I would have thought with the success of the KWN crowd last week that other good news might be a bit thin on the ground this week.  Not so!

I recently heard that one of our S5 pupils, Matthew Moore (good luck with the exams!), has been selected as one of the members of the ACF Pipes and Drums (GB) Band that is going to tour in Moscow in September.  There are only 16 cadets in the band and, as the name suggests, they are chosen from cadets all over the UK.  No other cadets from Lothian and Borders have been chosen.  So, congratulations go to Matthew and I look forward to seeing all his photographs of Moscow.  Whilst I know he will relish the experience I don’t believe that Matthew will be overawed at playing in the tattoo in Red Square as he informs me that he has “already played Berlin”!

The Staff versus S6 football match took place on Tuesday after school.  Unfortunately football isn’t one of those games where age and experience trumps youth and exuberance, and whilst it wasn’t a whitewash, the 3-1 scoreline against the staff was telling. I must say, though (completely impartially), that Miss Stobie’s goal being disallowed was a travesty.  The match was played in extremely good humour (smiling was about all the staff were fit for at the end), and standing in the sun watching other people run around was a very pleasant end to my Tuesday.

Tuesday saw the senior pupils go on Exam Leave.  Please remember that they are more than welcome to come into school to study and seek advice from staff.  All pupils must be in Dress Code, though, if they are coming into school.

I have offered S3 the opportunity to become prefects for May and June.  Applications close at the end of the day today (the deadline was extended to make sure everyone who wanted to could apply).  I look forward to reading through the letters of application and hope to be able to let the successful youngsters know early next week.

Next Monday (BBC2, 6.30pm) sees the start of a new cookery programme called “Chef’s Protégé”.  Tom Kitchin, Michel Roux Jr and Theo Randall mentor young chefs, each having a week to select and train up their strongest candidates before coming together to compete to see who has found the best protégé.  I hear on the grapevine that one of our former pupils, Shaun Lund, will be appearing, and I suspect will be mentored by Tom Kitchin.  Anyway, tune in to root for Shaun.

A reminder that there is a Parent School Partnership meeting coming up on the 22nd May at 6.15pm.  All parents are welcome to attend.  If you can’t make the meeting and have an issue to raise, let the PSP know through their website (click here), alternatively, if it’s something that we can help you with, let the appropriate House Head or Guidance Teacher, or me know.

Have a good weekend.