The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is a powerful active citizenship programme, empowering young people to make a difference in their communities while developing a range of skills.

YPI is the biggest independent initiative being delivered in Scottish education. Each school is responsible for directing a grant of £3000 to a local charity championed by its students through a unique programme of teamwork, research, and competition.

6 teams have made it through to the Grand Final on the 18th June.  The winner will be decided on the day and the grant awarded to their chosen charity. 

All the best to all 6 teams!

We are in the process of finalising our “Virtual 3 Day Visits” for our new S1s and parents on the 15^th– 17^th June.  In line with CEC guidance we are unable to meet face to face for transition this year but we are going to be able to build on the success of last year when we had a fantastic 3 Day Virtual experience.  This year we  will offer our P7s the chance to experience an S1 timetable and learning with a mixture of live streamed and recorded lessons to reflect an S1 experience. The feedback from last year was overwhelmingly positive about this experience. We are also building in time, space and support in August to allow transition to happen then too. This again will build on experience from last year. I am currently finalising the details with primary colleagues this week and these will be shared with P7 parents.

I will upload a “Virtual P7 Parents Evening” to our website on the 16^th June and aim to meet in person in the autumn term when it is safe to do so.

I have attached again a link to our “Open Afternoon” which contains a huge amount of information which may be helpful at this time too.

Ms J Presly

Depute Head Teacher

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the British Biology Olympiad before Easter. A great showing from everyone, but particular congratulations to Alexandra Murray, Priyanka Gopalkaje and Ruaridh McIntyre who won Silver medals – a genuinely outstanding feat. Rebecca Black Boada and Charis Tse were Highly Commended, and Sophie Hoole, Alexander Cran, Marina Wilson and Jessica Huang were all Commended for their performances. Remember, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog! Go team!

The Biology Department

For #YoungCarersActionDay 2021 we want to Protect Young Carers Futures. Learn more about the incredible skills #youngcarers develop through their caring role – like resilience, time management and empathy. Find out more: https://carers.org/young-carers-action-day-2021/young-carers-action-day-2021

Thursday 4th March is World Book Day (WBD). This year, using the WBD £1 voucher is a bit different, instead of a paper copy of the voucher a digital version is available.

You can use your book voucher to swap for your ‘WBD Free Book’ or to use against purchasing another children’s book until 28th March 2021. To use the voucher, you can print off a copy at home or show on your tablet/smartphone (please check with the shop in advance if you need to print off a copy). Edinburgh Bookshop (Bruntsfield Place) will let you collect your copy of a free WBD book Monday – Saturday (10am – 4pm) from the stall outside the shop. They are happy to accept the voucher on your phone – if using for the free WBD book. If you would like to use the voucher to buy a children’s book you must provide a printed copy of the voucher. Please wear a mask (unless exempt) and follow Social Distancing measures when collecting.

Education Scotland are running a National Competition with Tunnocks to design a restaurant standard dessert based on their famous product.

The theme “Scotland the Brave”, for more information on how to enter click the PDF.

Thanks

Miss Mitchelmore CL .

There are two Photography / Design competitions everyone can enter – a poster / photograph for Greenpeace or new STEM Logo design for Network Rail / Siemens partnership.

Check them out…. 

Here is a link to our Course Choice Booklet for S2.  Pupils and parents have all been sent a copy,  please get in touch if you require any further support.   Ms J Presly

Please use the ’20 ideas and activities for well-being’ here to take time out on Friday 5^th to do something playful, creative and fun to support Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

       Lockdown 2.0 is tough. While the weather may be bleak and the days still short, we can take a break from our busy schedules to focus on play, fun and connection. Class work will be minimised, so please take some time this Friday to let yourself relax, recharge, re-energise and do something different. It is essential that we all remember, amongst the ‘busyness’ of our week, that what matters most are our families, friends, communities, our health and our environment. Take a break. Share a break. Enjoy!

Ms Ailsa Stratton

DHT (Acting) Online Learning