Oldmachar Academy Newsletter June 2013
Message from Mr Brown June has been another historic month in Oldmachar Academy. We celebrated our first ever World Challenge Expedition to Malaysia. There are a number of images from it included in this edition. We also said goodbye to students leaving school at our Leavers’ Ceremony. This event is an important milestone for these young people and their parents. Once again, we hope that everyone enjoys this newsletter. May I also wish everyone my best wishes for what I hope will be a fantastic summer.
Featured Items Special Feature: World Challenge Expedition to Malaysia (4) S4 – S6 Leavers’ Ceremony (2) P7 Induction Days (4)
Primary 3 Science Conference (4)
S4 – S6 Leavers’ Ceremony
P7 Induction Days
World Challenge to Malaysia
P3 Science Conference
S4 – S6 Leavers’ Ceremony Goodbye to Our Leavers Our S4 – S6 students who are leaving Oldmachar Academy this year recently had their achievements celebrated in our annual Leavers’ Ceremony. Students were given certificates at the ceremony, at which Mr Brown thanked them for their contribution to the school over the years that they have spent with us. He told them how proud he was of them and what they had all contributed. Damian Bates, Editor of the Press and Journal was the Guest of Honour at the ceremony. Damian told the students about the importance of making the most of their opportunities to enter the world of work. He talks about his own experiences and the qualities he thought young people should demonstrate. In particular, he talked about coping with setbacks and bouncing back. We thank Damian for his support and his positive message.
Matthew Harazim, Matthew Lee and Liam Boston gave musical performances at the event, which showcased the talent that we help students to develop in Oldmachar Academy. Thanks to the Music Department for supporting the students in producing these performances. We are presenting some images from the event here and on the next page. There are more on the school website at http://s416003572.initialwebsite.co.uk/galleries/s4-6-leavers-ceremony/.
S4 – S6 Leavers’ Ceremony
Primary 3 Science Festival Festival of Learning On Tuesday 4th June around 140 Primary 3 pupils came to Oldmachar Academy for an exciting day of Science Bonanza. The P3s where divided into various groups and the groups rotated through different workshops. The day was packed with various interesting science activities.
These included Doctor Ewan with his portable Ultra Sound Machine and the Critter Keeper where the pupils had the opportunity of handling unusual animals such as a tarantula. Other activities included workshops from Satrosphere where the pupils were able to participate in experiments related to electricity and a workshop set up by the S6 Oldmachar Pupils.
The S6 workshop was called Plastic Fantastic. During this workshop the S6 guided the P3 pupils through a hands-on activity to make plastic from milk. Apart from setting up and running this workshop, the S6 pupils where a great help at ushering the younger pupils to and fro between the different workshops held in the games hall as well as in labs within the school.
The feedback from the day was a very positive one. A teacher from one of the primary schools that attend the event has said: “The day has been an excellent learning and fun experience for my pupils. I have enjoyed it as much as they have and I look forward to another similar event next year�.
Article by M rs Stafrace (Biology)
Primary 3 Science Festival (continued)
Primary 3 Science Festival (continued)
Primary 3 Science Festival (continued)
This festival is part of our Curricular Transitions programme that allows students from Primary 3 upwards to engage in activities with secondary students and teachers. It takes a lot of collaboration to make these events happen. This event was organised by a network of teachers across our ASG primary schools. Thanks to all teachers, partners and students who made this event possible.
World Challenge to Malaysia After nearly a whole year of planning and fundraising our journey had finally begun on the 8th June! 24 hours of travelling later and the group had made it to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We were all extremely tired but it didn’t stop us taking in the first moments in the busy city. We couldn’t enjoy it for long though as our first tasks were to find accommodation for 24 people, exchange money to the local currency and arrange transport for the days ahead! The pupils were responsible for all decisions that were made throughout the expedition. Our first stop was to the Cameron Highlands where we were to embark on four days trekking in the Malaysian jungle. For four days the group struggled up the jungle terrain, however making it to the top of a mountain during day three was a mutual favourite of the whole trip. The tough treks seemed worth it after that! Another highlight for many in the group was how our first week ended; white water rafting! Flowing down the river while working as a team with close friends was a frightening but unbelievable experience! The second week of our expedition was undertaking our project at a disabled home for all ages.
Residents had wide-ranging disabilities from downs syndrome to the inability to move their legs. Many were severely disabled and unable to respond to any attention the group were providing. We had brought simple things such as colouring pencils and soft toys which the residents were grateful to receive.
World Challenge to Malaysia (Continued) Our days were spent drawing pictures and occupying the residents which many of us found quite challenging to begin with, however it got much easier as the week went on. After an emotional project phase the group were able to enjoy a couple of days resting and relaxing in the city.
We managed to visit the Batu Caves, see the sights on a hop-on-hop-off bus and go up the worlds largest twin towers; The Petronas Towers. Our final meal as a group was spent at the top of the KL Tower in the revolving restaurant which we would all say was a wonderful well-deserved treat! The expedition by far was life-changing for all that took part.
We had all realised that the littlest things like cold water and a decent shower was something we had taken for granted! We all certainly realised how lucky we were and without a doubt would not hesitate to participate in another World Challenge.
World Challenge to Malaysia (Continued)
World Challenge to Malaysia (Continued)
Primary 7 Induction Two Day Visit Primary 7 students who are entering Oldmachar Academy’s S1 group in August 2013 spent two days learning in the academy in June. This planned programme allowed them to experience learning in secondary classrooms and to get used to the school’s layout and facilities. This is all to help them orientate themselves for a brisk start in August. The pictures here show the S6 Buddies helping the Primary 7 students on their arrival at Oldmachar Academy. Our senior students take very seriously the business of helping the younger students to fit into the school and took responsibility for all aspects of the process of ensuring that the primary students settled into school well. Some of these buddies are pictured to the left and above.
The students went to classes, much in the same way that they will in August, undertaking classes which prepare them for life in a secondary school. In the following pages we are presenting images from the two days and also provide some of the views of P7 students on the experience they had. We really hope that our new S1 students enjoy Oldmachar Academy and wish them the best of success for their careers in secondary with us. We’ll see you all in August. Abby Williams (1B) Danestone School “The induction days were really good. I have enjoyed it a lot. I have really enjoyed ICT and RME. In ICT the teacher explained what we had to do really well. In RME the work on beliefs was interesting. I was nervous about coming but the two days have given me confidence.”
Primary 7 Induction (continued)
Calum Hopkins (1A) and Daniel Jolly (1B) Greenbrae School “We’ve really enjoyed the induction days. It was really interesting going round the classes and finding out what everything is about. It’s good that the S6 pupils helped us to find our way around. It is relatively easy to get around Oldmachar. You can tell that everyone is really friendly.”
Primary 7 Induction (continued)
Kamal Newman (1C) Hannover Street School “I am enjoying my induction days. The PE and RME lessons were good. We were learning about different kinds of religions in RME. In PE we were shown what kits we would need for S1.”
Primary 7 Induction (continued) James Splaine (1C) Forehill School “The induction days are fun and we have learned a lot. We met a lot of new people. I have enjoyed French because we did different, fun activities. Geography was really interesting – we learned about volcanoes and about how glaciers work. I am looking forward to coming to Oldmachar next year.”
Leah Landsborough (1E) Middleton Park “The induction has been fun and your buddies have been lots of help. None of the subjects were too hard. I liked Science because we got to mix chemicals together in the test tubes. Everyone has been really nice.”
Other News Ringing of Chicks Our Biology class worked with Alistair Duncan and Brian Petrie, two bird ringers who have been studying Aberdeen city’s oystercatchers since 1986. In the quad we have had two oystercatcher families this year – the potato-patch family and the rockery family. The chicks were caught and put into individual cloth bags to calm down, as the men ringed them one by one. As each chick was presented we watched in amazement. They measured beak and wing length and put rings on the legs, so they can be traced. Then each family was released together into their part of the quad. They ran quickly to hide. Possibly when the chicks are old enough they will come back here and have little fluffy chicks of their own.
Lauren M ouncey (S6) Congratulations Congratulations to Steven Murray (5C) (pictured left) who has been selected to represent Scottish Schools in an International Cross-Country Track and Field event in Dublin during the summer holidays. Steven has already represented Oldmachar Academy with distinction and is one of our Sports Ambassadors. Best of luck Steven. Well Done Jordan! Well done to Jordan Laurie (2D) (pictured right) who delivered a talk at the S2 assembly, for 180 people. Jordan’s talk was on the Army Cadet Force, of which he is a member. Jordan explained the activities that he does as a cadet and also gave an insight into how the cadets work. Early Education and Childcare Students Childcare students supported play sessions at Duthie Park on Friday 21st June. The girls were teamed up with the Play Rangers from Aberlour Futures who were promoting outdoor play with pupils from Aberdeen City primary schools. The organisers spoke highly of the contribution the students made to the success of the afternoon.