Author: DG Sanquhar Academy Office

College course spaces available

Skills Development Scotland have made us aware of the following courses that have spaces at the moment – please note there are interviews scheduled for this week so some places may be taken then.

  • Pre-Apprenticeship Painting and Decorating Level 5 – 5 places.
  • Construction Level 4- 6 places.
  • Fabrication & Welding Level 5 – 4 places (dependant on numbers, whether will run or not)
  • Manufacturing & Engineering Level 5- 5 places (dependant on numbers, whether will run or not).
  • Engineering Practice Level 5- 2 places
  • Engineering Systems & Wind Turbine Level 6- 7 places
  • Intro to Engineering & Renewables Level 4- 8 places
  • Transport Maintenance Level 4  (STRANRAER ONLY) – 8 places

Power Hour for Exam Pupils

Examinations are TOUGH, stay calm and be prepared with support from S.T.I.L.L. Scotland.
All senior phase students (S4 – S6) are invited to attend a POWER HOUR during the second week of the Easter Break where we will discuss the tips below and make a plan for success.Here are 3 ways to help overcome exam anxiety!1️⃣ Find a tool that helps you feel calm. It can be anything, a breathing technique, getting cold, moving, changing posture, dancing etc. The important thing is finding a tool that works.2️⃣ Spend lots of time chatting about what comes after the exams. By focusing on what comes next, the exams begin to feel inevitable. This may appear a strange aim, however knowing a difficult thing is inevitable is much better for our mental health than trying to avoid it. When we know a challenge is coming we can begin to visualise those strategies for success.3️⃣Reminding yourself are not alone. Help them to identify who is there to help and in what role. Anxiety sends us into feelings of isolation and can make us focus on survival based on our own skill, and forget that people are a powerful resources.
There are only 15 places available each day, sign up quick (deadline for sign up is Thursday 30th March at 3.30pm).  The link to sign up is in the All Learners Team (Senior Phase S4-S6).
Let’s start preparing now!
Jen (S.T.I.L.L. Scotland)

Scottish Apprenticeship Week

Join on either the 7th or 9th of March at 6.30pm

Join the webinar to find out more about Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships, support available on apprenticeships.scot website and hear from the panel discussing:

· developing a CV and interview tips

· information from an employer about what they look for in applications/ interview process

· as well as apprentices sharing how they found out about their apprenticeships/ experience of applying and interview

Sign up https://fal.cn/3vZK8

There are also DYW Live apprenticeship sessions taking place across the week too.

DYW Live Apprentice Showcase

School pupils can hear from a range of apprentices and their employers about what it’s like to take an apprenticeship. Choose from up to four 30min online sessions each day of Scottish Apprenticeship Week from 6 to 10 March. Apprentices and employers from a range of sectors will feature and some sessions will discuss current and future apprenticeship vacancies.

Register to attend any free session through the DYW Live website

We would also be keen to let young people know about a social media campaign we are running throughout Scottish Apprenticeship Week – encouraging them to follow the hashtag #ApprenticeShop.

During Scottish Apprenticeship Week, from 6 to 10 March, young people can follow the hashtag #ApprenticeShop on social media to get a better insight into what apprenticeships are like. Apprentices, employers and learning providers will share lots of information about apprenticeships across the country from a range of sectors including details about current and future vacancies, stories, films and more.

School Toolkit

If you are planning any activity in school it would be great to hear what you are doing and how we can support the activity. We’ve put together a toolkit to help promote your events – just click on the below link.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023 Toolkit

Dumfries and Galloway Burns Festival 2023

Please see below the results from the Dumfries and Galloway Burns Festival.
All pupils have been invited to represent Dumfries and Galloway in the National Burns Competition in March.
S3/4 Recitation 
1st place – Ella McTeir
S3/4 Singing 
1st place – Ella McTeir
S5/6 Singing 
1st place – Rowan Hastie
2nd place – Molly McTeir
S5/6 Recitation 
1st place – Rowan Hastie
3rd place – Molly McTeir
Best Secondary Reciter – Rowan Hastie
Best Secondary Singer – Rowan Hastie
Best Overall Singer – Rowan Hastie
Best Overall Secondary Pupil – Rowan Hastie

Speech and Monologue Winners!

It has been an exciting term for S1 – S3.  All pupils took part in writing a speech or monologue that they then presented to their class.  After much debate the following pupils were voted as the year group winners.  Congratulations to Hector, Marley and Kayden our fabulous S1 winners.  In S2 Kayla was voted as the ultimate speech writer along with Nieve in S3.  Well done to all of our winners!

Introduction to Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

For all parents and carers of S1 pupils

Tuesday 4th October 6.30pm

Skills Development Scotland careers advisers will support your young person throughout their time at school to make choices and plan for their future career.  Sign up for this webinar to hear from them about the service on offer and the support also available for you as a parent or carer to assist with career planning and discussions.

Parents and carers can register for our session here: https://fal.cn/parents_carers_webinar_s1