From www.lasswade.info

News Letter
August 2007
By A Jaster
Aug 29, 2007, 20:31

Dear Parent

 

I hope that you have had a good summer holiday and that your son or daughter is looking forward to the opportunities and challenges of the new school year.

Communication

We intend to continue to issue Look in on Lasswade quarterly as in previous sessions – the new edition has been distributed via pupils. The school website (www.lasswade.info) also contains up-to-date information on events, achievements and developments.

School Diary

As in previous sessions, all pupils have been issued with a School Diary/Organiser for recording their homework, personal details and achievements. This is a high quality product that contains useful information about the school, our homework policy, our clubs and activities. It can be used as a Diary/Organiser for normal day-to-day use out of school as well. These have been well used and appreciated by many students in the past so we have issued one organiser to every student this year at no cost to them. As each organiser costs £1.50 I have to expect students to pay this amount for any replacements for lost diary. I would be most grateful if you would discuss the use of these diaries with your son/daughter and check his/her homework regularly during the session.

Positive Praise

Lasswade will be piloting a positive praise and reward policy with S1 and S2 pupils this session. If pupils have been working hard and following the school code of conduct, teachers will stamp their homework diaries to record this positive contribution. On receipt of 32 stamps pupils will receive an item of stationery, 64 stamps will entitle pupils to early entry for lunch and if pupils collect 96 stamps an outing will be organised for these pupils

Entitlements

I would draw to your attention various entitlements for which you may be eligible. These include the following grants.

 

Free School Meals and School Clothing Grants

These are available for all pupils whose parents/guardians are in receipt of Income Support and/or with Child Tax Credit, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance and/or with Child Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit only (with an annual income below £14155).

 

Educational Maintenance Allowance

This allowance is available to pupils in Fifth Year or who are 16 years of age. There are three levels of payment depending on total family income – income up to £20817 gives £30 per week, up to £25521 gives £20 per week and £30810 gives £10. Conditions about achieving agreed standards of attendance, work and behaviour have to be met. 

Sports Centre

Can I remind you that the Sports Centre offers a huge range of classes, activities which are available to a wide age group from pre school to over 50’s. I am sure there will be something for everyone. Please check the Adult Learning Programme leaflet, which was distributed with the most recent Look In On Lasswade for details on our programme and activities. If you wish to contact Sports Centre please phone 0131 660 1933 or access our web site www.lasswade.info or our email lasswade.sports@community.mgfl.net.

School Dress Code – a gentle reminder

As you will be aware, Lasswade High School pupils, parents and staff have worked hard to establish a simple yet smart and practical school uniform. 

The full cooperation and support of all parents is vital if we are going to achieve our aim of maintaining a positive ethos, promoting a good school image, setting the correct tone for school work and ensuring that our pupils and staff are safe and secure. Please help us by checking that pupils are leaving for school with a white school shirt and school tie, plain black trousers and plain black shoes. Your continuing support is greatly appreciated.

Due to increased supply costs we have had to make  slight increases to the cost of uniform items. The uniform still remains excellent value for money. An order form is attached for your information.

School Equipment

Every pupil in Lasswade High School requires the following every day for schoolwork:

·                     school bag                          

·                     pen,  pencil

·                     eraser

·                     ruler

·                     student planner

·                     jotters

·                     text books

 

Session dates

To help with your future holiday planning, you will find details of the session dates for both 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 along with this newsletter
Mobile Telephones

It is the policy of the school that children should not bring mobile telephones into school unless specific permission has been given.

If you feel that there is a particular safety or personal reason that your son/daughter should bring a phone into school then I would be grateful if you would write to me in the first instance so that I can issue a permit to him/her.

Staffing changes

From the start of session we are fortunate in welcoming a large number of new staff to Lasswade High School.

Art&Design - Mr Miller PT

English – Ms Van Lerven, Ms McIlroy

Home Economics – Mrs Ross PT, Ms Campbell,

Music – Ms Rimer

Design & Technology - Ms O’Neil, Mr Foster

Physical Education – Ms Sanford

Physics – Ms  Wallerstein PT

Chemistry – Mr Gibson

Biology – Mr Boyle

Drama – Ms Shackleton

Modern Languages - Mrs Allan 

Mathematics – Ms Edmond PT,  Ms Ledingham

Computing Studies – Mr Brady

Business Education- Ms Black

Support for Learning – Ms Mathieson

Senior Staff Remits

A number of changes have been made to the duties undertaken by Senior Staff. Two changes are worth mentioning at this stage; Mr Mitchell, DHT, will be in charge of Mount Esk House and Mrs Wightman will be responsible for curricular issues in S5 and S6

SQA Results

It is too early to offer a detailed analysis of our 2006 SQA results.  However, early indications are that the results continue to show the gradual improvement on previous years.  The number of students gaining 3 or more Highers is the highest ever and the number of students gaining passes at Advanced Higher continues to be encouraging.  Standard Grade results have however not maintained the high levels set by the previous year.

Discussions with each department will now take place and, following in-depth analysis of each department's results, appropriate courses of action will be identified to address any areas of concern.

CAT Testing S1 &S3

During the first three weeks of term all S1and S3 pupils will be assessed using Cognitive Activities Tests (CAT). These tests are used by the school to measure the three principal forms of reasoning- verbal, non-verbal and numerical- as well as elements of spatial ability. The results from the tests are used to inform our reporting and tracking programmes.

50 Years of Lasswade High School 1956 - 2006.

Although the school has been in existence since the 1700s the present building celebrates its 50th Birthday in September 2006. A week of celebration is planned from19th - 22nd September. The week will have a 50s theme with lessons designed to fit in with that period. Film shows, a karaoke and a dance or 'hop' are planned for the pupils. There will be an exhibition in the rotunda reflecting the 50 years. On Friday 22nd September there is to be a ceilidh with buffet in the Assembly Hall open to all former pupils, staff past and present and members of the school community. Tickets are available from the school office priced at £10. Come along and join us celebrate!

Senior Prizegiving

This will take place on the evening of Monday 25th September. This year Rhona Brankin, MSP for Midlothian, will present the prizes.  Prizes will be awarded to our senior pupils for their achievements in a wide range of activities, academic, sporting, musical etc. As always this will be a very special occasion for our pupils and their
parents.

Truancy Call

Lasswade High School is currently setting up an automated attendance monitoring system. Parents will be asked to inform the school if their son or daughter is going to be absent from school. If the school has not received notification from parents an automated phone call will be sent home.

Further detailed information will be sent in mid September when the system is due to come into operation.

School Photographs

Photographs for first year students will be taken during the first week of term. Once the photographs have been processed your son/daughter will bring home a proof photograph for your perusal together with an order form.

Surgery Evening

I would remind you that my Parent’s Surgery evening is available again this session. It will be held in my room in school between 5.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. every Monday during term time.  If you have a concern or a question you want to ask, please feel free to come to the school to see me then - no appointment is necessary. As you know, parents are also very welcome at any time during the school day to meet one of the guidance staff or senior staff.

I look forward to meeting you again during the session.

 

 

Yours faithfully

 

Albert Jaster

Head Teacher



© Copyright 2005 by LHSC