North Lanarkshire Learning and Leisure Services are proposing to change the configuration of the school day from August 2016. This proposal applies to all secondary schools across the Council. I am conscious that a change took place in 2013 but unfortunately the decision to allow individual schools to vary structures has resulted in a significant number of different approaches being adopted which are not able to fully deliver the anticipated opportunities for young people in secondary schools.

Following a period of evaluation and research North Lanarkshire Council is now proposing to adopt a common model of 33 periods of 50 minutes in all secondary schools from August 2016. This will be accompanied by a co-ordinated approach to curriculum planning designed to ensure that the needs of all our young people are met.

The benefit of this approach is that it will allow for increased curricular opportunities for pupils in the senior school since they will be able to access a wider range of courses. The secondary Head Teachers have been working together on a uniform approach to curricular planning. This co-ordinated approach will ensure that the needs of all young people are met. The authority also propose to implement a common timetable for S5 and S6 in order to maximise choice for students. A wider range of courses will be on offer in pupils’ base schools, in neighbouring schools and from our college partners.

The details of the proposed new weekly configuration of the timetabled day are detailed below. If you have any questions about its operation, I will be happy to answer them.

Day of Week	Start	Finish	Morning Break	Lunch Break
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday	8.55am	3.45pm	10.35am – 10.50am	12.30pm – 13.15pm
Wednesday, Friday	8.55am	2.55pm	10.35am – 10.50am	12.30pm – 13.15pm

If you have any comments on this proposed configuration, please forward them in writing to me at the school either by letter or email. The appropriate email address to use is: enquiries@taylor.n-lanark.sch.uk. I would ask that you respond to this request no later that Wednesday 24^th February 2016.

All students in First Year have been working in English on the work of Burns in preparation for Burns’ Day. Students were involved in writing and reading Burns’ poetry as well as researching the life and times of Burns. Pupils made up their very own ‘old Scots’ poems in memory of Robert Burns and all things Scottish. The highlight of the week was when all First Year Students meet in the theatre for Taylor’s very first and not to be the last ‘Alternative Burns’ Supper’. Mr. Mark Dorris (Principal Teacher of Mathematics) began the Supper when he delivered the powerful ‘Selkirk Grace’. Afterwards was the processions of tea-cakes, caramel wafers, snowballs, shortbread and Irn-Bru! Some of our First Year’s then recited their own poems and The ‘Alternative Address to the Haggis’. It was a fantastic event and a great time was had by all involved. Check out of twitter feed for some videos of the day. Thanks to the English Department and Mrs. Mary Jo Burton (Principal Teacher of English) for all their hard work for this day!

Our Social Subjects department is currently organising an excursion to London, scheduled to take place in June 2016. This residential trip, aimed at Fourth Year Students, will be based on the Geography, History and Modern Studies courses with various activities designed to support our young people in their curricular work. Included in the cost, the students attending this visit will enjoy accommodation in London, excursions such as a tour of the House of Commons, visits to the Imperial War museum, London Eye and London Dungeon, a Thames River cruise as well as attending a West End show. Our pupils are already highly anticipating this visit, this is the third time this visit has taken place. Thanks to Miss Heidi Stoutjesdyk PrincipalTeacher of Social Subjects for organising this worthwhile excursion.

A group of Third Year students has joined up with young people from other North Lanarkshire schools in Loch Eil for an Outward Bound Expedition this week. The Outward Bound expedition is designed to help young people see what they might truly be capable of achieving in life by giving them the opportunity to take part in a wide range of outdoor pursuits including climbing, canoeing and orienteering. Students were given the opportunity to reflect on their achievements in order to reflect upon valuable skills that will help them to succeed in the years ahead. Staff and students enjoyed some typical windy and rainy Scottish weather, but the students took this in their stride, and thoroughly enjoyed all the activities! The staff had nothing but praise for the manner in which students conducted themselves throughout the course. They were a credit to themselves and the school.

New College Lanarkshire online applications have now opened for courses beginning in August 2016. Our senior cohort who are interested will now begin their online applications. The college will also be holding information days over the coming months across Motherwell, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch Campuses for any of our interest students.

On Thursday 28th January at 7.00pm, parents of students in the current Third Year are invited to attend an information meeting in the school theatre.

The purpose of this meeting will be to explain the process by which students in Third Year will make curricular choices for entering Fourth Year this summer.

The meeting will commence at 7.00pm and last approximately 1 hour.

Taylor’s new appointed Prefects have begun to undertake the various roles and responsibilities around the school, both during the school day and at extra-curricular events. This is a perfect role for students in sixth year who want to take on extra responsibility, extend their experience and provide themselves with opportunities which will support their applications to college and university and to work. The responsibilities include Lunchtime canteen, sports and library supervision, helping out within individual departments throughout the day and also supporting teachers at parent’s nights. They have being do a wonderful job so far. Keep up the good work!

Taylor High School recently welcomed Primary 7 pupils and families, Sixth Year Students and their parents and staff from both Taylor High and associated Primary schools to celebrate our annual Primary 7 Welcome Mass. The service was followed by a reception and a tour of the school. Our Sixth Year students shared responsibility for the organisation of the evening which welcomes future Taylor High pupils to the school community with our House Captains carrying out their first official duties of the year. This is a very important year for both sets of young people as the primary seven pupils prepare to move to Taylor High School, and our Sixth Year students prepare to move on from school to training, employment or Further or Higher Education. Thanks go to Fr. Martin Delaney for celebrating the Mass with our school community, Mrs. Louisa McGraw (Deputy Head Teacher) for her co-ordination of the event, and Fiona Cannon (Principal Teacher of Music) supported by staff and pupils of the Music Department, for providing the musical liturgy. Music students also performed alongside staff in the accompanying instrumental ensemble. Our House Captains Erin Banks, Joseph Clark, Danielle Muldoon, Sean Rice, Ciaran Toal, and Gemma Thomas, and our Vice Captains Lucy McLeish, Josh Clifford, Damilola Kareem and Lucy McLeish were a great support on the evening contributing to the liturgy and supporting our Primary Seven Intercessory Prayer readers who also did a fantastic job.

Taylor High School is one of two secondary schools in North Lanarkshire with an official Twitter account. Numerous schools have set up unofficial twitter accounts but Taylor High and Greenfaulds High School have been asked by the authority to assess the use of Twitter by schools and to report to the authority on any issues which emerge during the next few months when using the account.