S1 Information Booklet 2013 - Home Page

Welcome to 

Balwearie High School 

P7/S1 Information Booklet 

Name: 

Form Class 

Form Tutor: 

Guidance Teachers:

CONTENTS 

• Welcome to Balwearie High School 3 

• People you will meet 3 

• The School Day 5 

• The First Day 6 

• The Guidance System and Classes 7 

• School Subjects 8 

• Your Questions and Answers 10 

• Impressions of Balwearie 12 

• Balwearie Against Bullying 13 

• Codes of Conduct/Homework 14 

• Plan of School 16 

Balwearie High School, S1 Information 2012/13 page 2

WELCOME TO BALWEARIE HIGH SCHOOL 

As we say goodbye to last year’s senior pupils and wish them 

well in their chosen careers we say a big hello to all of you who 

are joining the Balwearie Community. I am sure you will want 

to keep up the traditions at Balwearie High School. Balwearie 

pupils are proud of their school, care about and respect each 

other and their teachers and work hard to achieve their full 

potential. 

We will give you the opportunity to learn new skills, take part in 

a wide range of activities, participate in school trips and so much 

more. 

I am sure you will enjoy being at Balwearie and I hope this 

booklet will help you make a good start. 

Dr J More 

Rector 

PEOPLE YOU WILL MEET 

Depute Rector (S1) Depute Rector (S2) Depute Rector (S3) 

Mrs Brawley Mr Lothian Mr McGuckin 

Depute Rector (S4) Depute Rector (S5/6) Depute Rector 

Mr Currie Mr Booth Mrs Murdoch 


Guidance & Pupil Support – Meet the Team 

Grange 

Raith 

Mrs Gray Mrs Brown Ms Sinclair Mrs Final Miss Campbell 

Kilrie 

Tyrie 

Mrs Low Mr Dewar Mr Carter Mrs Mearns 

Piteadie 

Mrs Mitchell Mrs Ferguson Mr Bruce 

PT Pupil Support 


Support Staff 

The Office Ladies 

The School First Aiders 

Mrs Sutherland/Mrs Gilroy 

The Technicians 

TT 

The Janitors 

The school telephone number is 01592 583402 

THE SCHOOL DAY 

The Dinner Ladies 

The school day is made up of 3 blocks of time, each of 2 ‘periods’. These are divided 

by a morning interval of 15 minutes and a 50 minute lunch break. 

The school day starts at 9.00 a.m. and finishes at 3.35 p.m. The times are: 

8.57 9.00 9.12 10.05 1058 11.13 1206 12.59 1.46 1.49 2.42 3.35 

Warning Registration 1 2 Interval 3 4 Lunch Warning 5 6 

Bell 

Bell 


FIRST DAY – Wednesday 14 August 2013 

Signs will show you the way to the Assembly Hall. When the bell rings at 

8.57 am, follow the signs. You already know the name of the Form Class which you 

are to be in. If you cannot remember, don’t worry. There are class lists outside the 

Assembly Hall and your Guidance Teachers will be there to help you. Your Form Class 

name will be clearly marked inside the Assembly Hall. Sit down in your Form Class 

seats. 

Along with the other pupils in your Form Class, you will be collected by your Form 

Tutor and taken to a classroom where you will receive a timetable which shows you 

your classes for the whole week. You will be told about arrangements for lunches. 

Those of you who are entitled to receive a free bus pass for travel to school will have 

been informed of this during the summer holidays. If you did not and you believe that 

you are entitled to one, please ask your Form Tutor. 

After the first period, your S6 Helpers will show you to your next class. At the end of 

period 2, S6 Helpers will show you out at break time and arrange to meet you when the 

bell goes, they will show you to your next class. This system will continue for the first 

few days until you are familiar with the layout of the school. 

INTERVAL 

The interval begins at 10.58 a.m. Vending machines are situated at the entrance to the 

Junior Cafeteria. You can also go to the Junior Cafeteria which is beside the flagpole. 

You will be shown where the toilets are. The interval ends at 11.13 a.m. Return to your 

class seating area in the Assembly Hall. S6 Helpers will collect you from there. 

LUNCH 

Lunchtime begins at 12.59 p.m. You will be 

allowed out early on the first day. You can buy 

your lunch in the Junior Cafeteria. This area is 

shared with second and sixth year pupils. You 

will be shown where it is. If you bring a packed 

lunch to the school you will be shown the room 

where first year pupils eat lunch. 

Lunchtime ends at 1.46 p.m. 

At 1.46 p.m. go back to your Form Class seating area in the Assembly Hall. You will be 

collected by your S6 Helpers and taken to your period 5 class. At the end of period 5 

the S6 Helpers will show you to your period 6 class. 

The school day ends at 3.35 p.m. You will be allowed out early on the first day and 

shown where to queue for buses 


GUIDANCE HOUSE SYSTEM 

There are six Guidance Houses in Balwearie. Every pupil 

in the school belongs to one of them. They are called 

Grange, Kilrie, Piteadie, Raith and Tyrie. Pupils 

who attend the Department of Additional Support are in 

Stenhouse. 

Each house has two Guidance Teachers attached to it. 

Your Guidance Teachers will be with you throughout 

your time at Balwearie, from first year until you leave. 

They will always be available to give you advice and help, 

and will be the teachers who get in touch with your parents, if necessary. If any 

problem arises, you should let your Guidance Teachers know about it. They will 

discuss it with you and help you to find an answer. You will be shown where your 

Guidance Office is. 

YOUR CLASS 

As there will be approximately 250 pupils in first year, there will be 13 Form Classes 

with up to 20 pupils in each. You will be in a class with some other pupils from your 

primary school but most of the people in your class will be new to you. This means 

you will be able to make a lot of new friends. Every morning for 12 minutes, you will 

go to registration. There, your Form Tutor, as well as checking that you are present, 

will read out any notices to you. You will remain with the same Form Tutor during 

your time at Balwearie and you will soon get to know him or her. 

Form Tutor List 

House/Guidance Form Class Form Tutor 

Grange 

Mrs Gray 

Mrs Brown/ Ms Sinclair 

1G1 

1G2 

1G3 

Ms McGibbon 

Ms Taylor 

Miss MacDonald 

Kilrie 

Mrs Low 

Mr Dewar 

Piteadie 

Mrs Mitchell 

Mrs Ferguson 

Raith 

Mrs Final 

Miss Campbell 

Tyrie 

Mr Carter 

Mrs Mearns 

1K1 

1K2 

1K3 

1P1 

1P2 

1R1 

1R2 

1R3 

1T1 

1T2 

Ms C Lynch 

Mr Holland 

Mr Campbell 

Mrs E Brunton/ 

Miss P Stewart 

Mr MacDonald 

Mrs Allan 

Mrs Penny/Mrs Williamson 

Ms L Philp 

Miss Montague 

Miss Zaidan 


SCHOOL SUBJECTS 

You will see from the list on the following page that there are a lot of subjects to be 

studied in first year. We know that you will find these subjects interesting and we hope 

that you will work to the best of your ability. You will be given homework regularly 

and usually at the end of units of work, you will tested. This means that you will have 

to spend some time each day making sure that you have understood and learned your 

work. 

EXTRA CURRICULAR 

Balwearie High School is not only about study. Your talents can be developed in one of 

the many clubs, societies or activities available to you after teaching stops e.g. 

Badminton, Science, Wind Band, Cross-country, Football, Skiing, Art Club – and these 

are only a few! 

Clubs take place at lunchtime or immediately after school. 


Curriculum 

Area 

Expressive 

Arts 

Health & 

Wellbeing 

Languages 

Subjects 

Art 

Dance 

Drama 

Music 

Physical 

Education 

Social 

Education 

Home 

Economics 

English 

Overview 

to draw, work on design briefs, use 3-dimensional materials 

and study the work of artists 

see Health & Wellbeing 

to offer a ‘taster’ of various aspects of drama 

to introduce you to solo performing, group 

performing, listening and inventing 

to teach you gymnastics, dance, swimming, 

basketball, athletics, football, rugby and 

hockey 

to develop the skills that you will require to 

make sensible choices and decisions so that 

you can develop to your maximum potential 

see Technologies 

to help you build your skills in reading, writing, talking and 

listening 

French/ 

German/ 

Spanish 

Mathematics Maths 

Religious & 

Moral 

Education 

RME 

to read, speak and understand a modern foreign language 

to focus on developing numeracy skills and solving 

problems 

to think about the meaning and value of life and to 

learn about some of the major issues that are facing 

the world today 

Science Science to introduce you to how scientists work and think and 

to help you understand the ways in which science 

affects your everyday life 

Social 

Subjects 

Geography 

History 

to encourage your understanding of the Earth you live on 

to study human behaviour in the past 

Modern 

Studies 

Technologies Home 

Economics 

ICT 

to understand Britain and the world today 

to help you learn the skills that are needed to cope with 

everyday life 

to develop skills in word processing, databases, 

spreadsheets, graphics, e-mail and internet 

Technology 

to work with wood and metal and to solve problems 


YOUR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 

What happens if I get lost? 

For the first week at Balwearie, the S6 helpers will help you to 

get from class to class and collect your class. You will find that 

you will very quickly find your way around school. If, however, 

you do get lost, ask a teacher for help. Your teachers will be very 

understanding while you are new to the school. 

What if I don’t feel well during the school day? 

You should tell your class teacher. If necessary you will be sent to the First Aider’s 

office (near the school office) where help is available. If you are not in class, go 

directly to the First Aider’s Office. Never walk out of school if you feel unwell – you 

must see a First Aider either Mrs Gilroy or Mrs Sutherland. 

What happens if I have a medical problem that affects my lessons? 

Your primary school will send us information about your previous health, but if this 

changes, then you should let your Guidance Teacher know. 

What if I have an appointment with the doctor or dentist during the school day? 

Take your appointment card or a letter from your parent to Mrs Kinnear (Office) before 

9.00 a.m. on the day before your appointment. She will give you a slip which gives you 

permission to leave the school. Show this slip to your class teacher at the beginning of 

the period in which you need to leave for your appointment. When you return from 

your appointment you must sign in at the School Office. 

What do I do if I am absent because I am ill? 

Your parent must contact the school on the first day of your absence. On your return to 

school, you must give a signed ‘absence’ note to your Form Tutor. 

What do I do if I am late for school? 

You must go to the School Office to sign in. You will be given a ‘late slip’. You will 

then take this to your class teacher. If you are late on a number of occasions, either 

during registration or afterwards, Mrs Brawley and your Guidance teacher will become 

concerned and will try to help you solve your problem. 


What do I do if I want to go on holiday during term time? 

Your parent must write to Mrs Brawley a few days before the date of your holiday, 

asking permission and giving the exact dates. Please note that the Scottish Government 

is keen to discourage pupils from going on holiday during term-time. 

Will I have friends from my primary school in my class? 

We do our best to make sure that you are with someone you know. By the end of the 

first week at Balwearie you will have started to make new friends. You will be 

surprised how quickly you will begin to feel at home! 

What do I do if I need help? 

Don’t worry! You can ask your Form Tutor or you can go to your Guidance Teacher. 

If your Guidance Teacher is not in his or her office, then you will find a Self-Referral 

Slip in the outer Guidance Office. Complete this and post it in the Self-Referral Box 

next to the slips. Your Guidance Teacher will then send you an appointment slip to go 

and see him or her. 

When is the Guidance Trip? 

Pupils in each Guidance House go on an S1 Guidance Trip. Form Tutors, Guidance 

Teachers and S6 Helpers from each Guidance House also go on the trip. The trip costs 

approximately £20. Further details will be given out in August. 

What is a myfife card? 

This is a card with your photograph on it. Within the 

school, the card is used: 

In the school library 

For payment of school meals. (Cash is not accepted 

in the cafeterias. You have to load money on to your 

myfife card in order to buy your lunch. Cash is 

loaded automatically for you if you are entitled to free 

school meals.) 

What do I do if I lose my myfife card? 

Go to the School Office. It costs £5 for a replacement myfife card, therefore be careful 

and do not lose this one! 


IMPRESSIONS OF BALWEARIE HIGH SCHOOL 

First 

Impressions... 

First Day... 

Guidance... 

Friends... 

Food... 

Getting 

Lost... 

Other 

comments...’ 

‘The school is really big and exciting. I couldn’t wait to see the 

interesting classrooms and teachers’ – Ashleigh Macgregor 

‘It was a very big school with seemingly endless corridors’ – Euan 

Kennedy 

‘Awesome’ – Donald Gavin 

‘Enormous’ – Holly Robertson 

‘Huge compared to Primary! So many stairs!’ – Lauren Smith 

‘It was brilliant, but there was a lot of information to take in’ – Gregor 

Penman 

‘I was really excited, but a bit scared’ – Erin Thomson 

‘It was great. I made lots of new friend and got settled in my classes’ – 

Rayhan Mushtaq 

‘Everyone was helpful, especially the Sixth years’ – James Leggat 

‘Scared, but I was fine as I was always with someone I knew in my 

classes’ – Georgia Lamont-Boyce 

‘They’re nice and help with any problems’ – Kaitlyn Marshall 

‘They always listen’ – Amy Brown 

‘Good, understanding teachers’ – Calum Brown 

‘Very kind and helpful people’ – Kieran McCrossan 

‘I feel I could go to Guidance if I ever needed to’ – Mark Girdwood 

‘Happy, calm, helpful’ – Daniel Morsley 

‘I’ve met loads of friends at Balwearie who are really nice’ – Louise 

Scott 

‘I met new friends, but kept my old ones too’ – Morgan Macduff 

‘I made lots of friends in High School’ – Courtney Hunter 

‘You might think you’re shy and will not make friend, but straight 

away you will!’ – Jade Paterson 

‘Delicious, super tasty!’ – Corey Young 

‘The toffee muffins are amazing!’ – Courtney Hunter 

‘The pizza and bacon rolls are good’ – Billy McIntosh 

‘Yummy’ – Wiktoria Wisniewska 

‘Better than Primary. Lots more types of food – Subs are the best!’ – 

Chloe Shepherd 

‘If you get lost, don’t worry – just ask someone and they will show you 

the way’ – Niamh Morris 

‘I just followed my personal Sat Nav, Callum Young’ – Matthew 

Miller 

‘It was easy to find our way around’ – Dean Whitton 

‘Just stick with someone smart!’ – William Angles 

‘Just remember which stairs to go up and down. Everything is logical 

and has been thought about!’ – Quianne Reijnen 

‘Overall it has been good’ – Brad Temple 

‘It’s a really good school ‘ – Ashley MacGregor 

‘Good luck at Balwearie’ – Wiktoria Wisniewska 


BULLYING – IT DOESN’T NEED TO GO ON 

What is Bullying? 

Bullying is when someone means to hurt, or threaten, or frighten someone. 

Bullying behaviour can take the form of 

• kicking, pushing, punching 

• name-calling, passing on threatening comments, threatening 

• gestures 

• forcing someone to give money or other things 

If you are being bullied: It doesn’t need to go on 

It will be stopped if you explain what is happening to a teacher you can trust. You can 

do this confidentially – no-one else needs to know. The teacher will listen to you and 

something will be done. You may feel more comfortable telling your parents, or 

another member of your family, or a friend. You can also e-mail your Guidance 

Teacher at wecare@balwearie.fife.sch.uk 

If you know someone else is being bullied or you see behaviour with which you are 

unhappy: It doesn’t need to go on 

You have a duty to report it to a teacher. You can do this confidentially – no-one else 

needs to know. If you don’t report it you are allowing the bullying to carry on. Do you 

really want this to happen? 

If you don’t want to give your name, you can put a note into the box in your 

Guidance teacher’s room. 

If you are a bully: It doesn’t need to go on – it must stop 

You may be unhappy with the situation. It can be difficult to change the way you feel 

and behave towards other people. You can get help. Speak to a teacher who you can 

trust. Guidance teachers will take time to listen, understand and help. 


CLASSROOM VALUES 

A few years ago, all pupils in Balwearie High School discussed how pupils should act 

in order to make the school a better place for everyone. These are the values which they 

saw as being really important. 

Responsibility for your own actions is important. 

Ensure fairness to others, respect their beliefs and opinions and treat them as equals. 

Show a positive attitude in class. 

Personal potential is achieved when you work to the best of your ability. 

Everyone should be treated as you would like to be treated yourself. 

Create a safe and happy working environment for everyone. 

Teamwork is important; when necessary, work this way to achieve greater goals. 

Responsibility: 

Arrive promptly 

for lessons 

Bring the 

necessary 

equipment 

Responsibility: 

No eating in class 

No personal 

music systems 

No mobile 

phones 


HOMEWORK 

Work done at home is a very important part of your education and you 

will receive homework on a regular basis while you are at Balwearie. 

Remember that even if you have not been given a formal piece of work, 

you will be expected to go over the work covered in class that day. You 

should be spending a minimum of 3 hours per week on work at home. 

On your first day at Balwearie, you will be given a Homework Planner in which to 

record your homework. 

In your planner on blue coloured paper there is information on Learning Styles and 

helpful hints on Study and Homework. 

There is also a section printed on yellow coloured paper called “Tracking 

Performance”. Each time you receive a piece of homework or a test back from your 

teacher, you will be asked to write down the comments your teacher has made on your 

work. In this way, you will note your strengths and areas for improvement. You will 

then talk to your teachers about how to make these improvements. 

The Homework Planner is such an important document that it is a “MUST HAVE” and 

a “MUST CARRY”! 

HOMEWORK CODE 

Have your homework planner with you every day 

Organise your homework so that it is not left to the last minute 

Make sure your homework is neat and tidy 

Ensure that you understand the homework task given 

Work in an area where you can complete your homework effectively 

Once homework is completed, check it thoroughly 

Return all homework on time 

Keep up-to-date with all homework

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