Kilsyth Academy, Balmalloch, Kilsyth, G659NF – Tel : 01236 632157

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The Senior Social was, once again, a great success. S5, S6 and staff enjoyed the evening at the Marriott Hotel, celebrating the end to a successful session and marking the end of school for all those in S6.

A party of 27 pupils and 4 staff are currently enjoying a five-day trip to Berlin. This is organised jointly between the History and Modern Languages departments and, whilst there, the group will be visiting a range of historical sights, finding out about German culture and trying out their language skills.

End of term trips to M&Ds theme park and Blackpool Pleasure Beach will provide a fun end to the session, for many pupils too.

A group of senior pupils had a great day at Clyde Gateway, celebrating their success with the Urban Plan UK competition.

Pupils have received a Newsletter, which contains important information about end of term and start of session arrangements. Please check school bags!

Our best wishes go to three staff who will be retiring this summer – Mrs Ann Fernie of the Art and Design department, Mrs Anne Mitchell, our Classroom Assistant and Mr Phil Forster, our Attendance Officer. Sincere thanks go to each of them, for all they have contributed to the school and we wish them a great deal of health and happiness in the years ahead.

The school will close for the summer, on Wednesday 29^th June, at 1.00 p.m. SQA results will be published on Tuesday 9^th August and senior staff will be available in school that day, if there are any issues with the receipt of results. Pupils in S5/6, who wish to change some subject options, in the light of results, should make an appointment to meet with Mrs Kerr, on Thursday 11^th August, between 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.

The school will re-open for pupils on Wednesday 17^th August, at 8.55 a.m. Pupils travelling by school bus can go on any Kilsyth Academy bus that day, pending the issue of bus passes.

 

Congratulations to pupils in the new S6, who have been elected as Prefects for session 2016-17. They are: Katie Allen, Robbie Brown, Kyle Brown, Courtney Campbell, Laura Cochrane, Grant Douglas, Imogen Fleming, Julia Fountain, Archie Grant, Elli Gregg, Kira Lundy, Lauryn Macniven, Lewis Maloney, Holly McArthur, Kiera Meiklejohn, Craig Melvin, Lauren Miller, Ann Paterson, Ross Quinn, Abbie Rankin, Jack Rennie, Frazer Sherlock, Lewis Sherlock, Rory Smith, Georgia Stevenson, Calum Stewart, Lindsay Sword, Heather Taylor and Murray Wilson.

Award Ceremonies have now been held for all year groups, at which we were delighted to recognise a wide range of achievements from so many young people. At the Senior Awards Ceremony, we were pleased to welcome Gerry Hughes, as our Principal Guest. Gerry is the world’s first deaf yachtsman, to sail single-handed around the world, passing the 5 great capes. It was great to hear his story and the impact he has made upon the education of deaf children. Our Dux for 2015-16 was confirmed as Archie Grant (5C), who richly deserves the accolade, and the Inter-House competition was won by Antonine House.

Our annual Rotary Public Speaking competition took place last week and the speeches were of a very high standard. The winners and speech titles were:

1^st Harry Thomson – Tolerance

2^nd Morgan Waite – The Ocean

3^rd Ross Chalmers – Light Bulb Moments and Jam Side Downers.

Well done!

We also held our first Rotary Debating competition, with the teams debating the motion ‘The UK should remain as part of the EU’. The arguments were well thought out and the pupils performed to a very high standard. The winners were Morgan Waite and Eilidh Stewart (2B). Congratulations! Our thanks go to the Rotary Club of Kilsyth, for sponsoring both events.

A number of Modern Studies pupils attended the NLC International Conference last week, representing Hungary. The pupils had a great day and participated really well in the debate and in the question and answer session.

Thursday 23^rd June will be a staff in-service day, as the school is being used as a polling station, for the EU Referendum.

The school will close for the summer, on Wednesday 29^th June, at 1.00 p.m. and will re-open to pupils on Wednesday 17^th August, at 8.55 a.m.

Kilsyth Academy participated in the North Lanarkshire Athletics Championships at Wishaw, over the last two weeks. The team won nine medals over the course of the two days of competition. This included a very impressive performance from the S3 Boys 4×100 metres relay squad, who picked up the silver medal in a very close finish. In addition to this, two of our pupils, Jamie Stevenson and Rebecca Love from S3, were selected to represent North Lanarkshire in the Scottish Schools’ Inter Area Championships at Grangemouth, later in June.

 

Gold Medals

 Ross Quinn                            Senior Shot Putt

Jamie Stevenson                     S3 100 metres

 

Silver Medals

Rebecca Love                         S3 Long Jump

Eleanor Duncan                      S2 Discus

Jamie Stevenson                      S3 4x100m Relay

Jay Coyle

Jamie McCaughey

William Burke

 

Bronze medals

Aidan Belton                         S2 Hurdles

Lauryn MacNiven                    Senior High Jump

Scott McIntyre                       S3 Discus

Fraser Gallacher                     Senior Triple Jump

 

Some other notable performances were:

Scott Lilburn – 4th in 800m; Aidan Belton – 4th in Javelin; Ross Alexander – 4^th in Javelin; Connor Robertson S1, who qualified for the 800 metres final and Lauryn Robertson who qualified for the Senior girls’ 200 metre final. Congratulations to all.

Holly McArthur represented Kilsyth Academy in the Scottish Schools Athletics. Holly won gold in the under-17 women’s pentathlon, with a total of 3713 points, smashing the under-17 women’s record that has stood for 45 years. This is a superb achievement and we are extremely proud of Holly, who is currently training with the Scotland squad, in Portugal.

The P7 children who will be transferring to Kilsyth Academy, in August, spent two days in the school, following S1 timetables and meeting a number of staff and senior pupils. There was a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm and we look forward to working with the youngsters, in the years ahead.

A number of our new S5/6 pupils visited New College Lanarkshire, in Motherwell, and enjoyed a variety of taster sessions for a range of courses that the college offers.

The annual Rotary Bake-Off took place last week and, as always, was a great success. The pupils spent the morning baking and, early in the afternoon, their cakes were judged. Congratulations to Jennifer Wright and Kimberley McBride, this year’s winners, who baked a delicious rainbow cake and chocolate brownies. In the afternoon, some older citizens from the local community visited the school and were treated to afternoon tea, with an opportunity to eat the cakes that had been baked earlier.

A team of S1 pupils took part in the Salters’ Chemistry Challenge, held at the University of Glasgow. There were two main challenges, the first in the morning set by Salters’ and the second in the afternoon set by the university. In the morning challenge the students worked in teams and used Analytical Chemistry techniques to help identify a suspect in a crime. In the afternoon they again worked in teams to solve another forensic science based problem. This was followed with a lecture on “Chemical Magic” involving fun chemical reactions. Despite not winning any of the top prizes the pupils had a great day out. Members of the S1 team representing Kilsyth were Morgan Waite, Aaron Fitzsimmons, Alana Thomson and Mark Donnelly. Well done!

We had a great representation at the first day of the North Lanarkshire Athletics Championships, last week. The weather was superb and the competitors performed well. A number of pupils have qualified for finals next week and already we have five medallists:

Scott McIntyre – Bronze – Discus

Eleanor Duncan – Silver – Discus

Aidan Belton – Bronze – Hurdles

Rebecca Love – Silver – Long Jump

 

S3 Boys Relay (Jamie McCaughey, William Burke, Jamie Stevenson and Jay Coyle) – Silver. Congratulations to all.

 

We look forward to welcoming the P7 children, who will be transferring to Kilsyth Academy next session, on Wednesday 8^th and Thursday 9^th June. During the two-day visit, the pupils will become familiar with their new classes and have an opportunity to meet some of their new teachers. The Information Evening, for parents of P7 pupils, will take place on Thursday 9^th June, at 7.30 p.m. This is an opportunity for parents, to find out about all the arrangements for next session and to meet the Pupil Support staff, who will be parents’ first contact with the school. Our second Uniform Evening will also be on Thursday 9^th June, from 5.00-8.00 p.m., in the café.

The Senior Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday 15^th June, at 7.20 for 7.30 p.m., in the Assembly Hall. Invitation letters have now been sent to the parents of recipients finishing S4, S5 and S6 and we hope for a large turnout, to celebrate the many achievements of our young people, throughout another busy year in Kilsyth Academy. Our Principal Guest will be Gerry Hughes, the first deaf yachtsman to sail single-handedly around the world, via the five southernmost capes, and I am sure his story will prove inspirational.

Junior Award Ceremonies will take place, during the school day, on Thursday 16^th June, when we will once again celebrate a wide range of pupils’ achievements, for those finishing S1, S2 and S3.

Congratulations to Miss Elspeth Strang, our new PT Support for Learning and Inclusion. It is hoped that Miss Strang will take up post on Monday 20^th June and we look forward to working with her, in the future. Currently, Miss Strang teaches at Denny High School and she is a former pupil of Kilsyth Academy.

The School Sports was held last week, in great weather, with over seventy athletes participating in a variety of Track and Field events. The event is also a House competition and this increases the level of effort that each athlete displays, as they compete to win the overall trophy. Individual champions in each event were:

S1 –  600 metres            Connor Robertson                   Alanna Thomson

S2 – 600 metres            Cameron Comrie                     Rachel Thomson

S1 – 200 metres            Christopher Gibb                    Keri McGrory

S2 – 200 metres            Craig Clelland                         Hollie Currie

S1 – 80 metres             Austin Muya                           Sophie Bridges

S2 – 80 metres             Aidan Belton                           Megan Currie

S1 – Javelin                    James Baird                             Stephanie Dow

S2 – Javelin                    Aidan Belton                           Eleanor Duncan

S1 – Long Jump             Mark McCann                         Layla Morris

S2 – Long Jump             Finlay Cowan                          Megan Currie

S1 – Shot Putt               Jackson Gourlay                     Rebecca Wilson

S2 – Shot Putt               Ewan Abercrombie                 Kimberley Scott.

S2 – Relay                      1st Balmalloch                         2nd  Colzium

S1 – Relay                      1st Dumbreck                          2nd Colzium.

When all the points were tallied up for each event Colzium House were victorious in both S1 and S2 competitions. Congratulations to all!

We look forward to welcoming the P7 children, who will be transferring to Kilsyth Academy next session, on Wednesday 8^th and Thursday 9^th June. During the two-day visit, the pupils will become familiar with their new classes and have an opportunity to meet some of their new teachers. The Information Evening, for parents of P7 pupils, will take place on Thursday 9^th June, at 7.30 p.m. This is an opportunity for parents, to find out about all the arrangements for next session and to meet the Pupil Support staff, who will be parents’ first contact with the school. Our second Uniform Evening will also be on Thursday 9^th June, from 5.00-8.00 p.m., in the café.

The new timetable will begin on Monday 6^th June and all pupils returning for S5 or S6 must be back at school that day.

The Parent Council will meet on Thursday 2^nd June, at 7.00 p.m., in the school.

The first of our three uniform evenings will take place on Wednesday 25^th May, from 5.00 – 8.00 p.m., in the senior café. There will be special deals available at each of these events. The remaining uniform evenings will be on 9^th June and 20^th June, at the same times.

Our annual S2/3 Leadership Academy took place last weekend, at Kilbowie. The group of 37 pupils experienced fantastic weather and took part in a wide range of outdoor activities, in addition to learning about some of the key qualities of successful leaders. Many thanks to Mr Rennie, Mr Clowes, Mrs Stirling-Young and Magi Hamilton, for leading this fantastic opportunity.

On Sunday 17^th May, the PE department led a trip to see Newcastle United play Tottenham, in the last Premier League game of the season. It was an action packed game, which saw Newcastle winning 5–1. The 40 pupils had an excellent day out and thanks go to Mr Urquhart, Mr Buchanan, Mr Brown and Mr Stevenson for accompanying the group.

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A group of 39, S1 pupils enjoyed a three-day residential experience at Auchengillan Outdoor Centre. Undertaking a range of activities, such as orienteering, climbing, abseiling, kayaking and mountain biking. Despite the weather, the group remained in high spirits and had a great experience over all. Thanks go to Mr Urquhart, Mr Clowes, Miss Rae and Magi Hamilton, for leading the event and for all their encouragement throughout the three days.

Friday 27^th May and Monday 30^th May will be school holidays, the only exception being for those sitting SQA examinations. The new timetable will begin on Monday 6^th June and all pupils returning for S5 or S6 must be back at school that day.

The Parent Council will meet on Thursday 2^nd June, at 7.00 p.m., in the school.

S1 pupils have completed their entries for the annual Inspire>Aspire poster competition. The competition focuses on global citizenship and challenges pupils to consider the type of person they wish to become and what their vision would be for a better world. The standard, this year, has been exceptional and following judging at school level, five pupils’ work has been submitted to the national competition. A very special ‘well done’ to Rhiannon Neil, Sophie Morton, Dylan Grant, Alana Thomson and Morgan Waite, for achieving this level of success and we hope that their work will be recognised nationally, when the competition closes. At school level, a number of pupils were also commended on their outstanding efforts and their work is now displayed in the foyer:

Gold – Millie Mason, Layla Morris, Sophie Bridges, Luke Fyfe, Lauren Cole, Cameron Love.

Silver – Mark Donnelly, Amber Peoples, Kirsty McDowall, Rebecca Wilson, Rachel McIntyre, Eilidh Stewart.

Bronze – Cameron Napier, Jamie-Lee McBride, Connagh Connelly, Emma McEwan, Emma Roberts.

Congratulations everyone!

 

Our Uniform evenings are approaching, once again. They will be held in the school cafeteria on Wednesday 25^th May, Thursday 9^th June and Monday 20^th June, each from 5.00 – 8.00 p.m. 9^th June is also the Parents’ Evening for P7 pupils who will be joining us in Kilsyth Academy, in August. A number of special deals are available on these evenings.

Pupils in S1 have been issued with their final tracking report for this session. Acknowledgement slips from parents should be returned to Tutor teachers ASAP.

S3 Geography pupils had an opportunity to participate in fieldwork, in the local area, last week. The weather was very kind to them too and they were able to enjoy the sunshine as they worked.

Due to the European Referendum, the school will be closed for pupils, on Thursday 23^rd June, as Kilsyth Academy will be used as a polling station. This will now be an additional staff in-service day.

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The Captaincy Team organised a further two presentations to the pupils’ chosen charities last week. £750 was presented to SAMH, their national charity, and a further £750 to Mary’s Meals, their international charity. The team has made a tremendous effort, throughout the session, to raise money for a range of charitable causes.

 

The Leavers’ Ceremony took place last week, for all pupils leaving from S4, S5 and S6. All the pupils received Leaving Certificates and were wished every success by School Captain Erin Main and by Mrs Caldwell. The Ceremony was followed by tea and coffee with the staff.

Thursday 5^th May will be a staff in-service day, due to the Scottish Parliament elections. The school will therefore be closed to pupils, with the exception of those sitting SQA examinations. Members of the public should access the polling station at the back of the school, using the entrance off Balmalloch Road.

Our own Mock Election took place last week, with candidates from seven parties – Conservative, Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat, SNP, SSP and UKIP. Following a hustings debate to representative audience, all pupils had an opportunity to vote, using the double ballot paper system. Following the count, Amy Smith (SNP) was declared to be elected as our constituency MSP. The results of the additional member ballot were SNP 40%, Greens 20%, UKIP 15%, Labour 7%, LibDem 6%, Conservative 6% and SSP 6%. Well done to all the candidates, from S1 to S6, for participating in such a professional campaign.

The school hosted an Inter-Primary Athletics championships, open to all our associated primary schools and, for once, the weather was favourable. Pupils competed in a variety of Track and Field events and some very impressive individual performances were recorded. Individual champions in each event were:

Boys 600 metres                     Cameron McCaffer

Girls 600 metres                     Hayley Conroy

Boys 200 metres                    Callum McGoldrick

Girls 200 metres                    Robyn Stark

Boys 80   metres                    Lewis Moody

Girls 80   metres                    Erin Brady

Boys Shot Putt                        Callum Mewes

Girls Shot Putt                       Niamh McCann

Boys Cricket Throw                Logan Scott

Girls Cricket Throw               Katie Walker.

At the start of the final events the 4 x 50 metres Relays, only five points separated the two leading teams, Lennoxtown and Balmalloch. After two close final races, Balmalloch won both Relays to take double points and surge ahead to retain the overall trophy with 89 points. Lennoxtown were a close second with 77 points and Chapelgreen in 3rd place with 50 points. The event was organised and run by Kilsyth Academy Sports Leaders as part of their course. Their willingness to work as a team and take on their various responsibilities made the event a very enjoyable experience for all athletes who participated.

The Senior Inter-House Quiz took place with each House represented by three pupils – from S4, S5 and S6. Antonine House took an early lead and managed to hold on to that throughout, taking 1^st place. Colzium were 2^nd, with Balmalloch in 3^rd place and Dumbreck 4^th. Well done to all participants.

The first of our three charity presentations took place this week. A cheque for £750 was presented to the pupils’ chosen local charity, Strathcarron Hospice. We were delighted to welcome Jim Brown from Strathcarron, to receive the cheque and Jim also shared a video of the hospice’s work, with pupils in S3 and S4.

The campaign for the Kilsyth Academy Mock Election is now well underway and we look forward to hearing the outcome of the voting, early next week.

There was a good turnout of pupils at the various Easter School tutorials, held between 4^th and 7^th April. We hope that this will have helped pupils with their preparation for the forthcoming examinations.

Letters and personal timetables have been issued to pupils who will be sitting SQA examinations, during May and June. Study Leave, for S4, S5 and S6 pupils sitting SQA examinations, will be from 3^rd May until 3^rd June (both dates inclusive). Pupils who have no examinations will not have Study Leave and will be expected to attend school, during this time.

The Parent Council will meet on Thursday 28^th April, at 7.00 p.m., in the school. Congratulations to Matt Bendoris, the new Chair of our Parent Council. New members are always welcome.

Well done to Erin Main and Kirstin MacLaren, for their organisation of the recent race night for Comfort Rwanda and Congo. The girls raised a staggering £1383, which will go to support the work carried out by the charity. Thanks too to everyone who supported the event, in any way.

Preparations are now underway for the Kilsyth Academy mock election, to be held in the run-up to the Scottish Parliament elections. Hustings will take place on Thursday 21st April and voting will take place the following week over Tuesday and Wednesday 26th-27th April. The following pupils have volunteered to represent a party in the mock election: Amy Smith (S4), Amy Jarvie (S5), Connagh Connelly (S1), Iona Brownlie (S4), Blair Anderson (S6), Morgan Waite (S1) and Courtney Forsyth (S6). We wish them all a successful campaign!

The annual Primary K’Nex Challenge took place last week, with each of our associated primary school entering teams of two P6 pupils. The model required was very challenging – a vehicle that included a steering mechanism – but all the children worked really hard and completed the project enthusiastically. The Winners were Balmalloch Primary and the runners-up were Chapelgreen Primary – congratulations to both teams. Many thanks to Mr Turnbull for organising the event.

Congratulations to our musicians and singers who performed in the North Lanarkshire Music Groups Spring Concert, held at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. This is the culmination of many months of rehearsals, held after school. Well done to Archie Grant, Erin Main, Kirstin MacLaren, Ben McDowall, Fiona Armstrong, Luke Shearer, Kieran McCann and Rebekah Machray.

The school will re-open, after the spring break, on Monday 18^th April.

Study Leave, for S4, S5 and S6 pupils sitting SQA examinations, will be from 3^rd May until 3^rd June (both dates inclusive).

Pupils who have no examinations will not have Study Leave and will be expected to attend school, during this time.