September 30, 2024
by Mrs Constable
Comments Off on S3 Shetland Schools Netball Tournament

S3 Shetland Schools Netball Tournament

On Thursday 26^th September, S2/3 competed in a secondary schools netball tournament against AHS, North Isles, Brae and Aith. Whalsay arrived at Scalloway Games Hall ready to take to the court sporting their new kit, from the Whalsay Netball club, which was sponsored by the Tranquility.

Whalsay had a strong start, working well together as a team to win both their games against Brae and Aith.

They faced AHS next and the game started end to end, both teams eager for the win. AHS settled first scoring a few goals in quick succession, but Whalsay battled hard back into the game. The second half was more evenly matched, with Whalsay closing the gap. AHS held strong to win 12-7.

In their final game Whalsay faced Aith. Aith settled quickly with some quick-paced play through the court. Whalsay regrouped during the second half to pull back into the game with some great linking team play. Aith played strongly to win the match and the overall tournament.

Well done to all players involved and thanks to Marie Anderson for accompanying the team on the trip. Thanks to Active Schools for organising the tournament and providing transport. It was a great day out with the players reporting that:

“It was a fun day and it was great to represent our school playing against other school teams from across Shetland instead of just within our own club.”

“It was nice to meet in with other players from other schools.”

“It was great to see all players try their hardest for the team in competitive matches and good sportsmanship was demonstrated throughout the day.”

September 30, 2024
by Mrs Constable
Comments Off on S3 trip – Young People in Aviation event (DYW)

S3 trip – Young People in Aviation event (DYW)

On Thursday 19^th September, S3 took part in an event organised by Developing the Young Workforce – Shetland. The ‘Young People in Aviation’ event took place in Brae Community Hall, where pupils were split into groups mixing with pupils from Brae High School and Aith Junior High School.

The groups rotated around 8 stations based on different companies who work at the airport. Pupils were involved in taking part in fun activities and challenges at each station while listening to the advice from experts in their fields. Stations included Coastguard Search & Rescue, Air traffic control, Fire service, Security, and the MT department.

Pupils were introduced to the reality behind the scenes within an airport, including all the different roles and responsibilities of the wide members of staff working together for our safety and security. Pupils reported that it was interesting learning about all the different jobs, routes into these posts and learning transferrable skills into different posts. They particularly enjoyed learning about the circuit work in electrical engineering and listening to stories about the physically demanding and high-pressured role as a coastguard.

Thank you to Julie Anderson for accompanying the class, DYW – Shetland for arranging the event and providing transport, and to the airport staff contributing to the different stations.

Pupils quotes from the event:

“Really fun, interesting, cool, and entertaining, really enjoyed learning the phonetic alphabet.”

“Good, useful and interesting learning how many different jobs there are at Sumburgh Airport.”

“It was fun trying on the dry suit and fire suit and realising how heavy it was.”

“I liked learning how to open up an airway and what to do to become a paramedic at the coastguard station.”

“I liked scanning for security – surprising which items could go through in hold luggage and enjoyed searching scans for items in hand luggage.”

“It was surprising learning what airport firemen do as it was a lot different to normal firemen.”

September 23, 2024
by Mr Healy
Comments Off on S2 Coasteering trip to Cunningsburgh

S2 Coasteering trip to Cunningsburgh

S2 students had a really great trip to Cunningsburgh last week in glorious September Shetland sunshine! Students worked in pairs and in teams as they learned some hugely important techniques and strategies on how to enter the water safely. Activities for the day included a mixture of hiking, climbing, swimming and entries to the water from different heights and angles. The students were hugely supportive of one another and helped each other out at various points across the course. Each student pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and fully embraced the experience. The behaviour and resilience of Whalsay School students was commended by the activity leaders and we look forward to embracing further opportunities for learning with the Outdoor Education team.

September 18, 2024
by Miss Irvine
Comments Off on S4 Food Science Experiments

S4 Food Science Experiments

In the past few weeks we’ve been looking at functional properties of different foods. We have been cooking and doing some experiments to test these properties. So far we have carried out an experiment on sugar caramelisation and today we have been looking at why some fats are not suitable for shortening.

We began by making four batches of shortbread using different fats; butter, sunflower oil, stork margarine and crisp n dry and a dairy free sunflower spread. The quantities of ingredients were the same for each batch, they were shaped the same and baked at the same temperature and to keep the experiment fair.

Appearance – The only batch to look different before going into the oven was the Sunflower oil. It poured like a thick paste into the tin, the other batches could be shaped into a rectangle. The dairy free spread batch was the most yellow more yellow than the crisp n dry and stork. The dairy free batch stayed the most yellow after cooking.

Texture – The Sunflower oil mixture didn’t bake like the other batches, it dried out when it cooled but very oily and crumbly.

Taste – The shortbread made with butter tasted the best, followed by crisp n dry and stork. The dairy free spread shortbread was dense and tasted salty and the Sunflower oil batch was not good. It was very thin, crumbly and strong tasting.

We had a visit from some eager testers and it was interesting to discuss our findings with other teachers and pupils.

September 13, 2024
by Mr Healy
Comments Off on Wider Achievement

Wider Achievement

A quick snapshot of the various learning activities that are set out as part of the Wider Achievement Program this term. A pleasure to observe and speak to pupils who were developing skills in Gardening, Enterprise, Sports, Music and Party Planning amongst others. Great to see the levels of engagement and interaction amongst the students.

September 2, 2024
by Mr Healy
Comments Off on Moredun Visit – S2 and S3 Science

Moredun Visit – S2 and S3 Science

Whalsay school were recently treated to a visit by researchers from Moredun Institute, who brought their scientifically equipped Biobus to deliver highly engaging and immersive lessons to S2 and S3 pupils.

Learners, acting as Disease Detectives, were fortunate to use powerful microscopes and laboratory equipment to learn the process of how to identify and treat liver fluke and round worms in sheep samples.

The researchers also opened their Biobus to the public, offering local farmers the opportunity to have their samples analysed in their mobile laboratory. Primary pupils were also intrigued by the Biobus, and spent their lunch break hearing interesting stories from the researchers.

Pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed the workshops and knowledge shared by the visiting researchers, with learners reporting they wished they had longer sessions and that they hope they visit again soon!

This visit was jointly organised by Shetland Animal Health Team and Developing the Young Workforce – Shetland team. Placement opportunities available in Edinburgh at the Moredun Research Institute for anyone who is interested (pupils in S4 and up), please get in touch with the school if interested.

Pupil quotes from the Disease Detectives workshop:

“We found it interesting and surprising that there is so many different parasites.”

“The bugs in bottles was cool.”

“We found the DNA station interesting.”

“We enjoyed the blood sample and the microscopes and using the pipette.”

“We found the parasites & dung beetles very interesting and learning how to get rid of them.”

“It was nice to do something different and it was very informative.”

“We’d love to come on a school trip to the Pentlands and see your science centre.”

“We enjoyed your visit so much, it was a blast, everyone had fun.”

August 30, 2024
by Mr Healy
Comments Off on Volunteering Opportunity (S1 – S4)

Volunteering Opportunity (S1 – S4)

Volunteering with Ability Shetland

A really exciting volunteering opportunity with Ability Shetland has arisen for our Secondary students in Whalsay. See the attached poster and file for further information. Signing up for this program has the added benefit of counting as voluntary hours for both the Duke of Edinburgh and Soltaire programs.

August 29, 2024
by Mr Healy
Comments Off on S3 – Duke of Edinburgh

S3 – Duke of Edinburgh

Students in S3 had the opportunity to hear from our Youth Development worker Sadie Simpson this week. Sadie provided students with an overview of the Duke of Edinburgh program, how to enroll, what is involved and the many skills that can be developed through the program. Parents are encouraged to discuss this opportunity with your child.

An introduction letter and enrollment form will be emailed to you in the coming days.