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COMMEMORATION AND PRIZE-GIVING DAY
Thursday 30th June at 10.30am
Chairperson: David Williamson
Order of Ceremony
Chair’s Address: David Williamson
Captain Eric Brown Journals: School Captain for 2016-17 – Angus Farquhar
Presentation of Prizes: Mrs Maria Anderson and Mrs Evelyn Smith
Hazel (Piano) by Harry Docherty
Former Pupil’s Address: Russell Ogg
Valedictory Address: Dux of School – Eleanor Young
Reply by Rector: Mrs Pauline Walker
The School Song
Ceremony of Leave-taking through the Memorial Doors
Passing on of the School Captaincy
Leave-taking through the Memorial Gates to the clubhouse
PRIZES & SCHOLARSHIPS
Session 2015/16
FIRST YEAR
John Murray Prize for Music James Looby 1P2
Janine Whitecross Trophy for best Girl in PE Millie Johnson 1A1
Lady Glenorchy Prize for Religious Education David Smith 1S1
Noreen Richardson Memorial Prize for Courage and Determination David Smith 1S1
Alex Aitken Prize for Scottish History Nathan Stewart 1S2
Alex Aitken Prize for Scottish History Louise MacArthur 1S2
Home Economics Finlay Boath 1A1
Modern Studies Kate Murray 1A2
Geography Milli Watson 1P2
PE Sean Calder 1A1
The William Rutherford Bequest Award for Sport - Achievement at
International Level Dan Haugh 1S2
Art & Design Lauren Fraser 1P2
CDT Lauren Fraser 1P2
Jessie Young Prize for Meritorious Effort Sadie Butterworth 1A1
English Finlay Paterson 1A1
Tait Prize - Proxime to Dux of Form 1 Finlay Paterson 1A1
Robertson Bursary Finlay Paterson 1A1
Mathematics Douglas Macartney 1P2
Science Douglas Macartney 1P2
History Douglas Macartney 1P2
Grigor prize for Debating (Junior) Douglas Macartney 1P2
Robertson Bursary Douglas Macartney 1P2
Boyd Prize (1857) - Dux of Form 1 Douglas Macartney 1P2
SECOND YEAR
John Murray Prize for Music Zak McCullough 2S1
Sir James Purves Stewart Prize – (I) Dux in French Thanim Chowdhury 2S1
Sir James Purves Stewart Prize – (II) Dux in German Thomas Nightingale 2S2
Alex Aitken Prize for Scottish History Cameron Duff 2B1
Alex Aitken Prize for Scottish History Eva Tallaron 2B2
Art & Design Abbi Wilson 2P1
Geography Anna Aikman 2P2
History Anya Matthews 2P1
PE Calvin Catala 2P1
Modern Studies Hannah McAlpine 2S1
English Lucy Krauth 2B2
RMPS Megan Venn 2A2
CDT Princess Florendo 2S1
Drama Rosie Wilkinson 2P1
Prize for Outstanding Academic Improvement in STEM Sarah Zulkernain 2S2
Mathematics Sravani Challagali 2P1
Science Sravani Challagali 2P1
Ritchie Prize (1824) - Dux of Form 2 Sravani Challagali 2P1
THIRD YEAR
PSA Prize for Meritorious Effort Ralph Henderson 3S1
Prize for Outstanding Academic Improvement in STEM Rebecca Langton 3A2
The Royal High School Prize for Art and Design Ruaraidh Barron 3S2
Hartman Prize – (I) Dux in French Eve Harkness 3S2
Hartman Prize – (II) Dux in German Jack Crummey 3A2
Alex Skinner Prize for Computing Connor Coull 3S2
Alex Skinner Prize for Computing Nathan Baillie 3A1
J W Loudon Prize for Public Speaking Charlie Ashcroft 3S1
Morrison Bursary Shinjan Sangal 3S2
Morrison Bursary Megan Aitken 3P1
J W Loudon Prize for Public Speaking Emma Walker 3P1
Donaldson Bursary Emma Walker 3P1
Donaldson Bursary Holly Davis 3P1
Sibbald Bursary 1st girl Katie Hepburn 3P1
Sibbald Bursary 1st boy Logan Dow 3B2
Carmichael Club Prize (1878) - Dux of Form 3 Logan Dow 3B2
FOURTH YEAR
Prize for Technical Education Alexandra Murray 4P1
Richard Green memorial prize for Art & Design Rosie Biggar 4B1
Alex F Hall Prize for Computing Bulelani Ndhlela 4B2
Mary Hunter Memorial prize for most improved in Form 4 Byron Malone 4A2
Carson Bursary, Dux of English Tom Campbell 4P1
Prize for Outstanding Academic Improvement in STEM Audra Nisbit 4B2
Noreen Richardson Memorial Prize for Home Economics Cora Harland 4B1
John Marshall Prize (1910) for Classics and Mathematics Robyn Smith 4S2
Mackay Prize (1877) - Dux of Form 4 Robyn Smith 4S2
FIFTH and SIXTH YEAR
Prize for Technical Drawing Robyn Young 6A1
Prize for Outstanding Academic Improvement in STEM Privjyot Jheeta 5P1
Dux in Chemistry Privjyot Jheeta 5P1
RHS FT President’s Prizes – (I) Dux in History Aidan Vernel 5S2
RHS FP President’s Prize (II) Dux in Geography Emma Gray 5P2
William Young Memorial Prize – Dux in RMPS Aidan Quinn 6B1
William Young Memorial Prize – Dux in Classics Alexandra Wilson 6B2
Carson Prize Dux of English Akhila Sibi George 5S2
Prize for Accounting Ross Witney-Hunter 5A2
Dux in Physics Ross Witney-Hunter 5A2
John Turner Prize – Dux in Mathematics Ross Witney-Hunter 5A2
Muir Memorial prize - Dux of Form 5 Ross Witney-Hunter 5A2
OPEN AWARDS
Crichton Cup To be announced
W J Watson Prize for Original Research (AH Physics/Chemistry/Biology) Claire Dow 6B1
The Malkin Prize for Service in the community Katie Parnell 5P1
The George Grubb Award for Outstanding Achievement in Athletics Cal McLennan 5P2
Charles Burrows Prize for Leadership in Athletics Rhona Fraser 5P1
Grigor prize for Debating (Junior) Angus Walker Stewart 3S2
Grigor prize for Debating (Senior) Laura Wood 5B1
Grigor prize for Debating (Senior) Sarah Gardener 5P1
Prize for Dramatic Work Ben Petrie 4A1
John Hall Prize for Drama Scott Edwards 5S1
Prize for Home Economics Rosie Lyle 5B1
Dux in Home Economics Morgan McLeod 5S1
Classical Studies Prize (Dux) Jamie Harvie 6A2
Prize in Administration Gemma Wright 6B2
Dux in Business Studies and Economics Cameron Wanstall 6B2
Martin Pearce Family Prize for Business Management Katie Duncan 5P2
Nicolson Prize for Music Rachel Sunter 3P1
Elizabeth Wemyss Prize for Music Ailis MacLean 5P1
Ness Trophy for Craftmanship Konrad Zbyrowski 6A2
Prize for Engineering Technology Ben McInnes 4A2
Grant Memorial Cup – Dux in Music Harry Docherty 5P1
Royal High School (London) Club Prize – Dux in Technological Design Ben Morris 6P2
The RHS (London) Club prize - Dux in Art Emily Lyall 5P2
W J Melrose Prize for Art Arianna Vettraino 6S2
Prize for Economics Ciara Crummey 6A2
J G Cattanach Prize for Scottish History Ciara Crummey 6A2
Ian Steadman and John P Mackintosh Prize for Politics Megan McKay 5B1
RHS Parents’ Association Prize for Modern Studies Erin McGrail 6P1
Bruce Prize – Dux in History Erin McGrail 6P1
Burgoyne Prize – Dux in German Erin McGrail 6P1
James M Moore Memorial Prize – Dux in French Olivia Bastin 5S2
Dux in Spanish Olivia Bastin 5S2
N H Small Prize in French & Dux in Spanish Olivia Bastin 5S2
Dux in Computing Alistair White 6A1
RHS FP 2000 Prize for IT Finn Torbet 6B1
James H Scott Prize for Mathematics Thomas Adams 6B1
Dr W King Gillies Prize for Scottish Literature Leo MacNeill 6P1
Hector McIver Memorial prize for Literary Appreciation Leo MacNeill 6P1
Sir Walter Scott Centenary Prize Jack Ainslie 6A1
Carson Prize (1851) for an English Essay To be announced
J G Cattanach Prize for Scottish Literature Lillie Teden 6P2
Malcolm Knox Prize for best creative writing Lillie Teden 6P2
MacMillan club Prize (1865) – Dux in English Lillie Teden 6P2
James Montgomery Bell Memorial prize for the study of Scots Law Sarah Walker 6B1
Steven Armstrong Roy Memorial prize for Courage and Inspiration Stephen Asher 6P1
Neil McCurrach Award for Participation and Enthusiasm to the Full Gillon Stevenson 2B1
The Royal High School (London) Club Prize for an English Poem Emma Wright 6S2
Dr Barclay's Memorial Prize for Service Michael Taylor 6S1
Rector's Award for service to the School Andrew Ellis 5A2
Rector's Award for Resilience Alison Scotland 6A1
Nicol Prize for Service Amy Robson 2P1
Nicol Prize for Service Charlotte Endicott 5B2
Nicol Prize for Service Grant Salton 5A1
Mabon Prize for biggest improvement of a pupil in S5 Jordan Devine 5A1
Nicol Prize for Service Jordan Devine 5A1
General Sports Prizes for Girls Ailsa MacArthur 3P2
General Sports Prizes for Girls Eve McFadden 2B2
General Sports Prizes for Girls Rae Ashcroft 1S2
General Sports Prizes for Girls Shawna Philipsen 4B2
The Royal High School Parent Council Junior Prize (S1-S3) for
demonstrating responsible citizenship within the school community
consistently throughout the school year
Louise Ellis 2A2
The Royal High School Parent Staff Association Junior Prize (S1-S3) for
being an effective contributor to the school community throughout the
school year
Harriet Sweatman 2P2
John Paterson Small Prize for Music Sarah Cronin 5S2
The Royal High School Parent Staff Association Junior Prize (S1-S3) for
being an effective contributor to the school community throughout the
school year
Sarah Cronin 5S2
The school community development award Victoria Coutts 6B1
Prize for Outstanding Academic Improvement in STEM Reece Docherty 6B1
Sir John Greig Dunbar Prize for Citizenship Lorna Mahaffy 6P2
Sir John Greig Dunbar Prize for Citizenship Michael Keegan 6A1
William Rutherford Bequest Award for Art Rhona Brown 6A1
William Rutherford Bequest Awards for PE Gregor Jack 6S2
Philip Harris Prize for Biology Laura Woodhead 6S2
Inches Prize - Dux in Chemistry Laura Woodhead 6S2
Percy Malcolm Stewart Minor Laura Woodhead 6S2
Percy Malcolm Stewart Median Thomas Adams 6B1
Percy Malcolm Stewart Median Alena Larionova 6S2
Inches Prize – Dux in Physics Juliet Goddard 6P1
The Royal High School Parent Council Senior Prize (S4-S6) for
demonstrating responsible citizenship within the school community
consistently throughout the school year
Juliette Goddard 6P1
Sir David Yule Scholarship Juliette Goddard 6P1
Sir David Yule Scholarship Sophie Malcolm 6A2
Tullis Prize – Dux in Mathematics Sam Ralton 6B1
Percy Malcolm Stewart Major Sam Ralton 6B1
Sir Alexander Stevenson Prize - Proxime to Dux Sam Ralton 6B1
Chisholm Prize – Dux in Geography Eleanor Young 6P1
Andrew Wilson Prize for Service and Leadership Eleanor Young 6P1
RHS Exhibition - Dux Eleanor Young 6P1
The Royal High School Club prize - Dux of School Eleanor Young 6P1
SCHOOL SONG
Vivas, Schola Edinensis
Schola Regia venerabilis:
Sicut arx in colle sita -
Sicut sol e nubibus densis -
Splendes, splendeas in aeternum,
Alma Mater atque amabilis.
Liberi tui te laudamus
Laeto omnium cum clamore
Et cum multis posthac annis
Tui, quam iuvenes amabamus,
Senes rursus meminerimus,
Vi clamabimus haud minore:
Refrain: Vivas, Schola Regia!
Vivas, Schola Regia!
Vivas, Vivas, Schola Regia!
Refrain: Vivas, Schola Regia!
Vivas, Schola Regia!
Vivas, Vivas, Schola Regia!
MEMBERS OF STAFF – SESSION 2015 – 16
Rector – PAULINE WALKER BSc Hons(Heriot Watt), PGCE(Edinburgh)
Depute Rectors
DAVID SIMPSON, BA(Mus) Hons Exon, DipEd
JEN MENZIES, BEd(MH), MEd(Stirling)
PAUL CHAMBERS, MA Hons (Aberdeen), PGCE (Edin)
Business Manager – Helen Brooks, BA (Napier), PGC Business Management, Assoc CIPD
Art & Design: Carol Haley, MA(Edin), PGCE, Lois Combe, DA(Edin), PGCE, Julie Howie BA Hons
(Robert Gordon), PGCE, Caitlin Beaver
Biology: Katy Robertson, Gillian Kelly, BSc (Stirling), PGCE, Claire Russell, MA(Camb), PhD(Edin),
PGCE(Durham), Gordon Rutter, MSc (Edin), BSc (London), PGCE,
Business Education: Irene KS Brown, Dip Com(Glas Coll of Tech), Yvonne Dagnall BA Hons,
PGCE(Napier), Dorothy Ferguson
Chemistry: Dr Avril Henney, BSc(Edin), PhD(Lon), Michelle McLernon, BSc Hons (Edin), PGDE (Edin),
Philip Wootton, BSc Hons, (Glasgow), PGDE (Edin), Dr Fiona Scott
Computing Studies: G Wendy Reith, BSc(Stirling), Frank Lagan, BSc(Stirling), Holly Davidson,
Craft, Design and Technology: Mark Stevenson, BSc Ind Design (Napier), PGCE, David Allan,
DipTechEd, (Moray House), Krysia Smyth, BEd Hons, Ashley Marshall, Kirsty Dick,
Drama: Gaye Almond
English: Douglas Arbuckle, , Ailsa Clarke, MA(Glas), PGCE, Daniel Craig, MA(Edin), PGCE, PGCE,
Bernice Ford, MA Hons (Glasgow), PGCE (J’Hill), Helen McHarrie, MA(Edin), Martin Moonie,
MA(Abd), PhD(Oxford), PGCE, Gillian E Pia, MA(Edin), DipEd, Mollie Skehal, BA Hons (Stirling), PGCE,
Helen McLean, PGDE, Alistair Robertson, MA Hons, Andrew Rooney, Archie Millar
Geography: Stefania Mariani, Maria Anderson, BEd(Edin/MH), Ashley Fulton, BSc Hons, (Stirling)
History: Kate E Fraser MA(Edin), PGCE, Alison Somerville, MA(Edin), PGCE, Mairi MacDermot,
Jesanna Gooch
Home Economics: Jill P Templeton, DipHE with F&N (Rbt Gordon’s), CertSecEduc(Abd), Kathryn
Kelly,BSc Hons (Queen Margaret), PGDE (Strathclyde)
Mathematics: Neil Tilston, BSc(Hons) Edin, PGDE, Kathryn Gray, MA(Abd), Abdallah Serhani, BEng
(Edin), PGDE, Joanne Campbell, BSc, MSc (Aberdeen), PGDE, Alison Underwood, MA Hons,
(Aberdeen), PGCE (Open University), Isabelle Dupraz, Ryan Docherty, Neil Millington, Rachel
Shankland
Modern Languages: C Welsh, Tom Cook, BA, MA(Edin), CertEd, Morag McCallum, MA Hons (Edin),
PGCE, Claire Landsburgh, LL.B Hons, (Glas), PGCE, Bianca Mariani, Seyda Kilerci
Modern Studies: Gary Snedden, MA(Edin), PGCE, PGDE, Jennifer Reynolds, BA Hons, (Stirling), Bed,
(Stirling), Domonic Forbes
Music: Louise Holland, Jennifer Good
Physical Education: Steven Raeburn, Fiona J MacMillan, BEd(Edin), MSc(Edin), PGDE, Heather
Brown, Bed Hons (Edin), Daniel Lane, Bed Hons (Edin), Hannah McKeich, Emma Helm
Physics: Stephen A Bakke, BSc(Lon), PGCE, David Hill, MEng, (Edin), PGCE, Richard Thorbjornsen,
Calum Ferguson
Religious and Moral Education: Sebastian C Sewell, MTh(St Andrews), PGCE, Alexandra Lockhart,
Meghan Brady-McDonald
Support for Learning: Deborah Hislop, BEd Technology (Edin), Ben Davenport, Adam Reed
Support for Pupils: Dee Johnston, BA Hons (Stirling), Jane L Saddler, BSc (Edin), PGCE, Fiona M
White, BSc(Edin), Nicola Casey, BA, DipEd(Stirling), Iain Welsh, BA Hons, PGCE, Scott Rodger
Careers Adviser: Caroline McArdle
Librarian: Evelyn Smith, ALA
Administrative Staff: Diane Aitken, Shirley Duncan, Karen Fergusson, Lorraine Lorraine, Karen
Reilly
School Support Assistants: Jen Cairns, Jill Hunter, Audrey Pannozzo, Lindsay Quinn, Margaret Scott,
Elizabeth Sneddon
Pupil Support Assistants (SFL): Lesley Baird, Elizabeth Baird, Elaine Berry, Aine Cahill, Elizabeth
Ivinson, Julie McKeever, Jasmine Ryan, Marian Wootton
Sports Coordinator: Jonathan Wallace
Community Police Officer: Darren Campbell
Senior Service Support Officer: Robert Sloan
Service Support Officers: Brian W Whelan, Fred McBride
Senior Technician: John Stables
ICT Technician: Michael Duvalle
Laboratory Technicians: Ian Young, Kathryn Clark
Workshop Technician: Kevin McQueen
Catering Supervisor: Karen Sloan
Introduction
As the 2015/16 session draws to a close it is a great pleasure to look back over our year and reflect
on all that has taken place in The Royal High School.
We began the year with a very positive set of SQA results. Standards of attainment and
achievement continue to be very good and compare very well with results in Edinburgh and across
Scotland. We are very proud of young people and delighted with the standard of work they produce
in exams and the wider achievement opportunities they engage with to excellent result.
Our results at the end of S4 continue to be very good, with elements of excellence. Almost all
measures across the middle school have been sustained with positive trends. Within National 5
64% of learners achieved at least 5 passes, 35% of learners achieved 8 passes at National 5 level in
S4 and 19 young people achieved excellent results with 8 passes at A. This demonstrates a very
high level of attainment within our S4. In all measures across S4 at level 5 we have outperformed
our virtual comparators. In most cases this was significant.
Our Higher passes within S5 were excellent with improvements across those achieving 3 (+1%) and
5 (+8%) Highers by the end of S5. We are particularly pleased with the number of young people
now achieving 5 Higher awards as this has increased to 35% (up 12% across 3 years). The majority
of our young people are able to gain an award in at least one Higher by the end of S5. A significant
number of pupils gained 5 A band awards at Higher in S5 (27 pupils with 5 all at band 1) and 3 A
band awards (13 pupils) at Advanced Higher in S6. This clearly demonstrates the climate for
exceptionally high achievement is very much evident in the school and we are very proud of these
young people.
A number of departments demonstrated excellent attainment and the majority of them
outperformed comparators and national performance at Higher and Advanced Higher level.
Wider achievement also continues to be an area of strength, with pupils being presented for Duke
of Edinburgh, ASDAN (Award Scheme Development & Accreditation Network) awards and gaining
SALTIRE volunteering awards, as well as engaging with programmes such as JET (Jobs, Education
and Training), Career Academies and YPI (Youth and Philanthropy Initiative). Opportunities to
perform, participate and compete in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, such as Sports, Arts,
Music, Dance, and to participate in travel opportunities, are many and varied.
Positive destinations are very strong in the school. Almost all young people who left in 2014/5
session are currently in sustained positive destinations. Our school leaver numbers entering further
or higher education, employment or training continue to be very strong, with sustained positive
destination figures of 98.1%. More than 50% of our leavers move on to Higher Education.
This June our new curriculum was launched along with our new 7 block days. Our S1-3 pupils began
their new Broad General Education courses which ensure all pupils can access all areas of the
curriculum equally as well as exciting inter-disciplinary and enhancement courses. Senior Phase
(S4-6) pupils made a free choice to study a maximum of 7 National, Higher, Advanced Higher,
vocational or wider achievement subjects. We firmly believe this will provide an excellent
curriculum for all of our young people and give them every opportunity to attain and achieve their
very best and move forward into excellent positive destinations post school.
We continue to lead the way nationally in our ICT provision and all our S4-6 pupils are equipped
with iPad devices which they use both in school and at home. This initiative allows to give our pupils
access to the most innovative and relevant materials to support learning and we continue to
develop their use across the school.
Parents are key partners in the school and we continue to involve them fully. We have a very active
Parent Council and Parent/Staff Association who gives us great support throughout the year in
numerous ways. You can read about their year later in the annual report. We also believe in keeping
parents well informed and our email bulletin continues to be very popular with parents ensuring
they receive regular updates on what’s happening in the school. This has also enabled us to conduct
a number of parental surveys which has ensured parent voice is very strong in everything we do.
We also continue to make use of our website www.royalhigh.edin.sch.uk and a Twitter feed
@Royal_High_Sch both of which we use to share news and events.
Our wider curriculum continues to thrive with a huge variety of clubs, shows, performances and
visits taking place. These enhance the school experience of all our young people and ensure they
develop strong skills for life and work. We have had many competitive successes this year in areas
such as numerous sports, debating, film, dance, music, chess and arts. Our hugely talented pupils
continue to demonstrate the skills they have developed and are a credit to the school. You can read
all about these in our departments section of this report.
Our first residential of the session was a very successful German exchange in December. This was
followed by a very successful ski trip to France in February. We ran an action-packed Activities
Week with trips heading off to Rome, Naples, London and the Belgian battlefields and Paris. In
addition almost all our S1 pupils travelled to Dounans Outdoor Centre for a very successful week,
despite the midges! Students in school took part in a wide range of day trips and in-school activities
such as sketching, canoeing, rock-climbing, sports, crafts, bakery, cake-making and much more!
Our Romanian Habitat for Humanity trip also took place this term and was again very successful
making a huge difference to the lives of those who will benefit. Our residentials create wonderful,
long-lasting memories for students and staff and make a huge contribution to the life of the school.
They would not be possible without the hard work and commitment of staff and I am very grateful
for the time and effort they put in to these opportunities. Next year’s plans are already well
underway and include an S3 residential experience for all S3 pupils to the Belgian Battlefields.
In April we returned from the Easter break to the news that the majority of our building was going
to be closed to staff and pupils. This led to the installation of our huts where we have been
temporarily housed for the whole of Term 3. This has been a very challenging time with a large
number of staff and subjects displaced across the small part of our building we have access to. Staff
have been incredible at making the best of this very challenging situation and I have been very
grateful to them all for their resilience and spirit in ensuring our pupils continue to access their
learning. Pupils have also shown great maturity in coping with numerous room changes, practical
subjects in all sorts of unusual accommodation, picnic lunches and ‘festival’ toilets. We are due to
return to our building in August and I know we are all looking forward to getting back to normal.
This year has had challenges, great successes and lots of fun in between. We continue to embrace
our traditions and histories as well as providing innovative learning for our young people. I would
like to thank our staff for their work, energy and commitment and all our many partners, parents
and carers who all make The Royal High School such a special place.
Viva Schola Regia
Pauline A. Walker
Rector
Staffing News
The school staff continue to give unstintingly and work tirelessly for the school across a remarkably
broad front, in both curricular and extracurricular activities.
This year we say goodbye to no less than 16 colleagues. Our 4 probationary teachers have very
successfully completed their 12 month probationary period. Ms Beaver in Art, Mr Kilerci in Modern
Languages, Ms Helm in PE and Mr Millar in English all leave us as confident and valuable
professionals having met and exceeded the highest standards of the profession. They have added
enormously to the school during their time with us and we wish them all the very best for their
future careers.
Two long serving colleagues retire this year - Mrs Maria Anderson in Geography and Mrs Evelyn
Smith, our librarian – having made major contributions over more years than it is polite to refer to,
not only in their own areas but also to the wider life of the school. They will be greatly missed by
colleagues and pupils alike and we hope they both enjoy a long and happy retirement.
Mr Tilston in Maths leaves us to return to teach in Dundee and the school football teams are already
scouting for a worthy replacement manager if such a thing exists. He will be greatly missed for his
mathematical excellence, dancing skills and celebrity panels.
Ms Cahill one of our pupil support assistants also leaves the High School, to work in Dundee. In
doing so she takes on an even greater support role as she and Mr Tilston are to marry and we wish
them our heartiest congratulations.
Mrs Ferguson in Business Education leaves us to take up a post in the Borders closer to home, our
loss is their gain!
Miss Dick in CDT, herself a former pupil, takes up a permanent post in Fife and Ms Shankland in
Maths is doing the same in Midlothian. Mrs Fraser in History returns to the History Department in
August after a secondment, which means we must sadly say goodbye to Mrs Gooch in History who
has contributed greatly to an already strong team. Ms Maher in Science also leaves us to take up
a permanent post in East Lothian. We wish them all the very best and have enjoyed working with
such excellent colleagues.
Ms McKeich in PE leaves us as Mr Watson returns from secondment, she takes up a post in Leith
Academy.
In Support for Pupils, Mrs Saddler and Mrs Casey leave us for a temporary secondment to the
Scottish Government, and we welcome Ms Sim who will join us as Support for Pupils Leader in their
absence.
We wish all of them well and thank them for their outstanding support of the school.
Expressive Arts
The Expressive Arts faculty saw
some changes to staffing this
session. Mrs. Almond returned
from her career break to the
Drama department, Miss Good
joined the Music department
following Mr. Morley’s promotion
to Dollar Academy, and Miss
Beaver is undertaking her
probationary year in Art and
Design.
In Art and Design Higher results were the best for several years, with 74% achieving an ‘A’ pass with
particularly outstanding results for the Expressive folio. Nat 5 continues to be strong too. Coreen
Grant achieved 100% in Advanced Higher and her work was chosen for the SQA Scottish Exhibition.
New areas within the department included the inclusion of digital photography for S2 IDL, now to
be developed as a National Progression Award at Level 5 for senior pupils; the extension of textile
work to include fashion; use of the outdoor classroom for sketching; and the consolidation of
software programmes like Photoshop Touch and I Can Animate. Trips and excursions included the
Edinburgh College of Art fashion show; the Portrait Gallery for S3; and the Museum during Activities
Week.
Higher Drama students attended exciting professional performances of Lord of the Flies and The
Crucible. Both plays were used towards their Higher exam, along with Men Should Weep and Miss
Jean Brodie. National 5 pupils this year
performed excerpts from Blood
Brothers and Shakers, gaining them all
excellent marks for their practical
drama work. Next year we are delighted
to be expanding the Drama timetable as
well as Drama staffing. We would like
to thank Miss Hamill for her
contribution to the department in her
final term as a Drama student.
Music saw excellent results in the
Listening paper in particular. A high
profile event this year was the Spifox charity event in the EICC, where 15 pupils performed, by
invitation, at an annual event organised by the Scottish Property Festival of Christmas (‘Spifox’) to
raise money for children’s charities across Scotland. The afternoon auction usually raises at least
£150,000 – an indicator of the scale of this event. Some of our senior pupils performed a John
Rutter carol at St. Cuthbert’s Church, to a full house of 600. Later, others in the group performed
‘Price Tag’ and ‘For Good’ from the musical Wicked, during a lunch and fundraising auction in the
main suite of the EICC. This had an audience of nearly 1500 business people from the property
industry, making it consistently the largest charity lunch in the UK. Our annual Christmas concert
was again hugely popular, with a large variety of groups performing music from Bach to the Jungle
Book.
Business Education and Computing Science
Across the faculty this session we have engaged in three out of classroom experiences. The S4
Business Education class headed to Coca-Cola, the S3 Computing class to Napier University and S3
girls into digital.
In the classroom learners have been
exposed to a range of learning activities –
use of I-TuneU, Edmodo, Scholar, filming
and photography with the iPads to help
learners remember class room learning.
These new courses Higher and Advanced
Higher have been well received by both
the learners and teachers. The faculty
continues to offer a range of courses
where we try and facilitate the
individuals’ requirements, whether it is in
SQA courses, awards in ORACLE or CISCO. Three leaners headed off to start apprenticeships in The
Royal Bank of Scotland.
“Virgin Money” was introduced to the S1 curriculum. This involved group work, organising and
running a Christmas Fair. The whole year made a profit of £900. Half of this money is being given
to Cancer Research UK and the other half will be rewarded to the year group.
CDT
Wow! What a year it has been. It’s hard to see past our current situation but should try as there
have been many exciting things going on in CDT during the year. Firstly staffing. Miss K Dick has
now spent a full academic year with us, deputising for Mr J Todd, and has done a splendid job.
Unfortunately she has accepted permanent employment in Fife region from the beginning of 16-
17. We will miss her but will have a new teacher in place from August. With departmental
expansion in pupil numbers we will also be taking on a 0.4 teacher also from August. Mr Stevenson,
Mr Allan, Mrs Smyth and Miss Marshall are still going strong too. We have all worked hard to ensure
our pupils have been given the best opportunity to be successful in their coursework and exams
despite their courses being partly curtailed due to deficiencies in the building. All their internal
marks where possible were passed on to individuals and were submitted to the SQA on Wed 15
June. Pupils from our department found success in the annual Rotary Club Technology Tournament.
We entered two teams in the junior and intermediate categories and both came first in each. The
task this year was to design a working swing/lifting bridge for a yacht marina.
English and Media Studies
SQA results in August were very good, due in no small part to the high standards of learning and
teaching and commitment of teachers throughout the year. We have had a number of students
involved in activities ranging from ‘Language in the Scottish Parliament’ to the Edinburgh
International Film Festival’s Schools Competition, where one film has been shortlisted for a prize.
Emily Goddard was a regional finalist in the Royal Mail Young Letter Writers competition, producing
an excellent piece about interior design.
The school continued to promote the
arts through the activities of the Review
Group, who were out and about in
Edinburgh reporting on a number of
plays and musicals. October saw the
retirement of Mr Bacciarelli after 24
years as Head of Department. A reliable
source has it that in the 150 years since
the appointment of the first ‘English
Master’ at the school, Tom and his
predecessor Sandy accounted for 50 of
them! His commitment and energy
during this time has of course been
immeasurable. The department and school wish him all the best.
During October the Core Skills class did
themselves proud by organising the Food
Bank Collection and then, after visiting the
Lady Haig Poppy Factory in November,
holding a fundraiser for the charity at the
Christmas Concert. Comic Film Club and
the Star Wars Club ran at lunchtimes this
year, helmed by our very own Super Hero.
The debating club also continued to thrive,
having a number of notable successes
throughout the year. As well as being
involved in the Model United Nations, we had finalists in the Procurator Fiscal’s Public Speaking
Competition and still have the Donald Gorrie Debating Competition to come at the end of June.
Sarah Gardner and Laura Wood did incredibly well to reach the final of the Donald Dewar Memorial
Debating Competition at the Scottish Parliament earlier this month. In finishing as runners up, they
were a credit to themselves and their school, speaking eloquently and intelligently under pressure
and maintaining an erudite and dignified style throughout.
Another excellent addition to our resources has been the work done by teachers with the City of
Edinburgh libraries. We have managed to get digital access to eBooks, magazines and millions of
music tracks for all young people in S4 – S6, through their iPads. This is not only obviously of
fantastic cultural benefit but will hopefully support the reading of a variety of interesting fiction
and non-fiction, across all subject areas.
Looking forward to next year, we are looking for ways to develop and improve. Work has begun on
developing English language resources for our junior courses and for the website. Amongst other
things, we will be starting up a Writing Club next session. We began revision classes after Christmas
this year and hope to continue this with a greater uptake amongst students next year. We have a
number of staff involved with SQA marking at National 5 and Higher this session, which will inform
our practice going forward. We are actively seeking ways to enrich the experience for young people
in English and Media. Yesterday saw the initial meeting of a new group of reviewers who will form
part of the Schools Review and Prize-Giving Panel for the Edinburgh International Festival.
I would like to thank all the members of the Faculty for their dedication and hard work this year
and for making me feel welcome since my arrival.
Geography and RMPS
The faculty has seen a number of staffing changes this academic session. Ms Shiona Park left her
post as Curriculum Leader in August to join Perth and Kinross authority. Mr Sebastian Sewell took
up post as Acting Curriculum Leader from August to February. Ms Stefania Mariani joined the
faculty as new Curriculum Leader in February. Ashley Fulton went on maternity leave, prior to the
birth of her daughter and Christopher Adam covered this post until her return in April. Ms M
Anderson announced her retirement and will leave her post at the end of the summer term. Ms M
Anderson joined the Royal High School in April 1989 and we are sad to see her go but delighted for
her as she starts a new chapter in her life.
The faculty have been busy delivering the new National qualifications in Geography, RMPS and
Classics. The staff have also been busy developing a new enhancement course in Social Subjects
collaborating with History and Modern Studies. Some staff have also delivered IDL opportunities
this academic session.
Finally, during activities week, Miss Lockhart led an S3 trip to Naples with the support of Ms M
Anderson. This involved a week of activities including pizza and ice cream making, visiting Pompeii,
Mount Vesuvius and the coliseum.
Integrated Support Team
This has been a busy year for the The Integrated Support team, incorporating Support for Learning
and Support for Pupils. The HUB, which is a room, staffed by teachers, where pupils are offered
additional support and mentoring has grown from strength to strength. Over 130 pupils applied to
university with the majority being provided with an offer. Many senior pupils took advantage of
courses run by Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh college while other pupils participated in
the JET programme and Career Ready where they had the opportunity to do work placements and
internships. One of the Career Ready pupils reached the final of the STEM award. Many of our
senior phase pupils have enjoyed work experience placements over the last few weeks. Meanwhile
the Mentors in Violence Protection programme continues to develop with S6 pupils trained in the
materials that challenged perceptions about gender based violence. These peer mentors will
deliver sessions to our S1 cohort in the new session. Raising Teens with Confidence sessions were
held in school for some of our parents and were warmly received.
During this session there have been a number of changes to staffing in the department. Mrs
Deborah Hislop was appointed as Support for Learning Leader and Mr Adam Reed, joined the
department as a Teacher of Support for Learning and Inclusion. We gained two new Pupil Support
Assistants - Mrs Liz Baird and Miss Jasmine Ryan. Dedicated teachers and Pupil Support Assistants
have continued to be committed to meeting the needs of our pupils. All members of the
department have developed their skills by participating in curricular professional development and
pupils continue to benefit from the wide range of skills offered by the Support for Learning Team.
Mrs Laura Martin left to go to Queen Anne’s in Fife and we welcomed Mr Scott Rodger as a Support
for Pupil Leader in February.
The department has continued to liaise with the school librarian regarding the S1 Paired Reading
Programme. S6 pupils support the S1 pupils who take part. The early morning spelling sessions
involve pupils from S1 to S6 and continues to be offered three mornings during the week. Pupils
who are committed to this early morning spelling programme continue to make demonstrable
improvement. A range of programmes and courses are offered to support the development of
literacy and numeracy.
Frequent meetings with parents have taken place, when appropriate, throughout the session and
parents have contacted the department when the need has arisen.
We are continuing to strengthen existing links with our Partnership Services and External Agencies
in order to support pupils with additional needs. This session we have liaised closely with Visiting
Teachers Services Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment and Learning, Language and
Communication sharing expertise.
History
The session 2015 – 2016 was very successful for the History Department, not least, with exceptional
examination results at all stages of the
Senior Phase. The department continued to
have large numbers of students selecting to
study History at all levels and have
developed and led on implementing
engaging, student focused lessons including
new courses at Higher and the BGE. Alison
Gallagher has completed a second year as
Teacher Fellow at the University of
Edinburgh this session and will return full
time to the Royal High in August. Jesanna
Gooch continues to bolster the department
and took a key part in the German
Exchange supporting Kate Fraser in this
venture. The German Exchange was, once again, very successful with our partners at the Ludwig-
Frank Gymnasium in Mannheim. A group of 11 S3 pupils visited Mannheim in December. It was a
wonderful time to visit, and when not working on the project, several Christmas markets were
visited. The RHS welcomed the group back just before Easter. The focus was looking at the
treatment of Jews during WW2, the kinder transport programme to Britain and the programme of
enforced sterilisation in Mannheim. It was all student led, involving guided tours and presentations.
It was, yet again, wonderful to see bridges of friendship being created across Europe, a deepening
of cross cultural understanding.
The History department also ran another very successful trip to London and the World War One
battlefields in France and Belgium. In London, students visited the Imperial War Museum and
enjoyed a very interesting walking tour on sites associated with World War One and Two. In France
and Belgium they were immersed in the sights, sounds and stories of the Great War by hearing the
personal stories of soldiers in the sombre cemeteries, visiting the original trenches at Sanctuary
Wood and Newfoundland Park and visiting many memorials and monuments including the mighty
Thiepval on the Somme and Menin Gate in Ypres.
Mathematics Department
The session started with us celebrating a
record number of passes at Higher
Mathematics for the second session in a
row. We were also delighted to see our S4
students continuing to perform well in the
National Mathematics and Lifeskills
Mathematics courses. We are pleased
with the impact that the varied and
engaging tasks used in the mathematics
department are clearly having on pupils’
results in the senior phase.
Higher Maths revision group task
A continuing priority in the faculty has been to ensure that we are using technology effectively,
with staff and students alike gaining experience in using iPads to enhance learning. We are also
looking to retain and further develop links with industry: this included our S5/6 National 5 Lifeskills
students spending a day-long training session at Kames Capital, learning about the finance industry.
With the opening of the outdoor classroom staff have begun looking for opportunities to take
advantage of this resource in the context of mathematics.
National 5 Lifeskills trip to Kames Capital S1 Geometry lesson at outdoor classroom
There have been many changes in staffing this year. In November Darren McKinnon took up a
secondment as Quality Improvement Officer, Neil Tilston has been working as Acting Curriculum
Leader in his place. To cover the teaching load we were lucky to be able to have Rachel Shankland
re-join the department in a full time capacity and Farzanah Ishaque joined us in a part-time capacity
from January. Farzanah Ishaque, Rachel Shankland and Neil Tilston will all be leaving the school at
the end of the session and we wish them every success in the future.
Modern Studies
2015-16 has been another very successful year for the Modern Studies department. It began with
celebrating an excellent set of exam results across the board from National 5 to Advanced Higher
and a very high uptake for this session. The staff have successfully rolled out new courses at Higher
and Advanced Higher as well as preparing for the new Social Subjects enhancement course in S1-2
next year. The department has led on the implementation of active learning strategies, the use of
I-pads and giving effective feedback. Student surveys this year have clearly shown that pupils
thoroughly enjoy their lessons in Modern Studies.
Jenny Reynolds has continued her successful secondment one day a week as Teacher Fellow at
Stirling University and will no doubt continue to share many new teaching and learning strategies
on her return to the department full-time next year.
The staff have also arranged several
trips and outside speakers to enhance
the pupils’ experiences in Modern
Studies. The department sustained
their link with the Law Society of
Scotland with S4 enjoying a session on
Street Law. Gary Snedden arranged a
visit from Steve Young, a former pupil
and a current parent, who spoke about
his experiences onboard the HMS
Vanguard as a Trident Weapons
officer. There is no better lesson in
‘responsible citizenship’ than Steve
discussing the massive responsibility
that was placed on his shoulders as the
person in charge of pulling the
trigger if ordered. Domonic Forbes
also arranged an excellent
transition day for Advanced Higher
pupils with the University of
Edinburgh. This allowed students to
experience university libraries and
the special collections section as
well as undertake a seminar
delivered by a PHD student. Some
pupils were also able to secure
tickets to the last First Ministers
Question time of the 2011
Parliament, this provided them with
the opportunity to see the starting
pistol fired for the Scottish election.
In May 2016 our CL, Kate Fraser, was successful in gaining the temporary post of Depute Head
Teacher at Balerno High School after 17 years of great success at the RHS. Alison Gallagher and
Mairi MacDermot have taken up the acting CL Modern Studies / History post in a job share capacity
until Kate's return.
Health and Wellbeing
It has been an excellent year for the Health & Well Being Faculty at The Royal High. The curriculum
has expanded in both PE & HFTT which has allowed students to experience personalisation, breadth
and choice. The Significant Aspects of Learning are now fully embedded in the S1-S3 BGE
Curriculum and the National Qualifications at Higher Level have been successfully introduced. The
uptake in certificated classes continues to rise which reflects the positive experience that students
receive within the faculty.
We have created a Business in the Community Link with Double Tree by Hilton where many of our
students have experienced a taster career in Hospitality. We have also been working closely with
Sky Sports and their professional athlete mentors to educate many of our students in the life skills
required to reach the top in sport.
The extra-curricular programme is vast with many teachers, coaches and students highly
committed to the progression of the clubs they run. Sport Scotland have recognised the great work
that goes on in the school and we are working towards achieving the Gold Award for our provision.
The sports HUB continues to develop a strong working partnerships have been created with many
local clubs. The Wider Achievement Ceremony was a huge success with students being recognised
for their dedicated work and inspired by our guest speaker Keith Cook, fencer and six times
Commonwealth Games Medalist. The Sports Day was a huge success where there was a healthy,
competitive atmosphere between the nations.
The refurbishment of the faculty has made a huge difference to modernising our changing rooms,
swimming pool and fitness suite which is an on-going project that we are continuing to raise funds
for.
Follow us @rhs_hwb for all the latest success stories and achievements within Health & Well-Being.
Modern Languages
The Modern Languages Department has seen a number of changes this session. Mr Kilerci joined
the department in August, followed by Mrs Mitchell in October. Senior students were supported
by the Foreign Language assistants, Caroline Raible, Laurie Guyard and Ruby Chen.
The Primary 7 Languages Immersion Day took place in September, organised by Mrs Cullen and
Mrs Landsburgh and supported by senior students. In February, senior students attended the SCILT
Business Brunch and also an Edinburgh Council Languages Talk Conference.
S3 pupils enjoyed a careers event in March and Henry Gray from Médecin Sans Frontières also gave
a talk to pupils. We also had a visit from ex-school captain, Robert Bough, who is studying German
and Spanish at Birmingham University and is preparing to spend a year abroad. In March, the
Advanced Higher pupils attended a multi-lingual debate at Heriot Watt and the S2 pupils enjoyed
an action-packed day of activities run by the Goethe Institute.
Finally, during activities week, Miss Welsh led an S3 trip to Paris with the help of Mrs Reynolds, Mr
Serhani, Mr Craig, Mrs Gooch and Mr Forbes. The pupils had wonderful time exploring the sights
for Paris. This involved a visit to the Louvre, a cruise along the Seine and a trip to the Eiffel Tower
a fun-packed day at Euro Disney.
Science
The Science Faculty have enjoyed another very busy and successful year. We have continued to
develop the talents of the young people in our charge and once again attracted them to our classes
in large numbers.
As well as delivering the new Higher and Advanced Higher courses for the first time, we have
developed our S1 and S2 courses. This has seen a new approach to S1 Science involving a greater
degree of pupil self and peer evaluation and some new ways of formative assessment. In line with
whole school development, there has been a strong emphasis on skills development. We are using
our science 'passports’ for a consistent and comprehensive approach across the faculty. In the
senior phase, all pupils now have iPads and are being taught using them, allowing a greater degree
of pupil choice, research work and active learning, as well as some of our courses being delivered
using iTunesU.
The faculty was the first this session to undergo the 'Walkthrough' - an in house appraisal, carried
out by the senior team. Feedback from this and the associated surveys of parents' and pupils' views
of the work of the Faculty is, on the whole, overwhelmingly positive. We have also sought feedback
from parents' evening surveys and pupil questionnaires which is also very positive.
To engage the small cohort of National 4 candidates who did not have exams in the 2015 diet, we
provided the opportunity for them to carry out a set of projects at the end of last session. Several
pupils successfully completed these projects, for which they are to be awarded Bronze Crest
awards. A special thanks goes to Mr Wootton for his invaluable help with this. Pupils across the
year groups have been given the opportunity to take part in varied trips. Some of our S6 biologists
attended an open day at the Royal Vet School, out at Roslin. This was a fabulous chance for aspiring
vets to observe a sheep post mortem, take part in various microscopy and pathology workshops
and to hear from practicing vets about careers in pathology and veterinary medicine. All of our S5
biologists attended a workshop in practical genetics at the National Museum of Scotland – this trip
afforded them the opportunity to
put into practice some of the
molecular biology skills they had
learned about in their Higher
Biology course. The physics
department took all their S3 pupils
to Torness, giving them the
opportunity to see a nuclear
power station in action.
We are a large and diverse
department with staff involved in
a range of wider school remits.
There are several members
involved in Duke of Edinburgh
activities, we have the STEM
ambassador, Student Regent and Outdoor Learning leader. This year has seen the opening of the
outdoor learning classroom, which is now been used by staff and pupils across the school. Former
pupil David Patterson joined us again in November, from St Andrew’s University, to talk to S5
biologists about studying biological sciences at university and possible career pathways. We were
also delighted to welcome Keith Cook and Steve Free (former commonwealth athletes and now
sponsored by Sky Sports) who delivered a motivational talk about their experiences and discussed
the issue of banned substances in sport.
Amongst the strengths of the Science Faculty is the continued effort and enthusiasm of staff to
support young people to achieve accomplishments within and beyond the classroom. We have had
some remarkable successes this year. S6 pupils Hannah Lawrie and Ellie Guillonneau were awarded
a silver crest award for a research project carried out at Edinburgh Zoo, into factors affecting the
swimming activity of
penguins. Our
congratulations goes to
aspiring and committed
scientist Audra Nesbit, S5,
who completed a project as
part of Talent 2030, on
burning leaves to produce
energy. Audra was
accompanied by Miss Maher
to Birmingham where she
presented her findings at the
Talent 2030 conference.
Audra has now been
shortlisted for the Talent
2030 Girls Engineering
competition and the video
she made will be used in classes to teach pupils the equation for calculating the energy produced.
Along with Husnaa Shaukat, Audra has also taken part in the Royal Horticultural Society space seed
challenge. Together, the pair are one of a small number of young people who joined a nationwide
study to compare the growth of seeds stored in space, to those kept here on earth. We wait with
anticipation for the results!
The Faculty have very much appreciated having Miss Danielle Maher with us this session, who
joined us in August, after her probation year at Lornshill Academy. Danielle successfully took over
from Mrs Foster and Mr Davenport to run the Science Club, which has enabled S1 and S2 pupils to
engage in fun activities and experiments. Pupils continue to enthuse about this club which is well
attended and has also provided an excellent opportunity for our senior pupils to support and
mentor their younger peers. We wish Miss Maher all the best as she leaves us to take up a position
at Dunbar Grammar School.
We are delighted with the news that Mrs Foster safely delivered a baby girl, Georgia, in May.
Congratulations to Gillian and Chris! Miss Alison Coleman, currently in her probation year at James
Gillespie’s High School, will join us as her replacement whilst Mrs Foster enjoys her maternity leave.
We also look forward to welcoming Miss Katie Will in the Chemistry department next session. There
will be further change in the Chemistry department in October when Mrs McLernon who is
expecting her second child, is expected to take her maternity leave.
We wish everyone a restful and well deserved holiday and all the very best to those leaving us and
to those pupils who are waiting for exam results.
Parent Council
It has been a busy and challenging year for the Royal High Parent Council, working in partnership
with parents, staff, learners and the wider community.
We’ve enjoyed working together with Mrs Walker in her second year here at RHS, and have
collaborated on a range of ways to increase parental engagement at the school. In addition to
increased communications via the school’s e-mail newsletters, our partnership with the school has
included parental representation in the appointments of senior staff at Curriculum Leader level.
The most challenging period of the year arose with the news of the closure of part of the RHS
building in April. Royal High parents embarked on a raft of campaigning and media appearances in
order to ensure that parental views were central to the debate while a solution was found, not only
for our students due to sit their exams but also for those in the younger years. RHS parents
appeared on BBC network news, BBC Scotland news, Radio 4 and Radio Scotland, and STV News,
and also spoke at length to The Scotsman, The Herald and The Evening News. All of this activity
helped bring about a workable solution which, given some of the alternatives, was welcomed by
the Parent Council. We have expressed in strong terms our anger with the City Council that parents
had to fight to be heard in the early days of the closure. We would much rather have been
expressing views directly to the City Council than using megaphone diplomacy via the media – but
were left with little choice. They have accepted this, and have agreed to learn from what was an
unprecedented situation for them. Following our re-opening, we organised a session at which the
Council Leader and senior education officials were present, open to all parents. And in due course,
we will of course make sure that RHS voices are heard in the forthcoming inquiry into the building
of schools in Edinburgh.
We continued to represent parental views on the development of the curriculum. We welcome
the dialogue undertaken by the school this year, and as a Parent Council are supportive of the new
model which commenced in June 2016.
Beyond the school gates, we have been active in keeping road safety issues (particularly at the back
gate on Queensferry Road) very much on the agenda of local politicians and the police. After much
campaigning, we are still awaiting further site visits to try to resolve what is our longest-running
issue. We also made strong representation regarding the City Council’s proposed education budget
settlement, particularly around music tuition. We do not believe that the teaching of musical
instruments is in any way a “bonus” – it is integral to sitting National 5 and Higher Music, and access
to tuition for all needs to remain available from S1 upwards. While the immediate threat was
removed this year, we ask all parents to keep a watching brief before next year’s Council budget,
both in this area and around potential threats to administrative support services in schools. We
will continue to look for help from all parents and carers on budget matters in the new academic
year.
We have continued to maintain relations with all of our local councillors, our MPs, our old and new
MSPs, the city’s North West Locality Group, the cluster Primary Parent Councils, and the media. We
linked this year with the MPs for Edinburgh West and Edinburgh North & Leith regarding the
charging of VAT on school uniform for older children, and will continue to campaign on this
issue. We also maintain strong links with the RHS FPs, and I thank Frank Crowe (FP Chair who stood
down in the Spring) for his continuing interest in issues which impact on RHS life. I look forward to
working with new Chair David Williamson.
Going into the new year, I would expect the Parent Council to focus on representing parental views
on any issues relating to our building, and the subsequent Council inquiry, of course maintaining
our campaigns regarding road safety and VAT on school uniforms and, I suspect, on the education
budget. We will also continue to work with the school on a range of matters. I would encourage
all parents and carers to keep in touch with us throughout the year, and to join us as a parent rep
if you can. You can find our details on the school’s website.
In closing, I would thank all our parent, staff and co-opted members this year for their time and
commitment to the Parent Council – every parent and carer on the Parent Council gives their time
as a volunteer and it is hugely appreciated. Thanks to Liz Leslie for her excellent work as Clerk this
year. Special thanks to Tina Woolnough, who has volunteered her time to the parental group for
many years, including as former Parent Council Chair, as PSA Chair, and as Edinburgh representative
on the National Parent Forum, and leaves our school community this summer with our very good
wishes.
Luke McCullough
Chair
The Royal High School Parent Council
PSA
The Royal High School Parent/Staff Association had an eventful year which primarily involved two
fundraising events and our ever-popular tuck stalls at key events in the school.
The Christmas Market, featuring craft and home-baking stalls, as well as pupils’ fundraising tables
for their own charitable projects, was a festive and enjoyable occasion again.
For the first time, we were delighted to hold a fundraising Comedy Night, with
parent/comedian/physiotherapist Elaine Miller aka Gussie Gripper as the star attraction. Elaine’s
mission to hold up and save the pelvic floors of the Western world through humour is inspiring,
informative and life-changing. She gave her time freely and generously and we wish her the best of
luck with her Fringe show.
We also run a 200 Club, whereby parents can buy a monthly ticket for £1 to enter into a prize-
winning draw. An easy fundraising win for us is Easyfundraising – please sign up! You do your online
shopping via the Easyfundraising website and a percentage of your spend goes to the PSA, at no
extra cost to you.
The proceeds from our fundraising are allocated to departments and clubs each spring, via an
application process. Bids must be for non-statutory provision only and the PSA focusses on
maximising opportunities for all of our young people.
The PSA committee remains very active - I would like to record my particular thanks to Lisa Erskine,
outgoing treasurer and loyal PSA supporter for many years. Dorothy Kidd kindly runs our 200 Club
and unfailingly turns up to help at events, as do many of our PSA members. Amanda McLeod is the
PSA rep on the parent council and has stepped up to the plate and into the limelight intensively
recently. Our staff rep, Jill Hunter, is our stalwart purveyor of mince pies and now non-alcoholic
mulled wine at the Christmas concert. Many thanks to all of the PSA committee for their fantastic
support and commitment.
We are grateful to all of our parent and pupil volunteers and to those who support our events. This
is my swan song at the Royal High – it has been an extraordinary time and I have outlasted four
head teachers, seen the curriculum and the exam system change, with two children in the old
system and one in the vanguard of the new…Change is always interesting, to say the least. I remain
full of admiration and respect for Pauline Walker, and all the teachers and school staff who give it
their all, every day, and who work tirelessly in the best interests of our children. I would like to
record my thanks and the thanks of the PSA for this commitment which never changes, despite
everything that the Council, national bodies, the Scottish Government and external factors throw
at them.
Children, not adults, should come first in everything our society and our education system does.
As a parent and an adult, I have tried to keep this in mind in everything I have done as a campaigner
for parental involvement in a child-centred education system for nearly 20 years.
The PSA is seeking a new chair and a new treasurer – volunteers gratefully received!
Tina Woolnough, outgoing Chair, PSA