Christmas Holiday
This time last year not many would have been able to predict what 2021 had in store for us. However, throughout these past 12 months, the school community as a whole has demonstrated a firm commitment to our vision and values.
In January we adapted to another lockdown with remote learning, then in March we had ‘blended learning’ and after Easter we supported our S4-S6 through the SQA Alternative Certification Model – all unprecedented ways of working.
In August we were all hopeful that restrictions would further ease and we did get back to some level of ‘normal’ experience for our young people. There have been some challenges and we do not get everything right all the time but we will continue to do our very best and remain true to what we value and believe in.
As 2021 draws to a close, we should be hopeful for 2022. Challenges remain, restrictions continue and it is still uncertain what we will return to in January but the latest science updates around the virus look positive.
Best wishes to all our young people, staff, families and the wider community for Christmas and the New Year. Looking forward to, hopefully, welcoming everyone back on Monday 10th 2022.
COVID Update
Scottish Borders Council met with all Headteachers earlier this week to discuss the mitigations that will be in place in the New Year. These mitigations will reflect the increased transmission rate of the Omicron variant. Further guidance will be issued to schools on 7th January 2022.
The revised risk assessment for Kelso High School and the health & safety procedures to be adopted by young people and staff, along with any other information regarding the return to school next term, will sent to parents as soon as possible after the additional guidance is released.
Decorated Door Competition
This year’s competition has brought lots of brightness and cheer to the corridors, doors, windows and spirits here at KHS. Well done to the Science Faculty who scooped the Best Faculty Award.
A Fond Farewell
After an amazing thirty-four years of dedication and service to KHS, we would just like to take this opportunity to wish Mrs Carol Lesenger, a very long and happy retirement. During her time at KHS as PE Teacher, Pastoral Teacher, Assistant Principal Teacher PE, Principal Teacher PE and Faculty Head, Mrs L has made a real difference to the lives of thousands of our young people. KHS learners and staff look forward to hearing about Mrs Lesenger’s new adventures. #pridekhs
Christmas Challenge
Many thanks to Mrs Ramsey and the Head Team who organised a festive feast of class-based fun on Wednesday afternoon. Much fun was had by all.
Christmas Lunch
Thank you to Linda and our canteen staff who prepared the most fantastic Christmas meal on Tuesday.
KHS School Transport
As you may be aware, SBC have had a major overhaul of the school transport network which comes into effect from 10th January 2022. Parents were required to apply online for any young person eligible for school transport that requires a bus pass.
New bus passes for those who applied have been received at KHS, these can be collected from the School Office. Please note routes and route numbers have changed. To confirm updated pickup / drop off times of your bus please visit: www.scotborders.gov.uk/schoolbuses
If you did not submit an application but your youngster requires school transport from Monday 10th January please contact the School Office ASAP (01573 227440 / KelsoHS@scotborders.gov.uk).
Privilege Lifts
If your youngster has no entitlement to a bus pass but had been awarded a privilege lift previously we do not have a new bus pass for you. Privilege lifts must be re-applied for if still required. This can be done via the SBC website: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20040/clothing_meals_and_transport/1088/school_transport/3
If you have any queries please contact us ASAP and we will forward onto School Transport.
Please note these passes are not to be used until 10th January 2022 when the new Schools Transport arrangements commence.
S3 Social Enterprise at KHS in Partnership with Scottish Social Enterprise Academy
Kindness at Christmas
Each year, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, S3 Business and IT classes at Kelso High School learn about social enterprises as part of their curriculum. Alongside this, pupils bring their learning to life by being given the challenge of creating their own social enterprise. Not only does this allow them to experience the reality of running a business and develop their entrepreneurial skills, lifelong learning takes place when they experience working as a team, organisational skills, communication and many others. Each year the pupils of KHS amaze us with their innovation, determination and kindness, and this year has been no exception! This year’s S3 cohort have embodied our values of participation, respect, inclusion, determination and excellence in everything they have done and as a school, we are extremely proud of them.
The class were set a business challenge with 2 main aims. One, to set up an enterprise aiming to help a social cause – helping something or someone in society. Pupils spent some time discussing issues which were pertinent to them, and had some input from a virtual presentation from a real-life Social Entrepreneur from the Social Enterprise Academy. Secondly, they had to explore ways to help this cause but alongside this make a profit. Pupil were given no start up capital and all resources had to be sourced themselves. This was no mean feat but they rose to the challenge superbly! Below is a summary of each team and their business journey:
Social Enterprise Name: Caring Bakes
Team Members: Hannah Leifer, Dakota Halliday, Mathilda Meech, Ally Carruthers
This team’s marketing strategy was the way to our hearts was through our bellies! They used our Home Economics facilities to bake some tasty treats and sold them to our willing customers. They donated their profits to Rock Trust, a local charity who helps young people finding themselves homeless. The social cause they wanted to help was based around people of their own age who do not have a warm home to go to this Christmas.
Social Enterprise Name: Care Pack
Team Members: Ruby Flint, Keeva Thackeray, Zoe Cowe, Sarah Middlemas
This team recognise that Christmas can be a particularly challenging time for the elderly who can feel lonely and isolated from family when in a care home. The group therefore created care packages to send to Queens House Kelso, containing some Christmas puzzles and home baking all hand made by them.
Social Enterprise Name: Fit for Fun
Team Members: Jasiu Jedrzejczyk, Zi Wing, Alex Skeldon, Jack Utterson, Matthew Stewart
This team got active to help one of their local hero’s cause – The Doddie Weir Foundation. As a group of boys who have a keen interest in sport, they completed a sponsored bleep test to raise a profit to donate to their chosen charity working for the fight against MND.
Social Enterprise Name: Supporting the Supporters
Team Members: Jenna Hosie, Daisy Buckley, Chloe Cockburn, Madison Wemyss, Zoe Nairn, Ellie Burton
Many social issues have arisen from the Covid19 pandemic. This team recognised the challenging time the support staff in KHS have been under for the last couple of years. They therefore wanted to give them something back and so for a small donation, they spent time at home baking them a sweet treat!
Social Enterprise Name: The Sweet Room
Team Members: Lewis Malone, Joshua Dobson, Ted Potter, Harry Ashworth
This team recognise that for some pupils, school can sometimes be a daunting place, particularly in busy settings like the canteen at lunchtime. The group’s business idea was to set up a safe space where pupils could come and enjoy their lunch in a quiet classroom. For a small donation, pupils could attend and the team provided them with a sweetie, board games to play and a film to watch.
Social Enterprise Name: CandyCanes
Team Members: Honey-Rose Fellowes, Pola Majowka
Kindness was the over arching theme of this team’s social enterprise. The group purchased candy canes and set up an online form, to allow members of the school community to send anonymous messages to a friend/colleague to spread some kindness and joy at Christmas time.
Social Enterprise Name: Doggy Delights
Team Members: Rachel Wilson, Becca Hands, Skye Nairn
Another team who decided to focus on a post-pandemic social issue were this team. They recognised the issue we have with abandoned dogs, particularly after lockdown. The team collected together dog treats, and made Christmas bags to sell to the dog owners within KHS. The money made from these bags will go towards supporting the work done in Borders Pet Rescue.
Social Enterprise Name: Every Mind Matters
Team Members: Bethany McGowan, Summer Hush, Courtney Brogan, Erin Chalmers
This team wanted to encourage people to take time out for themselves with a focus on their own mental health. The team made a Christmas hot chocolate set and sold these to make a profit. Not only making themselves a profit, the kits were designed to encourage folks to take a break and enjoy a treat!
In total, the S3 social enterprise cohort have raised a total of £201.88 for a variety of different charities and social causes. Through there own hard work, dedication and kindness they have made a huge success of this project and here at Kelso High School we are extremely proud of their efforts! Thanks must also go to Scottish Social Enterprise Academy for their support with ideas, resources and materials along the way.
Parent Council Lottery Draw – December 2021
The numbers drawn were 2, 19 and 21
Unfortunately there was no winner this month.
The prize fund of approximately £985 will roll over and be drawn at the end of January until a winner is picked!!
To be in with a chance to win please download and complete the application form – Good Luck!!
Under 22s Free Bus Travel Scheme
See attached guidance that was sent out via groupcall by SBC earlier this week.
Parents of secondary school children are invited to apply for a new/amended/replacement NEC card with travel element via https://getyournec.scot/nec/
SBC Health & Wellbeing Newsletter
Attached is the second Health and Wellbeing newsletter packed with information, links to new support for young people and staff, as well as training and information for parents and carers.
Canteen Menu w/c 10/01/2022
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| Main 1 | Macaroni Cheese with Garlic Bread Mixed Salad | Spaghetti Bolognaise Mixed Salad | Chicken Korma with Rice and Poppadoms Mixed Salad | Fish and Chips Peas | Bacon Roll |
| Main 2 | Chicken Sausages in Gravy with Mashed Potatoes Vegetables | Steak Pie with Roast Potatoes Vegetables | Chicken Tikka with Rice and Poppadoms Mixed Salad | Quorn Sausages with Chips Peas | Sausage in a Roll Veggie or Vegan Sausage in a Roll Sausage Roll (pastry) |
| Main 3 | Turkey Meatballs in a Tomato Sauce with Spaghetti Pasta Mixed Salad | Cheese and Tomato Quiche with Roast Potatoes Vegetables | Vegetable Curry with Rice and Poppadoms Mixed Salad | Chicken Paella Mixed Salad | Beef Burger Quorn Burger in a Roll |
| Soup & Bread | Tomato Soup | Lentil Soup | Sweet Potato and Chilli | Chicken Noodle | N/A |
| Cold Sandwiches | Cheese, Tuna, Chicken, Egg | Cheese, Tuna, Chicken, Egg, Roast Beef | Cheese, Tuna, Chicken, Egg, | Cheese, Tuna, Chicken, Egg | Cheese, Chicken, Tuna, Egg, Ham |
| Hot Sandwiches | Veggie Fajita Or Chicken | Sweet Chilli Quorn or Chicken | Roasted Vegetables and Mozarella or Chicken | Quorn Nuggets or Chicken | Cheese and Ham Panini Cheese Panini Cheese and Tomato Pizzini Spicy Chicken Pizzini |
| Baked Potato | Beans, Cheese, Salad Bar | Beans, Cheese, Salad Bar | Beans, Cheese, Salad Bar | Beans, Cheese, Salad Bar | N/A |
| Pasta King | Cook’s Choice | Cook’s Choice | Cook’s Choice | Cook’s Choice | N/A |
| Pizza | Cheese | Cheese | Cheese | Cheese | N/A |
| Additional Veg | Vegetable Sticks | Vegetable Sticks | Vegetable Sticks | Vegetable Sticks | Vegetable Sticks Pasta Salad |