Events this week were dominated by the tragic events at Cults Academy. We have been in contact with the Head Teacher at Cults to pass on our thoughts to all in their community and to offer any support which may be required. Such events impact on us all to a greater or lesser extent and anyone in our school community who feels they need support should let us know.
As far as the first week back at Harlaw was concerned it has been a very busy week. The chaplains have been taking assembly and delivered a very thought provoking presentation on the around social media. I followed this up by highlighting the safety issues around autumn (dark evenings, slippery pavements, trick/treat and fireworks). I do not imagine for a moment that every pupil will heed all of my words but hopefully some will give it a little more thought than they may otherwise have done.
The highlight of the week was to welcome 14 students and 2 staff from Von Muller Gymnasium in Regensburg to Harlaw. They have been fantastic ambassadors for their school and have had a very busy few days. We let them appreciate butteries for breakfast and Haggis for lunch on Thursday between this they were in classes before spending the afternoon seeing round Aberdeen and spending time in the shops. In the evening we were welcomed to the Town House for a Civic reception.
On Friday there was time in classes in the morning before going rock scrambling near Cove in the afternoon. After tea with their host families the group came along to the PTA fright night at the school. On Saturday they are heading to Fraserburgh lighthouse and the north sea beaches before a farewell teat the Ashvale.
There were also two significant sporting adventures for our pupils. On Thursday our sports ambassadors spent time in Inchgarth community centre with Judy Murray. They returned full of stories and excitement and there are photos and more detail PE twitter page. On Thursday we also had our S1 football team head off to their Scottish Cup match in Stornoway. This was an epic (and costly) trip but well worth it when they came back with a 5-0 victory and tales of their trip. Their reward is another away tie this time in Glenrothes!
On Friday we hosted the NE heat of the Kids Literature Quiz at the school. Teams from several Secondary and Primary schools took part – we finished 2nd between St Margarets who were 3rd and the International school who will go on to represent NE Scotland in the national event in Oxford. The week ended with the PTA Fright Night – a first for the PTA this was a very well attended event which involved a tour round the dark lower corridors of the school. Drama pupils had prepared a script and characters designed to entertain and scare during the tours. Everyone entered into the spirit of the event and I want to thank everyone who helped make the night such a great success.