posted by:  Arbroath High School

The annual, S1 parent and pupil cookery evening was once again a great success. Held in the Home Economics department on Tuesday 15^th September with over 25 participants it took the theme this year of food waste.

The dishes were designed to be made quickly and cheaply, using leftovers most commonly found in fridges, freezers and cupboards. Once all the food was cooked and plated up everyone gathered together to taste and share the fruits of their labour. Refreshments were supplied by the PTA and the buzz in the kitchens was one of pleasure and enjoyment.

To complete the evening each pair taking part were given a recipe book, put together by the HE ladies at AHS, and titled ‘Good food less waste’. It was designed to be taken away as a useful resource for families to use when preparing similar meals at home.

The book included many recipes from the popular website ‘Love food hate waste’. A great night was had by all and the HE department are already planning a similar event for later on in the year.

posted by:  Pauline Stephen, Head of Schools & Learning

Many of our schools in Angus are thinking about growth mindset ideas with their children, young people and staff.  Carol Dweck’s work has been very influential in helping schools ensure that the type of praise that they give children and young people is as effective as it can be.  Some of our schools are linking this to other work such as the Learning Pit (James Nottingham) and GRIT (get really into trying, http://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_the_key_to_success_grit ) .

Strategically in Angus we have prioritised four areas of learning focus:

1.  Growth mindset
2. Language of learning
3. Feedback and progression
4. Teachers as evaluators

We see most success in applying growth mindset thinking where teachers and other staff effectively model a growth mindset.  We are supporting our learners to value effort, demonstrate resilience and value mistakes as learning opportunities.  Learning about brain development has also enhanced understanding about using a growth mindset approach.

  Rosemount School

I have heard some people argue that growth mindset is not a ‘thing’ that you do, instead it is a way of thinking and being.  However when schools start to look at an idea or a theory, there is often a need to drive it somehow as an improvement initiative.  I am enjoying seeing different Angus schools approaches to introducing and developing growth mindset thinking with learners.  These steps from Ferryden School are fabulous!

 Ferryden School

We are in the process of shaping up our programme for our Angus Learning Festival during the November in-service days.  There will be an opportunity to share and learn from each other around our four learning themes.  So what can you offer to support in terms of growth mindset?  You might not be quite ready to share…yet but where might you be by November? #knowthyimpact

posted by: Auchterhouse Primary School

Three years ago St Ninian’s Primary School in Stirling encouraged children to walk or run a mile every day in almost all weathers. They found that there were clear improvements in the pupils’ fitness and focus in the classroom.

As a school this is something that we wanted to try. We discussed the various routes we could take and decided to use the local park. The P5-P7 class measured the route, identifying how far to walk.

On the 3^rd September 2015 we decided to start, and despite the brief rain shower, it was a very enjoyable experience. The P1-P4 class are currently doing the walk twice a week and the P5-P7 class are doing it every day. We have even managed to get parents involved!

Here are some of the pupils’ views:
‘I am more focussed in class after the walk’ Daniel, P7

‘It’s great to get some fresh air’ Hannah, P5

‘I am getting quicker at going around the route and it’s making me fitter’ Freya P7

‘It is good for my heart as it gets the blood pumping around my body and it gives me more oxygen, so that means I get more energy’ Sam P6

posted by Pauline Meikleham, Schools & Learning Support Officer, Arts & Culture

Angus schools are invited to participate in the annual Provost Christmas card competition 2015.  

P4-7 and S1-3 pupils from all schools are invited to take part.

Primary schools should choose one entry, Secondary schools may submit up to 3. It is expected that schools from all clusters will participate.  And suggested that schools may wish to have their own internal competition to be judged internally.

NB Please don’t submit more than one entry from primary and three entries from secondary schools.   

Christmas card designs may be submitted as original art work A4 (297mm x 210) or A3 (420 x 297) size maximum. You can also submit a digital design as long as a copy is sent as a jpeg and of a high enough resolution ( minimum 300 dpi)  .  Please don’t embed in a word or PDF doc.  

Please send your final entry to: Roselyn Brown, Members’ Services Supervisor, Angus Council, 7 The Cross, Forfar, DD8 1BX or email digital entries as jpegs to BrownR@angus.gov.uk

Deadline is 26 Oct. The Provost’s Christmas cards go out to all Provosts and Lord Provosts in Scotland, Councillors and Council employees, Emergency Services, Support agencies,  Church representatives, Military, NHS, Local Businesses, Foreign Dignitaries and many more people.

This is a great opportunity to celebrate and share the talent and creativity of Angus pupils.

The information the Provost will require from the entrants is:

Name
School
Age
Year
Class 

If anyone has queries regarding the technical aspects of a digital entry, please contact Graham Pert on 01307 476124 or pertg@angus.gov.uk

posted by Fiona Robertson, Principal Officer, Extended Support for Pupils (3-18)

Development Officer: Rights, Support and Wellbeing
Secondment:   Duration: 23 Months:   Location: Any of the Education Scotland offices subject to availability

Education Scotland wishes to appoint a Development Officer to take forward key national developments relating to rights, support and wellbeing. This is an exciting opportunity for highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals with a proven track record of successful professional experience in leading and delivering on these key areas.

The post holders will: work in partnership with colleagues from across the education system, Scottish Government and other national organisations to develop, promote and support effective and innovative approaches to promoting positive relationships and behaviour , recognising and respecting children’s rights, and to securing positive wellbeing for all children and young people; provide advice to the Scottish Government and education authorities on strategies to support the implementation of Getting it right for every child; promote links across local authorities and other national bodies and organisations; and further contribute to key national developments such as Curriculum for Excellence.

Candidates should possess a degree, or equivalent, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Candidates will be expected to be on a current salary of no more than £48,120.

Closing date for application: Midnight on Wednesday 23^rd September 2015.

For further information please contact Maggie Fallon, Senior Education Officer for Rights, Support and Wellbeing. Maggie.fallon@educationscotland.gsi.gov.uk

Applications should be returned electronically to edshr@educationscotland.gsi.gov.uk

Committed to Equal Opportunities

Role Description:  Rights Support and Wellbeing DO – Spec April 2015

posted by Helen Moore, Brake, the road safety charity:

Brake is encouraging educators to register for Road Safety Week (23-29 Nov), promoting the ‘drive less, live more’ theme. Educators can link activities to this theme or any road safety topic. Brake will be encouraging families to consider how they use roads, and if they can switch to walking, cycling or using public transport as much as possible. Educators can engage pupils in exploring benefits of sustainable and active travel and opportunities for their family to get around in this way. Teaching road safety and active, sustainable travel in their classroom can help to meet goals of compulsory curriculum subjects such as science and geography, and also meet goals as part of a citizenship agenda.

Road crashes are the biggest cause of death among young people, and there is increasing acknowledgement of the threat traffic pollution and sedentary lifestyles pose to children and families. Raising awareness of road safety and creating safe spaces for sustainable and active travel is vital.

REGISTER NOW! Brake is urging educators to register to take part in the Week and receive support and free email action pack resources available from Brake.

Find out more and register online at www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk.

Schools: Nov 23-29 #RoadSafetyWeek by @BrakeCharity teach road safety & promote #drivelesslivemore theme. REGISTER: http://bit.ly/TSepPn