To open up access to the Library for more pupils we will now be opening every lunchtime 1.05-1.35.
Library clubs that previously ran at lunchtime will now run after school (3.25 – 4) as follows
After Sch
ool Clubs
Mondays – Lego Club
Tuesdays – Reading Cafe
Thursdays – Chess Club
New after school clubs will start this week. If you are interested in joining come along after school to find out more.
It is British Science Week this week.
To celebrate, pupils and staff are invited to come along to our pop up science lab in the Library at lunchtime on Wed 16 March 12.45 – 1.30pm
Run by the Science Department, pupils can take part in loads of fun, hands on activities including elephant’s toothpaste, dancing goo and challenges which will trick your brain.
Every pupil who attends will be given a raffle ticket and will have the opportunity to win a special prize…..
S1 pupils today were enthralled by an author visit by award winning Scottish Author Cathy MacPhail. Staff and Pupils were taken on a journey through some of her recent book releases including “Devil You Know” and “Another Me”. The books are gritty and hard hitting – particularly when the inspiration and background to the ideas in the story were discussed.
Cathy MacPhail is the first Scottish Children’s Author to see her book turned into a film. Premièred at the Rome International Book Festival, the film is now available online via popular film sites. The book trailer can be viewed at
Mr Foy in the English Department had worked locally to produce a book trailer for Devil You Know which was showcased during the event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLp2mcGJbfs
Books mentioned during the tals flew off the library shelves with more now on order to cater for demand. We hope Cathy will be able to come back and visit us again very soon.
Northfield Academy has a strong history of school shows and musical performances. Today’s archive photo showcases the cast of Tiddler’s Trials. The school pantomime script was written by Mr Wood with help from Mr West and Mr Burnett. The music was written by Mr Nicholson. Tiddler’s Trials was performed in Christmas 1966.
The story was about a boy called Tom Tiddler who was very poor but later inherited a fortune.
The hero was played by William Sim with other leading roles played by James Clark, Jane Edwards, Avril Souden, Alan Sutton, Peter Buchan, Edwin Robb and Patrick Dalgarno.
After last week’s photo of the first ever school trip to Holland it seems appropriate this week to fast forward to the Holland trip of 2006.
The first foreign trip in April 1958 took 35 pupils and 6 members of staff on a 14 night tour of Holland. Numerous trips to Holland have followed since.
The party consisted of
Girls – Joan Beagle, Sheena Brand, Gwen Bruce, Sandra Campbell, Wilma Coutts, Marjorie Gerrard, Anne Hamilton, Margaret Jackson, Isabel Johnston, Muriel Milne, Sheena Murdoch, Margaret Naughton, Patricia Rhind, Louisa Tait, Eileen walker, Margaret Walker, Lyndsay Watson, Gladys Wilson
Boys – Ian Anderson, Ivor Anderson, Dennis Beattie, Gordon Bennett, Steven Brodie, Terence Cadman, George Durward, Alexander Geddes, Douglas Glass, James Green, Charles Hendry, Ronald Mennie, Stewart Raeburn, George Robertson, Roy Rogers, Kenneth Ross, Gordon Smith
Staff – Miss L E Buchan, Miss L Dickie, Miss M Willox, Mr J Eddison, Mr D Masson, Mr G Moir
Today in school the Staff Photograph of 2016 was taken. Looking back in the archives, the first full staff photograph we have dates from 1992. 24 years on, five staff in this photograph still work in the school. Can you spot them?
Northfield Academy celebrates its 60th anniversary in August this year. As way of a build up to our celebrations, each week we will share another photograph from our archives. Can you recognise anyone in our photograph this week?
Taken in 1961/2 a group of girls are photographed with the first Head Teacher James Eddison.
Back Row (r to l) Lesley Smith, Jeanette Porter, Marjory Reid, Hazel Bruce, Evelyn McKenzie, Margo Hughes, Anne Cooper
Middle Row (r to l) Joan Dempster, Adelaine Anderson, Christina Baxter, Maureen Annand, Lorna Baker, Christina Park, Margaret Rebecca
Front Row (r to l) Kathleen Cruickshank, Jennifer Forbes, Helen Jamieson, James Eddision, Pamela Morland, Kathleen Gordon, Lillian Rettie
Patrons of Reading metaphrog gave a talk to more than 250 pupils about the launch of their new Graphic Novel Red Shoes and other Tales. metaphrog’s much anticipated new book, which includes modern day interpretations of two of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tales was published in the UK in November 2015.
The talented duo gave an enthralling talk to pupils in P6 – S2 from Northfield Academy, St Machar Academy, Torry Academy, Holy Family RC School, Manor Park School, Muirfield School, Quarryhill School, Bramble Brae and West Park School.
Pupils were taken on a journey through various forms of graphic novels before being given some hints and tips on how to create their own comics.
Two years into our school partnership with metaphrog we are really seeing the benefits of this fantastic partnership. John and Sandra are instantly recognisable around school with our visitors never too busy to chat to the young people about school and their aspirations for the future.
A book fit event the day before saw most pupils in S1 and S2 reading the new Red Shoes and other Tales whilst cycling on spin bikes. Feedback was pupils was very favourable with the dark storylines a sure hit with our readers.
Next year we will welcome John and Sandra back to work with the RME department on a project focussing on character development entitled Philosophers Island.
As part of Book Week Scotland the Library ran an all day Book Fit house competition for S1/S2 pupils. Pupils were challenged to cycle on exercise bikes whilst reading the newly launched book The Red Shoes and Other Tales by our Patrons of Reading, graphic novelists metaphrog.
Each house group had their own spin bike which they were challenged to keep moving throughout the day. After an impressive start by Mr Hose (Guidance) and Miss Ross (Business Studies), Macbeth took an early lead. This was short lived though with a massive effort by Stewart House pushing them into the lead by an impressive 20km by lunchtime. Wallace house put in a last surge of effort during Period 6 to reduce this lead to only 2km. A tense 30 minute finale ensued with Wallace and Stewart in a serious battle of the bikes.
The final winner was Stewart House will an impressive recorded distance of 220km. Wallace were in second place with 216km and Macbeth 170km.
Pupil enjoyed reading The Red Shoes and Other Tales loving the darkness of the graphic novel.
