Head
Teacher’s Report Session 2008-2009
School
started for pupils on Tuesday 19 August 2008.
School was fully staffed to 83.5
full time equivalent staff.
Staffing
During
the session the following staff left
| Mr
S McBride |
Completed
Training Year |
| Miss
L Aitkenhead |
Completed
Training Year |
| Mr
S Graves |
Completed
Training Year |
| Miss
P Duke |
Completed
Training Year |
| Mrs
S Forsyth |
Retired |
| Mrs
J Condie |
Retired |
| Miss
S Anderson |
End
of Contract |
| Mrs
S Pakes |
R.I.P. |
| Mr
J McDonald |
R.I.P. |
During
the session we were joined by
| Miss
K Stark
|
Teacher
of Mathematics
|
| Miss
H Welch
|
Teacher
of Mathematics
|
| Mrs
S Rodger
|
Teacher
of Mathematics
|
| Miss
A Fraser
|
Teacher
of Geography
|
| Miss
C Harris
|
Principal
Teacher of History
|
| Miss
L Davidson
|
Teacher of Support for Learning
|
| Mr
A Cunningham
|
Teacher of Physical Education
|
| Mrs
L Edwards
|
Appointed
to Business Manager
|
| Mrs
D McRae
|
Administrative Officer
|
| Mr
J Crompton
|
School
Support Worker
|
Thanks
are due to Mrs G Duffy, Mrs S Reid, Mrs P Cook, Mrs R Walker, Miss L
Mitchell Mrs L Ritchie, Mrs J Walker, Miss P Butchart, and Mr K Clarkson
who gave their support to the school in carrying out various acting
posts of responsibility.
Development
Work
Learning
and Teaching
- We
further developed the introduction of aspects of Learning Together
in Dundee into the work of the school.
- The
“Number Partners” initiative was expanded in the Mathematics
department.
- All
S2 pupils were involved in learning aspects of Personal Health and
Wellbeing through our cross curricular Health Week.
- The
XL group participated in an Outdoor Activities residential
experience at Loch Lomond.
- Our
Rapid Response Challenge activity won the top award at the Dundee
“Focus on Achievements” ceremony.
Ethos
- Staff,
Pupils and parents surveyed on views on school ethos.
- Policy
on Equality and Diversity introduced.
- Parent
Council and P.T.P.A. contribute fully to the life of the school.
- Community
garden established.
Support
for Pupils
- Pupil
tracking initiative expanded.
- House
merit system further developed.
- Review
of Guidance completed.
- Alternative
curriculum for S3/S4 introduced.
Extra
Curricular Activities
In
line with our aim to educate the whole child we continue to expand the
number and scope of extra curricular activities available to our young
people. Every
department in the school has involved pupils in activities outwith the
school on at least one occasion during the past year.
The following list gives a very brief summary.
- Biology
– 14 pupils participated in a World Challenge expedition to
Malaysia.
- Classics
– pupils participated in a verse speaking at St Andrews
University.
- Modern
Languages – organised on European day of Language.
- History
– visited the battlefields of Northern France and Belgium.
- Physical
Education – rugby teams represented Dundee in the annual May Day
tournament.
- English
– pupils participated in debating.
- Mathematics
– hundreds of pupils participated in all variety of Maths
Competitions.
- Geography
– Organised a Ski Trip to the Italian Alps
- RME
– pupils attended a conference in the Al Maktoum Institute.
- Physics
– pupils won prizes in the Total E. and P challenge in Arbroath.
- Chemistry
– pupils attended “Chemistry at Work” demonstration at
St.Andrews University.
- Modern
Studies – our pupils won the PowerPoint Challenge and the Harry
McLevy Memorial Trophy
- Art
and Design – In a year of activities too numerous to mention the
highlight was a Second Place in the McIntosh Patrick Competition.
- Home
Economics – hundreds of pupils have been involved in numerous and
varied activities throughout the year.
- Business
Education – participated in the Business Dynamics Conference and
the Stock Exchange Challenge.
- Computing
Studies – our pupils won the Dare to be Digital Challenge.
- Music
– produced Christmas Carol Concert and Summer Concert.
- Technology
– pupils participated in the Formula 1 Challenge
- Support
for Learning – pupils participated in a residential Outdoor
education experience at Loch Lomond.
- Guidance
– all new S6 pupils were involved in a two day training programme
on peer support at Dundee University.
At
a more general level pupils participated in activities in the following
areas.
The
Arts
- Pupils’
artwork was displayed and sold raising over £600 for PTPA funds.
- Over
30 pupils received certificates of merit in Dundee Schools Art
Festival.
- Four
of the six finalists in Dundee’s Young Instrumentalist of the Year
Competition were Harris pupils.
The competition was won by Gillian Carter.
Sport
Citizenship
- Over
£6000 was raised for charity through a variety of events involving
pupils from all year groups.
- Over
200 shoeboxes were sent to Romania at Christmas.
- Over
150 parcels of groceries were distributed to local pensioners at
Christmas.
- Staff
and pupils participated in the Walk for Life.
Enterprise
-
We run a successful Young Enterprise Company.
-
S1 pupils organised a “Homecoming” picnic.
Ethos
-
The Community Garden was set up.
-
The entire school community contributed to an online self
evaluation of school ethos.
In
Harris we remain firmly committed to providing our young people with an
educational experience, which has breadth, depth and variety.
We encourage achievement in its widest sense and take every
opportunity to celebrate in the successes of our pupils.
I
am delighted to report on a full, active and successful school year.
James
Thewliss
Headteacher
|