Dear Parent/Carer

Welcome to the news from KHS. I hope it finds you well.

We’ve had a good week in school with a further reduction in the impact of Covid being evident. Staff and pupil infection levels and general absence levels are slightly down. That said, we are still up against it and need to stick to all the current rules around face coverings, testing etc. You’ll likely be aware that face covering rules will change from 28 February. We will share formal notice of this when we have it.

I mentioned that our U18 footballers were away to Aberdeen Grammar School in the Scottish Shield last week. Congratulations to them on a fine 3-1 win. Our Scorers were Cammy McGregor (2) and Finlay Shearer. Next week our S2 boys are away to Perth Grammar … best wishes to them.

Also next week, we will have another vaccination session (DTP and Meningitis) for targeted pupils in S3-6. Slips will be issued in advance. This takes place on Monday. On Tuesday, a group of 60 S1 and S2 pupils are out on a trip to St Andrews University as part of the “First Chances” programme. This is an excellent partnership to allow working class kids with no experience of higher education to get a flavour of university life. I’m very grateful to Miss Nessel (PTC Business Education) who is leading this programme. Miss Nessel is also organising a higher education support session in school for 28 S5 pupils next Tuesday. These are our young people involved with the universities of Dundee and Abertay as part of “Lift Off”.

Wednesday is a staff training day with a focus on child protection and the SQA exam arrangements. Please see the attached letters (one for parents/carers and one for learners) from Maria Lloyd, Head of Education. These relate to recent announcements from the SQA. Thursday and Friday are the mid-term break, and we return on Monday 21 February. Following a six-week teaching block, we will break for the Easter holidays on 1 April.

Many thanks to all who expressed an early interest and lodged a deposit for our proposed trip to the World War 1 battlefields of France and Belgium in April/May 2023. We have been overwhelmed by the response, having received 167 applications from S1 and S2. Unfortunately, we have to limit the group size to 40. This means we are now looking to run two trips … one for current S2 in April/May 2023 and another for current S1 either later that year or the following spring. Even then, it will mean that more than half of those who would want to go will not be able to. We will have to decide a fair way to decide this, probably by drawing lots. We’ll also have a reserve list. It’s a great shame that some will be disappointed, but we genuinely did not anticipate such a phenomenal level of interest. More details soon. Those who can’t be involved at present will have their deposit returned in full. I am very grateful to Mr Harrower and Miss Osborne, who are happy to run the trips at the maximum group size permissible and lay on the extra visit to allow as many as possible to have this experience.

Recently, we have a had a few parental enquiries about false fingernails and their suitability for certain classroom activities, eg in Science, Home Economics and DET workshops. On the grounds of health and safety, false nails are very strongly discouraged in such settings. They can increase the likelihood of an accident eg in handling hot liquids or sharp tools/implements and there is the obvious risk that a lost nail can cause contamination when food is being prepared. Please be aware of this risk and of the school’s view when making decisions about nails. Please also understand that any increased risk of personal injury or harm is not the responsibility of the school. If there is an increased risk to others, the teacher may have to decide, in some circumstances, that participation in an activity cannot be allowed. I would reiterate, false nails are not suitable for certain school activities. Thank you.

The S2 reports were sent home recently. Unfortunately, we have since discovered that due to a printing error, the DET (Technology) report was missing. These have been printed separately and given to S2 pupils today. If there is any problem, please be in contact directly. Mrs Hamilton emailed home about this yesterday. Our next school report round is for S5/6 and we expect these to be ready for 1 March as per our calendar.

Some staff news to close and I am pleased to share the happy news that Mrs Kendrick (PT Guidance) gave birth to a beautiful baby daughter called Holly last week. Mrs Kendrick is on maternity leave for now but is looking forward to visiting KHS with her baby when she can. Best wishes to all the Kendrick family.

Finally, today is the last KHS day for Mr Paterson (Modern Studies), who has secured a new position in the Guidance Team at Balwearie High School. Many thanks and very best wishes to Mr Paterson.

Of course, best wishes to you too. Have a good weekend and keep safe.

Yours

Derek Allan
RECTOR
11 February 2022