Rector's Message
It has been a very busy and positive start to the new term. Our S5 and S6 prelim examinations have run smoothly, and we are pleased with the mature and focused approach taken by our senior pupils throughout. This week has also brought the excitement of our 1:1 iPad deployment. It has been fantastic to see the devices already being used so confidently across classes, with many pupils eager to demonstrate their learning in new and creative ways. The enthusiasm in classrooms has been clear, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact on learning and teaching. I must take this opportunity to thank Mrs Morris, the Transforming Learning team and our fantastic digital ambassadors who have worked to hard this week to ensure that the deployment went smoothly. It was wonderful to see so many parents and carers at both the Transforming Learning Information Evening and the Course Choice Information Evening. We hope you found the presentations helpful in supporting your young person as they make important subject choices for next session. All of the information shared is available on the school website for anyone who was unable to attend or wishes to revisit the guidance. We also held our first Parent Council meeting on Wednesday 28th since the AGM in September, and there was lots of thoughtful and constructive discussion. We are grateful for the continued engagement and support from our Parent Council in shaping the life and work of the school. However, I would like to draw attention to a growing concern regarding school uniform. We have noticed a sharp deterioration in standards, particularly among some S5 and S6 pupils. Despite individual conversations and reminders, a number of pupils continue to choose not to wear the correct uniform. Maintaining high expectations is a team effort, and we appreciate your support in reinforcing the importance of full school uniform. This is not only about appearance it nurtures habits that prepare young people for life and work, and it strengthens our shared sense of ethos, it clearly identifies Bell Baxter pupils, and builds community within the school. Upcoming dates for your diary;
- 10th February – The Bell Baxter Factor
- 11th – 13th February – School closed for Mid-term break
- 17th February – S2 Parent/Carer Information Evening
- 19th March – S1 Parent/Carer Information Evening
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support. Have a lovely weekend. Lynn Black Rector
Supporting our school
Over the last few years, the small group of parents that make up Bell Baxter’s Parent Council have done their best to support pupils and the school, and this year we want to do even better! Providing financial support has been key to so many projects, enabling pupils to participate in activities – some as far afield as Lord’s Cricket Ground in London – as well as buying items that make life easier to deliver teaching and learning, as well as practical support. Many parents and carers will know that during the pandemic, the Parent Council worked hard fundraising to buy or refurbish laptops to ensure every household had at least one device. We also bought notebook laptops and visualiser cameras that allowed teachers to engage more fully with pupils during online classes. Pupils often come to the Parent Council seeking support and over the last year or so, we were very pleased to provide funds to allow the school basketball team to buy kit, embroidered with the school logo which not only makes them look smart, but also encourages team spirit. Similarly, when parents and pupils got in touch to ask if we could support the Bell Baxter cricket team’s trip to Lord’s Cricket Ground in November to receive the prestigious Forty Club Trophy, the Parent Council team was keen to help. This award celebrates excellence in Forty Club school cricket across the UK and Bell Baxter became only the fourth Scottish school – and only state school - to receive the Forty Club trophy since its inception in 1986. We were very happy to help make sure the group could travel to London to receive the reward and make the school community proud. The Parent Council has also provided funding for three pupil-led soup and sandwich lunch sessions and three afternoon tea sessions. Funding has also helped support Bella, the school’s much-loved therapy dog. Many in the school community will be aware the school has launched a free breakfast club for all at The Neuk, and to support this the Parent Council covered the cost of a fridge freezer. We are very proud to be able to help in this way but as a small group of volunteers with jobs and busy family lives like everyone else, it can be difficult to ensure we can do all we would like to. But there’s still more we could do, with your help.
Our focus this term
📚 The School Library Project The school library is a lovely space, but it isn’t used as much as it could be. Working with the school, we want to turn it into a warm, welcoming place where pupils can:
- Read for pleasure
- Study quietly on their own
- Work together in small groups
- Take time out in a quiet space
💙 The Bell Baxter Wellbeing 500 Club The 500 Club is a simple way to support school projects, pupil activities, and cover the cost of providing school ties given to every new S1 pupil. For a small annual cost:
- You’re entered in a monthly prize draw
- 50% of the money goes to prizes
- 50% goes straight back into supporting the school
A few more members would make a real difference! Support the school while you shop By signing up to Easy Fundraising, you can help raise money for Bell Baxter when you shop online – at no extra cost to you. Last year, just 38 supporters raised over £600. Imagine what we could do with a few more people involved. Get involved If you’d like to support our pupils, you could also come along to a Parent Council meetings. These are friendly, relaxed and informal. There’s no long-term commitment – just a chance to share ideas and help support our school. The next Parent Council meeting is on Wednesday 25th March, 7pm, at the school For more information, please email bellbaxter.parentcouncil@gmail.com
S1 YPI Launch
S1 pupils took part in the YPI (Youth and Philanthropy Initiative) launch during periods 3 and 4 on Wednesday 14th January. Heather from The Wood Foundation delivered an engaging and informative session, highlighting the vital role charities play in supporting people within our local community. Pupils also had an input on leadership and teamwork led by five senior pupils: Liv Milner, Emily White, Cole Christie, Jack Harrison and Harry Simpson. The senior pupils shared their own experiences of effective teamwork and explained how working collaboratively helps to develop key skills such as communication, leadership and problem-solving. As part of their Business studies, S1 pupils will now work in teams to raise awareness of a charity they feel deserves to win £3,000, building confidence, teamwork and social responsibility along the way.
The Big Ideas Day
We are delighted to be piloting the “Solutions to the Planet Programme” in Bell Baxter this year. Please see link to website below: Solutions for the Planet Around 100 young people from across the curriculum(S1-3) were off timetable on Wednesday to take part in the Big Ideas Day to launch the programme. Our Global Goals Captains gave an incredible opening welcome speech and were supported throughout the day by an amazing team of senior mentors from the group, the school captains and Rights Respecting Schools Captains. Our young people were tasked with creating a ‘Big Idea’ to help solve a sustainability issue and worked in teams to develop their product, service or campaign. They learned about the Sustainable Development Goals and were given time to think about solutions for the planet and a better world. Throughout the day young people developed their STEM, team working, creativity and presentation skills along with mentors from local businesses. The presentations and ideas were inspirational, and we can’t wait to see how they will be developed over the coming months. We aim to enter some teams into the regional final in May 2026 and hope to progress to the National Final at the Houses of Parliament in London in June 2026! Many thanks to all involved in making the day such a success! Please see some of the comments from young people in the table below:
Instrumental lessons
Notice for all pupils receiving instrumental lessons in and out of school There will be a meeting in Room 106 (Ms Henderson’s Room) for all pupils S1-6 who have instrumental/music lessons both in and out of school on Monday 19th January starting at 12.45pm (lunchtime). You are welcome to come along before the meeting starts from 12.30 to eat your lunch in the room. Please let Ms Henderson know if you are unable to make the meeting so the relevant information can be passed on to you. Notice for all S1-2 pupils All pupils interesting in joining an S1/2 Singing Group should come to a meeting in Room 106 (Ms Henderson’s Room) on Wednesday 21st January starting at 12.45pm. There will not be auditions or solos required and it is open to all who enjoy singing. You are welcome to come along before the meeting starts from 12.30pm to eat your lunch in the room. Notice for all S3-6 pupils All pupils interesting in joining a Senior Singing Group should come to a meeting in Room 106 (Ms Henderson’s Room) on Thursday 22st January starting at 12.45pm. There will not be auditions or solos required and it is open to all who enjoy singing. You are welcome to come along before the meeting starts from 12.30 to eat your lunch in the room.
Music Podcast
School Contacts
General Enquiries and Quick Links
School Address: Bell Baxter High School, Carslogie Road, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4HY
School Telephone Number: 01334 659459
Pupil Absence Text Line: 07860 004290
School E-mail Address: Bellbaxterhs.enquiries@fife.gov.uk
School Website: https://bellbaxterhighschool.org.uk/
School Facebook: https://b-m.facebook.com/BellBaxterHS/
Parent Council Website: https://bellbaxterhighschool.org.uk/Parent-Council/
Parent Council Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BellBaxterParentCouncil
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