Lasswade spring newsletter

DREAM, BELIEVE, ACHIEVE AT LASSWADE

Lasswade High School Spring Newsletter April 2014 Easter Study Programme, pg 3

The BBC School Report videos are available on our school website http://lasswadehsc.mgfl.net/?page_id=2776 ‘The Back Pages’

Sport News, pg 18-22

New York Trip, pg 5

Celebrating Youth Event, pg 7

Advanced Higher Modern Studies , pg 12

Creative Writing Club News, pg 10

Message from the Headmaster, Mr A Williamson Welcome to our Spring Newsletter at the end of a very busy and highly successful term in Lasswade High School.

As you will know the school was visited by HMIe Inspectors in January 2014 on a three day visit and left us with a glowing report in relation to progress with School Improvement.

The letter has been published via the school website – a link is provided later in the Newsletter. In summary, the Inspectors found real positives in relation to Improved Attainment, particularly at S4, good progress with Teaching and Learning in areas such as Co-operative Learning and use of ICT and there was high praise for the work we have undertaken around our Vision & Values for moving forward and the importance that we now place on the ‘Student Voice’ in school. They were also impressed by innovative work that we have undertaken in relation to Curriculum for Excellence such as widening curriculum opportunities, introducing Interdisciplinary Learning via the Crown Estates Project and learning with iPads.

Hopefully you will not be surprised to find out that they continued to be impressed by the long established success story of Lasswade’s commitment to extra-curricular activity and wider achievement and also our care & compassion around Pupil Support and meeting learners’ needs.

As with all schools, Inspectors rightly leave areas for improvement in order to challenge us to improve the level of service that we offer our students. Areas specifically mentioned relate to Senior School Attainment in certain subject areas, delivering Religious, Moral and Philosophical Education in the Senior School and tracking pupils’ achievements and attainment in the Junior School. We will draw up an Improvement Plan in May to take these areas forward in the new session.

As you will understand school life continues beyond HMIe Inspections and I am pleased to report that it is very challenging for me as Headmaster to single out key events and successes this term as there have been so many. However, I do think it is worthwhile highlighting several sporting success stories including indoor athletics, Rugby 7s and girls’ football all of which you will read more about in the Newsletter. In addition to sport, we have this term witnessed our annual “Proud to be a Scot” event attended by our local MSP Colin Beattie and further progress towards maintaining our Eco Schools Green Flag. In relation to wider achievement, we hosted the CLD Youth Achievement Event which was a superb opportunity to celebrate success beyond the curriculum.

Last week the BBC News Report team ran in conjunction with our Crest Awards for the Crown Estate Programme which involved a large proportion of very talented S3 students. Please take the time to check out the News Reports on the website.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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We have also been engaging with a local photographer to capture the ‘life of the school’ and this photography along with outstanding pieces of work from our highly talented Art & Design Department will be displayed on the many white walls within the new Lasswade High School!

Earlier in the term, we finalised with our students our ‘Vision & Values’ for the new school. As you will see at the top of the Newsletter and our website our democratically agreed Vision Statement is now, “Dream, Believe & Achieve” at Lasswade underpinned by ‘DREAM’ values which we hope and expect to live up to in our daily lives within, and beyond, the school.

On the curriculum front the Senior Students and staff have been working extremely hard in preparation for the forthcoming SQA examinations and I cannot fault the effort of our teachers and young people in relation to the effort they are putting in, particularly around the new qualifications. I would alert all parents to the information in the Newsletter about opportunities for Easter Study and would highlight that staff in Lasswade High School offer this facility above and beyond the call of duty and with no additional payment from the school. We have had very exciting and innovative study support sessions from ‘Live ‘n’ Learn’ and we have organised for further input from this company next session and we have also witnessed the annual Maths/Science Challenge in the first of several opportunities for our new Primary 7 cohort to experience their new High School.

As you will hopefully be aware our Suspended Timetable plans for summer are ongoing and I am so proud to be leading a school which will see so many incredible opportunities for our young people to participate in trips, to name but a few, to Skye, Battlefields, Munich, Valkenburg, Paris and Ghana! Over and above that, planning is underway for another trip to Shanghai and New York next session. I am personally very excited about visiting our partnership school in Shanghai this Easter where I will very proudly communicate all the positives in relation to the new Lasswade High School.

Looking ahead we are also very excited about the Trash Fashion Concert at the end of term and I can assure you that the rehearsals for Hairspray are progressing well!

Another of the positives that came from the Inspection Report was the transformation in relation to the work undertaken by the Parent Council at Lasswade High School and I would encourage you to consider joining an increasing number of parents who attend the Parent Council meetings and contribute massively to the life and work of the school.

Moving forward, I look forward to continuing to work with you over the summer term. I would also like to continue to draw your attention to the school website which is a useful source of communication on school life. I hope you enjoy our latest edition and would like to thank Kat Brack, our inspirational Librarian, for the work undertaken in putting together our school Newsletters.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Easter Study Programme 2014 Below is the programme of study support available to S4, S5 and S6 students during the Easter Break.

By Subject: Art - 7 & 8 April Biology – Int 2 only 14th & 15th April Bus Man – Nat 5 10th April from 9.00am Drama - N5 only 14th April 10 – 1pm English – 8 & 9 April Geography – 10th April Graphics – 7 & 8 April History – 9th April Maths - 7,8,16 & 17 April Music - 8th April 10.30 – 2pm & 15th April : 10.30 – 2pm Physics – 10th April from 9.00am

By Date: Monday 7th

Tuesday 8th

ART GRAPHICS MATHS

ART ENGLISH GRAPHICS MATHS MUSIC (10.30-2)

Monday 14th

Tuesday 15th

BIOLOGY (Int 2) DRAMA (Nat 5, 10 - 1)

BIOLOGY (Int 2) MUSIC (10.30-2)

Wednesday 9th ENGLISH HISTORY

Wednesday 16th

Thursday 10th BUSINESS MGT (Nat 5) GEOGRAPHY PHYSICS Thursday 17th MATHS

MATHS

Lasswade Community Library is open throughout the Easter holidays.

Mon, Wed, Fri

9am - 5pm

Tue, Thu

9am - 8pm

Sat

9am—1pm

Sun

1pm—5pm

Pupils are welcome to use the library throughout the holidays to read, study and complete coursework.

Kat Brack, the School Librarian, will be in the library on the 9th, 10th, 11th and 14th of April and will be available to assist pupils with school work and revision.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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New York Trip, ‘Lasswade hit the Big Apple’ Article by Meghan and Lauren, S6 In February a group of S5/6 pupils and staff set off to New York to experience the culture and atmosphere of Manhattan.

We had just arrived, unpacked and then we headed out for a tour of the area and then sampled the delights of Macys. The evening was spent being dazzled by the views at the top of the Empire State Building. On the Sunday we were up early and then had our first experience of the New York Subway.

We headed over to Brooklyn and then walked back to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge, stopping to take photos of the amazing views. Then it was a short walk to the Staten Island ferry and a trip past Lady Liberty. After our ferry trip we headed up Wall Street. The evening was spent at Madison Square Gardens cheering on St Johns v Creighton at basketball. It was an amazing evening of basketball & NY fast food!

On Monday we headed up to Central Park where we were doing our own version of Lasswade on Ice. After an hour on the skating rink in the Park we headed to seek out some bargains in Bloomingdales. After lunch we headed all the way Downtown to the United Nations for a tour. We had a really interesting afternoon with the guides from the UN. Then it was back Uptown on the Subway to Columbia University for a tour of the campus and the buying of sweatshirts in the University store. The evening was spent at Grand Central Station. We discovered the whispering gallery and movie spots in the station. We enjoyed dinner in the massive underground dinning hall.

Tuesday we were up and down to Battery Park early to get the first ferry to the Statue of Liberty. After a tour of the Statue we headed back on the ferry to Ellis Island taking full advantage of the guided tour. Then it was back on ferry back to Manhattan – taking in the stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. We headed up to 5th Avenue to be dazzled by some of the stores. We played the giant piano in FAO Schwarts , dazzled by Tiffany’s and then headed to the Rockefeller Centre . The evening was spent in Times Square and to end the night we visited Cake Boss.

Wednesday was our last day in the Big Apple. We started the day by visiting 9/11 Memorial Gardens. We then headed to the village to meet the famous photographer Albert Watson. He talked to us about his time as a pupil at Lasswade High School and also about his exciting career as a photographer.

Then it was back to the hotel for last minute packing and then on the coach to the airport for the flight home.

We all had a great time in the Big Apple and had some amazing experiences.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Albert Watson visit in New York World renowned photographer Albert Watson, subject of the BBC2 programme ‘What does an Artist do in a day?’, met with pupils from Lasswade during the trip to New York.

Albert is a former pupil of Lasswade and was presented with a 1959 whole school photograph which he was pictured in.

For more info about the New York Trip see pg 4

Lasswade Clean Energy Group Willie Watt, General Manager from Subsea 7 and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Caithness spoke with Lasswade's Clean Energy Group.

The group are working towards a Silver Crest Award through their work with Crown Estates.

Maths Challenge The Maths Challenge has been running throughout the year.

Prior to Christmas we had the Senior Maths challenge for S5 and S6, the Intermediate Challenge took place in February for S3 ands S4 and the Junior challenge takes place in May for S1 and S2.

Each challenge is a chance for pupils to test their problem solving skills in a national context and certificates are given to those achieving a good level of ability when compared to their peers nationwide .

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Visitors from Copenhagen Staff and pupils from Zahles Seminarieskole, Copenhagen visited Lasswade in March. Mr Williamson and Mrs Mitchell received this thank you letter:

“We have just returned to Denmark after a wonderful stay in Edinburgh. Our week was full of events, Arthurs Seat, West Side Story, Edinburgh Castle! However the most irreplaceable experience was visiting your school. Thanks for your warm welcome from the pupils as well as the teachers. You really seem to have a solid and dedicated team of teachers.

This visit will remain for us an unforgettable experience. I am sending enclosed a group picture as a souvenir.”

Scottish Property Awards The Scottish Property Awards were held on 27th February 2014. The Lasswade High School Centre was nominated in two categories, winning the ‘Community Partnership of the Year’ Award.

The centre was nominated by the Scottish Futures Trust.

The awards are judged by a panel of experts drawn from commercial property and are supported by a number of sponsors.

The awards raise funds for the charity ‘It’s good to give’ which supports families and children suffering from cancer.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Celebrating Youth Event The Celebrating Youth Event took place on the 20th March at Lasswade High School to celebrate young people’s contribution to their school and community and wider youth achievement. The event was organised by Community Learning & Development staff and Lasswade High School. 175 young people, parents and representatives from volunteer supporting organisations attended.

Over 100 Lasswade High Students were recognised at the Celebrating Youth event. Between them they have contributed over 3500 hours to various community groups, charities and uniformed organisations.

Speeches were provided by Karen Downie, Youth Services Manager from Volunteer Centre, Kenneth Lawrie, Chief Executive of Midlothian Council, Clare TaylorBrown & Catherine Duns from Community Learning & Development, Kirsty Markie from Young Scot, Leanne Rockingham from Healthy Respect NHS Lothian, Colin Beattie, MSP - Midlothian North & Musselburgh and Alan Wait, Education Officer, Quality Improvement Midlothian Council.

4 young people from Lasswade’s High School anti-bullying group known as Respect Us received the Diana Anti Bullying Champion Award, 14 young people received their Bronze Youth Achievement Award and over 50 young people received their Saltire Awards.

The evening was hosted by Daniel Baigrie, chair of Midlothian Youth Platform MYP and our 2 Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament MSYPs, Sam Tracey and Rose Brown.

The evening allowed a showcase of the local talent; young people provided music and the Laugh Out Loud drama group performed a short play written by Nicole Young a fourth year student.

T.J Connell, Jessica Addy and Jasmine Smales from the Friday Night Music Project entertained on the night.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Cookery Club Members of Cookery Club were asked to write about their favourite week this session: “We made pasta bake and it is so much fun. I enjoyed all of it because I love cooking! I can now make a pasta bake and garlic bread. I love all the teachers and people who help. It is a great club!” Emily, S1 “I love coming to cookery club, I wish I could still go in 3rd year. It is taken by the best teachers ever, Miss Fairley and Miss Bigley. You have to join, it is so much fun.” Lucy, S2

Please see Miss Fairley or Miss Bigley if you are interested in joining Cookery Club “I hardly ever like korma, but the korma we made was amazing!”

“I love cooking! So I was so glad I got to join this club. My favourite thing so far was the gateau.” Jemma, S1

“I really loved the cheese and ham pasta, it was yummy! Me and my mum made it again. Thanks cookery club for that recipe.”

“I really enjoy cookery club, as it’s a great laugh and I learn new skills!” Gillian, S2

“I love cooking and baking so I really wanted to join cookery club. My favourite recipe was the chocolate gateau and I enjoyed making the Easter nests.” Shonagh, S1 “Cookery club has drastically improved my cooking skills and i have learnt lots of useful new skills. It is great fun and my favourite week has to be yogurt buns. They were amazing!”

Rhiannon, S1 “I loved making the coconut gateau, I had so much fin. This is the best club ever, you have to join!” Kathryn, S1

“I enjoyed helping at cookery club as it allows me to help others and develop my cookery skills.” Paul, S4

Music Concert There will be a night of music in Lasswade in High School on Thursday 3rd April at 7pm.

This evening will combine two events; the music department’s end of term concert and the final of ‘Lasswade High School Junior and Senior Young Musician and Vocalist’.

Finalists for young musician and vocalist have been through heats to get to the final.

This is an excellent opportunity to showcase the impressive talents of so may of our pupils. Good luck to everyone taking part.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Creative Writing Club Three aspiring Lasswade writers, Lucy Jones (S2), Anna Blair (S1) and Megan Bond (S1) are to have their creative writing published in the Young Writers anthology.

These achievements comes after the Lasswade Creative Writing Club entered stories into a national 100 word competition on the theme of ‘A Twist in the Tale’; two of these stories were included in the Lasswade High School Christmas Newsletter.

Creative Writing Club meets on a Thursday lunchtime. See Mrs Ramtohul in the English Department to find out more.

In the past couple of weeks the group has been working on the theme of Easter, creating work especially for this newsletter....

Easter Poem by Megan Bond, S1 Everyone's getting ready, At Spring, Easter is here, Start hiding the eggs, the hunts about the start, The sun is up, the hunt is going steady, Every year the bunny comes Ready, steady, HUNT!!!

Easter Poem By Sara Convie, S1 The shiny red cover entices me in, Concealing the rare beauty which is held within, And crinkles and crackles as I slowly pull it back, And then in one swift movement a small Bit goes SNAP! The colour so rich and deep chocolate brown, So incredibly amazing I can't put it down.

And slowly but surely an inch at a time, It gets closer to my mouth, just one Piece, or nine.

It tastes so delicious no words can explain, I will never taste such amazing bliss again, but now I've had one bit I've got to have more, Of this wonderful chocolate Easter egg Because I've got them galore!

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

By Lucy “China, China?” squealed Maisey.

“What’s wrong now?” sighed China.

Maisey was four and had a very active imagination. Last Tuesday there was a dragon in the bath (Ty’s lizard Mikey). Yesterday there was a princess in a coach outside (turned out to be Amy in her car going to a party). “The Easter bunny is in our living room!” “Oh, Okay…” I said, playing along. “What does he want?”

“He wants us to go to Easter Island with him to save a witch called Sapphire Crownsela!” Even though Maisey was only four, China sort of believed her. China followed Maisey down the spiral staircase and into the living room. There, standing in front of the chestnut leather couch, was the Easter bunny. He had obviously dressed up for the occasion. He was wearing a cream waistoat and a top hat. “Why is he here?” China wondered, but didn’t object. “Okay, I will help you save the witch.” But what she didn’t know what a horrible fate was ahead of her...

pg 9

Mr Lee-Barron reading interview English Teacher, Mr Lee-Barron was interviewed by his second year class about books, authors and why he loves reading.

The class come up with their own set of interview questions. The interview took place on Friday 28th March.

What distracts you from reading?

Mr Lee-Barron: “Att home...my kids. Especially my middle one Ollie who is four, he talks a lot and likes a lot of attention.”

Who inspired you to read?

“Ah, well, both my parents were English teachers so there were a lot of books in the house. My mum read to me a lot when I was little and then I started reading the books she had read to me. So, yeah, my parents.”

What age were you when you read your first proper book?

“Surprisingly late actually, I really struggled with reading when I was really young. I don’t know, maybe 7 or 8, something like that. I got the hang of it after a while” Do you remember what it was that you read?

“I do yes. I don't want to tell you because it is embarrassing!”

Why do you like reading so much? It’s boring!

“Boring? Its not boring! You imagine having a conversation with the cleverest, most interesting, most engaging person you and having them tell you a story. Well reading is like that. You can talk to them for hours, or listen to them talk to you inside your head. You never run out of conversation and will never run out of stories that they can tell you. Its an amazing thing!”

What’s your favourite book?

“That keeps changing. Em, I don't know. It used to be Midnight’s Children. I couldn’t tell you what it is now. Every time I read something that is amazing it becomes my favourite for a while.”

What was your first favourite?

“The first book I really remember totally falling in love with was one that my mum read it me; The Hobbit. I was on a Tolkien kick when I was little.”

Have you ever thought of writing your own book?

“Yes, often, all the time. I've got loads of ideas but I have always either been too busy of not had the application or the patience, or maybe deep down inside I’m afraid that Ill not be able to pull it off. So I have never done it. I have a file of scribbled notes that never turn into anything.”

Who is your favourite character in a book?

“That’s really hard. Em, right now, even though it’s a while since I have read it I would say Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall.”

What types of books do you like?

“Well I read a lot of novels obviously, but I like history books as well. I like books that merge those two together, like the novel I just mentioned, Wolf Hall. It is a historical novel, set in Henry VIII’s court.”

What author would you most like to meet? “ooh, well I used to work in the theatre and some people I know went on tour with a show in the states and they went to a party and they got to met Salman Rushdie and I was really jealous of that. Id love to meet him. He is one of my favourite writers. Who else? Em, Ian McEwan, Julian Barnes would both be fantastic. I have met a few writers but no-one on that level and I would love to, expect its impossible because he has been dead for hundreds of years, but if I could met Shakespeare, sit down and talk to him, that would blow my mind” What book do you think would be good for reading to children?

“I think the Harry Potter books are amazing actually. I was one of those people that was quite sneery about adults reading children’s’ books when they first came out and then I read them to my eldest child, Ivy, and I thought they were fantastic, I loved them and then you could graduate to Northern Lights, that one I have read to you a little bit, and I’m reading those to Ivy at the moment.”

How many books have you read in your lifetime?

“I have no idea. I know how many books that I’ve got because I counted them not very long ago.”

How many!?

“About a thousand!”

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award S4 pupils have been preparing their expeditions in the Pentlands in early & mid June. Having been on practice expeditions earlier this year, the June expeditions will allow them to qualify for their Bronze awards and will be the culmination of months of work by the students. As well as outdoor work for the expeditions, students have also undertaken a wide range of volunteering, physical activities and skills improvements that make up the requirements of the Bronze Award. Whilst these 3 activities must take place over a minimum of 3 months each, by each pupil (and one of them must be continued for 6 months) many pupils chose to do skills or physical activities they were already doing and have continued with them since starting their Duke of Edinburgh's award. For many students, the volunteering requirement has given them most enjoyment - many expected to only do their chosen volunteering activity for 3 months but have found it so rewarding that they've continued it. A group of S3 students are well underway in their pursuit of Bronze award and will be starting their outdoor training in May - watch this space for more news!

This is the first group from Lasswade High School to do Duke of Edinburgh's Award in many years. Well done!

Advanced Higher Modern Studies In Advanced Higher Modern Studies students focus on ‘Law and Order’ where various aspects of the criminal justice system, including prisons, are studied. To enhance their understanding of the prison system in Scotland the department has established links with Mr Brian Fraser who works at HMP Edinburgh. On Wednesday 19th March Mr Fraser visited Lasswade for a question and answer session with the class. The class asked a wealth of insightful questions and as such were able to find out more about support for prisons with mental health problems, conduct and behaviour in prison and how the prison system is organised. It was the perfect opportunity to gain insight into the reality behind the theory which is learnt in the classroom.

To follow on from this Mr Fraser invited the class to visit the prison for a tour. This was a real eye opening trip for the class; allows students, and accompanying staff, to further understand what day to day life is like for prisoners. The tour included the visiting areas, kitchens, gym, doctors surgery, two cell blocks and one cell. This was an invaluable trip for the class and was infinitely boosted by Mr Fraser's willingness to answer questions and share his years of experience.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Primary Maths/Science Challenge The Primary Maths/Science Challenge took place on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th March, involving all P7s in our cluster.

On the Tuesday the primary 7 pupils from Paradykes, Rosewell and Loanhead visited Lasswade for the event. Pupils from Burnbrae, Bonnyrigg and Hawthornden took part on the Wednesday.

In the morning pupils enjoyed puzzle activities and made flexagons.

There were poster and relay competitions in the afternoon.

The overall winners of the challenge were Paradykes on the Tuesday and Hawthornden on the Wednesday.

The Lasswade High School Science Department demonstrated experiments including adding alkalis to water, where there was lots of fizzing, melting and metals bursting into flames. Pupils also got to see Magnesium burning, which produced a bright white light, and got to hear the popping sound of hydrogen when it burns.

There was also experiments with the Van der Graaf generator.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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12

Life Sciences Event S3 pupils were involved in the Life Sciences Event held on Tuesday 25th March.

There was a range of activities including owl pellet dissection, parasite research using microscopes, genetic engineering discovery lessons and creating a strand of DNA made from sweets.

Pupils also heard presentations from scientists and staff from the Charles Rivers Laboratories and Edinburgh University.

Everyone can view the ‘Careers in Life Sciences’ presentation on the school website. http://lasswadehsc.mgfl.net/?p=7293

Higher Biology Genetic Engineering Higher Biology and Higher Human Biology students enjoyed a Genetic Engineering workshop presented by visiting speakers from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology and the University of Edinburgh this week.

As well as learning more about the mechanisms of how the genes of organisms are altered to make useful products for humans, the students took part in interactive activities to build models of DNA and use genetic engineering with their models to solve problems and challenges currently being faced by scientists and doctors. The visiting speakers helped students to examine how genetic engineering has been employed locally to alleviate suffering in individuals with medical conditions. Students relished the chance to apply what they've already learned in their biology courses to real-life, locally-led science and medicine and enjoyed working with real scientists currently engaged in research in these areas.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

pg 13

Design and Technology Recycled Toy Competition The challenge for pupils in S1 was to create at child’s toy using only ‘found’ materials.

The toy must be created using no sellotape or glue. Pupils also had to research waste and recycling and what life was like for children in poor countries.

Here are the winners:

Paper Swan. Kylie Mabon, 1SA3

Puppet. Charlotte Bowe, 1MK2

Card Giraffe. Lewis Hanley, 1SA3

Card Dragster. Daniel Lennie, 1SL1

Kerplunk. Shaun Masterton, 1MK1

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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MY-JET Experience Pupils were asked to share their experiences of the MY-JET (Midlothian Youth; Jobs, Education and Training) programme.

We have been at MY-JET for almost a year now and have learnt a variety of different skills that will help us in the working environment. It has opened our eyes and shown us what to expect when leaving school and how to communicate and interact with others. During the experience we have been given various tasks to complete from working with machinery to working in an office. MY-JET can give you an inside look at what you might want to do in the future. For example if you are planning on going into the plumbing trade when you are older you can do your MY-JET with a plumbing company. You will learn more about that trade. MyJet gives you the opportunity to try out the job you are thinking of doing when you leave school.

“I found MY-JET really useful. Since I have been on the MY-JET course I have learnt a lot about the working trade. Before I started MY-JET I always thought I wanted to be a plumber but as I progressed through the course, I soon discovered that trade wasn't for me. I have now been offered an apprenticeship with John Noble Electricians who I have been working with.” Kyle McIntosh

“I have really enjoyed my time on MY-JET. Its made me turn things around and try harder in school.”

Jordan Paterson “I have learnt new skills that will help me greatly when I leave school and move onto a job.” Rhys Peacock

“I think the MY-JET course has helped me a lot because my confidence level has increased massively. My communication skills have improved by talking to new people everyday at work.” Lee Perfect

“I have really enjoyed it and it has made me more confident around new people. I now feel better prepared for the world of work..” Nathan Wallace

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

“I have really enjoyed the MY-JET programme. I have learnt a lot of new skills and met new people. I feel I have grown in confidence a lot.” Jack French

pg 15

Campus Police Officer, Lynne Cochrane “My name is PC Lynne Cochrane. I am the Youth Community Officer based at both Lasswade High and Newbattle High.

Working in partnership with the school, my role is to maximise Early Intervention, Prevention and Engagement Opportunities within the school environment whilst taking into account the needs of the local community.

By providing an accessible and high visibility presence in the school I hope to make a real difference to the impact of youth behaviour on the wider community. I will be involved with youth diversionary programmes in an attempt to engage with local youths, building upon and enhancing relationships between youths and the Police.�

No Smoking Day, 12th March No Smoking Day was on the 12th March so during the week beginning 10th March Lasswade High, Community Learning and Development and NHS Lothian promoted the free, confidential drop in service available from NHS Lothian for young people who would like to stop smoking. We also delivered assemblies featuring a short NHS Lothian film that focused on 3 real life Edinburgh College students who smoke and they discussed the health, financial and personal hygiene implications it has on their lives.

If you would like help to stop smoking please speak to your guidance teacher and they can arrange for you to meet Diana Martin, the Stop Smoking Coordinator for Young People or you can drop her an email for some advice diana.martin@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Dance, Fashion and Art Show

Lasswade High School

Dance, Fashion & Art Show 2014 Wednesday 2nd April 7-9pm

Tickets cost £5 from Miss MacGregor Room 106

In previous years the school had three separate shows; dance, fashion and art.

Thanks to the new facilities at Lasswade we have been able to combine these events into one spectacular evening show.

The trash fashion show is a small group of pupils who have used their own time to produce costumes from recycled materials.

The dance show involves pupils from S1—S6 who take dance in PE. For pupils in Higher this performance contribute towards their Higher PE qualification.

The art show includes an exhibition of pupil work in the atrium; displayed in the style of an art gallery. This comprises of mainly Higher pupils paintings, sculpture and photography. There will also be around 20 costumes on the catwalk from S4-S6 pupils as part of National 4 & 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Art & Design.

As well as the performers and artists pupils have been involved with all aspects of the show including, music, lighting, modelling, hair, make-up.

Dance Club The dancers at the Monday after school club have been training hard for their first performance at the Dance, Fashion and Art Show.

If you like what you see at the show why don’t you come along after the holidays, Mondays 3.45-4.45pm, and join in?

All welcome – would be great to see you there!

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Sport and Recreation, Intermediate 2 Work Experience Article by Emma Hanlon, 6MK1 On a Wednesday, during a double period of Sport & Recreation, the class have participated in a 5 week block of work experience. We organised the placements on our own and we had to take responsibility for making sure the work placement had all the correct details and met the requirements of the course. The placements ranged from teaching primary school P.E, helping to take dance classes, working in the school gym and coaching rugby. This gave us confidence in trying to find work and it encouraged us to work towards our goals for the future.

Play sessions with the school creche Article by Chantelle Croy, 5SA1 From working previously with the school crèche at the Christmas Party we have led play sessions with the children. We have two different groups, on Mondays and Tuesdays, and we do a range of activities with them like parachute games, ball and balloon games, gymnastics and party games. We have completed 5 weeks which helps the children improve their communication skills, gain confidence around other people and develop their motor skills. The children always leave happy and are always excited to come back the next week.

Cycle Friendly Secondary School Following the assessment carried out on the 26th February 2014, we are delighted to confirm that Lasswade High School has been awarded Cycle Friendly Secondary School status.

The Cycle Friendly Secondary School Award is a recognition of commitment by the school to support pupils to travel by bike. Encouraging pupils to travel actively is hugely important for their health, for our environment and also in making our schools safer through reduced congestion.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Scottish Schools Swimming Championships Congratulations to Jennifer Henderson 4SL2 and Iain Rose 6SL2, who both competed at the Scottish Schools Swimming Championships on Friday 7th March with great success.

Jennifer is now 15/16 years Scottish Schools Champion winning both the 100m and 200m freestyle, an absolutely fantastic achievement.

Iain achieved 2nd place in the 17-19 years 100m breaststroke and 3rd in the 200m breaststroke, an excellent result.

Scottish Indoor Track and Field Athletics Championships There were a number of successes for the Lasswade team at the Scottish Indoor Track and Field Athletics Championships on the 6th February.

Carolyn Cameron won a bronze medal in the Under 16 Girls 800m Hannah Cameron finished 4th in the Over 16 girls 800m final Rachel Fergusson competed in both the 60m hurdles final and the 200m final.

Lasswade Netball Article by Kirsty Robertson and Bryony Eunson, S3 Recently we have played our first two competitive matches. The first was against Newbattle where we unfortunately lost, but in our second match against Penicuik we won 10-8.

We currently train once a week at lunchtime. We are going to continue to play matches.

We all now have a red and black netball dress to tie in with the school colours.

We really enjoy netball and look forward to playing more matches in the future.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Giant Heptathlon Well done to the Giant Heptathlon team who finished second in the Midlothian qualifiers and progressed to the regional event held at Meadowbank Stadium.

Although the team did not qualify for the National event a great time was had by all; with each pupil a credit to themselves and the school.

Scottish Cross Country Championships

Congratulations to Hannah Cameron and Carolyn Cameron who competed in the Scottish Cross Country Championships. Hannah finished 6th in the Over 16s event and Carolyn finished 11th in the Under 16s event.

A great success!

Lasswade Hockey The hockey team performed fantastically well at the Midlothian Hockey Tournament coming joint 1st along with Penicuik missing out on the shield by only one goal.

This is a great achievement for the team. Well done Holly Heatley, Sarah Robertson, Kirsty Robertson, Christopher Jones, Lewis Burns, Nancy Stewart, Carolyn Cameron and Maia Hollins-Kirk. Congratulations to Sarah Robertson who won 'The Player of the Year' award and Maia Hollins-Kirk who won 'Most Improved Player'.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Lasswade Football News This has been yet another successful season for the Lasswade School football programme. The pupils have represented the school at U13 to senior level in the league, league cup and Scottish cup competitions. There are a few teams still competing for trophies: Senior Boys The senior team are playing in the semi final of the league cup against St Augustine’s on Friday 25th April at Meggetland—3pm KO. Girls’ Football Team The girls’ football team have been very successful this year with a good turn-out of players for the Under 15s team. Training takes place on a Thursday after school on the school astro-turf until 5pm. So far in the Scottish Cup they have never lost a game, with some very impressive scores of 4-1 against Taylor High School, 14-0 against James Gillespie’s High School, 4-2 against Mintlaw Academy and 10-1 in the Quarter Finals against Stranraer Academy.

The girls’ next game is against Linlithgow Academy on the 30th of April at Meggetland in Edinburgh. The game starts at 4:30pm and the girls would appreciate all of the support they can generate.

Well done girls and keep up the good work!

Lasswade 7’s This season’s Snr years football campaigns ended with the first ever Lass wade 7s tournament. The annual completion was open to any players from 4th, 5th and 6th year as well as the staff. The tournament was played over five Thursdays in a league format before a final knock out tournament played out in the shadow of the school building on the schools new 4G Theatre of Dreams. It was an afternoon of full blooded tackles, silky skills and a few fantastic goals which saw this seasons champions PBT run out 4 – 1 winners in the final against the Staff Strollers. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all teams who took part this year. Lastly a special honourable mention to both the 4th year teams for not trying too hard and making the staff feel so young again.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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Opening of 3G Astro Outdoor Pitch Lasswade Senior Boys vs. Lasswade Teachers The new S3 Astro Pitch was officially opened on Friday 24th January by former Lasswade High School pupil, Hearts Manager Gary Locke. The pitch is part of the second and final phase of work at the new £37.5 million Lasswade Centre.

The school celebrated the opening of the pitch with a “friendly” football match.

Staff and pupils came along to cheer on their classmates and teachers.

The students were obviously in high spirits, beating the staff 3-0 The event also raised money for charity by donations from spectators, with £300 going to the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

Queen’s Baton Relay Several Lasswade High School pupils will have the honour of carrying the Queen’s Baton as it travels the length and breadth of Scotland on the way to its final destination at the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

By the time it arrives in Scotland, the baton will have been on an epic 248 day journey around all the nations and territories of the Commonwealth.

In the meantime you can take a look at the Queen’s Baton Relay route, to get an indication of where it will visit on its journey through Midlothian: http://www.glasgow2014.com/join/queens-baton-relay/qbr-domestic-route Well done to all of our pupils who have been chosen by the Glasgow 2014 Batonbearer team.

More information coming soon about our Batonbearers. Check out the school website to keep up to date.

Lasswade High School Newsletter, April 2014

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