Dear Parents & Carers,

As we move through the first few weeks of the new session, I would like to thank our learners, families and staff for the very positive start we have made to Term 1. One of the most noticeable features around the school has been the calm and purposeful atmosphere in classrooms, corridors and social spaces. Learners have settled quickly into their routines and expectations, and there is a real sense of focus on learning across the school. The introduction of our phone-free school environment and revised school day represented significant changes for everyone, so I am particularly grateful for the way our whole community has worked together to make these arrangements successful.

Alongside this strong start in classrooms, I am delighted by the range of clubs, activities, trips and study support opportunities already available to our learners. The offer stretches across the whole school with the hope that there is something on offer to suit every learner. This sits alongside an extensive programme of supported study across the curriculum. I would encourage families to look through the full offer with their young person and encourage them to get involved in something that interests them.

Our refreshed House system is also beginning to gather momentum, with learners earning points for their contribution to school life. The first standings have Gillies on 100 points, Dawson on 60, Orchar on 40 and Reres on 20. We want the House system to provide another way of recognising participation, achievement and contribution, while building a stronger sense of belonging and friendly competition across the school.

This bulletin also demonstrates how much learning is taking place beyond the normal classroom environment. We recently welcomed 20 learners and two teachers from our partner school in Oldenburg, Germany, for a week which combined lessons, cultural activities, a bilingual sustainability project and time with host families. The overwhelmingly positive learner feedback reflects what a valuable experience this was, and we are already looking towards a return visit to Germany. Our Social Subjects learners have undertaken a powerful Battlefields Experience in France and Belgium, while Geography learners have completed fieldwork in Pitlochry and Travel & Tourism learners have explored hospitality, marketing and tourism across Dundee whilst our Biologists are just back from Edinburgh Zoo.

Our senior learners are also benefiting from strong partnerships beyond school. Advanced Higher Biology learners worked at Dundee and Angus College on specialist laboratory techniques including PCR, gel electrophoresis and aseptic techniques. In Performing Arts, Grove learners have already been involved in Dundee Schools Music Theatre productions, achieved music performance awards and continued to excel at a very high level in piping.

It is equally important that learners have a meaningful voice in shaping their school. Our School Captains have been promoting the four Pupil Action Groups, covering our school and community, learning and teaching, relationships and wellbeing, and successes and achievements. Members of the Captaincy Team have also been working with local community planning partners to discuss what young people want from Broughty Ferry and how they can contribute positively to the area and have recently shared their work at learner assemblies.

There is already a great deal to celebrate, but what has impressed me most is the combination of high expectations within learning and the breadth of opportunity beyond it. Thank you to our staff who give their time to make so many of these experiences possible, to parents and carers for your continued support, and most importantly to our learners for the positive way they have approached the new session.

Kind Regards,
Tim Woodcock
Head Teacher

Please view the attached video created by our Learner GALP Ambassadors.