Author: Mr Docherty

The Snug – Official Opening
Last week saw the official opening of our school nurture base “The Snug” by Provost Jean Jones.  The school would like to extend thanks to everyone who attended.

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End of term trips
Pupils in S1 to S3 again have the opportunity to go to either M&D’s or Blackpool Pleasure Beach at the end of term.  This is a reminder that payment of the full balance is now due and should be handed in as soon as possible.

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Rights Respecting Workshop
Earlier this week all S1 pupils participated in a Rights Respecting workshop focused on the UNCRC Rights of the child.  This important strand of our work, to embed children’s rights into the fabric of our ethos and values, will support us to reach our next goal of achieving Silver status as a rights aware school.

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Tinto Hill Climb
On Monday, 43 of our S1 pupils, supported by staff, got their walking boots on to raise money for St Andrew’s Hospice taking part in their annual climb of Tinto Hill.  Pupils tackled this challenge with real enthusiasm, supporting the important work of St Andrew’s in the process.  Well done to everyone taking part.

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Leadership Academy – Kilbowie Outdoor Centre
Last weekend saw our S2 aspiring leaders participate in our annual Leadership Training Academy at Kilbowie in Oban.  Led by our S3 Leaders, pupils participated in a range of challenging outdoor activities designed to challenge and stretch them to solve problems, communicate, work with others and ultimately take the lead.

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European Parliamentary Elections
Further to the letter recently emailed to parents, a reminder that as Kilsyth Academy is used as an official polling station the school will be closed to all pupils, other than those sitting SQA exams on Thursday 23 May for the upcoming European election.  Should these elections be cancelled school will open as normal.

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Mid-term holiday
The school will be closed to pupils on Friday 24^th and Monday 27^th May for the mid-term holiday.  Pupils sitting SQA exams on either of those days should attend for their exam as normal at the time specified on their individual school exam timetable.  Information has been provided to pupils with exams on these days.

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Dates for you diary
Tuesday 28^th May – School uniform sales will take place in the school café from 5.00 to 8.00pm.

Wednesday 29th May – Parent Council meeting – 7.00pm

Monday 3^rd June – Pupils return from study leave.  New timetable begins

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On the 26th of March the Library held the 2019 K’Nex Challenge for multiple North Lanarkshire Primary schools. Four pupils from each primary participated in a competition to create a go-cart that could be manually steered. Each school had two teams of two and had an hour to complete the challenge. We helped to organise, run and judge the event, we also spent time helping and encouraging the teams as they worked and took pictures throughout the event. After a lot of judging and difficult decisions our winners were Fulton Henderson and Aaron Thomson from Banton Primary School, the runners up from Balmalloch Primary school were Callum Gordon and Reilly Mitchell. It was a day full of fun and enjoyment. We appreciated being able to talk with the pupils and develop our leadership and organisational skills. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for everyone.

By Sarah Bateman, Abbie Mewes, Callum McGoldrick & Josh Chambers. 

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Tree of Knowledge
A number of our S3 pupils will embark upon a three week course delivered by Tree of Knowledge starting this week designed to support, motivate and inspire them to get the most out of school.  Parents are also invited to join their child for the final session and pupils are reminded that reply slips must be returned as soon as possible as we need to know if parents are attending the session on the 27th March. If you have lost your letter a note will be fine. Any queries see Ms McKillop.

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5/6 Social
A reminder to senior pupils/parents that the final balance of this year’s Senior Social is to be paid by March 18th.  The final total for the social is £40 per person.  This means that anyone who has paid a deposit has an outstanding balance of £25 to pay.  Pupils in S5 should give outstanding payments to Luke Shearer and S6 to Jodie Owens.

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Paris Trip
A reminder to parents of pupils going on the trip to Paris in June that the final balance is now due for the Paris Trip.  Pupils should see Miss McFarlane if they have any questions or concerns.

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Kilbowie Leadership Academy
A reminder that the final balance is due for pupils attending this year’s Kilbowie Leadership Academy is due by the 29th March.  Please give payments to Miss McFarlane.

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Tinto Hill Challenge
A number of our S1 pupils will be participating in this year’s Tinto hill Challenge to raise funds for St Andrew’s Hospice.  Kilsyth Academy participates in this event every year together with schools from across Lanarkshire.  Pupils have been challenged to reach a fundraising target of £20 each so please keep looking for sponsors.

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S1 and S2 Science Masterclass – University of Glasgow
Pupils in S1 and S2 have an exciting opportunity to attend free Science Masterclass workshops at the University of Glasgow.  Workshops run from 10am-12.30pm for 4 Saturdays in a row, starting from 4th May 2019 with masterclasses include – ‘How to be an Aeroplane Designer’; How to be a Bridge Builder’; How to be a Rocket Scientist’ and ‘How to be an Astrophysicist’.  Interested pupils should please see Mrs Findlay in Room 226 to collect an application and consent form.

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UWS Summer STEM Academy – S4/5 Pupils
The University of the West of Scotland Summer STEM Academy will be held on the 18th and 19th June at their Paisley Campus or the 2nd and 3rd July at their Lanarkshire Campus.  The website for booking is now live and can be found at:
https://shop.uws.ac.uk/product-catalogue/schools/school-of-education/uws-summer-stem-academies-2019

Pupils have the opportunity to take part in excellent workshops including Astrobiology, Solar Spark, Molecule Hunts, DNA Introduction from the University of Hawaii, Flying Machines and Robotics.  There will be an industrial workplace visit to Biocity Scotland too.  You will get lunch, visit labs and workshops and learn about innovations in energy, engineering and life sciences.

There is a cost involved of £25 per person/family which covers meals and accommodation.  There is help available to pay for this from the Pupil Equity Fund on a case by case basis.   If you are interested in going please see Miss Dallas.  If you are interested and would like help with the cost see Miss McKillop.

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Library news
Our first ever Inter-house Reading Challenge started earlier this week with the house that reads the most books winning.  Participating pupils are reminded that they should inform Mrs. Smith in the library when they have completed a book to allow this to be added to the total.  This challenge will run until 31^st May so pupils have plenty of time to read as many books as possible.

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Chill Out Zone
Our new ‘Chill out zone’ lunchtime club is now open for pupils every Wednesday in room 226 at 12.30pm.  This club is designed to support and encourage pupils worried about exams, friendships, anxiety or low self-confidence providing a space to de-stress whilst learning mindfulness, relaxation, self-confidence and positive thinking skills.

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International Women’s Day
Kilsyth Academy marked International Women’s Day last week lead by our Humanities faculty.  This day highlights issues linked to gender inequality and the theme this year is #BalanceforBetter.  Pupils were invited to the Humanities department to have their picture taken at our IWD selfie wall and make their IWD2019 statement and you can see our ‘selfies’ on Twitter.

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Library news –World Book Day
Last week we marked World Book Day with pupils invited to go on a book title quest.  20 book titles were hidden around the school, guarded by 20 different teachers with pupils challenged to find all 20 teachers and books to win a prize.  S1 pupils also took part in a World Book Day quiz and pupils were also encouraged to vote in our World Cup of Books to see what Kilsyth Academy’s favourite book is.  We’ll let you know once the votes are counted!

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Library news – Inter house Reading Challenge.
Pupils are reminded that there is still plenty time to read for your house. Dumbreck are still in front but Colzium are hot on their tails.  Balmalloch and Antonine are fighting it out for 3^rd but if you want that to change then it’s up to all of you (and your teachers!) to pick up a book and get reading.

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Rotary Club – Technology Challenge
Kilsyth Academy hosted the annual Lanarkshire area rotary Club Technology Challenge last week.  This event is organised and run by the Rotary Club of Kilsyth and saw team from schools across North Lanarkshire compete in Basic, Intermediate and Advanced categories to solve an engineering challenge.  The brief was very challenging with all participants doing really well but as with all competitions there are winners and this year Kilsyth Academy retained the crown of champions in the advanced category.

International Women’s Day 2019 is on 8th March. This is a day to highlight issues linked to gender inequality and the theme this year is #BalanceforBetter. The Humanities department will be highlighting the day in the school with a selfie wall. All pupils and staff are being invited along to take their selfie and make their IWD2019 statement. Departments across the school have been printing off statements and quotes from their most admired females. These have been put up across the school. Humanities have been tweeting empowering female quotes in the lead up to the day on Friday. All classes have been learning about gender related issues all this week in RMPS with Mrs Gordon. Kilsyth Academy is striving towards Silver Award for RRSA and IWD2019 is a key event in ensuring pupils are made aware of their rights and others around the world. More information and the aims of the day can be found at https://www.internationalwomensday.com/IWD2019

     

Some recommendations to get you started…

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The first ever Inter House Reading Challenge has launched – the house that reads the most books wins!  When you have finished reading a book, come and tell Mrs Smith in the library and she will add it to your house total.
The challenge will run until the 31^st May so you have plenty time to read lots and lots of books.  Get your teachers involved as everything they read counts towards final totals as well.  Progress in the challenge will be on display outside the library so everyone can keep up to date with how their house is doing.

If you need inspiration on what to read over the half term, have a look at Book Trust’s 100 Best books for children over the last 100 years or check out Scottish Book Trust’s huge range of themed book lists.  You can also get in touch with Mrs Smith on the library Twitter account @KA_library and she will point you in the direction of something good!

 

Burns Supper
Our annual Burns Supper will take place on Tuesday 5^th February.  This event is entirely organised by senior pupils as part of their Leadership award.  This year both Findlay Sword and Ewan Chalmers are leading what will be a very enjoyable event. Tickets are now on sale priced at £12 and can be purchased from Findlay Sword.

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Dance
Three junior school pupils recently attended a Dance workshop run by the world famous Pineapple Dance Studios at Greenfaulds High School.  Samantha Graham, Gracie Currie and Aimee MacDonald experienced some creative choreography and a fantastic opportunity to improve their technique.  In addition to this, four of our junior Dance Leaders in the school are linking with Balmalloch Primary school to take their Primary 2 and 3 pupils for dance sessions.

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Inter-house competition
House Captains will be visiting classes across this week to encourage pupils to sign up to compete in the next Inter-house event, our annual Cross Country Championships. We ask for your support as parents to encourage as many pupils to sign up as possible remembering pupils that points will also be awarded to houses for the highest level of participation as well as for race places. You don’t have to be the best runner, participation counts and this is a great opportunity for all of our pupils to be involved in a healthy pursuit and the wider life of the school.

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Sports clubs
This term a number of new clubs will start up the week beginning the 4th February.  Activities on offer include Badminton, Tennis, Volleyball, Junior Netball, Handball and Indoor Football.  There are posters promoting these around the school and further information is available by looking on the Active Schools Noticeboard outside the back gym.

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Girls football
Girls are invited to come and join our girls’ football club which takes place in the back gym every Thursday from 4.00 to 5.00pm.  This is a great opportunity for our girls to become involved in the national sport, learn new skills and make new friends, all under the guidance of SFA coach and former professional Robert McGraw.

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Library news
The library is open at lunch time Mon-Thurs for personal reading, writing, drawing, board games, homework, study, research and more.  As of Monday 21^st January, entry to the library at lunch time for S1-S4 is by pass only.  You can pick up a pass in the morning before school and at break time.  Seniors do not need to collect a pass.

Our first ever Inter-house Reading Challenge starts Monday 4^th Feb 2019.  Everyone can get involved and participate in winning points for your house and the house that reads the most books wins.  Teachers can also get involved as everything they read can count towards final totals as well.  This is an event that everyone, pupils and staff can take part in with the challenge running until the 31^st May, so you have plenty time to read lots and lots of books.  Progress in the challenge will be on display outside the library so everyone can keep up to date.  See Mrs Smith in the Library for challenge rules and information on how to participate.

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Paris Trip
The next instalment of £75 for the Paris Trip is due by the end of January. If you are unsure of what you have left to pay, please come and see Miss McFarlane.

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Dates for your diary
S2 Parent evening – Thursday 7th February 2019 – 4.15 – 6.45pm

S3/4 tracking reports issued – Friday 9^th February 2019

February mid-term break – Please note that the school will close for the mid-term break from Monday 11^th to Wednesday 13^th February.  Pupils return to school on Thursday 14^th February.

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Our annual Careers Fair will be taking place in the school cafeteria on Tuesday 29th January from 5.30 – 7pm.

 

This is your chance to meet with employers face to face including BAM Group, Coca- Cola, Police Scotland, the Armed Forces and many more. Major Universities and Colleges will also be represented including St. Andrew’s University, University of Glasgow, City of Glasgow College and more. You can speak to our Careers Adviser from Skills Development Scotland to find out how you go about finding careers information. You will have the opportunity to learn first hand from the many representatives there exactly what skills and qualifications you need to pursue your chosen career. If you have no idea what you want to do then come along and broaden your horizons!

Pupils and parents from all year groups are welcome.

Please contact the school for further information.

House Captains
Following on from the recent appointment of our school captaincy team we are delighted to announce our house captaincy teams for the coming session. Thanks to all pupils who put themselves forward for the role of house captain and congratulations to our successful pupils who are:
Antonine House:
Fiona Armstrong, Rebecca Love, Rory McKenzie
Balmalloch House:
Jennifer McDonald, Heather McClurg, Olivia Elliot
Colzium House:
Laura McCartney, Jack Boyd, Orla Duncan
Dumbreck House:
Erin Oliver,  Eleanor Walker,  Robert Beveridge

Club Open Day
On Wednesday 3 October, pupils from across the school will have the opportunity to take part in our club open day event. At this event, there will be a range of sporting and non-sporting clubs from both within the school and the wider local community. Pupils will have the opportunity to learn about and sign-up to participate in these clubs.

S1-3 Homework Club
Struggling to get yourself organised and complete homework on time? Our new Homework Club started on Wednesday 19th September at 3pm in the Library. All pupils from S1-S3 are invited to bring along homework from any of your subjects, which you can complete with the help and support of a teacher and your peers. You can also use the library computers if needed. This Homework Club runs every Wednesday, 3pm-4pm in the Library.
If you have any questions or would like to know more, please see Miss Davies in Room 231 (French). Hope to see lots of you there!

The Scottish Apprenticeship Show
The Scottish Apprenticeship show will be held on Sunday 7th October from 10.30 to 4pm in the Glasgow Science Centre. This is a free but ticketed event where you and your family can find out about apprenticeships in a variety of sectors. North Lanarkshire Council will have a stand there to present information about their Foundation and Modern Apprenticeship opportunities.

Christmas Panto
A panto is being planned as part of this year’s Christmas Concert. We are looking for actors for speaking and non-speaking parts, a stage crew, technical crew, wardrobe and make -up team and general helpers. Previous experience is not necessary, however, genuine enthusiasm and a willingness to work hard and attend rehearsals is. Any pupils who are interested in being involved in any way must attend a very important meeting in the Drama Studio on Thursday 4th October at 12.45 prompt.

MacMillan Coffee Morning
Last week our S3 Hospitality pupils hosted a MacMillan coffee morning for staff to raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Support whilst testing and showcasing the skills they have learned in Hospitality including their bakery skills. The very successful and well attended event raised a total of £147.39.

Numeracy Leaders
This week a number of pupils from S4 were underwent training as Numeracy Leaders. These committed and talented young mathematicians will use their newly developed leadership skills to support pupils in S1 to better develop their numeracy skills. Acting as positive role models they will support others helping to improve attainment and achievement for junior pupils who find numeracy challenging whilst promoting our values of fairness, ambition and respect.

Dates for your diary
Tracking reports – Our first tracking reports for pupils in S5 & S6 are due to be issued on Friday 5/10/18. Tracking reports for pupils in S1 7 S2 are due to be issued on Friday 12/10/18.
October holiday – The school closed at 2.55pm on Friday 12/10/18 for the October holiday and re-opens on Monday 22nd October.

Teachers Go Bald for Cancer
Last Friday, Teachers and Pupils braved the cut of the scissors and the buzz of the trimmer to either go bald, or donate pony tails as part of or charity drive to support the Teenage Cancer Trust.  TCT are currently looking after our very own Nicole Lowther who was regretfully diagnosed with Hogkins Lymphoma before the summer.  As a show of support for Nicole the entire school came together for this event in what has been an incredible display of school and community spirit.  Special thanks go to Mrs Jayne Gordon (RMPS teacher) and Ms Lynne Forster (AFA) for coming up with the idea and organizing the event.  Both Mrs Gordon and Ms Forster together with Mr Rennie (Maths) and Mr Orrock (Head Teacher) were fully shaved whilst Mrs Kay (Depute Head Teacher) and two pupils, Rachel Egan and Emma Carrigan donated ponytails.  Fundraising has now reached over £12000 and is that total is still rising.  You can read more about this on our School web-site.

STEM Club
A Science, Technologies, Engineering and Maths club will be up and running Wednesday lunch times as of 19th September! Pupils from all year groups are welcome.  Our first challenge will be to construct a Rube Goldberg Instrument!  The club is a good opportunity to have some fun as well as earn yourself recognition for achievement through the CREST awards scheme!  Please come along Room 225 and bring your lunch if possible.

Dates for your diary
21^st and 24^th September – the school is closed for the September Weekend holiday.
25^th September – UCAS information evening – 6.30pm

Mental Health First Aid Ambassadors
Last week, a number of pupil volunteers in S4 and S5 received training as Mental Health First Aid Ambassadors. This formal training will serve to better raise awareness throughout the school about issues affecting mental health and will also provide additional support to young people by better recognizing the signs of mental health issues and providing mentoring and support to pupils.

Arnold Clark visit
Earlier this week, Arnold Clark brought their Apprenticeship Vehicle to school. This custom built lorry allowed pupils to take part in interactive activities and gave insight into the opportunities that are available as an apprentice with Arnold Clark and careers in Automotive or STEM. This was very popular amongst pupils supporting their understanding of the world of work.

S4/5/6 pupils, St Andrews Hospice 6k
The St Andrews Hospice 6k will be held at Stratchclyde Park on Sunday the 16th of September at 10:30am with schools from across North Lanarkshire taking part. This is a charity fun run/ walk which helps raise money for a very worthwhile cause. Any S4-6 pupils (or staff) who are interested in taking part in the event should see Mr Pryde in PE for more details.

S1 – S3 Junior Science Club
A Junior Science Club for pupils in S1-S3 will start on Monday 3^rd September at Lunchtime in Room 226. Pupils interested in taking part should either see Mrs Findlay or turn up on the day.

Senior STEM Club (S4-S6)
There will be a STEM club starting September 12th, the club will run every Wednesday afternoon. Interested pupils should please give their name to Mrs Stirling-Young by the 12th of September if you are interested. Any other questions regarding the club pop in to see me in Room 225.

Fire Up Scotland
Next week most of our S4 pupils will attend the Fire Up Scotland event at the SECC Hydro in Glasgow with 12000 pupils from around Scotland. This event, organised in partnership with North Lanarkshire council and Tree of Knowledge is the first of it’s kind and promises to be a truly unique learning experience for Scotland’s young people. Think ‘TEDx meets the Fringe’ and you’re half way there. Now add in a healthy dose of inspirational role models challenging our young people to be the best they can be while proving there is truly no wrong path to a positive destination. Presenters, speakers and performers from across the world of education, business, entertainment, art, sport and culture will gather, all rolled up into a giant fireball of energy creating one enormous, interactive, fully immersive learning experience never to be forgotten…we dare our young people to not be inspired!

Dates for your Diary
The first meeting of our Parent Council, our annual AGM, will take place on Wednesday 12th September, at 7.00 p.m, in the school.