June 2nd 2014 Newsletter

ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY Weekly Newsletter

ISSUE 26.2 JUNE 2ND

2014 FOR PARENTS, CARERS, FAMILIES & PARISHES

Ben Davis, Acting Headteacher Grassyards Rd Kilmarnock KA3 7SL 01563 526144 www.saintjosephsacademy.co.uk Twitter: @StJoAcad

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM: Kyle, Raymond, James and John man our stall at the Global Market last Thursday.

CARITAS AWARDS For the second year running St. Joseph’s Academy pupils took to the stage at the Clyde Auditorium, Armadillo in Glasgow to receive their Caritas Awards on Saturday, May 31st.

This year 22 pupils from S6 achieved this prestigious award conferred by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.

The Caritas Award was created as a legacy of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Scotland to recognise the way in which young people witness their faith through volunteering and caring in the community and parish.

For a school of our size to have twenty two recipients is very impressive and is a testament to the incredible work of teachers and parish representatives as well as to the pupils themselves and their families. In particular we would like to thank Fr. McGrattan and Fr. Chambers for their support, Margaret McGrath of St. Joseph’s parish, Mr. Sikora and Mrs. McLaughlin.

The awards ceremony was a real event. As well as addresses from Archbishop Tartaglia, Roseanna Cunninghame MSP and the Lord Advocate, Rt. Hon. Frank Mulholland Q.C., the audience (which included over 800 award winners) was treated to a stand-up routine from DJ Des Clarke and a short performance from X-Factor Runner Up Nicholas McDonald.

The awards were interspersed with stories of the achievements of young people who were receiving the

award. As well as staff a number of parents and carers attended the event to see their children on the stage.

Well done to all those who received an award: unlike every other qualification (Caritas Awards are SCQFrated) this one is about values and honouring the person you are.

This award matters as much as other SQA qualifications precisely because, regardless of academic ability, the characteristics that result in success are those that have considerable currency in the world beyond school: commitment, care, diligence, selflessness, dedication and love.

In advance of the awards Pope Francis sent a message of encouragement to the 1,000 young people in Scotland who are the recipients of the Caritas Award, praying that they “may continue to courageously witness to the love that God has for every individual person.”

The ceremony finished with three P7 pupils reminding the audience of the Pope Francis Faith Award which is designed to recognise achievements by pupils in primary school and mirrors the current award for senior pupils.

Inside this edition of the newsletter you can see a photo of all the Caritas pupils who were able to attend on May 31st.

Pupils who achieved a Caritas Award, but were unable to collect it on the day of the ceremony can pick up their certificate and medal from the School Office.

PICTURES FROM AROUND THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Pictures on the page (clockwise from left): Amelie Davidson at the Scottish Parliament last week receiving her certifcate for the SCILT Spelling Bee; 18 of our 22 Caritas Awards winners onstage at the Clyde Auditorium on Saturday; the certificate awarded to pupils who participated in the Design for Nature competition run by Aberdeen University.

PICTURES FROM AROUND THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Pictures on the page (clockwise from left): pupils on a visit to the Dick Institute; raising money for Ecuador with the sponsored walk from Whitelees Windfarm to the school early in May; S4 pupil Callum Hughes in his WW1 reenactment uniform at the Mauchline Holy Fair.

Amelie Spells Success Amelie Davidson (2M2) won the heats that took place in school for the opportunity to compete in the SCILT (Scotland’s National Centre for Languages) National Spelling Bee competition, Word Wizard, on 30th May at the Scottish Parliament. She was given one minute to spell in French as many words a possible from a pool of 225 words.

After making it into the top 3 and into the final, Amelie came second, very narrowly missing out on the top spot.

The extensive hard-work and effort that Amelie has put in over the last few months in preparation has been incredible and inspirational. Not only did she walk away with a trophy but she has also taken away new and useful skills that will not just help her in Modern Languages.

All the teachers that have heard and helped Amelie practice are not just in awe of her but also very proud. Next year Amelie is hoping to enter into the Intermediate category.

Global Market St. Joseph’s Academy was the only East Ayrshire school to have a stall at the recent Kilmarnock Global Market.

The stall was offered free of charge

by Town Centre Manager Fiona Nicholson and afforded a team of

enterprising pupils the chance to make some cash to support various enterprises and charities.

The pupils sold wooden stags heads, bird boxes, artwork and photographs, merchandise in support of the Ecuador campaign and phone holders.

They worked with Mr. Ritson and, on the days of the market, Mr. McGarry, to set up the stall and ensure the business ran like clockwork.

The pupils trading their wares were: John Morgan, James Stephens, Kyle Colquhoun and Raymond Houston (all S5), Connor MacNamara (S4) and Michael Docherty (S6).

Design for Nature Competition Last week we announced that we had entered this competition and this week we are delighted to inform our readers that we were runners-up and recipients of a special mention for the quality of the pupils’ work. Pupils won a Bee and Bug Biome and a book on wildlife in gardens.

Alton Towers trip The trip organised by senior pupils as part of their Personal Development course leaves on Friday, June 6th.

Letters and other information have been sent out to parents and carers.

We wish all participants and safe and enjoyable visit, particularly those from whom it will be their last St. Joseph’s outing.

SQA Exams May 28th Travel and Tourism (all levels) May 29th Geography (all levels) May 30th Spanish (all levels) Art and Design (all levels) June 2nd PE (Higher, Int 1 and Int 2) June 3rd Psychology Pupils receive their results on August 5th. Staff will be available in school after that date for any pupils wishing to discuss their options.

Please remember that this year, for the first time, the SQA is not operating an appeals procedure.

Details of the new service have already been issued in a previous letter.

Pupils wishing to receive their results by text or email can do so by using the mysqa service.

Find out how to do this at www.mysqa.info You can find out more about results and recognising positive achievement at www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/ 69126.html

WEEKLY HOME ROOM REFLECTION: D-DAY This week we commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day (or Operation Overlord) which marked a turning point in the Second World War. In doing so we remember the great loss of life, the grief, pain and suffering inflicted and need to strive for peace. We also recognise the courage and sacrifice of those who have gone before us. In 1944, after nearly five years of war, British and Commonwealth troops and American troops were ready to cross from England to mainland Europe to start to free those countries occupied by the Nazis. Where would the Allies land? Would they cross the Channel by the shortest route, to land near Calais?

Would they land first on the British territory of Jersey and the other Channel islands, already occupied by the Germans? Yet both these places were the most heavily fortified and defended. It was decided instead to land in Normandy, hoping that they would not be detected on their long journey across the sea - at least 150km (95 miles). On 6th June 1944 the D-Day landing took place in Normandy, involving hundreds of thousands of people working together. Let us pray: Lord our God, inspire us to make our choices well and understand our responsibilities and the consequences of what we do. Help us to make good use of the opportunities that come to us. Lead us to be positive in our attitude, that we may work well with others and live this day to the full. Amen.

PARISH MASS TIMES St. Matthewʼs: 9.30 am, Fr. Chambers !

St. Michaelʼs: 4.30 pm (vigil) ! !

St. Paulʼs: 11.30 am, Fr. Chambers!

St. Sophiaʼs: 6.00 pm (vigil) Fr. Chambers St. Francis Xavier, Patna: 5.00 pm (vigil)!

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St. Josephʼs: 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