October 2012 Dear Parent/Carer I hope the term has gone well thus far and your son/daughter has settled into a good routine of study and that the October break brings some respite. Arrangements for October Holiday Please note that the school will close for students at 12.15 pm on Friday 12 October 2012 and will restart for students at 8.30 am on Tuesday 23 October 2012. SQA Results 2012 The SQA results again reflect the hard work students and staff are putting in to their work with some improvement. The number of S5 students achieving 5 Highers is at a 10 year high of 12%. Achievements Senior Prize Giving took place on Monday 10 September 2012. It was both a happy and sad occasion being the last in the old school before the move in June 2013. Our guest speaker this year was former student and rugby international Peter Wright. Peter won 21 caps for Scotland and represented the British Lions on a tour of New Zealand. He is a well respected rugby coach and commentator for BBC Scotland. It was great to welcome Peter back to the school and the large audience of prize-winners, parents and teachers were well entertained with his memories of Lasswade. The S4 Dux and Winner of the Young Prize was Maeve Dale. Ryan Brown was Dux of the school and was presented with the Marshall Memorial Medal. New School Update Construction continues with most of the external facia of the school part of the building complete. The coloured panels which are a feature of the building have received very mixed reviews. The roof is almost complete and this will confirm that the building is wind and water proof. Internal work will then progress very quickly. The swimming pool is progressing well and is currently undergoing tests for water retention. We are now at the stage of choosing internal fixtures and furniture. We have recently received a sample student desk and chair so that staff and students can see for themselves the style and quality of the furniture. Plans are underway to mark the closure of the old school and the opening of the new Lasswade High School Centre.
Photography in School We make use of photography in school for special events, display work, school activities and to add interest to curricular topics. These photographs can be used in displays, publications and promotion of students’ work. Would you please print off, complete and return the attached permission slip as soon as possible. If you do not return the permission slip, it will be assumed you have no objection to your child being photographed. Entitlements I would draw to your attention various entitlements for which you may be eligible. These include the following grants. Free School Meals and School Clothing Grants These are available for all students whose parents/carers are in receipt of Income Support (with Child Tax Credit), Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit only (with annual income less than £15,860) (Incapacity Benefit or Employment and Support Allowance included), support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 or child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit (with an annual income less than £6,420). Parents/carers making such a claim will need to provide TC602 for the current year as evidence. Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) EMA is a weekly payment worth £30 to students who are aged 16 and planning to continue in post-compulsory education. Students applying and who qualify for EMA for the first time in 2012/2013 will be awarded a weekly payment depending on the total taxable household income and sibling(s) in full time education. Students born between 1 March 1993 and 28 February 1997 are eligible for an EMA. Also, students of 16 years of age and over before 30 September 2012 may be eligible for an EMA from the beginning of the school term. If a student’s 16th birthday falls between 1 October 2012 and 28 February 2013, then they may be eligible for an EMA from January 2012. Further information on EMA income thresholds can be obtained by visiting the EMA website at www.emascotland.com or by contacting the school on 0131 663 7171.