Daily Announcements

New S4 Year Group Google Classroom

The previous S4 Google Classroom had to be closed down. The new code is lrnegk3t, please join it if you are in S4. 

D&M and Practical Woodwork Students

Any pupil in S4/5/6 that studied PWW or Design and Manufacture last year has until Friday to collect models, otherwise they will be recycled.

Safer Young Drivers

On Monday 22nd June, all S6s will be participating in the Safter Young Drivers Event, periods 1-4.

Please attend Tutor as normal, 8:50-9:00, on the day, then proceed to the location indicated for your registration group P1 – 4. Registration will be taken for these periods, on paper, and returned to the School Office.

Summer Sessions programme

This year we are taking young people on a trip to M & D's, Scotland's Theme Park to take part in adventure activities including: theme park rides and roller coasters.

The trip takes place on Wednesday 15th of July. Young people will be transported to/ from pick up point at Clydebank Hub Community Centre with a free lunch provided.

We ask that anyone signing up a young person, follows the QR code on the poster to register interest. Our admin team will then be in touch to confirm if a place has been secured. Spaces are limited.

Blurb for young people S3+

Would you like to make a difference, meet new people, learn new skills and help shape decisions that affect you and your peers?

If so, we are looking for young people S3+  living in West Dunbartonshire to express their interest in becoming part of:

⭐ Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament 

Or 

⭐Young Councillors in the West Dunbartonshire Youth Council 

Please note: These roles are non-political and fully supported by West Dunbartonshire Council's Youth Learning team. 

We welcome young people from all backgrounds, interests, confidence levels, experiences and personalities. Whether you're confident speaking in front of a crowd of prefer sharing your ideas in smaller groups, your voice matters. 

You don't need any previous experience, special skills or knowledge, all we ask if that you care about issues affecting your people and are willing to get involved. 

By taking part you could 

• Represent the views of young people in West Dunbartonshire 

• Help influence local and national decisions 

• Meet other young people and make new friends 

• Build confidence and skills 

• Gain experience that looks great on college, university and job applications

• Make a positive different in your community 

If you sign up, over the summer you will be invited to take part in an accredited induction programme involving shaping a local campaign, visits to the Scottish Parliament, meeting your local councillors, fun days out and much much more! 

Complete the expression of interest form here: Expression of Interest Form – Fill out form

If you have any questions, please email syp@west-dunbarton.gov.uk 

We look forward to hearing from you,

Youth Learning Team, West Dunbartonshire Council + West Dunbartonshire Youth Council 

⛷️ Ultimate Adventure Day at Bearsden Ski Centre!

Get ready for the best day of Activities Week! Join us for a full day of high-energy outdoor action, fresh air, and non-stop fun.

📅 The Details

Date: Thursday 25th June

Time: 9:00am to 2:30pm

Cost: £30 per person

🏔️ What's Included?

Ski Lessons: Learn the basics or sharpen your skills with expert instructors.

Tubing: Fly down the slopes in high-speed inflatable rings.

Outdoor Team Games: Challenge your friends in action-packed group activities.

⚠️ Limited Spaces!

This trip operates strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.

Do not miss out on the best trip of the summer term.

📝 How to Sign Up

Head down to the PE department.

See Mr McPartlane to collect your permission letter.

Return your signed form and payment quickly to secure your spot!

For anyone who is interested in Golf please see Mr Gordon for details.

S6 Balcony – June Arrangements

The S6 balcony is closed until the senior pupil leadership team are appointed.

The hatch is closed at break.

The hatch will be open at lunch for S6 and relevant college pupils on their college days to collect their lunch and eat elsewhere.

Out of Class 5 Minutes Early

Effective from Monday (new timetable start), the early departure window will be reduced from 5 minutes to 2 minutes before the end of the lesson.

The core purpose of this accommodation is to alleviate anxiety and prevent peer conflict by allowing specific students to move before the corridors become crowded; a 2-minute head start achieves this effectively, while significantly reducing corridor loitering and ensuring students don't miss vital end-of-lesson learning.

Glasgow Half-Marathon 2026 - Jack Biglie & Jay Mackinnon

Jack and Jay are running the Glasgow Half Marathon in October 2026 to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation. If you can, please give generously. Thanks.

Many people experience anxiety, depression, or stress at some point in their lives. Raising money helps support research, education, and resources that make it easier for people to get help and talk openly about mental health. 

The Mental Health Foundation believe no-one living in the UK should be deprived of the opportunity for good mental health because ​of who they are, the community they come from or where they live​. We’re developing better ways to support good mental health in every community.

Attention all S5 pupils applying to university next session

Accelerate with Strathclyde University – June 2026

Any pupil interested in studying one of the areas below and would be happy to be out of school for a week in June and go to Strathclyde University, SHOULD SEE MR HALKETT ASAP.

8th to 12th June

• Chemistry

• Electronic and Electrical Engineering

• Languages and International Communication

• Law

22nd to 26th June

• Business

• Chemical Engineering

• Computer Science

• Education

• Politics

• Product Design

Career Project

Could all S3 pupils who want to be part of Erin the careers adviser’s project please hand permission slips in before Easter.  Erin will be in her room at break for you to pick up fresh forms or hand in signed ones. There is a box outside her room at all other times.  Remember there are lots and lots of chocolate and biscuits for those who take part.

S2 and S3 Student Council

I am looking to recruit a selection of pupils in S2 and S3 to form a student council.

The purpose of this group will be to share views and shape school improvement.

I plan to hold a meeting in class time in the next few weeks to meet you all and get your ideas.

If this is something that interests you please email me (Fiona.palin@ourcloud.buzz)  your full name and registration class.

The announcement posters are all in an image carousel, please click through them.

Balcony

The S6 hatch on the balcony is only for S6 pupils at interval and lunchtimes. 

The exception is communication base pupils and college / foundation apprenticeship pupils on the days they attend their course. 

Finalised class lists will be displayed on the balcony next week for S6 to manage. 

Weekly School Lunch Menu

PE Kit

All pupils should have for every period regardless of full participation or not:

Indoor Kit

Shorts / Tracksuit bottoms

T-shirt – Must cover shoulders and stomach (No vest tops or football colours)

Clean change of footwear

Outdoor Kit

Shorts / Tracksuit bottoms

T-shirt – Must cover shoulders and stomach (No vest tops or football colours)

Hoody / Jumper

Waterproof Jacket

Hat

Gloves

Appropriate footwear (surface dependant)

It is important that all pupils check the weather forecast and bring appropriate kit. If you do not have kit you will be handed freshly laundered kit.

Any pupils refusing to use the department kit being supplied will be deemed to be refusing to participate. In this case the school discipline procedure will be followed.

Out of Bounds Areas

During Morning Interval

Things that are permitted:

• Being in the canteen area.

• A brief visit to your locker.

• Using the toilets on the first and ground floors.

• Venturing out the back of the school, between Social Subjects and Maths, to enjoy the fresh air.

• Things that are NOT permitted:

• Going out to the front of the school.

• Wandering corridors.

• Hanging around in stair wells.

During Lunch

Things that are permitted:

• Being in the canteen area.

• A brief visit to your locker.

• Using the toilets on the first and ground floors.

• Going out the front doors for lunch.

Things that are NOT permitted:

• Venturing out the back doors.

• Wandering corridors.

• Hanging around in stair wells.

Expectations

Positive Ethos

Weekly parental praise texts for all pupils with 0 Demerits.

Parental praise text every time a student receives 50 Merits.

Achievements are highlighted and celebrated on VOLA TV and in termly Newsletters to parents.

Every teacher will be recording merits every week

Consistent Practice

Students are encouraged to see that they have choices and that whilst one course of action will undoubtedly lead to the following negative consequences, there are alternatives, which will attract positive recognition.

Pupil Support will monitor demerits every week.  Five demerits in a one week period will be a trigger point for them to take action, which will usually include contacting home to encourage parental support. 10 demerits and over, the House Depute will phone home.

Working Together is at the heart of this policy.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones can be an excellent tool to support learning, however they can also be a distraction when not being used for learning. During class, mobile phones should be switched off and out of sight unless your teacher has given permission for it to be used. If you are using your phone without permission, we will ask you to leave it on your teachers desk. If a student continues to be distracted due to their phone, we will ask parents to ensure their phone is not brought into school.

Water and Fizzy Drinks

Students should only drink water in class.

Students should refill their water bottle out with class time.

Fizzy drinks are not permitted in school.

Car Park Safety

Students should not walk through the car park at any time. Before school, during lunchtime and after school, students should use the footpath around the car park.

Senior Phase Expectations

 Students who are age 16 on or before 30th September 2023 are now classed as school age leavers. We are delighted you have made the decision to return to school for senior phase and warmly welcome you back for S5/6. We have extremely high expectations of all our students, particularly our seniors. Please familiarise yourself with the expectations below, meeting each of these will give you the best opportunity to be successful this year and beyond.

Raising Attainment

In order to help you prepare for SQA exams we have put together a resource with lots of different study advice, timetables for revision sessions and links to SQA past papers. Please use the link attached which can also be accessed via the school website : 

VOLA Careers & Employability

Attention all S4/5/6 students!

Erin Bartley our SDS careers adviser has created a Facebook page for sharing information about open days, apprenticeships, employability opportunities, work experience and all your career-related needs.

Do you want to know more?

www.facebook.com/VoLACareers/