{"id":17938,"date":"2025-12-19T13:05:32","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T13:05:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/kirkcaldyhighschool\/?p=17938"},"modified":"2025-12-19T13:07:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T13:07:42","slug":"mr-mckays-end-of-term-letter-winter-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/kirkcaldyhighschool\/2025\/12\/19\/mr-mckays-end-of-term-letter-winter-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Mr. McKay’s End of Term Letter – Winter 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Parent \/ Carer,<\/p>\n

End of term letter December 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is a pleasure to write to you at the end of our second term this session.\u00a0 In many ways, this has been a very busy term but has been positive and fruitful for our learners.\u00a0 It has been great to see many young people leading various aspects across school from assemblies to school improvement.<\/p>\n

The term was marked by an HMIE Inspection, the schools first since 2012!\u00a0 Although I am not in a position to share outcomes from the inspection yet due to quality assurance processes, I do think it\u2019s important to note that the team got a real flavour of what we are all about as a school.<\/p>\n

The team were very aware of our journey over the past few years and rightly positive about many of the changes and improvements we have made together as a community, based on our values.\u00a0 The team noted improvements in many areas including leadership, support, learning and teaching.\u00a0 The team also noted improvements in our outcomes for learners based on the school\u2019s previous results.\u00a0 We know that we must continue, at speed, to improve outcomes, in line with national and comparator measures.\u00a0 This work is ongoing.<\/p>\n

Once HMIE go through their quality assurance processes, the letter and Summarised Inspection Findings will be published and I will share this with you.\u00a0 We are expecting this to be around the end of January \/ beginning of February.<\/p>\n

As ever, thank you to all our families, young people, partners and colleagues for your support over this very busy term.\u00a0 We could not do it without your time, effort and support.<\/p>\n

S5\/6 Assessment Weeks \u2013 w\/b 19th<\/sup> and 26th<\/sup> January 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Please find, the timetable for S5\/6 assessment weeks<\/a>.\u00a0 This is an important opportunity for learners to prepare for their SQA examinations in May.\u00a0 It is vitally important that they put in maximum effort to ensure this provides a true reflection of their abilities and allow for young people to identify areas of strength and development.\u00a0 N.B. Anyone with assessment arrangements will get a separate timetable from Mr Mooney.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>S5\/6 Winter Formal<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>A huge well done to our S5\/6 event class for organising this year\u2019s Winter Formal.\u00a0 This was the first Winter Formal post COVID and was a real success.\u00a0 All of our young people had a great time and the evening was held in the right spirit by all.\u00a0 Thank you to all staff who supported the organisation and the event itself.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Transforming Learning (iPads)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Please remind your child to charge their iPad and bring it to school in their bag everyday.\u00a0 I would also ask that young people take care of the devices and ensure that they act responsibly.\u00a0 This has been a great addition to learning and was noted by HMIE in the recent inspection as a positive for learners.<\/p>\n

Staffing<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Some staffing news to share with you\u2026<\/p>\n

Mrs P Morris was successful at interview and has moved to Bell Baxter High school as Depute Headteacher.\u00a0 Mrs Morris was a committed, loyal and hard working colleague who had our young people and values at the centre of all she did. \u00a0\u00a0We wish Mrs Morris the very best in her new role.<\/p>\n

Following Mrs Morris\u2019 departure, Mr G Stewart has taken on the role of acting PTC Humanities in her absence.\u00a0 Mr Stewart will be in position until 1st<\/sup> February 2026.\u00a0 I am grateful to Mr Stewart for supporting this.<\/p>\n

After interviews for the permanent PTC Humanities post, Mrs L Macmorris will start with us on Monday 2nd<\/sup> February 2026.\u00a0 Mrs Macmorris is currently PTC Modern Languages at Beath High School and has a wealth of experience that will be an asset to our young people and community.\u00a0 We are looking forward to her starting with us.<\/p>\n

As you will be aware from my last letter, Ms Thomson (Teacher of BGE) left at the end of last term.\u00a0 We interviewed for this post just before the end of term 1 and Ms S Leiper was successful and is joining our school as permanent Teacher of BGE.\u00a0 Ms Leiper will be primarily working with maths and numeracy in S1-3.\u00a0 We are looking forward to Ms Leiper starting with us.<\/p>\n

Mrs Moerman, PT HWB (HE) has also left KHS and is moving to a career out of teaching.\u00a0 We wish her every success for the future.<\/p>\n

Ms Akers, acting PT Raising Attainment, was successful at interview and will take on the permanent role of PT HWB (HE) from 5th<\/sup> January.<\/p>\n

We have been unsuccessful in appointing a new HE teacher and therefore plans for S1\/2 continue with learners continuing to develop skills through Developing the Young Workforce period over next term.<\/p>\n

Mrs Little is due to return from maternity leave on Monday 9th<\/sup> February and will continue in her role as PT Raising Attainment.\u00a0 Until then, Ms E Johnston will undertake the acting role.\u00a0 We wish Ms Johnston well in this role.<\/p>\n

Over the term, Mr Broadway has not been in school, with Mrs Stewart taking on Mr Broadway\u2019s responsibilities.\u00a0 This will continue into the new term.\u00a0 Families affected by this were made aware by letter of changes to named person responsibility.<\/p>\n

Lastly, there will be some changes to remits for Senior Leaders from January 2026.\u00a0 The updated remits are available<\/a>.\u00a0 There are no changes to year heads, just strategic remits.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Notable dates for the terms ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please see notable dates below:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Parent \/ Carer Evenings<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The dates for our parent \/ carer evenings are below:<\/p>\n