Parent Council News

Headteacher’s Update – 3rd May

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Good afternoon,

If you have any children sitting exams I hope they are going well, the feedback on the papers from staff has been positive.

Here are this week’s update:

Information for all parents and carers

Information specifically for S1/2/3

Information specifically for S4/5/6

Information for all parents and carers

School excursion

S3 Admin and IT – Visit to the St James Quarter

The pupils tackled mystery shopping and spotting all kinds of customer service details with a bingo game. They rounded off the day with some bowling where everyone showed fantastic teamwork.

The pupils were a credit to the school and had a thoroughly enjoyable day!

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of education

INSET Day 7.5.24

A reminder that school is closed to pupils on Tuesday 7th May unless they are sitting N5 or AH English.

DYW Coordinator update

Roxy Nicol our DYW co-ordinator has started her maternity leave and I am delighted to share that Emily Hazley has joined Balerno High School to cover Roxy’s position. The below document contains an introduction from Emily and she very much looks forward to supporting our young people and families in the year ahead.

emily-hazley-dyw-coordinatorDownload

We now have a new padlet available under Support for Families section of the whole school padlet. You can use this to keep an eye here for work-related news, opportunities, and information.  Parents/carers and pupils can easily access and apply to relevant opportunities by browsing or using the “Search” function.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of education, Article 17 Access to information

Wider Achievement Event

We are delighted to open nominations for wider achievement awards. Please check your emails where more information and her is a link to the  Wider Achievement Nominations form. Deadline is Friday 17th May. 

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

Balerno Boutique

As a school we believe that we should be caring for the planet as well as looking after our school community as part of Learning for Sustainability. We are therefore starting an initiative called ‘Balerno Boutique’ where members of our school community can hand in preloved uniform items with some life left in them to be passed on to other students. Parents and students can hand in items that are no longer being used to the reception. They will then be sorted and ready to be re-loved.

S6 could bring in any branded clothing when they return their iPads on 30th May.

UNCRC 26 Social & economic help, Article 2 No discrimination

Parent Council Meeting

The next Parent Council Meeting will take place on Monday 13th May.

The meeting will start at 18:30, all parents and carers are welcome.

Information specifically for S1/2/3

We are pleased to confirm that the Activities Days offer is now complete. Information will be coming out to you on Tuesday with pupil selection deadline being Friday 10th May.

Following this, further ParentPay information will be sent to you. It is important that any trip payments are made by the deadline.

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

Information specifically for S4/5/6

Exams and Immersion Days

A reminder that all young people attending the immersion days and SQA exams should be coming to school in their school uniform.

Study materials

If your child/ren has any study materials/text books/notes/past paper books etc which they will no longer require we would love to add them to our Study Swap Box in the LRC so other pupils can use them in the future.

Pupils can hand any items into reception, thank you.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of education

‘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 an enjoyable Bank Holiday weekend.

Kind regards,

Ros Ranger

Head Teacher

Headteacher’s Update – 1st March

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Good afternoon,

I hope you have had a good week, it has been so nice to have some dry bright days.

As part of this week’s update we have the following information:

Parent Council meeting 4.8.24

We would be delighted to welcome you to our meeting on Monday evening. It starts at 18:30 in the LRC. Please refer to the email you received earlier this week for details.

S2 Course Choice

Parents and carers of S2 pupils will have received an email yesterday with the subjects and log-in information to upload course choices for next year.

Please discuss the subject options with your child and submit these by Sunday 17th March.

You can refer to the Pathways document Pathways Document | Balerno High School (wordpress.com). This link also provides a video to support your navigation of the Pathways document.

If you have any questions please contact your child’s Pupil Support Leader who will be able to help.

UNCRC Article 28 Aims of Education

Balerno Times – February bitesize edition

The Balerno Times Team have their next edition ready for you to read https://balernochs.wordpress.com/2024/02/23/balerno-times-february-edition/

Included in this issue:

  • Holocaust Memorial Day – Fragility of Freedom
  • RRSA groups from other City of Edinburgh Schools visit to Balerno High School
  • The honest guide to National 5 exams
  • Valentine messages
  • Book of the Month
  • Movie of the Month
  • The hockey report
  • Fashion at the Grammy Awards

And of course, Mr Hamilton’s joke of the month!

UNCRC Article 28 Aims of Education, Article 31 Rest, Play, Culture, Arts

Reminder of collection for Community for Food

The S4 Employability Group are organising a collection for Community for Food. They are a local food bank that support the delivery of food packages to families who have pupils attending schools within our locality. They opened in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and having been improving people’s lives ever since. More information can be found at https://communityforfood.com/. You can donate food to the front reception with Mrs Louden, up to Wednesday 13th March 2024.

You can bring the following items:

  • Canned food, such as beans, soup, vegetables and fruit.
  • Dried food, such as pasta, rice, noodles, crackers and biscuits
  • Sauce Jars e.g. – pasta sauce, pesto, olives and sun-dried tomatoes

UNCRC Article 28 Aims of Education, Article 24 Health, Food, Water , Environment, Article 26 Social and Economic Help

Reminder of collection for Edinburgh Women’s Aid – International Women’s Day

Following a successful collection last year, this year for International Women’s Day, we wanted to help women in our local community again. Joint research carried out by Scottish Women’s Aid and Refuge shows that 1 in 4 of UK women will suffer from some form of domestic abuse. We are collecting items to send to Edinburgh Women’s Aid who provide safe, temporary accommodation for women who have experienced domestic abuse. We are looking for donations of the following items. Due to hygiene reasons, these must be new items and not used or old ones. 

Shampoo
Shower Gel
Conditioner
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste 
Facial wipes
Face cleansing products 
Face creams		Deodorant
Makeup
Body cream
Dry shampoo
Baby toiletries: bath gel,
cream (not nappies as they’re too bulky
and we can’t store them)

Please drop off any donations to Mrs Louden at reception by Friday 8th March 2024. Thank you for anything you can donate.

The Equalities Team

UNCRC Article 28 Aims of Education, Article 24 Health, Food, Water , Environment, Article 26 Social and Economic Help

Additions to the Padlet

Celebrating success:

  • The link for the February bitesize edition of the Balerno Times is available.

‘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

Kind regards,

Ros Ranger

Head Teacher

Headteacher’s Update – 19th January

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Good afternoon,

I hope you have had a good week and coped with the change of temperature, however at least we have stunning blue skies.

Here are this week’s updates.

S3 Course Choice

S3 students will meet with their PSL next week to discuss coursing with their PSL.

If you have an S3 child you will have received an email from Mrs O’Doherty with further information yesterday.

UNCRC Article 28 Aims of Education

S4 Consultation Evening

Bright Red books will have a stand at our S4 Consultation Evening on Wednesday 24th January and will accept card payments if you wish to make any purchases.

Please check-in using the QR code which will be emailed to parents/carers prior to the start of the evening, alternatively you can scan the code on arrival.

UNCRC Article 28 Aims of Education

Parent Council – Monday 22nd January

Please refer to the email sent on 15th January in relation to the online Parent Council meeting on Monday. Due to the unpredictability of the weather at this time of year our January meeting is online and we hope you can attend virtually. The email includes the link to join the meeting.

Additions to the Padlet

General Information – Home Study Information

  • Following the introduction of iPads we have reviewed the Home Study guidance.
  • This document includes a rationale, expectations, and what this might look like for your child/ren.

‘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

Kind regards,

Ros Ranger

Head Teacher

Headteacher’s Update – 1st December

/ balernohighschool

Good afternoon,

My updates for this:

Fieldwork and curricular trip

There have been no excursions or curricular trips this week due to the ongoing senior phase assessments. However, as part of the 16 days of Activism our Wellbeing Group are raising awareness around gender based violence within the school.

UNCRC Article 28 Aim of Education

Parent Council – 4th December

A reminder the Parent Council will be meeting on Monday evening at 1830 at Balerno High School. Please refer to the email sent earlier this week for further details. The meeting will take place in F10, near the main office as the LRC is currently set up for Senior Phase assessments.

Visitors from the Creative Secondary School, Hong Kong

We were delighted to welcome three teachers from the Creative Secondary School, Hong Kong on Monday 27th November. They met with a number of pupil groups including our World of Work Ambassadors, SCQF ambassadors, members of the Senior Pupil Team and  representatives of the RRSA group. They also had the opportunity to visit a number of classes. This was a super opportunity to share educational issues and priorities between the two countries.

UNCRC Article 28 Aim of Education

Christmas lunch at the Riverside -13th December

Please refer to the email sent out earlier this week with the Christmas lunch information. If your child/ren would like a Christmas lunch, please prebook by Friday 8th December to allow food orders to be placed.

UNCRC Article 2827 Food, Clothing a Safe Home

Christmas Concert – 19th December

A reminder that tickets can be purchased for our annual Christmas Concert via ParentPay. Tickets cost £5. This is always a wonderful evening to get you into the festive spirit and we would be delighted if you can join us.

UNCRC Article 15 Setting up or Joining Groups, Article 31 Rest, Play, Culture, Arts

Closing time on Friday 22nd December

Just to confirm the school day will end at 12:30 as usual on Friday 22nd December. Any young person collecting a lunch from the Riverside can do so at the end of the day.

Additions to the Padlet

Following our Gold RRSA, Balerno High School was invited to be part of a promotional video for the RRSAs. We were the only Scottish school involved and the only secondary school across the UK. The video is now live on the UNICEF website, here is the link if you are interested, it is also available on the school Padlet.

Key dates Jan-April

The key school dates have been updated on the padlet for January to the Easter break.

‘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

Kind regards,

Ros Ranger

Head Teacher

Headteacher’s Update – 24th November

/ balernohighschool

Good afternoon,

My updates for this:

Fieldwork and curricular trip

  • AH Physics pupils went on an excursion to Heriot Watt to utilise the labs to support their project research.

UNCRC Article 28 Aim of Education

Parent/Carer Information session on Risk Taking Behaviour takes place on Tuesday, 6.30pm in F10

The next Parent/Carer Information session on Risk Taking Behaviour takes place on Tuesday, 6.30pm in F10. It is also available on teams and the link was shared in an email on the 22nd November. If you would like more information then please contact the Parent Council balernohspc@gmail.com.

The next Parent Council meeting is on the 4th December at 6.30pm in the LRC.

UNCRC Article 18 Responsibilities of parents

Senior Phase Assessments

I wish all S4/5/6 students the very best of luck as they embark on their assessments next week.

Early lunches will be available from the Riverside for young people who have an assessment starting over our usual lunchtime.

So you are aware, when an assessment ends during class time, young people will be returning to class.

UNCRC Article 28 Aim of Education

Rights Week and UNICEF Fundraiser Total

Thank you to everyone who took part in Rights Week last week. You can head over to the school’s Instagram to see the highlights from the week. We can also reveal our final fundraising total for UNICEF was £1484. This will go towards UNICEF’s vital work to support children during the Gaza crisis. A huge thank you to anyone who donated and a special shout out to all those who collected sponsorship money as part of the #kidstakeover.

UNCRC Article 38 Protection in War

Article of the month

Please find the link below to our Article of Month. This month our focus is Article 19, which says that all children have the right to be protected from violence, abuse and being neglected.

Today will see our launch of the 16 days of Activism against gender based violence. The Wellbeing and Equalities Teams will be hosting a series of events and awareness opportunities.

UNCRC Article 19 Protection from Violence

‘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

Kind regards,

Ros Ranger

Head Teacher

Headteacher’s Update – 15th September

/ balernohighschool

Good afternoon,

Here are this week’s updates:

Monday holiday – 18th September 2023

A reminder that school is closed on Monday 18th September. We look forward to welcoming pupils back to school at 0830 on Tuesday 19th September

Curricular excursions/fieldwork

Higher and Advanced Higher Geography pupils were out this week completing their urban fieldwork.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

Jeans for Genes Day

Today was Jeans for Genes day, many thanks for all the donations already received. You can still make a contribution via ParentPay until 1800 on Tuesday 19th September.

UNCRC Article 6 Life, survival and development

Support study offer 23-24

The Senior Phase (S4-6) study support offer is now available on the padlet Balerno Community High School (padlet.com) and on our website.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

Extra-curricular clubs

Our extra-curricular offer for all year groups is now available on the padlet Balerno Community High School (padlet.com) and on our website.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education, Article 31 Rest, Play, Culture and Arts, Article 15 Setting up or joining groups

International excursions update

I previously shared that I hoped to be able to provide you with information in relation to our International Excursions offer at the start of September. Staff are currently completing and submitting approval paperwork for the excursions they plan to offer. Once we have approval we will share the information, but to avoid disappointment I do not want to share information in advance of approval. At present we hope to run excursions from January 2025, many thanks for your understanding and patience.

UNCRC Article 31 Rest, Play, Culture, Arts  Article 29 Aims of Education

S1 – lunchtime permission to attend Balerno village

As from Tuesday 19th September, S1 pupils have the option of leaving the school grounds during lunchtime. All pupils can still order a school lunch but if they hope to purchase food off site can you remind them there is likely to be queues and it is their responsibility to be back at school ready for classes by 1350. Many thanks.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

Parent Information Sessions

The Parent Council have arranged for Fast Forward to run 3 information evenings on the topics most mentioned in the parental surveys. The first information session is on Internet Safety and Social Media on the 26th September, 6.30pm in the Drama Studio. Hopefully this will also be available via Teams. The next 2 sessions are, 24th October on Vaping and 28th November on Risk Taking Behaviour. You will be able to book a place on using the Parent Booking System next week.

Addition to ‘Our Balerno Way…dressing for excellence’

Many thanks to the parents/carers who completed the form last week to express an interest in purchasing a black round neck Balerno sweatshirt. We have been in touch with Stevensons and will update you when we hear back.

UNCRC Article 12 Respect for children’s views

‘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

Kind regards,

I hope you manage to find some time to relax over the long weekend.

Ros Ranger

Head Teacher

Headteacher’s Update – 8th September

/ balernohighschool

Good morning,

I hope you have had a opportunity to enjoy this fantastic weather before it breaks.

Included in this communication:

New Depute Headteacher (Curriculum and Cockburn House Head)

We are delighted to welcome Evonne O’Doherty to our Balerno team, she will be joining us as Depute Headteacher (DHT) next week.

Cara Prot will remain in her acting post until the October holidays to ensure a smooth transition. Post October break, Cara will continue as acting DHT 2 days a week with a strategic overview on pathways and raising attainment.

Curricular excursions/fieldwork

Congratulations to all the S5 pupils who have been involved in Silver Duke of Edinburgh expeditions over the last 2 weekends. The expeditions took place in the Trossachs.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education, Article 31 Rest, Play, Culture, Arts

Jeans for Genes Day – dress down day 15th September

Our annual dress down day ‘Jeans for genes day’ is next Friday, 15th September. Cash donations can be made on the day or you can opt to donate via ParentPay. All donation would be much appreciated and if everyone donated £1 we would raise nearly £900.

UNCRC Article 6 Life, survival and development

SQA Exam Timetable 2024

SQA have contacted all schools to advise they have removed the Exam Timetable for 2024 from their website as they are currently making amendments. Once the revised timetable is re-issued we will share it with you.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

P7 Open Evening

We were delighted to welcome over 250 parents, carers and P7 pupils to the building on Tuesday evening. They had an opportunity to see around the school and meet some of our staff and young people.

Some of the feedback included:

  • The evening was very well organised and informative.
  • We enjoyed the chance to have a look around the different departments, our S6 guide was really helpful.
  • Great idea, worthwhile session. Thanks to staff and pupils for their efforts. My P7 now has an idea of what the building is like inside and also what goes on in classes.
  • Thank you to all the staff and young people that gave up their time to host the event.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

Traffic outside school

Though we appreciate the temporary traffic lights have now been removed from outside the school, I have received communication from one of our parents who is a cyclist who raised concerns in relation to how some parents/carers are dropping off/picking up their children. We ask you are mindful of cyclists and pedestrians in the morning and at the end of the day so all of our school community are safe, thank you.

UNCRC Article 3 Best interests of the child

Parent Council AGM

The Parent Council AGM for the 2023-24 session will be on Monday 11th September at 6.30pm in the Learning Resource Centre and on Teams. All parents and carers are welcome. Please refer to Alison Robertson’s email sent yesterday for further details and the TEAMS link.

UNCRC Article 17 Access to information

Request for an addition to Our Balerno Way…dressing for excellence

A number of pupils have approached me to ask if a black round neck school sweatshirt could be added as an optional top. I have contacted Stevensons who would be able to add this to their offer if there was sufficient demand. The cost would be £16.

If you could answer the three questions in the Form below we will be able to ascertain if this is viable. https://forms.office.com/e/FDTJdcUVNJ

UNCRC Article 12 Respect for children’s views

‘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 find time to relax over the weekend.

Kind regards,

Ros Ranger

Head Teacher

Headteacher’s Update – 25th August

/ balernohighschool

Good afternoon,

I hope your child/ren have enjoyed their first full week back at school.

Included in this communication:

Curricular excursions/fieldwork

We are delighted that the following curricular excursions have taken place this week:

  • AH Biology fieldwork trip to the Water of Leith Visitors Centre.
  • H and AH Music trip to the Edinburgh International Festival – Bluebeard’s Castle Opera. Members of the audience commented on the excellent behaviour of our young people.
  • PE visit to Murrayfield, a small group of Higher pupils attended the Captain’s run.
  • H and AH Drama trip to the Edinburgh Festival to see ‘Adults’. Members of the audience commented on the excellent behaviour of our young people.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education, Article 31 Rest, Play, Culture, Arts

Senior Phase Curriculum Information Evening

We had a very successful S4-6 Curriculum Evening last night with over 200 parents/carers in attendance. If you attended and would like to provide feedback please click on this link https://forms.office.com/e/gMSas5AfHD As always we appreciate your views and they support our evaluation of the event.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

Parent Council Welcome Evening

1830-2000, 28th August 2023

The Parent Council invites all parents and carers to an informal event to connect with others members of the school community.

Please refer to the email you received earlier in the week for further information.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

Parent / Carer Information Evening on Digital Health

Wednesday September 6th, 6.30-7.30pm, Balerno High School (online and in-person)

The RRSA Parent Carer Forum is delighted to welcome Ms Gerison Landsdown, an internationally respected child rights advocate to our first hybrid (online and in-person) information evening. Gerison will talk about her professional work and reflect on what it means to her as a mother. Topics will include impacts on health and wellbeing, bullying and exposure as well as the role of parents and teachers.

More information will follow next week.

Please use the following link to register your interest in coming to the event. https://forms.office.com/e/47PNddiBpQ

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education, Article 5 Family Guidance as Children Develop

S1 Welcome Evening

30th August 2023

Session 1 will run 17:00-18:00 for 1M1/1B1/1C1

Session 2 will run 18:00-19:00 for 1M2/1B2/1C2

The evening will include:

  • A welcome to Balerno High School
  • Introduction on how to access support on the school website, and meeting the support team.
  • Raising teens with confidence
  • Update on empowered learning (iPads)
  • Pathways in Maths  
  • Literacy across the curriculum
  • HWB across the curriculum
  • Rights Respecting Schools 

Registration will open on the Parent Booking System tonight 25th August 2023 at 1900 and close at 1900 on 29th August 2023. You will have received information on how to log into the Parent Booking System, if you need any support please contact the main office who will be happy to help you.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

P7 Open Evening

This year’s P7 Open Evening is taking place on Tuesday 5th September 1800-2000. Due to the numbers we expect to attend we are looking for parents/carers to sign-up using Eventbrite so we can manage the tours. More information to follow next week which you are welcome to share.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

S1-3 Leadership Fair

On Wednesday the 30th of August we will be hosting our first S1-3 Leadership and Extra-Curricular fair. This comes on the back of a very successful Senior event where pupils were given information and the opportunity to join a wide range of committees and clubs. Opportunities will include committees such as House Prefects, Equalities and Wellbeing Ambassadors, as well as sports clubs, lunch activities and the school magazine. This is a great opportunity for your child to get involved in the school and make new friends.

UNCRC Article 15 Setting up or Joining a Group.

Flu vaccine

S2-6 pupils should have received Flu Vaccination consent forms this week, with S1 receiving theirs today.

All returns should be returned to the main office by Friday 1st September.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education, Article 24 Health, Water, Food, Environment.

Annual data check and KIC forms

Your child/ren’s annual data check and KIC forms which have been passed to all young people should also be returned to the main office by asap.

Article 18 Responsibility of Parents.

Supporting extra-curricular activities

Our after school sports clubs are starting up over the coming weeks, and we would like to reach out to any parents/carers who may be interested in getting involved.  Volunteering can take many forms, from coaching one of our sports teams, leading on a social after school activity, or perhaps helping transport some of our young people to another school for an away fixture.  All offers of help would be welcome.  In particular, we are still looking for coaches for our S1 and S2 football groups for this year.  If you would like to find out more (with no obligation!), then please email me on neil.russell@ea.edin.sch.uk in the first instance.

UNCRC Article 31 Rest, Play, Culture, Arts, Article 15 Setting up or Joining a Group.

‘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)

For new parents/carers, the padlet is available via the two links provided and is a place so you can access support, school successes and general information. It is updated on a Friday for the following week.

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 an enjoyable weekend,

Kind regards,

Ros Ranger

Head Teacher

Headteacher’s Update – 18th August

/ balernohighschool

Good afternoon,

I hope you all had an opportunity to rest, relax and recharge over the summer break.

Can I start by welcoming all our new parents/carers and young people to the school, we are delighted you are part of our school community.

I endeavour to share a weekly email with an update on activities/events happening within the school and I hope you will find them informative

Included in this communication:

My vision for Balerno High School

I am honoured and feel immensely privileged to start the new academic year as your permanent Head Teacher.

My vision and focus will be driving Balerno High School towards excellence, having high expectations and being ambitious for every young person in our school community.

Working with our young people, yourselves, staff and external agencies to drive forward improvement in all areas will be at the core of our school business and as we move into a time where education for S4-S6 students is going to change we will keep you informed with the outcomes of the review of qualifications and assessment  https://www.gov.scot/publications/future-report-independent-review-qualifications-assessment/

As we move forward, I will share how this drive for excellence will look and the actions the school will be taking. You will hear me talking about our school culture, Our Balerno Way…aiming for excellence and I look forward to working in partnership with you to achieve this vision.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

Our Balerno Way…dressing for excellence

We have been delighted with the response to Our Balerno Way…dressing for excellence this week. We want all our young people to be proud to be part of the school community and we are incredibly impressed how they have embraced the uniform review. We cannot thank you enough for your support.

If you were still hoping to order a school hoodie please visit https://www.stevensons.co.uk/ , ties remain available at the main office. £4 for S1-5 tie, £7 for a S6 tie.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education, Article 2 No discrimination

Access to the school building

As part of a review of the school, this week we have shared with all young people that fire doors cannot be used as a point of entry or exit to the building. Throughout the day all young people should only enter or exit the school via the two doors at reception. However, at the start and end of the day there will be an additional pupil entrance/exit from the concourse.

For security purposes, if you are accessing the building after 1800, please be aware that entry can only be made via the main door which is accessed from the side of the swimming pool carpark.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

Senior Phase Curriculum Evening – 6-8pm, 24th August 2023

This evening is for parents/carers of S4-S6 students and will offer an opportunity to find out more about the subjects your child is undertaking and how you can support them to achieve this session. Please refer to Mrs Anderson’s email sent yesterday for further details.

The Parent Booking System is now open to sign-up and closes on Wednesday 23rd August, timings of the event will follow next week.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

Parent Council Welcome Evening – 1830-2000, 28th August 2023

The Parent Council invites all parents and carers to an informal event to connect with others members of the school community. If you are a new parent/carer we hope you will manage to join us. Further information will follow.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

S1 Welcome Evening  – 30th August 2023

Session 1 will run 17:00- 18:00 for 1M1/1B1/1C1

Session 2 will run 18:00 -19:00 for 1M2/1B2/1C2

The evening will include:

  • A welcome to Balerno High School
  • Introduction on how to access support on the school website, and meeting the support team.
  • Raising teens with confidence
  • Update on empowered learning (iPads)
  • Pathways in Maths  
  • Literacy across the curriculum
  • HWB across the curriculum
  • Rights Respecting Schools 

Booking will open on the Parent Booking System on the 22nd August and close on the 25th August. You will receive information on how to log into the Parent Booking System at the start of next week prior to the event opening.

UNCRC Article 29 Aims of Education

International excursions

I am delighted that I will be able to share details on the International excursions we have on offer 2024-2029 at the start of September.

UNCRC Article 31 Rest, Play, Culture, Arts  Article 29 Aims of Education

‘Our Balerno Way’ – Communications Padlet

We hope you are finding the padlet available on the school website homepage helpful Balerno High School | 0131 477 7788 (wordpress.com) Balerno Community High School (padlet.com)

For new parents/carers, the padlet is available via the two links provided and is a place so you can access support, school successes and general information. It is updated on a Friday for the following week.

If you have any feedback it would be much appreciated so we can take this into account https://forms.office.com/e/hZv1jq46jU

We look forward to working with you to ensure the best outcomes for all the young people at Balerno High School in the academic year ahead.

Kind regards,

Ros Ranger

Head Teacher