S4/5 OPTION CHOICE INFORMATION EVENING

We warmly invite our S4 and S5 students and their parents and carers to an information evening to support the Option Choice process on Tuesday 4 February 2025 in Barista, between 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. As well as presentations from members of the Senior Leadership Team, there will also be input from Skills Development Scotland and Ayrshire College.

 

BRONZE DUKE OF EDINBURGH SHOWCASE

We are delighted to be hosting our very first celebrating success event for Duke of Edinburgh since the pandemic. Around 40 students in S3 last year completed Bronze Duke of Edinburgh, most now moving onto Silver Award. The students will share their learning and achievement and be presented with their awards on Wednesday 5 February 2025 in Barista from 6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. All welcome.

 

PARENT COUNCIL MEETING

Loudoun Academy Parent Council will meet on Thursday 5 February 2025 from 6.45 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. in the Conference Room. All parents and carers are welcome to attend.

 

REPORT AN ABSENCE

Just a reminder that parents and carers can now use the Safer Schools Scotland App to report that their child or young person will be absent from school. Make sure you have downloaded it from your mobile App Store, selected Loudoun Academy and entered our parent and carer Access Code which can be gained from the School Office.

Once logged in, you can press ‘Report Absence’ and provide details which will go straight to our School Office team to record the absence, meaning you do not have to phone. Parents and carers will receive an email receipt of the information provided.

 

SCHOOL CODE – BE READY

During this fortnight we are highlighting the following area in our School Code within ‘Be Ready’:

Put your mobile phone off and away

 

CATCHUP IMMUNISATIONS

There will be a further opportunity for pupils who missed first  MenC and DTP vaccines to receive these on Friday 7 February in the Conference Room. Appointment times will be displayed within the school and also in school bulletin this next week.

 

PARENT SURVEY – SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SCOTLAND

Skills Development Scotland works in close partnership with the school to support your child make informed career choices and SDS would value feedback from parents and carers on their services. You can do this by taking a short survey using the following link: https://sds.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7aD1pVrshfWllUW

Best wishes

David Falconer

Head Teacher

 

DETERMINATION – QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you choose to respond to it.”

SCHOOL RE-OPENING

Monday 27 January 2025

We are pleased to report that issues at Loudoun Academy in relation to loss of power have now been resolved and the school will re-open tomorrow, Tuesday 28 January 2025.

Prelim examinations due to take place on Friday 24 January 2025, will now take place tomorrow in the Gym Hall at the same times as originally planned.

Our S2 Parents’ Evening will also take place tomorrow, Tuesday 28 January 2025 as planned. Parents and carers should please enter and exit through the Main Entrance.

Best wishes

David Falconer

Head Teacher

STORM EOYWN

As I write this week’s parent and carer having just had power resumed where I am, I hope that you and your family are safe and well following today’s storm. I would wish to reassure young people, parents and carers that safety checks will take place within the school building prior to re-opening on Monday 27 January 2025. As previously communicated, all prelim exams due to be taken today will take place on our return on Monday also.

S2/3 OPTION CHOICE

Many thanks to all young people, parents and carers who made it to our Option Choice Information Evening last week. We had an amazing turnout – more than double the two years when this has run previously. All information is on our School Website:

 https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/loudounacademy2022/option-choice-process/

Students should have Option Choice forms returned following parental agreement and discussion with their Principal Teacher of Pupil Support/Communication Centre, no later than Monday 3 February 2025.

S2 PARENTS’ EVENING

A reminder that our S2 Parents Evening is on Tuesday 28 January 2025 between 4.15 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. with information on booking appointments sent using our online system sent to the Main Contact email address we hold for pupils on our records.

S4/5 OPTION CHOICE INFORMATION EVENING

We warmly invite our S4 and S5 students and their parents and carers to an information evening to support the Option Choice process on Tuesday 4 February 2025 in Barista, between 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. As well as presentations from members of the Senior Leadership Team, there will also be input from Skills Development Scotland and Ayrshire College.

BRONZE DUKE OF EDINBURGH SHOWCASE

We are delighted to be hosting our very first celebrating success event for Duke of Edinburgh since the pandemic. Around 40 students in S3 last year completed Bronze Duke of Edinburgh, most now moving onto Silver Award. The students will share their learning and achievement and be presented with their awards on Wednesday 5 February 2025 in Barista from 6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. All welcome.

PARENT COUNCIL MEETING

Loudoun Academy Parent Council will meet on Thursday 5 February 2025 from 6.45 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. in the Conference Room. All parents and carers are welcome to attend.

REPORT AN ABSENCE

Parents and carers can now use the Safer Schools Scotland App to report that their child or young person will be absent from school. Make sure you have downloaded it from your mobile App Store, selected Loudoun Academy and entered our parent and carer Access Code which can be gained from the School Office.

Once logged in, you can press ‘Report Absence’ and provide details which will go straight to our School Office team to record the absence, meaning you do not have to phone. Parents and carers will receive an email receipt of the information provided.

KOOTH ASSEMBLIES

Next week we will hold Assemblies for students in S3-6 with a representative from Kooth, which provides online mental health support for young people aged 14 and above. More information can be found on their website: https://www.kooth.com/

SCHOOL CODE – BE READY

This next fortnight we are highlighting the following area in our School Code within ‘Be Ready’:

Put your mobile phone off and away

AND FINALLY…

Well done to our under 14s football team, who won their first away game versus St Joseph’s Academy this week. Despite their opponents’ initial lead, the team fought hard to regain with a strong penalty taken by Lyle and an equaliser goal from Jack, followed by two further strikes from Lyle and success secured by a debut goal from Sam. Solid teamworking and an excellent 5-4 final score, with great performance all round. Well done!

On Sunday, we will have 43 pupils and 6 staff heading off to snowy Italy for a week of skiing in Val di Fiemme. We hope you have a fantastic time and return safe and well. Boun viaggio!

Best wishes

David Falconer
Head Teacher

DETERMINATION – QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Often the most difficult roads lead to the most wonderful destinations.”

S4-6 ASSESSMENT DIET

As we move into the second week of the S4-6 Assessment Diet (‘Prelims’) next week, I would like to wish all of our senior students best of luck in the subjects they will be sitting. As a team of staff, we have been really impressed with how diligent and committed our young people have been at this critical stage in their learning. Well done and keep it up!

 

S2/3 OPTION CHOICE

We warmly invite parents and carers of our S2 and S3 students to an information evening on Monday 20 January 2025 from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. in Barista. This will give all the information you need to know on helping your child to make Option Choices for the year ahead. As well as short presentations from the Senior Leadership Team, we will also have input from Skills Development Scotland and Ayrshire College.

 

The Option Choice process for S2/3 pupils begins next week, following a block of learning in Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) classes. All students will have an individual interview with their Principal Teacher of Pupil Support / Communication Centre to discuss and confirm their selection for their future pathways. All S2/3 Option Choice forms should be returned to Principal Teachers of Pupil Support / Communication Centre no later than Monday 3 February 2025.

 

S3 FULL REPORTS

Early next week we will issue all S3 students with their Full Report, which includes up-to-date tracking information and teacher comments on strengths and next steps. It will also give information on recommended levels of study for National Qualification Courses in S4.

 

S2 PARENTS’ EVENING

This will be on Tuesday 28 January 2025, from 4.15 p.m. to 6.45 p.m. in the Assembly Hall, with information on using the online system for booking appointments with teachers being sent shortly to the Main Contact we hold on our pupil records. This is a really great opportunity mid-way through the year for parents and carers and staff to work together to discuss students’ learning and achievement at this critical stage.

 

SCHOOL CODE – BE READY

This week and next we are highlighting two key areas within our School Code within ‘Be Ready’:

Be on time to class

Have everything you need – uniform/materials/kit

 

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

Any student interesting in taking part in DanceFest 2025 should attend a short meeting in the PE Department with Miss Hutton on Monday 20 January 2025, at morning interval.

Any S1 students interested in taking part in an Interactive Climate Change Challenge at Strathclyde University, should speak with Miss Lewis in Modern Language or Mr Harkness in Science.

 

Best wishes

 

David Falconer

Head Teacher

 

DETERMINATION – QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” —Lao Tzu

SENIOR PHASE ASSESSMENT DIET

The Senior Phase Assessment Diet (prelims) begin next week for two weeks, with students receiving all necessary information at Assemblies led by Mr Hendry, Depute Head Teacher – copies of these slides are on the Safer Scotland Schools App. All students should have personalised exam timetables, and should otherwise attend normal classes. Best of luck to all our young people at this critical stage.

HEAD TEACHER ASSEMBLIES

This week I met with all year groups to explore our School Value of ‘Determination’. I spoke about how our society often misrepresents ‘success’ based on it being either instant or based on talent alone. I encouraged young people to ‘believe to achieve’, set ambitious but realistic targets, and to persevere in the face of challenge. The Assembly considered how we use feedback to help us to improve. The most talked about reference afterwards was my reference to the ‘inner Gremlin’, the voice we all have which tells us we can’t do something, particularly under pressure, and how to address this. We will develop our focus on the School Value of ‘Determination’ throughout the course of this term.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

A very brief reminder that all students must be smartly dressed for school. There are a range of flexible options including school badged polo/sweatshirt/hoodie, black or white school shirt and tie and blazer with black trousers, plain black leggings or black skirt with black tights. Designer and branded clothing, non-school branded hoodies, crop tops, tracksuits, sports tops and other items which have no identifiable school uniform are not permitted. Almost all young people are returning to the new term showing high standards and we will begin again uniform checks for each year group next week onwards, addressing any concerns home on a daily basis. Thanks for our ongoing support – it does make a difference.

IMMUNISATION LETTERS

Letters will shortly be provided via the school from NHS Ayrshire & Arran for pupils who missed the Human Pampillomavirus (HPV) immunisation programme. All students who have still to get the jag will get a letter and I would be grateful if all parents and carers involved could return the consent form, even if they do not wish their child to receive the vaccination.

KEY DATES

Just a few dates coming up for your diary:

Monday 20 January 2025, 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. – S2/3 Option Choice Information Evening

Tuesday 28 January 2025, 4.15 p.m. to 6.45 p.m. – S2 Parents’ Evening

Tuesday 4 February 2025, 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. – S4/5 Option Choice Information Evening

Wednesday 5 February 2025, 6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. – Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Showcase Evening

Thursday 6 February 2025, 6.45 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. – Parent Council Meeting

Monday 10 February 2025 – Local Holiday

Tuesday 11 February 2025 – Inservice Day 4

Best wishes

David Falconer

Head Teacher