Each year Auchinleck Academy supports the Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Pupils are being asked to bring in a number of small items, which are packed into decorated shoeboxes and sent to children and adults all over the world. Often this is the only gift these children will ever receive. It had always been a well-supported venture in Auchinleck Academy, as we hope to beat last year’s total of 72 shoeboxes.

There are some guidelines as to what can be put in the boxes. Due to important regulations, all goods must be new or nearly new.

Please select from the following items;

~ a small cuddly toy.

~ Tootbrush, toothpaste, roll-on deodorant, a wrapped bar of soup and a flannel.

~ Comb/brush, sanitary products.

~ Shampoo, conditioners, moisturising cream

~ Notepad, colouring books, picture books (no words)

~ Pencils, pencil sharpener, pens.

~ Crayons, coloured pencils or felt pens.

~ Hat, gloves, scarf and socks

~ Small ball or tennis ball

~ Puzzles e.g. small jigsaws

~ For boys – toy car, truck, passenger plane or similar small toys

~ For girls – small toys, dolls, jewellery e.g. clip earrings, makeup, hair accessories.

~ Geeting Card, letter, Christmas Card or photo of you.

~ Sweets (must be no earlier than March 2019 sell by date)

~ Empty shoeboxes, can be already wrapped (wrap lid and box separately)

~ Contribution towards the £3 delivery charge for each box.

Please DO NOT include any of the following items;

~ Chocolate (custom regulations)

~ War related items (toy guns, soldiers, knives)

~ Mirrors, glass containers

~ Anything of a political, racial or religious nature

~ Medicines

~ Crisps, biscuits, tinned food, cake

~ Clothing (other than listed above)

~ Aerosols (no spray deodrant)

~ Marbles or sharp objects

~ Books with words

Please bring any items and shoeboxes you wish to donate to your RME teacher or to Mr Reidford before 1st November.

Thank you

The Shoebox Appeal Committee

Our new Scholastic Book Club is up and running! Go to http://schools.scholastic.co.uk/auchinleck-academy to browse the latest books and order online. Leaflets for browsing are also available from the School Library or your English teacher (sorry, the Fortnite Essential Guide is sold out at the moment). For every £1 you spend on this month’s Book Club, our school will earn 25p in Scholastic Rewards.

Please place your order online by October 11th, 2018.

The Raising Attainment information evening for parents of S4/5/6 pupils will take place on Monday 1^st October.  This is a change from the provisional date of Tuesday 18^th September which is included in the school calendar.

 S4, S5 and S6 pupils will be involved in raising attainment workshops during the school day with parents invited to come along in the evening to learn more.

There will be sessions on study skills, growth mind-set and subject specific workshops e.g. English, Maths

Our Active Sports Co-ordinator, Barry Holmes, is looking for any parents who would like to apply to be a volunteer and get involved with some extra curricular clubs.

If you are interested or would like more information please contact Barry on 01290 420617

Information regarding a Training Session to be held at Yipworld and run by Yipworld on Tuesday 11th September:

As you know, young people of all ages are using the internet in many ways whether it’s to socialise, play games, swap photos and music as well as for learning.

We would like to invite you to an online safety event to raise awareness of the ways in which you can equip your children and young people with the skills to keep themselves safe online

In conjunction with respectme, Scotland’s anti-bullying service, the event will take place on Tuesday 11^th September at 18:30 at yipworld. This interactive and hands on workshop lasting two hours will explore a range of important issues related to navigating the ever changing online world safely.

The event will focus on:

• How young people use technology – the risks/challenges
• Popular social media apps – the pros and cons
• Practical advice on parental controls, privacy and safety settings with an opportunity to explore your own social media settings
• Talking to your children about keeping safe online

Places are limited so please reserve your space at this event by contacting Danielle on 01290 422 364, this is important should you require us to provide activities for children whilst you attend the session.

Instructions on how to use the new app are attached to this post as a PDF file, particular attention should be drawn to how to opt in or out of messages and enabling “Push Notifications”.

Auchinleck Academy App – Getting Started

The Annual General Meeting of the Parent Forum will take place on:

Thursday 13 September 2018 in the school Library

All parents are invited to attend.

At the meeting, Parents in attendance elect a Parent Council, which will consist of up to 25 members who will be asked to attend 4 meetings per year with the following objectives:

• Support School Improvement
• Improve School/Parent Partnerships
• Support the school merger programme with Cumnock Academy
• Plan and implement a merger with the Cumnock Academy Parent Council
• No fundraising!

The Parent Council members will then meet to elect a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

I look forward to welcoming you on the night.

Martin Robertson

Head Teacher

There will be a memorial service to celebrate the contribution made by Mr Jim Fulton to the life and work of Auchinleck Academy on Friday 31 Augusts at 1.00 pm in the Assembly Hall.  All current and former Pupils and staff are welcome to attend.

Pupils with texts belonging to the English department should return the as soon as possible

Thank you

Huge congrats to new S4 Art pupil, Ava Cook who has won Highly commended at this year’s Kelvingrove Art competition!