This term, the Library and English Department have been taking a small group of now S4 pupils out to Duncan Forbes Primary to read with P3 pupils as part of a reading initiative. It has been wonderful to see the relationships develop between the two year groups through reading together.  Here is some feedback from the pupils involved: “It was a great opportunity to be able to take part in the project. For 7 weeks we walked down to Duncan Forbes Primary School and we were all assigned a ‘reading buddy’ who we read with each week. I really enjoyed being able to read the books alongside them, and to be able to help them with using various reading techniques, such as fluency and pronunciation. I also really enjoyed being able to create a bond between myself and the Primary 3 I was reading with”.

All Parents and Carers were emailed the letter below this morning. It covers:

• Attendance / Late-coming
• Our Musical – Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief
• Arrangements for the last day of term – 12:25pm finish

Transport Scotland are conducting an evaluation of the Young Person’s Free Bus Travel Scheme, with a survey available for parents/carers of children aged 5-23, and young people themselves aged 12-23. Feedback is being sought from both those with experience of using the Young Person’s Free Bus Travel, and those that do not use it in order to find out why. The survey seeks to understand use of the scheme and any benefits or challenges that have been experienced since its introduction. It should take about 10 minutes to complete, and there is the opportunity to enter a free prize draw to win up to £250 in One4All vouchers.

Access the survey HERE. The closing date for all responses is 9th July 2023.

The timetable for new S5/6 students returning from study leave begins on Monday 29th May. Pupils should attend from Block 1 (8:40am) and report to the Social Area where staff will issue students with their new timetables. Once students have received their timetables they can go straight to their Block 1 class. A reminder that the configuration of the school day has changed, as below.

click the image to enlarge

The new school timetable for pupils in S1, S2 and S3, moving up to S2, S3, and S4 begins on Monday 15th May. Pupils in these year groups will receive their new timetable on Friday morning. Any pupil who is absent on Friday should collect their new timetable from their Guidance teacher on Monday morning.

From Monday 15th May the configuration of the school day is changing slightly. While the overall timings of the school day/week are not changing, the day will now start with Block 1 classes at 8:40am rather than Registration. All pupils need to be in class ready for lessons starting at 8:40am. A warning bell will ring at 8:35am to signal to pupils that they must now make their way to class. Pupils should arrive at school no later than 8:35am so that they have enough time to then get to their first class at 8:40am.

*Click the image below to enlarge it.

Why Have We Created This?

Sometimes we can have questions about our health but can be overwhelmed by the volume of information available online or don’t feel comfortable (yet) to speak to a trusted adult.

The Guidance Department have chosen a selection of resources and videos to increase your knowledge which you might find useful.

We have included Highland based support groups and agencies which you can self-refer to or access through school.

That said, the Guidance department are always willing to have a chat so please get in contact if you have any questions.

Parents and Carers were emailed the attached letter this morning. It covers:

• Celebrating Success
• Pupil Achievements
• Changes to the Start of Day / Registration
• CCTV installation
• Dates for next term
• Building Works

On Thursday 30^th March pupils in S1, S2 and S3 took part in a spontaneous drop everything and read event during their block 2 class to celebrate reading for enjoyment and World Book Day (which was earlier this month). All junior pupils chose a World Book Day book during an English lesson from the “mini bookshop” set up in the library. These books were personalised with their name and gifted to the pupils in the morning of the event. You could hear a pin drop in classrooms across the school as pupils lost themselves in their new book!

If you are in S1-3 and you didn’t get chance to choose your book, there are still a few left to pick from. Please speak to Mrs Ingram in the library or Miss Machin in room 124.