Monifieth High School

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Monifieth High School, a comprehensive state high school in Monifieth, Angus, Scotland, was founded in 1976. Its current headmaster is Richard Coton. The school enrolls approximately 1100 pupils from a catchment area including Monifieth, parts of Barnhill, Birkhill and other rural areas of Angus including The Hillbanks area. The school caters to pupils with assisted needs. The Support For Learning department takes part in a number of activities throughout the year to enhance the learning of the pupils involved, this included a "21st Century Record of Achievement" and walk the Dundee Marathon. They walked last year's in 3 days 3 hours and 45 minutes.^[1]^[2]

1 Performance
2 Facilities
3 House system
4 Uniforms
5 Notable staff and alumni
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Performance

In November 2006, Monifieth was inspected by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education^[3]. According to the report, the school's Higher results dropped from 36 to 30% for pupils passing 3 or more highers from 2005 to 2006.

[edit] Facilities

In 2004, the school renovated many of its facilities, including the reception area, new changing rooms, increased singing rooms in the music department, the installation of many interactive whiteboards in classrooms^[4] and the renovation of toilet facilities (yet to be implemented).

[edit] House system

The school operates a house system with three houses: Balmossie, Dalhousie and Panmure. The pupils are separated into these for registration classes (in the majority of cases, although there has been some exceptions in senior classes) and they also compete in these houses in sporting events throughout the year. The house that performs the best overall wins the house trophy at the end of the year which is presented in an awards ceremony. Other prizes awarded at the prize giving ceremony include subject prizes (S3 to S6), Academic Achievement awards, Certificates of Merit and the school Dux & Proxime Accessit awards.

The pupil councils in Monifieth High School aim to promote and enhance the quality of school life for staff and pupils. There is one council per year group for S1 to S5 and consultation for S6 is via the school captains. There are two representatives per register class for years S1 to S5, generally one male and one female. The school is currently exploring ideas to improve two-way communication between pupils and pupil council representatives.^[5]

[edit] Uniforms

The official school uniform is as follows: a white, black or blue blouse/shirt; a school tie; navy blue or black v-neck sweater or cardigan without any logos; grey, navy blue or black trousers or skirt; black or very dark shoes; outer jackets are to be worn in inclement weather, brightly coloured or denim jackets are not to be worn. The school's uniform was recently widened and now include black shirts and black trainers. ^[6]

Approximately once every term, there is a "non-uniform" day with pupils paying a small fee (usually £1) to wear clothing of their choice. Variations on this theme include a "Pink Day" in aid of Cancer Research UK, and "Funny Hat Day".

[edit] Notable staff and alumni

Notable teacher Mrs. Rhona Goss won the "Teachers Of Physics" award in 2005 from the Institute of Physics.^[7] Mr. Graeme Kiddie, a depute-rector and Physics teacher at the school is a member of The Education Institute of Scotland Council^[8]

The school has also produced a number of bands and musicians over the years, with many going to prestigious musical colleges such as the Royal Academy. One famous alumnus is Snow Patrol's keyboard player, Tom Simpson, the only Scottish member of the band.