Staffing (Download this newsletter from here)

At the end of term, we bid farewell not only to leavers in the senior school, but also to Dr Adams in Science subjects and Mr MacKellar who has finished his trainee year in the Technical Department. We wish both of these young teachers well and thank them for their contribution to the life of the school.

Next session, we welcome a number of new staff to the Academy. In addition to Ms Carnegie who has been appointed to the permanent post vacated by Miss Galligan, Mrs Dwojacka joins the Science Department, Mrs Murdoch will be with us in Geography and Miss Westbrook will be our first full-time teacher of Drama. This last appointment is a real opportunity for us all and pupils will find out about units and courses in Drama as soon as we are able to see what we can offer. Our classroom assistant team will also be extended by the arrival of Mrs Tebay who will be working with Mr Boyd and Mrs Saunders in Behaviour Support. Thanks go to Ms Young who has been helping out in the past few weeks.

Showcase

This year’s Showcase takes place on Thursday evening (25 June) from 7.30 pm and those who attend can look forward to an evening of instrumental and vocal music, dance, drama and other entertainment. This event is usually a sell-out, so please get your tickets from the School Office or Thomsons newsagent as soon as possible. Tickets are reasonably priced at £2 for adults and £1 for children.

Prize-giving

Our annual Prize-Giving and Leave-Taking ceremony should provide a memorable end to the school session on Friday 3 July. Parents are welcome to attend this event which starts at 1.45 pm in the Cochran Hall. This year, prizes are being presented by Alastair Morgan MSP and this will be followed by the hand-over from the outgoing to the new S6 and the departure of S6 leavers.

SQA results

All pupils who sat SQA examinations this term will know how their results are being delivered to them and have clear instruction as to how they act on these in relation to appeals and course changes. On a very positive note, our team of invigilators congratulated pupils on their excellent behaviour and serious approach to the exams, with S3 pupils being highlighted for special mention. As stated in letters posted to you before SQA exams, pupils must make arrangement to change subjects before they return to school in August. On receipt of their results they should contact the school office to arrange an appointment with Mrs Dobson. This will either be in person or by telephone on Wednesday 5 August or the following week.

Work Experience/Activities/Induction

You will, no doubt, have heard about the multitude of activities that took place in the first fortnight of this month – and may have read about some of these in the local press. Our pupils were involved in an enormous range of events, some sporting, some enterprise, some community projects and many trips. We were extremely fortunate to have this programme of events supported by local tradespeople and businesses, by the armed forces, by the emergency services and by numerous other individuals and organisations who gave freely of their time and expertise to give Academy pupils memorable and profitable experiences. Thank you to everyone who helped – and to the team of staff who organised such a rich and varied schedule.