Monday 28 August

S2 and S3 Barrhead pupils visited Edinburgh Book Festival to hear the popular Zombie author, Darren Shan, read from his books and talk about his inspirations.

After a quick break, we went on to hear Lauren James and Philip Reeve discuss their different approaches to sci-fi writing.

Pupils had the chance to meet all authors and have books signed.

An enlightening time for all!!

Fantastic facilities making breaks and lunchtimes an enjoyable experience. We have 4 different servery ares now and a variety of eating areas – inside or out – as well as some good viewing points!!  

Great to see our pupils arriving for their first day looking so smart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eager to get inside and have their first sight of the new facilities.

 

 

The New S1 – the new school is something to cheer about!

 

 

 

S2 – happy to be back

 

 

 

S3 waiting at their check-in time to get inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S4 ready to hit English at Period 3 as their first class in the new school. S5 & S6 had already been in their classes since Per 1.

The staggered start allowed us to ensure everyone knew what they were doing. By Period 3 every pupil was in their classes. Thanks to all pupils and parents for working with us on that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As indicated last term, an additional day of holiday for pupils was granted for Wednesday 16th Aug to allow staff to prepare for the pupils’ return.  All pupils will return on Thursday 17th Aug as detailed below.

To help familiarise some pupils with the new build before that and then be in a position to help others, we are inviting any S5 and S6 pupils who are available, to visit the new building on Wednesday 16th Aug at 4 pm. They will be given an induction to the new school and have an opportunity to see round ahead of the Thursday rush! (Remember also renegotiation of subject choices will take place that afternoon – see SQA post)

On Thursday 17th Aug, pupils should come to the new front door and will be met there.  Please arrive as close to the specified time as possible – not earlier but not late!!

 

S1   8.45 am – will be taken to the “Big Steps” open area and given the induction to the new facilities by their year heads and myself before starting classes at Period 2.

S2   9.35 am – will be taken to the “Big Steps” open area and given the induction to the new facilities by their year heads and myself before going to their Period 2 classes.

S3   10.40 am (please arrive at the end of the interval) – will be taken to the “Big Steps” open area and given the induction to the new facilities by their year heads and myself before going to their Period 3 classes.

S4   10.40 am (please arrive at the end of the interval) – will be directed to their Period 3 class (English) and  brought down during the period to the “Big Steps” open area and given the induction to the new facilities by their year heads and myself.

S5 & S6   8.45 am – pupils will go straight to their Period 1 class and follow their timetable as normal. During Period 4, they will be brought to the “Big Steps” open area and given the induction to the new school. Some of the S6 pupils will act as helpers for the other yeargroups.

 

UNIFORM

We are looking for all pupils to return in full school uniform – in particular blazers, appropriate length skirts or ‘dress’ trousers (no skinny trousers, leggings, black denims, etc) and  all black shoes (no logos, coloured sections or laces). The new building looks great – let’s all match it!

Note that pupils in S1 and S4 will not have PE on the first day. Some in other year groups will.

 

TRAVEL TO SCHOOL / DROP-OFF

There are now 2 new crossings replacing the previous one. Pupils should make use of these and be particularly aware that the road layout has changed  for drivers – cross carefully!

Please note there will be no facilities for ‘drop-off’ within the the new school grounds until the carpark is completed – there is no loop circuit at present. Please drop your young people off at a safe point outside the school and please do not attempt to bring cars inside the school grounds  until further notice.

We have fantastic new facilities  – I am sure pupils, staff and parents will be proud of them. We look forward to showing them off to parents and the community as soon as possible.

Mr Sinclair

Another great set of results with the percentage of S4 pupils gaining 5+ National 5s rising by over 10%, giving us over 60% for the first time.

 

 

We also saw best ever S5 Higher results for 1+ and 3+ Higher and a rise in 5+.

 

 

 

Well done to all pupils , staff and parents for working together to achieve this.

 

 

 

It is great to walk in to the superb new school with results like this!

I can confirm the arrangements around the SQA exam results:

Texts / emails should come out around 8 am tomorrow for those who signed up – and everyone should receive the paper copy in their post.

Barrhead High Office staff will be present in Carlibar Primary tomorrow (Tuesday) and if anyone has a problem with their results and needs to talk to staff urgently, pupils or parents should contact them on the number 0141 577 4112.

The office staff will also be making appointments with Mrs Crawford (S6) or Miss Potter (S5) for renegotiation of subject choices on Wednesday 16th August between 12.00 and 16.00. Pupils can book an appointment time on the above phone number. Parents are welcome, but do not require to be present at these interviews.

Following discussion with Skills Development Scotland, it was felt that the best solution would be that pupils could come to their office in the Barrhead Foundry. That way they can have a space for interview or questions about results rather than using the office in the primary school. However they are also hoping to have a member of the Skills Development Scotland (Careers Service) team in Carlibar on Wednesday 9th Aug if any pupils require immediate advice following their results. Please telephone the above number before coming to confirm if you plan to visit Carlibar.

I hope tomorrow will bring results that  reflect the effort pupils, and staff, have put in over the past session.

Mr S

The SQA exam results are due out next Tuesday, 8th August. Pupils who signed up for it will get them delivered by text and all should get a paper copy through the letter box on that day.

As indicated in the previous post, we are hoping to have possession of the new building that day but we do not know yet whether we will have telephone and IT connections up by then and we will be in the middle of flitting in so it will not be suitable for staff or pupils to work in.

Consequently, pupils should not attempt to come in to the new school next week (and the old build is now just a shell).  Instead we will have staff present in Carlibar Primary on Tuesday and if anyone has a problem with their results and needs to talk to staff urgently, pupils or parents should contact the Barrhead High office staff in Carlibar on the number 0141 577 4112.

We are also hoping to have a member of the Skills Development Scotland (Careers Service) team in Carlibar on Wednesday 9th Aug if any pupils require advice following their results. I will confirm this arrangement asap.

Mr S

We are now only one week away from the ‘handover’ day when the new school building will be passed over to East Renfrewshire Council.

I had the opportunity of a visit to the new school on Friday. It was exciting to see things almost completed with most of the painting finished and most of the classroom furniture now in place.

The kitchens look ready to serve lunch and the multi-coloured lockers and general paint schemes look very smart – and very Barrhead High!

They will still have a busy week finishing things off – fitting the remaining furniture, some final painting and cleaning up – but they are confident of being on track.

The old building is a shell now and there is still no phone nor internet connection to either the old or new buildings. Consequently we have alternative working arrangements  in place, in particular for SQA results day next week – see separate post.

Remember that pupils will not return to school until Thursday 17th August and we will detail the timings next week once we see that everything is in place.

We are moving into a very exciting period and it will be great to take possession of such good facilities!

Mr S

Over 700 ex-pupils and staff booked up in advance to visit their old school for one last time on Thursday (22nd June) evening … and more turned up on the night.

It was great evening where people had the chance to tour the school, visit their old classrooms

 

meet up with some old classmates and see some old staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some even managed to fake a sickie!

 

 

 

 

Others tripped the lights fantastic for one last time

 

 

 

 

Certainly a night to be remembered!