Parent Newsletter
School Dress Code: August Return
During session 2005/2006 the school undertook an extensive review of its uniform policy. This involved consultation with all pupil year councils, staff, school board and parents. The consultation resulted in agreement of the need to wear clothing that clearly identified each pupil as a member of Garnock Academy. The new policy has the full support of the school board and the vast majority of parents (99%) who were consulted on their opinion. The range of clothing has been extended to allow pupils a wider choice. The basic premise of the policy is that every pupil must be clearly identifiable as a student of Garnock Academy by wearing clothing as agreed in the school dress code. This is described on our school website, but for convenience, I have enclosed a copy with this newsletter.
It is my intention in August to have every pupil in the school following this dress code policy.
SQA exams and Results
The SQA examination period ran very smoothly, with very few problems. The SQA results are due to arrive by post to pupils on Tuesday 8th August, but the Press will confirm this nearer the time. Appeal procedures for pupils who have underperformed in examinations begin automatically in school the day the results are published, but any pupil or parent with concerns in this regard should contact the school office after the results are published.HM Inspection
This was completed as planned on the 28th April. All parents will receive a copy of the report when it is published at the end of August. It will also be available on the internet.Prizegiving, Show and Prom
The Prizegiving was held on the evening of 13th June, and was a splendid opportunity for pupils and parents to celebrate some of the achievements of pupils and the school over the past session. Photographs of the occasion can be viewed on the school website. The school show “Annie” was performed on the 20th, 21st and 22nd June, and was a great success. The full house audiences each night certainly enjoyed it, but not half as much as the performers. Again photos of the cast can be viewed on the school website.
The Senior Prom takes place in the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow, on Friday 23rd June, and promises to be as successful as last year’s event.
Activities Days
There are a number of pupil excursions next week. The furthest travelled are the canoe group travelling to Norway for nearly a fortnight, starting on Sunday 25th June. They travel by ferry to Norway - they are not actually canoeing all the way there. We all wish them a safe and successful venture.
On Monday 26th June, there are excursions to Loudon Castle, Alton Towers, the Old Trafford Centre, Millport, Kilbirnie Golf club and the Fairlie Moor Fishery. On Wednesday 28th June, a second trip is also visiting Alton Towers.
We trust that all the carefully laid plans come to a successful fruition.New Discipline Code
As indicated earlier in the term, a new pupil discipline code was introduced on 11th May after many months of development. Whilst it is still early days, there is strong evidence from pupils and staff that the new code is making a big difference in encouraging pupils to focus on learning. We will continue to monitor this into the new session.New Generation Concert
This took place in the School Hall on Sunday on the evening of Sunday13th June and was very well attended. Pupils from P5 to S3 took part in a musical evening of singing, solo and group performing. The concert was a pleasure to watch, and thanks have to go to the music and instrumental staff who tutored and coached the pupils to performing standard.Free School Meals / Clothing and Footwear Grants
Earlier in the term you should have received an application form for free school meals, and incidentally, a clothing and footwear grant application form. If you satisfy the criteria for these, then you are entitled to the benefits. Too many parents each year who do qualify for assistance, for whatever reason, do not apply for the benefits to which their children are entitled. Please consider this carefully. If you have lost your application form and would like another please phone or visit the school office (01505682685) for a replacement form.
For information, the school dining areas have recently introduced a new “healthy eating” programme for pupils to encourage eating for health. This is to be commended. Please try to encourage your son or daughter to participate in this.Accommodation Refurbishments
One of our Home Economics kitchens has been totally refurbished to a very high standard, and will be operational by the end of term. Two Technical rooms, one workshop and one computer design room have also been totally refurbished, and will be ready by the start of the new term in August. These are most welcome and improve the quality of provision for pupils’ learning.School Plan
The school plan for next year has now been completed. The complete plan can be viewed on our school website after 25th June, under “Information for Parents”. The main themes of the plan are improving attainment at Standard Grade (Credit Level), improving our provision to meet pupils’ learning needs and improving pupil expectations of what they can achieve.Staff Retiring / Staff Starting
Particularly thanks are always due to staff who retire at the end of term, and this year Mr D McSorley, Principal Teacher of Chemistry, Mrs M McNeill, Senior Science Technician, Mrs J Taylor, Principal Teacher of Social Subjects, Mr H Smets, Principal Teacher of Art and Mrs E Piper of Pupil Support, all retire during the summer period. I would like to thank them for their excellent service and wish them a long and happy retirement.
There will be eleven new staff starting after the summer. Eight of these will be newly qualified teachers who will be with us for one year to complete their training. There will also be a new Art teacher, to be appointed next week, and two new English teachers, Ms C Smith and Ms J Thomson who start in August. This will bring youthful energy to balance the mature experience of well established staff, and we look forward to starting the new session with a full complement of staff.Work over the Summer holiday
Whilst the summer holiday is a “holiday”, any pupil who wishes to spend some time thinking about school work will find a considerable amount of useful material on the school website under “revision and essential study”. This may take up an hour or two on a wet afternoon.Summer’s Cool
There will again be a few days induction for new S1 pupils who wish to participate, in August just before the school returns. You should have received details of this scheme, called “Summer’s Cool” from your P7 child’s Primary School, but if you have not, or would like more details, please contact Mr C Waddell, Depute Head, who is organising the event.Important Dates for Next Session
School closes for summer at 1.00pm on Thursday 29th June 2006
Pupils restart after the summer break at 9.00am on Wednesday 16th August 2006
Pupil holiday, Monday 18th September 2006
School closes for October break at 3.35pm on Friday 13th October 2006
Pupils return from October break at 9.00am on Monday 23rd October 2006
Pupil holidays, Thursday 9th, Friday 10th and Monday 13th November 2006
School closes for Christmas at 2.30pm on Friday 22nd December 2006
Pupils return after Christmas at 9.00am on Monday 8th January 2007
Pupil holidays, Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th February 2007
School closes for Easter at 2.30pm on Friday 30th March 2007
Pupils return after Easter at 9.00am on Tuesday 17th April 2007
Pupil holiday, Monday 7th May 2007
Pupil holidays, Friday 25th May and Monday 28th May 2007
School closes for summer at 1.00pm on Wednesday 27th June 2007
Brian McNaught Rector March 2006
Garnock Academy
School Road
Kilbirnie
KA25 7AX5
Telephone:01505 682685
Email: contactus@garnock.n-ayrshire.sch.uk
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