FORFAR ACADEMY SCHOOL NOTES: SEPTEMBER 24, 2009
NEW staff: The start of the new session saw one of the largest group of new staff starting at the school.
These included: Ms Tindall (principal teacher of mathematics); Mrs Henry (librarian); Mrs Love (autistic base); Miss Clark, Miss Jannaway and Mr Swan (English); Miss Cuneen (computing); Mr Hewitson (drama); Miss Wallace (philosophies); Dr. Comrie and Dr. Wardrope (biology); Mr Wallace (technical); Mrs Sanger (geography); Mrs Piggott (office). Mrs Low (secondary school assistant) has returned from maternity leave.
Staff changes: Mr Mohamed (depute head teacher) left at the end of August to take up his post as head teacher at Bucksburn Academy in Aberdeenshire. Mr Sellars (depute head teacher), who is due to retire at the end of December, also left at the end of August to take up a secondment to the Education Department, where he will be employed as a strategy officer working on the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence. Ms Witton and Mr Preston have been appointed to the posts of acting depute head teacher. Mr Baldie is acting head of technical and Mrs Wilson is acting principal teacher of science. Miss Ward (biology) has also been seconded to the authority for the next two years, as a staff tutor. She will be helping support staff in preparation for the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence. Mrs Cindy Fullerton, support for learning assistant, has a new post in Dundee.
School prefects/captains: Following interviews and elections in June, the new prefects have been appointed. The school captains are Amy Fitzpatrick and Greg Wingham and their vice-captains are Katherine Woodroffe and Timothy Buchan.
New Pupils: This session saw the biggest intake of new pupils into S1 for many a year. 250 pupils joined the school and had a busy first week settling into their new school and finding their way around the building.
Parents nights: These will be held as follows: S1 - Wednesday, November 25, 4.30 pm – 7 pm; S2 - Tuesday, January 12, 2010, 4.30 pm – 7 pm; S4 - Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 4.30 pm – 7 pm; S5/6 - Thursday, March 25, 2010, 4.30 pm – 7.pm; S3 - Thursday, June 17, 2010, 4.30 pm – 7 pm; P7/Open Night - Wednesday, June 9, 2010, 7 pm – 9 pm.
Higher Education Information Evening: This event has proved very informative and popular in previous sessions and this year there were around 100 parents in attendance. The speakers included Robert Swinton, liaison officer for the University of Dundee; Miriam Craven, from SAAS, the body which oversees applications and funding to universities; and Izzy Murray from Careers Scotland, the school's careers officer. Senior pupils also attended a talk on UCAS application procedures delivered at assemblies in the school by Mr Martin.
Careers advice: Miss Murray, the careers adviser, is holding a drop-in for pupils who have any questions about careers. It runs on Tuesday lunchtimes from 1.10 pm to 1.50 pm in the careers library.
School improvements: Substantial refurbishment work was recently completed. There is a completely refurbished home economics lab, a major refurbishment of the girls' toilets at the social area and an additional 13 interactive whiteboards were installed in classrooms, with English and mathematics classrooms now having the technology in all their classrooms.
Extra curricular activities: A wide variety of extra-curricular clubs and activities is available to pupils throughout the school week. A leaflet detailing the various clubs, venues and times will be issued to pupils in the near future.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme: This is proving increasingly popular with pupils and they are indebted to Miss Dickinson for reviving it. Over 70 new pupils want to participate. If any parent would like to help with the group please get in touch. There are a number of staff involved but, with such high numbers keen to sign up, it will be a major logistical exercise to organise all the expeditions in the session.
S1 road safety event: All S1 pupils attended a production of Baldy Bane Theatre Company's, "Nine Lives Of Roddy Hogg". The play presented the theme of road safety in an accessible, interesting and thought-provoking manner and S1 pupils were most attentive and responsive. Hopefully this will reinforce the message of taking care when travelling to school, as well as more generally.
Annual sponsored walk: The major fundraiser on the school calendar will be held on October 2. Detailed information will be issued to pupils soon. All money raised is used to support the cost of school transport for extra-curricular and school events, as well as to contribute to the many charities the school sponsors, at home and abroad. If you would like the school to consider a charity please forward details to Mr Vannet.
Annual health fayre: This takes place on Wednesday, September, 30 and Thursday, October 1 in the games hall. With over 20 organisations already signed up, it looks like being even bigger and better this year. All pupils attend and learn about a variety of issues. At the end of last term the school received the framed certificate recognising its success in gaining Health Promoting School Status, and this year's fayre allows the school to further promote this important area of school life.
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Weather for Brechin
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South
