Author: Mr Docherty

Burns supper
Our annual Burns Supper will take place on Wednesday 7^th February in the school café. This event is entirely organized by senior pupils as part of their Leadership award. This year both Olivia Anderson and Nicole Lowther are leading what will be a very enjoyable event.

Parent Council
The Parent Council met on Monday and heard directly from pupil members of our Rights Respecting Schools committee who outlined our journey so far and discussed our plans to gain Right Respecting School Level 1 status in the next year. In addition, the council discussed our progress with the Pupil Equity Fund and were updated on school issues by the Head Teacher.

First Steps Training
As part of providing some targeted work based learning we have teamed up with First Steps Training in Glasgow to provide a ten week introductory course to five young people in S3 and S4. This course focuses on the skills required in the construction industry and introduces pupils to a range of trades including brick laying, joinery and scaffolding.  The pupils involved have really enjoyed the experience so far and will work with First Steps until Easter.

Peers into schools
On Friday 2^nd February, as part of the Peers into Schools programme run by the House of Lords, Lord Purvis of Tweed will visit Kilsyth Academy to talk to senior pupils about the work of the House of Lords and his role as a member before participating in a question and answer session with pupils in S6.  This programme is designed to develop the political literacy and engagement of young people with a specific focus on the role of the Lords.

Dates
Please note that the school will close for the mid-term break from Monday 12^th to Wednesday 14^th February.  Pupils return to school on Thursday 16^th.

 

 

Christmas concert
Our Christmas Concert last Thursday was a great successes. During the concert, a packed audience was entertained by a range of musicians and singers. This included the Swing Band, Saxophone Group, the Wee Band made up of musicians from Balmalloch Primary School and numerous individual and small group performances. As always, the considerable talent of our young people was outstanding and everyone was extremely impressed by their high standard.

Sincere thanks to all staff who played a part in making the evening happen but, specifically, to Mr Russell, Miss Young and Miss Langan for all their work with the performers.

 

S1/2 Christmas Party
S1 and S2 pupils have enjoyed a Christmas Party and Dance and thanks go to the PE department for ensuring that everyone had a great, fun afternoon.

 

Celebration of Success assembly
Congratulations to all pupils, whose achievements were recognised at the Christmas Celebration of Success Assembly. We are committed to recognising the wide range of achievements of our young people and we are delighted to mark these, in this way.

 

End of term arrangements
The school will close for the Christmas holiday, on Friday 22nd December, at 2.30 p.m. and will re-open at the usual time, on Monday 8th January. We wish all families and friends of the school a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2018.

Children in Need
Last Friday, pupils raised a total of £305.35 for Children in Need, through a variety of activities including face painting, beat the goalie, cupcake roulette and pie the teacher and a Pyjama Day for S6. Well done to Catie Gray and her team, for coordinating this, as part of the SQA Leadership Award and to the brave staff who supported this event by volunteering be the goalie and to have cream thrown at them.

Primary Maths Challenge
On Friday teams from across all of our associated Primary Schools took part in our annual Enterprising Primary Maths Challenge. Our congratulations go to Lennoxtown Primary School who again won the event for the second year running.

S5/6 Parents evening
Our Parents’ Evening for S5/6 will take place on Monday 27th November, from 4.15 – 6.45 p.m. This is a really important event, prior to the prelims, in January. It is an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss any issues and to set targets for the months ahead, at this vital time.

Dates for your diary
S5/6 Tracking reports are due to be issued on Friday 24 November 2017.

Piping success
Congratulations go to Luke Shearer, S5 who, at the recent Festival of Juvenile Solo Piping, in Salcoats, finished the competition as the overall senior champion.

 

Swimming success
Congratulations to Scott Lilburn, S6 who won gold medals in the 100m Freestyle and 200m Freestyle in the recent North Lanarkshire Schools Swimming Championships in Cumbernauld. In addition to his gold medals, Scott put in an excellent performance to equal the North Lanarkshire record in the 100m Freestyle and also won silver in the 100m Butterfly.

 

S1 Panto Trip
Mrs. Olukotun and Miss Pollock intend to take a group of S1 pupils to The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow to see ‘The Wizard of Never Woz’ which will enable pupils to experience an enjoyable evening at the theatre while developing their understanding of character, theme and setting.  If you would like your child to be considered please return the letter issued to them with a payment of £22.00 by Monday 20th November.  The cost of the trip includes a prime seat in the stalls and travel to and from Glasgow.

Miss Pollock will collect monies on Monday – Wednesday in Room 144 and Mrs. Olukotun on Thursdays and Fridays in Room 146 – oh yes we will!

 

Remembrance Assembly
Last week senior pupils led and participated in our Remembrance Assembly. This event was entirely organised by senior pupils and our thanks go particularly to Karen Marshall, S6 who led this event as part of her S6 Leadership course.  Our thanks are extended to all those who contributed a very thoughtful and considered assembly but particularly to our guests, Minister and Gordon Highlanders veteran Kenn Baird and Royal Airforce Veteran Craig Gore who shared his experience with our pupils.

 

Primary Maths Challenge
On Friday teams from across all of our associated Primary Schools will attend Kilsyth Academy to participate in our annual Enterprising Primary Maths Challenge. Good luck to all those competing and trying to prise the crown from current champions, Lennoxtown Primary School.

 

North Lanarkshire Sumdog competition
North Lanarkshire has recently announced its ‘Sumdog’ Maths competition for pupils in S1 and S2. Sumdog is an online platform that supports young people to develop their Maths and Numeracy skills in both a fun and competitive environment.  All pupils have received their login details and will be reminded of these this week.  Pupils can enter the competition that starts on 17^th November playing both in class and from home.  Parents can read more information about Sumdog at http://www.sumdog.com/en/parent/

 

S5/6 Parents evening
Our Parents’ Evening for S5/6 will take place on Monday 27th November, from 4.15 – 6.45 p.m. This is a really important event, prior to the prelims, in January. It is an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss any issues and to set targets for the months ahead, at this vital time.

 

Dates for your diary
S2 tracking reports will be issued on Wednesday 15 November 2017.
The school will be closed to pupils on Monday 20^th November for an in-service day.
S5/6 Tracking reports are due to be issued on Friday 24 November 2017.

Hallowe’en Ghost Walk
Hallowe’en will descended on Kilsyth Academy this week when our S1 pupils took part in our Hallowe’en party and ghost walk. This event was organised and run by senior pupils and was the basis of a leadership project for one senior pupil studying the SQA award in Leadership. This was a very successful and enjoyable event that was well supported and our thanks are extended to all staff and senior pupils who contributed in making our annual scarefest a night to remember for our S1 pupils.

 

P7 Science day
Yesterday, primary 7 pupils from across our cluster took part in our annual primary science event, enjoying a very full morning of Science at Kilsyth Academy, delivered by our senior pupils. The senior pupils were mentored by Science staff, on the experiments that the primary pupils would be carrying out, over a period of time. Pupils completed a record book of the experiments they carried out, with seniors helping them to complete the questions. The day was very successful and enjoyed by all involved. A big thank you to everyone involved.

 

Pupil Leadership
Following on from our successful Ghost Walk, a further series of event will take place over the school session organised by our senior leadership class. Pupils, as part of their course, must undertake a project that develops and demonstrates their skills as young leaders. This very demanding course helps pupils develop a range of skills that will serve them well when they leave school. Upcoming events will include our Remembrance Activities, Children in Need, the Crazy Day show and our annual Burns Supper. Other projects include leading our new school newsletter, KA Connections and a specific newsletter for S6 Pupils.

 

Golf Success
Our congratulations go out to David Veitch an S5 pupils who recently represented the school in the Dullatur Cup competition for North Lanarkshire schools. David is the proud winner of the S5 individual competition.

 

Dates for your diary
S1 Parent evening will take place on Thursday 9 November from 4.15 to 6.45pm.
S2 tracking reports will be issued on Wednesday 15 November 2017.
Our next parent council meeting will take place in the school on Tuesday 14th November at 7.00pm.
The school will be closed to pupils on Monday 20th November for an in-service day.

Hallowe’en Ghost Walk
Hallowe’en will descended on Kilsyth Academy in style tonight as our S1 pupils participate in our Hallowe’en party and ghost walk. Pupils in S6, supported by staff, organised a number of party activities and a ghost walk around the school. Hopefully our S1’s are not too terrified to return to school in the morning.

 

P7 Science day
Next week, primary 7 pupils from our partner primary schools will be in the Academy taking part in our annual science event. Pupils will have the opportunity to work with staff and more specifically senior pupils who will lead the event, participating in a range of science activities and experiments.

 

Photography competition
The Scottish Civic Trust Photography competition is a national competition open to all schools in Scotland and pupils from S1 to S6 can take part with some big prizes to be won! Any pupil interested in entering this competition should see Miss Andrew in the Art department for more information.
Miss Andrew will be available on a Wednesday & Thursday at lunchtime to help with this.

 

KA Connections
Look out for our new and revamped newsletter ‘KA Connections’ which will be issued soon and gives you a real flavour of life in Kilsyth Academy so far this year.

 

Dates for your diary
S1 tracking reports will be issued to parents during the week beginning 6th November and the S1 parents evening will take place on Thursday 9th November starting at 4.15pm.

Our next parent council meeting will take place in the school on Tuesday 14th November at 7.00pm.

St Andrew Hospice 6K Fun Run
Congratulations to our team of staff and pupils, who took part in the St Andrew’s Hospice 6k Fun Run, recently. The group had a great morning at Strathclyde Park while, at the same time raising much needed funds, for this very worthwhile cause.

 

Firereach
A group of S3 girls and S3 Boys have both now taken part in the Firereach programme operated by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. This programme provides an insight into the importance of teamwork, challenge and self-belief and supports young people to recognise and develop their own skills and abilities. Pupils had a great time and found the experience both worthwhile and enjoyable.

 

S1 Welcome Event
Pupils in S1 participated in a great ‘Welcome Event’ last week, enjoying a range of activities, including an indoor adventure course and House activities.

S4 tracking reports
S4 Tracking Reports have been issued, together with invitations to the S4 Parents’ Evening, on Monday 9th October, from 4.15 – 6.45 p.m. This will be an opportunity for teachers and parents to discuss targets for the year ahead and jointly support pupils to achieve their potential.

 

Pupil Council
We are currently in the process of appointing new pupils councils to support the work of the school. Pupil councils will have the opportunity to represent pupils’ views directly with the senior management team.

 

Staff news
Last week we said goodbye to Mrs Stewart as our PT Home Economics. Mrs Stewart has served the school for 19 years as both a teacher and principal teacher and is also a former pupil. We offer our sincere thanks for all she has contributed to Kilsyth Academy and send our best wishes for a long and happy retirement.

 

Dates for your diary
The school will close for the October week, on Friday 13th October, at 2.55 p.m., and will re-open on Monday 23rd October, at 8.55 a.m.

Open Evening – Pupils in P5, 6 & 7

Next Tuesday, 19/9/17 sees our annual open evening for pupils and parents from our local Primary Schools. This event will start at 7.00pm with a short presentation in the Assembly Hall before parents and pupils will have the opportunity to tour the school, meet staff and pupils and get a flavour the pupil experience on offer at Kilsyth Academy.  We look forward to welcoming as many parents and pupils as possible from our partner Primaries.

 

Construction careers talk

We were delighted to welcome Dale from ‘concrete in the Classroom’ representing Construction Scotland, to provide information and advice to S5/6 regarding the wide range of careers in the construction industry. This was well received by the young people concerned, who felt that they learned a great deal from the experience.

 

Firereach

A group of S3 girls will participate in the Firereach programme operated by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. This programme provides an insight into the importance of teamwork, challenge and self-belief and supports young people to recognise and develop their own skills and abilities.  A boys group will also attend this programme in the coming weeks.

 

UCAS Support

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 2018 and also for providing support and advice to parents at our recent UCAS Information evening.

 

Kickstart Theatre Company

Our S1 recently enjoyed a production from the Kickstart Theatre Company designed to support them to recognise risky behaviour and the impact of making poor decisions. This fully interactive session adopted a humorous approach to serious issues and saw pupils taking on roles in the production and re-writing the events of the play by recognising risky behaviour and decision making.  S1 thoroughly enjoyed this event and were instrumental in making this event a success.

 

S2 Film Club

Miss Pollock is starting a Film Club for pupils in S2 in the English Department. The first session will take place this Friday at lunchtime in Room 144.  For more information please see Miss Pollock.

 

Art & Design folios

Any pupils who would like their Art and Design folios returned from the SQA must see Miss Andrew as soon as possible. The deadline for this is 25th September.

 

Dates for your diary

The school will be closed on Friday 22^nd and Monday 25^th September for the annual September holiday.

New Depute Head Teacher

On Monday we welcomed our new Depute Head Teacher, Mrs Kay, who has joined the Academy from Larbert High School. Mrs Kay will be responsible for pupils in Antonine House and jointly responsible for pupils in Colzium House.

 

Maths Week Scotland

The Maths department will be participating in Maths Week Scotland from 11th until the 15th Sept. Further information about of some of the exciting things planned inside and out the Maths department will come out to pupils in the junior school soon.

 

Maths Homework

The Maths department will trial the use on online platforms to issue most homework this session including, the school web-site, Twitter and GLOW. We hope that this will be a successful change however, should this present difficulties for any pupils they are asked to discuss it with their Maths teacher in the first instance.

 

School Photographs

S1 and S4 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 Friday 8th September, if you would like to buy copies.

 

 

UCAS/University Open Days

Senior pupils are currently 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 2018. Over the next few weeks, the seniors will be working on Personal Statements and will have the opportunity to get assistance with them from Professor Kevin O’Gorman from Heriot Watt University on Thursday afternoon, 31/8/17. Seniors wishing support from Professor O’Gorman should have a first draft prepared if they wish to take up this offer of support.

 

 

Dates for your diary

The first meeting of our Parent Council will take place on Tuesday 5th September, at 7.00 p.m., in the school. All welcome.

 

A further reminder that on Thursday 31^st 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. In the past, parents have found this to be a very informative evening, which will include details about funding, qualifications and the university experience and we will be joined by a guest speaker, Professor Kevin O’Gorman from Heriot Watt University. The evening begins at 7.00 p.m. and we are hoping for a good turnout.

 

We are delighted to welcome our new S1 pupils to the Academy and wish them all every success in the years to come. They are all looking extremely smart and have made a very enthusiastic start to High School life. Well done to pupils from last session’s S4, S5 and S6 on their excellent achievements in SQA examinations. We are very pleased with the results and it is clear that pupils’ and teachers’ hard work really paid off, once again.

 

Last year’s leavers are now embarking on either new courses in Further or Higher Education, or on new careers and we wish them every success. We look forward to hearing about their continued achievements, in the years ahead. A number of former pupils also graduated over the summer and our warmest congratulations go to them.

 

New Staff

We are pleased to welcome a number of new staff: Miss Graham (Biology), Miss McGavin (Geography), Miss Pollock (English), and we look forward to welcoming soon Mrs Keddie (P.E.).  We also look forward to welcoming our new Depute Head Teacher, Mrs Kay, who will also teach in the Technical department, to the school in the coming weeks. We hope that they will all greatly enjoy their time in Kilsyth Academy.

 

Football

Our congratulations go to Cameron McCaffer (S2), who has recently left Cumbernauld Colts to sign as a pro-youth academy player with Partick Thistle Football Club.  We wish Callum the very best success in this move.

 

Dates for your diary

The first meeting of our Parent Council will take place on Tuesday 5th September, at 7.00 p.m., in the school. All welcome.

On Thursday 31^st 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 and the university experience and we will be joined by a guest speaker, Professor Kevin O’Gorman from Heriot Watt University. The evening begins at 7.00 p.m. and we are hoping for a good turnout.