Fuller and more detailed information about the topics covered in this guide can also be found in the school handbook. This is sent automatically to parents of incoming first year pupils while they are still at Primary school. However, any parent who wishes a copy may obtain one on request from the school office.
The School Nurse carries makes an introductory contact with pupils in S1. This takes place in a classroom setting.
All pupils are given the Td/IPV booster vaccination (against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio) during S3.
There is also a programme of vaccinations for girls against the HPV virus which causes cervical cancer.
The School Nurse is in the school regularly. As well as taking part in the school’s health promotion activities, she is happy to see pupils about any aspect of their health and development. Appointments to see her can be made at the School Office.
Please see also the section headed ‘School Nurse’.
There is now a great deal of evidence that a healthy and balanced diet is good for the growth of young people and also that it helps them behave and concentrate better in school. For this reason the school tries to promote healthy food choices in school meals and to educate pupils to understand the need to eat healthily at home and when out with friends too. Avoiding heavily processed foods, lots of ‘E numbers’ and excessive amounts of both salt and sugar are part of this approach. Studies have shown that supplementing diet with Omega 3 oils can improve attainment and behaviour.
| – | First Term 10 | Second Term 11 | Third Term 11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inset days (staff) | Wednesday 18 August | – | – |
| – | – | – | – |
| – | – | – | – |
| – | – | – | – |
| Pupils start | Thursday 19 August | Thursday 6 January | Monday 18 April |
| Mid Term Close | Thursday 7 October | Friday 11 February | – |
| Mid Term Reopen | Monday 11 October | Monday 21 February | – |
| – | Inset days (staff) | Friday 19 November | Monday 14 February |
| – | Tuesday 15 February | Wednesday 16 February | – |
| Local/Stat. Holidays | Monday 22 November | – | Monday 2 May |
| Close | Wednesday 22 December | Friday 1 April | Thursday 30 June |
NB – Pupils do not attend on staff inset days.
Please see also the dates given in the School Calendar
Holidays in term time reduce the time available for learning and have been shown to affect pupils’ progress adversely. At exam stages, they may cause pupils to miss important assessments which are part of the external SQA exam system. Work will not be given to pupils to take with them on holidays. Absences for holidays in term time must be marked as ‘unauthorised’ on the school register, except in very specific circumstances stipulated by the Scottish Government Education Department.
Pupils will be set homework regularly. It is an important part of their school work and helps raise attainment. It is the school’s policy to require that it be done. The amount of homework given will vary between the various subjects and with the age and stage of the pupil. In general, a first year (S1) pupil can expect to have around 45 minutes to one hour of homework per night. In third year it is likely to be between one and two hours per night. In the upper school there is stronger emphasis on exam preparation. Older pupils can expect between two and three hours’ homework per night. Homework need not always be written work. It may also include research on lesson topics, reading, or practical work. If you think the amount of homework given is too little (or too much) at any given time, please contact the child’s Head of House.
All pupils will be given a homework planner free of charge, so that they can make a note of the homework given and record that they have done it. Lost planners must be replaced at a cost of £2.00 each (£2.50 for the larger size, this is less than the cost to the school). Replacements are available from the school office while stocks last. Planners must not be defaced by graffiti, slogans, drawings, etc. Pupils will be required to replace planners defaced in any way. Register teachers and members of the Senior Management Team will monitor the proper use of homework diaries on a regular basis.
Some clubs and societies, sports activities and supported study classes will run till around 5.00 p.m. on certain days.
| Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|
| 08.30 School opens | 1.40 Warning Bell |
| 08.55 Warning Bell | 1.45 Period 5 |
| 09.00 Period 1 | 2.40 Period 6 |
| 10.00 Period 2 | 3.35 Dismissal |
| 10.50 Morning Interval | – |
| 11.00 Warning Bell | – |
| 11.05 Period 3 | – |
| 12.00 Period 4 | – |
| 12.55 Lunch interval | – |
The school has a system by which every pupil is allocated to one of four Houses, named after local landmarks or geographical features. Normally all members of a family will be in the same House. The House system is now linked with the school’s Pupil Support system and also with the school’s Praise and Reward scheme, the Prize-giving and the traditional Inter-House Sports activities. Each House competes for shields annually in the areas of Athletics, Citizenship and Scholarship..
Instead of having senior staff as Year Heads in charge of each year group, the school now operates a ‘vertical’ pupil support system based on the four Houses. Each House has its own Head of House and Principal Teacher of Pupil Support. These are:
| Head of House | PT Pupil Support | |
|---|---|---|
| Bengullion | Mr Crossan | Mrs L Millar |
| Davaar | Mr Casey | Miss Brown |
| Kilbrannan | Mr Gallagher | Mrs A Millar |
| Knockscalbert | Miss Cameron | Mr Farren |