Kilsyth Academy News – 30/10/15
We are hoping for a great turnout at our Information Evening for P6 and P7 parents, on Monday 9th November, at 7.00 p.m., in Kilsyth Academy. During the evening, there will be an opportunity to hear about various aspects of the transition process from Primary to Secondary school and our school captains look forward to sharing information about the wider life of the school. Thereafter, there will be an opportunity to tour the school and some staff and pupils will be available within departments, to showcase facilities and answer questions. Letters have been distributed via our associated Primary schools but the event is also open to any other families who are interested in attending.
Last week we hosted two MSYPs, who explained to pupils about the work of the Scottish Youth Parliament. Thereafter, pupils each completed a questionnaire, as part of the SYP’s ‘Lead the Way’ consultation. We were also pleased to welcome Stuart McDonald MP, who is also a former pupil of the school, to speak to the Higher Modern Studies class about his role. The discussion was extremely informative and the young people asked some excellent questions.
Our annual Halloween celebrations were a great success, as always. Members of S6 organised three events, in total – a Ghost Walk and a party for S1 pupils and a Movie Night for S6. The young people who led these events, did so as part of their SQA Leadership Award and all those who participated had a great time. Well done to Lucy Rutherford, Rachel Kimmett and Chloe Laggan.
Pupils studying National 5/Higher Art and Design and Higher Photography visited Kelvingrove Art Galleries and Museum last week, as part of their course. This included a visit to the ‘Century of Style’ exhibition, to support design folios, a visit to the galleries, to assist with expressive work and there were ample opportunities for Photography students to add to their folios. The pupils all found the day very beneficial. Thanks to Ms Andrew for organising the trip.
Our Higher German pupils attended a German Immersion Day, at the Goethe Institute, in Glasgow. The pupils enjoyed the workshops and felt that the day was very valuable for their studies.
Our S4 Employability classes attended the launch for the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, which they will all be participating in, over the coming months. This will involve small groups of pupils investigating the needs of local charities and presenting reasons why their chosen charity best deserves a £3000 grant, to be gifted by the Wood Family Trust.
We are delighted to welcome Mrs Lindsey Smith, another former pupil, as our new Library Resource Centre Manager. We are all looking forward to working with Lindsey and hope that she enjoys her new role. Congratulations to Mrs Jayne Gordon who has been appointed to the permanent post of Teacher of RME in Kilsyth Academy, following a 2½ year placement, which was on a temporary basis. We would also like to welcome Ms Lorraine Higgins to the English department, to cover the remainder of Ms Gough’s maternity leave.
Rachel Kimmett (S6), Jack Rennie (S5), Harry Thomson (S2) and Sophie Bridges (S1) represented the school at the North Lanarkshire Pupil Council, held in Airdrie. The main items involved discussion about ‘Mentors in Violence Prevention’ and ‘Focus on Food’ initiatives.
The Parent Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday 4th November has been cancelled and the next meeting will therefore be on Thursday 3rd December, at 7.00 p.m.
Kilsyth Academy News – 23/10/15
A group of S3 boys have enjoyed a week at Firereach, run by Scottish Fire and Rescue. They really enjoyed the experience and learned a great deal about the importance of teamwork and perseverance.
The Achieve 4 group has been working in local Primaries and Nursery classes, providing games, activities and sports for the children during intervals and lunchtimes. Prior to putting their learning into practice, the group participated in a training programme, organised by our Active Schools coordinator. The younger children seem to have enjoyed working with our pupils – well done!
Our Information Evening for P6 and P7 parents will take place on Monday 9th November, at 7.00 p.m., in Kilsyth Academy. During the evening, there will be an opportunity to hear about various aspects of the transition process from Primary to Secondary school and our school captains look forward to sharing information about the wider life of the school. Thereafter, there will be an opportunity to tour the school and some staff and pupils will be available within departments, to showcase facilities and answer questions. Letters have been distributed via our associated Primary schools but the event is also open to any other families who are interested in attending.
The Parent Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday 4th November has been cancelled and the next meeting will therefore be on Thursday 3rd December, at 7.00 p.m.
Kilsyth Academy News – 09/10/15
Charlie Scott, from the S6 Leadership class, led a team of his peers last week, to raise money for the international refugee crisis. This included daily collections of spare change plus a non-uniform day on Friday. The pupils raised £710, which was a great total. Well done!
Pupils from S1, S2 and S3 took part in workshops on online safety, presented by a representative of Police Scotland. The pupils were very engaged in the presentations and asked a range of relevant questions.
Last week saw the inter-House Rugby tournament for S2/3 boys. Despite the poor weather, the young people gave it their all and Antonine House were the victors. Colzium came second, Dumbreck third and Balmalloch fourth.
Simultaneously, the S1/2 girls’ inter-House Netball competition took place. There was an excellent response from each House and the teams played very well, with Colzium House coming out as winners. In this event, Antonine came second, with Balmalloch third and Dumbreck fourth. Well done to all.
S5/6 Tracking Reports were issued last week and acknowledgement sheets should be returned by 20th October.
A group of S3 girls have enjoyed a week at Firereach, run by Scottish Fire and Rescue. They really enjoyed the experience and learned a great deal about the importance of teamwork and perseverance.
The S4 Parents’ Meeting will take place on Thursday 22nd October, from 4.15 until 6.45 p.m. and pupils should currently be making appointments with their teachers.
Kilsyth Academy – News 02/10/15
Kilsyth Academy News – 24/09/15
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Congratulations to our new House Captains, who were appointed this week. They are:
Antonine – Chanelle Gallagher and Scott Leslie
Balmalloch – Connie McFarlane and Kyle Thomson
Colzium – Nicola Wilson and Jack Devlin
Dumbreck – Kirsty Craigie and Sam Davidson.
Three of our senior pupils, Anna Patterson, Blair Anderson and Molly Kiernan, were interviewed by Heart FM, as part of their coverage of the first anniversary of the Independence Referendum. You can hear their broadcast on Wednesday 16th September, at 18.45. Well done!
A group of pupils from the S4 xl class attended a presentation from Police Scotland entitled ‘No Knives Better Lives’. Those who attended engaged well with the workshop and felt that it was very worthwhile.
S1 pupils will be looking for sponsors for their forthcoming activity on the Mobile Adventure Course. This will form one element of the S1 Welcome event, on 24th September and funds raised will help to subsidise the S1 residential experience in May 2016. Please give generously.
A number of clubs are starting up and pupils should listen and read notices to find out about all the opportunities that exist.
The Parent Council is running a Charity Quiz Night in the school cafeteria, on Thursday 1st October, starting at 7.15 p.m. We hope that there will be a good response from parents, who are welcome to come along either as teams of 4-6 people or we are happy to make up teams on the night. The entry fee is £5 per team and this includes refreshments. There will also be a tombola. During the interval, there will be a very short AGM of the Parent Forum and members will be happy to chat to anyone who might consider joining the Parent Council.
Kilsyth Academy News – 04/09/15
Kilsyth Academy News – 28/08/15
Two new Sports Ambassadors, Lindsay Sword and Julia Fountain, were appointed last week. Their role is to promote sport among the pupils and to organise sporting events.
Sixth year pupils are currently arranging a number of Community Involvement placements, which will enable them to use part of the school week in volunteering. Many of these opportunities are linked to careers that the young people are hoping to pursue and we are grateful to local employers who support the programme.
Congratulations to Eilidh McDowall (2B), who was the best Kilsyth Academy entrant in the recent Inspire Aspire competition, and also a national finalist. Eilidh received her medal at assembly last week.
The Parent Council will meet on Thursday 3rd September, at 7.00 p.m., in the school.
Kilsyth Academy News – 21/08/15
Congratulations to the five pupils who achieved eight A passes in their National 5 examinations – Archie Grant, Holly McArthur, Anne Paterson, Ross Quinn and Jack Rennie. Similarly, congratulations to the five pupils who achieved five A passes at Higher, in S5 – Blair Anderson, Lewis Cameron, Kayley Forsyth, Erin Main and Annie Mason and to the two pupils who achieved three Advanced Highers at grade A – Erika Allen and Kathryn Marshall. These are fantastic achievements from all concerned and are testimony to the hard work that each of these young people put into their studies.
S1 individual photographs were taken last week and the pupils have been issued with order forms, which should be returned to the school, with full payment, by Wednesday 2nd September.
The 2015 Yearbook finally arrived, during the summer holiday, and those who ordered a copy can uplift it from Miss Reilly. Thanks go to last year’s Yearbook team for putting it all together.
Senior pupils are visiting a range of University Open Days, as part of the groundwork to prepare application forms for courses that will begin in the autumn of 2016. Over the next few weeks, the Seniors will be working on Personal Statements, supported by Mrs Kerr and on Monday 31st August, we will be holding a UCAS Information Evening, to provide parents of S5/6 pupils with information about the process of applying for university. This will include details about funding, qualifications etc and we will be having a guest speaker along – Professor Kevin O’Gorman from Heriot Watt University. The evening begins at 7.00 p.m. and we are hoping for a good turnout.
Congratulations to our initial group of prefects, who received their badges last week. They are:
Blair Anderson (Vice Captain), Angus Buck, Lewis Cameron (Vice Captain), Jack Devlin, Courtney Forsyth (Vice Captain), Kayley Forsyth, Joanna Hay, Rachel Kimmett (Vice Captain), Chloe Laggan, Scott Leslie, Erin Main (Captain), Annie Mason, Connie McFarlane, Kirstin McLaren, Lucy Rutherford, Christopher Smith, Nicola Wilson. A further group of prefects will be appointed in the coming weeks.
The Parent Council will meet on Thursday 3rd September, at 7.00 p.m., in the school.
