Month: February 2015

Senior pupils, studying Geography and History, took part in a field trip to Glasgow last week, where they were able to undertake some focused research linked to their course work. Despite the chilly weather, everyone involved had an enjoyable day.

Once again, we are indebted to the Rotary Club of Kilsyth, for carrying out mock interviews with S4 pupils, as part of their Enterprise and Employability award. The pupils themselves felt that this was of real benefit and were pleased to receive feedback on their performance.

We were delighted to welcome Oliver Blomfield and Laura Pearson, from the Outward Bound Trust. They spent a day in school, visiting classes and seeing how Curriculum for Excellence operates in schools.

Chanelle Gallagher (S5) and Ross Chalmers (S2) spent a morning at the Lanarkshire Business Show, networking with employers and encouraging them to engage with schools. We hope that some of these contacts will engage with the school, in the months and years ahead, and enhance opportunities for our young people.

Pupils in S2 have started to consider choices of subjects for S3, which will allow some deeper learning, together with personalisation and choice. There was a good turnout of parents at the Information Evening, linked to this process. Each pupil will have a one-to-one interview with their Pupil Support teacher and there will be a Parents’ Meeting with class teachers, on Tuesday 17^th March, from 4.15 – 6.45 p.m. In advance of that, S2 Tracking Reports will be issued, together with appointment sheets.

Pupils in S4, S5 and S6 recently sat prelim examinations in many subjects and Tracking Reports will be issued this week. With them will come advice from teachers, regarding priorities for the next few months, prior to the SQA examinations. Supported Study continues to run in many subjects, at lunchtime and after school. It is vital that pupils grasp this opportunity, in an effort to consolidate their understanding of various topics.

During this week, pupils will be given the opportunity to vote in the Scottish Youth Parliament elections. One of our S5 pupils, Caitlin Mayhew, is standing as a candidate and we wish her every success.

Once again, Reel Time Music has been working with our S4 xl group, making a music DVD, in and around the school.

The Parent Council will meet on Thursday 5^th March, at 7.00 p.m., in the school.

Parents of pupils in S2 have been invited to an Information Evening about subject choices, on Thursday 26^th February, at 7.00 p.m. We hope that a large number of parents will attend this event, to find out about how the options process works and how best to support their child.

Last week our girls’ team played in a football festival at St Margaret’s HS, displaying fantastic performances. We played 6 games, winning 3, drawing 1 and narrowly losing twice. Results and scorers are as follows.

Kilsyth Academy 4 – 0 Our Lady’s HS(Samantha Coe Patrick x 3 and Rachel Stewart)Kilsyth

Academy 4 – 0 Caldervale HS (Samantha Coe Patrick x 3 and Amy Smith)

Kilsyth Academy 0 – 1 Airdrie Academy

Kilsyth Academy 1 – 0 St Margaret’s HS (Samantha Coe Patrick x 1)

Kilsyth Academy 0 – 2 Braidhurst HS

Kilsyth Academy 3 – 3 St Maurice’s HS (Samantha Coe Patrick x 3).

Congratulations to Samantha, who played some amazing football, but massive credit to the whole team who worked extremely hard, particularly after the first 2 games when we were playing into strong winds and heavy rain. All the girls contributed massively and were excellent ambassadors for the school. The improvements the girls have made since the start of last season really has been incredible.

The squad; Lauren MacDonald, Aimee Paterson, Mhairi Paterson, Rachel Stewart, Abigail Shaw, Beth Milne, Karis Abercrombie, Cara Robertson, Amy Smith, Jodie Young & Samantha Coe Patrick.

Our annual Burns Supper, as always, was a great success and the event was well supported by senior pupils and staff. School Captain, Gavin Glover, coordinated the arrangements and recited the Address to the Haggis, after it was piped in by Luke Shearer. Blair Mitchell chaired the evening, the Selkirk Grace was recited by Scott Dickson and the Immortal Memory was proposed by Mr Reilly. The company enjoyed a range of entertainment – musical items from Connie McFarlane, Gavin Glover and Kirstin MacLaren and a poetry recitation of ‘To a Mouse’, by Sean Climie. This year’s toast Tae the Lassies was proposed by Ross Leonard and Adam Quinn and the Reply came from Lauren McArthur and Rebecca Frew. The evening was rounded off with some ceilidh dancing. Well done to all concerned.

Our Rock Band performed in the finals of the Battle of the Bands competition, held in Motherwell Concert Hall. They were unlucky not to be placed, having performed to a high standard. Congratulations to Gordon Airlie, Blair Mitchell, Adam Quinn and Ross Quinn.

The senior pupils, in S5 and S6, formed the audience for a ‘Question Time’ style debate, last week. We were delighted to host Gregg McClymont MP, Jamie Hepburn MSP, Patrick Harvie MSP and Meghan Gallacher, who is a parliamentary candidate for the forthcoming general election. The questions focused on election promises, tuition fees, teacher numbers in schools, illegal drug use and child poverty, with each panellist having an opportunity to express their opinions. The panel was chaired by School Captain Gavin Glover and the event was organised by Mrs Wilson, our Modern Studies teacher. Many thanks to the politicians for supporting the event and to Mrs Wilson for all her organisiation.

Our second group of twelve S3 pupils has now completed a superb week at the Outward Bound Centre, at Loch Eil. The young people enjoyed the winter conditions, despite the cold, and all participated in outdoor challenges, which involved pushing themselves as individuals and working as part of a team. Everyone achieved the John Muir Discovery Award and the Outward Bound Adventure and Challenge Award. Well done to Aiden Cannon, Ben Cullen, Aaron Foulner, Liam Jack, Leanne Kimmet, Olivia Laing, Beth Milne, Connor Munro, Martin Murphy, Aimee Paterson, David Steven, Chloe Stevenson and Sam Taylor; plus a big thank you to Magi Hamilton, who accompanied the party.

Pupils in S1 and S2 attended a band performance and workshop, focusing on Cyber Bullying and the event was greatly enjoyed by the pupils.