Headteacher’s Update – 24th May

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Good afternoon,

I hope your week is going well despite the change in the weather.

Information for all parents and carers

Information specifically for S1/2/3

Information specifically for S4/5/6

Information for all parents and carers

Information on Equalities

Our Equalities Group are attending the Young Peoples’ Equalities Event at the City Chambers in mid-June. I thought you would like to see their Sway of evidence this week https://sway.cloud.microsoft/xR0IPnEmXZpYt1Zk?ref=Link. I hope you find this interesting. 

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of education, Article 2 No discrimination, Article 22 Refugee children

Wider Achievement Evening

Wider Achievement nominations have been reviewed by a team of staff and pupils. If your child/ren is receiving an award you will have received an email from Miss Wright. We look forward to celebrating with you on Thursday 6th June.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of education

Information specifically for S1/2/3

Duke of Edinburgh Application Process Update 

Pupils have been informed about the outcome of Duke of Edinburgh Award. There will be further communication home for both pupils who have a place and pupils who do not – please bear with us as the admin team are currently very busy with the organisation for activity days. 

We had 73 applications this year and only 40 places which made it a very difficult decision. 

As outlined at the information evening the application process was as follows: 

  1. All applications were read and reviewed by multiple members of staff. 
  2. Young people who wrote excellent applications were guaranteed a place on the programme this year.
  3. We then had a high number of very good applications. There were not enough places on the programme for all of these pupils. So, names were drawn out of a hat to fill the remaining places on the programme this year.
  4. Pupils were informed of the outcome on Thursday 23rd of May. If there are any places not taken up by pupils offered them, we have a reserve system in place if required. 

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of education, Article 31 Rest, play, culture, arts

S1-S3 Activity Days

Mr Ferguson apologises for the delay in sharing the information in relation to the Activity days on 29th and 30th May. You should have received an email confirming the activities your child is participating in and ParentPay should now be open for payments. Payments should be made by Tuesday 28th May, if this causes you any problem please contact your PSL who will be able to support you. There is an Opportunities Fund some parents/carers can access to support with the payment/s. https://balernochs.wordpress.com/financial-aid/. Please scroll to the bottom of this page to access this information.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of education, Article 31 Rest, play, culture, arts

Information specifically for S4/5/6

S6 Induction

We invite all new S6 pupils (current S5) to their induction on Friday 31st May. This date was highlighted in Mrs Anderson’s SQA email prior to the exams. Pupils should arrive in uniform for 09:00, we anticipate the session finishes at 12:00. Timetables for S6 will be shared on the day.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of education

Current S6 returning iPads, collecting S6 photographs and the Balerno Boutique

Our current S6 should come into school at 10:00am on Thursday 30th May to return their iPad, iPad case, charger and cable. Pupils should hand in their equipment to the LRC. If the iPad is damaged, this must be reported to Mrs Anderson before this date. For your reference, the cost of missing or damaged items are detailed below:

iPad + case                            £345.77

iPad case                                 £25.00

USB-C Lightning cable            £14.41

USB-C power adapter   £19.99

S6 Photographs will be available for collection on the day.

We would ask if your child has any branded or unbranded school uniform of a good quality that they bring it into reception so it can be added to the Balerno Boutique.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of education, Article 26 Social and economic help

S6 Prom

A reminder that family members are invited to Balerno High School on Friday 31st May at 17:45 for the pre-prom reception. This is an opportunity for you to see everyone before they head to Tynecastle.  Pupils will leave the school at 18:30.

‘Our Balerno Way’ – Communications Padlet

We hope you are finding the padlet available on the school website helpful Balerno High School | 0131 477 7788 (wordpress.com) Balerno Community High School (padlet.com). If you have any feedback it would be much appreciated so we can take this into account https://forms.office.com/e/hZv1jq46jU

I hope you have a relaxing weekend,

Kind regards,

Ros Ranger

Head Teacher