Category Archives: Whole School News

Invigilator recruitment 2024

We are currently recruiting invigilators for the 2024 exams. Invigilators play a crucial role in supporting the exam diet. Their role is to help maintain the quality of the external assessments of National Qualifications by ensuring they are conducted in accordance with SQA policy and procedure.

All invigilation activities are carried out under the direction of a chief invigilator. Full training is provided, and no prior experience is required. You will also be supported by your chief invigilator throughout.

To find out more about the invigilator role and submit your application, visit the SQA Website

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Joanne Kerr on 01698 274 999 or SQA directly at invigilation@sqa.org.uk.

Headteachers Update Oct 2023

Dear parents and carers,

I hope you are well. On the 14th of November we are hosting our S2 Parents’ Evening and we look forward to welcoming many of you to that.

On the same evening, I will also be hosting drop-in sessions open to all parents to discuss our improvement priorities and I am keen to hear your views. I will also be discussing what the different levels mean for pupil attainment and progression following feedback from parents about how confusing this can be. I will host a session at 5.30pm and another at 6pm. If you are interested in attending, please let me know via the form below:

https://forms.office.com/e/UexUeBx2Dc

Our Parent Council will also be holding their Annual General Meeting at 6.30pm in the library that evening to elect members and all parents are invited to attend. The Parent Council play an important role in the school which includes:

•the appointment of senior staff
•supporting school inspections
•the development of the School Improvement Plan and Standards & Quality Reports
•discussing issues of interest to parents including school policies
•fundraising

It is a friendly group who are always keen to welcome new members. Please join us for the meeting if you are available. It’s a great way to become involved in the school.

Finally, I am keen to share the many achievements of our pupils and information about the many events happening in the school. This year we have a new Journalism course running and pupils in the class will soon be starting a school newspaper. I look forward to sharing this with you next month.

I look forward to meeting many of you on the 14th November.

Thank you for your continuing support.

Yours faithfully

Mrs Tracey McDermott
Head Teacher

Please click here to view original letter

Tesco Community Grants

If you shop at Tesco and you visit any of the stores below please remember to ask for the blue token and put it into our voting unit at the front of the store.

  1. Motherwell Windmill Express
  2. Carfin Express
  3. Bellshill Extra

We are currently trying to win funds for our Mental Health Ambassadors programme. The competition is running until the end of September.

SQA Examinations & Study Leave

All S4, S5 & S6 pupils have now been issued with their individual SQA Timetable detailing exactly when their exams are taking place.  All pupils should check that the details outlined in this are correct and contact the school as soon as possible if they have any questions, or corrections need to be made.  Pupils, parents and carers are advised to visit the SQA website for useful information:

Click here for more info

Courses at Higher level, and most at National 5, have an external exam. This is a compulsory part of the course. All courses at National 4 level are based on internal assessments.

As the SQA exams are run nationally the date of exams cannot be changed.  Some exams will run over bank holidays and in-service days, however the school will be open on these dates to allow pupils to sit their exams.

  • National 5 & Higher History: Tuesday 2nd of May 2023 (in-service day).
  • National 5 & Higher Art & Design: Friday 26th of May 2023 (May weekend Holiday)
  • Higher Psychology: Monday 29th  of May 2023 (May weekend Holiday)

SQA exam timetable 2023 – click here

Pupils sitting Highers, or one or more National 5 exam, will be on study leave from Monday the 24th of April until Thursday the 1st of June inclusive.  Pupils must make the most of this opportunity and spend their time preparing for exams.  Please note staff are available in school and are always happy to assist pupils.  Should your son/daughter wish to attend school to revise – this can be arranged.  School policy is that pupils coming into school must wear school uniform, this is also the case when sitting exams.

On Friday the 2nd of June there will be an induction day for all pupils returning to S5/6.  It is imperative that ALL pupils attend this session so that they can be issued with their new timetables.

Should you have any difficulties relating to the SQA Examination Arrangements, or if your child is unwell during this period, please contact: Ms Kerr (Deputy Head Teacher).

Info above taken from SQA Exams 2023 letter, click here for original