The weekly photographs from the library window show that good progress continues on the construction site.  Too windy to open the windows in the English department, but the area for the new sports block is looking very different from seven days ago.  We had a useful open evening last week with a number of neighbours, families and friends of the school coming to look at the designs.  There was much positive comment.

These are this week’s pictures from the library window.  The view from the Head Teacher’s office continues to be limited to painted hoardings.  Very good progress is being made.  The peat that had at one time threatened to cause delays has now been moved off site.  So far there has been little noise to be heard in the current building.  We are looking forward to showing off the designs at a drop in session 4.00 to 7.00pm Tuesday 19th April.  Staff from Moray Council, Balfour Beatty and EHS will be present to answer questions.  Parents and members of the public will be very welcome.

The new term started this morning.  Pupils and staff returned to a very different school campus than the one they had left two weeks ago.  Very good progress has been made in preparing the site for the construction of the new build.  The top picture shows where the old garages used to be.  They have been cleared to make way for the PE block with a four badminton court games hall, gym and fitness suite.  After school on Tuesday 19th April will be an opportunity to view the plans for the new build and meet some of the staff involved with the project.  More details to follow soon.

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!

This was the view from my office window taken earlier today.  After nearly thirteen years of looking out across the playing fields, it is strange to think that this time next week I will be seeing fences and boards going up to mark out a building site.  While the Senior Leadership Team was meeting, folk from Balfour Beatty were walking around the grounds getting their bearings.  The reality of what is happening became even clearer when at lunchtime an S.1 pupil admitted to me that he was really looking forward to being in the new building.  Good times!

While I will be updating this blog regularly, a live camera link will be set up on the website (www.elginhigh.moray.sch.uk).  You can also follow me on Twitter: @AndySimpsonHT

This afternoon, the text message came through that financial closure had been reached and that the contracts for the construction of the new building had been signed!  Well done to everyone involved.

Meanwhile, we were meeting representatives of Hubco and Balfour Beatty to agree arrangements for the turf cutting ceremony at 12.00pm on Wednesday 16th March.  If all goes to plan, Balfour Beatty will start turning the games fields into a building site on Monday 7th March.  We also discussed a series of briefing sessions for pupils about health and safety.  These should also take place on the 7th March.  Exciting times!  We can look forward to getting into the new building in October 2017.