Category Archives: Secondary schools

‘Story-lab’ at Tarbert Academy

Events, Literacy, Secondary schools

Primary pupils in Tarbert Academy took part in the Story-lab reading challenge over the summer holidays.  Through Tarbert Library, pupils had to read six books and take part in puzzles, quizzes and activities relating to their reading.  On successfully completing the challenge, pupils were rewarded with a medal, a certificate and a voucher.  The voucher, for two free visits to the swimming pool, was kindly donated by the Mid Argyll Community Swimming Pool.

Our photograph shows the pupils who completed the challenge with their prizes and representatives of Tarbert Library and the swimming pool.

Na Seudan Tarbert Academy

Events, School trips, Secondary schools

Na Seudan, the fantastic folk group made up of pupils from Tarbert Academy, recently performed as part of The Edinburgh Fringe. From the Ross Bandstand, in Princes St. Gardens and in the shadow of the castle, they gave a stunning 1 hour concert to festival visitors.

The group perform mainly Gaelic songs in unique arrangements as well as including many traditional folk tunes.

Continue reading Na Seudan Tarbert Academy →

Promethean Storeroom Glow Group and ActivInspire

Learning Tech, Primary schools, Secondary schools, ,

There is now a Promethean Storeroom on Glow.   This has been set up to help Scottish teachers find resources on Promethean Planet relevant to Scotland and A Curriculum for Excellence. 

 It can be found here: https://portal.glowscotland.org.uk/establishments/inverclydecouncil/Promethean%20Storeroom/default.aspx or by doing a search for Promethean Storeroom on the National Glow pages.

Continue reading Promethean Storeroom Glow Group and ActivInspire →

Tarbert Academy Buskers

Events, School trips, Secondary schools

When the Paddle Steamer ‘Waverley’ docked at Tarbert Pier, passengers were greeted by Tarbert Academy pupils busking to raise funds for a school trip.  Tarbert Academy Music Department is organising an excursion to the musical ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and funds raised by the pupils help to make this trip more affordable for all pupils.  Visitors to Tarbert enjoyed the pupils’ performances and gave generously.

Catriona Hood HeadTeacher

Continue reading Tarbert Academy Buskers →

Social Enterprise

Events, Primary schools, Secondary schools, Social Enterprise

Registration is now open for the 2012-2013 Social Enterprise in School Awards.  An email has been sent to all schools detailing the Award Guidelines, Flier and details on last years winners, Colgrain Primary School and Kilmodan Primary School.

More information about Social Enterprise can be found on their website.  http://www.theacademy-ssea.org/

Continue reading Social Enterprise →

VENUES ANNOUNCED FOR CAST TWILIGHT CPD EVENTS

CPD, Primary schools, Secondary schools

Feeling like TOPPING UP YOUR TEACHING? EVERYBODY WELCOME!
As part of this year’s Creative Learning Network, CAST has secured funding to hold a series of CPD events in your area. We are delighted to offer FREE places on the following courses:
MAKING CHARACTERS AND TEACHING DRAWING
CREATIVE AND DOCUMENTARY FILM MAKING
COACHING YOUR PUPILS IN DRAMA
KODAMBA: CREATIVE ACTIVE MUSIC MAKING
SEE BELOW FOR VENUE INFORMATION
Continue reading VENUES ANNOUNCED FOR CAST TWILIGHT CPD EVENTS →

Invitation to visit THE BROOCH OF LORN at your local library!

Events, History, Primary schools, School trips, Secondary schools

The Brooch of Lorn is one of the great medieval jewels of Scotland, with a charmstone in its centre which was believed to have magic powers.
As Robert the Bruce fled during battle against the MacDougalls of Dunollie in 1306, he left behind his cloak. Pinned to this was the Brooch. It has been a great prize for the MacDougalls ever since and is still held by the Clan Chief. Originally it would have been a simpler jewel but around the same time as Shakespeare it was transformed into a fabulous silver and pearl brooch. Continue reading Invitation to visit THE BROOCH OF LORN at your local library! →

DGS CLASS COMICS RAISE A LAUGH AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE

Events, School trips, Secondary schools

Every teacher in the country has a story concerning the class comic, but staff at Dunoon Grammar School can now boast about the entire class of comics who took the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by storm.

Fifteen pupils from the school sacrificed the final day of their summer holidays to attend a comedy workshop at the amazing BBC venue at the Edinburgh Festival on Tuesday, 14 August.

Continue reading DGS CLASS COMICS RAISE A LAUGH AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE →

3XL – Community Project

Enterprise, Events, Secondary schools

Both XL Groups in 3rd year at Oban High School have recently worked together in planning and organising a Coffee Morning for the welcoming of our American visitors.  As this is the 20th year of the Oban/Laurinburg exchange they wanted to make it special.  The group worked together in ensuring that the Americans first impression of Oban High School was as warm and friendly as possible.

Continue reading 3XL – Community Project →

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

Events, Expressive arts, Secondary schools

A group of 40 Tobermory High School pupils, ranging from P4 – S6, recently took to the stage to deliver their annual school show. The cast delivered two polished performances in the Aros Hall, Tobermory, in front of two packed houses. The production was directed by Social Subjects teacher, Ryan Lowe, ably supported by many members of staff and the wider community. The cast will be singing a selection of songs at the school’s annual Celebration of Achievement, which marks the end of term. Bravo to all involved!
Continue reading The Pied Piper of Hamelin →

Tobermory and Tiree High Schools Visit Paris and Ypres

School trips, Secondary schools,

S3/4 students from Tobermory and Tiree High Schools bonded on a recent trip to Paris and Ypres. They spent the day at Euro Disney where Space Mountain was the most popular ride (with students!). All pupils and staff also managed the exhausting climb up the 264 steps of the spiral staircase to the top of the Arc de Triomphe where they had a more unusual view of the Eternal Flame as well as stunning views of the Champs Elysées and the Eiffel Tower. They completed the Paris leg of the trip with a visit to Notre Dame, the Musée d’Orsay and the Stade de France. Continue reading Tobermory and Tiree High Schools Visit Paris and Ypres →

DGS Art Exhibition at Chatters Restaurant, Dunoon

Events, Expressive arts, Secondary schools

Dunoon Grammar’s Art Department are pleased to present the first summer exhibition of students’ work at Chatters Restaurant, Dunoon running from mid June till August.

The exhibition comprises of work by S2 (ceramic tiles), Intermediate and Higher pupils, with ages ranging from 13 years upwards. The main presentation of work, including jewellery is pieces produced by students as part of their final folio submission for both expressive and design practical activities, reflecting the high standard attained by pupils at the school. Continue reading DGS Art Exhibition at Chatters Restaurant, Dunoon →

“Robert McLaren Memorial Trophy”

Events, Health and Wellbeing, Secondary schools


On Thursday 21st June Glencruitten Hostel held the annual Robert McLaren memorial football match. Kinlochleven travelled to Oban to play against the Glencruitten Hostel team, a good game was had by all and the hostel boys ensured the trophy stayed with them for the second year running.

The match was held to commemorate the life of Robert McLaren, a former hostel and Oban High School pupil from Kintra, Isle of Mull who lost his life while serving with the Black Watch 3rd Battalion in Afghanistan in 2009. All proceeds from the day were donated to the help for heroes fund.

Oban Pupils Pay Tribute to Local Heros

School trips, Secondary schools

From the 10th – 15th June 2012, 40 S4 pupils from Oban High School took part in the school’s annual Battlefields Trip.  The pupils visited a variety of sites associated with the First World War including the best preserved trenches on the Western Front at Sanctuary Wood, near Ypres, the famous Thiepval monument at the Somme and on the last night they attended the Menin Gate ceremony and laid a wreath in memory of those who had died during the Great War.

Continue reading Oban Pupils Pay Tribute to Local Heros →

Outstanding Mid Argyll Pupils!

Events, Expressive arts, Primary schools, Secondary schools

Teachers all over Scotland are currently trying to find creative, inspiring and meaningful ways to implement Curriculum for Excellence in their schools.
We all know we want our pupils to be confident, to be effective contributors in their local community, to be responsible citizens who understand the merits of teamwork and successful learners who achieve the highest standards.
Continue reading Outstanding Mid Argyll Pupils! →

We Will Rock You!

Events, Expressive arts, Primary schools, Secondary schools

Rothesay Joint Campus presents “We Will Rock You”! We performed to a sell-out audience last night (Thursday) and will do so again tonight (Friday)… amazing performances from pupils from Primary 7 to Secondary 6.

Rave reviews! More seats released for tonight! Don’t miss out!
Directed by Julie Henry, Principal Teacher (Primary) and Musical direction by Anthony Spencer.

Continue reading We Will Rock You! →

P7 pupils visit Dunoon Grammar

Primary schools, Secondary schools, Transition

Over 140 pupils from the 11 Cowal Primary schools recently added the On the Move 2012 transition project at Dunoon Grammar School. This 5 day long visit involved pupils
* discovering who would be their new classmates and helping one another to discover the way round their new school (with the help of S6 peer mentors)
* following their S1year timetable and meeting their teachers
* completing a variety of lessons based around the transition to secondary school and in particular to Dunoon Grammar
* having the opportunity to try a number of the clubs and activities that will be open to S1 pupils. Continue reading P7 pupils visit Dunoon Grammar →

Fun in Science and Technology

Primary schools, School trips, Science, Secondary schools

The P4-6 pupils from Ashfield Primary School experienced two visits to the Lochgilphead Joint Campus.
 Investigations into ‘Materials in our World’ were taken into a real Science Laboratory in the Campus and the children undertook experiments with the guidance of Dr O’Donnell and Mr Rocket. Chemicals were used to make ‘smelly’ mixtures and the highlight was the competition to make the longest nylon string! Continue reading Fun in Science and Technology →

Olympic Themed Youth Games in Oban

Active Schools, Events, Expressive arts, Health and Wellbeing, Interdisciplinary, School trips, Secondary schools

A spectacle of dance, music and colour, inspired by the Olympic Games was showcased at the opening ceremony of the Argyll and Bute Youth Games in Oban on Thursday 14th June.
A record 598 of our first and second year pupils from Argyll and Bute’s secondary schools staged their own version of the Olympics to welcome in Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week.
A specially composed mass fusion Olympic themed dance was performed at Mossfield Stadium by all of the pupils participating in the games. Continue reading Olympic Themed Youth Games in Oban →

John Muir Trust launches CfE resource at Lochgilphead High!

Events, Interdisciplinary, Outdoor Learning, Secondary schools

A new resource for teachers and outdoor educators produced by the John Muir Trust shows how its educational initiative, the John Muir Award, can be used to help deliver the Curriculum for Excellence. Groups undertaking the Award can complete a range of activities across curriculum areas, such as building bat boxes in technology, measuring trees in mathematics, or surveying wildlife in the school grounds for science.
The resource, an eight-page guide (pdf) complete with visual mind map that’s been endorsed by the Chief Executive of Education Scotland, was launched on Friday 9 March at Lochgilphead High School by Michael Russell, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning. Continue reading John Muir Trust launches CfE resource at Lochgilphead High! →