Whalsay School

March 29, 2023
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Former Pupil features in Evening of Science

One of our former students, Lauren Sandison, featured in the Evening of Science, held on Thursday night in Mareel. This was a showcase of the work done by Anderson High School Science Baccalaureate students.

The Scottish Baccalaureate in Science is open to S6 pupils at AHS who are studying at least two courses in Science or Maths, at least one of which is at Advanced Higher level. Part of the Baccalaureate involves the pupil researching a specific scientific topic and presenting this to a wider audience at an event they have organised themselves. This has been designed to provide a challenging and rewarding experience and help equip the pupils with the generic skills, attitudes and confidence necessary to make the transition into Higher Education and/or employment. From what I saw on Thursday night this definitely was achieved.

There were a group of 5 pupils this year, one of which was our very own Lauren Sandison. Lauren delivered a 20min talk on Teratology and the effects on Foetal Development. Her powerpoint presentation was packed with good images and interesting information. Lauren was relaxed throughout and delivered her talk confidently with a little humour at times. Lauren said after that she had been very nervous but that she had enjoyed the whole Baccalaureate experience and would recommend it to anyone who wants to pursue a career in Science. As a well done present we gave Lauren a packet of biscuits we knew was her favourite from her Chemistry days in Whalsay J

Article by Caroline Simpson (biscuits: Iain MacInnes)

March 28, 2023
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Young Scot/Junior National Entitlement Cards

Some pupils in S1 have been asking about Young Scot cards. Below is some information from Youth Services about how young people can go about applying for them:

Young Scot/Junior National Entitlement Cards

The Under 22years Free Bus Travel Scheme launched in January 2022, this allows young people aged 5-21 to travel for free on any bus in Scotland. To access this free travel, young people will need to have a Young Scot National Entitlement Card (11-21years) or a Junior National Entitlement Card (5-10years).

Children under 16 years old will need their parent/guardian to apply on their behalf and provide approval for free bus travel. Young people aged 16-21 years will be able to apply for a young scot card and free bus travel themselves. If a young person already has an existing young scot card but it does not work on the buses for free bus travel, please complete the “already has” form.

The Shetland Islands Council have created their own local online forms to make the application process more straightforward for parents/guardians and young people. Here are the links to the application forms:

My child is 5-10years and does not have a Junior National Entitlement Card

My child is 11years+ and does not have a Young Scot/National Entitlement Card

My child is 11years+ and already has a Young Scot/National Entitlement Card

I am aged 16-21 and do not have a Young Scot/National Entitlement Card

I am aged 16-21 and already have a Young Scot/National Entitlement Card

If you require the Disabled Concessionary Travel then please contact our colleagues at Transport Planning 01595744868 or email transport@shetland.gov.uk.

If you need assistance with the form or do not have access to the internet, please contact Youth and Employability Services on 01595744490 or email youthservices@shetland.gov.uk Please note, no card will be received if an application form is not completed.

For further information, please visit: www.shetland.gov.uk/youth-services

Here is a reminder of the benefits of a Young Scot NEC, available for young people aged 11-26:

Two free ferry journeys per year (16-18years) between Shetland and Aberdeen
Free bus travel until 22^nd birthday
Discounted train costs (16-18years)
Young Scot discounts and all special offers at over 1,800 places in Scotland, and 200,000 places in 42 European countries
Voluntary proof of age through the Proof of Age Standards Scheme, endorsed by the British Retail Consortium across the UK.

For more information about the Young Scot National Entitlement Card, please visit the website www.young.scot/the-young-scot-card

March 25, 2023
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Secondary African Drumming Group perform at Music Festival

During Wider Achievement on Fridays, a group of pupils in S1/2 have opted to do sessions of African Drumming with Joy Duncan. On Wednesday they travelled down to the Shetland Schools’ Music Festival to perform the piece they had been working on. The judges were very complementary about their performance and invited them back for the Gala concert on Thursday. Unfortunately, they had to decline the offer as not all of the pupils could attend. However, they should be congratulated for doing so well in spite of the disruptions to their practices. Many thanks to Joy Duncan for all her work and encouragement with this group.

March 24, 2023
by Miss Irvine
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Friday Fun Needle Felt

Earlier this term, Ann-Marie volunteered to teach a group of pupils how to needle felt for Friday Fun. We discussed about creating a piece with the Haa in the middle as a nod to the New Haa being 200 years old this year, surrounded by objects that represented Whalsay including the school teams – Maalie, Tirrick and Shalder, fishing, crofting etc. The group have learned a new skill in how to needle felt and were able to work independently on pieces with support from Ann-Marie.

I think you can agree that the finished piece looks absolutely stunning and we are delighted that it is now hanging splendidly in the Primary.

Well done to the needle-felters and a huge thank you to Ann-Marie.

March 14, 2023
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Snow Closure – Tuesday 13th March

All schools in Shetland will be shut today because of the overnight snow. Home Learning activities/suggestions are available in earlier blog posts and on Teams. S4 pupils should continue with revision activities suggested by their teachers. We will update S2 parents/carers later today about the John Muir day planned for tomorrow.

March 10, 2023
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Snow Closure – Friday 10th March

Due to the prevailing weather and road conditions in parts of the isle and around the school, Whalsay School will be shut again to most pupils today. However, we would like to invite S4 pupils to attend school this morning to make progress on coursework in Art & Design, Design & Manufacture and French. Families should only send/bring pupils in if they feel that the conditions at the time are safe for them to make their way to school. All other pupils should check Teams (or the school blog for younger pupils) if they are needing work to keep them occupied.

March 9, 2023
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Snow Closure – Thursday 9th March

Due to the prevailing weather and road conditions, Whalsay School will be shut again today. However, we would like to invite S4 pupils with coursework due to be sent to the SQA next week (Health & Food, Admin, a few pupils still re-drafting English folio) to come in this afternoon if it is safe for them to do so. All other pupils should check Teams (or the school blog for younger pupils) if they are needing work to keep them occupied.

The S2 Parents’ Evening scheduled for this evening is cancelled and will now take place on Thursday 16th March.

March 8, 2023
by Miss Irvine
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Wintery Wednesday

Here are a few ideas in addition to what’s already on the Home Learning Blog for this lovely wintery Wednesday.

Music

Ms Simpson would normally be in today so she has suggested the following activities for Primary, also suitable for nursery and secondary ages.

Watch these 2 clips of Vivaldi’s from ‘Winter, Four seasons’

Allegro

Largo

– speak about which clip you prefer with your family

– listen to your favourite piece and draw a picture, what do you imagine when listening to the music

– put it on again and play outside!

STEM Activities

Have a look at this site about De Vinci’s Vitruvian Man for indoor activites, then go outside and see if you can make a Vitruvian Man snow angel. Take a photo and share it on the school facebook post.
Build a snow sculpture and measure height/width – share a photo on the Facebook post
Build an igloo or snow cave – post us a photo of you inside
Measure the depth of the deepest fan outside your house – you can use a tape measure, stick, yourself. Again feel free to post a photo on the facebook page.
Make a few small snowmen in different bowls/tubs and take them inside. Put them in different parts of the house and see which melts quickest.
Make a bird cake for the hungry birds outside

Health and Wellbeing

Go sledging – how many miles have you walked?
Help your parents clear the pavement or drive, use the snow for your sculpture or igloo
Go for a walk and take photos, you could make a movie memory video using one of the Vivaldi pieces as a backing track

Literacy

Make up a snow story or cartoon – it could include a snow disaster or a funny situation
Write a diary about your snow days to look back on in years to come, print off some photos or draw pictures too

Remember to read and do a little sumdog every day to keep these skills fresh.

March 8, 2023
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Snow Closure

School will remain shut today due to the ongoing weather disruption.

March 7, 2023
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Secondary Home Learning

Just a reminder to S4 pupils to check Teams for any posts from your teachers – especially those who have English coursework to complete for next week. Some teachers will have been able to post suggestions for S1-3 pupils if they are looking for something to do.