect from them.
WHY? To help support the school to deliver the best
education possible for our children, in whatever form that takes for
each child. As we are all aware all of our children are unique!
HOW? By simply attending the meetings that are there for you.
WHERE? All meetings are held in our school.
WHEN? The first Thursday of every month, during term-time, at 7pm.
WHO is it for? YOU
BUT I AM TOO BUSY! There is no commitment required. Attend as and
when you can. We are always open to new ideas and new members.
Even come along to our meetings as a parent visitor, they are ALL open
meetings.
A great opportunity to find out more and see if you could help
make a difference is at our Parent Council AGM. This will be held
in the school at 7pm on Thursday 6th June 2013.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Page 5 Issue 6
Learning In and Out of School Kelly Lundberg
Kelly Lundberg, a Dubai entrepreneur, spoke in the school on Monday 22 April.
Multi-award winner Kelly believes in nurturing business skills and entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. After ten years of combining skill and experience to build her businesses, Kelly has been hands-on with learning the ropes.
"Entrepreneurial spirit is something that cannot be ignored. I had a business idea that I knew was unique and had real business potential. I worked round the clock to make my dream a reality, and now I want to encourage others to do the same by sharing my experiences. I see this as a way to give something back to the community.”
Nominated as a finalist in the People’s Choice category, and Most Admirable Business Woman category at the 2011 SME Advisor Awards, she launched Divine, a bespoke styling company, in 2005. Starting off with at-home wardrobe consultations and shopping sessions, Kelly’s business has grown into an international style forum and boutique for both men and women. Kelly now has a best-selling book and a successful iTunes application as well as a thriving business which she now manages on a day-to-day basis along with her fashion-forward team.
Kelly delivered a motivational talk to our S6 students prior to their departure into the wider world. She shared her entrepreneurial experience as well as offering some advice about how young people might make the most of the opportunities ahead of them. Kelly was a real inspiration to our young people, and we thank her for taking the time to visit our school.
Kelly delivering her presentation
Issue 6 Page 6
Tots and Teens
Tots and Teens is a community playgroup run by qualified child care experts for 15 toddlers. This takes place in the creche area of our school from 1pm - 3pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon.
The playgroup also allows some of our S3 students to experience child care in this setting. As part of our prevocational opportunities for S3 students two students work with the play group leaders each day to gain experience and training in child care. The students work with the experienced practitioners but also have input from college lecturers on early childhood development, attachment theory and many other aspects of childcare.
This is a really fantastic provision in our school community. The staff are warm and friendly and it's a lovely playroom. It's well worth a visit.
Please feel free to drop in and visit. Jane Wood and her team would love to meet you and show you around.
Maths Challenge
Top mathematicians in S3 and S4 recently sat the Intermediate UKMT Maths Challenge.
Congratulations to Alexa McCraw, who achieved the best score in the whole school and in S4 with a bronze award and Arran Lawson who achieved the best score in S3, also with a bronze award.
A special mention also goes to Lucy Stannage, Niall McHugh and David Singer who also managed to achieve bronze awards.
Well done to all students who took part!
Rachel Hull
Web Design Team Launch “Roots and Fruits” Site
A Preston Lodge S3 Web Design class has come to the rescue of a local community group, East Lothian Roots and Fruits, who were in desperate need of a web site – but without the funds to employ a company to make one for them.
Pamela McKinlay, Roots and Fruits Project Manager, was so pleased with the work of the class that she invited the whole class to the Roots and Fruits Open Day to launch the site to an audience including Fiona O’Donnell MP, Councillors such as East Lothian Education Convener Shamin Akhtar, and representatives from the NHS and other local groups.
You can take a look at the web site at
http://www.eastlothianrootsandfruits.org.uk
David Gilmour
Young Enterprise
On 19 March Sweet Success, Preston Lodge High School’s Young Enterprise Company, attended the Young Enterprise Lothian Award Ceremony, where we presented what we had achieved over the year to the other competing companies. During this event our efforts were recognised across the board in many categories including Best Secretary, Best Interview, Best Human Resource Manager, and also Best Display and Best Product at the Christmas Fair.
Sweet Success made fun and unique sweetie jars, Our ‘alternate selection boxes’ were easily adaptable to suit any occasion including Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, or could also be made into favours for weddings. Our aim was to make Preston Lodge ‘That Little bit Sweeter’. Throughout the year we raised awareness of our product by getting involved in charitable events at our school and by getting the younger students involved. We then sold at many events in East Lothian and Edinburgh where our products were greatly received by people of all ages.
Our whole team has thoroughly enjoyed the Young Enterprise Experience, each gaining something different from it. It has taught us a lot about business and what you must do to succeed in the real world. We are very
proud of what we have built together over the year as a team.
Louise Bain, Managing Director
Sport Update Term 2 has seen strong sporting achievement from teams and individuals. The football teams have been travelling all over Scotland, the rugby teams competed in matches and 7's tournaments against some of the best teams in the Edinburgh and the Lothian's and our hockey teams finishing off their season with tough home matches.
Dean Appicella recently won the Scottish Kickboxing Championships to qualify for the European Championships in Dublin. There has also been representation at a district and national level from many other students:
These pupils have brought great credit to themselves, the school and their community. Congratulations from everyone in the school!
The school has also competed in the East Lothian Cross Country and East Lothian Youth Games. In the cross country the boys teams had great success, winning all competitions for S1,S2 & S3. Individually we also swept the boards with Katie Lessels winning the S1 Girls. We secured the first three places in the boys S1 competition with Daniel Purves first, Jordan Purves second and Matthew Foot third. In the S2 boys Lewis Mitchell finished Second and this was repeated in the S3 boys competition with Brandon Archibald finishing second.
In the East Lothian Youth games over 80 pupils represented Preston Lodge High School. On the day the badminton team won their competition as did the S1 rugby team. overall the team finished fifth but were only two points off third place. The position may have
been disappointing but the spirit and behaviour of the Preston Lodge pupils was a great example for all pupils in the school to follow.
Sports Personality Our end of season Sports Personality awards evening was held on Thursday 18 April. This year we had our very own Josh Taylor (Olympic and Commonwealth Boxer) and Jamie Bowie (Scotland and British 400m runner) as Sports Personalities for the evening. Trophies were handed out to the Player of the Year and most improved player of the year for all teams that had participated in sport this year. There was also a special recognition for our Scotland stars and the Cross Country teams. This was a fantastic night of celebrating extra-curricular sport at Preston Lodge High School. The pupils, coaches and volunteers should be proud of their achievements through the year. The winners on the evening were:
Hockey
S1 Most Improved Player: Kirstin McCann
S1 Player of the Year: Katie Lessels
S2/S3 Most Improved Player: Sophie Chater
S2/S3 Player of the Year: Shelby Garrity
Senior Most Improved Player: Abbie Robertson
Senior Player of the Year: Mekala Osborne
Basketball
S1-S3 Most Improved Player: Alexander Stevenson
S1-S3 Player of the Year: Shawnisay Miller
Senior Most Improved Player: Ben Chater
Senior Player of the Year: Euan Cameron
Badminton
Most Improved Player: Sean Reekie
Player of the Year: Mark Gibson
Rugby
S1 Most Improved Player: Richie Thomson
S1 Player of the Year: Ben Muir
S2 Most Improved Player: Aaron Doidge
S2 Player of the Year: Brad Scott
S3 Most Improved Player: Connor Gordon
S3 Player of the Year: Andrew Horne
Golf
Player of the Year: Marc Reid
Page 8 Issue 6
Football
U-14s Most Improved Player of the Year: Daniel Purves
U-14s Player of the Year: Jordan Purves
U-16s Most Improved Player: Jordan Killen
U-16s Player of the year: Jonny Grotlin
Senior Player of the Year: Joe Brown
Girls Football
U-15 Girls Most Improved Player: Alicia Steele
U-15s Girls Player of the Year: Sophie Cameron
Senior Girls Most Improved Player: Brooke Armstrong
Senior Girls Player of the Year: Cara Ross
On the evening a special award was presented to Shona Bell for all her efforts in the PE department in the last six years and also for her work as a Young Ambassador. Congratulations to all the winners on the evening and a huge well done to all players who have been involved throughout the year.
The focus now switches to the summer term with exciting new clubs such as Tennis, Cricket and Athletics. The planning and preparation for the new school year is already taking place with development teams for hockey, rugby and football running and fixtures being arranged. If you would be interested in coaching or volunteering at the school please contact Graeme Bennion, Active Schools Coordinator on 01875 811 170 or [email protected]
