Transcription of STRATHAVEN ACADEMY NEWSLETTER
1 STRATHAVEN ACADEMY NEWSLETTER December 2014 Page 1 Headteacher s Message Welcome to our final NEWSLETTER of 2014, something of a bumper edition! I wish to thank the pupils, staff, our many partners and supporters and, of course, our parents, who contribute to the diversity and richness of life in STRATHAVEN ACADEMY , as reflected in the following pages. Our school community continues to grow, pupil numbers have increased and with that so have the opportunities we can offer, both in terms of courses and programmes of study and in terms of the wider life of the school.
2 Our core purpose, that every young person who attends STRATHAVEN ACADEMY is entitled to the very best that we can provide, remains at the heart of what we do. Our expectation is that pupils, too, will give of their very best and I am always heartened and encouraged when visiting classes to see pupils and teachers working together with focus and shared purpose. As we approach the end of term, we prepare for our festive events and celebrations. We look forward to our Christmas Carol Concert, to be held for the first time here in the ACADEMY rather than the church - a result of the logistical challenges that our increasing numbers present.
3 I wish to thank Rev Shaw Paterson for allowing us to use the Rankin Church over the past several years - a wonderful venue! I would also like to thank him for enduring the annual disruption we caused in our preparations and rehearsals! We have the exciting prospect of a performance from our Parent Council and PTA members this year further demonstrating the fantastic support we get from our formal parent representative groups. Our senior pupils are working hard to prepare for our third Christmas Community Lunch. This event has become something of a favourite with our young people - a wonderful opportunity for older and younger members of our community to come together and share in the sentiments of the season.
4 We are very proud of all of the achievements and contributions of our young people and the team who support them, and we look forward to 2015 in anticipation of successes and achievements yet to come. On behalf of all at STRATHAVEN ACADEMY , I wish you a Mr S Nicolson Marion Irvine Marion Irvine, who has worked in STRATHAVEN ACADEMY s office for the last 19 years, will retire at Christmas. Mrs Irvine has been a wonderful colleague and friend to the school and will be sorely missed by us all. I m sure you will all join us in wishing her good health and happiness for the future.
5 Mrs M Pollock My World of Work Have you seen the new website, My World of Work for Parents? It has all the information you need to support your schoolchild as they make decisions about their future. Whether they're making subject choices, getting exam results or leaving school, there's advice to help you both every step of the way. Find out more at: STRATHAVEN ACADEMY NEWSLETTER December 2014 Page 2 Rights Respecting Schools The S1 Rights Respecting Morning this year took place on Wednesday, 12 November.
6 Pupils in all classes worked together to create posters, wristbands, poems and charters with a powerful anti-bullying message. They also created a tower of strength, which contained a box from each group displaying their anti-bullying message. Pupils focused on cyber-bullying and how it can be prevented. Mr Gardner organised this event, which was well received and very successful. This event is part of the Rights Respecting Schools Award and helps to promote equality. The school chaplaincy team, Reverend Shaw Paterson and Reverend Alan Telfer, attended and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
7 Their input was invaluable as they explored types of bullying and how these can impact on our lives and society. They also took time to speak with every group and give them advice, support and encouragement throughout the day. Many other staff also gave their time to support the event, and this was greatly appreciated. Well done to all involved! Pictured above are S1 pupils hard at work. Rights Respecting Schools Parent Survey As part of our journey towards becoming a Rights Respecting School, we would like to ask your opinion on the attitude and behaviour of the children who attend STRATHAVEN ACADEMY .
8 We would be really grateful if you could follow the link below to the Survey Monkey questionnaire and answer the questions as honestly as you can. There will be a follow-up questionnaire in a few months to measure the impact of RRS in our school. To take the survey, please follow the link below: The link to the questionnaire will also be available on the school website. For more information about the UN and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, please click on the link below. Many thanks Rights Respecting Team E-cigarettes Several enquiries about the use of e-cigarettes have been received by South Lanarkshire Council.
9 The council position is as follows: A decision has been taken that the use of e-cigarettes is not permitted within council premises. This includes visitors and users of council facilities. STRATHAVEN ACADEMY NEWSLETTER December 2014 Page 3 Comic Book Day Our school library hosted its first Comic Book Day. Pupils came along to borrow the latest titles that our librarian Mr Doig had bought in, read some special edition comics, play DC Comics top trumps and eat Super Hero Cookies. DC Comics Martian Manhunter is a big fan of Oreos and so too were our comic fans, who devoured them quicker than the Flash!
10 Pupils also voted for the greatest comic character and the winner, with 36% of the 94 votes cast, was Batman, who got more than all the Marvel Comic characters put together! Pictured is Charlotte, S1 pupil. Pictured above are Luke, Andrew, Louis and Scott. PTA Bag Pack STRATHAVEN ACADEMY PTA held a bag-packing event at Sainsbury s on Friday, 14 November. A number of pupils volunteered to participate in this event and over 600 was raised. The PTA would like to thank all pupils who helped. Pictured above are Alan and Michael.
