Head Teacher Update – Week Beginning 12/5/2025

Tuesday 13th May 2025

Calendar

Monday 19^th May – Pupil Holiday

Parent Partnership

The next Parent Partnership meeting will be held on Tuesday the 10^th June from 7-9 in the Art Department.  The change of date is to avoid a clash with the P7 Information Evening.

The first hour of the meeting will be the Partnership Meeting.  The second hour will be given over to the AGM.  This part of the meeting will be particularly important as a new co-chair and secretary will need to be appointed.  I would like to take this opportunity to thanks Joanne and Ed who have filled these roles respectively with great distinction for a number of years.  I would also like to thank the Parent Partnership for being such a huge source of support, information and encouragement for me over the course of this session – I couldn’t have done it without you!

Common Breaks and Lunches

As you know we have been running a pilot of common breaks and lunches for all pupils over the last couple of months.  The data around wait times, numbers using the canteen and reduction in disruption during senior lessons is all very positive but it is important that everyone has the chance to have their say.  To that end I would be very grateful if you would complete this short online survey which will close to responses on 22.5.25.  If the link below doesn’t work please just copy it in to your web browser and that should do the trick.

https://forms.gle/Ssdyp2cSxc5GS69T8

Thanks and Farewell

I am finding it very hard to believe that my year here at Dalkeith High School is coming to an end.  Mrs Ormerod will be back with you on Monday 19^th May and I know she is looking forward to getting back in to the thick of things.

My time here has been short but will count as one of the most important and formative periods of my career.  I have learned so much and had the pleasure of working with an amazing group of staff, who truly go above and beyond for the young people on a daily basis.  I would like to thank the parents and carers also – you have been nothing but supportive, patient and understanding in dealing with a new head teacher and I will remember the kindness you have all shown me fondly.

People told me that I would find the pupils here friendly and enthusiastic – and of course they were right.  The pupils at Dalkeith High School are an amazing group of young people and are a credit to their community.  I look forward to hearing of all of your successes and achievements over the years and cannot thank you enough for making my first experience of being a head teacher such as special one.

 

Best wishes

S Illingworth

Head Teacher (Acting)

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