Behind the Desk

I have spent a lot of time recently with a colleague from Texas. Ashley White, a Physics teacher from our twin school in Grapevine, who was over learning about Scottish education and on a practical note helping put together the arrangements for our pupils going out to Texas in October. Although at times it was a wee (she loved that word) distraction from my normal work, it was a great development opportunity having someone regularly asking you “Why do you do that”? It should happen more often. I have always supported the idea of headteachers being able to shadow colleagues in other schools for a few days simply to ask the same question. It’s a great way to pick up new ideas but equally it is excellent to have to justify the operation of your own school. I wonder how many times, to the question “Why do you do that” would you get the answer “It’s aye bein that way”. Have I stumbled upon a simple, cheap method of development? Have a good holiday.

David A MacKenzie

Behind the Desk

Many people who work outside education think this is a quiet time of year for secondary teachers because half the school is on study leave. This could not be further from the truth. The deputes and myself are working full tilt on next year’s aims and objectives including the timetable.  It is the first time I have experienced a school timetable being finished in Thailand! Teachers and Principal Teachers have Curriculum for Excellence to keep them focused as well as the “normal” (what is normal?) pressures of preparation for next year.
Tomorrow I am going to the Scottish Cup final to cheer on Ross County, my mother’s team. ‘Mon the Staggies. Imagine what Dingwall will be like if they win! (I guess they just had to drown their sorrows - Ed)

David A MacKenzie

Behind the Desk

If Scotland wants to climb up the world league table of assessment then we should bring in an exam for pupils in procrastination. I believe this school would do well!

We teach History and the pupils learn it, we teach Maths and the pupils learn it. We don’t teach procrastination but the pupils know it. It is obviously as natural to them as breathing, swallowing or blinking – it doesn’t have to be taught!

Why are pupils in classrooms at interval, lunchtime and after school just now? Why are teachers at breaking point urging pupils to get materials in on time? Why haven’t they listened to our advice? All subjects in this school have above the recommended time set down from SQA, so why the mad panic?

Have teenagers always procrastinated? We as a school and parents need to do something!

David A MacKenzie

Behind the Desk

Before I tuck into my turkey and those sausages wrapped in bacon that I love, there is still a lot to do in the school. I am meeting with the Parent Council tonight, next Wednesday sees me in Glasgow as a Headteacher rep on a committee looking at the assessment arrangement for the new social subjects courses, on the same evening we have the Christmas Concert, the next day is the S1-S3 disco, Monday 21st is the Carol Concert in St Michael’s and the next day is the S4-S6 disco.

So I am very busy along with lots of other colleagues who will help at these events. I hope that they will be well supported by pupils and parents and prove successful. I am sure they will be.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

David A MacKenzie

Behind the Desk

“Symptoms”. Up until 2 weeks ago I probably never typed the word. I seem to remember it was one of the words near the end of that spelling book that had the red and grey squiggly lines on the cover that those of us of a certain age may remember. Well in the last 14 days I have had plenty of practice as I twice daily informed the Council, Lothian NHS and the Government of the number of absentees from the school who had “flu like symptoms” and “confirmed cases”.  It has been a very stressful time for all of us – pupils, parents and staff and I want to thank so many parents who, although clearly worried, quickly recognised the complexity of the situation the school faced. It was the time of year for celebrating our wonderful SQA exam results and the wonderful spectacle that was our Awards Ceremony but alas nature changed our focus!

David A MacKenzie

Behind the Desk

What a truly wonderful newsletter to end the year. So full of good news where the pupils have shown so much talent and energy.

I really look forward to each issue of LANews as it makes me very proud to be the Head Teacher of such a fine group of children.

We have just finished the first Induction Day with the new S1 and from what I saw today they are going to add to the quality of the pupils in the school.

I hope you all have a good holiday when it comes. I hope not to start the new session as I did last year and be here on the first day! That hospital stay seems a long time ago. All the best for the summer holidays.

David A MacKenzie

Behind the Desk

It’s that time of year again where I sit and think where has all the time gone? The crucial SQA exams have just started and it only seems like yesterday we had last year’s diet.  The S6 year group is about to leave having successfully navigated the demands thrown at them since August 2003 and I wish them well in everything that lies ahead of them. Some other pupils in S4 and S5 have also decided to leave and I wish them every success in their careers. The Spring concert last Thursday brought it home to me how quickly time goes in this job. We had S6 pupils performing publicly for the last time but we also had budding replacements from our primaries showing they are ready to fill their shoes. How quickly will time go before I’m saying “Good bye” to them, never mind “Welcome”.

David A MacKenzie

Behind the Desk

I am writing this as we enter the month of March or as I call it the Mad Month of March. It is the month of maximum pressure for everyone in a school.   Pupils feel it. Staff feel it. Parents feel it.

Courses are coming to an end, final assessments are approaching and projects and investigations are to be handed in. If time has been lost, teaching gets quicker so that there is time for revision and that revision for the forthcoming exams has to be mixed with homework for the ongoing course work.
Pressure everywhere!

Let’s make sure we acknowledge each others increased stress and take an extra deep breath before dealing with situations. That way we might get through to April Fools Day unscathed!

David A MacKenzie