Please see End of Term Arrangements (PDF, 264KB)

In order to allow pupils and parents to plan ahead in terms of a study timetable, SQA exam leave for this session is outlined below. It has been made slightly more complicated this year by the regulations surrounding Curriculum for Excellence so I have tried to bullet point the arrangements to make them easier to follow.

• S4 pupils sitting 3 or more National 5 exams/ all S5 and S6 pupils will have their last day of classes on Tuesday 3rd May.
• Exam leave will run from Wednesday 4^th May and will run until Wednesday 1st June (inclusive).
• S4 pupils sitting two or less National 5 exams are not entitled to the full exam leave but will get two days study leave prior to each exam (plus the day of the actual exam).
• S4 pupils with no National 5 exams will be expected to attend school throughout the exam leave period. A programme of lessons and activities has been arranged including opportunities of taster courses at Edinburgh College or work experience.
• There will be an Induction programme for S4/5/6 pupils on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd June (a small number of pupils may have an exam on one of these days and therefore should not attend the induction).
• The new timetable will start for all S5/6 pupils on Monday 6th June.

As we reach this important stage in the lives of senior pupils, I would encourage them all to plan their study time carefully and make the most of the Easter Revision Programme the school is offering the first week of the Easter break and to use the remaining week for focused study too. There will be opportunities when they return after Easter to seek help and support from their teachers in the final preparation leading up to their exams. I am sure parents will be playing their part in offering help and support and ensuring time is created for study.

I would like to wish all exam candidates well on behalf of everyone here at Drummond Community High School and to hope they secure the results they deserve from their hard work and effort throughout the years.

Yours sincerely

Susan Cook (Acting Head Teacher)

We asked these questions at our S2 Parents’ Evening.

Do you feel confident as a parent/carer to support your child’s learning at home?  86.7% said YES.  13.3% said PARTIALLY

Do you think your child’s pupil reports clearly communicate their strengths and learning needs?  81% said YES.  19% said PARTIALLY

Enterprising Maths in Scotland – National Finals – The Results!

Yesterday, our brilliant team took part in the finals of the competition they qualified for in June.  58 teams from across Scotland met at Glasgow Science Centre, tackling a variety of puzzles and problems, including team questions, practical tasks and calculations, logic games and relay races.   All other teams had also qualified from regional events across the country.

Once again, the pupils were magnificent! They finished 9th in Scotland (the 5th highest state school).  This is a phenomenal achievement.

The pupils involved were: Katherine Dempsie (S4), Mhairi Dickie (S3), Matthew Farrow (S4) and Benjamin Sterratt (S3)

From January 2016, the income thresholds for Education Maintenance Allowances are increasing for those students born before 1 March 2000  and this means more students may qualify to receive weekly payments of £30 per week.   The income threshold for families with one dependent child will increase from £20,351 to £24, 421 and for those with more than one dependent child will increase from £22,403 to £26,884.  If you believe your son or daughter will now qualify for an EMA you can find out more at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/ema     Applications can be submitted from 26 October 2015

Apologies
Matters arising
Headteacher’s report (Sue Cook)
Feedback from P5-P7 Information evening (Edmund Farrow, Farida Hamza, Sue Cook)
Internet safety evening (Sue Cook)
Update on letter to politicians on charges for practical lessons – We have had a response from Cllr Lewis Ritchie, who will be present, and Cllr Paul Godzik
Feedback from North Neighbourhood Meeting (David Sterratt)
Parental Involvement (Michael Paley)
Setting the Parent Council’s priorities & programme for the year
Any other business

This event will take place in school, on Tuesday 24 November 2015, 19:00 to 20:00.  The course will cover things parents need to know about Internet Safety and how to monitor and support their child’s safe use online. It will be run by our School Liaison Officer – PC Claire McLean.  The course is available for parents of students attending Drummond Community High School and any of our cluster primary schools’.

You can book a place on this course via the following link: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/internet-safety-for-parents-tickets-18807984187

For more information please see: https://drummondhigh.wordpress.com/parentcouncil/tips-on-security-setting-and-privacy-internet/

A group of senior prefects, led by Mrs Morton, have been helping raise awareness and funds for Mercy Corps – a global organisation that helps countries facing enormous challenges during times of conflict, disaster and poverty. Today pupils were giving presentations during tutor time on the refugee crisis (please see slideshow below). A dress down will take place on Friday 18th September. Staff and students can choose to dress down for a minimum donation of £1. Also, on Friday at break there will be a delicious selection of home-baking in the staffroom (again with a minimum charge of £1 per cake) so please bring some money in if you would like to donate.

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A massive congratulations to our S5 girls from Senior Graphic Communication who won the Heriot-Watt Design Smash Challenge 2015.  Competing against other schools from central Scotland the students were asked to propose a new use for existing buildings and land on a site in Edinburgh’s city centre that would address future needs.  Working excellently as a group the Drummond students developed and presented in just 2 hours an outstandingly creative and bold proposal that addressed homeless issues in the city – a rooftop farm spanning three city blocks that provided produce for domestic accommodation, kitchens and other public services in the buildings below, with the whole design offering sustainable accommodation, support, training and employment opportunities for homeless individuals.

Their work showed significant maturity and understanding of social issues within a community, and impressed the judging course tutors from Heriot-Watt University.  Huge congratulations to all the girls: Enkhjin Tugsjargal, Nikita Graham, Josie Swift, Alison Laing and Nisha Kaur.

Please find below a list of interesting articles/information our Parent Council think you may find of interest:

 
Can we close the poverty attainment gap in Scottish education?
http://www.teachingscotland.org.uk/education-in-scotland/scotlands-education-system/60-close-the-gap.aspx