This week was a short one for our pupils with a holiday Monday and then two days with no school. On these two days staff were involved in a range of work aimed at developing their skills and taking forward some of the priorities of the school. The Tuesday saw many of us go over […]
Category Archives: Weekly blog
6th – 10th February: #startofourown @harlaw_academy
Last weekend I went in to see La La Land – a movie which is set to break all records at the BAFTAS and Oscars. I thoroughly enjoyed the film but I am less of a fan of the whole superstar/celebrity adulation thing. For those of you who follow the school ‘twitter’ account you will […]
23rd – 27th January 2017: Improving attendance and reducing lateness
I want to start this blog by thanking pupils and parents/families for the significant improvements we have seen in respect of school uniform. For me the important issue with this is less around uniform and more around the fact that pupils, staff and parents had all identified the need to make this a priority and […]
16th – 20th January: Supporting transitions
We work very hard to try and help youngsters and families through times of transition in their schooling. three significant ‘transitions’ in relation to secondary school are; the move from Primary to secondary the times of subject choice during secondary school the move from school to a range of post school destinations In this note I […]
9th – 14th January: Success in 2017
At this time of year we often wish each other a happy, prosperous and/or successful new year. Happiness, prosperity and/or success will however need more than a wish if they are to happen. They will need work – indeed they will need relentless amounts of focussed hard work. Over the holidays I read a book called […]
23rd December 2016: Rounding off the term/year
Apologies for the lack of blogs in December – I hope to be back to a weekly one in the New Year. In this one I will quick run through what has been happening in December. In the first week of December some of our pupils took part in the consultation on plans to re-develop Union Terrace Gardens. […]
7th – 11th November: Preparation pays off (perhaps)
“He’s only gone and done it” When I posted my last blog Andy Murray was on the bring of becoming world number 1. It is great to see he has made it. If ever we needed someone to show us what it means to bounce back from disappointment, to work hard for success, to overcome […]
31 October – 4 November: Hard work brings success
As we reach the end of October we hit some important milestones. We change the clocks, we have Halloween and we have bonfire night. All of this reminds me to highlight some basic safety points: watch out on the slippery pavements and paths – falling leaves and frosts can be a nightmare give yourself a little bit longer […]
24 October – 28 October: Annual Report
Each year the school is required to prepare a report into the standards and quality of our work. The reposr for session 2015/16 is available here: sqip-2015-16-harlaw-draft-final It is always a bit odd looking back on last session particularly in September/October when the new school year is underway and we are very focussed on doing our best in […]
19th -23rd September – Child Rights
Last week I took time to talk about #secureyourfuture a really important event taking place at the school next week. Pupils were given an information sheet home but just in case it fails to make it out of the bag I attach an electronic copy here for you – A second big event happening next […]