Dear colleagues,

I hope you had a good weekend.  We have another busy week ahead with an S5/6 Parents' meeting on Wednesday online. Thanks in advance for your input at this important time.  The SLT have had a number of parents in touch highlighting their keenness to know how best to support our seniors in the run up to exams. 

Congratulations to Lesley Smith and our S4 pupils Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award graduates who enjoyed a fantastic celebratory evening.  Thanks to Lesley's organisation and chasing and Kirsty Black's attention and quick response verifying skills, we have increased numbers of young people completing within their S3/4:

• 43 full Bronze Awards

• 7 close to finishing & 4 partial awards 

I am mindful that we need to consider the sustainability of this important wider achievement and we are keen to hear from staff who would like to be involved in Duke of Edinburgh, particularly the expedition side.  If this is of interest, please see Lesley or me.

Please note the reviewed tracking deadline.  As it stands, deadlines for staff completion are as follows:

• S1/2 Tracking due: Phil has asked for 7 March (gives staff an extra week)

• S3 Tracking due: 14 March

• S4-6 Estimates due: 21 March

Apologies for any misunderstanding that may have occurred.  The SNC meet and agree the front page of the collegiate calendar (coloured boxes).  We will be sure to double check the dates on the 2nd tab when we next get together. 

How does our work all link up?

At SLT we have been discussing at length how we better use tracking data to inform progression of learning and course choice from S2, as well as how we monitor and support the progress of target groups of young people (ASN, SIMD, FME, YC, CExp, EAL etc).  

• We all know that strong assessment and reporting in the BGE provides clarity around how that attainment best links to courses and progression in the senior phase.  

• This links entirely to learning and teaching as there is a tight relationship between standards for assessment and the core features of a great lesson.

Safety First

The Health and Safety Committee met last week to review our critical incident planning.  One further meeting this week will finalise plans that we need all staff to sense check and feedback on.  Also on safety, PC Barclay continues his assembly input this week with senior phase yeargroups.

Curriculum 

One of Education Scotland's key priorities is to become the national curriculum agency of Scotland.  If you haven't already signed up for Education Scotland updates on the Curriculum Improvement Cycle, you can access discussion pieces and subscribe to the eBulletin through this link.

Following feedback from the recent teacher focus group, I have begun to review how we Celebrating Success across the school as a starting point for review.  I am keen to maintain the best of what already happens and build on it.  If you haven't already, please could you complete this very short survey on what we capture.  If you have ideas and suggestions, they would be most welcome.

Thanks again for your professionalism and hard work. It makes a massive difference. #buildingfuturestogether

Elaine