Dear Parents/Carers

 As we approach the end of term, I would like to quickly remind you of a couple of things. 

The Eagle will be published very soon!  There’s lots to celebrate this term, so please look out for that. It will be published here: Eagle Newsletters 

The Nanette Hanson Memorial Appeal is live and on ParentPay.  We are hoping to raise £3000 to create a beautiful stained glass window in our chapel to dedicate to Mrs Hanson’s memory as the 60th Anniversary of her heroic death approaches.  Any help is really appreciated.  Through your generosity we have already raised £375.  More information is available at: Our School News 

This Friday is a non-uniform day.  A donation of £1 is suggested via ParentPay.  Normally this would go to school funds.  This time all donations from this non-uniform day will go to the Nanette Hanson Memorial Appeal. 

And I know many of you will be purchasing uniform over the summer.  A reminder of our policy is here:  School Uniform.  Applications to the Council for access to free school meals and clothing grants can be made here: Free School Meals and Clothing 

Don’t forget that SQA results day is on 5 August 2025 – good luck to all our candidates.  Support lines are available at SQA: Your results - Support and guidance - SQA and Skills Development Scotland: Our Customer Contact Centre - Skills Development Scotland. Should you wish to request an appeal, then please contact the school office from Monday 11 August.  Pupils return to school on Tuesday, 19 August 2025.  Guidance staff will be available for young people on the afternoon of Monday 18 August should pupils need to discuss matters face-to-face in advance of the return to school. 

I do hope you and your family have a wonderful summer holiday. 

 God bless, 

Seán P Hagney

Head Teacher

St John’s RC High School

Harefield Road

Dundee

DD3 6EY

01382 307060

Pupil Voice Participatory Budget

Our Morning Check-In classes have voted for the idea they feel would be most beneficial to the young people of St John’s. The two ideas with the most votes are below.

• Group 1 – more seating areas at lunch and furnishings for the new social area.

Group 1 Video Link

• Group 4 - redesigning bathrooms, purchasing new sports equipment and new tables/chairs.

Group 4 Video Link

Please find attached information about and details of our Easter School 2025 and the e-Sgoil offer for during the upcoming holiday.  Please encourage your child(ren) to sign up.

Easter School Letter

Easter School Tiimetable

Dear parent/carer, 

For information, here is the course choice form for your S2 child moving into S3.  Your child will receive a paper copy in Morning Check In. 

Although your young person will choose from the above, they should actually consider the options from S4 form initially.  What do they want to take in S4?  They should then use this in the S3 form and build from there. 

There will be an Information Session online from 6pm-6.30pm on Wednesday 26 February 2025, you can access this from here: 

Microsoft Teams Need help? 

Join the meeting now 

Meeting ID: 323 341 827 203 

Passcode: qH2uR2Cy 

S2 Parents’ Evening is on Monday 3 March 2025 where you can discuss appropriate learner pathways for your child with their teachers.   Subject teachers and Guidance staff will also have conversations with your child about learner pathways to support them to make informed decisions about their subjects. 

S2 Subject Choice Interviews will take place between 6 and 12 March 2025 when your child will complete their subject choice form with their Guidance Teacher.          

Here is a link to a Sway with further information  https://sway.cloud.microsoft/U6G4B97bZpvVmyr7?ref=Link

Kind regards. 

 Nicola White

Acting Depute Head Teacher

Melrose House

St John’s RC High School

Harefield Road

Dundee

DD3 6EY

01382 307060

Dear parent/carer, 

For information, here is the course choice form for S4 pupils moving into S5. Your child will receive a paper copy in Morning Check In. 

Your child should choose 5 Higher / National Qualification from their current S4 subjects.  In order to select N5 Accounts they must be secure at N5 Maths (not apps) as there is no N4 Accounts qualification.   Senior Phase college options (attached) are universal.  They must be SCQF courses.  This must be discussed with your child’s guidance teacher and agreed by their House Head.  

There will be an Information Session online from 6pm-6.30pm on Wednesday 12 February 2025, you can access this from here: 

Microsoft Teams Need help? 

Join the meeting now 

Meeting ID: 353 326 424 014 

Passcode: YM2Jy6yU 

Subject teachers and Guidance staff will have conversations with your child about learner pathways to support them to make informed decisions about their subjects. 

S4 Subject Choice Interviews will take place between 19 and 24 February 2025 when your child will complete their subject choice form with their Guidance Teacher. 

Here is a link to a Sway with further information https://sway.cloud.microsoft/U6G4B97bZpvVmyr7?ref=Link

 Kind regards. 

 Nicola White

Acting Depute Head Teacher

Melrose House

St John’s RC High School

Harefield Road

Dundee

DD3 6EY

01382 307060

Dear parent/carer, 

For information, here is the course choice form for S5 pupils moving into S6.  Your child will receive a paper copy in Morning Check In.  

Your child will be encouraged to take forward at least 1 x Advanced Higher (SCQF Level 7 Award). 

• S6 choosing 1 or 2 Advanced Highers should choose another 3 or 2 Higher/ National 5 options totalling 4 subjects. 

• S6 choosing at least 3 Highers  should choose an additional Higher/ National 5 option totalling 4 subjects. 

• S6 choosing fewer than 3 Higher Courses must choose additional options totalling 5 subjects.  

• S6 choosing 3 Advanced Highers may choose whether to choose additional options. 

Senior Phase college options (attached) are universal.  They must be SCQF courses.  This must be discussed with your child’s guidance teacher and agreed by their House Head. 

City Campus must be discussed with your child’s guidance teacher and agreed by their House Head. 

Virtual Campus for Advanced Higher must be discussed with your child’s guidance teacher and agreed by their House Head.  Please be aware that there is an additional application process for this including a video created by your child.  This will be shared with your child as soon as possible.   

There will be an Information Session online from 6pm-6.30pm on Wednesday 5 February 2025, you can access this from here: 

Microsoft Teams Need help? 

Join the meeting now 

Meeting ID: 332 974 534 776 

Passcode: Zb76We3r 

Subject teachers and Guidance staff will have conversations with your child about learner pathways to support them to make informed decisions about their subjects. 

S5 Subject Choice Interviews will take place between 10 and 13 February 2025 when your child will complete their subject choice form with their Guidance Teacher. 

Here is a link to a Sway with further information https://sway.cloud.microsoft/U6G4B97bZpvVmyr7?ref=Link

Kind regards. 

Nicola White

Acting Depute Head Teacher

Melrose House

St John’s RC High School

Harefield Road

Dundee

DD3 6EY

01382 307060

Dear Parents/Carers

Storm Éowyn Update – All Dundee Local Authority Schools and Early Learning and Childcare settings closed – Friday 24 January 

All local authority nursery, primary, secondary, and special schools will be closed to all staff and pupils on Friday 24 January 2025.  There will be no out of school care and Leisure and Culture facilities run out of any educational establishments. 

This decision has been taken by the local authority to ensure the safety of our young people and staff, particularly as they could be travelling home at the peak of the storm at the end of the school day.  

Please note that learning will be available on Teams as always, as well as other software which your child has been given access to via the school, eg SCHOLAR, LanguageNut, Bedrock, etc.  The prelims planned for tomorrow (Higher History, Higher Admin and N5 Business) will now take place on Wednesday, 29 January 2025.

Arrangements are being made for free school meal payments to be made directly to qualifying households. 

The Amber weather warning for wind affecting Dundee is in place from 6am to 9pm on Friday 24 January.  Storm Éowyn is expected to have a significant impact on the city and surrounding areas, with the forecast predicting flying debris, travel disruption and possible risk to life. In light of the forecast, there may be disruption to other council services tomorrow.  For the latest updates on all Dundee City Council services, please visit the Storm Éowyn page. Updates will also be posted on Dundee City Council’s social media channels, including Facebook and X.  You can also follow the Met Office storm update page on their website for latest updates. 

Please do keep safe.  I look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday.

With every best wish,

Seán P Hagney

Head Teacher

Planet Youth Overview for Schools 11.9.23 

Planet Youth Implementation Guide for Dundee Schools 11.9.23

Planet Youth Delivery Timetable 12.9.23

Please find a link below for a survey we have been asked to share by Scottish Government Transport Analytical Services Division.

https://online1.snapsurveys.com/Yr1-YPFreeBusTravel

The closing date for all responses is 9th July 2023.

About the survey

Do you have a child aged 5-16, or are you a young person aged 12-23? If so, please complete our short travel survey for a chance to win up to £250 in One4All vouchers. We want to hear from both those who use the Young Person’s Free Bus Travel and those who don’t.

The Scottish Government launched the Free Bus Travel Scheme for young people between the ages of 5 and 21 in January 2022. This aims to encourage greener travel patterns, and increase opportunities for young people to engage in employment, education and social activities, and not be excluded due to travel costs.

Transport Scotland are monitoring the scheme as it progresses to check on use and impact. This survey seeks to understand use of the scheme and any benefits or challenges that have been experienced since its introduction.

We would be grateful if parents/carers of younger children (i.e. those aged 5-16), or young people aged 12-23 themselves, could complete this short travel survey. The questionnaire asks about current travel behaviour, your thoughts about bus travel generally, about use of the Young Person's Free bus Travel Scheme, and for those who don't use it, we want to know the reasons why. As such, we are keen to get feedback from those who have signed-up to the scheme and those who have not, as well as those aged 22-23 who would have been eligible for the scheme previously. This should take no more than 10 minutes to do, and you need to live in Scotland.

Contact Us: If you have any questions about the work or problems completing the questionnaire, please contact our Project Manager, Elaine Wilson-Smith, at elaine@wellsideresearch.co.uk or on 0131 677 5522.

Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessments

Last chance to have your say in the future of Scottish Education!

Reforming Scottish Qualifications: The Hayward Review Phase 3 Parent/Carer Survey

This is your last chance to share your views and help shape the future of Qualifications and Assessment in Scottish Education.

The third and final phase of the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment is now underway. You can learn about the new proposal and take part in our joint parent/carer survey here: The Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment: Phase Three Parent/Carer Survey 

Summary information about the Independent Review, and it’s progress so far, you can visit: Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment in Scotland: interim report  - you can also join us online for a facilitated conversation with Prof. Louise Hayward: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/online-discussion-for-parentscarers-hayward-review-phase-3-tickets-580184466357 March 29 from 7.30pm. 

Dear Parents and Carers of S4 pupils   

Change of date: Parents’ Evening

Due to the planned industrial action by teachers’ unions on 28th February 2023, we are moving the S4 Parents’ Evening to Monday, 27th February 2023.

To assist with your planning and to avoid any confusion, this parents’ evening will definitely be on 27 February even if the strike is called off between now and the end of the month.

I apologise for any inconvenience this change of date will cause you.  Information on booking appointments will be with you soon.

With every good wish,

Seán P Hagney

Head Teacher

Parents Go Network

If you’re a self-employed parent and looking to grow your network this event is for you!

Parents Go Network | Business Gateway (bgateway.com) 

What to expect from this event

It can often be a lonely experience being self-employed, especially if you have young kids. The Business Gateway team are delighted to be hosting a Parents Go Network session where self-employed parents can connect with others in the same situation, grow their network and meet like-minded people, all whilst the children are entertained by Dundee based Totstars.

This interactive session will encourage attendees to move around the room, learning more about the other businesses present and share your aspirations for 2023.

Clare and Gill from Totstars will be on hand to entertain the kids so you can enjoy the network session.

Spaces for the event are limited, when making your booking please only book yourself a place, there is no need to book a place for the children however, we would be grateful if you could include the age of your child/ren within section 4 ‘Additional Booking Information’.

Dear Parents/Carers

HMI Report

Please find attached the letter to parents following our inspection in November 2022.

The inspection is a rigorous process, and following the disruptions we have all experienced in recent years, we are pleased that the letter recognises our strengths, especially those of our young people who are “positive role models and demonstrate enterprising leadership, creative teamwork and active citizenship”, and the “strong Marist values” which influence our work.

Like all schools, we have much to do as we emerge from the difficulties caused by the global pandemic.  We have worked closely with the inspection team and agreed areas for improvement.  The letter highlights some of the areas we will be working on as we move forward.

I again want to thank the staff and pupils of the school for supporting the inspection process, as well as the many parents/carers who contributed through questionnaires and meetings during the week.

The local authority will make a follow up visit and you will be sent an update about the progress we are making in a year’s time.

Thank you for all you do to support your school.

Every good wish,

Seán P Hagney

Head Teacher

Dear Parents/Carers

As the term ends and the Christmas season approaches, I wanted to write to you to thank you for your ongoing support this year, and look forward to your continued support into 2023.

This term has been busy (as always), and our S1-6 pupils have been focused on learning.  Over the past few days we had a wonderful Christmas concert and end of year celebration of mass.  Singing carols together is always good for getting us into the Christmas spirit!  Our S4-6 have been a credit to us, and almost all have been very focused on ensuring they demonstrated their knowledge and skills during the recent prelims.  We have also made time to have some fun and raise much needed funds and collect food and gifts for good causes.  We have gathered food parcels and given gifts to those most in need of help within our community this Christmas.  Our young people also raised £2000 for the India Village Project.  Thank you for your generosity.

As we look to the new term, I ask parents/carers to ensure that your child comes to school each day, on time and ready to learn.  Our uniform policy is available on our website.  Uniform items make a wonderful Christmas gift!

We return on Monday, 9th January 2023 at 8.45am.  I very much look forward to seeing your child in school and ready for the new term ahead.

With every good wish for Christmas and 2023,

Seán P Hagney

Head Teacher

SDS online event for parents of S2/S3 pupils making option choices

A free online event is running on Wed 7th Dec at 6:30pm for parents of S2 & S3 pupils. It's on the subject of option choices. You will get information and tools to help you start career conversations with your young person, to support them to be confident in the decisions they make at option choice times and beyond. 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/option-choices-webinar-for-parents-and-carers-of-s2-and-s3-pupils-tickets-460078546317

Our Book Fair has arrived. Pupils will get the opportunity to view a selection of books in the library, however to view the full collection of books from 2+ to Teen you can use this link bookfairs.scholastic.co.uk/bookcases.

This year, payments are to be made via this Scholastic Book Fair link  Parent payments - Scholastic Book Fairs

Please ask pupils to give the Librarian a copy of the order reference number and books ordered.

Books will then be delivered to the school and be available for collection from the school library.

I hope you find something interesting to order and thank you for supporting your school library.

We would appreciate if parents/guardians of children at school, who may have missed their flu vaccination, could be advised to telephone the flu line - 01307 475240 to arrange an appointment in a local clinic if they wish their child to be vaccinated.

Many thanks for your support.

NB our new email address TAY.chd@nhs.scot

NHS Tayside

Community Child Health Department

The Crescent

71 Lothian Crescent

DUNDEE

DD4  0HU

Flu Immunisations are taking place on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th October.