1 The current pandemic has affected the normal running of schools in many ways. This Handbook reflects the way the school usually runs but does not cover all of the changes that we have made because of the pandemic. Our arrangements have changed in many ways this session, and may well change again, depending on how the pandemic develops. For the most up-to-date information about any aspect of the work of the school, please make contact and we will be able to tell you about our current arrangements. For the latest information about how the pandemic affects children, young people and families across Scotland, please visit the Scottish Government website, which has helpful information about Coronavirus and its impact on education and children. As you will be aware, there have been changes to the way the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is planning to provide certification for young people in the Senior Phase. School staff are currently working on changes to course content and approaches to assessment, and all of the relevant details about this will be included in next session’s Handbook. Meanwhile, further information can be found on the SQA website (www.sqa.org.uk), which includes a section of advice for candidates and families. CONTENTS Page Front Cover features Art Work by Pupils Welcome to Plockton High School 4 General Information 5 Parents/Guardians/Carers 6 Plockton High School Accommodation 7 Daily Times 8 Plockton High School Staff 2020-2020 9-10 Principal Vision and Aims 11 Parents and the School 12 Enrolment 13 Support for Pupils 14-16 Our House System 17 What to do if you are Absent 18 Careers Provision 19 The Curriculum 20-21 2 Subjects 22 Art & Design 23-24 Design/Engineering/Technology 25-27 English 28 French 29 Gaelic 30 Gàidhlig 31 Geography 32 History 33 Home Economics 34 Mathematics 35 Music 36 Physical Education 37 Religious & Moral Education 38-39 Science 40-41 Support for Learning/ Additional Support Needs 42-43 Library 44 Extra-Curricular Activities 45 Assessment/Reporting 46-49 Overall School Performance 50 Homework 51 Pupils Feeling Unwell 52 School Meals 53 Specimen Dining Room Menu 54 Transport 55 Guidelines for Parents in Adverse Weather Condition & Emergency Closure 56-57 School Residence/EMA 58 Our Code of Conduct/Health and Safety Code of Conduct 59 Parent Council 60 School Uniform 61-62 School Holidays 63 The information provided in this handbook is considered to be correct at the time of printing. It is possible that there may be changes affecting a matter dealt with in the document. 3 FAILTE GU ARD SGOIL A’ PHLUIC WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION TO PLOCKTON HIGH SCHOOL Dear Parent(s) and Pupils, This handbook provides an introduction to Plockton High School for all parents and members of the community. In particular it is designed as an introduction for pupils moving to our High School for the first time. Some of the pupils about to join us will have brothers and sisters who have already gone, or are going, through the school and will know quite a lot about Plockton High already. For those coming into S1, perhaps the major change from primary is that you study a range of individual subjects and meet a large number of teachers in the course of the week. You will join an institution of about 260 pupils and students. You will learn more about the school from the staff who visit your primary schools and when you come to the high school for your introductory week in May (the timing of this is still to be confirmed). I am sure the prospect of transfer has caused parents to wonder what the future holds for their youngsters. Please remember that you are most welcome to get in touch at any time between now and your child coming to the school, if you have any questions whatsoever. Our School puts great emphasis on good school—home links and this is the most important issue which we can consider at this stage. When your child has joined the school please contact us if you ever wish clarification or are in any doubt about your child’s education. There is strong evidence that the youngsters who do best at school are those whose parents show most interest in their schooling. Our expectations of pupils can be expressed very simply: we expect them to work hard and behave sensibly. I feel sure that these are standards very similar to those expected by you within the family. We are committed to meeting the needs of each individual within the school and in turn we expect each individual to do his/her best to complete all tasks satisfactorily. I would urge you to ensure that your child takes every opportunity to participate in the life of the school, giving full attention to classwork and to extra-curricular activities so that he/she derives full benefit from all that is on offer. Needless to say, parental support is invaluable in encouraging youngsters to be involved in the range of activities on offer at our school. We are always pleased to hear from parents who are interested in helping with school activities and we are always grateful for parental support in school events and fund raising activities and the names of the current members of the Parent Council are listed on page 52. I look forward to meeting you in the course of this year and in the meantime repeat my request for you to contact the school if you wish to discuss any detail in this Handbook or any other matter. We look forward very much to having you as members of our High School community. Le durachdan/Yours sincerely, Susan Galloway Mrs Susan Galloway, Ceannard/Rector 4 GENERAL INFORMATION Plockton High School is a 6-year comprehensive, non-denominational school with a wide catchment area extending from Applecross in the north to Glenelg in the south. On the campus there is a Hostel which can accommodate up to 40 pupils and is also the location for the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music based at the school. The current roll of the school is 253. The school is attractively set in its own grounds, including a good playing field and all weather surface. The majority of pupils take lunch in the dining room. At lunch times a quick service bar operates in the recreational area and those wishing to have packed lunches may eat them in the Dining Room. Our school has health promoting status and we are committed to promoting healthy lifestyles through good eating habits and exercise. The school is available for adult evening classes and other activities including drama and sport. Lets can be arranged by contacting the School Office. There are regular Assemblies conducted by a member of the local clergy, outside speakers or senior staff in the school. We organise our programme of Assemblies in line with national Religious Observance guidelines. Prefects read at Assembly and other groups of pupils/students regularly take part e.g. reporting on foreign trips, work experience etc. Any parents wishing to withdraw their child from assemblies are asked to direct their request to the Head Teacher. The school web-site (https://plocktonhighschool.wixsite.com/amploc) is regularly updated and can be useful for checking the school calendar, holiday dates, photos of recent events etc. We issue a termly newsletter which aims to keep parents informed about what is happening and future events at the school. This is sent out electronically unless a hard copy has been requested. We also make extensive use of our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/plocktonhighschool) to keep everyone up to date with information, events, links to useful resources etc We are always happy to arrange meetings with parents either during the day or after school if this is more convenient and we see this contact and the regular Parents' Evenings as crucial to a positive school- home relationship. The key statistics relating to exam results, leavers’ destinations and other aspects of our performance are to be found at the back of this handbook. Gaelic language and culture are strongly promoted in the school and Gaelic-medium pupils have separate Gaelic classes provided. The school is committed to the promotion of Highland/Gaelic Culture and tries to ensure that it is embedded in a range of activities and aspects of school life. CONTACT DETAILS Rector: Mrs Susan Galloway ([email protected]) Plockton High School Plockton Ross-Shire IV52 8TU Tel: 01599 530800 Website: https://plocktonhighschool.wixsite.com/amploc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plocktonhighschool Parent Council Chair – Mrs Moira Smith: [email protected] 5 PARENTS/GUARDIANS/CARERS AS PARTNERS We believe that much of the strength of the school lies in the positive relationships between staff, pupils and their parents. These relationships must be nurtured by a healthy exchange of information between teachers and pupils, between home and school. We always welcome parental interest in the welfare of our pupils. Whatever the nature of the issue, you can be assured of our help. The school works very hard to keep parents informed regarding their child’s progress and any key decisions being made about their education. This includes: Parents’ evenings Progress checks Target Setting Course choice/ Options evenings Information on the school website, in Newsletters and on our Facebook page The support of parents in their children’s education is key to the success of young people. Taking time with them, discussing work, practising language, helping them manage their homework and encouraging responsibility are important ways of supporting children’s learning.