I write this blog post as a very proud Head Teacher having had the pleasure of being involved in a day of learning which shone a light on the diverse range of learning, volunteering and employment opportunities available here in Whalsay.

On Thursday, we had P7, S1, S2, S3 and S4 pupils visit 28 stations that were occupied by different businesses and service providers who operate within the isle. Witnessing all of our exhibitors share their passions for their professions and contributions to community life, engage with our pupils and make connections through points of mutual interest was wonderful to observe. Discussions ranged from subject interests and specialisms to career pathways to what is involved in different roles within healthcare and leisure, renewable energies, transport, fishing and a whole host of other opportunities within the isle.

The event embodied what we are always striving for as a school – To be a Connected Community of Learners who take opportunities to learn from one another and support one another.

This event would not have been possible but for a lot of time, dedication and effort from multiple organisers behind the scenes. To Mrs. Hamilton, our Business Management and ASN teacher, a very sincere thank you for making and developing many connections with local businesses. To Emily van Tonder, Emma Chittick and the team at Developing the Young Workforce, a very sincere thank you for your skills and expertise in coordinating and communicating with multiple parties to ensure the day ran smoothly. A big congratulations to our pupils for asking lots of questions and being keen to learn about opportunities that may play a prominent part in their future after school. To our staff here at the school, who supported with logistics and arrangements as well as representing the school as a potential place of employment in the future, a sincere thank you.

Finally, to all our exhibitors, a very sincere thank you for your time and efforts for showcasing your work in various capacities. It has inspired lots of great conversations in school today and prompted plenty of thinking and reflection amongst our pupils and staff.

Screen Free Zone – Secondary break times

Health and Creativity – Following discussions with parents and pupils, we are introducing a ‘screen free’ zone for Secondary pupils for first break (10:35 – 10:50)

Pupils are welcome to the Music classroom on the ground floor where pupils can read, draw, play board games etc as an alternative to being on screens.

Supervision for the area will be rotated between different staff volunteers.

Thanks (again!) to Miss O’Dwyer for kindly creating the digital poster to raise awareness of this initiative.

Responsibility – Taking responsibility for our learning and our homework.

At the request of pupils and parents, we have launched an after school Homework club.

The Homework club will run on Wednesday afternoons from 3:45 – 4:45 in the Music room.

Different staff members will be supervising on different weeks and will provide support with learning as much as is possible but this may not be in a specialist subject area.

Sincere thanks to Ms. O’Dwyer for creating the poster below:

Homework Club

There is no club running this week (Wednesday 26th November) due to the S3 Parents Evening.

Thank you to Mrs.Carr for organising a litter pick in and around the school grounds – both Primary and Secondary areas.

Well done to the pupils for taking Responsibility for making sure that our school is looking its best!

S1 class have started a new block of gymnastics. In the above lesson pupils were given pictures of Olympic Standard gymnasts and had to select a couple of the SALS that they believed fit best to “what it’s important for a gymnast”. We gathered some of them skills and created our SC and LI. This lesson focused on balance and control

. The class had time to work on individual balances and then air balances. (Where we played competitive balance bingo)! We then spoke about if we transferred that into a group balance – talking about communication and trust! And put some of the skills together in group balance work.

Pupils then needed to put the group balance into a routine! Lots of fun and great skills and discussion.

Pupils in S3, accompanied by Mrs.Carr and Mr. Healy, visited Market House in Lerwick for a charity showcase event as part of their Youth Philanthropy Initiative studies. Engagement in the YPI program allows our pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding  of different social issues that impact the quality of life for people in Shetland.

There were a number of different Shetland charities in attendance including:

The Shetland Befriending Scheme

Shetland Bereavement Support

Dogs against Drugs

Clan Cancer Support

Shetland Foodbank

Ability Shetland

OPEN Project

Royal Voluntary Service

McMillan Cancer Support

Alzheimer Scotland

Fisherman’s Mission

This afternoon we held our draw and create together event which was kindly hosted by Mrs.Carr.

What a lovely event to bring different generations of families together in the spirit of art and creativity. Some highly skilled artists were creating drawings of the local pelagic boats, coastline and local scenery.

Thank you to all pupils, parents and staff who attended and supported. Continuing to have our community involved in school life means a lot to all of us.

Mr. Healy

Poster for Afternoon Tea Drawn Together

Pupils from S1 – S4 benefitted from a hugely informative and important workshop today delivered by colleagues from NHS Shetland. Learning focused on what we can do in the event of a member of the public has a cardiac arrest.

Pupils heard real life stories and statistics from across the health service as well as learning the practical skills of how to properly do chest compressions and use a defibrillator.

Winter Ball Poster

Transport Information – Winter Ball

Details attached for the SIC Winter Ball.

Tickets are being sold at Whalsay School on Wednesday 5th November (during breaks from lessons)