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Oldmachar Academy Newsletter
May 2013
Message from Mr Brown
This May Newsletter has a strong element of
Enterprise about it. A number of new aspects of
our school’s work are featured. We staged our
first S1 / S2 outdoor education trips, which we
hope will have great benefit to our young people
as they progress through school.
We have also been involving students in
consultation about future school policies on
assessment and mobile technologies.
As always, Oldmachar Academy is a very busy
place and we hope that this newsletter provides a
flavour of that for parents – a window into the life
and work of the school.
Featured Items
Special Feature: S1 – S2 Trips to
Dukes Wood House
S1 – S3 Enterprise Programme
Primary Curricular Experiences
(P4 & P6)
World Challenge News
Updating School Policies
S1 students defy gravity at Dukes Wood House Students engage in Enterprise Week Events
Sizing for Blazers. Making history at Oldmachar! Our new reporter, Sean Hunter (S5)
Special Feature:
Dukeshouse Wood Residential Trip
Article by Sean Hunter (S5)
Pupils from S1 and S2 took part in a number of
various outdoor educational activities at
Dukeshouse Wood in the north of England during
the week of the 27th-31st May.
The facility itself provides a various number of
activities for the students to participate in such as
water sports and team building exercises that the
school cannot provide.
Here students are pictured doing some of the
activities.
The main aim of this trip was to build the confidence of students and develop team building skills.
In the next pages, some of the quotes from students are provided to let everyone hear their views.
Dukeshouse House Residential Trip (continued)
Jenny Logan (2F)
“The archery was excellent. If we’d had longer to
do it, it would have been even better. The 3G
Swing was also excellent. I wish I could do it
again. The Nightline activity was really good for
building trust with others.
The accommodation was great and the food was
tasty. Overall, it would have been nicer if we had
stayed a bit longer”
Students above are pictured doing the Team Challenge Assault Course. Rachel Morrison (2B) said of it
that “it was really good to experience team work. I did all of it.”
Hannah Gabbon (2E) said, “It was really good fun and a great challenge. Everyone had a good laugh
chucking water at the instructor at the end.”
Lee McAllister (1A) said “ I liked working in a team to get through the course.”
Dukeshouse House Residential Trip (continued)
Dukeshouse House Residential Trip (continued)
S1 – S3 Enterprise Week Programme
Internal Programme of Enterprise
Activities
During the Activities Week, those students not
going to Dukes Wood House took part in a school
based programme of activities. This included a
number of challenge based activities and
consultations on future school policies.
Students pictured in the next few pages are
engaged in some of these activities.
In Enterprise Week this year we had a number of different aspects. There was the chance to take part in a
Student Parliament session with Mr. Brown as well as participating in the Egg Challenge, starting work on
e-portfolios and taking part in a Writing Festival which had pupils work collaboratively on aspects of writing
such as setting.
S3 students preparing for S4 had sessions on Health and Wellbeing, sports, a Scavenger Hunt,
teambuilding events and some drama workshops including one run by former pupil Sam Young. The focus
of the week was not only on these enterprising activities but also beginning to set the challenge for S4 and
beyond. There was input from Carolyn Maniukewiekz of Ideas in Partnership on careers and the job
market, a session on Finance Management, by former pupil Jaqui Taylor, as well as as session on the new
exams (National 4 and 5).
Article by Mr Gibson
S1 – S3 Enterprise Week (Continued)
The Egg Challenge
Students are given the task of constructing a vehicle
for an egg, which they have to use to transport it
from a height of three metres. It is more difficult to
do than you might think, because the egg will smash
if the design is not right.
Students worked in groups to develop and build
their designs.
Sponsored Walk Information
On the Wednesday pupils who were not going to
Dukeshouse Wood took part in a sponsored walk
from Udny Station to Dyce raising over £500 for
school funds and the Archie Foundation.
Congratulations to everyone who was involved and
thanks to Mr Jenkins for organising this.
S1 – S3 Enterprise Week (Continued)
The art and design department ran workshops for
different year groups. Pupils experimented with
origami techniques such as the “fortune teller” which
were used to create cacti sculptures. Another
workshop was based on the creation of paper
sculpture.
Pupils watched a Prezi presentation that encouraged
the use of core skills such as problem solving,
creative and imaginative thinking.
Inspiration came from contemporary artists such as
Tara Donavan and Sakir Gokcebag.
Pupils were encouraged to use curling, folding,
creasing and bending techniques in their paper
sculptures, whilst enjoying the freedom to
experiment with 3D construction.
S2 classes were given the challenge of producing a
“miniature mansion” from a pre-printed A3 sheet of
paper. They were asked to construct a shelter for a
figure with consideration of the use of form, how
the building looked, incorporating the available
textures as well as making a good quality piece.
Pupils considered planning requirements and points
were deducted if the building did not meet the
planning restrictions such as the floor had to be at
least 5cm from the ground.
S1 – S3 Enterprise Week (Continued)
Art Enterprise Activities
Tristan Harland in 1D described the Art Enterprise
activity that he took part in, “I made a dragon by
scrunching up paper and I folded and pleated paper
to make wings. I cut a long triangle of paper which
I curled to make the tongue. I enjoyed making my
dragon, it was fun.”
Consultation on School Policies
Policy on Mobile Technologies
Students in Oldmachar Academy (S1 and S3) have been
debating the issue of how mobile technologies should be
used in school. To focus the debate, students read a
Guardian article on the issue that parents can read at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/nov/27/shoul
d-mobiles-be-banned-schools
This article described the pros and cons of allowing
phones in schools. Students had to consider the
potential benefits as well as consider the risks.
Following this, students then looked at a policy on mobile
technologies from another school in Scotland. They were
asked to consider which parts they would like to keep
and which parts they would like to lose.
This sharpened the discussion to consider the rules
around mobile phones in classes and in other public
spaces of the school.
In light of feedback from students the school is
considering allowing some access to mobile phones in
the school canteen at break and lunch time, while
tightening rules for how they are used at other times.
Policy on Assessment
The school is also consulting students about assessment
in S1 – S3. In these years we have used the
Developing, Consolidating, Secure system for the past
three years, however, there is evidence that this is not
particularly easy for students to understand or for
teachers to use confidently.
In light of that Oldmachar Academy staff have evolved a
simpler model for consideration, based on some national
best practice.
Teachers and students are considering an On-Track
system that gives immediate and simpler feedback for
students. This system asks teachers to evaluate whether
a young person’s work is On Track (in line with
expectations for that level of learning); better than would
normally be expected; below what could have been
expected.
Once our consultation is complete, we will consider our
next steps. It is important to note that any decisions will
be taken in light of Aberdeen City Council policy.
Primary 4 Art Experience
Curricular Transitions Programme
This year we are staging a number of events for
primary students as part of our planned programme of
curricular transitions. This programme involves pupils
from primary 3 upwards.
We are building this to improve the experience of
students and build a stronger learning community
throughout our Associated Schools Group.
Students from P4 in our primary schools are pictured
here working with teachers from our Art Department.
Activities were designed by our subject specialist team
to ensure that everyone had a positive experience.
Mrs Simpson and Mrs Miller are pictured here, along
with some of our S3 students, working with P4
students.
P4 classes were shown a Prezi presentation that
highlighted the need for more care of the
environment in terms of the use of materials. They
were shown examples of items made from recycled
materials and there was some discussion about
their experience of recycled materials and their
environment.
Demonstrations were shown on the whiteboard,
illustrating the steps in making a petal and beads
through origami techniques. The collated petals,
stems and beads were used to create flowers that
could be shown off in a paper vase. The vases and
flowers were shown off at the primary schools and
in some cases given to local old folks homes.
Oldmachar Academy art staff were delighted with
the positive and enthusiastic approach of the P4
pupils and the wonderful results they produced.
Primary 6 Curricular Experience at Oldmachar
P6 Curricular Transitions Programme
On Monday the 13th May we welcomed Primary 6
pupils to Oldmachar Academy. from Danestone and
Glashieburn Primaries. On Tuesday the 14th of May it
was the turn of pupils from Forehill, Middleton Park
and Greenbrae Primaries.
The pupils enjoyed various experiences over the two
days.
In Geography pupils spent time working on activities
to learn map skills. They worked on various map
skills such as identifying symbols and using grid
references. Following some practice with this the
pupils applied their skills by looking at the Aberdeen
map to locate various areas to help them complete
“a strange tale”.
Miss S MacInnes (Geography Department)
In RME pupils were given the opportunity to express
their beliefs and use a variety of evidence to explain
why some people may accept or reject different
beliefs.
Miss K Forrest (RME Department)
In PE, pupils experienced gymnastics, fitness and
team games. They learned about the importance of
working cooperatively and the part exercise plays in
having a healthy lifestyle.
Ms R Midgley (PE Department)
S2 students in Home Economics taught the pupils to
make fresh fruit salad how to use equipment safely
and prepare food hygienically. Pupils discussed how
an easily prepared dish like fresh fruit salad can help
meet the recommended daily intake of 5-9 portions
of fruit and vegetables and contribute towards a
healthy balanced diet.
Mrs M Evans
PT Faculty Health and Wellbeing
World Challenge Update
Our First Ever World Challenge
The pupils of S6 will embark on a once in a lifetime
opportunity with their world challenge trip to
Malaysia this month on the 5th of June for 2 weeks.
The pupils raised all the money for the trip by
themselves and organised fundraising events and
tasks to get the funds for the trips.
The trip that will be lead by Mrs Williamson, Mrs Moir
and a World challenge leader, will partake in two
weeks of decision making and teamwork .every day
decisions such as where they will stay and how they
will travel on a budget of £11 a day.
This will be a fantastic experience and also one that
can shape their lives. We wish all the students taking
part good luck and all the best as they embark on
their once in a lifetime experience.
Best of luck everyone!
Article by Sean Hunter (S5)
Update on Health and Wellbeing
Two Articles by Mrs Thomson
Entier Programme 2013
Entier is run by Colin Hendry and is one of the
biggest employers in the Catering Industry in
Aberdeen.
The programme this session started in September
with a group of twelve S4 Hospitality students. The
programme is designed to encourage students and
to raise their awareness of opportunities for training
and employment in the Hospitality Industry.
Chefs came into school to demonstrate skills and to
work closely with the students.
In April after a series of workshops three pupils were
selected to represent the school at the City final
cook off.
Congratulations to:
Zoe Fisher, Shannen Middleton, Ashley Craigen
ASDA Nominate a Cause
A big Thank you to everyone in the Community and
School who supported Oldmachar Academy’s Eco
garden Project in ASDA’s “Nominate a Cause
Scheme”. The garden project is lead by Mr Booth
and involves pupils from S3,S4 and S5. Last year
seeds were planted and there was an abundance of
flowers, vegetables and greenhouse produce.
Many of the vegetables they produced were used in
cookery lessons. The flowers and remaining
vegetables were sold.
With your support we received the largest number of
green discs and were presented with a cheque for
£207.27 this will help us further develop the garden.
The cheque was presented to Mrs Thomson by
Stuart Wright Manager of ASDA.
Gymfest Group 2013
Gymfest
Oldmachar Academy Gymfest group returned bigger
and better this year. Under the experienced eyes of
Aria Lynch, Megan Hyland and Kim Beattie; Kiera
Still, Alex Gordon, Danielle Lawrence, Katrina Stott,
Dion Hall, Lois Munroe, Chloe Golightly, Leona Smith
and Chloe Brown were taken through their paces.
Training started in August 2012 when the group
came together and learnt tumbles, balances and
jumps.
A few months later they started to learn a
complicated 5 minute long routine that included a
variety of different songs ranging in tempos. The
routine included many dance and gymnastics skills
that the girls performed with extreme finesse.
The group performed in Perth on Saturday 25 May
with teams from all over Scotland and they did not
disappoint the large crowd that came to watch.
Everyone is very proud of the hard work and
dedication the girls demonstrated this year.
Article by Mrs Fogiel
Announcements
School Uniform
Parents are reminded school blazers and tie are
being implemented for August. These garments are
compulsory for all students. The school will support
students who will struggle due to financial
constraints. Information about how to purchase
garments is available from our school office.
Almost all new S4 – S6 students have purchased a
blazer for next session. This will ensure the blazer is
a normal part of school life.
Leavers’ Ceremony
We celebrated our Leavers’ ceremony last week.
There will be a detailed feature on it in our next
newsletter. Thanks to Damian Bates, the Editor of
the Press and Journal for agreeing to be our Guest
of Honour at the event. We were pleased to say
goodbye to all of those the students of S4 – S6
(along with their parents) who are leaving
Oldmachar Academy this year.
30th Anniversary Celebrations
Parents are advised that the school is planning a 30th
anniversary celebration event to take place on
Saturday 28th September in the afternoon and early
evening.
The concept for the event came from students in S6,
who suggested an International Street Party.
We will provide information soon on how to get
involved.
Arrival at School
All students must arrive punctually at school for
08.40. Lessons begin promptly at this time.
Lateness disrupts learning and repeated instances
may lead to sanctions. Parents are asked to remind
students of their responsibility to get to school on
time and ready for work.
Additionally, parents are reminded that they should
not drop their children off by car in the school car
park. Everyone should access our park and stride
scheme as an alternative.
Information on School Awards Ceremonies
Parents, carers and friends are advised that we are
changing the date of the school’s Awards
Ceremonies. These were due to take place on the
morning of Tuesday 2nd July.
Events will now take place on the morning of
Wednesday 3rd July.
We hold two ceremonies: one for S1 (who moved
recently to S2) and one for students in S2 – S5 (now
S3 – S6). Parents will be given more detail soon.
Summer Challenge Event
Parents are advised that the school is planning a
Summer Challenge Event to take place on the last
day of term. This will be a sponsored event and will
raise money for school funds. The event will take
place at the Balgownie playing fields and involves a
number of fun challenges that are designed to
promote teamwork and fitness. Previous years’
events have been most successful. We hope that
everyone enters into the spirit of this year’s event.
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