March 10th parent news 2014

ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY Weekly Newsletter

ISSUE 20.2 MARCH 10TH

2014

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM: Ruth Cowan, Jessica Allan (S6) and Madame Trelawney at the Harry Potter Tea Party for World Book Day.

FOR PARENTS, CARERS, FAMILIES & PARISHES

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

BRILLIANT WORLD BOOK WEEK

Pupils win Scottish Book Trust recognition

What an outstanding week of celebrations and activities we enjoyed as the whole school supported World Book Day.

In the run-up to World Book Day S3 pupils worked with the English department and the Librarian, Mrs. Kirkwood, to create and produce s video trailer for Ferryman, by Claire McFall, one of the Scottish Book Trust Children’s Book Awards nominees.

The centrepiece of the week was a tea party for 150 pupils and staff in the Library. The range and quantity of homebaking on offer was staggering as both pupils and staff contributed lots of cakes and other goodies to make the event go with a bang.

Librarian Mrs. Kirkwood organised a Horcrux Hunt that saw dozens of pupils tearing around the school looking for artefacts from Harry Potter with the winning team claiming a prize once they had found all of the parts of Voldemort. A rather bemused looking Mr. Davis, sporting a Gryffindor scarf, was seen in the street surrounded by pupils all suddenly fascinated with the piece of paper pinned to his tie.

The short film, made by Madeline Jessop, Ronan Boiteaux, Kelly Heartfield and Keyryn MacFadyean, received the Highly Commended accolade from the competition judges and can be viewed on the SBT website by clicking here.

Team member Ronan attributes their success to a strong team spirit and careful planning at the start of the creative process. He also thanked fellow S3 pupil Matthew Craigen for his technical expertise and the other members of the team for sharing the workload and responsibilities.

Also during the week were the heats for the Readers Cup Quiz, with the first round victories going to Mrs. McInally’s S1 class and Miss Munro’s S2s.

The team, he says, were very pleased with the final film, although they perhaps would have liked the music to be slightly better.

Plenty of staff and pupils visited St. Andrew’s Primary School to read to classes while S3 pupils Callum Hughes, Amy Brown and Caitlin Wilson went to the nursery class to perform their version of ‘What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf?’

They are now planning a performance of Romeo and Juliet with the school drama group.

Overall, the team are still slightly amazed that they achieved such a result, particularly when at one stage they lost images and film.

As Ronan put it, ‘It’s amazing that our team could achieve this against competition from across Scotland.’

WORLD BOOK DAY: THE BOOK THIEF CINEMA VISIT Last week 30 pupils attended a screening of The Book Thief at the Kilmarnock Odeon.

The film is set during World War 2 and follows the fortunes of Leisl a young German girl who is sent to live with a couple in a remote German country town. Soon the war encroaches and they find that they are hiding a young Jewish man on the run from the Nazis.

One of the pupils who saw the film was Ann McGiffen (S3). Ann says: ‘I thought the trip was a good opportunity for us and the film was very interesting with a good story. Whilst I found it sad I really liked the historical aspect to the film as I’m really into that sort of thing. I found the use of Death as a character who narrated the story quite unexpected and really liked the tension that built up throughout the film.’

Ann was also involved in the Book Trailer project which she found to be both fun and hard work. She took part in the Harry Potter Tea Party and enjoyed the Horcrux Hunt, particularly the riddles and clues. ‘This was a good test of our communication and teamwork skills’, she says. ...........................................................................................

Sean has been taking tips from professional local comedian, and husband of our school librarian, Billy Kirkwood.

According to Sean, Billy has given him a few pointers, told him not to put his hands in his pockets and to make sure he comes across confidently.

Once he has his comedy show out of the way Sean will be taking up a flexible work placement at the Park Hotel as a catering assistant, a position that brings the possibility of permanent employment at a later date. He is also applying to Ayrshire College for a Food Preparation course and for a Modern Apprenticeship in Baking.

Sean says, ‘The school has helped me to cope with my autism and to get into some routines and structures.

One of best things about school is my friends. I also want to thank Mrs. Lightfoot for her support.’

Posters are up around the school advertising Sean’ s show - don’t miss out. Asked by Acting Headteacher Mr. Davis what the show was going to be like, Sean replied with his customary wit: ‘It’s going to be funny. It’s a comedy show, duh!’

‘What’s red and smells like blue paint? Red paint.’ one of the Horcrux Hunt clues ...........................................................................................

SENIOR PUPILS LEAD P7 BOOK GROUP Three S6 pupils (Abbie Robb, Ruth Cowan and Robyn Devlin) have been running a book group for P7 pupils every Friday in the Library. Robyn describes what they do in the group: ‘We begin by asking them about the work they have done before the book group, such as making a bookmark or reading a certain number of pages. Then we sit around and talk about their reading and they report back on their experience of reading.

After that we simply read. We are currently reading Black Hope Enigma by by Teresa Flavin.

‘For the P7 pupils the benefit of the group is that they all get a chance to read out and to develop their confidence, as well as enjoying some fun. For us, as well as it being something for our UCAS forms, the group is enjoyable and it’s cool to talk to the younger pupils and develop a relationship with them.’

SEAN’S COMEDY GIG Talented S6 pupil Sean Poag is performing for the school on April 23rd at what we expect to be a sell-out comedy show.

Sean is well-known for his gags and his unique sense of humour and has previously stolen the show at the JFactor with his exuberant performance.

This show, which will take place at lunch time, will see his one-liners accompanied by music from Abi Banner and Ross Szumlakowski.

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‘It’s going to be funny. It’s a comedy show, duh!’ resident comedian Sean Poag (S6) , above, replies to Mr. Davis’s enquiry about his forthcoming performance ...........................................................................................

A WEEK IN PHOTOGRAPHS: PICTURES FROM AROUND THE SCHOOL, MARCH 3RD - MARCH 10TH 1P1 CELEBRATE THE COMPLETION OF THEIR CLOCK DESIGN UNIT WITH MR. WARD IN WHAT HAS BECOME THE TIME-HONOURED FASHION: PULLING FACES.

A WEEK IN PHOTOGRAPHS: PICTURES FROM AROUND THE SCHOOL, MARCH 3RD - MARCH 10TH

AMAZING WALL DISPLAYS: Pupils in S3 have been studying the novel The Midnight Palace

by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. As part of their work they produced these outstanding displays that explore the content, themes and characters of the novel and also demonstrate exceptional artistic talent.

ASH WEDNESDAY

strapline: has Pancake Day creped up on you?

Last week we held two Masses and a service to mark Ash Wednesday and ROYAL FOUNDLINGS the beginning of Lent.

We are delighted to welcome to the school on Friday, March 14th the Our thanks to Fr. Martin Chambers and the parishioners of St. Matthew’s acclaimed band The Royal Foundlings for hosting us. Once again the pupils for an acoustic set. The band are in Kilmarnock for a gig at the Grand Hall are to be commended for their prayerful and respectful participation. and through our links with St. Kentigern’s Church we have been able to host them.

Lenten prayers are held everyday in the Oratory at 8.45 am.

NEW HOME FOR MOUNTAIN BIKES ST. JOSEPH’S DAY Next week we celebrate St. Joseph’s Day. Over the last few years this day has become a chance to come together as a school community, recognise our common identity and heritage and enjoy some activities together.

Our mountain bikes are now very securely stored in a new home providing easier access and greater usage for all pupils. Many thanks to Mitie for arranging this.

CAROL CRAIG TALK

A very warm St. Joseph’s welcome to Mr. Boyle (above) who

If you’re free on March 19th please consider attending the talk below by In the evening we are holding a Mass acclaimed writer Carol Craig. Just at 7.00 pm to all which all are invited. enlarge the newsletter to view poster.

During the day pupils in S1- S3 will be presented with a range of activities from which to select, including a quiz and physical activities such as the climbing wall.

joins us from Garnock Academy

ENSPIRE 2

S3 Health and Wellbeing event,

You may recall last year’s successful Festival of Ideas, Enspire, which took place in June. This year we are running a similar event conceived and led by S3 Enterprise pupils. The theme of the festival is childhood.

Pupils have arranged a variety of activities for pupils and in the evening of June 25th there will be a series of talks on the theme of childhood.

March 18th

as Principal Teacher of PE and Health and Wellbeing. Please make him feel welcome.

IMPORTANT DATES

St. Joseph’s Day, March 19th S4 - S6 Voter Registration Event, March 24th Parent Council Meeting, March

At the moment the pupils are raising funds for their project by selling pancakes in school under the

31st, 7.00 pm

WEEKLY HOME ROOM REFLECTION: THE LEAST OF MY BROTHERS ‘Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Today’s Gospel from Matthew causes us to sit up and take notice. It contains the idea that we will be judged and separated into two groups (sheep and goats): those who have done right and those who have not. It can be hard to make sense of this idea of judgment alongside our belief in an all-loving, all-forgiving God. After all, aren’t we encouraged not to judge others?

But then, like Jesus’ parables, we find there is more to it. We are asked to serve others, giving them food, clothing, hospitality and more, and not only that, but doing it for the ‘least’ of our brothers and sisters. So, while it is certainly admirable to care for our loved ones, we must do more, showing love and compassion for the unlovable, the outcast. And the fact that we neglect to do that out of ignorance or indifference is no excuse. Our compassionate deeds do not have to be done consciously, deliberately. They can be as natural to us as breathing. But how do we guarantee that we do them? Left to our own devices, the odds are not too good. We will find the world’s attractions and diversions tempting, and more interesting and “necessary” than caring for the least of our brothers and sisters. If we do that, we will not live to simply satisfy our own needs and we will find ourselves to be sheep after all, not the goats.

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