Looking Forward

2011 will always be remembered fondly by me as the year I came to Peebles and I look forward to many more. The end of term Christmas celebrations were nothing short of outstanding and I extend my gratitude to the students, staff, local clergy and parents who worked so hard to make the Social Dances, Christmas Concert, Charity Concert and Church Service such a resounding success.
2012 will be an exciting year for Peebles High School. Changes to the curriculum continue to take impact, particularly on the junior school, and the school is well placed to deal with the challenges of introducing a new structure for the senior phase in 2013. No small amount of effort is being made to ensure that we evaluate the changes we have made thoroughly and work hard to keep improving the learning experience for our pupils. This term will prove to be the most important of the session for our senior students preparing to sit examinations in May and I encourage them all to work hard and stay focussed on success.
Please look out for the latest school news on the website and, if you have not done so already, sign up for our e-mail service.

Campbell Wilson, Rector

 

A Musical Selection Box

The festive musical talent on display at the Christmas concert was as varied as a seasonal selection box. There were the small-scale chamber group offerings of flutes and saxophones, all the way up to the symphonic proportions of the wind band and the orchestra. In between there was a remarkable diversity of musical styles including classical, Scottish and pop.

In tune with the season, the jazz group played "Herald Angel Swing", the orchestra an arrangement of "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and at the end of the first half, Ross Thomson was the note-perfect electric guitar soloist with the ceilidh band in an arrangement of Mike Oldfield's version of "In Dulci Jubilo". Many students participated, contributing to the sparkling guitar groups, polished choirs, string group, saxophone and flute ensembles. Debbie Muckersie (S4) and Rebecca Lindsay (S5) stepped up to direct the pipers and the brass ensemble respectively.
The inclusion of a banjo backing the boys' voices in "Winter Winds" was a festive concert first. This small group of talented senior boys opened the second half as "Cake and Grief Counselling" accompanied by an electric ukulele.

The concert successfully reminded us that there remains a prolific wealth of both present and future musical excellence at PHS.

Mark Bisson,Expressive Arts

PS. At our School concert £600 was raised towards musical instruments, many thanks to PTA, phs200 and student council for all efforts. The focus of fundraising this term via the 200 club is to raise money for further much needed musical instruments..

Grey Mares Tail

Everything was great about the recent geography field trip – except the weather.
From St Mary's Loch Miss Smith accompanied by our National Trust Ranger, Richard, led a group up to Loch Skeen where disappointingly the waterfall was barely visible. Meantime another group carried out enquiry skills in Moffat Water at the foot of Grey Mares Tail under the watchful eye of Miss Murphy. The students will just have to return another day to witness the magnificent waterfall in all its glory.

Jeremy Lee, Social Subjects

January saw the launch of Peebles High School's new anti-bullying initiative, Not Alone. 5th year students, advised by PC Barry Taylor and Karen Wilson (LGBT Scotland), will run a peer education programme throughout 2012 raising awareness in younger students of the dangers of cyber and homophobic bullying as well as challenging all forms of bullying behaviour.
Receiving £500 funding from the Fairer Scotland fund has helped the group to create their own logo and print t-shirts and wristbands. The school would like to express their thanks to all of the students who purchased wristbands and displayed their determination to ensure PHS becomes a fairer, safer and more respectful school.
Not Alone logo designed by Amy Graham and Michael Raeburn, S5.

David Gibson's Life Stories...

Alan Stewart recently took up the post of PT Additional Support Needs. David Gibson, an S4 pupil, interviewed him in class to find out how he is finding the new job.
Here's a short extract of the interview, (you will be able to read the full interview here online v soon)

David: What did you teach before?
Mr S: I was a pastoral teacher here in the High School… and what else have I done?
Well, I've done lots of things. One of the most interesting things I've done, something that's a wee bit different, is I used to be a primary teacher in Australia, in an Aboriginal community, right away in the Outback of Australia. But the last job I did was a guidance teacher here at PHS.
.

S2 Design CD project

S2 Elective Art and Design pupils worked on research and investigation of specific design themes in class then developed and enhanced their own designs in collaboration with, professional designer, Simone Russell. The finished designs were displayed as part of an album cover exhibition at Peebles Museum.

That's enterprising!

Students from across all year groups took part in an enterprise event in December with the simple success criteria of 'have an idea, make it happen'! There were 64 stalls and some 230 students worked as teams and contributed effectively and responsibly to this whole school event. A number of the groups opted to donate their proceeds to charity and this contributed to the £870 raised for charitable causes – this was divided between 15 different charities nominated by the students. The students were supported by 7 different school departments, making it a truly effective collaboration between staff and students..

Carolyn Futty, Business School

Overdue library items

SBC Library and Information Services have introduced an administration charge for overdue items at all libraries. If borrowed items are returned or renewed before items are 30 days overdue, the administration charge does not apply. The first overdue notice is sent 7 days after the due date. The £2.50 administration charge is levied when the second (final) overdue notice is sent (after 30 days). (Further information is available on the PHS website.).

Ruth Fry, Librarian

Modern Studies USA Trip - 2011

After enduring a seven hour flight from Edinburgh to Newark Airport, we all knew it was worthwhile when the New York skyline first came into sight. And so began our modern studies USA trip.

First off, three days in New York were jam packed with all the tourist 'must-sees' and shopping for the absolutely 'must-haves'. Aside from all the obvious 'Big Apple' attractions, we also had a guided tour of Lower Manhattan taking in Wall Street and Ground Zero. Our time in NY concluded with shopping and eating in the only way Americans know how – in massive doses.
We moved on to Washington and the next few days were filled with educational experiences that gave us an insight into the American political system. Meeting Congressman Mike McIntyre, swaggering around the Capitol and the Supreme Court with our VIP passes, touring the White House while the President himself was at home – our excitement could not be contained.
The USA trip 2011 was a fantastic, and truly memorable, week and one that none of us will forget..

Anna Owens

Drama Workshop

In October the National Theatre of Scotland brought 'Calum's Road' to the Eastgate theatre. This play, based on a true story, is about one man's struggle to build a road to enable his children to go to school. In this context, members of the National Theatre's outreach team took 3rd year drama students through a process of self-reflection and assertion, then filmed the students delivering their own 'stories'. The students were very enthusiastic about the whole experience.

Nicky Toneri, Expressive Arts

Student Council 2011/12

The Student Council is made up of one representative from each House year group, House Captains and the Head Boy/Girl (24 students) and meets 5 times a session.

Representatives raise issues on behalf of their peers and liaise with the SMT in order to take these forward. Issues discussed so far include toilet facilities, social space, LRC access, canteen issues, curricular concerns and plans to finish the mural.

Student Council 2011/12: Robbie Leeson (Head Boy), Anna Owens (Head Girl), Elliot Winyard and Mhairi Imlah (Cademuir House Captains), Keir Burgess and Rebecca McCann (Dunrig House Captains), James May and Lucy Murray (Meldon House Captains), Katherine Warren and Daniel Espie 5C, Jamie Samson 5D, Lewis Murray 5M, Cammy MacLennan 4C, Ella Robertson 4D, Amy Wilson 4M, Mikkel Bottcher 3C, Nick Rossi 3D, Ronan Nisbet 3M, Jordi Steel 2C, Georgia Scott 2D, Sophie Newbold 2M, Charlotte Hope 1C, Niki Moutsis 1D and Ailish Anderson 1M.

Another string to her bow!

Congratulations to Laura Mcleod (S1) who has won a prestigious place in the violin section of the National Children's Orchestra of Scotland for 2012.
Laura has been playing the violin since she was 6 years old and is presently working towards Grade 8.

Player of the Year

Congratulations to Benjamin Hindley (S3) who plays the flugelhorn – he was recently presented with the player of the year award by St. Ronan's Silver Band. This trophy is presented to the band member who has shown the most improvement, hard work and dedication.

Get Connected and win an iPod Touch!

Sign up to the 200 Club before the end of February and you could win an iPod Touch! This is a donation scheme of £1 (minimum) a month to school funds and offers the subscriber a chance of a quarterly prize of £100, £50 or £25. Forms available from Office or PHS website..

News from the potting-sheds

Horticulture students harvested a bumper crop of pumpkins last October and there followed lessons in carving the large fruits.

Sarah Hamilton, Biology

Quintet Zambra

'Music in Peebles' recently helped to bring the woodwind ensemble 'Quintet Zambra' to PHS for a concert and workshop.

Welcome

Lianne Parker

Hi everyone! I'm Lianne Parker, the new PT Pastoral for Dunrig. I previously worked in Arbroath. I am looking forward to getting to know all of the pupils, staff and parents. My door is always open.

Sally Crighton

I'm delighted to have joined Peebles High School. I've worked in Peebles for the past 4 years and, whilst I've worked in an office environment for most of my working life, I've never worked in the education field before.

Farewell

Elaine Sloman

We say farewell to Elaine Sloman, Depute Head Teacher, as she leaves to take up the position of Head Teacher at Marr College, Troon. Congratulations on this appointment – the first female Head Teacher in this school's 80 year history.

Sport

New sports facilities

In December parents, carers and local sports groups had the opportunity to view plans for the exciting new Sports Facilities. Two open events were held at the school and over 150 people attended giving everyone a chance to meet the professionals involved in the project including planners and architect. They were able to add their comments which are to be considered during the planning submission.

The plans include a new sports hall, artificial pitch, and synthetic sprint track and long jump/triple jump facility. It has the support of the PE team who feel it will provide a 21st century facility.
Construction of this £4.6 m project is due to begin in 2013 with completion early in 2014. It is hoped that the plans will go before Scottish Borders Council Planning department early this year.

Is the budget secure for the project? The project and associated capital and revenue budget implications have been approved by SBC.
What happens for PE lessons during construction? Detailed programming implications have still to be agreed but one of the key benefits of the proposed scheme is that it will allow the existing games hall to remain in use until such time as the new facility is complete. Existing internal facilities in the school will be unaffected by the construction work.
What will happen to rugby & hockey matches at the weekend during construction? There will inevitably be disruption to rugby and hockey fixtures during the construction work but the project team will work with the school and the contractor to minimise disruption through careful programming of the work.

(More information including the full Q&A document will be found here soon.)

Rugby update

School of Rugby pupils and Ross Ford, Lions Hooker

Peebles HS rugby teams are enjoying a successful season so far.
Under the tutelage of Mr Changleng, Mr Lacon and Mr Bertram (before his departure) there are currently over 120 boys representing S1, S2, S3, S4 and First Fifteen rugby.
SCHOOL OF RUGBY: We are proud to be selected as a Scottish Rugby School of Rugby. One of only 17 Scottish State Secondaries. There are 26 boys enrolled on a joint initiative with Scottish Rugby and SBC. The programme aims to enhance not only rugby skills but skills for life and for the workplace. Lions hooker, Ross Ford, was a recent visitor to PHS. Working in partnership with Quality Meat Scotland he engaged the pupils in exploring ways to lead a healthier more nutritious lifestyle.
Our U-16 squad qualified for the Quarter Final of the Dolphin Brewar Scottish Schools Plate Competition. Their wins over Firhill HS, The Royal HS and Knox Academy were rewarded with a tie versus Marr College,Troon.
The Peebles HS 1st XV are also at the same stage after a fine win versus Hawick HS. First Fifteen Captain this season is Jamie Menzies.
Peebles HS are extremely grateful to jersey sponsors Capital Coaches, Forsyth Butchers and Bakers, McGrath Gents Outfitters, SAS Embroidery and Evolution Asset Management.
.

go to top