16th April 2010

Nairn Academy School Notes, Friday 16th April 2010

Pupils and Staff this week returned from their Easter break, and are now thoroughly in gear for the Summer term. As the Nairnshire sap rises and wildlife wakes from its slumber, Nairn Academy embarks on an exciting and transitional term.

SQA Exams
As our S3 - S6 pupils prepare for their SQA exams we would like to take this opportunity to confirm arrangements.

S4 study leave begins on Monday 26 April; S5/S6 will begin study leave on Monday 10 May. Clearly this is a crucial time for pupils to display the knowledge and skills they have worked very hard to develop over the past years. School staff will continue to support pupil attainment over the course of the exam diet. Detailed information will be issued to pupils prior to study leave, including personalised timetables as well as SQA support materials regarding study, revision and conduct during exams. Pupils are reminded that they are required to have the usual standard of school dress code during exams, or if in school for study leave. This is important to ensure that pupils are easily identifiable to the SQA invigilators. For health and safety requirements, pupils are also asked to sign in at reception if they are in school during study leave. Study support areas will be available for pupils during study leave.

Diary Dates:
Tuesday 20 April S5/6 PE activities afternoon
Thursday 29 April Parents’ drop-in surgery to discuss whole school issues with Mrs. Macdonald, Rector (4.30-6.30pm)
Monday 3 May May Day holiday - school closed
Wednesday 5 May Internet safety evening 7pm (further details to follow)
Thursday 6 May S5/6 social event 7pm
Friday 7 May May newsletter issued
Monday 10 May S3 work experience week
Monday 17 May S3 work experience week
Friday 21 May S1 reports issued
Monday 14 June Additional In-service day – school closed to pupils

The keen-eyed will have noticed that The Highland Council, eager as ever to put A Curriculum for Excellence into action, is using an additional day in June to allow Primary and Secondary schools to work together to plan in greater detail, the introduction of the new curriculum. Staff will be engaged in setting up new programmes of study and increased numbers of cross-curricular projects, to make learning more relevant for the youngsters of Nairnshire.


Pupil Achievements
S1 pupil Adam Scott achieved a bronze and two Silver medals at the British Disability Swimming Championships in Sheffield last month. Adam achieved personal best times and through his impressive performance helped the Scottish team to achieve 2nd place at the National event.

S5 pupil Stephanie Ford has added to her already impressive list of coaching qualifications by passing the following National Cheerleading examinations: Level 1 Cheerleading and Dance and Level 2 Programme Management and Cheer Fundamentals.
Stephanie will be using these new qualifications at the Girls’ Club and during the Dreams and Teams Leadership exchange to Malawi in June this year.
S4 pupil Jamie MacDonald has been awarded Sport Leader of the Year award. The award is designed to recognise and honour the achievements of sports leaders in the Highlands. Nia Jones, Sports Leader Co-ordinator for Coaching Highland attended the S4 assembly this week to present the award to Jamie.

S4 pupil Lauren Urquhart has completed her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award. To achieve this, Lauren undertook voluntary work at an animal sanctuary, regularly rode her horse for the physical section and learnt about how to care for horses for the skills section. The expedition undertaken was a 2-day walk in Ross-shire with an overnight camp at Wyvis Lodge.

Very well done to all these pupils for their personal achievements.

Dress Code
Thank you to parents for their continued support with our dress code. The vast majority of pupils arrive in school in the team colours and present a very positive impression in and around the school. It contributes to our overall ethos of commitment and effort in school. As the weather gets warmer, pupils are reminded that our high standards of dress code still apply. It is important that pupils arrive appropriately dressed for school. A large number of clothing items were left in the school prior to the Easter holidays. Pupils are asked to see reception regarding any items of lost property.

P7 Transition
Jo Chamberlain, Children’s Services Support Worker, based at Nairn Academy co-ordinated an Easter transition programme for a group of P7 pupils. The following S3-S5 pupils assisted over the holidays and provided a valuable support to the P7 pupils. Thank you and well done to Shannon Ponty, Isabel Connell, Lewis Sutherland and Sarah Walker.

Car Boot Sale Time
Thursday next week, 29th April, from 6.00-7.30 p.m., sees a Car Boot Sale at Millbank Primary School, in aid of Riding for the Disabled. Donations and bookings welcome – contact 01667 452968.

Before that, however, at Nairn Academy on the morning of Saturday April 24th, we have a Car Boot Sale in aid of Pupil Activities. This latest in the series of events organised by staff is aiming to raise funds to enable pupils to take part in an expanded programme of activities and excursions than they would otherwise have. All bookings and offers of good quality items should be directed to Mr. Tom Heggie, Mathematician and Scholar, at the school.


Prefect Dinner
S6 pupils who have worked hard as Prefects in the current school year were joined by several members of staff for the annual Prefect Dinner, held at the Claymore Hotel. Service and standard of hospitality and catering were first-class and both pupils and staff behaved with style and elegance throughout this friendly and convivial occasion. Head Teacher Mrs. Macdonald spoke appreciatively of pupils commitment, and Head Boy Andrew McLaren and Head Girl Naomi Fraser gave eloquent, even emotional testimony of their enjoyable and varied times at Nairn Academy. It was easy to see why these and many others among those present are shortly going on to new challenges extremely well-equipped to make their mark and achieve success in the wider world.

Piano and Pianissimo
Pianists from the Standard Grade and Higher Music classes have been studying new styles of composing for piano ensemble in class over the last few months. The musicians have had three workshops with the London based ensemble 'Pianocircus' and will be travelling to Aberdeen to join them in a concert on Sunday 25th April at the Beach Ballroom where these new works will be premiered. It is hoped to perform these in Nairn in the near future.