Parent Newsletter

No62
(February 2006)

Termination of TB Immunisation
For many, many years the annual ritual of “skin test” and follow up TB injection has been a rite of passage for all S2 pupils. Recently, however, a decision has been made by the Health Board that the BCG (Tuberculosis) Immunisation Programme will no longer be undertaken in schools. Instead, the Health Board intends to send out a questionnaire, via the school, to all S2 pupils to assess if they require BCG testing. This questionnaire should be returned directly to the Ayrshire Central Hospital, and not to the school. The Health Board will then individually arrange any testing required.
Any parent with any concerns on this matter should discuss them with Mr McNaught, Rector.

Fizzy Drinks, the BBC, the Herald,...
The school made the decision, in line with current advice on Diet and Lifestyle, to ban the sale of fizzy drinks in school, and to ban pupils from bringing fizzy drinks to school. All parents were given a copy of the policy in December – a copy can be obtained from the school website or from the school office if you did not receive your copy of the policy. Basically, we believe that fizzy drinks have an adverse effect on pupil health and pupil behaviour, with an apparent link to hyperactivity. Most pupils understand this.

The Herald ran a supportive article on this policy on 10th January, “Academy takes a pop at fizzy drinks”, and the BBC Scotland Today TV programme twice featured the school on 30th January. BBC radio Scotland and the Scotsman newspaper also featured positive articles on the initiative, which we believe is in the best interests of pupils. As a matter of note, the Scottish Executive was very supportive of the move when asked for opinions by journalists. This may become official national policy in the future.

S2 Pupils started S3 Courses after Christmas
Parents of S2 pupils will be aware that all S2 pupils commenced their “option” subjects for Standard Grade, on 9th January. We believe that this gives our pupils an excellent start to their middle school years by giving them approximately six months longer to prepare for examinations in S4, and to cover coursework for Higher in greater depth. Traditionally most schools do not start pupils on Standard Grade courses until June of S2 or indeed August of S3. Our model has attracted much interest from all over the country, and officials from East Renfrewshire and South Ayrshire are visiting the school on 2nd March to discuss how this move is made. They will meet with Mr Waddell, Depute Rector and Mr McNaught, Rector. We believe that this move is very beneficial to our pupils.

Groupcall
Letters were issued to parents in December about a new initiative called “Groupcall” which allows the school to contact parents by text message or voicemail when a pupil is not at school and we do not know the reason. The Groupcall programme is able to send messages to many parents simultaneously, and we hope to use this facility initially to let parents know that their son or daughter is not at school. However, it may be extended in time to possibly include cases of non-return of homework, behaviour difficulties, dates for submission of essential SQA folios, and so on. It is an excellent way to improve communications with parents and to avoid problems developing. The only drawback is keeping telephone records up to date, since mobile phones are regularly upgraded or changed. Please make sure that we have an updated contact number if you change your telephone. Information should be sent to the school office.

On Going Refurbishments
There are a significant number of improvements being made to the school fabric and grounds. In Science, work has been recently completed on the total refurbishment of two Science rooms. This, in addition to previous refurbishment, is significantly improving the accommodation and facilities for Science teaching in the school.

Mr McNaught, Mrs Delaney & Ms Kerr in refurbished S203

Additionally, there is an ongoing work programme to replace and upgrade all existing exterior doors into the school. These new doors should greatly improve school security since all doors are programmable on timers, are alarmed, and are of much better quality than the doors they replace. Please ensure that if you are visiting the school for any purpose, that you enter by the main front door.
New carpets have also been laid in a number of areas, and some rooms have been repainted, including the Visitors’ Waiting Room. A number of media projectors and smartboards have been fitted to classrooms to enhance teaching and learning, and a number of teaching areas will soon benefit from new desks and chairs. These assist learning by improving the general environment of the school.
Finally, an area of tarmac adjacent to PE was totally re-laid over the Christmas holiday period.

Anti-bullying Hotline
A separate letter is enclosed with this newsletter advertising this facility which the school will again be running for several weeks over February and March. Bullying is something which we would like to eliminate, or at least reduce to as low a level as possible. It is important that all instances of bullying are dealt with at an early a stage and it is for this purpose that we operate the anti-bullying telephone line. Please use it if you have concerns.

Young Musician of the Year
This was held on Thursday 9th February. Pupils performed extremely well in front of parents and guests including Mr Duncan, Provost of North Ayrshire, and Mrs Duncan.

Mr Duncan, Alice Crook, Mr McNaught, Lindsay Kennedy, Stephanie McFarlane, Mr McVey

The overall winner was pianist Lindsay Kennedy, playing piano, who now goes to perform in the North Ayrshire schools’ final. Garnock pupils have won the North Ayrshire event on three occasions out of the five years the event has run, so we wish Lindsay well. Tiffany Harkins was the winner of the school Young Singer of the Year, and also goes forward the North Ayrshire final of the Young Singer of the year. We all wish Tiffany well likewise.
We are grateful to the Rotary Club of the Garnock Valley for their continued support and sponsorship for this event.
Pupils also performed well in the recent Inverclyde Music festival, winning several major events. This will be included with a report on events at the forthcoming Ayr Music festival which will take place soon. Many Garnock pupils will also perform at the North Ayrshire Flagship event in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, on Friday 24th February.

School Plan
The current school plan can be viewed in its entirety on the school website under “information for parents.” The three main themes of this year’s plan are:
• To increase the % of pupils gaining five or more Standard Grade 3 or 4 level passes, or better, or equivalent by the end of S4, in summer 2006.
• To improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning by analysis of SQA departmental results in August 2005 and by then adjusting course materials and teaching emphasis to take account of this.
• To develop and improve pupil ethos via citizenship, pupil councils, prefects, house captains, staff-pupil interactions, achievement recognition, etc.
We are now considering items for next session’s school plan. Three areas have been proposed:
• Improving Communication with Parents, particularly regarding progress in subjects,
• Preparing for the Additional Support for Learning requirements introduced by recent legislation,
• Rationalising accommodation in the areas of Art, Technical and Integrated Pupil Support (Guidance, Pupil Support, Pupil Welfare.
Officer and Home Link Worker)
If you have any thoughts on areas which you think should be considered for inclusion in next session’s plan, please contact Mr McNaught, Rector, at school.

Supported Study, the Tree of Life and the Learning Game.
Supported study is currently being organised and provided by subject departments for S4, S5 and S6 pupils, in preparation for SQA examinations in the summer. Transport is provided at 5.00pm for pupils who choose to be involved in this. Please discuss this with your son or daughter, who will be aware of details.
The Tree of Life is an organisation which motivates and empowers pupils to raise their expectations and improve their own academic performance through self-attitude. All S5 and S6 pupils experienced one day’s training with the Tree of Life on 26th January. Feedback from pupils was very positive.
In a similar manner, the external study skills provider, the Learning Game, is preparing S4 pupils for exams on the 20th and 21st March. The school has used the Learning Game on many previous occasions, and pupils have always rated the experience highly. Please encourage your son or daughter to get as much out of this experience as possible.

Parents Nights forthcoming
The S4 parents’ evening takes place on Thursday 23rd February and the S5/6 Parents’ Evening takes place on Wednesday 22nd March. Please try to attend these, if possible.

e-Learning
The school has made considerable efforts to assist pupils to study at home using the internet. This is known as e-learning, and it has a part to play in assisting pupils understand their school work. It does not suit everyone, but it is worth looking at – it may suit your child. This is not essential – so do not panic if you do not have the internet at home. It is worth a look if you do have the internet, however, and the poster on the back page explains how to reach the website.

Brian McNaught Rector February 2006

Garnock Academy
School Road
Kilbirnie
KA25 7AX5
Telephone:01505 682685
Email: contactus@garnock.n-ayrshire.sch.uk

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