Posted by Jeremy Morris, Depute Head Teacher, Monifieth High School

A team from Monifieth High School won the Junior Saltire 2016 Marine Energy Challenge.

This   is a national competition that involved 160 schools and over 600 pupils, that challenged teams to harness the power of the waves and research, design and build their own wave energy convertor.

Our team has worked on this project since before Christmas, and winning this prestigious award is testament to their hard work and commitment to the task.

Congratulations  to them all!

Posted by Lesley Duguid, Schools and Learning Support Officer (Professional Learning)

Angus Council, in close collaboration with Aberdeen University and Dundee University, is offering a limited number of employees the opportunity to undertake the PGDE (Primary) part time for the second year running.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in teaching and hold the minimum entry requirements (see attached flier Flier), please come along to our

Information Evening at Angus House,

from 4pm – 6pm on Wednesday 24 August 2016.

Any queries, please contact DuguidL@angus.gov.uk

Posted by Pamela Irving, PT Business and Computing Education, Forfar Academy

Monday 16 May to Friday 20 May 2016 saw the annual focus on the benefits of digital learning in schools across Scotland.   Forfar Academy was no different with a focus on programming skills for all our S1- 3 pupils. 

The week kicked-off with an active S1 Assembly highlighting the national drive to encourage our young people to develop programming and coding skills and introducing the new BBC Micro:bit computer.  All S1 pupils will be issued with their very own BBC Micro:Bit computer which is designed to inspire a generation of coders.  The Micro:Bit itself is a circuit board measuring just 50×40 mm with two buttons and an array of 25 red LEDs, which can be coded to do a variety of tasks including flashing up numbers, letters and scrolling messages on the LEDs.  Plus, since there’s a built-in accelerometer and compass, it can detect movement and tell which way it’s pointing. The possibilities are endless!

Also during Digital Learning Week every pupil from S1- S3 took part in the global ‘Hour of Code’ challenge and received a certificate for participation and each day the Library’s ‘Word of the Day’ was also a coding related term.  

During the following weeks pupils from S1 will received a further period of programming in ICT and Technical Education, using their coding skills to create a game and control a robotic car using the Micro:bit computer. 

We hope that having a focus on Digital Learning in school has opened up pupils imaginations to the vast opportunities that technology can bring to enhance their learning, the potential career pathways it can offer and the rich variety of skills that it can develop in our students.  Pupils and staff are looking forward to using more and more technology in the new Community Campus opening in February 2017. 

 Today pupils might be using technology but tomorrow they will be the ones creating it!

 Check out the link below to watch a short overview of Digital Learning Week @ Forfar Academy. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0od32571SM&feature=youtu.be

posted by Rhonda McFarlane, Funding Officer, Chief Executive’s Department

Henry Smith Charity – Capital Grants For Special Needs Schools (UK)

Update

We have been informed by the Henry Smith Charity that they are currently undertaking a review of their grant making activities and as a result will not be making any further capital grants.  The news item below is therefore no longer valid.  We apologise for any inconvenience cause.  Further information on this can be found at:  http://www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk/latest-news.html

The Henry Smith Charity is a large grant making charity. The Charity makes grants totalling approximately £25 million each year to up to 1,000 organisations and charities throughout the UK for initiatives and projects that address social inequality and economic disadvantage. Special schools exclusively for pupils with disabilities or special educational needs can apply for capital funding of between £20,000 and £150,000 towards the purchase of equipment, or for the purchase or refurbishment of a building. Previous projects supported include Talbot House, and independent school in Tyne & Wear for young people with severe behavioural problems, which received a grant of £25,000 towards the capital developments costs of new KS2 facilities. Applications to the capital grants programme can be made at any time. The application should describe the work the school undertakes, what evidence they have that it is effective, and provide details of the work being asked to fund.

posted by Sophia Campbell, Rock Challenge

Local school prepares for the 2016 Be Your Best Rock Challenge®

Northern Premier Final by Ansvar Insurance.

On Saturday, 2 July, Arbroath High School and schools from West Yorkshire, North East Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Cumbria and Aberdeenshire will be attempting to steal Thornton Grammar School’s title of Northern Premier Champions.

The teams have spent the last few weeks finalising their performances since their regional heat and will spend the day at the venue rehearsing, watching and support all the other schools before competing in a spectacular evening show.

The Premier Final held at Grimsby Auditorium will commence at 1900 to an audience of family, friends, sponsors and VIPs.

Last year the Northern finals attracted over 2410 audience members with tickets for 2016 still available to purchase through Grimsby Auditorium Box Office on 0844 871 3016.

Press release issued by Sophia Campbell at Rock Challenge®