Article Date: Monday 27th March 2006
Duncanrig will be closed to all children on Tuesday 28th March 2006, therefore pupils should not report to school on that day.
Teaching staff are not involved in the industrial action and may be working in the school or at another location on that day.
G Wynne (Head Teacher)
Article Date: Thursday 23rd March 2006
I wish to inform you that a number of trade unions for local government employees have notified the Council that their members will be taking part in strike action on Tuesday, 28 March 2006. This action may include the withdrawal of labour by cleaning, catering, janitorial, school crossing patrollers and support services staff.
I can confirm that every effort will be made to maintain continuity of services to the local community and to minimise disruption to children’s learning however, at this stage it is difficult to predict what effect the strike will have and it could mean that some schools/establishments will have to close at short notice.
Can I also ask that you make precautionary childcare arrangements for your child(ren) in case the school/establishment has to close on
For schools that may be open, some services may not be provided as normal, for example, the provision of school meals. Pupils may have to bring their own packed lunch to school on the day of the strike, and if necessary, arrangements will be made to provide a cold snack meal for children who normally receive a free meal. The school crossing patrols may also be affected for the day and parents should be aware that it is their responsibility to ensure that their child(ren) gets to school safely.
I hope this advance information makes you aware of what could arise given that the trade unions have indicated their intention to take industrial action. I will inform you as soon as the position with our school is known. Could I also ask for your help in limiting telephone calls to the schools to emergency calls only.
G Wynne (Headteacher)
Article Date: Monday 27th February 2006
Please be aware that pupils are expected not to bring items of value to school with them. South Lanarkshire Council is not insured for nor does it accept liability for loss or damage to personal property in schools. If your child brings valuable items to school, eg jewellery, iPod/MP3 players, we are unable to offer compensation in the event of any mishap.
Article Date: Monday 27th February 2006
Parents of S3 pupils are reminded that reports for S3 pupils will be issued on
A computer room is being put aside to allow completion of the Parent Questionnaire if you find that you have time between interviews.
I would like to take this opportunity to make you aware that limited parking within our school grounds will be available. The contractors for our new building, AMEC, have built a ramp down to our main playground. Access to this temporary parking area is via our main pupil gates in
Article Date: Monday 27th February 2006
The analysis also revealed those pupils whose reports indicate a level of underperformance and inconsistent effort. These pupils will be interviewed by senior staff and their parents will receive a letter emphasising the importance of improved effort and of attendance at the supported study classes that will be provided in the run up to the SQA exams.
Article Date: Monday 27th February 2006
The electronic copy of this newsletter on our school website contains a “one-click” link to the questionnaire. It will be available online until 10th March. If you would prefer to complete the questionnaire on paper this can be arranged. Our Home-School Link Officer, Caroline Stewart will be more than happy to arrange this for you. Caroline can be contacted by telephone on our school number of 234254 or write to her here at Duncanrig.
Article Date: Tuesday 07th February 2006
The S5/6 Prelim Exam Timetable has been placed in the Document Download area of the web site.
Article Date: Tuesday 07th February 2006
Click on the "Our Community" buton on the web site for the latest information.
Article Date: Wednesday 25th January 2006
For many years, Duncanrig pupils have participated in this worthwhile event.
This year our non-uniform day will take place on Friday, 3rd February, and pupils are being encouraged to donate 50p in exchange for attending school that day without being expected to wear uniform.
All proceeds will help UNICEF’s work for children in
Pupils will be issued with a letter for parents explaining what we are trying to achieve.
Last year’s effort raised £612.13 for children in
M Towland
PT Geography
Article Date: Wednesday 11th January 2006
Over the past 2 months we have undertaken a thorough analysis and review of the curriculum on offer at all stages within Duncanrig. The revised option sheets that have emerged as a result of this exercise are being taken to pupil representatives and our School Board for their comments.
I have placed the option sheets in the “document download” area of our school website so that parents can view and comment upon them. Your comments can
be posted to me or emailed to me at headteacher@duncanrig.s-lanark.sch.uk .
Article Date: Wednesday 11th January 2006
Parents of S4 pupils are reminded that reports for S4 pupils will be issued during the week beginning
2 February from
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that it will not be possible to park within our school grounds, due to preparations for the commencement of our “new build”. Parking on the streets around our Main Entrance is very limited and difficult to access. Some parking is available at the Westwood Shopping Centre. I would advise you to park away from the campus and walk.
Article Date: Wednesday 11th January 2006
I am delighted to inform you that we intend to provide additional support to S5 and S6 pupils in the run up to their prelim exams. A programme of supported study classes has been devised to allow all pupils to gain access to teacher support after school.
Senior pupils have been issued with a programme detailing times and locations for each subject and are able to nominate themselves for as many as they can attend. A number of senior pupils whose recent reports indicate a level of underperformance have been interviewed by senior staff. Parents of these pupils will receive a letter emphasising the importance of attendance at the supported study classes.
We see this as a valuable support in our drive to raise the attainment of our pupils in examinations and urge you to encourage your child to take advantage of this opportunity. Details of the classes are available in the “document download” section of our school website.
Article Date: Tuesday 29th November 2005
A copy of our supported study programme to help prepare S4 pupils for the forthcoming prelim exams is available in the document download area of this website. Please ensure that you are aware of the opportunities available to pupils in the run up to these important exams.
Article Date: Monday 28th November 2005
The S3/S4 Preliminary Examination Timetable for the forthcoming prelims is available in the Document Download area. This timetable has been issued to all pupils and should be prominently displayed in bedrooms and kitchens near you!
Article Date: Monday 28th November 2005
I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents that, due to constrictions upon parking spaces as a result of preparations for our new building it will not be possible for parents to park on our school campus. Please be aware of this and make alternative arrangements for travel and/or parking. The gates to our school will be closed and access to Alberta Avenue will be restricted to members of staff and parents with disabilities who have contacted the school in advance. My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Article Date: Thursday 17th November 2005
I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of our Music Department, to invite you to our annual Music Concert. The concert will be held in our school Assembly Hall on Thursday 1st December at
Having read the programme, I can confirm that this year’s concert promises to be just as exciting as last year’s and well worth the wait. It will feature music from our school’s bands and orchestras, choirs and various instrumental groups. An additional piece of seasonal spice will be the inclusion of a short play from the newly-formed drama group.
I hope you will support us in this venture, and make a space in your diary, in order to enjoy with us what promises to be a very entertaining evening.
Tickets, price £3, will go on sale during the week preceding the concert.
Article Date: Thursday 27th October 2005
As some of you may be aware from media reports, I had to close our school early yesterday due to a very unusual event.
At the end of period 5 a first year pupil presented one of our History staff with a World War I artillery shell. Somewhat taken aback at this unexpected present, the member of staff sought guidance. The procedures for an event of this type are clear and the decision was taken to evacuate our school. I congratulate all staff and pupils that this was done in a very calm and orderly fashion. Whilst it may have been unlikely that the shell would explode, we are not willing to take chances with the safety of our pupils and staff.
Police were very quickly in attendance and after some investigations and the assistance of the pupil’s granny we were able to ascertain that the shell was perfectly safe.
I apologise for any inconvenience caused by our early closure yesterday but stress again that in circumstances like this the safety of pupils and staff is paramount.
Article Date: Wednesday 26th October 2005
The plans for the new Duncanrig Secondary School were passed by SLC Planning Committee yesterday. They have been sent to The Scottish Executive in Edinburgh for formal approval.
Article Date: Wednesday 12th October 2005
The closing date for nominations for membership of our School Board saw
7 parents and 3 members of staff put their names forward. Consequently, there is no need for an election and all 10 nominees will take their places on our new School Board in December. Details of membership can be found in the October Newsletter on this site.
Article Date: Wednesday 12th October 2005
I am delighted to inform you that our very successful Homework Club has been re-established this session. The club is provided to allow pupils to take advantage of an hour each day immediately after school to catch up with outstanding homework or to keep homework up-to-date. Pupils can self-refer if they wish to take advantage of the club or they may be referred by a class teacher. It the referral is made by a class teacher you will be notified by letter and asked for your permission for your child to attend. I encourage you to support teaching staff in this initiative to prevent pupils from building up unbearable burdens of homework.
Article Date: Wednesday 07th September 2005
Parents interested in being members of our School Board should watch school bags! Details of this round of school board elections and a parental letter are being issued to pupils on Friday 9th September. Nomination forms are available by contacting our school office. Completed nomination forms have to be returned to school by 3 pm on 6th October.
Article Date: Tuesday 14th June 2005
On the 19th of May the successor to David Forrest was appointed. The successful applicant was George Wynne. Mr Wynnehas been a member of staff at Duncanrig for over 20 years and was Acting Head Teacher following the promotion of Mr Forrest to the post of Head of Learning Community. He takes up his new post with immediate effect.
Article Date: Monday 13th June 2005
The new Duncanrig Secondary School opens its doors to pupils from Ballerup and Duncanrig on Monday 6th June at 9.00 a.m.
At 8.55, all pupils report to their new registration classes. Everyone will be issued with a new school tie (colours chosen by the pupils) and their new school timetables will be given out.
Pupils from S1 to S3 will start their new S2 to S4 timetable following an extended registration and pupils of S4/5 moving to S5/6 will take part in an Induction to Upper School programme.
Article Date: Saturday 23rd April 2005
The Interim Scool Board met on Thursday 21st April and reported that South Lanarkshire Council had agreed to the naming of the new school.
The school will retain the name Duncanrig Secondary School.
There was further discussion on retaining the name of Ballerup within the new set-up and this was carried forward for more deliberation.
New school colours have been the subject of intensive competition organised and co-ordinated by the Art staff in both schools. All pupils are currently voting on the final short leet of four and an announcement is anticipated next week.
Article Date: Thursday 10th February 2005
The first joint pupil excursion involving pupils and staff of both Ballerup High School and Duncanrig Secondary have just returned from a Careers in Europe seminar in Paris. A group of 11 S4 pupils from Ballerup and 19 from Duncanrig left Central station for the long journey to Paris, accompanied by 3 members of staff.
The overwhelming opinion of the 30 pupils was that the trip was a success in terms of the seminar but even moreso in terms of establishing positive relationships among the pupils. This augurs very well for the merger which lies ahead.
Article Date: Thursday 10th February 2005
After several meetings and an exhaustive consultation exercise, the Interim School Board agreed that the name to be put forward for consideration by SLC would be Duncanrig Secondary School. This will be subject to the approval of SLC before it can be adopted as the name of the new, merged school.
Article Date: Tuesday 14th December 2004
The Interim School Board continue to search for a school name that meets the needs of the combined communities of Ballerup High School and Duncanrig Secondary School,
All parents and members of our community are invited to submit their individual and/or collective views to the Interim School Board.
Article Date: Friday 05th November 2004
South Lanarkshire Council have invited the new Interim School Board to give consideration to a name for the secondary school created by the merger of Ballerup High School with Duncanrig Secondary School.
The Board are required to consult widely with parent groups and pupils. To this end, the Chair of the Interim School Board has written to the School Boards of all associated schools inviting them to consider this and to submit suggestions for further consideration. In parallel, the School Pupil Council`s of the associated schools have also been invited to submit suggestions.
Parents and interested members of our community are invited to participate in this exercise. Any name submitted should be accompanied by a short explanation/reason for the choice in order that a comparitive exercise can be conducted by the School Board.
Submissions should be sent to the school marked for the attention of the Interim School Board or alternatively e-mailed directly to the headteacher@duncanrig.s-lanark.sch.uk . All submissions must identify the source/group making the submission and should be received by 24th November.
Article Date: Sunday 12th September 2004
In preparation for the merger of Ballerup High School with Duncanrig Secondary School, an Interim School Board has been formed by joining both Boards together.
Mr Peter Ramsay, Chair of the Duncanrig School Board was elected Chair of the Interim School Board and Mr David Scullion, Chair of the Ballerup School Board was elected Vice-Chair of the Interim School Board.
At the time of writing, there have been two meetings of the newly formed Board and these meetings have been marked by an atmosphere of excellent participation and mutual agreement as preparations begin for the creation of the new school community.
Article Date: Sunday 12th September 2004
South Lanarkshire Council have announced the closure of Ballerup High School from June 2005.
Ballerup High will join with Duncanrig Secondary School as one school on the Duncanrig Campus in 2005.
The Head Teachers of both schools will work in close collaboration to ensure a smooth and effective transition for all pupils. Those pupils currently in P7 of the nine associated primary schools will be included in the ongoing primary/secondary transition programme.
Our nine associated primary schools are:
Auldhouse Primary
Canberra Primary
Castlefield Primary
Crosshouse Primary
East Milton Primary
Greenhills Primary
Kirktonholme Primary
Mossneuk Primary
South Park Primary
All pupils have been issued with an Information for Parents leaflet today, 7th September.
Article Date: Thursday 02nd September 2004
The School will close at 2.30 p.m. on Monday 6th September, 2004. This early closure is to facilitate a full staff meeting at which the future merger of Ballerup High School with Duncanrig Secondary School and the new school proposals will be outlined.
The authority are also preparing an information leaflet for parents and it is anticipated that this will be issued in the same week.
Article Date: Tuesday 29th June 2004
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer holidays.
The arrangements for restart are:
Exam Results expected Tuesday 10th August;
S5 and S6 students have a course interview time on Friday 13th August. Please telephone the School Office if unsure of your time, if seeking an alternative or if no longer attending. Students electing to leave school should advise the School Office as soon as possible and arrange to collect their Leaving Certificate.
Staff will attend an in-service programme on Monday 16th August and all pupils/students return at 9.00 a.m. on Tuesday 17th August.
Article Date: Thursday 03rd June 2004
Following on from our three day P7 Induction programme, a very successful Parents` Evening was held last night (Thursday 3rd June). This was for the parents of P7 pupils about to start their life at Duncanrig in August.
At this event, our newly formed PTA was launched and our first 22 new parent members signed up as participants.
To obtain further information about the PTA contact grandall@duncanrig.s-lanark.sch.uk
Article Date: Monday 01st March 2004
Article Date: Saturday 14th February 2004
In February, 2004 the school started daily after school classes for all pupils. Originally intended as an expansion of opportunities for pupils to use the school computers and Internet access, it has been found that many pupils value an opportunity to stay in school and complete a wide range of outstanding tasks before going home.
Pupils from first to sixth year now regularly attend supervised study classes between 3.40 and 4.40 p.m.
Pupils must book in to attend the classes to ensure that staff numbers are sufficient to match the demand. Pupils self refer to their teachers and some are advised to attend when they fall behind or experience dificulty with their work.
Pupils in first to fourth year are given a letter in order that their parents can permit their attendance. Students of class 5 and 6 are permitted to attend on their own initiative.
Article Date: Monday 02nd February 2004
The S5/6 Preliminary Examinations will be held in the Fornight beginning Monday 9 February to Friday 20 February.
All assemblies and lets for the school hall are cancelled during this period.
Article Date: Tuesday 30th December 2003
Happy New Year and a Prosperous 2004 to all associated with Duncanrig Secondary School
Article Date: Tuesday 16th December 2003
On Monday 15 December, we were host to two members of Her Majesty`s Inspectorate of Education.
During their visit, the Inspectors met with groups of pupils from S1 to S6, with our School Board Chairperson, with support staff and teaching staff.
The visit/inspection will permit the HMIe to prepare and submit an up to date report to the Minister for Education on the proposed merger with Ballerup High School and the provision of a new school.
The outcome of the Minister`s decisions on these matters is anticipated in January.
Article Date: Monday 01st December 2003
Where schools have more than 80% occupancy any local authority plans to merge, new built etc. require to be approved by the Scottish Executive.
As Duncanrig is a healthy, growing school beyond 80% occupancy, the Scottish Executive have been asked by South Lanarkshire Council to permit their plans for a new school, merging with Ballerup High School to go ahead.
To this end SEED have sought the professional advice of Her Majesty`s Inspectorate of Education and a team of two inspectors:
Maureen McKenna HMI and Jim Bruce HMI will visit the school for 1 or 2 days during early December.
Article Date: Wednesday 08th October 2003
At close of nominations, the school had received three parental nominations for the three vacancies and one staff nomination for the one staff vacancy. As a consequence there is no requirement for an election and the new School Board membership will be in post by December`s meeting.
For details of School Board visit this section of our web site.
Article Date: Monday 22nd September 2003
On Monday 22 September, Duncanrig is host to a member of Her Majesty`s Inspectors to schools. Mr Brian Stewart HMI will spend the day interviewing staff and pupils, visiting classes and generally seeking to find out the degree to which Duncanrig has responded to the NGfL initiative.
The inspection of the school`s use of ICT in Learning and Teaching and in Management is looked forward to by the Head Teacher. Duncanrig has, for many years, been at the forefront of technological developments and Mr Stewart should be well pleased by what he sees, finds and learns on his visit.
Article Date: Tuesday 02nd September 2003
School Board parent member elections will be held this term.
The School Board has six parent representatives and at this time three are due for re-selection.
Nomination forms are available by contacting the School Office.
Article Date: Monday 11th August 2003
All pupils should report for classes on Monday 18 August at 9.00 a.m. All S1 pupils should report to the School Assembly Hall and all others should go to their Registration Class as displayed on notice boards and doors.
All S5/6 students should attend for interview as previously intimated on Thursday 14 August at which time their final class arrangements/requirements will be gathered.
Please note that failure to attend for interview may preclude access to fully subscribed classes.
Article Date: Thursday 19th June 2003
A meeting of South Lanarkshire Council has been set for Wednesday 28 May to consider the outcome of the consultation process on the future of secondary education.
Following any Council decisions, the Head Teacher will write to all parents confirming the details (as known) of such decisions.
Article Date: Thursday 19th June 2003
Monday 10 March is an In-service Day for teaching staff. The school is closed to pupils.
All pupils return on Tuesday 11 March at 9.00 a.m.
Article Date: Thursday 19th June 2003
As part of their consultation exercise on proposals for secondary schools, South Lanarkshire will be hosting a series of Open Door Roadshows in their schools.
The Roadshow date for Duncanrig Secondary is Tuesday 4 March. The event will be open to the public from 2pm until 8pm.
Further information will be distributed from the school to parents.
Article Date: Thursday 19th June 2003
South Lanarkshire Council have issued consultation papers for parents today - Friday 7 February (one per family).
Anyone wishing a copy of this consultation material should request this from their associated school or from our school office - `phone 01355 234254
All parents and future parents are urged to indicate their views on the proposals.
Pupils will also be given an opportunity to express there views on the proposals
Article Date: Thursday 19th June 2003
South Lanarkshire Council have announced a period of consultation on a plan to upgrade and improve the secondary school provision across the Council.
This plan provides a new school for Duncanrig Secondary and includes the merger with Ballerup High.
The plan begins the consultation process on Monday 3 February.
The staff of Duncanrig Secondary have been advised of the details and the news that a new school might be built has been warmly received.
The Council consultation web site is due for launch and can be reached from the EDSL21 logo on our Home page
Article Date: Thursday 19th June 2003
All former pupils on the old web site are now transferred to the new site.
Changes can be submitted by selecting "Amend Your Details".
Article Date: Thursday 19th June 2003
To facilitate a staff meeting about Council proposals for a new school, the school will close early at 2.30 p.m. on Friday 24 January 2003.
Article Date: Thursday 19th June 2003
SLC have proposed the 5 in-service days for next session as:
Fri 15 August 2003
Thursday 25 September 2003
Monday 10 November 2003
Friday 5 March 2004
Friday 30 April 2004
Article Date: Thursday 19th June 2003
Mr Cameron and Mr Webb are currently working on the NEW Duncanrig Web Site. All comments would be welcome!
Article Date: Thursday 19th June 2003
South Lanarkshir Council have approved the building of a new school to house Duncanrig Secondary school and Ballerup High School.
The new school will be built on the existing Duncanrig Secondary School campus.
S3