Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Tynecastle Challenge High Ambition Responsibility School Enjoyment Newsletter Spring 2015
Success
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Contents
Page 3 Head Teacher’s Page
Page 4 Whole School News
Page 4 S1/2/3 Round Up
Page 6 S 4/5/6 Round Up
Page 11 Extra-Curricular
Page 20 Faculty News
Page 31 Parent Council
Page 31 Active Schools and Primary Transition
Page 37 Information for Parents/Carers
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Dear Parent/Carer
It’s hard to believe this will be my final Tynecastle newsletter! Once again, editing it has shown me what a dynamic and innovative school we are. Inside you will find many examples of both individual and team successes. Some of the individual successes in art have been particularly commendable; whilst I would highlight the recent excellent teamwork at Dance Quest, the recent Duke of Edinburgh expedition, and the fantastic victory in the Scotland-wide competition by our senior boys’ basketball team as all being pretty fantastic.
The trip of the term has to be the amazing overnight visit to London to take part in WE day. The many S1-3 students involved were certainly inspired to take on a leadership role in developing global citizenship activities in the years to come. We also held our fourth Celebration of Performance ceremony last week, which was supported by no less than two Commonwealth Gold medallists. Well done to all involved in this successful event.
This newsletter also confirms our growing list of vocational partnerships. These partners play a key part in delivering our senior phase, and many of them will support our acclaimed and now much-imitated Meaningful May programme for our National 3 and 4 students next term.
I want to sign off by offering my best wishes to Mrs Bell, who will be Acting HT next term, and to say how much I have loved working with the staff, students and parents of Tynecastle High School these past six years. It has been a real privilege. Happy Easter!
Mr T Rae
Head Teacher 3
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Whole School News whole school community we have raised awareness of house points and the winning house will enjoy a cinema outing as a prize. This year This year the student council decided has also seen us grow our links with the following aims for the 2014-2015 the Parent Council and we have been school session: feeding back ideas about how we as
students can contribute at events. to promote positive change
within the school Ms L Moyes to continue to work with
the local community S1 – 3 Round Up to raise awareness of the findings of the food comparison survey This has been another busy term for to establish our presence on the school website our S1 - 3 students. All our S1 to promote and care for students are completing their Junior Tynie the Turtle – our school Award Scheme Scotland Gold level mascot programme this year and in the ‘Me and My World’ element of the award, all S1 students are now very involved with their chosen project, ranging from making bird boxes for the local community to knitting pet blankets for the Cat and Dog Home.
In term 3 there will be an Award Ceremony to celebrate our students’ achievements and also an opportunity for students to reflect
on what they have learned from this We have also increased our methods of communication by setting up a experience. twitter account @THSStudentC and also have our own page on the school website. Working with the 4
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
This has been a particularly held 1:1 interviews with each S3 important term for our S2 and S3 student to ensure that their choices students as we prepare them for maximised their potential for their choice of subjects for next year. success in S4 National exams. The S3 To support our students and you Learner Review process is now through this process, we held our S2 complete with most students able to into S3 Information Evening for have their first choice of subjects. parents, which was well-attended. We hope that you feel that the We then issued Learner Review Learner Review process has packs to all S2 students and the S2 supported your son / daughter and Parents / Carers Evening took place you through this transition. on 2 February. The final part of the process is a Learner Review, which is an interview between your son / S1-3 portfolios daughter and a member of the All our S1-3 students are continuing student support team. These have to develop their own portfolio in a now all taken place with most new format this year on One Note. students able to have all of their first The portfolio aims to provide our choice of subjects. We hope that the students with the opportunity to information we provided in the pack record their successes from both in and during our Information Evening and out of school and encourages has enabled you to support your son them to reflect on their / daughter in their move into S3. achievements and the skills they Similarly in S3 this term, there has have developed as a result of their been much preparation for the move experiences. This term, S3 students into S4 - the Senior Phase. In have set up the new format on their addition to the S3 Parents / Carers iPads and have been learning more Evening on 26 February, I also about how to post their successes as briefed all S3 students on how they part of their Tutor Group activities. should select the 6 subjects they Mrs Ramsay, DHT wish to continue with in S4. I then
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Scottish Building Society, who last year recruited a S4 -6 Round Up permanent member of staff directly from our S6, have further very interesting Business Partnerships opportunities for our senior students. They will work This term we have been busy alongside the school to building on our already impressive recruit a small team of part- range of partnerships with a number time Saturday and summer of businesses. holiday relief staff, with well-above minimum rates For example: of pay.
Six KPMG employees have ZEST continued to hold regular 1:1 mentoring conversations with students in our S5 and S6. We are very grateful to these volunteers for their support We enjoyed a visit from Aberdeen Asset I am delighted to report success for Management, who outlined our three ZEST (Zoo Environment exciting developments in Skills and Training) students, regard to the rolling out in Rebecca Porteous, Michael Edinburgh of their Apprenticeship Programme: Protasiuk, and Lauren Wood-Foy. As a number of our senior you may recall, these S5 students students feel enthused have completed work placements at about the prospect of the Zoo (to the envy of many adults summer work experience in the school!), and have also been with the firm, and the prospect of more involved in learning about permanent, well-paid conservation, and enhancing the employment at the end of lives of animals in captivity. Our Zoo S6 colleagues were extremely impressed with the work ethic, 6
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
positivity and presentation skills of in how to go about this. We are our young people, with Michael proud of this contribution to the winning the award for ‘Best City’s educational profile.
Presentation’. The ZEST experience Prelim Exams ends with a trip to the Highland S4, 5 and 5 completed their prelim Wildlife Park in Kingussie. We look exams just before and just after the forward to further students February Break. Students’ beginning on the ZEST Programme attendance and punctuality during these exams were exceptionally next session. good, and invigilators were Mrs Bell delighted with our very settled, mature and polite students. This Exam Leave sound preparation for ‘the real thing’ can be complemented by In line with The City of Edinburgh attending supported study classes at Council’s policy on exam leave, lunchtimes and after school, and our students from S4 to S6 will be issued Easter School Programme is included with individual exam leave at the end of this newsletter (and on timetables. Please note that our website). We are very grateful students are entitled to varying to our staff who give so freely of amounts of study leave depending their time; do please encourage your on the number of examinations son/daughter to make the most of being taken. The SQA examinations these excellent opportunities. run from Tuesday 28 April until Friday 5 June inclusive. Senior Phase Transitions Meaningful May Learner Reviews have taken place
Last session, Tynecastle led the way for S3 moving to S4, and at time of in The City of Edinburgh by devising typing are underway for S4 and S5 and running a very successful moving to S5 and S6. As has been programme of learning and events the case this session, Senior Phase for S4 students sitting fewer than classes next year will be made up of three National exams. We will be a combination of S4, S5 and S6 offering ‘Meaningful May’ again this year, and have been approached by students. The most important various other schools seeking advice principle is that ‘the right student is 7
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
studying for the right level of through Edmodo and the school qualification at the right time for website: ask your son or daughter to them’; teaching Senior Phase show you what’s there. students together allows us to broaden our curriculum (i.e. the The 2015 exam season sees numbers of subjects and levels we Tynecastle presenting students for are able to offer). National awards in the second year of these new qualifications, and also, Our new timetable will commence in some subject areas, presenting for on Tuesday 19 May 2015. New Highers (next year, all subject areas will be delivering New SQA Exams Highers). We await with interest and anticipation the outcomes of a very The SQA exams are just around the good year of learning and teaching; corner, with Administration and we are aware and proud that our History taking place as soon as 29th school’s technological advances are April and 1st May respectively. second to none in the City of Individualised timetables will be Edinburgh. issued very soon but in the meantime students can access this Surviving Exam Season information from the SQA website: www.sqa.org.uk
It is crucial to students’ success that they have an effective study plan in place. Tynecastle’s innovative online study planning tool, for which faculties have contributed materials, is an integral part of our students’ 16+ Positive Destinations preparation for exam success. All Tynecastle has an excellent record of S4, S5 and S6 students have been preparing its young people for life shown how to access this resource beyond school, with the vast 8
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
majority of our students moving customises itself to their interests, directly to positive destinations, for example displaying suitable job whether that be a job, training, vacancies each time the student modern apprenticeship, then logs in. Other features such as volunteering, College or University. My Strengths provide great ideas for For more information on how we go subject/course choices and related about things, please look at the job types. My Interviews usefully Positive Destinations section of our takes students through the whole website. process, with interviewers asking real questions and suggesting good My World of Work answers. There is also a section on My World of Work applying to university which offers www.myworldofwork.co.uk is a web helpful tips on completing UCAS service produced by Skills applications, including personal Development Scotland (the Careers statements. Service) which encourages young people and adults to plan their Students are expected to register for future careers. The website is full of the web service which they can do features and advice designed to help either in school or at home, and it identify strengths and to match would be helpful if parents and these to the types of learning and carers encouraged their young activities best suited to them. My people to log in. World of Work provides information on different areas of work, how to One to one interviews are also still search for jobs, how to apply and be available in school and, once a successful. There are also job- student has left school, in the SDS related videos and interview tips, Centre at 79 Shandwick Place. and the opportunity to write and store CVs. Skills Development Scotland – Lyn Students can register online for My Sutherland World of Work, and the more they Our Careers Adviser supports the use the service the more it school in a number of ways including 9
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
advice on completing application very best, and look forward to forms and writing CVs, registering hearing about their experiences with online Careers websites and course choice while at school and Edinburgh Guarantee beyond. While PSE programmes in (A positive destination for all) school support students in thinking The Edinburgh Guarantee exists to about what they would like to do make sure that every school leaver in and where they would like to go, Lyn Edinburgh moves on to a positive takes this a step further, through destination, be this a job, further offering individual appointments at education or training opportunity, or which the plan is put into action. volunteering. The Edinburgh
Guarantee team works with Tynecastle helps students move on employers, colleges and training to a variety of positive destinations providers in the city to encourage including Employment, Volunteering, them to create appropriate jobs, Skills for Work programmes, Modern training and college placements for Apprenticeships, College courses our young people. Other exciting and University degrees. Through the possible positive destinations Edinburgh Guarantee there are many include internship and Modern opportunities available to school Apprenticeships. leavers in Edinburgh, and every Check out: reason for our young people to feel www.edinburghguarantee.org motivated and optimistic.
Work Experience Career Academy Graduation 2015 A small number of our S4 students will during May take up a Work Career Academy is a programme Experience placement which will that helps prepares students for the allow them to understand first-hand world of work and beyond. Our how it feels to be part of a real work students are linked to various force. We wish these students a the employers such as Scottish Gas,
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Diageo plc, Citi ,JP Morgan, ‘Gender’ workshop presented by Clydesdale Bank, RBS , Lyons Nadine Jassat from the Edinburgh Davidson and Scottish Water Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse through masterclasses, mentoring, Centre. These workshops allowed workplace visits and summer students space to explore and internships. discuss issues such as pressure, body Career Academies UK is the provider image, sexism, homophobia and of this structured programme and how our ideas about gender relate offers fantastic support and to gender-based violence. Older guidance to schools which gives our students also looked at the students a fabulous opportunity. For messages typically sent by the media more information visit and the topic of sexual bullying. www.careeracademies.org.uk Students’ feedback was overwhelmingly positive: one typical Congratulations to the following comment was that the ‘lessons were interesting and everyone should successful students who completed have them’. Another students said, the two year programme- Sarah ‘It was interesting and made me Glass, Naz Aguado, Ellie Clarke realise how wrong society is and you ,Sabrene Mohamed, Moi Suwanbol should be yourself. I enjoyed it.’ We and Owen Connell. The graduation are pleased at how well students engaged with these topics and hope event will take place in the Assembly to work further with the st halls on April 21 2015. organisation.
Ms L Barnett Extra-Curricular Gend er Workshops Dance Quest From November until the end of Recently 19 S1/2 girls took part in a January all S4-6 students had the dance project alongside Scottish opportunity to attend a one-off 11
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Ballet called Dance Quest. They have The following girls were involved in been working hard for the last few the project: months on their dance piece and Chloe McLean, Hollie Maloney, finally got to perform it on Lauren McKinven, Alana Thomson, Wednesday 14th January at Jasmine Sneddon, Kimberly Hadfield, Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre. Rachel Lewis, Katie Greig, Ellie Stewart, Jade McCowatt, Brogan MacLeod, Jasmine Graham, Maja
Gaska, Louise Livingstone, Jessica Townsley, Beth Williamson, Lauren Finlay, Rowena Bruton, Eva Willson
Ms K Clarke
Duke of Edinburgh success
Their performance was delivered with great enthusiasm and creativity and they all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. A special thank you to Well done to Matthew McDiarmid, Lucy Bruce, Lauryn Mutch and Paige Ola Poziemska, James Gibson and Lamb for their support and Evie Brownlee who are the first four contribution to working with the students from Tynecastle to girls throughout the project. Well complete their DofE Silver Award. done to all those who took part you were amazing!
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iced over during one of the nights. Despite this the students did amazingly well and spirits were high
They are moving onto Gold now and we wish them luck with the final stage of their DofE journey. throughout. Tynecastle has three groups this year, Gold, Silver and Bronze and they are currently planning fun Three of the Golds – Evie Brownlee, expeditions for the Spring. New George Jemiolo and Matthew members (in S3 and above) are McDiarmid even managed to make it always welcome. to the summit of the Cobbler but all Mr C did a great job and are ready for their Harrison assessed expeditions later in the
summer. The rest of the team Duke of Edinburgh Silver/Gold included: James Gibson, Ola Training Expedition to Arrochar Poziemska, Karolina Rybak, Abbygail Despite the chilly overnight Hutt, Hannah Berry, Julia Jemiolo and temperatures forecast the Silver and Kay Paterson and thanks too to Ms Gold DOE groups had a very Taylor for helping out. New members successful trip to Arrochar recently for always welcome, Bronze expeditions their training expedition. Weather coming soon! was mixed to say the least with Mr C Harrison sunshine, sleety showers and freezing night temperatures. Tthe tents even Piper 13
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Very many thanks for arranging for Sitting in the Newcastle end near the Struan to come and play for us Manchester United fans the yesterday. It was a wonderful sight atmosphere was amazing. to see the children marching round the garden behind a fine young piper. It was an excellent learning opportunity as we experienced Scottish culture and traditions.
Struan has supported us on Burns Day each year throughout his school career. He is an excellent ambassador for Tynecastle High The boys and girls on the trip loved School. His engaging, mannerly the atmosphere and the game personal qualities are delightful. It although there were a few tired was with a tinge of sadness that we faces on the bus home. It wasn’t the that we thanked him for the final goal fest we were hoping for but it time. We wish him every success as was incident packed with Man Utd he moves on to the next stage of sneaking a goal in the dying minutes. education. Hopefully the students can take this Ms S Brown experience and use it to motivate Head Teacher Tynecastle Nursery themselves in their own sporting
performances. Football Trip to Newcastle Mr J McPartlin
Wednesday 4th March saw the boys and girls football teams travel to
Newcastle to experience Newcastle versus Manchester United
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
TO BOOK: Simply visit http://greenteam.org.uk/our-
projects-2/holiday-programmes/ to download a booking form.
Green Team Dance Club
Easter Activity Programme The dance club is on Wednesday lunchtimes and a Tuesday after From April 13th-17th 2015 school. This year we have taken part our Environmental Activity Week in Dance Quest and some inter offers children aged 10+ the school opportunity to explore the natural competitions. The dancers recently world and learn new skills. Over the took part in the Edinburgh Schools week they will enjoy a host of Dance Competition and they outdoor activities including fire competed well. They danced in the lighting, outdoor cooking, shelter- Around the World category with a building, environmental art, stealth piece called Across the Oceano. This and survival skills, pond and river was a mixture of dance styles dipping. including Bollywood, African, Scottish and the Haka. We came th DETAILS: Cost £30 per day/£150 full joint 4 out of 11 groups and Miss week 9.30-4.30pm with the option Clarke was very proud of the whole to extend by 30 mins either end of team. the day (£2.50 per session: 9- 9.30am/ 4.30-5pm). Beth Williamson and Rebecca Banks
Movie Club
Movie Club is an awesome opportunity to sit back and relax on a Wednesday lunchtime. My opinion on movie club is that it is absolutely amazing, I love movies and we all get a say in what we watch and analyse.
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I would recommend this club to comfortable win for us but we everyone. narrowly missed winning our second Jasmin Walker
Fencing Club
The fencing club this year has been teaching us different sword stands and styles like a foil and a saber on a two handed sword. We have also learned how to protect ourselves. Sean Greenan
Eco Group friendly against Braes High. Our next game was the first of four in In March the Eco Group have been Basketball Scotland Open Boys Cup helping run the assemblies by Competition, we played Merchiston contributing to and delivering the and won 53 – 41. Next up was presentations to the different another win for us, 88 – 28, against houses. We are currently working on St. Augustine’s. The third game in the rooftop garden as well as the our draw was against Portobello and garden next to the Astroturf. We aim although we narrowly lost 82 – 73, to rebuild sections, repair damaged the boys played exceptionally well parts and add a new willow dome, as especially against a team where well as adding some new plants, many of their players play at club cleaning the pond areas and making and national level. The final game in bug hotels to support the local the Cup Competition saw us wildlife. narrowly lose against Firrhill, 71 – 62.
Rebecca Banks Since Christmas we have had a very successful, albeit challenging and Senior Boys Basketball very competitive run of games in the Plate Competition: This year has seen the Senior Boys team going from strength to January 14th Prelim game against strength. We started the season, in Wester Hailes, 81 – 14 September, with two friendlies. The first against Gracemount was a 16
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
January 23rd Last 32 game against (S5), Owen Connell (S6), Murray Wallace High, 76 – 39 Duncan (S3), Kyle Fairgrieve (S6), rd March 3 Last 16 game against Nathan Field (S5), Callum Huckle Holyrood, 84 – 28 (S6), Struan McCall (S6), Lewis March 5th Quarter Final against Firrhill, 68 – 21 McLauchlin (S6), Steven Nicolson March 10th Semi Final against North (S6), Pol Pedraza (S4), Roma Inch, 69 - 48 Rybintsev (captain) (S6) and Cameron Western (S6)
Ms L Moyes
The final held at Grangemouth th Sports Complex on Tuesday 24 JET students’ positive feedback March resulting in a 65 – 45 win for us against a talented, disciplined and S4 JET skilful Dumfries Academy. A number of our S4 students have The boys this year have played enjoyed a very successful time on amazingly: working and JET (Job, Education and Training) communicating together as a team placements on Fridays throughout and winning the Plate Competition the year. The positive feedback has been an amazing end to the below will give some indication of season. They have listened to and our students’ very positive followed instructions from their experiences and attitudes: coach, Tom Griffin. Tom has worked I have gained more confidence in my tirelessly this year to integrate new, JET placement and have been asked less confident players into a well- to stay on for extended work established unit and throughout the experience. Courtney Bartram I have gained more confidence and year he has continued building on have learned to be more organised. I this and the team would not be work well with others. -Danielle where they are without his Morrison invaluable input. I know you will all I have learned how to work well with join me in congratulating the boys others and gained more confidence. and Tom. The team are: Ibra Camara I have also been asked to extend my work experience. Ross Grant 17
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Through Jet Programme I have We are delighted to be about to learnt to be more confident with embark on the JET process once new people and have gained a part more with our present S3. time job on a Sunday earning £30 a Mrs McGregor and Mrs Bell week. David Weddell JET has made me more confident and work well in the workplace. Jamie Carlin I have gained experience and confidence with working with young children. JET has made me 100% sure that I want to carry this career on when I leave school. Paige Lamb
My Jet placement has made me Water Aid charity fundraiser - 19 realise that I would like to work in a nursery when I am older. Lauryn March Mutch I have gained self confidence in myself in the work place. Wlodzimierz Kaminski I have learned how to work cooperatively in a group/team and to be more confident in expressing my ideas. Darryl Finlay I gained more confidence and have learned what it’s like to work in an The S3 Geography class had been office and what tasks are needed to studying a unit called ‘Water Wars’ be carried out on a daily basis - I would like to have a career in admin. and came up with a fantastic Brandon Innes fundraiser to raise money for the JET has helped me develop more charity Water Aid. After seeking confidence in my work experience permission from Mr Rae the class which has helped me become more organised a successful event which mature. Gavin Rennie involved six members of staff – Mr Rae, Mrs Ramsay, Mr Rahimian, Mr 18
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Harrison, Mr McPartlin and Mr place and the whole building was Revolta participating in the ice just huge. I have to commend the bucket challenge! The class worked volunteers who were going around the stadium getting groups out of very hard to organise the event and their seats and doing chants and managed to raise £200.00 for the dances; most of these volunteers worthwhile cause. This coincided had already lost their voices by the with World Water awareness day on time they reached us! the 22 March and they also planned, The actual event was brilliant. It was prepared and delivered a very full of inspirational speakers, successful presentation to the house musicians, actors, environmentalists assemblies. and generally people who are making huge, positive impacts on Well done to the S3 class for the world. These people included organising the event and thank you Martin Sheen, Sir Richard Branson, to all who supported this cause. Conor Maynard, a Paralympian, and the creators of We Day. The two Ms Mariani people who made a specific impact Tynecastle We Day London Trip on me were Harold Craston and Kirsty Kenny who had invented On Wednesday 4th of March a group something that seemed so simple of twenty-nine of us and three but could really positively affect teachers set off for Wembley Arena both society and the environment. in London. The initial bus and train They had taken and transformed journeys weren't quite what we disused telephone boxes into free, were expecting (long story short, solar-powered charging points for none of us got much sleep on the phones. Seeing students only a few ‘sleeper train’) but we soon forgot years older than myself making a our fatigue when we arrived in difference, having the willpower to London. go out and create something and being really successful in doing so The arena itself was amazing. was really inspiring to me. We Day Everything was at extremes: the UK was a great experience for me stage set-up and lighting were really and my classmates and I hope that colourful and bright, the music was others from Tynecastle will get a very loud and easily filled the entire chance to go in years to come.
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Rachel Hall 3T1 What advice would you give to yourself as a kid? Faculty News I'd tell myself the expression 'Don't Interviews with teachers be so stubborn and just do the best thing!' Miss Crombie, English probationer How do you deal with failure?
I just try again
Where would you be if you weren't a teacher?
Living on a beach in Hawaii I imagine
Mr McPartlin, PE probationer
What would you say your best features as a teacher are?
I think I'm lively and organised
What's a personal goal that you've always wanted to achieve?
Climb a mountain What would you say your best Who's your biggest inspiration? features as a teacher are? Pass, next question I think I'm organised, I'm approachable for the students and I 20
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
try make my lessons fun and I'd probably be doing some sort of enjoyable. trade, I always quite enjoyed the craft and design stuff at school. What's a personal goal that you've always wanted to achieve? Interviews by Raegan Moir
I feel like even now, I never stop English learning, so I just want to become the best teacher I can because I'll be Holocaust Memorial Day Author a teacher for the rest of my career Event and I just want to continue and become the best teacher I can. On Tuesday 27th January a group of S2 and S3 students went to hear the Who is your biggest inspiration? author Elizabeth Wein discuss her
new novel ‘Rose Under Fire’. This I would say my parents. They've been very supportive and I think to event was organised by the Scottish become a teacher it was after my Book Trust to mark Holocaust own PE teacher’s impression that Memorial Day. Wein’s novel is a made me want to become a teacher gripping read set during the Second
World War and her talk about the What advice would you give to yourself as a kid? concentration camps and the experiences of those interned there To work hard and actually enjoy the was very thought-provoking. school time, because once you leave Tynecastle students asked several you will miss it excellent questions during the Q&A
How do you deal with failure? session and afterwards had the opportunity to buy the novel and I think I have a mindset, especially in have it signed. This interesting event PE, I like to think I have a growth was enjoyed by all. mindset where I can't do it yet but in the long-term I will be able to Theatre Trip: ‘Faith Healer’
nd Where would you be if you weren't On January 22 the theatre fans in a teacher? S5/6 attended the Lyceum to see a performance of Brian Friel’s ‘Faith 21
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
healer’. Reviews for the play were Kirkland Ciccone excellent, and it was easy to see why. The play consisted of three Students enjoyed his quick wit and anecdotes about his childhood linked monologues and only one growing up in Cumbernauld, and had actor was ever on the stage at one the chance to ask him questions time. Students were very impressed about his novels, Conjuring the with the actors’ ability to remember Infinite and Endless Empress which such long speeches but some felt are available in the school library. Fun was had by all! the ending was rather abrupt. This was a challenging play but overall an Ms S Crombie enjoyable experience. Ms L Barnett PE Giant Heptathlon On Thursday 12th February Drumbrae World Book Day Leisure Centre hosted this year’s
On Thursday 5th of March, writer of Giant Heptathlon where Tynecastle teen fiction Kirkland Ciccone joined was represented by fourteen 1st year Tynecastle and shared his love of students. This was the first time reading with students from S2 and most had competed in such a S3. The event was held in the school competition which was a tiring but library, and Ciccone dazzled students with a presentation about his life very enjoyable day. and reading, laced with dark and insightful comedy. The heptathlon is about teamwork and cooperation with Tynecastle's girls and boys teams working together for an accumulative score. After competing very well in the opening relay race, we took part in 7 other events including hurdles, triple jump and overhead throw. In the step- up challenge we finished 22
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
overall 2nd place and in an occasion, giving the audience a great endurance event we finished overall insight to their sporting lives and 3rd place. The day was a great experience for our 1st year pupils who showed great cooperation and really enjoyed competing in a competitive sports competition.
Well done to all!
Mr J McPartlin passion for their sport. Boys - Jack Stewart, Dylan Reilly, Dylan Stables, Bradley Murray, Kenzie Foy, Sami El Yamani El The evening was brought to a close Ghailani, Jordan Jamieson with the presentation of the Girls - Amy Anderson, Anya Opara, Basketball Scotland Open Boys Plate Elle Bissett, Ellie Fraser, Rebecca Competition. It was a great reward for Banks, Morgan McKewan, Maya all their hard work and dedication for Watson many of the boys who are leaving school at the end of sixth year. Sports Achievement Awards A special mention goes to Tynecastle’s Tynecastle’s fourth annual celebration 2015 sports personality of the year of sporting achievement was held on Steven Nicolson. Senior pupil Steven th Thursday 26 March. A chance for our has shown great development over student’s to have their sports and the years in school and has dance hard work and success contributed vastly to extra-curricular recognised and celebrated. clubs within the school particularly Special guests and Commonwealth Basketball and Football. Gold medallists Sarah Clark and Josh Mr J McPartlin Taylor added a celebrity sparkle to the 23
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located at the Mound on Princes Street. Art and Design
S3 Student wins prestigious Art Congratulations to Art and Design Award student Jane Ambler 3T1 who has gained a highly commended award in the John Byrne National Drawing Competition run by Education Scotland. Her work will be in an exhibition at the Paisley Museum and Art Gallery from Friday 25th March. This is an amazing achievement. Mrs S Primrose
Jane’s Art and Design student Becky entry Mackenzie S3 gained a highly commended award in the Royal Scottish Academy Schools Art Awards. We are very proud of this achievement in a national competition. The print will be shown as part of an exhibition at the RSA Science Zoo: Global Classroom Conference
I really enjoyed going to the zoo. We went into the education centre and we saw a presentation about batteries and bringing beavers back. Then we were put in groups and we
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began the first workshop. For our We looked at all the animals as well, first activity we blindfolded our of course, and we took lots of partner and got them to hug the pictures. I hope that we get to go on trees and then guess which tree it more club trips because I really was afterwards. In our second enjoyed it. workshop, we made dams (like Eva Smiles 2B1 beavers would) made of dough in pipes, then we flooded them. After that we had lunch outside. For our last activity we went round the zoo and recorded what some of the animals and their predators eat. Then we had one more presentations as a conclusion to our awesome day! Erica Ives 2B1 Mrs Clarke, Erica Ives, Ammna Ali, I went to the zoo and found out Liam Johnston, Andrew Scott, Kayla about bringing beavers back to the Ramage, Elle Bisset, Jamie-Lee Hart, country, they can help us construct Jay Bladen, Richard Ambler, Jordan things. We had to make a dam to Ferguson, Ben Robertson, Jordan protect the village. Jamieson, Laura Kaminska Liam Johnston 2B1 The zoo experience: I had loads of We went on a trip to the zoo with fun!!! Lots of different animals to see the Small Animals Club. We did a and species that I had never seen or workshop about the environment heard of. The different workshops and energy. This consisted of were fun and well organised. It also learning about trees, reintroducing gave me a chance to interact with Beavers to the UK and so on. It was my friends. A whole new experience. great spending time with the club Ammna Ali 1T2 surrounded by animals. Mrs S Clarke 25
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
From left to right: Emma Allison, Beth Go4set success Nisbet, Eamon Islam, Stephane The s2 Go4set team won the Student Choice Award at the Heriot Watt presentation day for their excellent Eco hotel that they designed. They have spent the past 3 months working on their project and have put in a great amount of hard work and effort into it. They have each been awarded Thomas, Ada Poziemska and Roberta a Silver Crest Award for their hard Puiu and Eliza Scott work. ‘I enjoyed looking around at other Science and Literacy peoples projects and receiving the I Learnt about how to make an certificates we were awarded. We Electromagnet with a: won the Silver Crest award and the Coil of wire Students Choice Award. We also won Tons of paper clips, a a cheque for £100 with the Student Rod of iron and Choice award. I have learned that One power supply team work is key.’- Beth Nisbet, 2T1. Many people failed but if ‘My Favourite thing about today was Anybody could do it, Eliza could do it Guess what? winning the Student Choice Award Nobody got as many paper clips as because I didn’t expect our team to Eliza, she got win. I’m also very happy about Thirty-two, in under forty Seconds! winning the Silver Crest award. It was very interesting to see peoples’ reaction when they were looking at our model.’ – Ada Poziemska, 2D1. Ms C Hay
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Deanna Cochrane 2T2 Craiglockhart Primary School: Modern Languages Theatre trip – Mulan, Chinese New The show was outstanding with its Year Celebration - 2015, the year of unique drumming, mind blowing goat dancing, beautifully designed On evening of the first of March, costumes and artistic fan dance. 2015, the pupils from Tynecastle High There were different characters with School and two catchment schools: their own special personalities. The Dalry Primary School and performance was one of the BEST Craiglockhart Primary School musicals we have ever seen! We attended the theatre trip – Mulan liked it because all of the characters performed by Red Poppy Ladies were always drumming and dancing Percussion Group from Beijing, China perfectly in time with the music and at Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh. The each other, with no mistakes following are comments from pupils whatsoever. The choreography was who attended the trip: stunning and cleverly crafted. They invited a man to participate in the The show brought Chinese show for a wedding scene, they atmosphere to Scotland. It was a treated the man with amazing really nice for us and our family to kindness including a red cloak. We experience a Chinese vibe, which watched the show with great taught us a lot about Chinese excitement and intensity, and we culture. The costumes were very were always on the edge of our outstanding and beautiful. The seats. At the end of the show, we dance was really good. We really took pictures with the beautiful red enjoyed Mulan. We would like to poppy percussion ladies on stage. attend such a show again next year. We are so happy that we went to the show. It was EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dalry Primary: “I enjoyed it, especially the acting and the drumming.” “I loved the 27
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Chinese people drumming. It was Gomez has been working with the pretty loud. It was really cool National and Higher Spanish class watching it!” “I thought it was really who have really benefited from cool when they had torches and they having another native speaker to were spinning. I really liked it and my help with pronunciation. İGracias mum really enjoyed it too.” “It was Senora Gomez! cool. I liked it because of the drums. It was so loud!” “I took my mum to Panama Visit see it as a birthday present and she loved it! I thought it was awesome On Wednesday the 4th of March, we too, I especially liked the drums.” welcomed 10 educational visitors from Panama who were here to learn about Scottish education. The group arrived in the morning and were welcomed by some of our Spanish Update senior Spanish students who used this as an opportunity to practise a Our S2 and S3 students enjoyed their little Spanish. Brooke Steele, Michael annual Spanish unit between the Connolly, Sarah Glass, Naz Aguado, start of January and the February Chloe Prentice and Pol Pedraza break. S2 students learned about Martin all lead small groups on a tour different Spanish foods and how to of the school. Our visitors order in cafes. In S3, students were experienced some lessons in learning about the opportunities Spanish, Mandarin, CDT, Science, open to them to study in different Music, French, Maths and Art. It was countries when they leave school. really interesting to hear about schools in Panama and the visitors Senior Spanish seemed to really enjoy their visit to Tynecastle High. The Modern Languages Department Multilingual Debate would like to welcome Senora Gomez to the department. Senora 28
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Some of our senior pupils are preparing to be a part of the Multilingual language debate at Heriot Watt University on the 25th of March. Our students will have the opportunity to listen to live debates in various languages on language related topics.
Languages Revision Photograph includes David Craig from Just a quick reminder that revision Selex sessions for National 5 and Higher The workshops were led by a range of are available at lunchtimes or after professionals including Hazel Gardner school. If you have any questions on (Curriculum Leader of Mathematics), assessments or the final exam, pop George Connell (founder of the along! Easter revision sessions will “SHAPE with a Difference” be available during the programme), Iver Ogilvy (Structural holidays…dates and times coming Engineer and Numerical Analyst) and soon. David Craig (Selex-ES Systems Mrs D McGinley Engineer). Positive feedback was
received from all of the budding Maths Visit young mathematicians involved in the In January over thirty students from event. our feeder primary schools attended Social Subjects two Most Able Mathematicians workshops in the Maths Faculty. The S1 trip to Edinburgh Castle and students worked on a range of Scottish Parliament. mathematical problems with an emphasis on problem solving and the real-life applications of mathematics.
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Rachel Lewis and Jennifer Shek, S1
Technologies
Free Raspberry Pi’s – 10 Claimed by Tynecastle Students!
In December, Skyscanner and Young Scot teamed up to inspire the next generation of computer programmers in Scotland – this meant that young people were able In the morning we went to the castle to claim a free Raspberry Pi online and learned a lot about the different through the Young Scot website. rooms. We saw the dungeons. They Using their Young Scot Card S1–S3 looked really horrible and smelled students were able to apply and disgusting. We then saw the Queen’s despite being open for two weeks, jewels and saw the crown which the 500 available were gone within were really pretty and shiny. We the first day. then saw Mon’s Meg which is the very big canon.
In the afternoon we went to the Scottish Parliament and learned about voting and even got to go into the chamber. After our tour around the parliament we got to play a voting game which we chose answers on a mobile device. After Tynecastle students were given the we had a question and answer opportunity to register during their session with Marco Biagi MSP. Information Literacy and Computing Overall it was a really good day out.
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Science lessons. 10 of our students successfully claimed a Pi! It has been a busy term in the cluster! We have had a great term with the extra-curricular clubs at The Raspberry Pis have now been both primary and secondary, regular delivered to Tynecastle and transition delivery, golf league entry, distributed to students. Learning Scottish Basketball league games videos are available online at and working with the Sports Leaders www.youngscot.org/skyscanner and Young Ambassadors at the high Raspberry Pi’s will continue to school. feature at Tynecastle High School when, next session, the Raspberry Pi Transition club (working title) will commence. P4-7 Cluster Badminton Happy coding folks! It’s been a great term with 10 pupils Technology Faculty from across the four cluster primaries attending the weekly Parent Council badminton club. The pupils have
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY enjoyed learning new skills, playing games and meeting their potential Tuesday 28 April – Parent Council Meeting – 7pm in school. All future peers. welcome. Tuesday 2 June – Parent Council P5-7 West Primary Basketball AGM. All welcome. League Saturday 13 June – The primary basketball league has Tynecastle Summer Fair been growing from strength to Friday 25 September – strength. We now have 10 primary ‘Could It Be Take That’ schools from across the West taking part, including Dalry and Craiglockhart Primary. The pupils Active School & Primary Transition from across the West of the City Active Schools enjoy a two hour filled session of games against different schools and abilities. The Sports Leaders and 31
Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
senior boys’ basketball team have sports leaders made us have great been a tremendous support with great fun”. their help and input with umpiring, scoring and assisting throughout the day. New Clubs! Sports Leaders and Primary delivery We have had a great term building We have two new and exciting new upon transition links in the cluster. clubs on offer to girls this term. Miss Active Schools and the PE McPhee will be running her own S4-6 department arranged senior Sports Relaxation class on a Monday from Leaders students to deliver various 3.30-4.30pm in room G072. Miss sports activities to Dalry and Craiglockhart Primaries. The Sports Leaders delivered up to six weeks of sessions to P4 and P6 classes, ranging from multi sports to Clubgolf. This was excellent experience for not only the students to put their leadership skills into practice and work with different Clarke will be running a Girls Fit Club ages and abilities, but for the from 3.30 – 4.30pm for S2-4 girls primary pupils to have a new and fun looking for something fun filled and experience at their feeder High fitness based. School. Both primary classes had a fantastic Both clubs start 23rd March – see time, with many pupils stating how Pam, Miss Clarke or Miss McPhee to much they enjoyed the high school sign up now! facilities and one pupil stating, “the All extra-curricular club information can be found on the school website and Twitter page.
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Golf League Volunteers
Matthew McDiarmid has entered If you’d like to help out with any of the clubs we have running please let into the High School Golf League me know – the more staff that help, again this term and also entered the the less you have to volunteer! Scottish Qualifier Cup. Good luck to A big thank you to all staff and pupils Matthew on 20th March, where he who help out at lunch time and after will play for his place in the final at school clubs at the high school. If you have any questions, please the Braids Golf Course. come and see me – you can find me in the music department.
Extra Curricular Clubs at the High Ms Brown School Active Schools Co-ordinator, Tynecastle High School and Cluster The timetable of clubs can be found Primaries on the school website and notice boards.
How do I join? Meet at PE department in PE kit for the start time of your club.
Is there a cost? No - All clubs are free! Wednesday Lunchtime Clubs Where can I see what’s on? Notice board Accounting Pam’s office door in music Art PE Department Badminton Ask a member of staff! Board Games Cool, Calm and Connected Still unsure? Why not give a new Craft and Jewellery activity a try – you might enjoy it!
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Music Creative Writing Puzzles Chemistry School Radio Station Dance Science Dodgeball Small Animal Caring Duke of Edinburgh Small Animal Management Eco Group Table Tennis English Fencing
Film Fitness in the Fitness Suite
Football French Girls Group Global Citizen Homework Internet Library
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Activity Time Where Contact
S1 Dance 1 – 1.45pm Small Games Hall Miss Clarke
S1 Dodgeball 1 – 1.45pm Large Games Hall Sports Leaders
S1 – S6 Football 1 – 1.45pm Astro Pitch Sports Leaders
S1 – S6 1 – 1.45pm Large Games Hall Sports Leaders Basketball
Mr Revolta S3 – S6 Fitness 1 – 1.45pm Fitness Gym Mr Urquhart
S1 Table Tennis 1 – 1.45pm Assembly Hall Sports Leaders
S1 Tennis 1 – 1.45pm Astro Pitch Sports Leaders
S3 Football 1 – 1.45pm Astro Pitch Mr Brown
External
S1-S6 Fencing 1-1.45pm Large Games Hall (See Mr McPartlin)
Come along, join in and have fun – it’s free!
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
After School Activities
Day Activity Time Where Contact
3.30 – Small Games Hall/ Monday S3 - 4 Dance Miss Clarke 4.30pm Assembly Hall 3.30 – Girls Football Astro Pitch Miss Moultray 4.45pm S1 – S6 Hockey 4.30 – Astro Pitch Emma (boys and girls) 5.30pm S1 – S3 3.30 – Tom Griffin Tuesday Large Games Hall Basketball 4.45pm Miss Moyes 3.30 – S1 – S2 Dance Small Games Hall Miss Clarke 4.30pm S1 – S6 3.30 – Large Games Hall Sports Leaders Badminton 4.30pm S1 – 3 Boys 3.30 – Mr Rahimian Astro Pitch Football 4.30pm Mr McPartlin 3.30 – Bradley Moffat S1-S6 Rugby Astro Pitch 4.45pm Mr Urquhart S3 - S6 3.30 – Thursday Girls Basketball Small Games Hall Miss Gardner 4.45pm
S4 – S6 Tom Griffin Boys Basketball 3.30 – 6pm Large Games Hall Miss Moyes
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Information for Parents/Carers Depute Heads for 2014-2015
Communication Year Group Depute Head Teacher Effective S1-S3 Mrs Ramsay communication is S4-S6 Mrs Bell vital to the successful running Lost property of a school. Tynecastle High There are a number of items of lost School prides itself property which have been handed on being open and approachable to in, but have been unable to be all parents, students and visitors. identified. Please ask your son/daughter whether they are The school regularly provides missing any item(s) and, if so, ask feedback to parents and carers on them to check with the main school the progress of their child and their office. achievements and successes, not just when there are concerns. School immunisation programme; a Parents should feel confident in chance to catch up contacting the school with any concerns they may have. The first Immunisation helps protect our point of contact is always your young people and communities from child’s Support for Pupils Teacher. a wide range of illnesses. However, please do not hesitate to ask for your child’s Year Head, or the The NHS Lothian school nurse team Head Teacher. carry out an annual immunisation programme, which includes: The Support for Pupils Team The HPV vaccine for girls in S1 and S2 to protect against House Group Support for cervical cancer Pupils Teacher The MMR vaccine for those Braemar Ms Moultray who did not start or Dunvegan Mr Rahimian complete the two doses Tantallon Mr Cook required in childhood
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
If your child did not receive these Updating Information vaccines there is another chance to get these vaccinations in the It is vital that the school holds up-to- summer term. School nurses are date contact information for all distributing letters around Easter students and their parents/carers. time for pupils who may have missed Please notify the school if out. Please ensure you read this and emergency contact details change, discuss vaccination with your if there is a change of address, or a parents or carers. Please make sure change of phone number. you return the form as soon as you Please notify the school of your can (within 7 days please), signed by email address if you are happy to be yourself and your parent/carer. contacted in this way.
The school will send text message
alerts to parents/carers prior to Microsoft Office for all Students important events, such as Parent Consultation Evenings. Information Microsoft Student Advantage is now can also be found on our website. available to all Edinburgh pupils. This means that all students can Please contact the Absence Line on download Microsoft Office for PC, 0131 337 0336 to notify or update Mac and iPad for free. All that the school of any student absences. is needed to download and activate the software is the student’s Office 365 account details (aka their school login information).
More information and instructions on how to download can be found on the Digital Learning Team’s website http://digitallearningteam.org/2015/0 2/02/microsoft-office-free-for-all- edinburgh-pupils/
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Tynecastle High School Staff changes this term 2 McLeod Street Edinburgh We said farewell to: EH11 2ND Mrs C Ashmore (Business Education) Telephone: 0131 337 3488 Mr Brown (Craft and Design) Absence line: 0131 337 0336 Ms M Papadopoulou (Pupil Support Email: Assistant) [email protected]
Website: www.tynecastle.edin.sch.uk At the end of term we will be saying farewell to: Twitter: @TynecastleHigh Mr T Rae, Head Teacher
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Tynecastle Easter School Programme 2015
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Easter School Notes
Please let your teacher know in advance if you plan to attend Easter School sessions; a list of names of students expected to attend will be created
It seems unlikely, but if there are no names signed up in advance for a particular session, the session will be cancelled, and so the teacher will not be in school
On Thursday 2 April, the last day of term, teachers will hand their lists to the school office
When you arrive for Easter School, please sign the register at the School Office (for health and safety reasons)
Teachers will be in school at the times stated, but not at other times, and so please do not arrive in school ‘on spec’, or hoping to ‘study generally’
Any teachers unable to attend (for example due to illness) or running late will inform the school, and information will be passed to students when they arrive
Thank you to our teachers who have volunteered their time, and well done to our students who take advantage of these great opportunities
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Tuesday 21st April All resume Tuesday 28th April SQA exams begin Monday 4th May May Day holiday Tuesday 5th May All resume Wednesday 6th May S3 Tracking Reports (2) and merits/demerits issued Thursday 7th May Staffiissued( in-serviceissued day Friday 8th May Students resume Friday 8th May Bronze Duke of Edinburgh training expedition leaves Saturday 9th May Bronze Duke of Edinburgh training expedition returns Monday 11th May (week beginning) Health & Wellbeing week Monday 18th May Victoria Day holiday Tuesday 19th May All resume Tuesday 19th May New timetable begins Friday 29th May S1 Full Reports issued Friday 29th May S2 merits/demerits issued Monday 1st June New S5 and S6 induction TBC Friday 5th June SQA exams end Saturday 13th June Parent Council School Fair Monday 15th June P7 Fun Day Tuesday 16st June P7/S1 Transition Day Wednesday 17nd June P7/S1 Transition Day Wednesday 17th June P7/S1 Parent Transition meeting Thursday 18th June P7/S1 Transition Day Monday 22nd June Bronze Duke of Edinburgh assessed expedition leaves Tuesday 23rd June Bronze Duke of Edinburgh assessed expedition returns Tuesday 23rd June Awards Ceremony Thursday 25th June Rose Day Balgreen Primary Friday 26th June End of term assemblies Friday 26th June Term ends Thursday 13th August Staff in-service day Friday 14th August Staff in-service day Monday 17th August Students resume
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Tynecastle High School – Newsletter Spring 2015
Tynecastle High School 2 McLeod Street Edinburgh EH11 2ND
Website: www.tynecastle.edin.sch.uk Twitter: @tynecastlehigh Email: [email protected] Tel: 0131 337 3488
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