Parent Newsletter
New Staff
A number of new staff started work on 15th August. These are: Ms C Blackwood (Art Department), Ms K Wotherspoon (Chemistry Department), Ms J Murray (English Department), Mr J Wire (Geography Department), Ms A Allen (Mathematics Department), Mr J Clark (Mathematics Department), Mr A Boyle (PE Department), Mr C Morris (PE Department), Mr C Neill (PE Department), Mr J McNellis (Physics Department), Mr J Cullen (Technical Department), Ms D Goudie (Pupil Support Department) and Ms E Law (Classroom Assistant). I hope that they will enjoy teaching and working in Garnock Academy.Parent Council
A meeting of the school Parent Council took place on the evening of Thursday 30th August in the school library. Ms R McMaster and Mr D Bentley were nominated to the position of joint Chairperson, Ms J McKay was nominated Treasurer and Ms M Kolonko was nominated as Clerk. There is a training meeting for Chairpersons at Greenwood Teachers’ Centre on the evening of 13th September, with the next meeting of the school Parent Council scheduled for 7.30pm on Thursday 27th September.Parental Survey
A number of parents completed the parental survey form issued in June, but the overall return rate was low. This may be due to June being a busy time for most parents. I have included another copy of the parental survey which I would be grateful if you could return to the school office. If you completed a survey and returned it in June, there is no need to complete a second survey.
Accommodation Improvements
There have been significant improvements made in the Technical Department over the summer, which have improved the Technical Education provision greatly. A new ceiling was fitted to the Mathematics corridor, and several rooms in the Music Department were repainted. Science room S215 has also been totally refurbished. These are all very welcome improvements.
Anti-bullying Hotline
The school runs an anti-bullying hotline each year in September. The telephone number is 07765530173 and this will be operational from 6pm to 8pm from Monday 17th September to Friday 28th September.
This hotline is very useful in preventing problems, and will be repeated later in the year. However, it is not necessary to wait until a hotline is available. If your son or daughter has concerns relating to bullying, please take the matter up as soon as possible with your child’s Guidance teacher in the first instance. Often problems can be prevented if they are acted upon when they first come to light.Sad News
The entire school was very saddened to hear of the deaths of two of our pupils over the past few weeks. Craig Stirling (S4) died in early August, and Steffani Broughton (S6) died in early September. The thoughts of all our pupils and staff are very much with the families of Craig and of Steffani at this very difficult and sad time.Parents’ Evening Dates
Parents’ Evenings for the session are as follows:
S1 – Monday 17th March 2008
S2 – Tuesday 20th November 2007
S3 – Wednesday 16th January 2008
S4 – Thursday 21st February 2008
S5/6 – Wednesday 28th November 2007
P7 Parents – Monday 12th May 2008
Exclusion Criteria (circulated in previous years)
Exclusions of pupils from Scottish schools is a subject which has been debated for years. I would like to outline to parents and pupils, in a very clear manner, the type of pupil behaviour which is likely to result in exclusion from Garnock Academy. These are the same criteria that have been discussed and agreed with the School Board in past years. These are aimed at improving safety and maximising effective teaching, without disruption. The criteria are:
(i) Threatening behaviour or violence towards a member of staff. (Verbal or non-verbal)
(ii) Obscenity directed at a member of staff. (Verbal or non-verbal)
(iii) Unprovoked assault on another pupil or pupils.
(iv) Persistent, deliberate, disruptive behaviour.
(v) Criminal actions. (Drug taking or selling, theft, arson, carrying weapons, etc.)
(vi) Persistent intimidation of another pupil, or pupils.
There may be other exceptional cases depending upon individual circumstances.
In case (v) the Police will be involved and possibly other agencies.
In the other cases, particularly (iii), the Police or other agencies may be involved.
Parents have always supported the consequences of accepting these criteria, in the best welfare interests of all pupils and staff in Garnock Academy.
Hopefully the numbers of pupils being excluded from school this session will be minimal.Summary of School Plan
The major themes of the school plan for 2007/2008 are as follows:Achievement and Attainment
To increase the % of pupils gaining five or more Standard Grade 3 or 4 passes, by the end of S4, in Summer 2008.Achievement and Attainment
To continue to improve the requirement of “meeting pupil needs” identified in the April 2006 HMI inspection.Values and Citizenship
To continue to raise, across the school, pupil and staff expectations of quality work produced by pupils to the levels achieved by best practice departments, as identified in the April 2006 HMI inspection.Framework for Learning
To continue to improve Curriculum Planning at S1/2 to ensure continuity in pupils’ learning experience. (as per HMI Report).
Learning for Life / Achievement and Attainment / Framework for Learning
Cluster Plan with our associated Primary school involving
The Health Promoting Schools Initiative
Critical Skills Development (Science & Pupil Support) using principles from a
A Curriculum for Excellence
Improving 5-14 attainment
Cross Sector Working using principles from a ACfE .Values and Citizenship
To develop Parental Partnerships and links with the wider community in line with requirements of new legislation.Learning for Life
To review current progress and continue to develop Enterprise in Education, and implement strategies outlined in “Determined to Succeed”.Maintenance Priorities:
Framework for Learning
To continue to improve communications with parents regarding pupil progress.Values and Citizenship
To continue to work on the Assertive Discipline Programme and Promoting Positive Behaviour and to continue developing pupil discipline procedures introduced May 2006.Learning for Life
To continue to develop a Health Awareness Programme, involving PSE, Biology, HE, PE and the School Meals Service.Inclusion and Equality
To continue the “Summer’s Cool” initiative, trialled August 2004, to improve social integration of incoming S1 pupils.Inclusion and Equality
To continue to prepare departments and staff for the requirements of the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004.Achievement and Attainment
To continue to develop literacy across the curriculum in line with recommendations contained in “A curriculum for Excellence”.Achievement and Attainment
To continue to develop the “Assessment is for Learning” initiative within the 5-14 programme, in conjunction with cluster Primary colleagues.
Please note that the complete school plan can be viewed on the school website under Information for Parents.
Brian McNaught Rector September 2007
Garnock Academy
School Road
Kilbirnie
KA25 7AX5
Telephone:01505 682685
Email: contactus@garnock.n-ayrshire.sch.uk
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