Parent Newsletter
HMI Follow-through Visit
HM Inspectors visited the school at the end of April to conduct their follow through inspection from our main inspection in April 2006. I am very pleased to say that the inspection went very well indeed. You will receive the published report in the very near future – hopefully before the start of the summer holiday.
I would like to thank staff and pupils for their excellent work before and during the inspection, which led to the school receiving the above report. I am confident that you will find the report very good reading, and it certainly augers well for the continued future success of pupils in Garnock Academy.
End of Term Events
The annual Prizegiving took place on the evening of Tuesday 10th June, when over 140 pupils received awards for excellence in a wide variety of achievements. Photographs of the event can be viewed on our school website. Congratulations to all our prizewinners – if they continue this obvious success into their future they will do exceptionally well.
The Next Generation concert took place in the School Hall on Monday 2nd June and was very well attended by parents and friends. Pupils from P5 to S3 took part in a musical evening of singing, solo and group performing. The concert was a pleasure to watch, thanks to the music and instrumental staff who tutored and coached the pupils to performing standard.
On Wednesday 11th June, our school Jazz band won the Chic McCafferty International Jazz trophy for schools and local authorities in the west of Scotland. This rounds off an exceptionally successful year of competitive music performances.
On 24th May, our junior girls’ football team played in the Scottish finals at Tynecastle. Although the girls did not win, they played extremely well, as they have done all season to reach this level. Well done.
On 17th to 19th June the school show “Wizard of Oz” was performed in the school hall. This was an excellent production, planned and carried out by many pupils, helpers, staff and non-teaching staff alike. Photographs of the show will also be placed on our school website.
On 17th and 18th June, Jim Turnbull of the Scottish Business Association ran a very successful Business Awareness Course over 2 days in the Library of the school for 5th & 6th year students. The group found the speakers informative and enjoyed the experience of promoting their own team products.
On Friday 20th June, many seniors and staff enjoyed the school prom, held in the Marriot hotel in Glasgow. No expense was spared as our seniors arrive at this prestigious event.
On 23rd June, after school, we will have an “end of school” event for sixth year pupils who leave to take up fresh challenges after completing six years at Garnock Academy. This will be marked in a graduation ceremony at which parents and staff will be present.
Various excursions will take place over the last week, from visits to Alton Towers, cycling round Cumbrae, trips to Loch Lomond, etc., and a good time will be had by all participants.
The school closes for summer at 1.00pm on Friday 27th June and reopens for pupils on Thursday 14th August. We wish everyone involved in school a safe and enjoyable summer break.Staffing Changes
Mrs J Prasher, Principal Teacher of Guidance, Ms R McCrossan, Principal Teacher of Mathematics, Mr T Gray, teacher of Mathematics, Mr C Waddell, Depute Head Teacher and Mr J Clarkson, Depute Head Teacher, all retire in August. I would like to thank them for their many, many years of excellent service given to pupils in the school and wish them a long and happy retirement.
Ms Tomaschofski of the English Department leaves us in August to teach in the USA and Mrs Hercus, our school sports coordinator also leaves to take up a new post. In addition, eleven “newly qualified” teachers who have been in the school for one year, now move on to other ventures. These are: Ms Wotherspoon (Chemistry), Ms Allan (Mathematics), Mr Clark (Mathematics), Mr McNelis (Physics), M C Neill (PE), Mr A Boyle (PE), Mr C Morris (PE), Ms C Blackwood (Art), Mr J Wire (Geography), Ms J Murray (English), Mr J Cullen (Technical). On behalf of staff and pupils I would like to thank them for their work, their energy, their enthusiasm and their contribution to the school. We all wish them the very best for the future.
Ms C Thomson has been appointed Principal Teacher of Guidance and will take up this position in August. Ms D Ross has been appointed Principal Teacher of Mathematics, in conjunction with Ms McCue. Mr O Scott has been appointed Depute Head Teacher and will take up this position in August. Also in August we will be joined by eight new Probationer Teachers who will be with us for session 2008/2009.School Plan
The items on our school plan for next session will be:
Improving attainment in S5/6.
Continuing to improve teaching and learning across the school
Becoming familiar with the new proposed curricular framework and assessment arrangements coming into effect in 2012.
School Based Police officer
You may be aware that three NAC schools, Auchenharvie Academy, Kilwinning Academy and Ardrossan Academy, have piloted an initiative involving a school-based Police Officer, over the past two sessions. These have been very well-received and seem to be highly appreciated by staff, pupils and parents of these schools.
This initiative is now being extended to four additional clusters - Irvine Royal Academy, St Matthew’s Academy, Greenwood Academy and Garnock Academy - for the new session 2008/2009. The school-based Police Officer who will be based in Garnock Academy and service the Garnock cluster of primary schools, is PC Tony Harkin. Although PC Harkin is not due to start officially until August, he will be with us for the last week of term, starting Monday 23rd June, to get to know staff, pupils and the school generally.
A School Police officer has a wide range of engagement with pupils, staff and parents. However, the main purpose of a school PC is to try to familiarise pupils with the functions of the Police, to develop good relationships with pupils - some school based PCs have become involved in Duke of Edinburgh work, outdoor activities, etc. - and through PSE to encourage good citizenship values. Hopefully this investment will develop good citizens for the future.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 5th August, but may be accessed online via the internet in advance of the postman.
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.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 “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.Expectations
This session has seen sustained improvement in pupil support for wearing the school uniform. This was very good in previous sessions, but this year it has been almost 100%, and I am very pleased that the feeling of being “part of the school” is so well displayed. I fully expect this to continue to develop next session. One particular area, which we intend to focus further on next session, is the wearing of appropriate footwear, since this is an area where rivalry between the “latest” trainers can still be observed. In essence, we will expect footwear for school to be black – either school shoes, or plain black trainers. This should allow pupils (and parents) the opportunity to escape from peer pressure and high pressure advertising to purchase fashionable items of dubious quality.
We will also expect pupils to carry a school bag, for books, writing materials and PE kit. This simple task of carrying of a school bag illustrates that a pupil is serious about the business of learning, and I will expect all pupils, regardless of age or ability, to have a school bag with them. These need not be expensive, and there are very reasonably priced models for sale in most shops. All S1 and S2 pupils will be issued with a homework diary. Teachers will expect pupils to have these with them at all times, and there are regular spot checks, with house points to be gained by classes with the best weekly record. Please check these reasonably often to encourage discussion about school work.Building Works
There is a considerable amount of building adaptation and improvement taking place over the summer holiday. New windows are to be fitted to A block and S Block to replace the inefficient windows currently in place. Two music rooms are to be refurbished to a high standard, and a new ICT suite is to be constructed within the Social Subjects corridor in T-block. In addition, lifts are to be fitted in T-block and A-block, with the service lift in S-block being upgraded. This will make the buildings totally accessible for students with disability. These alterations and upgrades will continue to improve our educational provision.
Important Dates for Next Session
Important dates for planning next session’s activities, in and out of school are as follows:
Term ends at 1.00pm on Friday 27th June 2008
Pupils return at 9.00am on Thursday 14th August 2008
Pupil holiday (In-service day) Monday 22nd September 2008
October holiday week, Monday 13th October
to Friday 17th October 2008
Pupil holiday (In-service day) Thursday 13th November 2008
Local holiday, Friday 14th November 2008
and Monday 17th November 2008
School closes for Christmas, 2.30pm on Friday 19th December 2008
School reopens 9.00am on Monday 5th January 2009
February holiday week, Monday 9th February
to Friday 13th February 2009*
Pupil holiday (In-service day) Monday 16th February 2009
School closes for Easter holiday, 2.30pm on Friday 3rd April 2009
Pupils return after Easter holiday, 9.00am on Monday 20th April 2009
Pupil holiday (In-service day) Friday 1st May 2009
May day holiday, Monday 4th May 2009
Local holiday, Friday 22nd May
and Monday 25th May 2009
School closes for summer at 1.00pm on Tuesday 30th June 2009
Pupils return Monday 17th August 2009* Note that there is a holiday week in February 2009. This is a change to the normal pattern – you may wish to make best use of the time.
Brian McNaught Rector June 2008
Garnock Academy
School Road
Kilbirnie
KA25 7AX5
Telephone:01505 682685
Email: contactus@garnock.n-ayrshire.sch.uk
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