Dear Parents, Carers and new S1s,
We hope that this letter finds you and your families safe and well during these difficult times. As we approach the summer holidays and the end of P7, we are aware that you must be feeling excited about your move to Castlebrae Community High School, but also a little nervous at the same time. Our first aim at Castlebrae is to ensure that you feel as welcome and as at home as possible. We are completely aware that you must have a lot of questions about starting at Castlebrae in August. There is a lot of information on our website, however below in the letter we will try to outline the key points.
S1 RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER THE SUMMER
Monday 16th August – School In Service Day – Staff Only
Tuesday 17th August – School In Service Day – Staff Only
Wednesday 18th August – All pupil return to school. Please note this will be a staggered return to allow us to support the transition of our new S1 pupils.
• S1 pupils should start school at 8:30 am
PLAN FOR WEDNESDAY 18th AUGUST
As S1 pupils will be returning first at 8:30. This is the usual start of the school day. When they arrive they will be greeted by Senior Management and Pupil Support Leaders.
What to expect:
• Entry to school: All new S1 pupils should enter through the main entrance. SLT and PSLs will welcome pupils and teachers will escort pupils to the Drama Studio. Please follow signage and ensure safety measures are being adhered to.
• Timetable: They will be given their classes and house group. There are currently 5 classes;
1B1, 1B2, 1P1, 1P2, 1C1. The letters relate to the house structure:
House: Blackford Pupil Support Leader: Mrs Corsar SLT Support: Mr Johnstone
House: Calton Pupil Support Leader: Mr McPartlin SLT Support: Mrs Prentice
House: Pentland Pupil Support Leader: Ms Boak SLT Support: Mrs Downie
• Welcome: S1s will be given a welcome assembly to the school. They will be given
information on the expectations at Castlebrae, and what to expect during their S1 year.
• Tour: All S1s will be given a tour of the school – so that they know where they are going and feel a bit more comfortable.
• Ties: S1s will be given a school tie (please do not worry about not having this before hand).
• Questions: There will also be an opportunity for S1s to ask any questions that they may
have.
• Breaks & Lunch: In August until at least the October break, we are requesting that all S1
pupils remain in school for breaks and lunches. There is food available from the canteen, this can be paid through by FSM or Parent Pay (more details regarding this to come).
Alternatively you are completely welcome to provide your young person with a packed
lunch.
SCHOOL UNIFORM FOR S1
Uniform is something that is very important to us as a school community, and we strive to ensure that we all represent Castlebrae as well as we can. In terms of uniform our requirements for the whole school are outlined below:
o Ties – must be worn. You will be provided with a school tie when you arrive on the 18th of
August. It is important that you continue to look after it. If you lose this, you can purchase a new tie for £6.
o Hoodies – are not allowed. Please do not wear one to school
o Jumpers – can be worn. Please ensure that these jumpers are plain black (no branding). No other jumpers will be accepted.
o Plain black jeans – are suitable for school. No ripped or faded jeans will be permitted.
o Plain black leggings – are only allowed if the pupil is also wearing a skirt. You are not able to just wear leggings.
o Black shoes – must be worn. These can be shoes or trainers. They must be as near to full
black as possible and have black laces.
o Plain tracksuits/jogging bottoms – these are not allowed.
o Shirts – these must be white. These can either be a while shirt (preferable), or if not a white polo shirt.
INFECTION CONTROL PROCEDURES
It is important to us that all our young people continue to have a sense of responsibility for the safety of their school community. Further information regarding the revised infection control procedures will following during the summer. Currently the safety precautions we have in place are as follows:
Lateral Flow Tests – The government advice is that all young people are testing twice a week, to try and minimise the infection rates. These tests are available to collect from the school from now until Friday 16/7/21. They will also be available to collect on the 16th and 17th of August. Currently we are requesting that all pupils (including new S1) test on Tuesday 17th August before starting the new school year.
Masks – Currently the government advice and guidance is that all pupils wear masks while at school. This from the moment of entering the school, in classes and moving between classes. We understand that there are some pupils who may have a medical exemption, if this is the case please let us know and we can discuss individual cases by a case to case basis.
OVERALL
Most important for you to know is that all staff are very much looking forward to welcoming you in August to our school community. We will do everything we can to try and make it an easy transition for you. You are more than welcome to get in touch via admin@castlebrae.edin.sch.uk if we can be of any further help.
We hope you have a very enjoyable summer and keep safe and well.
Mrs Prentice
Head Teacher
Castlebrae Community Campus 