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Message from Mr Sinclair
Dear Parent/Carer,
It has been a busy start to 2016 with
pupils and staff hard at work. Last
week, I was privileged to attend our
Burns Supper – another outstanding
event at EHS.
It was also great to see a packed hall
for our senior information evening and
to meet with so many of you personally.
We will be holding a further event for
parents/carers of S1/S2 later this
term to share with you key information
for session 2016/17.
I have been amazed by the positive
partnerships we have with our parents
and community - it is truly amazing
what we can achieve when we work
together!
I look forward to continuing in that
tradition to make our school the best it
possibly can be.
Kind regards,
Mr Sinclair
Rights Respecting School
In this newsletter and subsequent
editions, you will see a banner making
reference to an Article number and
right. These relate to the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of a
Child. As part of the school’s
commitment to becoming a Rights
Respecting School, the aim is to raise
awareness amongst students, staff and
parents about children’s rights and
highlight opportunities where pupils at
Earlston High School have made the
most of such rights.
Dates for the diary
Fri 12 Feb - In-service day for staff
Mon 15 to Wed 17 Feb - holidays
Thursday 18 Feb—back to school
Thurs 10 March - Quiz and curry night
to raise funds for EHS
Earlston High News Respect - Responsibility - Honesty - Commitment - Excellence
February 2016
Meet Mr Sinclair
At the start of December, a smartly
suited gentleman walked into Earlston
High School and introduced himself as
the new head teacher: Mr Justin Sinclair.
The S6 media committee was keen to
interview Mr Sinclair for their in-school
newsletter – The Eden - and here is an
excerpt from that interview.
Originally from Dundee, Mr Sinclair
studied for his Accountancy degree at
Dundee University before moving to
Glasgow University to complete his
teaching qualification. His first teaching
post was at Forrester High School as a
Business Education teacher and he’s
taught at schools in Midlothian, Perth and
Kinross, Dumfries and Galloway and at
George Heriot’s in Edinburgh. Teaching
wasn’t his initial career path though, Mr
Sinclair did begin his career as an
auditor.
Clearly finding his path after auditing,
he’s worked his way up the ranks, most
recently working as the Depute Head at
Dumfries High School and then Head
Teacher of Langholm Academy and its
associated primary schools.
Q: What were your first impressions of Earlston High School?
I’ll be honest - I knew from day one that
this was an outstanding school. I got such
a warm welcome from parents, students
and staff, and the depth of pride in
Earlston is tangible. I was lucky enough to
attend the Christmas dances within a few
weeks of joining the school, and the
quality and attendance were very
impressive.
Q: It’s January! What’s your New Year’s resolution?
“To get fit!”
Q: What changes would you like to see made in the school in 2016?
To me, since this is already an
outstanding school, it’s not so much
changes as maintaining high standards in
areas such as work, uniform, and respect
for the school.
Q: What is your favourite thing about working in education?
Seeing young people grow and fulfil their
talents and potential is definitely the
most rewarding part if my job. It’s also a
real privilege to work with such exciting
and dynamic people every day.
Q: What three words would describe you as a teenager?
Talkative, certain and humorous.
Q: Finally, is there anything else you would like to say to the pupils of Earlston High School?
Please continue to help make this school
the best it can be - and thank you for all
your support so far. And, ultimately, work
hard and enjoy your time here!
Jack and Eve (S6 Media Committee)
School Hockey
The school hockey players
have had a very busy first
term with weekly fixtures
being played here at the
school and at a number of
schools across the Borders.
All of the teams from S1 through to the 1st XI have played
some exceptional hockey and achieved some excellent results.
The first XI did well to make it into the semi-finals of the
U18 Cup Competition before being put out in a fiercely
contest match against local rivals, Galashiels Academy. The
S3 girls fought brilliantly throughout a very competitive S3
Cup Competition to make it all the way through to the final.
The girls played their socks off but were unlucky to be on
the wrong side of a 3-2 result.
This term sees a lot more fixtures coming up for the girls.
The first couple have sadly had to be cancelled due to the
weather however we remain optimistic that the next couple
of months will allow the girls back out onto the pitches. The
girls will also have their upcoming respective tournaments in
February and March for which we hope to get as many of the
players out representing the school.
House System
T h e H o u s e
C h a m p i o n s h i p
continues on into
2016 with the
'Quiz of the Year' event running during the first week back.
There were about 60 eager contestants who decided to
come in and try their luck at the six rounds of questions
delivered by the school's one and only Quiz Master, Mr Kidd.
Amongst the competitors, were a couple of staff teams who
were under pressure to beat the pupils. Luckily, for them,
they ended up victorious in first and third place with a group
of seniors walking away with the silver medal.
This term looks ahead to many more events and competitions
from a Spelling Bee, to an obstacle course, to some good old
orienteering. The House and Sports Captains will also be
organising their own events for pupils and staff alike to
enjoy.
The current House scores are as follows:
Leader - 839
Eden - 844
Teviot - 591
Turfford - 517
Tweed - 808.
Inter-House Quiz 2016
Our highly anticipated 'Quiz of the Year' finally went ahead
after being postponed last term. There were several rounds
to the Quiz including a sports round and an entertainment
round. The event was hosted by our very own Quiz Master,
Mr Kidd.
There were 57 participants on the day, including a number of
staff, who challenged for the title in teams of up to 5
people. After five gruelling rounds of questions relating to
everything and anything from 2015, the Guidance staff
emerged victorious.
Well done to everyone who took part and to all who helped
organise and run the Quiz. The next House event is a Film
Quiz – who will be the victors then?
Robert (Turfford House Capt)
Geography — Save the Elephant!
(BR) Freya Reid, Annaliese Stewart Richardson, Beth Allan,
Eve Sinclair, Judi Gunn (FR) Lucy Maxwell, Lilyana Stamen-
Kovik
We were lucky to have Judi Gunn, a local elephant expert
and conservationist come into school to speak to our S1 pu-
pils about the rescue of elephants around the world. The
pupils entered a competition to express their knowledge
about their learning experience, in a range of formats, draw-
ings, posters poems.
The winning entries by Eve and Beth received a sponsored
elephant for the year in Asia. The runners up received an
assortment of elephant goodies to celebrate their success.
Well done girls!
OUTSTANDING CHRISTMAS CONCERT
WITH MOTHER GOOSE PANTOMIME
With fabulous comperes, who based their appropriate
continuity on the theme of the evening - EggHeads, the first
act of the annual Christmas Concert contained all the musical
groups which rehearse out with class time. A dramatic opening
of the pipes and drums welcomed the appreciative audiences.
Following this were performances from the Windband, String
ensemble, Junior Choir, Woodwind group, Jazz band, Scottish
group, String quartet, Ukulele group, Choral group and Guitar
group. Closing the first act was the entire ensemble performing
“I Wish it could be Christmas Everyday”. Sincere thanks must
go to the music department and visiting instructors for their
expertise and hard work at bringing the best out of these
terrific musicians and
singers.
From the moment Mother
Goose started, the fabulous
senior choir presented
brilliant singing, acting and
lively dancing. Onstage they
were supported by great
sound, l i ght ing , set ,
tremendous costumes and
the accompanying band. It
was a full house for the two
night run.
Zoe Daniel narrated and kept
things moving with the plot
beautifully. Poor Mrs Elsie
Goose, played outstandingly
by Lewis Wilde, is an all-
round good sort: kind and generous to all even though she is as
poor as a church mouse. Together with the large chorus of
neighbours, orphans and villagers, a wonderful variety of lively
songs and dances were witnessed to set the scenes.
Unfortunately pure goodness of spirit cannot pay the pompous
Squire Tightfist’s (Gregor Milligan) rent and so eviction stared
her in the face.
Help was at hand in the form of the Good Fairy (Ella Inglis)
singing and acting to perfection and recognising Mrs Goose’s
selfless qualities rewarded her with the gift of Priscilla (Gregor
Davis) in a spectacular goose costume who lays golden eggs.
To all intents and purposes Mrs Goose is now happy. Not so,
says the Demon King (Gareth
Williams) who was loved by the
audiences despite being the
token baddie and long-time
adversary of the Good Fairy.
He intended to show that
nobody is ever really content
with their lot. In a fabulous
mirror sequence with Mother
Goose and the Dolly Bird (Josie
Patterson), who played the
“dumb blonde” to perfection,
Mother Goose finally realises
that beauty is only skin deep.
The supporting cast was equally
wonderful . Miss Frost’s (Leia
Mackinnon) rendition of “Let it Go”
just as the goose laid the golden egg
was priceless. Harry the Hammer
(Mitchell Green), Alfred Shifter and
Sons (Billy Davenport, Finlay
Anderson and Ross Mackay) all
contributed to a hilarious, well-acted
and slick panto. Under the direction
of Mr J Thomson it was another
amazing show and we are very proud
of the entire cast and supporting
production team. A special mention
must go to Jan Baird for her show
stopping choreography. Yet again, a
great night’s entertainment from all concerned at Earlston High
School.
We look forward to the Borders’ premier of Andrew Lloyd
Webber’s Phantom of the Opera in June. Another ambitious
project but thanks to Mr Thomson, his team and the students,
Earlston High School will no doubt rise to the occasion.
“MOTHER GOOSE” - PRINCIPAL CAST
Narrator, Zoe Daniels
Mrs Elsie Goose, widow Lewis Wilde
Squire Tightfist, her landlord Gregor Milligan
Miss Frost, bank official Leia McKinnon
Harry the Hammer, builder Mitchell Green
Orphans : Neve Clark, Melissa Taylor, Catriona lamb, Richeldis
Brosnan, Mhairi Biggar, Eliana Capstick, Evan Anderson
A tramp, Alasdair Russell
Alfred Shifter and Sons Billy Davenport, Finlay Anderson Ross
MacKay
The Good Fairy, Ella Inglis
The Demon King, Gareth Williams
Mrs Goose’s neighbours: Eilidh Angus, Lauren Faulkner ,Lara
Frew ,Penny Threadgall, Katrina Smith, Chyna Broughton, Robyn
Smith, Rebecca Cove, Amy Thomson, Morgan Smith, Mellisa
Toner, Aimee Goodship, Mhairi Chirnside, Catherine McQuarry,
Samantha McKinley
Dolly Bird, Josie Paterson
The Chorus Villagers/Towns people
Chorus of Townspeople /Royal Guests: Amy Gibb, Iona Young,
Amy Young, Isla Gibb, Kara Nearing, Grace Does, Mhairi Kyle,
Alice Fife, Phoebe Gordon, Lucy Morgan, Hastings Isobel Stone,
Anna Grieve, Hannah Jones, Louisa Faircleugh, Tala Fairbairn,
Isla Reid, Rosie Fletcher, Amelia Adams, Aline Vary, Morven
Reid, Sara Meddie, Zoe Lynsey
Celebrating Burns
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who ventured out on the
dark and wet Wednesday evening to attend the Burns Supper
to celebrate the life and work of Robbie Burns. A fantastic
evening full of haggis, humour and hilarity, was enjoyed by all!
The evening started off with a warm welcome to students,
parents and teachers from a lively, tartan clad Mr Kidd. Sixth
year pupil, Sean Crighton then recited the beautifully
memorised Selkirk Grace before the soup was served by kind
S4 volunteers. Earlston High’s very own String Quartet,
composed of Kaelin Farnish, Charlie Moore, Ed McVean and
George Stokes, performed a lovely selection of traditional
pieces throughout the evening including Robbie Burns’ Red, Red Rose. The haggis was superbly piped in by 3rd year pupil
Corri Campbell, and 6th year pupil Gregor Davies followed suit
with the delivery of the very entertaining ‘Address to the
Haggis’, complete with dramatic actions, much to the delight
of the company. A delicious meal of haggis, neeps, and tatties
was served for all to enjoy.
After eating, The Immortal Memory was given by Mr Bryson,
who kept the company entertained with some amusing
memories of Robbie Burns in his childhood and then Graeme
Hastie of Kelso Burns club impressed all with his terrific
rendition of Tam O’Shanter.
Depute Head Boy, Conall Howard, succeeded in offending the
majority of females in the room with his witty and cheeky
Toast to the Lassies, compromised of some interesting stories
and his own views about the girls. But his charm won everyone
over in the end as he praised and thanked the girls at
Earlston. Getting her own back on Conall, Head Girl Sophie
MacBrayne offered the Reply to the Lads, with some equally
entertaining comments, and the pair raised some laughs.
The evening was rounded off with a Vote of Thanks from
Depute Head Girl Lauren Meager before the company joined in
with a cheerful rendition of Auld Lang Syne.
Sophie (S6)
A Few More New Faces at EHS
In recent weeks we welcomed some new
teaching staff at EHS.
In the English and Literacy faculty, we
welcomed two new teachers - Mrs
Robertson and Mrs Caldock. Mrs
Robertson joined us from Musselburgh
Grammar School where she had been
teaching for six years.
Mrs Caldock arrived just after Christmas
and previously worked at a school in
Oxfordshire.
In the Science faculty, we welcomed Ms C
Campbell who teaches Science and Physics.
She is a familiar face in the Borders as she
has taught at Berwickshire High School and
Eyemouth High School.
Mrs J Colmar took up her post in the Maths
and Numeracy faculty this month too.
Working in Support for Learning and across
the school supporting students is Mrs L
Fairbairn, who joined the
Pupil Support faculty in
January.
After the February break, we welcome Mr
N Alston to the Health and Well-Being
faculty. Mr Alston, currently a PE teacher
at Buckhaven Academy, takes over from Mr
S Henderson, who moved to a promoted post at Jedburgh
Grammar school. Congratulations to Mr Henderson and
welcome to all new staff at EHS.
Enterprising
Fund-raising
The Support for Learning
department held a Christmas
Gift Fair on Friday December
11th. It was well attended and
we raised over £100. The gifts
sold were either made in the
department or were articles
made in Technology and
finished in Support. Several pupils contributed their time -
sanding, painting, varnishing and covering. Thank you for
their, and our shoppers, support. Items not sold are going to
be put up for sale at Parents' Night.
We hope to buy sensory play items for the department.
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