This week we hear directly from some of our amazing young and how they have been getting on coming back to school after the summer holidays! We hope you enjoy finding out more about our wonderful school!
Author: Mr Jack
Head Teacher Vlog #1
The first edition introduces you to some of our school staff and you can hear how they feel returning to school after the summer holidays! We hope that you will enjoy these videos to find out more about our wonderful school. Coming soon… look out for episode two which will feature some of our amazing young people!
Silver Duke of Edinburgh Expedition
Our Silver Duke of Edinburgh group recently completed their practice expedition along the scenic Greenock Cut in Muirshiel Regional Park.
Blessed with warm and sunny conditions, the team made excellent progress while developing their navigation, teamwork, and outdoor skills. Spirits were high throughout the day as pupils embraced the challenge and enjoyed the stunning views across the Firth of Clyde.
A great day for all involved!
Summer Newsletter
S3 Duke of Edinburgh Expedition
Our S3 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh group is currently out on their qualifying expedition in the scenic Pentland Hills.
Over the course of two days, the students are putting their navigation, teamwork, and resilience to the test as they hike through varied terrain, carry full expedition kits, and camp overnight. This challenge marks a significant milestone in their Duke of Edinburgh journey, showcasing their dedication and adventurous spirit.
We’re incredibly proud of their efforts and look forward to welcoming them back with plenty of stories and accomplishments to share.
Senior Awards Ceremony 2024-25
Spring Newsletter
Apprenticeship Week at Morgan Stanley
Three senior Computing Science pupils recently visited Morgan Stanley as part of Apprenticeship Week, gaining valuable insight into career opportunities in finance, business and technology.
Their visit included a tour of the offices, an overview of Morgan Stanley’s Graduate Apprenticeships, and a networking event with university representatives. They also participated in speed interviews with current apprentices, enhancing their interview skills and learning about apprenticeship experiences firsthand.
This eye-opening visit broadened their career perspectives, highlighting the benefits of apprenticeships as a direct pathway into the industry.
A huge thank you to Morgan Stanley for hosting such an insightful event!
S2 Students Put Their Coding Skills to the Test
S2 students in Mr. Jack’s Busines & Computing class have been getting hands-on with robotics and coding, taking part in an exciting Sphero RVR race!
The challenge? Each team had to navigate their robot around a course, collecting bases along the way. Using block-based coding on iPads, students programmed their Sphero RVRs and sent commands via Bluetooth. But it wasn’t just about coding once and hoping for the best—teams had to monitor their robot’s path, troubleshoot errors, and adjust their code to improve performance.
This engaging activity gave students practical experience in coding, problem-solving, and logical thinking, all while having fun with robotics. The race sparked teamwork, creativity, and determination as students refined their strategies to complete the challenge.
A fantastic effort from all involved.
Cheerleading Team Shines in First Competition!
The King’s Park Cheerleading Team is an exciting new addition to our school, led by the dedicated Miss McKay. Since September, our young athletes have been training hard, learning the skills and discipline required for this dynamic sport.
For many of our team members, cheerleading was completely new. The first few weeks were all about mastering the fundamentals, building strength, and developing teamwork. However, their passion and dedication quickly became evident, inspiring us to enter them into the prestigious Scottish Schools Cheerleading Competition—the largest event of its kind in Scotland!
With months of rigorous training and determination, our team put together an incredible routine. Competing against 11 other schools in their division, they delivered a fantastic performance and secured an impressive 3rd place finish—bringing home a well-earned trophy!
The girls were incredibly proud of their achievement, especially after witnessing the high standard of competition throughout the day. We couldn’t be prouder of their hard work, team spirit, and commitment.
A huge congratulations to our Kings Park Cheerleaders—this is just the beginning of an exciting journey!
Construction Aware Programme
Over the last couple of months, 10 of our S3 pupils have been taking part in the Construction Aware programme created by DYW Glasgow in partnership with FARE Scotland, and co-designed with industry leaders such as McTaggart Construction, CCG, and A.C. Whyte.
The pupils visited 7 construction-related organisations and live sites, getting a real feel for the industry from pre- to post-construction! Through hands-on activities, they explored key skills used in the field and heard inspiring career stories from industry professionals.
To top it off, they successfully completed the program and earned an SCQF 3 Work Aware qualification!
A huge well done to everyone involved!
Exciting STEM Work Experience Opportunities for S5 Pupils
We are pleased to share an excellent opportunity for S5 students to gain hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) through the In2STEM 2025 Programme.
This free programme, run by In2scienceUK, offers:
- In-person STEM work placements with leading professionals
- Live online workshops and competitions
- Skill-building opportunities to strengthen university and apprenticeship applications
Work placements are available in Glasgow and Edinburgh, including:
- Climate Science & Sustainability – Glasgow Science Centre
- Physical & Organic Chemistry – University of Glasgow
- Physics & Astronomy – University of Edinburgh
- Neuroscience & Stem Cells – UK Dementia Research Institute
- Marine Biology & Ecology – National Museums Scotland
There are no grade requirements – students simply need to meet the eligibility criteria.
Application deadline: 3 March 2025
For further details, please speak with either Mrs A Thyne, Mr D Jack, Mr M O’Donnelly or Ms J MacLachlan.
You can also find out more on the In2STEM website.
This is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable experience in STEM
Celebrating Chinese New Year 2025
Our school has been embracing the spirit of Chinese New Year with a series of exciting activities and cultural experiences, giving pupils a deeper understanding of Chinese traditions.
Chinese New Year Event – Monday, 27th January
To mark the Year of the Snake, pupils collaborated with Ricefield Arts & Cultural Centre, Miss Grondin, and Miss Han, our Mandarin teacher, to celebrate Chinese New Year. Throughout the afternoon, pupils explored the Chinese Zodiac, focusing on the significance of the Snake in 2025. They also enjoyed hands-on cultural activities, including arts and crafts, as well as tasting traditional Chinese snacks.
S3 Modern Languages for Life and Work – Chinese Opera Experience
As part of their Modern Languages for Life and Work (MLLW) course, S3 pupils learnt about the vibrant art of Chinese Opera. With guidance from Miss Grondin, Miss Han, Miss Joice, and Mrs McGarvey, they created their own Chinese Opera masks, gaining insight into the rich symbolism and storytelling.
Trip to Hillhead High School – Friday, 17th January
Two of our pupils, Lucas Wright (3S2) and Louis Brennan (3L2), represented our school at Hillhead High School’s Chinese New Year celebrations. They had the opportunity to watch an impressive lion dance performance and were honoured to serve as judges for an S1 craft competition, where they evaluated the creative Chinese New Year-themed projects made by Hillhead pupils.
These activities have provided an enriching and immersive experience for our pupils, deepening their appreciation of Chinese culture. A huge thank you to everyone involved in making these events such a success!
Successful Work Experience for Mirren
Congratulations to Mirren MacDonald (S5, Skye House) on her participation in the Next Tech Girls work experience, hosted by Eviden!
From Eviden’s LinkedIn page, “Nine 16-17-year-old girls are spending the week in our Glasgow office, gaining hands-on experience in the tech industry, building personal and professional connections, and developing skills to support their future careers.”
The week, participants tackled real-world tech challenges, honed new skills, and built confidence in a professional setting. From coding exercises to team projects and industry networking, it was inspiring to see their enthusiasm and growth in just a few days.
Well done, Mirren, on this fantastic achievement!
A huge thank you to Toni Scullion, Eviden, and everyone at Next Tech Girls for making this opportunity possible.
(All images sourced from Eviden and Next Tech Girls’ LinkedIn pages.)
For more information about the organisations involved, please see the links below.
