and they are having a negative impact on their own community. Several hundred Banchory Academy pupils make those journeys every day and the potential for unsightly and unhygienic litter can be substantial and can be a real problem for residents. Important to say also that the majority of pupils are responsible in their attitude to litter and do make use of the litter bins available in the community and in school. We have already received two complaints about this issue and it has been discussed in assemblies. It would however be helpful if p a r e n t s c o u l d emphasise this message at home.

Parents’ Calendar for

Session 2013/14

The Parents’ Calendar for this session is available on the school websi te, and the essential dates for the period October to January are shown on the final page of this Newsletter.

School News, August —October 2013

Dear Parent/Carer Welcome to our first newsletter of the 2013/14 session.

We started the session with a roll of 817 pupils which is slightly higher than we had anticipated. We welcome all our new pupils and families to the community.

As you will see in this newsletter, staff have already been working hard to ensure that pupils get a rich and rewarding variety of experiences. If you have been viewing our website you will also have seen the school news being updated weekly with lots of interesting stories accompanied by great photographs of young people achieving and having fun.

Staff have also been working hard in the continuing i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f Curriculum for Excellence with the new National 4 and National 5 courses for S4 pupils now well under way.

Already this session we have recorded a number of successes for pupils but we c o n t i n u e t o s e e k improvements in the pupil experience, attainment and achievement.

I wish all of our pupils and staff a successful year.

Enjoy the October break.

Sheila Di Maio

Rector

S1 Settling In

We welcome all 131 of our new S1 pupils and their parents and carers to our school community.

We are pleased to see that S1 pupils are settling in well to life at Banchory Academy. Already they have become involved in a number of experiences and activities such as our Inter House Triathlon.

We look forward to helping them develop during their time at Banchory Academy.

Litter

We ask parents to remind pupils that they should not drop litter in the local community. The problem occurs mainly at lunchtime along the route to and from the local supermarket and the village shops. Clearly this is at a time when pupils are not under the supervision of the school. They are however, clearly identifiable as school pupils

Autumn 2013Autumn 2013Autumn 2013Autumn 2013

Banchory Academy

Parents’ Newsletter

Staffing

I am pleased to report that we have started the session having filled almost all of our staffing vacancies.

We welcome new members of staff in the following areas:

Mrs Mauchline – Physics Mrs Duguid – Pupil Support Assistant

Mr Duncanson – History Mr Kavanagh – History

Mrs MacKenzie – Modern Languages Miss Hodgkinson – Music

Miss Johnston – PE (28th Oct) Ms Taylor – Support for Learning

Mrs Evans – Support for Learning (supply) Mr Shanks – Support for Learning

Ms Ellson – Principal Teacher of Modern Languages

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School News

2013 SQA Examination Results

We are pleased to report that SQA examination results remain very strong and well above Authority and national pass rates. Most subject results were maintained or improved and almost all pupils achieved or exceeded their potential. The table below shows the data for the last three years.

*Aberdeenshire figures in brackets

We are also pleased to report that we continue to provide a large range of opportunities for achievement across the school. In some cases these opportunities have led to certification through schemes like the John Muir Award, Crest awards, ASDAN awards, Young Leader awards and a range of Youth Achievement awards. In other cases, the experiences contribute substantially to pupils’ personal development and enjoyment of school. They also help to build the confidence, self esteem and resilience which contribute to progress and success in school.

SQA Results 2013

2011 2012 2013*

%

S4

5+ Standard Grades @ 1 & 2 56 68 61(38)

5+ Standard Grades @ 1 - 4 92 91 89(82)

5+ Standard Grades @ 1 - 6 99 96 97(93)

S5

5+ Highers A-C 35 33 42(13)

3+ Highers A-C 63 53 62(28)

1+ Higher A-C 78 71 79(47)

S6

1+ Advanced Higher 33 40 39(17)

Science Department News

Page 3

Café Sci is a popular scheme where different scientists from Universities talk about their research to prospective senior students. Banchory Academy hosts café sci’s at lunch times in the library to raise awareness of the many different careers available. Last year we hosted two successful Café Scis. This year a committee of S6 pupils will be organising regular sessions to allow Banchory pupils to learn about scientific research and career paths.

This year the first Café Sci will be presented by a scientist from Aberdeen Un i ve rs i t y abou t psycho logy . Information about the session will be advertised around the school and in the pupil bulletin for those wishing to attend.

Advanced Higher Biology

On Monday 2nd September, Mr Grier and 18

Advanced Higher Biology pupils set off to

Kindrogan Field Centre and, in a miraculous

turn of events, everyone made it back just in

time for school the next day.

Over the course of the three days there was

lots of tea drinking, card games and a little bit

of biology.

We carried out three investigations:

Evidence of Succession in a Pond-Like

Environment

Effect of Water Pollution on Invertebrate

Biodiversity

Effect of Grazing Patterns on Plant

Diversity

As we went along, we learnt new sampling

techniques and when to use them. We saw for

ourselves what it’s like to try and carry out a

biological investigation in the real world, as

well as learning many new ways to manipulate

data once collected from the field.

The facilities were very good and the staff did

a great job teaching us and looking after us. A

special thanks to our tutor Sarah and of course

the wonderful kitchen staff who so generously

kept us well fed and constantly supplied with

tea and cake! Most of all though, thank you to

Mr Grier for putting up with us for possibly the

longest three days of his life!

Will McLellan 6T

Advanced Higher Chemistry

Recently some of the S6 Advanced

Higher Chemistry pupils visited Aberdeen

University's Chemistry Department to

carry some practical activities. The day

consisted of working in one of the

teaching laboratories where the pupils

were able to get an idea of what it would

be like to study at Aberdeen. Although

there were a few mishaps the day was

enjoyed by all and the pupils look forward

to returning to the University in January.

Inter House Triathlon

The inter house triathlon took place on the last Tuesday of September supported by 303 pupils from S1 to S3.

101 teams of three swam, cycled and r a n c o m p e t i n g enthusiastically in the morning event. Last year we had 80 teams taking part so pupils are really getting involved in this team event!

The ‘Skills for Work class’ and ‘Intermediate 2 PE class’, all senior pupils, marshalled the swim and cycle routes, counted swim lengths and recorded times. These pupils worked very hard throughout the morning event and assisted with the organisation of the triathlon. The nine heats started in the pool where all swimmers swam 200m before exiting the pool. The virtual change-over was by mobile ‘phone to the paddock down in the village where all the bikes were in the transition area ready to start the cycle. After a call from the pool the team cyclist pushed their bike out of transition and cycled to Milton of Crathes and back before handing the house bib to their runner. The runner ran round Bellfield park before two laps of KGV finishing back in the paddock.

Overall House Winner MONEARN

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School News Contd.

Extra-Curricular Activities 2013/14

Banchory Academy

Pupil Absence

Monitoring pupil attendance is a key part of our daily administrative work. Accurate attendance data is important from both a Child Protection point of view and also to ensure effective progress in school. If your child is not in school we will send a text message to your mobile phone to advise/ alert you to that fact. Clearly, this system will be much more efficient and convenient for both parents and school if you let us know in advance, or early in the morning, about an absence. Doing so will minimise the inconvenience to you, will pre-vent needless worry regarding your child’s whereabouts, will prevent unnecessary texts being received and will ensure that your child’s attendance record is fully up to date and does not contain unauthorised absences.

If you know your child will be absent, you should contact the school by telephone explaining why they are absent and how many days the absence is likely to be for. The school office is open from 8.15am daily for calls. Your assistance in this is greatly appreciated.

Car Park Safety

Pupil safety, particularly on the roads and near vehicles, is uppermost in all of our minds. The school car park and bus bay area is very busy and crowded at the start and end of the school day. To help us ensure that pupils are as safe as they can be, we ask please that parents ensure that the bus bay lane, the main entrance area, car park access roads, entrance and exit are all kept clear. Your help in this matter is much appreciated.

South Aberdeenshire Secondary

Schools Association

On Thursday 12TH September Sixty

pupils represented Banchory Academy at the recent South Aberdeenshire Secondary Schools Association Sports Championships at the Sports Village. The competition involved mixed hockey,

Golf - The Emslie Cup took place on Thursday 26th September at Banchory Golf Club. The 19 competitors enjoyed nice weather and a course that was in good condition. The winner of the cup was Ferghus Minle, how shot a gross 74 to win by 6. The handicap trophy was won by Liam Milne, how shot a nett 68, winning on count back from his younger brother Reece. The girl's competition was won for the third consecutive year by Becky Flaherty and the yellow tees competition was won by Owen Lawrence.

On the 19th of September a group of 10 S6’s began the S1/S2 Science Club. A highly

enthusiastic bunch of eleven young scientists attended at lunch-time in Science 2 and for

the first session of the year they made their own lava lamps with water, oil, blue food

colouring and Alka-Seltzer tablets. The group seemed to thoroughly enjoy the first session

and there will be plenty more fun and interesting experiments to come in Science 2 this

year! The S6s will continue to arrange experiments, mentored by the Science teachers.

It’s not too late to start Science Club so any budding scientists are very welcome! Look out

for more later in the year as we are seeking funding for a Science fair to exhibit all of their

hard work in Science and Engineering week next March. S1/2 Science Club meets on

Thursday lunchtimes, at 1.15pm, in Science 2.

Astronomy Club

Astronomy Club will resume next session, after the Tattie

holidays, when the darker evenings mean that suitable

observing conditions are available at reasonable times!

Watch out for the notices – hope to see you there!

Page 5

Science Department News Contd.

Skiing

Banchory entered two teams into the recent Dual S l a l o m e v e n t a t Garthdee, Aberdeen. The team Jamie Brown, Rachel Brown, Connor Douglas & Andrew Simpson finished in 1st place, booking a place in the final which is to be held in Glasgow at the end of October. Our other team -Thomas A l e xa n de r , Ham i s h Alexander, Kazio Wilwoski & Kathleen Ray - was placed 4th in the c o m p e t i t i o n .

Golf

The Emslie Cup took place on Thursday 26th

September at Banchory Golf Club. The 19 competitors

enjoyed good weather and a course that was in good

condition. The winner of the cup was Ferghus Minle,

who shot a gross 74 to win by 6. The handicap trophy

was won by Liam Milne, who shot a nett 68, winning on

count back f rom h is younger bro ther

Reece. The girl's competition was won for the third

consecutive year by Becky Flaherty and the yellow tees

competition was won by Owen Lawrence.

Wash ‘N’ Squash - The Scolty Plastic Bottle Recycle Project

Green Apple Environment Award

On Monday 2nd September a group of people from Banchory Academy and The Scolty Centre

went to Edinburgh Zoo to receive a Green Apple Environment Award. We achieved a Silver Award in the Education Category. The Green Organisation is an independent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world. The Green Apple Environment Awards are an annual international campaign to recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice around the world. You can see the list of winners on the company’s website http://www.thegreenorganisation.infoThe group won the award for being part of a project titled ‘Wash ‘N’ Squash - The Scolty Plastic Bottle Recycle Project’ As part of a school project pupils from Banchory Academy worked at the Recycle Project in Aboyne. The project started in 2001. They collect, sort and bale all the plastic that the public recycle from 52 pick up points across Deeside. The project provides a place of work for adults with additional support needs. They have been incredibly successful in recycling more that 10,000 bales of plastic and in providing adults with a real job. When Banchory Academy pupils worked at the project they were welcomed and really enjoyed the experience. They enjoyed it so much they wanted to tell the primary schools in Banchory all about it. One of the main problems for the project workers is that the public are not recycling their plastics properly. The pupils planned and presented a talk to Banchory’s feeder primaries. Every school took a pledge to recycle their plastics correctly. We hope that, as a result of the talk, more plastic will be recycled in Deeside resulting in a reduction of waste to landfill.

Names of people on the photo:

Kevin Biggenden (Recycle Project Day Centre Officer), John Turner, Lorna Hogg (Aberdeenshire Council’s Recycling Officer), Claire Gillespie (Teacher Banchory Academy), Clare Mowat, Owen Griffin, Robert Guy.

Science News Contd.

Page 6

WriteFest 2013

C r e a t i v e w r i t i n g workshops were offered to Advanced Higher Engl ish pup i ls on Tuesday 10

th September

at Aberdeen University.

O r g a n i s e d b y Aberdeenshire Libraries, the workshops comprised author readings and creative writing in a number of wr i t ing disciplines, including script writing, poetry writing and developing plot. The workshops were led by Scottish writers John Binnie, Ron Butlin, Ken Cockburn, Anne Downie, Anita Govan and Laura Marney.

The workshops are designed to motivate students by offering the opportunity to engage with and learn from professional writers. Students are given a forum to develop their writing skills and are able to exchange ideas with authors, teachers and fellow students in a conference environment.

Book Group

A number of S1 pupils have opted to attend this activity.

Our next meeting is Monday 28

th October,

when the novel under discussion will be “The 13

th Horseman” by Barry

Hutchison.

On Tuesday 27th August

Prince Edward attended a

funding raising dinner at

Drum Castle for the Duke

of Edinburgh Award

scheme. Banchory was

a s k e d t o p r o v i d e

background music for the

drinks reception. Evie

Clephan and Laura Smith

played their violins, Adam

Davies played guitar and

Jamie Brown provided

piano music. The pupils

played superbly and were

much appreciated by all

who attended. The Prince

spent a good length of time

speaking to the pupils

about their skills and

interests. The pupils once

again showed the high

calibre of musical ability

that exists here in

Banchory and they should

rightfully be very proud of

themselves

The music department has been out entertaining again. The Woodend Barn Arts Association AGM was held in May. A number of pupils from S2 and S3 were able to perform for the committee again showing that there is as much talent in the school’s lower years as there is in the upper classes. A few pupils are playing Ceilidh music together and took some friends along to provide a wide variety of music. For the first time we included Highland Dancing from Brodie Mitchell. She was placed 6

th in the European

Championships earlier this year. She danced beautifully and was very well received by the audience. We gave a very similar programme in June to some of the residents of Bellfield Care Home. Bellfield is being re fu rb ished and we entertained them the day before they relocated to Aberdeen for the duration of the building work. We look forward to returning to entertain them again when they move back in.

Soul Academy continues to go from strength to strength. We performed at the PTA Race night and by all accounts got the party atmosphere going well. There are a couple of gigs coming up but we are always open to requests for the band going out and about. Get in touch with Andy Bruce PT Expressive Arts at the Academy if you want to know more.

Page 7

Department News

Banchory Academy

Author Visit

John Binnie, writer/director, will be in school on Monday 28

th October to work with

senior pupils studying English. His productions have won 3 Edinburgh Fringe First Awards, and the Independent Theatre Award.

Aikido Club

The aikido club began in March and now

has a core of dedicated members who

attend every Tuesday after school. Aikido

is a Japanese martial art which uses

throws and locks in addition to weapons

practice with a wooden sword and

wooden staff. It is run by Mrs Riddoch

who is a Level 2 coach and has been

learning aikido for 18 years. The school

fund generously supported the club to

buy wooden swords which has allowed

the members to take gradings.

Congratulations go to Duncan Adams,

Emily Raithby and Mhairi Stewart who

have successfully passed two gradings

and to Cameron Reid and Isobel Bentley

who have passed one grading.

.

Page 8

School News

Glasgow Valencia Roadshow

On the 16th of September, Nathan David-

son and Lewis Duffy participated in a football coaching event in Glasgow. Valencia FC youth academy coaches shared their footballing knowledge and skills with pupils from up and down the country. There was also a ‘coach the coaches’ session allowing Mr Darragh to learn some new training drills which have proved useful to the Under 14s team. All in all the day was a great success with Nathan and Lewis picking up a certificate and medal for their participation.

Aberdeenshire Active Schools Cup

On the 26th of September, the Under 14’s

football team participated in the annual Aberdeenshire Active Schools cup involving Banchory Academy, Mearns Academy and Mackie Academy. Banchory made an ideal start beating Mearns Academy 2-1 with some clinical finishing from Mazin Najami. Unfortunately, Banchory were then narrowly beaten 1- 0 by Mackie Academy in the second game of the tournament despite some good play. Banchory needed Mearns to win their game against Mackie in order to force a playoff but unfortunately for them Mackie beat Mearns 2-1 meaning they were the victors this year. The games were very close and played in a sport ing manner. Congratulations to Mackie Academy on their success.

The team from Mackie, pictured with the Trophy.

UK School Games

Rachel Henderson, Zoe Grant and Meggy Croal (pictured) of Banchory Volleyball Club all played a tremendous part in the East & North Scotland girls volleyball tournament at the UK School Games from the 12

th – 15

th September. The

teams gathered in Sheffield f o r t h e o c c a s i o n , with Scotland East & North, Scotland West and South, England South, England North, England Central, Wales and Northern Ireland all represented. There were both boys and girls tournaments over the three days of competition play.

The Scotland East and North girls got off to a convincing start in their first game on Day 2 of competition play with a 2 – 0 win over Wales. The biggest threat was always going to come from the England teams as volleyball has a very strong following south of the border. However our girls ran England Central very close but were pipped at the post in a thrilling match. Their third match of the day was against their Scottish counterparts from West and South. And what an exciting match it was, the East and North girls had never prevailed but they came out of the blocks like a hurricane to take the first set. The West girls fought back however and showed great composure in taking the all-important second set

girls were outstanding and played out of their skins. The second set was keenly contested and the East girls refused to buckle under intense pressure. They fought tooth and nail and took the second set all the way be-fore narrowly conceding 25 – 23 to give the England South girls the closest game of the tournament and a real

fright.

Despite fin-ishing equal third in the table on 6 points for the round-robin stage of the tournament, they just dipped out on contest-i n g t h e m e d a l

ma t ch e s o n po i n t s count-back system.

However, the girls were upbeat, really buoyed by the occasion and thoroughly enjoyed their experience in such a high pressure c o m p e t i t i v e environment. All three are a credit to their club and are now looking forward to taking part in the local district league competition which starts shortly and runs throughout the winter.

Anyone interested in giving volleyball a try is welcome to come along to one of the S1 – S3 training sessions on a Monday evening from 6.00 – 7.30pm in Banchory Academy Games Hall.

to take the match to a sudden death third set decider. What resulted was quite an extraordinary set of volleyball with play ebbing and flowing and both teams ha v i n g mu l t i p l e s e t points. But in a great piece of final pressure play, Scot-land East & North took the honours 18 – 16 to win the ma t ch am id s t g r e a t

excitement.

The first match on day 3 saw the East & North girls storm to a convincing victory over Northern Ireland and with tails up they were ready to face the stern challenges of England North and England South ahead. The impressive East team took the first pot at England North and despite maintaining their impressive level of play, the England girls were just too strong and shaded the match 2- 0. In their final match, the girls tackled the tournament favourites England South, who were yet to lose a set. Although this remained the same at the end of the game, the East and North

Page 9

Sports News

Banchory Academy

Dates for Your Diary

October 2013

Friday 11th School Holiday starts

Monday 28th School reopens

Tuesday 29th S4—6 Skills Scotland Careers Event

November 2013

Friday 1st Tartan Day

Monday 4th S3 Curriculum Options S3 Parents’ Evening (SMT)

Tuesday 5th Safe Drive Stay Alive—S5 pupils

Thursday 7th Senior Maths Challenge

Friday 8th Remembrance Ceremony

Sat 9th—Tues 12th Senior Pupils Spanish Trip

Monday 11th In Service day—Holiday for Pupils

Tuesday 12th In Service day—Holiday for Pupils

Tuesday 12th S6 First Aid Course

Wednesday 13th Anti Bullying week begins

Monday 18th Activities Week Extended Interval

Monday 25th NESMA Money Presentation for S6

Monday 25th S1 Meet the Teacher Evening

December 2013

Friday 6th Swimming Gala

Tuesday 10th S5/6 Parents’ Evening

Monday 16th Christmas Concert

Wednesday 18th Senior Prom

Friday 20th Church Service 2.15. East Church

Friday 20th School closes for Christmas holidays

January 2014

Monday 6th School resumes.

School Term Dates 2013– 2015

We receive many ‘phone calls enquiring about school term dates. These can be found on the Aberdeenshire Council website:

www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/information/term_dates.asp

Page 10