posted by Morna Duncan, Administration Assistant, Schools & Learning

For information, please see attached information received from the manager of GoApe!.

I am the site manager for GoApe! Crathes near Banchory. As a national company we are launching a creative writing competition for young adventurers and cheeky monkeys alike aged between 4 and 12. The competition has 2 categories for all writing abilities and is split for ages 4-7 and 8-12.

We would absolutely love for to have some really creative youngsters in Scotland to win some fantastic prizes including a family adventure holiday worth £5000 and is due to run from the 12^th March 2018 to 15^th April 2018. We feel this would be a great opportunity to get the pupils involved in some creative writing either in school or at home (even with the incentive of some amazing prizes). I have attached an electronic copy of the competition details.  

posted by Angela Duce, Senior Clerical Officer, Schools and Learning

Are you a nursery or Primary 1 teacher? Take a look at Ziggy’s BIG competition from @RoadSafetyScot. Find out more about the game that makes #roadsafety fun for kids at www.gosafewithziggy.com/ziggys-big-day-out #GoSafeWithZiggy

posted by Andy Garnett, Active Schools Lead Coordinator, Schools & Learning 

Please see the attached document for further information regarding the  SDS Junior Boccia Development Programme 2018

posted by Carol Lyon, Schools & Learning Support Officer

Sumdog maths contest start on Friday 9th March 2018.

Sumdog is a 5-14 computer Maths and Literacy fluency program where students practice skills aligned to CfE. We’re a social enterprise organising maths contests for schools in Angus and would like to help your students get involved. 

How do the contests work?
Students simply log onto Sumdog and answer maths questions while playing Sumdog games. All the questions are adapted to the student, so everyone has an equal chance of winning. There is a maximum number of questions per student, and results are based on accuracy, so even if you can only get on the computers for a short period of time your class can still win! Questions will reflect what you teach in class as they are aligned to CfE. 

They start on the Friday at 8am and finish on the following Thursday at 8pm.  Please see the attached flyer.  Angus contest 09.03.18

How does Sumdog know which questions to ask each student?
The students will do a diagnostic test when they first start using Sumdog. The contest starts once the diagnostic test is complete. We advise students start practicing now so the questions have adapted for the contest. 

Are there prizes?
The top 3 classes win a subscription to Sumdog’s premium teaching tools! There are also participation awards and certificates for top students. 

Where can I find out more?
Find out more, incuding how to enter here: https://www.sumdog.com/enter_contest

Contact Mara Young (mara@sumdog.com) for any questions or support getting involved.

 – – –

Sumdog is a computer Maths and Literacy fluency program where students practice skills aligned to CfE. Sumdog premium provides teachers with automatic progress-monitoring tools, detailed individual and class reports, and custom activities and assessments to differentiate practice for students.

posted by Sarah Findlay, Schools and Learning

ANGUSalive Libraries are Kicking Off the 4-4-2 Reading Challenge!

Scottish Book Trust and the Scottish Professional Football League Trust (SPFL) have joined up with 14 SPFL clubs and over 200 local libraries, to encourage primary school-age children to read in exchange for match tickets.

From 16 February to 31 May children can borrow books from ANGUSalive’s Forfar, Arbroath and Mobile Libraries and receive free and discounted tickets for a primary school aged child and an adult to SPFL football matches from Forfar Athletic and Arbroath Football Club.

Read four books for two tickets, it couldn’t be simpler! Children can take part as many times as they like.

posted by Alita Spink, Schools and Learning Support Officer

News from the Commonwealth

Get ready for Commonwealth Day on 12 March
Prepare to take part with our new resource ‘It’s good to talk: oracy lesson plan’, designed to help students become confident, effective communicators.Join our virtual school assembly for students aged 7 to 14 to celebrate Commonwealth Day and discuss this year’s theme, ‘Towards a Common Future’. Schools around the world are invited to contribute thoughts and share issues that are important to them and their communities.

The live webcast will run from 10.00 to 11.00 GMT on Monday 12 March. You must register in advance in order to participate on the day. Download the resource and register.

Children’s short story writing competition

Winners announced

Thank you to the hundreds of students across the Commonwealth for their thought-provoking writing on the theme of peace. From wartime stories to tales about family relationships, the top entries are now available to read, accompanied by specially commissioned illustrations. All those who took part will receive a Participation Award. Read the stories.