The Rector's Newsletter - October 2006

A Message from the Rector

The Autumn term sees the start of prelim examinations for our S4 pupils and it is important that these students work and revise especially hard over the next few weeks so that they can realise their full potential and increase their opportunities for their future lives and careers.

All S4 pupils will be issued with a timetable detailing when their individual exams will be held. The exam period begins on 20 November and ends on 8 December.

We ask parents to reinforce the messages being delivered at school about the importance of these exams. The results determine estimates (the grades we predict the candidate should gain) to the SQA, influence appeals in August and are used for deciding the prizewinners at our Celebration of Achievement ceremony in June.

Parents can help by insisting that pupils utilise the study techniques from the recent S4 Learning Game Seminar where the main message was the importance of regular study on a daily basis. Many departments offer extra help at exam times, so if your child is struggling with a topic, please encourage them to take advantage of this service. It is also important that there is a balance between study and leisure time and that students follow a sensible lifestyle with healthy eating and regular sleep patterns. Research has shown these approaches make a considerable difference to student performance at this time, so please encourage your child to optimise their chances.

Finally, if there are any issues surrounding the prelims or study, please contact Mrs Lewis.


Extra Curricular Clubs - 2006-2007

All families with pupils in S1 and S2 should have received a booklet via schoolbag mail listing the comprehensive range of after school clubs. Please encourage your child to participate in at least one extra curricular activity. Late bus passes are available and we stress the importance of your child informing you if they are staying late at school to take part in an activity. If you have not received a copy of the booklet, please contact the School Office.
 

School Show - "The Wizard of Oz"

Booking forms will be issued to your child soon for the 2006 School Show. Please book early to avoid disappointment! The production will be performed on Wednesday 13 December to Friday 15 December.

Parental Forums

Twelve families from each year group have been randomly selected from our computer database to join our new Parental Forums (you may be one of the lucky ones!) It is planned that there will be 3 meetings this session in October, February and May. If you have any issues pertaining to your child’s year group that you wish to raise through the Forums please contact:

S1 (Mr S Cotter), S2 (Mr G Ferrie), S3 (Mrs S Bain), S4 (Mrs B Lewis), S5/6 (Mr G Herbert)

Any general issues should be raised with Mr Herbert at grahamh@lockerbie-academy.co.uk, telephone 01576 202626/202189 or by writing to the school (for the attention of Mr Herbert).
 

ParentMail
 

119 families will receive this Bulletin and copies of our regular newspaper column electronically. If you have internet access, go to www.parentmail.co.uk, enter the school postcode (DG11 2AL) and enroll for free online. S1/2 pupils will receive a praise stamp if you subscribe.

 
Absenceline and Groupcall - Available for you to leave messages 24 hours a day

Please remember to telephone the Absenceline each day if your child is not attending school giving a brief reason for their absence.  By doing this, it will save you having to write an absence note or respond to a Groupcall message inquiring about your child's absence.  Spare cards printed with the Absenceline number are available from the school on request.  The Absenceline number is 0845 345 6616.

IMPORTANT: If you have changed any of your telephone numbers, including mobiles, please let us know - you can even leave the new number as a message on Absenceline!
 

Tesco Sport for Schools and Clubs

Once again, we are taking part in the Tesco Sport for Schools and Clubs scheme. Just like "Computers for Schools", you can collect vouchers at Tesco to pass on to us. We can then exchange them for a broad range of sports equipment, from beanbags and footballs to cricket sets and trampolines, all of which will help your children to enjoy sport. The scheme is running until 5th November 2006. You can collect one voucher for every £10 you spend when shopping in any Tesco store or Tesco petrol station, and when buying your groceries online. We thank you in advance in anticipation of your support. S1 and S2 pupils will receive a Praise Stamp if the vouchers are handed in at the School Office.

 
Bad Weather Arrangements

At this time it is pertinent to remind parents of these arrangements. If we need to send pupils home, the following points should be noted.

Parents should give clear instructions about the procedure to be followed if pupils are sent home unexpectedly. Pupils will not be sent home unless the school is aware that someone is at home to receive them or that alternative arrangements have been made. Parents should err on the side of caution when deciding whether to send pupils to school in bad weather. Pupils who are transported to school should be given firm advice about the length of time they should wait if transport does not arrive at the usual time.

Now that we have the "Groupcall" facility, all registered parents will receive a ‘Groupcall’ message should the school have to close due to severe weather problems etc.

The Council website (www.dumgal.gov.uk) and BBC Radio Scotland (94.7 FM) local bulletins (6.54am and 7.50am) usually also give details of school closures.

If you have any questions about this term's edition of the Rector's Newsletter, please e-mail Mr Herbert directly - grahamh@lockerbie-academy.co.uk