What’s happening next week?
| Date | Year Group | Event |
| Monday 16th September | S3 | Archaeological Dig – Newbattle Abbey |
Our website has all the dates for the school year (as currently planned), click here to see them – https://www.kelsohighschool.org.uk/calendar/
Attendance
Regular school attendance is important for your youngster’s learning, wellbeing and future success. The Scottish Borders School Attendance Policy has been updated to better support Children and Young People and families.
Please use the link below to access the parent/carer guide. This guide explains key points of the policy and how we can work together to promote good attendance.
#EverySchooldayCounts
attendance-policy-guide-for-parents-and-carers (scotborders.gov.uk)
A reminder that parents/carers must contact the school office every day by 9.15am to report any absences. Otherwise this will trigger groupcall messages being sent and further action required by Pastoral staff. Absences with no reason given will be marked as unauthorised.
Thank you!
As we come to the end of yet another busy week at KHS, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all learners, parents/carers who continue to support our new Dress Code for session 2024-2025. We are so proud of how smart the majority of our learners are looking and there has been a significant improvement in uniform across the school. A number of learners are, however, continuing to wear black leggings to school and we would remind all families that leggings are not part of the KHS Dress Code. As such we would ask for your support in ensuring that your child does not wear leggings to school. A reminder that financial support may be available to some families to assist in the purchase of school uniform. Please contact either our School Office or your child’s Pastoral Teacher if you would like more information about the help/support available. Please enjoy some photos of our learners enjoying this afternoon’s sunshine and all looking very smart! #pridekhs
Celebration of Learning Senior Awards Evening
Oh what a night! Monday evening was a truly special evening on our KHS calendar – our annual Celebration of Learning Senior Awards Evening. Held for the first time in the Tait Hall, this was an opportunity to celebrate the success of over 100 of our young people and to welcome families, distinguished guests and friends of the wider KHS community to join with us in celebrating the magnificent achievements of our young people. Please enjoy some photos from this event. #pridekhs
Dux of KHS 2024
We are delighted to announce that Dux of Kelso High School for 2024 is Stuart B Thomson, who was awarded the Bowmont Medal by His Grace the Duke of Roxburghe at Monday’s Celebration of Learning Senior Awards Evening. Stuart’s name joins a list of illustrious previous winners on our KHS Dux Board. We would like to congratulate Stuart on his magnificent academic achievements and wish him all the very best on the next stage of his academic journey. Stuart leaves KHS to study at the renowned Harper Adams University. With its specialist focus on agriculture, innovative use of technology and cutting edge research, Stuart will be at the forefront of developments in agricultural and sustainable practices. Go well Stuart and please keep in touch. #pridekhs
Freedom of Kelso High School Award: Congratulations to Dr John Darlington
We are delighted to announce that this year’s winner of the ‘Freedom of Kelso High School Award’ is Dr John Darlington.
John’s journey from Kelso High School to becoming a successful doctor is truly inspirational – a true story of resilience and determination. Overcoming academic struggles and after leaving Kelso High School in 2009, John secured admission to Queen Margaret University through the widening participation scheme, earning a first-class degree in Podiatry. Driven by his childhood passion for Biology and Chemistry – John recalled being found by staff reading ‘Kumar and Clark’s Clinical Medicine’, a book he had ‘borrowed’ from the on-site doctor’s room during his time in a Young Person’s Unit as a child – he pursued medicine at the University of Glasgow. Despite not meeting typical entry requirements, John excelled in his studies. After graduating with Honours (MBChB), John now works as an ACCS doctor, whilst also lecturing at various universities across the United Kingdom.
John’s inspirational journey highlights the true power of perseverance and ambition in the face of adversity and makes John a truly worthy recipient of this year’s Freedom of Kelso High School Award. Congratulations to Dr John Darlington! #pridekhs
Thank You Head Team of 2023-2024
It was an absolute pleasure at our Celebration of Learning Senior Awards Evening to welcome back three members of last year’s Head Team, Elsa Dalziel, Abi Picken and Callum Pollhammer to receive The Purves Leadership and Service to the School Award for 2023-2024. We missed seeing the fourth member of last year’s Head Team Will Prentice – but look forward to catching up with Will soon. #pridekhs
Badge of Office Presentation to this year’s Head Team
The final duty of last year’s Head Team at our Celebration of Learning Senior Awards Evening was to present the Badges of Office to this year’s KHS Head Team for 2024-2025 – James A. Aitchison, Grace Henderson, Jenna A. Hosie and Lewis Malone. We wish this year’s Head Team all the very best for their year ahead. #pridekhs
Flu Immunisation Forms
Every pupil has been given a flu immunisation form during their Registration class. Please ensure this is completed and returned to the school office ASAP.
S3, S4 and S5 iPad Refresh
This week was iPad Refresh week at KHS for learners in S3, S4 and S5 who received new 10th Generation iPads. Thank you to Mr McMillan, Mrs Wilson in our school office, Helen Orde and the rest of the Inspire/CGI team for all their hard work and efforts. We would also like to thank Miss Boufi, Mr Connell and our fantastic team of Digital Avengers who have presented at assemblies this week highlighting the importance of Digital Learning and the importance of looking after your iPad. Any learner in S3, S4 or S5 who was absent earlier this week and has still to receive a new iPad should contact Mrs Changleng for further information. #pridekhs
National 5 History Trip
Last week our National 5 History classes visited Paxton House in Berwick upon Tweed. Our seniors had the opportunity to fully explore the house itself with their very own tour guide and revelled in the opportunity to explore the Atlantic Slave Trade exhibition and displays.
A huge thank you to the team at Paxton House as our learners and accompanying staff thoroughly enjoyed the trip and learned such a lot during the experience. They certainly won’t forget the jiggers anytime soon that’s for sure! Thank you also to Ms Curran and the Social Subjects Faculty for organising and ensuring our learners had the most enjoyable and educational day out! #pridekhs
Well done S2.1
S2.1 have been working with a ‘pinch pot’ technique in clay, which they have adapted into their own monster character designs. The aim was to emphasise different features – and we think they have fulfilled this brief brilliantly. Well done to S2.1 and a huge thank you to Ms Bonnar for the fabulous photos! #pridekhs
Cambridge University Visits KHS
Our grateful thanks to Cambridge University for visiting KHS on Monday! We also welcomed aspiring applicants from the other Borders High Schools to join us. Thank you to Mr Connell for organising. It was a really inspiring visit showing us the sky’s the limit! #CambridgeInspires #AimHigh #FutureLeaders #pridekhs
Well done Susannah!
Huge congratulations to Susannah Ayling in S3 who completed the 13.1 miles MoonWalk last Saturday 7th September to raise money in support of Breast Cancer research and other cancer charities. This is a magnificent achievement and such a worthy cause. Well done to Susannah for demonstrating our school values of Participation, Respect, Included, Determination and Excellence – we are a very proud school! #pridekhs
Canteen Menu
