As part of our Porty 150 celebrations, our Journalism class sat
down with Joyce Peacock to talk about her husband, Graham
“Rusty” Peacock – someone who poured his heart into Portobello High School for so many years. Joyce shares the passions that
drove Rusty, the journey that first brought him to Porty in 1981, and what it means to see his legacy live on through the school cafeteria that bears his name.
To read more follow this link: https://portobellojournal.wordpress.com/
Portobello High School turns 150 this year, and our Journalism class is marking the milestone by interviewing the people who make Porty… Porty. We’re talking to the teachers, staff, pupils and alumni whose stories bring the school’s history to life.
Kick things off with our first Porty 150 exclusive: an interview with Mr McDowall. He shares his vision for the school’s future, what leadership means to him, and some brilliant personal stories – including embarrassing moments, his rock‑band past, and what it was like teaching Lewis Capaldi before he was famous.
To read the latest edition follow this link: https://portobellojournal.wordpress.com
The students at Portobello High School have been working with visiting artist and puppet maker, Gretchen Maynard-Hahn, to create a collection of large-scale parade puppets inspired by Portobello’s rich seaside and showground heritage.
Across a series of hands-on workshops, students explored character design, simple mechanisms, and sculptural making techniques using lightweight materials such as cane, tissue paper and recycled cardboard. Drawing inspiration from the history of seaside entertainment including variety theatre, circus acts and promenade culture, the group developed a playful “surreal seaside circus” where marine creatures and carnival performers merge into imaginative new forms.
As well as building the puppets, students have begun shaping a short performance structure for the parade, experimenting with movement, atmosphere and storytelling to bring their creations to life.
The project will culminate in a live parade performance on Portobello Promenade, celebrating creativity, collaboration and Portobello’s longstanding tradition of seaside spectacle.
Below are a few examples of learners work of posters advertising the event.
On Thursday 12th February, our school dancers came together to put on a fabulous show.
On Thursday 29 January Portobello High School hosted a Burn’s supper and ceilidh. As part of our 150th anniversary celebrations, young people, parents/carers and relatives and the Portobello branch of the Rotary Club, celebrated together and had a memorable night.
Our second event of this celebratory year was our annual Christmas Concert which took place on Tuesday 16th December. Every year, the standard just seems to get better and the range and styles of performances wider. Around 200 pupils were involved as performers, with more helping as stage crew, lighting and AV operators and also hosting the whole event. A huge thank you as well to the
ongoing inspirational work of our Instrumental Music Staff and our classroom Music teachers. There
were performances from our Wind Band (S1-3), Junior Choir (directed by Ava Ellis, Eliza Ingrey-
Counter & Thomas Payne), Percussion Ensemble, Senior & Staff Choir (directed by Lucas Ryan), String
Orchestra, Guitar Ensemble, String Orchestra, Senior Wind Ensemble, Portonova Folk Band, Jazz
Band, Senior Band (S6 NPA class) and the last item of the evening was a rousing rendition of Merry
Christmas Everybody (Slade) as the Grand Finale. In the true spirit of Christmas, we also raised
£354.75 for the School Inclusion Fund which helps ensure equity of opportunity and experience for
all our school community. The evening was an inspirational and joyous occasion!
On Friday 12th December, we began our year of celebrating 150 years of Portobello High School with the return of “Porty Does Strictly”! It was a truly sparkling evening, full of fun, talent, entertainment, bringing smiles to all involved and everyone watching, with seven pupil couples and five staff couples completing for the winning spot. Congratulations to Caroline Bannon and David McCreath who came first with their Couples Choice, taking that sought after Glitter Ball! The comments from the judges, the input of the Jazz Band, the hosts and the superb technical team all helped to make the evening a truly memorable occasion.
