Greenwood Academy: 11 March 2009

Mar 13 2009 Irvine Herald

PARENTS/guardians should note that there will be an additional in-service day on Thursday, April 30. This is the authority choice of day in reponse to Scottish Government’s agreement that all schools have to have an additional three days in-service between now and 2011 (one inset day each year) in order to support the development of A Curriculum for Excellence.

A NUMBER of head teachers and depute heads from other North Ayrshire secondary schools joined members of the National Continuing Professional Development Team to visit Greenwood Academy. Class teachers hosted visits to their class by teams of four visitors at a time. This provided an opportunity for senior staff to discuss learning and teaching in an objective way. Everyone commented on how much they had enjoyed their visit and were impressed by the facilities in the school, particularly the provision of Information Technology.

ON MONDAY, March 16, there will be a briefing evening for parents/guardians at 7pm regarding option choices for S5 pupils, starting S6 in June. This event will take place in the school atrium.

TWO hundred and eighteen fourth year pupils attended classes in a number of subjects on Saturday, February 18. This provided additional preparation to raise attainment in the pupils’ final exams. A day has been organised for S5/S6 pupils on Saturday, March 14. Timetables have been issued and pupils will be given the opportunity to attend Higher and Intermediate 2 classes. Classes begin at 10am and finish at 4pm (two hour blocks). For further information please contact Mrs Dunker.

PUPILS who are going on the Real Madrid trip on September 16 will be bag-packing at Tesco, Irvine on Saturday, March 14, to help raise funds for the trip. Please come along and help support the pupils.

CAROLYN Barbour S6 and Mrs Boax from the English Department at Greenwood Academy will be travelling to Budapest on Thursday, March 26, with Heather Sim from Space Unlimited to attend a workshop. Greenwood Academy was chosen as winner from a previous competition. Greenwood will give their presentation to 240 participants – including 85 pupils and 140 teachers plus various education officials – from 15 countries in central Europe. Space Unlimited is all about challenging thinking. In their projects, pupils are given the chance to apply their ideas, talents and energy to real-life business issues facing organisations across the private and public sectors.

BOTH staff and pupils were given the chance to win a Wii fit by purchasing raffle tickets. The enterprise group raised £120 and the winner was Miss Thomson.

A TRIP is being organised for S1 to S3 pupils going to St James Park in Newcastle on Saturday, April 4. Pupils get a coaching session from Newcastle at the first team indoor training centre.

THANK you to all pupils who have handed in articles, poems, jokes, stories etc, for the yearbook. They are very much appreciated.

A GROUP of students visited Kilmarnock College last Wednesday to see what courses were on offer and preview college life. The students were accompanied by Sarah Brown, careers advisor.

FIFTY-one S1 pupils visited the ski slopes at Aviemore last weekend accompanied by Mrs Syme and Mr Torbit.

WELL done to all those who have contributed to the recent ‘Bleep Test’ which took part in the PE department. The amount received so far is £2,445. Would pupils who still have sponsor sheets to return please do so ASAP.

THE World Maths Day Challenge involved pupils from all over the world playing against each other in real-time battles of mental maths. The challenges took place on Tuesday, March 3, and finished on Thursday, March 5. Some pupils had the opportunity to compete in class, whilst pupils had the opportunity to compete online at home. Some pupils will receive certificates for taking part.

THERE are still a number of pupils who have still to collect their photograph. Please collect from the Finance Office as soon as possible: Louise Welsh, Ryan McIntyre, Ryan Young, John Smith, Steven Black, Andrew Campbell, Stuart Chree and Ryan Blackley.

GREENWOOD helped break the world record on World Banana day last Friday. Hundreds of thousands of people in Great Britain and Ireland opted to Go Bananas, from noon on Friday, March 6, to noon on Saturday, March 7, by eating one Fairtrade banana each as part of a world record attempt. They were trying to break the world record for the greatest number of people eating a Fairtrade banana in a 24-hour period.

THANKS to all the pupils who took part in the international survey of student achievement last Wednesday. The invigilator was very impressed by their behaviour and attitude.

THERE are a number of items of clothing, footwear, glasses, watches and other items of jewellery in lost property. These can be claimed at the lost property office on Monday or Wednesday lunchtime. Any items remaining unclaimed at the end of March will be donated to a worthy cause.

THE Malawi Committee are organising a concert in aid of Malawi on Thursday, March 26, at 7pm. Tickets are now on sale in the atrium at lunchtime and after school.

THE girls’ football team played against Kilwinning Academy last Thursday and ran out comfortable winners. Two goals from Chelsie Watson and another from lady of the match Ainsley Murphy capped off a great team performance. The senior team were unfortunate to lose 1-0 after a close-fought game. Lady of the match was Kerry Pott for some excellent shot stopping.

THE third year football team played against Kilwinning Academy last Thursday. Kilwinning Academy managed to steal the points with a last-minute goal. Greenwood dominated the match and was unfortunate to lose the match. Thanks to Mr McCallum who stepped in at the last minute to referee the match.