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.”
