Spring 2014 - Portlethen Academy

Portlethen Academy
Newsletter
Portlethen Academy
Bruntland Road
Portlethen
Aberdeenshire
AB12 4QL
Tel 01224 782174
Fax 01224 782076
Email: Portlethen.aca@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
SPRING 2014
Head Teacher’s Message
T
he term
since the
New Year
has been an
incredibly busy one
with a host of
different activities;
many of these are
reflected in this
newsletter.
These activities have included academic,
music and sporting excellence; coupled with
contributions to the school community. These
activities have involved individuals, groups
and teams. We have had a number of events
where parents have been in school for
information or parents’ evenings. Recently,
for example, we welcomed the parents of
next year’s S1 for a tour of classes - on the
same day as Aberdeen FC manager Derek
McInnes visited us with the Scottish League
Cup! It has been great to see so many parents
at these events. Underpinning all of the above
has been a really positive approach by pupils
to their studies and to they way they have
conducted themselves in and around the
school; I am really impressed by their attitude
and application. This has been supported by
our staff who have worked hard to implement
the new National courses. We, along with our
senior pupils, are now in the home leg with
these new courses. Our senior students are
studying diligently to prepare for the final
exams for these courses; I would like to wish
them well in their studies and in their final
exams. Please enjoy reading about our school
and the activities and successes of our young
people.
Neil Morrison
Sports Relief
F
or this year’s Sport Relief Week, pupils and staff
organised activities in a bid to raise as much
money as possible for the charity. The events
which took place were: A Question of Sport quiz event
involving pupils Vs staff; a volleyball tournament
involving pupils Vs staff; a not so sporting cake bake;
and a climbing wall activity. These events were all very
successful. Through them we were able to raise over
£1000 for Sports Relief. Regrettably, the weather was against on the day
we intended holding one of our most anticipated events: the world’s
largest game of duck duck goose. However, the charities committee are
hoping to reschedule this record breaking attempt later on this session to
continue to raise money and awareness for Sports Relief.
Dandy Dons Boss Derek McInnes Visits Our School —
And Brings Along The Scottish League Cup! COYR!
P
ortlethen Academy teamed up
with BBC Sportsound to
welcome Aberdeen FC
manager, Derek McInnes and the
Scottish League Cup trophy to the
school. Derek was joined by assistant
manager Tony Docherty. S3 pupils
attended an assembly to hear about Aberdeen’s latest cup final win
against Inverness Caley Thistle. After doing some media work for BBC
Scotland, Derek and Tony took questions from enthusiastic pupils who
asked the duo a range of questions that Derek and Tony were very happy
to answer. The questions were based around how Derek McInnes has
transformed the team and now how he has the city backing the team
again. He also talked about targets for the future. Pupils were then
rewarded with photo opportunities with the League Cup trophy. It was a
memorable afternoon for everyone who attended — hopefully we won't
have to wait another 19 years for the next trophy!
Comenius News
Youth Achievement News
O
Y
n 8th January 2014, the
Comenius group of
Portlethen Academy
departed from Aberdeen to go to
Bordeaux, France. After an
overnight stop over in Gatwick,
they then took off for Bordeaux .
On Thursday, the group had a look around the picturesque
town of Bordeaux and then went for a meal with a French
teacher. At the meal, the itinerary for the trip was outlined:
it included attending a recycling workshop and an afternoon
of baking macaroons and bread at the hosts’ school. On
Friday evening, the group went out for a meal to an Italian
restaurant in the heart of Bordeaux. On Saturday, they met
up with their French companions and were given a tour of
Bordeaux to see all the sights in the town. In the evening,
the group and their French companions went to a French
tapas restaurant and had dinner together. Sadly, Sunday,
the group’s last day in France, came round too soon; it was
spent packing and then travelling back to the sunny city of
Aberdeen.
outh Achievement Awards support young people’s
own personal development, and progression at four
levels of responsibility. All members of our group
are either working on silver or gold level. This involves
planning, organising and leading activities. Whilst planning
and leading these challenges, the main focus has been to
raise money for a foreign community aid trip to Morocco in
June 2015. So far the team has raised £3,810.46 of the
£21,175 total needed. Some of the challenges that they
have tackled so far include: Texas Day, Halloween Bush
Tucker Trial and themed sweets, ceilidh, Christmas Talent
Show, Business Breakfast, jumble sale, and a sponsored dip.
These activities have contributed greatly to the current
total. Another challenge that will be ongoing for the
foreseeable future is the Rag Bag bin which is situated in the
car park in front of Portlethen Academy. The team are now
planning future events such as: a daffodil tea, 27th April
from 2-4pm at Portlethen Academy; an all day shopping trip
to Glasgow at the beginning of June; a marathon length
sponsored walk in September; a Romanian themed murder
mystery night , 4th October in Portlethen Church Hall;
alongside future raffles, indoor car boot sales and jumble
sales. Any offers of help in participating with any of these
challenges would be greatly appreciated.
Micro Tyco News
Expressive Arts News
M
icro Tyco is a
challenge created
by the Wild Hearts
Foundation to help make
money for under-developed
countries so that people can
start up their own business
and get out of poverty. S3 Business pupils split into groups
and came up with different ideas to make money. Some
groups baked and sold a variety of sweet treats; others sold
bracelets all around the school to teachers and friends.
Some groups got involved with local companies and sold
their products there. This year’s business class raised an
impressive £860.71. The Micro Tyco challenge had several
benefits for the pupils: how to make and sell products to
make maximum profit; how to work in a group successfully;
and how to be creative and think outside the box. They also
learnt how to use people’s skills to the best advantage and
how to manage money correctly. As one pupil said: “Our
Micro Tyco experience taught us a lot. It was great fun to
do. We would recommend it to any young entrepreneurs as
it gives you a great experience of running a business and
trying to create a profit.
I
t has been an exciting and
busy time in Expressive Arts
recently: the SQA Music
Practical Exams went well, and
musical items are currently
being rehearsed for our end of
session Achievement
Ceremonies. Our Drama students were examined in SQA
Acting in two areas – Set Text which was The Crucible by
Arthur Miller, and a selection of contemporary Scottish
works. Higher Drama students also hosted two Friends &
Family Evenings to showcase their work (pictured). The 1st
week of next term sees our Art & Design Folios packed and
sent off to SQA for external marking. Our art pupils have put
on an exhibition of their work in the art rooms. A selection
of Jonas Gentle’s, S6 Advanced Higher Art student work
(below) is included in the exhibition.
Pupil Council/Rights Respecting Groups News
T
Fairtrade News
T
he Pupil Council and the Rights
Respecting Group have been working
hard to improve life in the school.
Recently, the Rights Respecting Group gave
presentations at assemblies for all year
groups which outlined what they hoped to
achieve. This year the Pupil Council has also
worked hard, as Craig Ross explained: “We have produced
a video on teaching methods that benefit the pupil. We
have also tried to have healthier food introduced in the
canteen menu, and to improve the working ability of the
smart card machines. We have also placed cards around
the school for the Pupil Council’s ‘what you said, what we
did’ survey of pupils’ opinions”.
he Fairtrade group has been
involved in a range of activities in the
school and community. The group
runs a store two times a week which sells
Fairtrade snacks to the staff and pupils.
Group members have also been working
closely with a local Councillor to raise
awareness of the Fairtrade aims in the local community as
well as the school. During Portlethen Church’s Christmas
tree event, two group members went to the church and
decorated one of the trees with baubles made from
Fairtrade materials. Next term, the group aims to hold a
bake sale: they will be selling a range of baked items they
have made using various Fairtrade products.
Poland Trip
Ski Trip
I
n September 2013, S6 pupils
visited Krakow, Poland. They
visited Wawel Castle. It was
beautifully decorated with bright,
intricate tapestries on every wall. On
Saturday morning, they went to
Auschwitz. The experience of visiting
this place, which has a horrific history,
was a very emotional but worthwhile educational
experience that nobody will forget. That evening, the boys
attended the much anticipated Krakow Derby. Football fans
in Poland are known for their outrageous behaviour; this
match was no exception. On their final day, the group
visited Schindler’s factory which is now a museum. They
then visited the incredible Krakow Salt Mines. Overall, the
trip was a fantastic experience.
Rock Climbing Achievement
C
ongratulations to S2 pupil Rory
Cargill on his successes in the
Scottish Schools Climbing
Competition. Rory was in a tough group,
with 4 competitors getting full points on the
qualifying climbs. However, Rory pulled on
his reserves, and outclimbed the rest in the
final to top out again with 100 points, just pipping students
from Boroughmuir and Torry Academy into joint second.
Rory has been rock climbing for 6 years now. His first
experience of rock climbing was when his uncle took him
rock climbing when he was 7 years old. Since then, Rory has
achieved many impressive goals in his sport. He is now in
one of the leading rock climbing teams who represent UK in
international competitions.
O
n 15th February, 25
Portlethen pupils and 3
staff travelled to
Courmayeur, Italy. After an
eventful journey they finally arrived
at their destination – a little later
than expected! On the first
morning, on the slopes they were kitted out and got ready
to go! Fantastic weather greeted them. Each pupil got
involved right from the start. The week was non stop from
thereon in, with pupils taking part in a range of après ski
activities: movie night, ice skating, shopping, quiz and
presentation evenings. The pupils’ progress over the week
in skiing was remarkable. It was a successful, fun filled
and exhausting experience for everyone.
Outstanding Swimming Achievement
P
aul Miller 2C recently
participated in the Scottish
Schools Swimming Meet in
Cumbernauld. After a day of
vigorous competition against
swimmers from across Scotland, Paul
came home with two medals: a
Bronze medal for the 100m
breaststroke and a Bronze medal for the 200m
breaststroke. Paul has also recently broken 2 school
swimming records in the recent Portlethen Academy
Swimming Gala. Paul is a member of Aberdeen Amateur
Swimming Club. Paul trains at least 10 times a week. His
dedication to his sport is bringing him impressive rewards.
Netball News
Badminton Club News
T
his year a group of very
talented girls were entered
into Netball Scotland's
Scottish Cup, a first for Portlethen
Academy. After two games against
Aboyne Academy and Robert
Gordon’s College, our girls were
entered into the Bronze section of
the cup. The girls performed brilliantly in the next two
rounds securing a place in the semi-final. After a closely
fought game with Strathallan School, they found
themselves in the final! The game was played on
Wednesday, 2nd April against Balwearie High School. To
get this far in the cup was a tremendous achievement
for the team. Unfortunately, they got beat in the final.
Football News
T
he badminton club takes place
after school on Fridays. It has
about 20-30 people who
attend each week. Recently, the club
held an S1 – S2 Doubles Tournament
which was won by Ryan Watson 1B
and Kuba
Slusarczyk 2B. A team of club players
Ryan Watson, Jack Browning, Andrew
Duncan and Andrew McDonald were
successful in winning the Crombie
Secondary League, Division 3. The
tournament was held in Banchory. The
final was then held at the Beach Leisure
Centre, Aberdeen.
Calendar
I
t has been a frustrating year for Portlethen
Academy teams: many teams fell short at the
semi-final stage. The U13s had two very good
results, beating Torry and Glenrothes. They are just four
points off 1st place with one game to go. The S2s
reached the semi-final of the Sportsman’s Trophy,
where they lost to Westhill; they also did well in
reaching the 4th round of the Scottish Cup but lost out
to Columbia’s High School, Dunfermline. The two girls’
teams also performed admirably. The juniors reached
the semi-final of the Aberdeenshire Cup but were
beaten 4-2 by Inverurie. The seniors also reached the
semis, but were unfortunate to lose 4-3 to Ellon
Academy, beaten by a goal in the final minute. The
semi-final jinx continued as the U15s also lost in the last
four of the Gerrard Trophy, losing 7-3 to Mintlaw. As for
the senior boys’ team, they were five minutes away
from reaching the final of the President’s Trophy, but
two late goals from Westhill earned them a 3-2 win.
Volleyball News
Holidays
• Easter: Monday 7 April to Friday 18 April 2014
• May Day: Monday, 5 May 2014
• Summer: Monday 7 July to Monday 18 August 2014
In-Service Days
• Tuesday 18 February 2014
• Wednesday 19 February 2014
SQA Exams
• Tuesday, 29 April to Friday, 6 June 2014
S3 Work Experience
• Monday, 19 May to Friday, 23 May 2014
S1/S2 Activities Week
• Wednesday 21 May to Friday, 23 May
S4 Geography Field Trip
• Monday, 9 June 2014
Situations Vacant: School Crossing Patroller
T
wo senior girls’ teams
and a senior boys’ team
competed in this year’s
Aberdeenshire Volleyball
Tournament at Gordon Schools,
Huntly. The girls’ teams
performed well and had great
fun. The boys finished 1st equal; they were undefeated
throughout the tournament. Unfortunately, Aberdeen
Grammar were crowned the eventual winners based on
the overall points scored over the course of the
tournament. They scored 87 points to our 84.
P
ortlethen Community School
Network is looking to recruit a School
Crossing Patroller to join the team, and
also a Relief Patroller. If you would like some
information about these posts please get in touch with
Portlethen Academy School Office 01224 782174 in the
first instance.
This newsletter was produced by students in EM Media Studies
class. The team would like to thank everyone who contributed
material for it.