Category Archives: School News

See You Go Safely – Be Safe Be Seen

Young people are often hurt on the road because they can not be seen clearly by other traffic.

As we approach the shortest day of the year it is a time when we are reminded of the need to be seen when we are out walking and cycling. The short daylight hours mean that often people are travelling in poor light conditions, with heavy rain or mist or snow and are more vulnerable to vehicular traffic accidents.

The twilight hours – just before and just after the sun sets – are the most dangerous times of all, because drivers’ eyes are adjusting to the changing light.

Children are advised to stand out against the gloom by wearing bright or fluorescent clothes that show up best during the day, particularly in dull or misty weather.

However, fluorescent clothing does not work at night – reflective material works best and shows up in cars’ headlights.

Other travelling advice includes

  • Keep to well-lit routes and crossing roads at safe places, like zebra or pelican crossings
  • If there is no pavement available pedestrians should walk facing the on-coming traffic
  • Cyclists can help themselves to be seen by wearing fluorescent or reflective clothes.
  • Bikes must legally have a white light at the front, a red light at the back and a red reflector at the back, during the hours of darkness.
  • Flashing lights on bikes are now legal and do alert drivers to cyclists more easily.
  • Lights should be checked regularly to make sure they are in good working order and that the batteries are well charged.

See you Go safely! Be Safe Be Seen!

Useful websites for purchasing high visibility clothing are: www.brightkidz.co.uk & www.chesterford.co.uk

The Christmas Concerts 2008

Two fantastic evenings at Preston Lodge Christmas Concert

The Annual Christmas Concert took place on the evenings of the 9th and 10th December. Once again the musical talent of the young people of Preston Lodge was on display. To a packed house, the singers, dancers and musicians of all ages entertained us with a variety of acts of many genres.

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The Christmas Concert Charity Raffle raised £423 this year. All the money will be donated to charity. We would again like to thank the following local businesses for their generous contributions.

Longniddry Golf Club

Musselburgh Racecourse

Royal Musselburgh Golf Club

Jules Health and Beauty

Edinburgh Rugby

Skin and Tonic

The Filling Station

Strawberry Corner

Viv Strachan and pupils.

We would also like to thank staff who supported the event in any way, without all your help it would not have run so smoothly.

For more photographs from the Concert click here

East Lothian S6 Challenge 2008 – PLHS triumph again!

The annual East Lothian Outdoor Education S6 challenge was held on 28th November at Yellowcraigs. Following the tremendous success of the Preston Lodge teams in the 2007 challenge the pressure was on the current sixth year to rise to the challenge.

Rise to the challenge they did and for the second consecutive year the Preston Lodge team brought home the Silver Salver Trophy as winners of the 2008 event.

Well done to all that took part and to the Preston Lodge teams for competing so well.

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See some more photos of the 2008 “S6 Challenge” by clicking here.

Christmas Concert 2008

This year’s Christmas Concert will be held on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th December at 7.30 pm in the School Hall. This event is a sell out every year so buying tickets early is essential.

Tickets Cost £ 3 for adults and £ 1 for concessions/students.

Tickets can be purchased from Monday 24th November in the foyer during morning breaks or by contacting the school office.

This year’s Concert will range from traditional festive treats to Santana and Coldplay.

Industrial Action: Wed 24th Sept – School OPEN

We have received notification that members of Unison, GMB and T & G Unite will undertake industrial action against the proposed Local Government pay offer. This action is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 24th Sept 2008.

It is likely that non-teaching members of staff may undertake strike action. While this dispute does not involve teaching staff, the industrial action may impact on the service we deliver to pupils.

Pupils should attend school as normal on Wednesday, please be aware that lunches are unlikely to be provided except for those who are entitled to free meals. Pupils should bring a packed lunch which can be consumed in the Dining Hall.

Contingency plans have been put in place to ensure that pupils are able to access the school as usual. Please ensure that your children are sent to school on Wednesday 24th September.

Accelerated Reader programme at Preston Lodge…

Accelerated Reader is a literacy programme being rolled out at Preston Lodge High School during the 2008-09 session. As the most widely used reading software in the world, it’s aim is to build a culture of reading throughout the school and make reading practice more effective for every student involved.

Based around modern technology, the programme sees pupils reading books pitched at their own reading level – and at their own pace. On completion of the book, the pupil sits a computer-based comprehension quiz that allows the software to analyse their understanding of the text they have read. The software generates a comprehensive report that allows staff to help the pupil decide what the next step for them may be in terms of progress through the reading scheme.

A pilot study was held in Preston Lodge during session 2007-08 involving a number of (then) S2 pupils. This cohort undertook 5 week blocks of Accelerated Reader and, by the end of the pilot, were shown to have made significant progress in their personal reading levels. The decision to roll the programme out to all new S1 pupils in 2008-09 was made and every first Year pupil in Preston Lodge this year will have blocks of Accelerated Reader timetabled into their curriculum.

In addition, the previous participants in the Pilot Study will be given the chance to continue their own progress now that they are in S3 and a new S2 cohort will also be given the opportunity to join our literacy programme.

The school hope that parents and carers will support this venture by encouraging their child’s participation in the programme and reading at home. You can download or read the  Accelerated Reader Parents’ Guide this will provide further insight into this programme and answer any questions parents and carers may have. The school Learning Support department can be contacted at any time should there be any further unanswered queries about Accelerated Reader.

The Accelerated Reader Programme at Preston Lodge has been devised and introduced by the Support for Learning department in conjunction with the English department and the school librarian. Please contact Mrs V Hoban (vhoban@prestonlodge.elcschool.org.uk) in the Learning Support department for further details.

Parent Guide Book

On Our Doorstep!

Flyer for On Our Doorstep

Preston Lodge High School warmly invite you to our Open Afternoon on Thursday 22nd May 2008, from 2.30pm until 6pm.

“On our Doorstep” is our whole school cross-curricular project for 2008.

 

What will you see?

  • An amazing exhibition showcasing all the work from our subject areas (foyer and assembly hall)
  • “The Market Place” (in school dining hall)  Local food producers will be setting up stalls selling local produce and school pupils will be running their own market garden stall where you can buy some of the plants and flowers they have been growing this year.
  • Rolling programme of music and drama (school hall and drama studio)

All parents and pupils welcome. Please enter by the Market Place