May 2013
Dear Parent/Carer New Head Teacher I am pleased to announce that the new Head Teacher of Lasswade High School will be Mr Alan Williamson who will take up his new post in August 2013. Mr Williamson is currently Head Teacher at Hawick High School.
Achievements - Amber is a Scottish Champion Congratulations to Champion Diver Amber Foster 2SL4 who was the winner of the Junior Women’s 1metre Springboard Championship held recently at the Commonwealth Pool. Amber is a member of Edinburgh Diving Club.
New School As you will see we are moving close to the completion of our new school. From the top floor down rooms are in ‘lock down’. This means that they are complete, cleaned and ready for use in August 2013. At the moment we are all busy with packing boxes ready for the big move.
‘Taste of Midlothian’ Cook Off Final Congratulations to the S3 winners of the ‘Taste of Midlothian’ Cookery Competition. Paul Davidson (3MK3), Jack Stewart (3MK1) and Euan Davidson (3MK3) participated in the event which was held at Edinburgh College on Monday 6 May 2013. The competition was organised by the Midlothian Food and Drink Forum and the aim was for students to devise a dish using locally and regionally sourced produce which is in season. The students created a dish called 'A wee pot of a Berry nice trifle' and worked with mentor Alan Gorrie of Delicious Catering spending an afternoon working with him in his catering kitchen. The dish will be served to 88 people including restaurant chefs, staff and others in the catering industry in Midlothian at the ‘Taste of Midlothian’ awards ceremony on Wednesday 22 May 2013. The event was sponsored by MacSween and the students will have a day working in their development kitchens in Bilston learning all about their products. Well done again and a big thank you to all who were involved.
Open Days Have a last look round the old school before it’s demolition on 1 July 2013. There will be an opportunity to have a last walk round the present school on the afternoon of Friday 14 June from 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm or Sunday 16 June from 11.00 am – 3.00 pm. There will be photographs displayed around the corridors and music provided by our own Music Department. All Dux Medallists have been invited to attend on the Sunday afternoon for an historic picture. S1/S2 Fund with Food Cookery Club Tuesday nights have been full of excitement, noise and good fun in the Home Economics department during terms 1 and 2 this session. 40 enthusiastic students have attended the club where we have made a wide selection of sweet and savoury recipes such as Easter Sponge, Enchiladas, Spooky Whitemice Graveyard and Choose a Pasta. We had great fun and made lots of yummy treats celebrating Pancake Day. The club has helped many students to work with more confidence and skill in the kitchen and is a great way to make new friends. Thanks to all the S3-S6 helpers, Mrs Medlock, Mrs Chalton and Miss Bigley for all of their help this session. See you all next year in the new school!
S4 Xl The S4 Prince's Trust XL Club has successfully completed 3 projects this year. They have fundraised for Mount Esk Nursery sensory garden, prepared and decorated a room at Cherry Road and presented their work experience to some members of the Senior Management Team. They have been on visits to college, Mount Esk Nursery, Cherry Road and PAVE and have all noticed an improvement in their confidence. Two members, Elaine Ross (4MK3) and Chloe Lothian (4SA2), have gone on to do volunteering with the art group at Cherry Road and have achieved their 10 hour Saltire Award.
MyJet Four S4 students, Brandon King (4SL2), Dylan King (4MK1), Ally Steel (4SL2) and Heather Brunton (4SA2) have successfully completed the MyJet (Midlothian Youth Jobs Education Training) programme this year. They committed to attend a work placement every Friday; placements varied from garage work, food preparation and landscaping. Employer reports have all been very positive and the students were invited to attend a celebration event at MTS. School Football It has been yet another successful season of school football at Lasswade High School with around 40 games being played, this despite the poor weather conditions. There have been boys’ teams competing in the league, league cup and Scottish cup competitions in S1, S2, S3, S4 and a Senior and U15 girls’ team competing in the Scottish cup. The main successes this season have been the S2 boys’ team reaching the quarter final of the Scottish cup. The S4 boys’ team reached the last 16 of the Scottish cup but again lost narrowly in a hard fought match. The S3 boys’ team are likely to be runners up in the league and have reached the league cup final and will play either Currie High School or Gracemount High School in the final. Finally, the U15 girls’ team are still in the Scottish cup and play Webster High School in the quarter final on Thursday the 25 April 2013. Good luck girls! Trash Fashion Show 14 April 2013 In the Trash Fashion Show, participants had to make their outfits from re-used or recycled material. Each model was introduced by Scott Cummings (6SA1) and Charlotte Jones (6MK2), and then they strutted their stuff down the catwalk. The models were judged by Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Wilson and Mrs Eccles. First prize went to Jenni Grahame (6MK1) and Kirsty Lees (6SA1), second place was Calum Davidson (6SL2) and Ryan Brown (6SL2) and third place was awarded to Madeleine Bird (1SL2) and her group of designers (S1). The night was a huge success, raising £140 for redeveloping the Mount Esk Nursery Garden. The event was organised by Miss Macgregor and the senior members of the ECO Group. Tianlin Visit to Lasswade High School In April 4 staff and 6 students from our twin school in Shanghai visited Lasswade. The students were hosted by families of Lasswade students. They had a wonderful time enjoying all the sights of Edinburgh and the Lothians. Although their visit to Lasswade was all too short, they gained an insight into our school and our culture. Our students are currently studying Mandarin in preparation for our visit to Shanghai in 2014.
Beijing Maths Exchange 2012 In October,12 Maths students from Lasswade High School spent their October holiday in Dulwich College Beijing as part of a maths exchange between the two schools. Lasswade High School students were staying with host families and also in a Youth Hostel in Downtown Beijing. As well as being involved in Maths lessons in the school the students from Lasswade High School also held an assembly for the senior students in Dulwich College. They did presentations about Lasswade and entertained the students and staff with musical numbers representing Scotland. The students also spent a day in the primary section of Dulwich College helping them with their Maths and also giving presentations about life in Lasswade and Scotland. The students also experienced the culture of China with trips to The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Olympic Stadium, Lama Temple, Temple of Heaven and the famous Pearl Market. They were also treated to Chinese Hot Pot and Duck Dinner to sample some of the local cuisine by their hosts. In November the students from Dulwich College came to visit Lasswade High School. It was time to catch up with the friends they had made in Beijing. The Dulwich College students attended Maths and other lessons in Lasswade High School and also visited sights in Midlothian and Edinburgh. They visited the Mining Museum, Edinburgh Castle, had a Witchery tour of old Edinburgh, a day in St Andrews, visited the Royal Yacht and spent an afternoon at the Maths department at Edinburgh University. To end their week at Lasswade High School they attended a ceilidh which they all enjoyed and is still the talk of Dulwich College. Both sets of students really enjoyed the whole experience and great friendships were made.
School Meal Price Increase A decision was made by the Council to increase the price of a school meal which will take effect from the start of the new school term. The cost for students of a two course meal and a drink will be £2.00. Grease! Lasswade High School presents ‘Grease is the Word’ on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 June at 7.00 pm. Tickets are priced at £5.00 (£3 concessions) from Music Department or Sports Centre from Monday 20 May 2013. Parental Liaison Officer – Mr Kevin McGuire Mr McGuire has been the Liaison Officer for Parent Councils for several years. So that we may improve the service to parents/carers, Mr McGuire’s role is being widened so that he will act as Parental Liaison Officer for Midlothian Council. Parents/carers are strongly encouraged to contact their school first if they have questions, concerns or wish to compliment staff on the service they provide. We recognise, however, that parents/carers may also at times wish to contact someone in the Education Department for further advice; Mr McGuire will be the first point of contact within Fairfield House should parents/carers wish that type of contact. Mr McGuire’s role will be to resolve issues where possible and to consult with or refer to schools or other managers where appropriate. Our desire is to ensure that parents/carers are supported and given access to the information they require. As of Monday 8 April 2013, parents/carers may contact Mr McGuire, whose contact details are as follows:Mr Kevin McGuire Telephone: 0131 271 3732 Email: Kevin.mcguire@midlothian.gov.uk School Sports Colours We are currently looking for nominations for the School Sports Colours awards. The aim of the Sports Colours award is to promote excellence in sport. Students eligible to be nominated should have displayed outstanding achievement, dedication and commitment as well as to recognise the service and contribution they make to sport. There are 3 awards; Full Colours, Half Colours and the Service Award. Students must be nominated to be considered for selection; nominations can come from teachers, coaches, parents/carers, peers or students themselves. The criteria for nominations is on the school website. To nominate from outwith the school, please send any information via e-mail to lasswade_hs@midlothian.gov.uk to tell us of any sporting achievements.
Physical Education Department - No Notes Policy Whilst we recognise that the majority of students arrive to Physical Education lessons well equipped and ready to learn, the decision has been taken to implement the following policy to meet the needs of all students and ensure they have access to the learning that takes place during the lesson whether it be through practical participation or a supporting role in the class. The policy states that all students must bring Physical Education kit and change for each lesson unless there is a justifiable reason not to change. If students are not fit to participate in the lesson they should speak to their class teacher who will expect them to change and assist in the lesson where possible, thus removing the need for parents/carers to write letters excusing their son/daughter from Physical Education. The aim of the department is to promote an inclusive environment where all students are actively engaged in all lessons. Thank you in advance for your support. Items for your Diary 9 May 15 May 21 May 31 May 6 Jun 7 Jun 10 Jun 12 Jun 12 Jun 13 Jun 13 Jun 14 Jun 16 Jun 26 Jun 28 Jun 19 Aug 26 Aug Yours faithfully
Albert Jaster Head Teacher
S5/S6 Exam Leave Starts S3 Parents’ Evening Parent Council Meeting Lasswade Primary School’s Got Talent S5/S6 Induction S5/S6 Induction New Timetable P7 Visit ‘Grease is the Word’ P7 Visit ‘Grease is the Word’ Open Afternoon Open Day Term Ends for Students Term Ends for Staff Staff Resume Students Resume