Staff training

On Fridays, classes finish at lunchtime thus allowing pupils and staff to pursue a wide range of 'extra curricular' activities. Today, for example, our senior boys' football team headed for Linlithgow to pit their talents against their peers on what I'm certain was a heavy and soggy pitch.

Meanwhile, scores of other pupils pursued varied sporting and musical interests at various venues in the locality.

For staff who weren't involved in those clubs we had an hour together to recap on some of the key issues of the day.


In my presentation I covered:

1. Thanking staff for their efforts over the past half term
2. Update on rebuild programme
3. Sharing classroom experiences (programme where all teaching staff are expected to observe at least three other colleagues throughout the session) our focus this session will be on how we use feedback to enrich and enhance learning and teaching at Gillespie's. 
4. School examination results this year - Higher results in S5 are the best ever.x
5. Curriculum for excellence update - planning for session 14/15
6. Calendar deadlines - staff reminded to ensure that agreed deadlines should be met

Following my presentation, Mrs Westerman, ably supported by Messrs Alexander and Stewart shared an update our our (Tapestry) learning and teaching communities. These are groups of practising teachers who work collaboratively to improve each other's classroom practices through peer observation and discussion. 

Mr McCallum then updated us on appeals made to the Sqa and progress being made on resolving internet access speed at Darroch. I am delighted to report that excellent progress is, at last, being made in this latter area.

With one week to go until the mid term holiday I feel that we're now settled into a good routine and that staff and pupils are working really well together. The period from October through to Easter is, I always think, the most serious and busiest part of the year.