Oldmachar Academy Newsletter May 2013 Message from Mr Brown This May Newsletter has a strong element of Enterprise about it. A number of new aspects of our school’s work are featured. We staged our first S1 / S2 outdoor education trips, which we hope will have great benefit to our young people as they progress through school. We have also been involving students in consultation about future school policies on assessment and mobile technologies. As always, Oldmachar Academy is a very busy place and we hope that this newsletter provides a flavour of that for parents – a window into the life and work of the school.
Featured Items Special Feature: S1 – S2 Trips to Dukes Wood House S1 – S3 Enterprise Programme Primary Curricular Experiences (P4 & P6) World Challenge News Updating School Policies
S1 students defy gravity at Dukes Wood House
Students engage in Enterprise Week Events
Sizing for Blazers. Making history at Oldmachar!
Our new reporter, Sean Hunter (S5)
Special Feature: Dukeshouse Wood Residential Trip Article by Sean Hunter (S5) Pupils from S1 and S2 took part in a number of various outdoor educational activities at Dukeshouse Wood in the north of England during the week of the 27th-31st May. The facility itself provides a various number of activities for the students to participate in such as water sports and team building exercises that the school cannot provide. Here students are pictured doing some of the activities.
The main aim of this trip was to build the confidence of students and develop team building skills. In the next pages, some of the quotes from students are provided to let everyone hear their views.
Dukeshouse House Residential Trip (continued) Jenny Logan (2F) “The archery was excellent. If we’d had longer to do it, it would have been even better. The 3G Swing was also excellent. I wish I could do it again. The Nightline activity was really good for building trust with others. The accommodation was great and the food was tasty. Overall, it would have been nicer if we had stayed a bit longer”
Students above are pictured doing the Team Challenge Assault Course. Rachel Morrison (2B) said of it that “it was really good to experience team work. I did all of it.” Hannah Gabbon (2E) said, “It was really good fun and a great challenge. Everyone had a good laugh chucking water at the instructor at the end.” Lee McAllister (1A) said “ I liked working in a team to get through the course.”
Dukeshouse House Residential Trip (continued)
Dukeshouse House Residential Trip (continued)
S1 – S3 Enterprise Week Programme Internal Programme of Enterprise Activities During the Activities Week, those students not going to Dukes Wood House took part in a school based programme of activities. This included a number of challenge based activities and consultations on future school policies. Students pictured in the next few pages are engaged in some of these activities.
In Enterprise Week this year we had a number of different aspects. There was the chance to take part in a Student Parliament session with Mr. Brown as well as participating in the Egg Challenge, starting work on e-portfolios and taking part in a Writing Festival which had pupils work collaboratively on aspects of writing such as setting. S3 students preparing for S4 had sessions on Health and Wellbeing, sports, a Scavenger Hunt, teambuilding events and some drama workshops including one run by former pupil Sam Young. The focus of the week was not only on these enterprising activities but also beginning to set the challenge for S4 and beyond. There was input from Carolyn Maniukewiekz of Ideas in Partnership on careers and the job market, a session on Finance Management, by former pupil Jaqui Taylor, as well as as session on the new exams (National 4 and 5).
Article by Mr Gibson
S1 – S3 Enterprise Week (Continued) The Egg Challenge Students are given the task of constructing a vehicle for an egg, which they have to use to transport it from a height of three metres. It is more difficult to do than you might think, because the egg will smash if the design is not right. Students worked in groups to develop and build their designs.
Sponsored Walk Information On the Wednesday pupils who were not going to Dukeshouse Wood took part in a sponsored walk from Udny Station to Dyce raising over ÂŁ500 for school funds and the Archie Foundation. Congratulations to everyone who was involved and thanks to Mr Jenkins for organising this.
S1 – S3 Enterprise Week (Continued) The art and design department ran workshops for different year groups. Pupils experimented with origami techniques such as the “fortune teller” which were used to create cacti sculptures. Another workshop was based on the creation of paper sculpture. Pupils watched a Prezi presentation that encouraged the use of core skills such as problem solving, creative and imaginative thinking.
Inspiration came from contemporary artists such as Tara Donavan and Sakir Gokcebag. Pupils were encouraged to use curling, folding, creasing and bending techniques in their paper sculptures, whilst enjoying the freedom to experiment with 3D construction.
S2 classes were given the challenge of producing a “miniature mansion” from a pre-printed A3 sheet of paper. They were asked to construct a shelter for a figure with consideration of the use of form, how the building looked, incorporating the available textures as well as making a good quality piece. Pupils considered planning requirements and points were deducted if the building did not meet the planning restrictions such as the floor had to be at least 5cm from the ground.
S1 – S3 Enterprise Week (Continued) Art Enterprise Activities Tristan Harland in 1D described the Art Enterprise activity that he took part in, “I made a dragon by scrunching up paper and I folded and pleated paper to make wings. I cut a long triangle of paper which I curled to make the tongue. I enjoyed making my dragon, it was fun.”
Consultation on School Policies Policy on Mobile Technologies Students in Oldmachar Academy (S1 and S3) have been debating the issue of how mobile technologies should be used in school. To focus the debate, students read a Guardian article on the issue that parents can read at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/nov/27/shoul d-mobiles-be-banned-schools This article described the pros and cons of allowing phones in schools. Students had to consider the potential benefits as well as consider the risks. Following this, students then looked at a policy on mobile technologies from another school in Scotland. They were asked to consider which parts they would like to keep and which parts they would like to lose. This sharpened the discussion to consider the rules around mobile phones in classes and in other public spaces of the school. In light of feedback from students the school is considering allowing some access to mobile phones in the school canteen at break and lunch time, while tightening rules for how they are used at other times.
Policy on Assessment The school is also consulting students about assessment in S1 – S3. In these years we have used the Developing, Consolidating, Secure system for the past three years, however, there is evidence that this is not particularly easy for students to understand or for teachers to use confidently. In light of that Oldmachar Academy staff have evolved a simpler model for consideration, based on some national best practice. Teachers and students are considering an On-Track system that gives immediate and simpler feedback for students. This system asks teachers to evaluate whether a young person’s work is On Track (in line with expectations for that level of learning); better than would normally be expected; below what could have been expected. Once our consultation is complete, we will consider our next steps. It is important to note that any decisions will be taken in light of Aberdeen City Council policy.
Primary 4 Art Experience Curricular Transitions Programme This year we are staging a number of events for primary students as part of our planned programme of curricular transitions. This programme involves pupils from primary 3 upwards. We are building this to improve the experience of students and build a stronger learning community throughout our Associated Schools Group.
Students from P4 in our primary schools are pictured here working with teachers from our Art Department. Activities were designed by our subject specialist team to ensure that everyone had a positive experience. Mrs Simpson and Mrs Miller are pictured here, along with some of our S3 students, working with P4 students.
P4 classes were shown a Prezi presentation that highlighted the need for more care of the environment in terms of the use of materials. They were shown examples of items made from recycled materials and there was some discussion about their experience of recycled materials and their environment.
Demonstrations were shown on the whiteboard, illustrating the steps in making a petal and beads through origami techniques. The collated petals, stems and beads were used to create flowers that could be shown off in a paper vase. The vases and flowers were shown off at the primary schools and in some cases given to local old folks homes. Oldmachar Academy art staff were delighted with the positive and enthusiastic approach of the P4 pupils and the wonderful results they produced.
Primary 6 Curricular Experience at Oldmachar P6 Curricular Transitions Programme On Monday the 13th May we welcomed Primary 6 pupils to Oldmachar Academy. from Danestone and Glashieburn Primaries. On Tuesday the 14th of May it was the turn of pupils from Forehill, Middleton Park and Greenbrae Primaries. The pupils enjoyed various experiences over the two days.
In Geography pupils spent time working on activities to learn map skills. They worked on various map skills such as identifying symbols and using grid references. Following some practice with this the pupils applied their skills by looking at the Aberdeen map to locate various areas to help them complete “a strange tale�. Miss S MacInnes (Geography Department)
In RME pupils were given the opportunity to express their beliefs and use a variety of evidence to explain why some people may accept or reject different beliefs. Miss K Forrest (RME Department) In PE, pupils experienced gymnastics, fitness and team games. They learned about the importance of working cooperatively and the part exercise plays in having a healthy lifestyle. Ms R Midgley (PE Department) S2 students in Home Economics taught the pupils to make fresh fruit salad how to use equipment safely and prepare food hygienically. Pupils discussed how an easily prepared dish like fresh fruit salad can help meet the recommended daily intake of 5-9 portions of fruit and vegetables and contribute towards a healthy balanced diet. Mrs M Evans PT Faculty Health and Wellbeing
World Challenge Update Our First Ever World Challenge The pupils of S6 will embark on a once in a lifetime opportunity with their world challenge trip to Malaysia this month on the 5th of June for 2 weeks. The pupils raised all the money for the trip by themselves and organised fundraising events and tasks to get the funds for the trips.
The trip that will be lead by Mrs Williamson, Mrs Moir and a World challenge leader, will partake in two weeks of decision making and teamwork .every day decisions such as where they will stay and how they will travel on a budget of ÂŁ11 a day.
This will be a fantastic experience and also one that can shape their lives. We wish all the students taking part good luck and all the best as they embark on their once in a lifetime experience.
Best of luck everyone! Article by Sean Hunter (S5)
Update on Health and Wellbeing Two Articles by Mrs Thomson Entier Programme 2013 Entier is run by Colin Hendry and is one of the biggest employers in the Catering Industry in Aberdeen. The programme this session started in September with a group of twelve S4 Hospitality students. The programme is designed to encourage students and to raise their awareness of opportunities for training and employment in the Hospitality Industry. Chefs came into school to demonstrate skills and to work closely with the students. In April after a series of workshops three pupils were selected to represent the school at the City final cook off. Congratulations to: Zoe Fisher, Shannen Middleton, Ashley Craigen
ASDA Nominate a Cause A big Thank you to everyone in the Community and School who supported Oldmachar Academy’s Eco garden Project in ASDA’s “Nominate a Cause Scheme”. The garden project is lead by Mr Booth and involves pupils from S3,S4 and S5. Last year seeds were planted and there was an abundance of flowers, vegetables and greenhouse produce. Many of the vegetables they produced were used in cookery lessons. The flowers and remaining vegetables were sold. With your support we received the largest number of green discs and were presented with a cheque for £207.27 this will help us further develop the garden. The cheque was presented to Mrs Thomson by Stuart Wright Manager of ASDA.
Gymfest Group 2013 Gymfest Oldmachar Academy Gymfest group returned bigger and better this year. Under the experienced eyes of Aria Lynch, Megan Hyland and Kim Beattie; Kiera Still, Alex Gordon, Danielle Lawrence, Katrina Stott, Dion Hall, Lois Munroe, Chloe Golightly, Leona Smith and Chloe Brown were taken through their paces. Training started in August 2012 when the group came together and learnt tumbles, balances and jumps.
A few months later they started to learn a complicated 5 minute long routine that included a variety of different songs ranging in tempos. The routine included many dance and gymnastics skills that the girls performed with extreme finesse. The group performed in Perth on Saturday 25 May with teams from all over Scotland and they did not disappoint the large crowd that came to watch. Everyone is very proud of the hard work and dedication the girls demonstrated this year. Article by Mrs Fogiel
Announcements School Uniform Parents are reminded school blazers and tie are being implemented for August. These garments are compulsory for all students. The school will support students who will struggle due to financial constraints. Information about how to purchase garments is available from our school office. Almost all new S4 – S6 students have purchased a blazer for next session. This will ensure the blazer is a normal part of school life. Leavers’ Ceremony
30th Anniversary Celebrations
We celebrated our Leavers’ ceremony last week. There will be a detailed feature on it in our next newsletter. Thanks to Damian Bates, the Editor of the Press and Journal for agreeing to be our Guest of Honour at the event. We were pleased to say goodbye to all of those the students of S4 – S6 (along with their parents) who are leaving Oldmachar Academy this year.
Parents are advised that the school is planning a 30th anniversary celebration event to take place on Saturday 28th September in the afternoon and early evening. The concept for the event came from students in S6, who suggested an International Street Party. We will provide information soon on how to get involved.
Arrival at School All students must arrive punctually at school for 08.40. Lessons begin promptly at this time. Lateness disrupts learning and repeated instances may lead to sanctions. Parents are asked to remind students of their responsibility to get to school on time and ready for work. Additionally, parents are reminded that they should not drop their children off by car in the school car park. Everyone should access our park and stride scheme as an alternative.
Information on School Awards Ceremonies Summer Challenge Event Parents, carers and friends are advised that we are changing the date of the school’s Awards Ceremonies. These were due to take place on the morning of Tuesday 2nd July. Events will now take place on the morning of Wednesday 3rd July. We hold two ceremonies: one for S1 (who moved recently to S2) and one for students in S2 – S5 (now S3 – S6). Parents will be given more detail soon.
Parents are advised that the school is planning a Summer Challenge Event to take place on the last day of term. This will be a sponsored event and will raise money for school funds. The event will take place at the Balgownie playing fields and involves a number of fun challenges that are designed to promote teamwork and fitness. Previous years’ events have been most successful. We hope that everyone enters into the spirit of this year’s event.