All posts by J. Aberdeenshire

Kemnay Academy, Kemnay Cluster

Great work from the Kemnay Cluster

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The Energy Apprentice

Four S5 pupils participated in this competition run by SPE & ICOTA which asked them to come up with an innovative idea of how more of the oil & gas in the current reservoirs could be extracted. The team spent time researching the oil & gas sector and before presenting their unique idea to a panel of industry experts (as well as the other school teams and teachers) who then judged the competition. The boys came a very close second.

Go4Set

The launch for Go4Set has taken place with Balfour Beatty sponsoring a team of S2 pupils with a possible second team participating depending on sponsorship. The focus is Energy Use and links with work being carried out for the Eco Schools award in addition to work in Science. There are two S6 Advanced Higher pupils mentoring the teams who have 10 weeks to research energy management and conservation, visit a partner company to find out what they do, do an energy audit and report with recommendations. The presentation of projects is on 4 Feb 2013.

Enterprise is the Business

This years P7 “Enterprise is the Business” event took place on Wed, 21 Nov, at Kintore Primary and involved ten S3 pupils helping to run the bank and the shop for the event along with five local business people who are the ‘buyers’ of the pupils products. This event gave pupils the chance to work as a team (mixed from the four schools) to start up and run their own business for a day. The sales person from the team had to then try to sell the groups products to the buyer for the most profit. Prizes were awarded for the most profit and for the highest quality products.

Dr Charlie Hunter: HT Kemnay Academy

Mearns Academy

Children in Need Choir: Mearns Academy

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Children In Need was a great success and we’re so honoured to have taken part in such an amazing event. Not everyone can say that they got on telly and hugged Pudsey all in the same day! Working as a team with the other schools and Andrew the conductor created a great atmosphere for creativity and we felt well after by the organisers. The song choices were inspiring and were perfect anthems for the message of Children In Need. We’re so glad that so much money was raised and that Mearns Academy could be a part of it.

Aberdeenshire

Pupils’ artwork goes on display at Duff House

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A new exhibition of artwork by pupils from Turriff, Peterhead and Mintlaw Academies inspired by the German photographer August Sander has gone on display at Duff House, Banff.
The pupils have been working with local artists Amy Davenport and Fergus Connor to produce the body of work which will be exhibited at the north-east visitor attraction during August and September.
Duff House is currently hosting an exhibition of portraits by Sander, regarded as one of the 20th century’s most influential photographers.
The pupils researched his works and techniques to document their own communities in a manner similar to that practiced by Sander in his portfolio ‘People of the 20th Century’.
The young people’s work is a response to the study of their environment –their town, school, family and friends – and their identity, in the 21st century.
The pupils were introduced to a range of equipment throughout the project, from pinhole to digital cameras, as well as learning the mechanics of darkroom processing.
Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education, Learning and Leisure, Councillor Isobel Davidson, said: “The workshops have allowed pupils to demonstrate not only their understanding of technical and artistic processes, but also to look at creativity in the broader sense.
“This is a great opportunity for the pupils to display the results of their project.”
Vice-chair of the committee, Councillor Ron McKail, added: “This exhibition is the culmination of all the work and creativity the pupils’ have put into the project, and I’m sure they are all very proud of the results.”
The project is being run by Aberdeenshire Council’s arts development team in collaboration with Historic Scotland who manages Duff House and the National Galleries of Scotland.
The display is being held in the Long Gallery at Duff House until September 30, 2012. Entry to the Sander exhibition and the pupils’ display is free.
Both the August Sander exhibition and education programme are funded by Artists Rooms on tour with the Art Fund.

Aberdeenshire

Newly qualified teachers

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Councillor Ron Mckail, Maria Walker, Andy Griffiths and Neil Smillie were some of the speakers who addressed over 100 of our newly qualified teachers.

This induction day is very important as it allows each NQT to learn a little about the challenges that lie ahead in class and the administration to ensure a smooth transition to reaching the SFR next year

We are looking forward to working with each and every one of the teachers in the coming weeks and months.

Aboyne Academy

We Will Rock You at Aboyne Academy

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Aboyne Academy Show rocks Deeside 

Aboyne pupils wowed audiences last week with two fantastic performances of the West End Hit Musical We Will  Rock You. Written by Ben Elton, the musical features many of Queen’s greatest songs. The show began with some spectacular lighting effects which set the scene for an exciting evening.  From the outset the audience were treated to brilliant performances from a strong cast of pupils ranging in age from S1 – S6. Galileo, played by the very talented Craig Giblin was convincing as the central character in search of real music on the strange Planet Mall where live Music is banned and conformity rules. Killer Queen played by Heather Stodter gave a super performance making mincemeat of her sidekick Khashoggi  played impressively by Bob O’Reilly Mclean. Melanie Christie was outstanding as Scaramouche who falls in love with Galileo as together they go in search of long lost musical instruments. Great performances, too, from Andrew Sim as Brit, Abigail Thomson as Meat and Neil Thomson Mitchell as Pop.

 The cast were supported by a live band, including – Cameron Christie on drums, Darren Stott on bass, Robbie Iason and Angus Whyman on guitar. Guitar teacher Dave Inkster played Lead Guitar.

Behind the scenes Rory Beaton was provided excellent lighting as well as set design and choreography. Alex Day did a brilliant job as Stage Manager and also helped with set.  A large number of pupils and staff, too many to mention, contributed to this excellent production which was enjoyed by a full house on both evenings.

Westhill Academy

Westhill Academy, Asdan Gold Awards

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Westhill Academy students Daniel Bell, Andrew Davidson, Macaulay Middletonand Andrew Wilson recently achieved ASDAN Award Gold and were presented with their certificates.

This is the first time students from WesthillAcademy have been presented for the award. The ASDAN Award programmes areoffered by Westhill Academy’s ASN department, with progress through KeySteps, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each programme is designed to develop,assess and accredit key skills, and recognise personal achievements.

 

The key skills include: improving own learning and performance, working with others, problem solving, communication, application of number and ICT.

 

 

Laurencekirk Cluster, Mearns Academy

Les Miserables

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Mearns Academy, this week present Les Miserables performed entirely by Students.
This musical is by Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg and it is the
School Edition.

 The school had to apply for special permission to bring it to the stage.
Pupils and staff have been working extremely hard and the first of a week long schedule begins tonight. We wish them every success in this major undertaking.

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Ardallie School

Ardallie School

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Ardallie School pupils and staff have been in celebration mode recently.

Ardallie was selected as a lucky winner of a £500 sport equipment voucher to recognise their achievements during National School Sport Week 2011 for gaining a minimum number of parent support pledges during the support campaign. A representative from the Bank of Scotland local branch came along to the school to mark the achievement.

Staff members Lynne Stewart and Nina Travis were awarded a Going Green, Bronze Award in the council’s 2012 Employee Achievement Awards. This is the third year they have been recognised having previously achieved Gold last year and 2nd in 2010.

The school gained their third Green Flag Award and celebrated their success at a recent Open Day. Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP made the presentation. Guests included Maria Walker, Director of Education, Fiona Cruickshanks, QIO and the pupils and staff of Tipperty School.