A REMINDER
This hardship fund is still available to support/reimburse parents dependent on FSM and breakfast club services as part of their budgeting to ensure they are not adversely affected by the loss of service during the school closures in April.
Please contact admin@drummond.edin.sch.uk for more information or to make a claim.
On Thursday 29th September 2016 the following four students took part in Enterprising Maths in the Lothians, tackling a variety of mathematical puzzles and problems against 26 teams from across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian:
The puzzles ranged from creating a poster, a whole-team competition, a speed competition, a relay competition, individual mental calculation rounds and an aeroplane building task.
I’m sure everyone will remember that we won this event last year – an historic triumph for the pupils and for the school.
The team were magnificent throughout, performing superbly in every round, hugely impressing the teaching staff, the actuarial staff (who were sponsoring and supporting the event), and advanced higher maths pupils helping out on the day. They have now qualified (again!) for the National finals due to take place in Glasgow in November.
On Wednesday 21st September, the Higher Biology students were given a last minute opportunity to visit the Applied Sciences faculty of Napier University to participate in a PCR and gel electrophoresis workshop, supporting our study of genetics.
We took the tram out to Bankhead and headed up to the Sighthill campus on a bright and sunny morning. We were welcomed and escorted up the glass staircase of a stunning modern building, to a huge lab full of incredible equipment. We were joined by other students from Whitburn Academy, along with university staff and student demonstrators to assist us.
After a short introduction, we put on lab coats and gloves and began by practising our micro-pipette skills, transferring tiny volumes of liquid into small plastic Eppendorf tubes. Once able to do this proficiently, we started on our task of comparing DNA samples from unwashed salad leaves to check for the presence of harmful E.coli bacteria (responsible for the recent Dunsyre cheese food poisoning outbreak). Each pair of students created a ‘master mix’ containing DNA samples, DNA polymerase, primers and other solutions using their new skills, centrifuged it and then placed it in the PCR thermal cycler to amplify the DNA samples.
After lunch, we were taught how to load the gels for electrophoresis (well done to the 3 Drummond students who stepped forward to demonstrate this in front of 50 spectators!), and each pair set about carefully transferring their samples into tiny holes in the gel using a micro-pipette. After running the gels, they were analysed on a UV light box to check for DNA bands.
The students all agreed that they had a fantastic experience, and we would like to thank George Chambers, Tom Evans and the other staff and students at Napier for inviting us and for laying on such an amazing workshop. The students themselves were professional, polite, answered questions intelligently, volunteered to demonstrate techniques and carried out the practical activities with great care and concentration. They were a credit to the school, impressed the staff at Napier and should be very proud of themselves.
Please see re-issue-schedule (PDF, 93KB) for the S4-S6 re-ssue of iPads.
Very regrettably, the parental meeting for the school expectation of the senior phase has been cancelled due to unforeseen technical issues.
The meeting is rescheduled for the same time on Thursday 15 September 2016. Senior students will receive their iPad during the revised meeting.
Sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.
There will be meeting to highlight the school’s expectations of the Senior Phase on Monday 29 August 5:00-6:00pm.
I-pads will be re-issued to students at this time.
Sports Day Tuesday 28th June
Due to recent poor weather we have re-scheduled our annual Sports Day to Tuesday 28th June. The format of the day involves competitive events but we also have inflatables and fun races so there is something for everyone!
The Order of Events (PDF, 126KB) shows the detail of the day.
Please note there is a change of venue and start time for this Sports Day. Students should report to school in their PE kit on Tuesday 28th June at the normal time for period 1 and 2 classes as normal. Students will receive an extended break from 10.28- 11.10am and be expected to use this time to make their way to Warriston playing fields. All students have been to Warriston many times but there will be staff to accompany your child if required.
Please provide your child with a snack for the morning and a packed lunch: each student will be given a bottle of water. We will also require an inhaler, epi pen or any other medication that your child has been prescribed.
Students will be dismissed from Warriston at 3.18pm.
In the event of poor weather students will follow their normal timetable for the day.
Yours sincerely
Jodie Hannan
Head Teacher
PPP1 School Closures Update 16/06/16 (PDF, 32KB)
Please see http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20074/schools/1441/ for latest school building update.
Dates for Modern Studies – Higher and NAT5 Compulsory Revision Classes:
Thursday 19th of May – P 5 + 6 Higher (5E AND 5B)
Tuesday 24th of May – P 5 + 6 National 5 (5E AND 5B)
Thursday 26th of May- P 1 + 2 National 5 (5E AND 5B)
Thursday 26th of May- P 5 + 6 Higher (5E AND 5B)
Drummond Community High School 