The Guidance department has the primary responsibility for the pastoral care of all pupils attending the school.

Working closely with Heads of House and class register teachers, each Principal Teacher of Guidance will work to ensure a safe, secure environment for the pupils in their care. The Guidance Team has close links with outside agencies including Social Work, Police, Higher & Further Education.

In order to develop close links and to foster an atmosphere of trust and security, one to one and/or group interviews are offered to all pupils in addition to a structured weekly contact through PSE ( Personal & Social Education ) where age / stage related themes are explored and developed.

Principal Teachers of Guidance are also closely involved in the committee structure running in the school which ensures that at all times, the pupils are represented in any decision making process.

The well established Peer Support system running in the school is fully supported by the Guidance Department who take a leading role in the training and support of youngsters and staff involved in the programme.

House Head /Principal Teacher links:

Cheyne:
Depute: Mrs G. McClymont       PTGuidance: Mrs P. Fraser
Forbes:
Depute: Mrs J. McMillan            PTGuidance: Mr K. Montgomery
Keith:
Depute: Mr I. Stanger                 PTGuidance: Ms J. Robertson
McDonald:
Depute: Mrs K. Hall                    PTGuidance: Ms G. Scott
Sinclair:
Depute: Mrs L. Mudie                PTGuidance: Ms M. Watt
 

Principal Teachers of Guidance are currently involved in the teaching of the following SQA subject areas:

Social & Vocational Skills ( SVS ) at Standard Grade Level

Skills For Work: Rural Skills Intermediate 1

Lifeskills at Intermediate 1 / 2 level

Non-SQA courses:

The Personal & Social Education Programme ( PSE ) is delivered to all pupils by the Guidance Team – normally to pupils in their own House and in class groups. This fosters closer relationships between pupils and their Principal Teacher of Guidance.

Through S1 – S6 themes are developed utilising traditional worksheets & booklets, regular access to IT facilities and enhanced by visiting speakers from Fire, Police, School Nurse, Ellon Young Peoples Project, the Cyrenians, Aberdeen University and others.

The PSE programme is constantly under review in order to keep it up to date and relevant to the pupils.

Guidance staff also input to the current S1 curriculum insert: “Boys to Men”

Guidance staff are currently involved in planning delivery of a new insert into the S1 curriculum for the 2010 – 2011 session