Earlston High School

The school’s hair salon, Style@EHS, was officially opened by Joshua Miller of internationally renowned Charlie Miller Hairdressing on Wednesday 25th January. Huge, airy and as well-equipped as any high street salon, it boasts two backwashes, nine styling positions and two immaculate manicure tables. The school has ensured the facilities are matched by excellent vocational education, appointing Ambition Centre for Training to deliver the Skills for Work course. Every week two educators from ACT, Tracey McKeown and Wendy Gobby, both working hairdressers, provide the latest training to the pupils.

The hairdressing course was launched to an enthusiastic third year in 2010. Now, halfway through their second year, the sixteen girls in the class are a credit to the school. Smartly dressed in their salon tunics, embroidered with their names and the school’s logo, they are friendly, communicative and polite, everything a professional hairdresser needs to be.

“It’s been an amazing course,” says Emma N, aged 16. “I am so much more confident now, especially after my work placement, when I worked in a real salon.”

As she chats, her friend Emma M, who is practising dressing Emma N'slong hair, joins in: “We know more now about how important it is to keep the salon tidy, about health and safety and how to behave with clients.”

The course is in its second year, with the newest cohort from third year preparing for their work experience. To get into the course everyone must apply and then be interviewed by ACT before they are accepted. It has been hugely popular and it is hoped the current second years will be tempted to apply for the course in the coming weeks. Many of the students in both the third and fourth year are interested in following hairdressing as a career. Whilst others on the course are keen on fashion, theatre or beauty, areas Mrs McDonald sees as complemented by hairdressing training. “The Skills for Work course is very good for developing skills beyond the classroom such as confidence, communication and team-working.”

In preparation for the official opening, the girls have been practising their styling and developing mood boards to demonstrate to VIPs from SQA, ACT, and Charlie Miller. Presenting their work is as much a part of the course as learning about shampooing and drying hair, health and safety in the salon, presentation and communication skills and how to work as a team. But dressing hair is clearly the favourite aspect and one they can show to their friends beyond the course. For the launch Samantha has been perfecting a bow bun on Eilidh Hogg, a style she developed for a friend who had a posh wedding to go to.

All agree that it’s great to see the girls working away on their hairdressing skills or building up their mood boards in the large, well-lit salon. They are learning real vocational skills from experienced hairdressers in a fantastic environment.

Thursday 26 January – S5/6 Burns Supper. The Parent Council Sub Group has again organised a Burns Supper for senior students and their parents. The evening is always good fun and an excellent tribute to Burns. It follows the traditional format with speeches from the Heads of School and we welcome back Mr Scott Renwick as one of our guest speakers. Tickets are available from the school office or from Iona, Caroline, Andrew and Andrew. Priced : £8 adults; £5 students.

Thursday 2 February – S2 Parents Information Evening. This evening will inform parents of second year pupils about the course choice procedure and how the school is moving forward with Curriculum for Excellence.

Thursday 9 February – Wednesday 15 th February (inclusive) – school is closed to pupils for inservice (9 th) and February mid-term holiday. Reopens on Thursday 16 February.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – The school will be closed on Monday 4 th June and Tuesday 5 th of June as a national holiday to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and an annual local holiday. The senior timetable will start on Wednesday 6 June and Induction Days have now moved to Friday 17 th August

P7 Visit Days – These will be Tuesday 12 th and Wednesday 13th June.

Although it seems quite far away now, the students enjoyed the Christmas celebrations at school which included their formal Dance at the end of term. Everyone looked amazing and had a brilliant time. Many thanks to the PE department for ensuring everyone was familiar with the dance steps and for being the MCs for the junior dances. Huge thanks also to Miss McDougal and her team of staff and sixth years for organising and supporting the dances.

Last Tuesday two coach loads of excited first years visited the Kings’ Theatre in Edinburgh for Cinderella. The trip was organised by the sixth year committee and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. This is the second event the S6 committee has organised – previously they treated junior pupils to a visit to the zoo.

The Charity Fashion Show held at Earlston High School on 7 th December was a great success. The show featured fabulous designs from Next, LA Bridalwear, The Kilt Shop and House of Hogarth. The night raised over £600 for our three charities: International Red Cross; Cancer Research UK and Borders Aspergers and Autism Group Support. The Charities Committee who organised the event would like to thank all of the businesses for participating in the event and all of our helpers from Heriot-Watt University who helped on the night.

Wednesday 14 th December saw second years demonstrating their charitable natures. We were visited by Captain Steven Turner from Hawick Salvation Army centre and Reverend Graham Astles from Jedburgh Old and Trinity church.

Students learned about the ways in which homeless and poverty stricken people are helped and cared for in their own communities. The focus was on the Scottish Borders and we touched on situations around the world.

Students have donated non-perishable goods and household wares for the benefit of those less fortunate. These will be stored at the Jedburgh ‘Food-bank.’ Household items will find their way to ‘Fresh Start Borders’ based in Selkirk.

Very well done to all the pupils who donated these gifts, they are most welcome – Thank you one and all from the RME Department!

The EHS ‘Young Boys’ football team became men at Earlston High School’s senior Friday night 5-a -side football league. With stiff competition coming from other competing teams Bayer Neverlosin’ and Bayern Bru, the Champions were run close in a tight league competition that began back in August. A special mention must go to bottom team The Chimps who finished the campaign with one single point, despite their best efforts over the three months.

All participating players would like to thank both Mr. Henderson and Mr. Scott for overseeing both the junior and senior leagues and making the Friday night leagues possible.

Earlston High School’s Charities Committee is holding a charity Fashion Show on Wednesday 7 th December at 7 pm, featuring clothes from LA Bridalwear, The Kilt shop, Next, House of Hogarth and more!

All clothes modelled by S6 pupils and some brave teachers. All proceeds go to our charities; International Red Cross, Cancer Research UK and Borders Asperger’s and Autism Group Support.

Also on the night there will be accessory stalls, whose creations have been featured during the show and a Christmas Wreath stall. Wreaths will be available to buy or order on the night.

Tickets are £4.50 for adults and £3.50 for concessions and tickets will be available to purchase from the school or on the door. Raffle, teas and coffees and cake and candy will also be available on the night.