St. Joseph's Academy Weekly Newsletter January 9th 2015

Ben Davis, Acting Headteacher Grassyards Rd Kilmarnock KA3 7SL

ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY Weekly Newsletter

01563 526144

ISSUE 11.3

www.saintjosephsacademy.co.uk Twitter: @StJoAcad

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM: NURTURING FAITH-FILLED WORLD CLASS LEARNING

2015

JANUARY 9TH 2015 FOR PARENTS, CARERS, FAMILIES & PARISHES

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2015

For the ancient Romans Janus was the two-faced god of beginnings and endings. Each face looked in different direction back to the past or forward to the future. Many believe that it is from the name Janus that we get the name for everyone’s favourite month: January. It seemed a good idea therefore to take two pieces of artwork that our S1 pupils are currently developing and put them together for the front page of our first weekly newsletter of 2015. The pieces pictured are works in progress where the pupils have reflected on their identities and interests to put together combinations of images within the shape of a human head, representing the things that make each of us unique. There are more examples inside this week’s newsletter.

S5 pupils considering University Any pupil in S5 who is considering university as a destination should begin that process now by looking at prospectuses, discussing possible choices with parents or carers and with teachers. In addition, S5 pupils who are interested in applying to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities (you can find a list of these institutions here www.russellgroup.ac.uk) are asked to discuss their university plans with their head of year or Pupil Support teacher. We are in the process of developing a more challenging and supportive course for S6 pupils for whom university is a likely destination. This will include input from guest speakers, advice on managing life at university, preparation for independent study and other matters, as well as further assistance with the UCAS process.

S1 Personalisation and Choice All S1 pupils begin their personalisation and choice electives on Friday, January 9th. The pupils were asked prior to Christmas to indicate their preferences from a range of course choices. The courses on offer are offered in blocks of several periods over a number of weeks during Friday period 2. Amongst the choices are courses on Music Technology, Musical Theatre, the Aztecs, Ecuador and much more.

These courses include challenging experiences and assessments.

Pupils will all undertake two different courses in the coming term.

Theatre Trip The English department is offering a trip to see the play of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird on Wednesday, February 4th. The cost of the trip is approximately £21 and financial assistance is, as ever, available.

Consultation on the Curriculum and the School Day We are beginning the process of consulting pupils, parents and carers, staff and the local community on changes to the curriculum and the school day. You will shortly be receiving a letter outlining proposals and inviting you to attend a meeting to discuss them further. We have already had an initial discussion of the ideas with the Parent Council.

The focus of the changes is a range of proposals for: • A so-called 33 period/ asymmetric week inline with most other East Ayrshire schools • Six options columns in S4 - S6 • More options for pupils to bypass exams in S4 and sit qualifications over two years in S4 and S5 (as already happens in some departments and other schools) • A wider range of options for pupils in Senior Phase, including more offered by partners such as Ayrshire College Sad News from Ecuador We learnt this week of the sudden and unexpected death of Jose Delgado a 12 year old from our partner school and parish of Sagrada Familia in Ecuador. Prayers have been offered for Jose and his family as they come to terms with this tragedy and you are asked to remember them in your thoughts and prayers.

Day Tuesday

Date

S5/6 Prelims

Time 13 January 2015 9.00am - 1.30pm

Column E

Subject Practical Cookery

Level National 5

Paper Practical

Duration 2 hours 30 min

Tuesday

20 January 2015 9.00am - 1.30pm

E

Practical Cookery

National 5

Practical

2 hours 30 min

Wednesday

21 January 2015 9.00am - 1.30pm

E

Practical Cookery

National 5

Practical

Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday

The main prelim diet for S5/6 2 hours 30 min begins on January 26th and runs for of a week until February Pupils who are studying Practical Cookery should speak with their teacher to confirm the date their prelim as Friday, the class will be split into 3 12th. The details of the prelims 26 January 2015 12.00pm - 1.00pm A Mathematics National 5 Paper 1 - Non Calculator hour have been communicated1to all 26 January 2015 2.00pm - 3.30pm A Mathematics National 5 Paper 2 - Calculator 1 hour 30 min pupils and parents or carers. A 26 January 2015 11.50am - 1.00pm A Mathematics Higher Paper 1 - Non Calculator 1 hour 10 min copy of the timetable is printed 26 January 2015 2.00pm - 3.30pm A Mathematics Higher Paper 2 - Calculator 1 hour 30 min here.

26 January 2015 12.30pm - 3.30pm A Mathematics Adv. Higher 3 hours

Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday

27 January 2015 27 January 2015 27 January 2015 27 January 2015

B B B B

English English English English

Higher Higher National 5 National 5

Reading Understanding 1 hour 30 min Studyforleave will not be granted Critical Reading 1 hour 30 min during the prelim examinations.

Reading for Understanding 1 hour Pupils are expected to attend all Critical Reading 1 hour 30 min

Wednesday Wednesday

28 January 2015 9.15am - 11.35am 28 January 2015 9.15am - 10.45am

C&E C&E

Modern Studies Modern Studies

Higher National 5

attending an examination. 2 hours 20 min Paper 1 Paper 1 1 hour 30 min

Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday

29 January 2015 29 January 2015 29 January 2015 29 January 2015

9.15am - 10.15am 9.15am - 10.45am 1.30pm - 2.40pm 1.30pm - 3.30pm

C&E C&E C&E C&E

Music Physical Education Art Art

Adv. Higher Higher National 5 Higher

Listening 1 hour place in the small gymnasium. Any Paper 1 1 hour 30 min exceptions to this are detailed on 10 min Written 1 hour the exam timetable.

Written 2 hours

Friday Friday Friday Friday

30 January 2015 30 January 2015 30 January 2015 30 January 2015

9.00am - 10.40am 11.00am - 12.00pm 1.10pm - 3.30pm 1.10pm - 2.40pm

A&D A&D C&E C&E

Spanish Spanish History History

Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday

02 February 2015 02 February 2015 02 February 2015 02 February 2015 02 February 2015 02 February 2015 02 February 2015

10.30am - 1.00pm 11.00am - 1.00pm 11.00am - 12.30pm 11.00am - 1.00pm 11.00am - 1.00pm 10.30am - 12.00pm 12.30pm - 12.55pm

D D D D D D D

Biology Biology Drama Drama Physics Spanish Spanish

Higher National 5 National 5 Higher National 5 National 5 National 5

Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday

03 February 2015 03 February 2015 03 February 2015 03 February 2015 03 February 2015 03 February 2015

9.15am - 11.15am 9.15am - 11.15am 9.15am - 10.55am 11.15am - 12.15pm 11.15am - 12.15pm 11.15am - 12.15pm

C C C C C C

Chemistry Design & Manufacture French French Music Music

National 5 Higher Higher Higher National 5 Higher

Wednesday

04 February 2015 9.15am - 11.45am

D&E

Physics

Higher

prepared they30 mi Paper 1 & 2 for each exam: that 2 hours

Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday

05 February 2015 05 February 2015 05 February 2015 05 February 2015

E E E E

Geography Geography Geography Physics

Higher Higher National 5 Adv. Higher

Paper 1 should be, that they have 1 hour they the30 min Paper 2 1 hour 15 min proper equipment etc.

Paper 1 1 hour 30 min Paper 1 & 2 2 hours 30 mi

Thursday

12 February 2015 1.00pm - 3.30pm

C&E

Chemistry

Higher

Paper 1 & 2 in the exam hall for2the hours 30 mi remains

9.30am - 11.00am 11.30am - 1.00pm 9.30am - 10.30am 11.30am - 1.00pm

Higher Higher Higher St Joseph's Academy National 5

classes when they are not

Almost all prelim exams will take

Reading and responsibility Directed Writing of pupils 1 hour It is the to 40 min Listening and Writing 1 hour be aware of their SQA Candidate Paper 1 2 hours 20 min Number and their seat number for30 min Paper 1 1 hour

the exams, both of which will be displayed outside the exam hall Paper 1 & 2 2 hours 30 mi prior Paper 1 &to2 exams commencing.2 hours

1 hour 30 min

2 hours During the exams, pupils should Paper 1 & 2 continue to wear full school 2 hours Reading and Writing 1 hour 30 min uniform. Any pupil who attends Listening 25 minutes school during the exam period out of uniform risks being sent home Paper 1&2 2 hoursto change and missing the start of Paper 1 2 hours Reading Directed Writing 1 hour 40 min their and exam.

Listening and Writing 1 hour Understanding Music 1 hour Please support your child by Understanding Music 1 hour

ensuring that he/she is properly

know the times of papers, where 11.45am - 1.15pm 2.15pm - 3.30pm 2.15pm - 3.30pm 11.45am - 2.15pm

USEFUL LINKS FOR PARENTS & CARERS You can assist your child with their revision and their prelim experience by using the resources below and by contacting the school for assistance: http://www.npfs.org.uk/nationals-in-a-nutshell/ http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/69284.html http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/70267.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/education http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/63010.html

It is important that your child

duration of the exam. Pupils shall not be permitted to leave the exam hall before the scheduled end time of their exam.

If you feel that circumstances outside of school, such as a family bereavement, mean that your child may be disadvantaged in the exams, please contact Mr. McGinn or your child’s Pupil Support teacher to discuss possible assessment arrangements.


Rock and Alternative music Celebrating diversity together at this all ages event.

Make sure to bring your mosh!

New Farm Loch community centre January 31st - 6pm Tickets £2 Tickets go on sale on January the 5th To purchase tickets speak to David Mckay, Donald Jessop, Michael Merrick, Matthew Dougan IMPORTANT DATES...................................................................

January 20th S3 Enspire Day

January 13th S4 Parents’ Evening 4.00 -

January 26th Prelims begin

6.30 pm

February 2nd Parent Council 7 pm

January 20th Senior Phase information

February 6th - 11th February Weekend

evening 7.00 pm

holiday (pupils return on 12th)

WEEKLY HOME ROOM REFLECTION: EPIPHANY Two thousand years ago, a visit to a Greek town by government representatives was known as an “epiphany”. It is a Greek word that describes an appearance, manifestation, or revelation of someone important arriving amongst the people. The word “Epiphany” has been used for the last two thousand years to describe God coming closer to the people, revealing himself in his Son, Jesus. The Feast of the Epiphany (on the 6th January) celebrates the Wise Men from the East recognising Jesus for who he is, and giving him their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In the final verse of the hymn, “In the bleak mid-winter”, we hear the words: “What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man I would do my part, yet what I can I give him - give my heart.” We can focus today on the gift of GOLD, knowing that it represents what is special. Special jewellery is made from gold and the phrase “heart of gold” describes those who are generous in helping others. We can think of special people and things in our lives that are GOLD for me. We can stand with the wise men and offer what we think is “gold” in our lives: our talents; happy memories; times when everything has gone well; what we enjoy; our friends; times when someone has encouraged us; what we look forward to. Let us pray: Lord, I give thanks for the “gold” in my life: for the people who are precious to me, for the happy memories I treasure, and for all that has been good over the years.

May all that has been “gold” for me, remind me always to appreciate all who are part of my life. Inspire me, Lord, to live in such a way that I help to bring out the best in others. Amen.

PARISH MASS TIMES St. Matthew’s: 9.30 am, Fr. Chambers St. Michael’s: 4.30 pm (vigil) St. Paul’s: 11.30 am, Fr. Chambers St. Sophia’s: 6.00 pm (vigil) Fr. Chambers St. Francis Xavier, Patna: 5.00 pm (vigil)

St. Joseph’s: 6.00 pm (vigil), 11.00 am Fr. Latham Our Lady of Mount Carmel: 9.30 am, Fr. McGhee Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Patrick: 6.00 pm (vigil), Fr. McGrattan St. Thomas the Apostle: 9.00 am, Fr. McGrattan St. John the Evangelist: 10.45 am, Fr. McGrattan