Kilsyth Academy News – 16/09/16
We were delighted to welcome representatives from Scotrail, to provide careers advice to pupils in S4, S5 and S6. This was well received by the young people concerned, who felt that they learned a great deal from the experience.
A group of S3 girls enjoyed a great week at Firereach. This programme is operated by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and provides an insight into the importance of teamwork, challenge and self-belief.
Our sincere thanks go to Professor Kevin O’Gorman, from Heriot-Watt University, for all his work in supporting our senior pupils with personal statements, for entry to university in 2017. Our UCAS Information evening was well attended and provided a wealth of advice for both pupils and parents, regarding applications to Higher Education. Again, many thanks to Professor O’Gorman and to Michael Scott from the Student Award Agency Scotland.
Pupils and staff welcomed one of our new chaplains, Rev Jane Denniston, to S1/2 and S3/4 assemblies, last week. We are delighted that Jane is going to be leading some of our religious observance opportunities, in addition to working with RME classes.
All classes are in the process of voting for class representatives on the Pupil Council. Archie Grant, one of our Vice Captains, is coordinating our Pupil Councils this session, as part of his SQA Leadership Award, and meetings will take place over the next couple of weeks.
We wish our S4 pupils very success as they embark on work experience placements, over the next few weeks. In turn, we are indebted to local employers, and some a bit further afield, who have agreed to provide these opportunities to our young people.
On Monday 6th March 2017, we propose holding a Careers Fair within the school, during the early evening. This will be an opportunity for pupils and parents to visit a variety of stalls and learn more about post-school pathways. It will also coincide with the time when many pupils are choosing subjects for the following session. We are keen to hear from any business contacts who would be willing to engage with the school either at the Careers Fair or in another way. Please contact Miss Dallas, at the school, if you can help in any way.
We look forward to welcoming seven student teachers to the school, who will be part of our staff team, until December. They are: Alison Duncan, Mark Robertson, Melissa Burke, Claire McAveety, Flora Le Fellic, Frauke Izdebski and Christy Scott. We hope they will enjoy their placements in Kilsyth Academy.
Friday 23rd and Monday 26th September will be holidays and the school will be closed both days.
Kilsyth Academy News – 09/09/16
An S1/2 basketball club is starting on Thursdays at lunch time, in the back gym. This club is open to both boys and girls. Pupils should bring PE kit and a packed lunch for a prompt start at 12.30.
Pupils have started to audition for a Christmas pantomime, Cinderella.
Our UCAS Information evening takes place on Thursday 15th September, to provide parents of S5/6 pupils with information about the process of applying for university. In the past, parents have found this to be a very informative evening, which will include details about funding, qualifications and the applications process. The evening begins at 7.00 p.m. and we are hoping for a good turnout.
A group of S5/6 pupils visited Whitelee Wind Farm last week, as part of their Environmental Science course. The pupils were first taken into the visitor centre and given the ‘Generation Game’ challenge. The pupils discussed the mechanics and uses of wind turbines, they were then asked to construct a wind turbine using equipment provided in a box. The pupils investigated the effect the length of copper wire in the turbine’s generator had on the power generated. This exercise was followed by a tour of the windfarm and pupils were given the chance to look at how the windfarm effected the biodiversity of the area. They were amazed by the size of the turbines and were very good at communicating their interest to the tour leader. Those who attended found the visit to be very informative and enjoyable.
Congratulations to Rebecca Stevenson, Imogen Fleming and Lauren Miller, who have been selected to participate in the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award. The girls are currently of their Outward Bound residential experience, at Loch Eil, and thereafter will decide on projects for the year ahead.
Kilsyth Academy News – 02/09/16
Congratulations to Olivia McTiernan (S5) who represented Scotland at the British Ten Pin Bowling Championships, in Norwich, last week. She won a silver medal in the mixed pairs and had the highest Scottish under-16 girls’ score, finishing in the top ten rankings in Britain.
Holly McArthur is currently representing Scotland at the 2016 UK Schools Games, in Loughborough. On the first day of competition, she won gold in the 300m hurdles, the first Scottish gold of the games. Holly has had a fantastic season and is currently ranked No 1 in the UK, in the under-17 age group for Heptathlon, having set a new Scottish record in Aberdeen, in July. Congratulations on these superb achievements.
Last week, the PE department organised a Staff v Pupils Charity Basketball game, during lunchtime. Everyone greatly enjoyed the event, either as participants or spectators, and the staff won 12 – 6. Well done!
We were delighted to welcome representatives of the Royal Navy, to work with young people on physical fitness, team building and an awareness of post-school opportunities within their service. The pupils who participated had a great morning and are already looking forward to a possible return visit.
A group of S3 Biology pupils attended an interactive/outdoor lesson at Edinburgh Zoo. The pupils were escorted to various enclosures, by the zookeepers, to look at the adaptations these animals had and how these adaptations would help them in the wild. Pupils were very keen to participate in providing ideas of how these adaptations helped the animal. The pupils were taken around penguins, sun bears, gibbons and rhinos for this part of the lesson. The second half of the lesson was based in the zoo’s classroom, looking at adaptations of different animals and how this adaptation gives them an advantage over others. Pupils took part fully and came up with some really good answers. Finally the lesson was rounded off with looking at adaptations of a corn snake and the pupils were even allowed to handle one, with some pupils more eager than others to take part in this activity!
We are delighted that two senior pupils have been selected, once again, to participate in the Lessons from Auschwitz. This year Iona Brownlie and Karis Abercrombie will be our participants. The girls will take part in a series of workshops with the Holocaust Education Trust and will have the opportunity to visit Auschwitz and Birkenau for a day.
Our UCAS Information evening takes place on Thursday 15th September, to provide parents of S5/6 pupils with information about the process of applying for university. In the past, parents have found this to be a very informative evening, which will include details about funding, qualifications and the applications process. The evening begins at 7.00 p.m. and we are hoping for a good turnout.
