S5/S6 Parents’ Night

26 November 2012

 Dear Parent/Carer

 S5/6 Parents’ Consultation Evening

 The S5/6 Parents’ Evening will take place on Wednesday 5 December, from 4:00 to 6:30 pm.

 We operate an appointments system using the attached sheet. Students will have the chance to make appointments with their teachers during lessons between now and 5 December. They are asked to leave a gap between appointments in order to avoid delays.

 In addition to subject teachers, the Head Teacher, Depute Head Teachers, Pupil Support and Support for Learning teachers will all be available on the night.

 Teachers will be located in the Assembly Hall and in nearby rooms. Please enter the school at McMaster’s Road. Parking is available close to the main entrance in the visitors’ car park and adjacent bus bay. On arrival you will be asked to sign in.

 The Parents’ Night is an opportunity to receive a progress update from teachers, and to discuss any issues of concern.

 We hope you are able to attend on Wednesday. If you are unable to attend but would like to enquire about your son or daughter’s progress please contact the appropriate Pupil Support teacher.

 Yours sincerely

 

Mr M Warren

Depute Head Teacher

Monday 19th November 2012

“NEW” S5/S6:  ART SCHOOL.  Any pupil who is intending to apply to ArtSchool this session should arrange to meet with Mr Butler ASAP – Mr Butler.

 

“NEW” STRANRAER YMCA – work with children from the age of 5-13 years old, this is our play ranger project which is funded by Inspiring Scotland (go2play).  This project has been a great success over the last two years and we have received a further three year funding.  YMCA were approached by various 13/14 year olds stating that after being involved within the play ranger project they felt that it was unfair that they were not longer allowed to attend sessions because of their age.  Taking this into account, Stranraer YMCA outreach work began talking to youth, local partners and parents, the outcome of this being that funding from the Holywood Trust was applied for and granted to start a local youth group.  Times and days are as follows, to be started from 20/11/2012.  Each night the cost is £1.00.

TUESDAY:         19.00 – 21.00 GIRLS SESSION (13 – 16 year olds)

WEDNESDAY:   19.00 – 21.00 BOYS SESSION (13 – 16 year olds)

One Friday a month to be a combined session, dates to be confirmed.  Anyone who would like to know more details of our events or sessions, or would like to become involved as a volunteer please contact:  Glenda Dewar:  01776700100.

 

S4-6: HISTORY AFTERSCHOOL STUDY for Higher and Standard Grade students is now being held every Thursday at 3:30-4:30, in Mr Lane’s room.  Any questions please see Mr Lane.

 

S1-4: NETBALL CLUB will be in the Queens Hall on Tuesdays from 3.30- 4.30pm.  All girls welcome! – Miss Dalrymple.

 

S1-6: DROP IN.  Over recent weeks there has been a surge in the attendance at the drop in and as a result of the behaviour displayed  – by a few pupils – has been unacceptable, particularly the behaviour of first year boys.  As a result of this first year boys are BANNED from the drop until Monday 26 November. At times there are over 60 pupils in the small Drama room so we are trying out a new system for the next few weeks:

Week beginning 19 November

Wednesday – S2                                                                 

Thursday – Seniors
Friday – S1 girls only

Week beginning 26 November                                      

Monday – S2                                                                        

Tuesday – S1 girls only

Wednesday – Seniors

Volunteers and user group members who attend the drop in will be welcome in any of the above dates. – Mrs Bradley.

 

 

S4-6:  CAREERS DROP-IN SESSION.  I would like to advise that I propose to offer a Careers Drop in Session for pupils every Thursday lunchtime from 1- 1.30 pm in the Careers Room in the library.  Please pass on to anyone interested:  www.myworldofwork.co.uk.  (The web service for all your work, skills and learning needs. – Ruth Baxter (Careers Adviser).

 

S1-6:  UCAN CLUB will be held in the Library on TUESDAY NIGHTS (no longer on Mondays) from 3.30 – 4.30pm. – Mrs Siwo/Ms McManus.

 

 

 

 

S5-6: EMA APPLICATIONS.  Pupils who have applied for EMA MUST complete and return the learning agreement to reception.  Failure to return form will result in non payment. – Mrs Anderson.

 

S1-4: RUGBY. Training will take place on Fridays from 3.30pm until 5.00pm on ‘A’ pitch and the new 3G pitch. Please bring outdoor training kit and meet in the outdoor changing rooms after school. For further information please see Mr Baird. – Mr Baird.

 

S1-6: UZONE – School Nurse Drop-In – Thursday lunchtimes.  Go to the top of the stairs opposite PE changing rooms.  (Please note you are allowed up the stairs!) – Arlene and Debbie.

 

Use of 3G Pitch / PE kit

 

From Tuesday 13^th November 2012, I am delighted to inform you that the P.E department will have use of the new 3G pitch facility for curricular and extra-curricular use. We are fortunate to be only one of two schools in the Dumfries and Galloway region to be receiving this new facility.

The surface is suitable for a range of sporting activities, but the major benefit is that it will be suitable for all-weather usage. This will allow me to timetable P.E. classes onto this new facility for the majority of periods in the week over 2012-13 and beyond.

By doing so, this will enable P.E. staff and pupils to gain maximum benefit of the new facility.

It is therefore extremely important that you encourage your son/daughter to come suitably prepared for outdoor P.E. lessons on the 3G pitch.

This means bringing appropriate P.E kit i.e. a complete change of kit and footwear.

N.B. Recommended footwear is moulded studded boots, plastic blades or training shoes. No boots with metal studs or blades are allowed on a 3G pitch.

Additional clothing may be worn e.g. rain jacket, as pupils will now be expected to go outside in most weather conditions.

In the cases of extreme weather an alternative indoor working area will still be provided.

 

For any pupil who persistently forgets P.E kit and refuses to wear alternative P.E. kit,

a range of sanctions will be applied, initially by class teacher and then by P.T.

 

If you have any concerns regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact me

at the school.

 

Yours sincerely.

Stuart Binnie (Principal Teacher)                      Norman Dawson (Headteacher)

S2 and S3 Tracking Reports

Dear Parent/Carer

Tracking reports for S2 and S3 are due to be sent out this week. Please

note that, due to absence, there will be no entries for Mr Hollands Music classes or Mr Cameron’s Science classes. If you have any questions about progress in these classes, please contact Mr Munro (Music), Mrs White (Science) or your son or daughter’s Pupil Support teacher.

Yours sincerely

Mr M Warren

Depute Head Teacher

S1 Parents’ Night

Dear Parent/Carer

 

S1 Parents’ Consultation Evening

 

The S1 Parents’ Evening will take place on Thursday 8 November, from 4:00 to 6:30 pm.

 

We operate an appointments system using the attached sheet. Pupils will have the chance to make appointments with their teachers during lessons between now and Thursday. They are asked to leave a gap between appointments in order to avoid delays.

 

In order to avoid queues building up we would be grateful if you can keep to the 5 minute appointments. If you feel that a longer discussion is necessary, please make a further appointment with the teacher at a mutually convenient time.

 

In addition to subject teachers, the Head Teacher, Depute Head Teachers, Pupil Support and Support for Learning teachers will all be available on the night.

 

Teachers will be located in the Assembly Hall and in nearby rooms. Please enter the school at McMaster’s Road. Parking is available close to the main entrance in the visitors’ car park and adjacent bus bay. On arrival you will be asked to sign in.

 

The timing of the S1 Parents’ Night is intended to give an early indication of how your son or daughter is progressing. You should already have received a summary report showing grades for effort, behaviour and homework.

 

We hope you are able to attend. If you are unable to attend but would like to enquire about your child’s progress please contact the appropriate Pupil Support teacher.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Mr M Warren

Depute Head Teacher

Do The Right Thing

Dear Parent/Carer,

 

“Do The Right Thing”

 

“Do The Right Thing” is an interactive one day event which will take place in school on the

6^th and 7^th November and will be delivered to all S3 pupils.

 

The aims of “Do The Right Thing” are to:

 

• Provide an interactive event  during the course of a day aimed at raising awareness of local issues and problems faced by young people in their communities
• Provide a learning environment for young people to learn and gain knowledge to enable them to make the right choices in their lives
• Supplement work being carried out through Personal and Social Education classes in Secondary Schools
• Deliver some outcomes on Health and Wellbeing as outlined in the Scottish Executive’s Curriculum For Excellence
• Allow schools to gain from the benefit of partner agency services
• Deliver on some aspects of the single outcome agreement and the Police Community Promise

 

The day itself consists of a number of activities and workshops to make it a positive learning experience for the S3 pupils. Workshops will be delivered by our partner agencies on the following topics:

 

Alcohol – delivered by NHS and Police

Sexual Health – delivered by School Nurse

Personal Safety – delivered by Procurator Fiscal and Police

Drugs – delivered by Police Substance Misuse Officer

Domestic Abuse – delivered by Women’s Aid and Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator

Anti-Social Behaviour – delivered by Anti-Social Behaviour Team West

 

Do The Right Thing was undertaken for the first time in 2009 in both Stranraer Academy and Douglas Ewart High School. Feedback received from schools, partner agencies and, more importantly, the pupils was extremely positive. The project gained national recognition and was shortlisted for the Community Involvement Award by the Crown and Procurator Fiscal Service in Scotland in May 2010.

 

I look forward to continued success in this year’s event. Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Rhona McCulloch

Principal Teacher Pupil Support

UCAS 2013 (Universities & Colleges Admission Service)

 

Dear Parent/Carer,

 UCAS 2013

 As you will no doubt be aware, your son/daughter/ward has begun the process of applying to Higher Education through the UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service). They can send off their completed application electronically anytime from now until the 15^th January 2013.

 Myself and Mrs K Brown, who has responsibility for Careers within the school, felt it would be useful to organise an information evening for you as parents/carers. Subsequently we have arranged for a presentation on the evening of 1^st November at 6pm in the assembly hall.

 Anne Waggot is the Student Recruitment Officer from GlasgowUniversity, Dumfries Campus. Whilst she will be speaking in the context of GlasgowUniversity she will provide broader information about the UCAS application process from start to finish. There will also be a representative from SAAS (Student Awards AgencyScotland). They are a Government Agency who assess and pay financial support for living costs and tuition fees for Scottish students in higher education.

 I have enclosed a copy of the UCAS Parent Guide for 2013 for your information. I think the evening will provide valuable information and an opportunity to clarify any queries you may have. Should you wish to attend the evening please just come along on the night. I look forward to seeing you then.

 Yours sincerely

 Ms Rhona McCulloch

P.T. Pupil Support

S4 Parents’ Night – Tuesday 30 October 2012

Dear Parent/Carer

 This year’s S4 Parents’ Night will take place on Tuesday 30 October.

The enclosed appointment sheet is for your son or daughter to make appointments with the teachers you wish to see.

The timing of this parents’ night is intended to give an early indication of progress in S4, and an opportunity to address any issues before the prelims, which start on 12^th November.

A full S4 report, including results of the prelims, will be issued shortly after the start of term in January.

We very much hope you will be able to attend on 30^th October.

Yours sincerely

Mr M Warren

Depute Head Teacher

First Year Residential Trip

Dear Parent/Guardian/Ward,

One of our most successful and popular events over the last 20 years is the First Year Residential trip. It has proved to be both a valuable educational experience and an enjoyable social event, and it definitely helps the youngsters to get to know each other. This year marks a change; both in venue and duration of the visit, as we intend to visit Glasgow for two days with only one overnight stay.

The venue of Glasgow was chosen because it still offers the chance to experience an urban area and the travelling time will be much less, as will the overall cost. Each year a very high percentage of S1 pupils take part and we hope that this year will be the same.

The trip will involve two days and one night in Glasgow, staying at a Youth Hostel in the city centre. Pupils will travel to Glasgow by coach, in their House Groups; Glenapp, Logan, Dunskey or Inch, accompanied by several members of staff. It is not yet finalised when each House Group will go, but the 4 dates are;

Group 1 Monday 12th November returning Tuesday 13th November
Group 2 Thursday 15th November returning Friday 16th November
Group 3 Monday 19th November returning Tuesday 20th November
Group 4 Thursday 22nd November returning 23rd November

The programme for this year has still to be fully finalised, but we expect to include the following activities.

• 10 Pin Bowling
• New Lanark World Heritage site
• Cinema
• Transport Museum
• Laserquest
• Sledging at Snow Factor

The expected cost for the whole trip, including entrance fees to all activities, will be approximately £80.00. Some spending money will be useful: we recommend that youngsters bring no more than £30.00.
If you are interested in you child/ward going please complete the consent and Medical form attached and return it to Reception, along with a deposit of £30.00 by Monday 1st October (Please note that we cannot guarantee your child’s place on the trip if the deadline has been passed)
Full payment will be due before your child/ward’s trip.
(Cheques should be payable to Stranraer Academy).

We expect all pupils who are included on the Glasgow Trip to be have in an appropriate manner so that the overall enjoyment, smooth running and safety of the trip is in no way compromised. Parents/Carers and pupils should be aware therefore that students who have a poor disciplinary record may not be allocated a place on the trip/or that their place may be taken (and money returned) if their behaviour prior to the trip is consistently inappropriate in school.

The school may be able to offer a little financial assistance in cases where parents may find difficulty in meeting the costs. Please contact me at the school in writing/Email if you would like to request assistance.

Nearer the time of the trip further information will be given at a meeting to which the parents/carers/guardians of the youngsters going on the trip will be invited.

Yours sincerely,

Aileen Irvine
Principal Teacher Pupil Support

Private Study in S6

S6 students who are timetabled for Private Study have the following options. They can use the study room (formerly Mr Nimmo’s Art room) or study in the Library by arrangement with Mr Freeman. They may also choose to go out of school, e.g. to study at home. If they choose the last option they must sign out at the Office.

These arrangements apply to S6 only. S5 students must attend all timetabled private study periods.

Mr Benson