S4 and S5 pupils, are due to return to school on Monday 27 May, to move into S5 and S6. However, if you are sitting the following exams, you do not need to come in for classes, until the day after your exam.

Monday 27 May – Italian
Tuesday 28 May – Sociology and Art and Design
Wednesday 29 May – Practical Woodwork

If you are planning to leave school at this time, please ensure you have spoken to your guidance teacher, completed your leavers form and returned it, along with your chromebook to the school office.

This is also a reminder of the new school day times, you will need to update your alarms and make sure you are in school for 8.40am. Please go to the Assembly Hall to be registered and collect your new timetable, Mr Wilson will be there to sort out any last minute changes.

Please also remember that the revised Mobile Phone policy is in place and all mobile phones and headphones should be kept out of sight, switched off and in your bag at all times, when in school or on the school grounds and at all times, including break and lunchtime.

Mobile Phone policy (revised) – issued 07/05/24

Just a reminder to pupils of the new times starting next week, Monday 20 May. Remember to update your alarms and make sure you are all ready to be in school earlier, with the added bonus that you will be away earlier. Any pupil missing morning registration must sign in at reception.

Pupils travelling by bus, please note your new times,
Depart: Carrbridge 08:05 – Depart: GGS 15.47 (Fri 13.02)
Depart: Dulnain Bridge 08.18 – Depart: GGS 15.47 (Fri 13.02)
Depart: Boat of Garten 08:06 – Depart GGS 15.47 (Fri 12.40/13.05)
Depart: Nethy Bridge 08.14 – Depart GGS 15.47 (Fri 12.40)
Depart: Cromdale 08:18 – Depart GGS 15.47 (Fri 13.02)
Depart: Advie, via Lettoch 08:05 – Depart GGS 15.47 (Fri 13.02) note: no longer includes Braes
Depart: Braes 08:05 – Depart GGS 15.47 (Fri 13.02)

Stagecoach are the provider for most routes, and have a website with live updates https://www.stagecoachbus.com/plan-a-journey
The feeder transport links and the Braes route are operated by Lindsay Jack.

Bus times letter emailed to parent/guardians – letter issued 29/04/24

All S4 and S5 pupils, are due to return to school on Monday 27 May, to move into S5 and S6. If you are planning to leave school at this time, please ensure you have spoken to your guidance teacher, completed your leavers form and returned it, along with your chromebook to the school office before 27 May 2024.

With the, hopefully, sunny weather approaching, please can I remind you about the school uniform policy which particularly applies in the hot weather.  Pupils should stick to the black and white uniform policy with no muscle tops, strappy vest tops or yoga style gym shorts.  Yoga style gym shorts are acceptable for PE but not for general wear around the school.  Pupils who repeatedly ignore the school uniform will not be able to attend the upcoming summer dances.

Thank you very much for your support with this, dress codes are a part of life and work and schools are no different in this regard. Claire McGonigal, Head Teacher.

All S1 pupils have received their latest Gradebook extract at Tuesday tutor time and a copy has also been emailed home to parents and guardians. If you have any queries or haven’t received your copy, please notify the office and they will be happy to assist.

Recently, in the news, there has been a large amount of discussion regarding banning mobile phones in schools.  Research studies have shown that there is a correlation between young people having access to mobile phones and a negative impact on learning and teaching, behaviour, attainment and achievement.  The conclusion is that this negativity outweighs any potential benefits which having access to a mobile phone brings.

The Scottish Government is currently drawing up a mobile phone policy which all indications point to a recommended ban.  However, there is currently a large amount of new policy being developed in education which seems to have led to delays.  Therefore, as a school staff we have discussed mobile phones and concluded that the current policy doesn’t support the pupils with their learning. We would like to introduce a total ban from the change of timetable on Monday 20 May 2024 for S1 – S3 pupils and Monday 27 May 2024 for returning senior pupils.  The proposed, updated mobile phone policy is attached.

Research based evidence for banning mobile phones includes:

• Improvement in academic performance due to massively reduced distractions. This is greatest for pupils who are in the lowest 20% of attainers. 
• Cuts down on screen time.
• Reduces cyber bullying.
• Cuts down on anxiety regarding potential emergency phone calls.
• Improvement in concentration and memory.
• Removes the reinforcement of negative stereotypes, social media groups and F.O.M.O. during the school day.
• Improves both mental and physical health.
• Improves social skills as pupils chat more face to face rather than rely on text messages, even when they are sitting right next to the person they are texting.

The Parent Council have been approached for their advice and are supportive of this revised policy and a number of parents have raised concerns regarding mobile phones recently.  However, to enable all parents to discuss and understand the updated mobile phone policy, there will be an information drop-in on Thursday 9 May at 5.30pm before the S3 Parents’ Evening.  All parents, not just those parents attending the S3 Parents’ Evening, who would like to find out more about the new policy are invited to attend and the drop-in will take place in the canteen.

I hope that as a parent forum, you can understand the reasons behind our proposed updated mobile phone policy.  Please contact the school if you have any questions and I look forward to seeing you on Thursday, if you would like to discuss the issue in more depth.

Claire McGonigal, Headteacher

Updated Mobile Phone Policy letter – issued 07/05/24

Mobile Phone Policy – issued 07/05/24

All schools in the UK have recently received information from the National Crime Agency, raising awareness of a recent rise in the reporting of financially-motivated sexual extortion. This is a type of online blackmail, often described in the media as ‘sextortion’. This letter aims to help parents and carers to understand what sexual extortion is and what can be done to help protect and support children who may become victims of it.   This letter has also been emailed home, so please contact the office if you haven’t received it.

Sextortion – letter issued 01/05/24