Two weeks ago we were looking forward to the turf cutting ceremony.  Today the turf was being very rapidly stripped from the site and large mounds of earth appeared at the edge of where the new building will be constructed.  The hoardings are also going up around the construction site.  This means that the second picture above will be the view through the Head Teacher’s office window for the next 18 months – gone are the seats with the views of the playing fields and the countryside that seemed to be popular for any meetings!

One week after the Turf Cutting Ceremony, the view from the Head Teacher’s office window.  There has been a lot of good site preparation work taking place.  By this time next week the hoardings will be in place and the view will change again.  A very useful visit to the new Inverness Royal Academy building yesterday.  With the same architects behind both buildings it was good to see some of the common features.  They are just three months from completion so it gave a good idea of what the EHS building will be like.

At 12pm today, all the pupils and staff from Elgin High School, along with pupils and staff from Greenwards, Mosstowie and New Elgin Primary Schools gathered to watch the first turf being cut for the new school building.  The turf cutters were from the current S.4 and P.6 classes.  When the new building is opened in October 2017 these pupils will be in the first S.6 and S.1 year groups.  The event was followed by a series of speeches and musical items performed by pupils from all four schools.  A buffet lunch for the invited guests was finished off with an amazing cake decorated by the head cook.  Who is that digging the turf?!  I like the details of the glasses!  Particular thanks to the S.5/6 Events Management Team for all their work in organising the day.

Now the work will get going.  October 2017 will soon be here!

This is not just any post.  This post marks the exact spot of one of the corners of the new build.  This will be where the Pupil Support departments will be based and particularly the site of one of the teaching areas.  Exciting!  This morning we had an excellent meeting with Hubco and Balfour Beatty to plan the turf cutting ceremony.  We are on schedule for 12pm Wednesday 16th March.

September 2012 seems a distant memory.  The day when it was announced that Elgin High School would be included in a number of new build projects.  Now we are ready to start.  This morning, Balfour Beatty staff gave excellent health and safety talks to all S.1-3 pupils (S.4-6 will receive their briefing soon).  At the same time piles of fencing were being delivered.  Over the weekend we are expecting the fencing to be erected around the site and then there will be no stopping the construction of a new build for the Elgin High School community.  More pictures and details on Monday!  The official turf cutting ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday 16th March.  The musical items are being selected and practiced.  The Primary and Secondary pupils who will cut the first turf are being chosen.  We are ready to go!