June 2023

Published: 19 June 2023

On Friday 23 June 2023 a number of our students are doing a Golf Challenge to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust. They are calling it the Longest Golf Day and will play 4 rounds starting at 4 am at Castlepark Golf Course. Please support this charity via the Just Giving Page setup for this event.

A Word from Archie's Dad:

Archie was diagnosed in October 2022 with Ewans Sarcoma a rare Bone Cancer and has an inoperable tumour on his spine.

This was devastating for him and us as a family and the last 8 months have been awful for him being in and out of hospital on a weekly basis. Archies treatment plan is brutal with 14 rounds of intense chemotherapy as well as 6 weeks in Manchester at The Christies centre having Proton Beam Therapy a type of targeted radiotherapy directly to the tumour which Archie completed at end of April. Archie has 2 more cycle of chemotherapy to get through.

Teenage Cancer Trust are just one charity that do everything they can to try and keep teenagers going through these awful experiences. They have dedicated support workers that not only offer someone to talk to but also organise trips, pizza nights and social get togethers whilst in and out of hospital with other teenagers going through Cancer. They understand teenagers and their needs and try where possible to bring much needed joy and a listening ear. They have been invaluable to Archie with staff like Connor up here at Edinburgh Sick Kids and also Angie and Steve at The Christie Centre in Manchester. They really are worth their weight in Gold.

On the 23 June 2023 myself, friends, Archie's good pal Rory and other friends of Archie will play 4 rounds of golf in one day to try and raise vital funds and awareness of Teenage Cancer Trust.

We will start at 4 am at Castle Park Golf Club playing 18 holes moving onto Haddington Golf club at about 8.30am followed by a trip to Gifford Golf Club at 1.30 pm and finishing back at Castle Park at about 5 pm. All in all about 16 hours of golf covering about 20 miles. Let's pray the good weather holds up or it may not be as much fun dripping wet for 16 hours!

PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN

Published: 09 June 2023

A new approach to smartphone use will commence in August 2023. This will allow us to focus on learning, teaching and working with others, rather than smartphones distracting some of our learners.  Mobile phones should be out of sight during class and between class changeovers.  Pupils can use these at break and lunch in the social area (not the lunch hall) and if parents/carers need to contact their young person in an emergency to do so via the school office, otherwise pupils can pick up their messages at break and lunch.  Many thanks to parents/carers for their support with this.