Author: Mr Jack

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.

Eviden Official Website

Next Tech Girls Official Website

STACS Official Website

Winter Newsletter

S3-S5 Options for Session 25-26

All current S3, S4 and S5 pupils who intend to return to school in August 2025 will soon begin making their subject choices for next session. In order to support our learners and their families with this important process, you are invited to attend our Senior Phase Curricular Choice Information Event which will take place via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 15th January. The event will begin at 6.30pm with a presentation where Mrs Thyne will outline the options process and deliver the key information for you and your child in relation to selecting their subjects and planning for the next stage of their school journey.

Please read the attached letter and information booklet which gives you more information about this event, the Options process for all S3-S5 pupils in general along with key dates and supports on offer. Please access the wealth of information to support you and your child throughout this process to ensure they make informed decisions about their future. The information evening will be a great start but there are lots of resources on our Curricular Pathways glow blog which you are encouraged to access, with your child, and the link to this is in the letter and info booklet attached. Please contact your child’s Pastoral Care teacher in the first instance should you or your child require any support. All S3-S5 pupils will also have access to support during forthcoming PSE lessons and their one-to-one interviews. They should bring their completed options form along to this interview and final choices will be submitted.

All S3-S5 options should be fully completed and submitted by Friday 21st February. We would appreciate your support in ensuring your child meets with their Pastoral Care teacher to submit their final choices prior to this deadline. If they miss their scheduled meeting due to absence, please ensure they arrange an alternative as soon as possible on their return to school.

coursechoicebooklet25

 

Day Four in Bardonecchia – Confidence on the Slopes and Fun Off Them!

 

Day four of our ski adventure, and it’s been incredible to watch the progress our young people have made. All of our pupils have now mastered the chair lift, and they’re confidently stopping and turning with ease—a fantastic achievement in just a few days!

Two of our groups have become such accomplished skiers that they’re now exploring the mountain, tackling a combination of blue and red runs with enthusiasm and skill. It’s amazing to see their confidence grow as they navigate the slopes.

Off the slopes, the fun hasn’t stopped! Our après-ski activities have been a big hit, with highlights including a lively games night, a tour of the picturesque town, and, of course, a delicious pizza night. The camaraderie and energy from everyone have made this trip even more special.

What’s perhaps most remarkable is that many of our pupils had never skied before this week. To see them skiing so confidently and enjoying every moment is truly inspiring—they should all be incredibly proud of themselves.

Tomorrow is our final day on the slopes, and we’re hoping to make it one to remember. Let’s finish strong—here’s to an unforgettable last day!

Day Two on the Slopes – Progress and Excitement in Bardonecchia

Day two of skiing has been nothing short of amazing as we watch the young people of King’s Park take on the slopes of Bardonecchia, Italy. The progress they’ve made in such a short time is truly impressive!

Today, three of our ski groups confidently rode the chair lift to explore new terrain, while one group took on their first red run—a fantastic achievement and a clear sign of their growing skills and confidence.

We couldn’t be prouder of our pupils and the effort they’re putting in. Their enthusiasm and determination are inspiring, and we can’t wait to see how much more they will accomplish as the week continues.

A Huge Well Done to Our Talented Performers!

Congratulations to all of our incredibly talented young people who took part in the Glasgow CREATE Christmas Concerts this week. Your outstanding skill and hard work were truly inspiring, and we are so proud of everything you’ve achieved.

The concerts took place at the City Halls on Monday and Tuesday evenings, featuring amazing performances by:

  • Harry Grant (S5, Lewis)
  • Matthew Lanagan (S5, Arran)
  • Luisa Cleland (S4, Skye)
  • Andrew Perratt (S5, Mull)
  • Evan McMillan (S4, Arran)
  • Hannah McMillan (S1, Arran)

Well done to all involved for representing our school so brilliantly! 🎶✨

Below is a copy of the programme from the event.

CREATE-Christmas-Concert-Monday

For more information on Glasgow CREATE and what they do please visit their website.

Buon Viaggio to Our Ski Trip Adventurers!

This Saturday, 14th December, 37 S2 & S3 pupils and 5 staff members will embark on an exciting ski adventure to Bardonecchia, Italy! Led by Mr Jack and accompanied by Miss Cook, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Ward, and Mr Nicol, the group will travel by coach to enjoy a week of skiing on the beautiful slopes of Bardonecchia.

The trip promises to be an unforgettable experience, with daily skiing and plenty of opportunities for fun and learning in a stunning mountain setting. The group will return on Saturday, 21st December, full of stories and memories to share.

Parents and the school community can follow the trip’s progress and stay updated through the following platforms:

We wish our skiers and staff safe travels and an amazing time on their adventure. Enjoy the snow and make the most of this incredible opportunity! 🏔️🎿