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Wednesday 27, February 2008
Rector's Newsletter February 2008 |
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Rector's Newsletter February 2008
Dear Parent/Carer,
Appointment of New Rector
I am pleased to let you know that Mr. Thomson’s permanent successor has been appointed. She is Ms. Lesley Carroll, currently Head Teacher at Holy Rood High in Edinburgh. I have spoken to Ms. Carroll and she is looking forward to taking over at Graeme High. She will start on the 17th March.
Pupil Achievements
It is good to be able to report a number of successes. Peter Hamilton has been selected for the Scottish Cricket Squad, and Alasdair Fraser is a member of the Basketball Squad, under consideration for the 2012 Olympics. As well as this, Gary Plain won a silver medal in the high jump at the Scottish Schools Athletics Championships and Jade Nimmo running for the full Scottish team came second in the 60 metres in an international indoor athletics meeting. Good luck to both Jade and Ashley Madden who compete in the AAA Athletics Championships (i.e. The British Championships). Kathleen Menzies won the Girls Singles in the Forth Valley Badminton Championship.
Nicky Faill, Susan Montgomery and Jennifer MacDonald have all been selected to attend the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland Summer School, thanks to the hard work of their Woodwind Tutor Mr. Jerry Randalls.
Target Setting Update – ‘Dialogue of Ambition’
By the end of February pupils and staff will have finalised the next stage of our target setting initiative for all S3 to S6 pupils. Target setting letters will soon be posted home to parents and I would encourage you to discuss these targets with your son or daughter. If they are on target then ‘keep it up’! If they are below target then ‘take action’!
It is hoped that these letters perform two functions: highlight our pupils’ current performance levels and encourage them to take active and ambitious roles in their own exam success.
Should you wish to discuss anything within your son or daughters target update or get any further information regarding target setting then please do not hesitate to contact us.
“If we can encourage our children to be one thing – it is to be ambitious!”
(John F Kennedy)
Travel News
Our young footballers – both male and female – recently returned from a five day visit to Valencia. As well as being coached, playing games against local sides and doing the tour of the Mestalla Stadium (Valencia’s ground), they managed to visit Heron World. I am grateful to Mr. Paton, Mr. Reid and Mrs. McIntosh, the party leaders who gave their time to the youngsters, and to the youngsters themselves, who did this school proud. Muchas gracias!!
Graeme High – The Movie
We have just received a DVD which is being distributed to all secondary schools in Scotland. It features our school, and the partnership it has with Cala Homes. This partnership resulted in a national award, as I told you in my last newsletter. Maybe next year the BAFTA’s or even the Oscars. If you do wish to see the DVD it will be available on line in the Learning and Teaching website.
Thanks to Parents
The youngsters still look very smart in their shirts and ties. In the words of one Third Year girl “It feels like a real school” – I could not put it better myself. I would ask that we all work together to keep this going. A number of pupils have spoken about wanting to wear blazers. There are two blazers on show in the school reception area at a very low cost. We would be grateful for your comments.
Parents of S2 Pupils
There will be an Information Evening on 28th February 2008 (Thursday) in the Assembly Hall at which the course choice procedures for Third Year will be explained.
Vicky Hamilton
All of us felt for Vicky’s family and friends during their prolonged ordeal over the last sixteen years. On Friday of last week a plaque to honour her as a pupil of Graeme High was dedicated by Rev O’Brien.
Tuck Shop
Graeme High’s tuck shop now sells only healthy products. A group of staff and pupils, led by Mr. Galloway and Mrs. Mitchell now run the tuck shop. Mr. Galloway’s efforts in running the tuck shop over many years deserve a special mention. All profit goes to the school fund, which allows us to offer a wider range of activities to pupils.
Careers Convention
On Thursday, 6th March, Graeme High will host a Careers Convention where a range of employers, Colleges, Universities, Training Agencies and Uniformed Services will be on hand to give careers advice. The evening has been organised by Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Dunning, and is open to pupils from other schools.
Maths Challenge
At the recent UK Intermediate Maths Challenge Graeme High pupils won 2 Gold, 15 Silver and 15 Bronze Certificates. Ross Dryden of Fourth Year scored 83 points which was the best in the school and also qualified him for a European event on Thursday 24th April (to be held in individual schools and contested in 25 counties across Europe).
With Thanks
On a personal note I would like to thank all those who have given me such support over the last year. I do appreciate the help of staff, pupils and parents over this time. Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
K. Duncan
Acting Rector. |
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