The Banter 2018-19: Issue 1 – August

The Newsletter of Keith Grammar School, School Road, Keith, Moray, AB55 5GS Tel: (01542) 882461 E-mail: admin.keithgrammar@moray-edunet.gov.uk

Web: www.keithgrammarschool.co.uk Twitter: @KeithGrammar

Welcome to the first Banter of session 2018-19. It is amazing how quickly everyone settles back into the school routine and the S1s manage to find their way about the school. There have been quite a few changes this session, chief amongst them the new period times. Some have struggled to last until lunchtime and to remember period times but there don’t seem to have been any complaints about the early finish on Friday!

Communication and parental involvement are key to success in education, as well as being a major priority for the Scottish Government. In order to better communicate, particularly about schoolwork, we have invested in the Show My Homework system. This is proving popular with those who are using it, but so far only 41% of students have one or more parent signed up to the system. I would encourage all parents to download the app or log on at home in order to keep up to date with homework progress. Students not using the app will be issued with a planner and homework materials as required. There is also access to computers at lunchtime and after school throughout the week. Breakfast Club is available to all students each day with a free breakfast and access to computers and staff.

Following discussion with staff, students and parents we have now finalised our School Improvement Plan for session 2018-19. The main areas of focus will be continuing to develop our curriculum including literacy, numeracy and career management skills; Learning, Teaching and Assessment including tracking progress and reporting to students and parents; Improving Attainment including developing opportunities beyond the traditional curriculum; Developing Rights and Relationships to improve learning. Updates on progress will be included in The Banter throughout the year and at Parent Council and parents will also be invited to contribute to developments and thinking.

I look forward to working with our whole community in 2018-19 to ensure our school is successful in preparing the young people of Keith for whatever their future holds.

I hope you enjoy this edition of The Banter but please remember that if there is anything we can help you with just pick up the phone.

Jamus Macpherson

Message from the Rector...

Maths Champions

On Wednesday 27th June Mr Geddes took a team of pupils to the annual Moray Enterprising Maths

Competition at Elgin Academy. Our team consisted of Kirstie Low and Dodie Simmers from S3 and

Ashley Dalgarno and Lewis Roger representing S4. A special thank you goes to Lewis for stepping in as

a last minute replacement. We were competing against all the other secondary schools in Moray. The

competition consisted of a team quiz, a speed round of puzzle stations on rotation and finally a relay

round. I am delighted to announce that we won the competition for the first time! Consequently we

will be representing Moray in the National Finals in Glasgow in November. All the pupils thoroughly

enjoyed the day out and are looking forward to the finals later in the year.

We’ve had the best year to date for certificate winners in the Junior Maths Challenge as run by the

United Kingdom Mathematics Trust. In S2 both Levi Taylor and Keryn Stronach achieved a Bronze

Certificate; whilst from S3 Kirstie Low, Bent Michielsen, Harley Simpson and Dominic Smith also

achieved their Bronze award. However, the outstanding performance was by Dodie Simmers who

achieved the top award of a Gold certificate. This meant Dodie also qualified for the special Kangaroo

Challenge, competing against the elite performers from across the whole of Britain. It is an

achievement simply to compete at this level but Dodie managed to get a Merit certificate, given only

to the top 25% of the top performers in the UK. A truly outstanding achievement, well done!

UKMT Winners

Brand new lunchtime club at KGS for this session. Join us in room 6 on a Monday Lunchtime to learn

the basics of British Sign Language. Over 25 pupils and staff have come along to our first two

sessions. We are learning from one another. Thanks to our teacher Mrs Haufe and our in-house

signing experts. All welcome. See Mrs Bayliss for further info.

British Sign Language

KGS Normandy Trip 2018

On Thursday 21 June 2018, forty pupils and five members of staff left the safety and security of Keith

Grammar School to set out upon the journey of a lifetime. Literally. Well, we left at 4pm and arrived at

the Chateau du Perron around 6pm the next day so the journey felt like it lasted forever. We did have a

wee jaunt around Honfleur to stretch the legs en route and that was beautiful and very French. The

chateau was AMAZING - like something from a Vogue shoot - really posh and very fancy. The rooms

were comfortable, and the food was wholesome - croissants, cereal, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast, a

packed lunch and a three-course meal in the evening.

Over the few days that we were in Normandy, the sun shone on us the whole time as we participated in

a range of activities: we went to see the tapestry and the market at Bayeux; we went to the

Commonwealth War Graves cemetery; we saw films about World War II in interesting locations where

battles were actually fought; Mont St Michele was magnificent; we were able to do ‘Baby Shark’ at the

aquarium; we loved visiting Pegasus Bridge; we had fun at the treetops adventure trail; the goats

cheese farm was fascinating. Our itinerary was full and at the end of each day we returned to the

chateau for dinner and fun and games in the grounds.

We returned exactly as planned around mid-day on Wednesday 27 July when tired but happy folk went

home for some sleep. The trip was memorable for all the right reasons - sun, sea, sand, food, friends,

fun.

National Sponge Cake Day at Keith Grammar School.

National Sponge Cake Day was celebrated in style at Keith Grammar School on Tuesday 28th August, with a coffee and sponge cake break. This was organised by librarian Mr Leitch with cake contributions from various staff members, with all staff invited to come along during their tea break and enjoy socialising over coffee and cake in the library. This proved to be a popular event! Mr Leitch said “I just wanted to bring staff together in the library. With only being here two days a week I was struggling to meet all the staff, and this was an ideal way to bring folk together in the library.” There was a great turn out and everyone who came along enjoyed themselves. Staff have already been asking when the next one is. They won’t have to wait too long as International Coffee Day is in October and Coffee and Cake Break will take place on Tuesday 2nd October.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club has been running this term for all pupils every morning from 8.15-8.45.

Cereals, toast, warm drinks and juice are available for FREE in room 1 (HE Department)! We have been seeing a few more pupils enjoying some company and breakfast over the past few weeks.

Everyone is made welcome and it’s a quiet and calm way to start off the day. Help is available with getting organised for the day: timetables or homework can be checked, stationery borrowed and the ‘best cup of tea in the world’ enjoyed!

In the photos with some of our regulars are Nicola Aitken, new Home School Link Worker for the Keith ASG; Lillian Brown, Family Support Worker (PEF); and Katy Duncan our Inclusion Coordinator.

We have BIG plans for the end of term! All to be revealed!

WELCOME A warm welcome to all pupils,

parents and carers for the 2018/19 session

from your Parent Council. We are here to

represent the views of parents and carers and

also to support the school in any way we can. We recognise that we all lead busy lives so we sincerely

appreciate any contribution, in whatever size or form. This can be through coming along to meetings,

volunteering to help at events, giving donations and supporting our fundraisers.

NEXT MEETING - AGM

We warmly welcome all parents and carers of KGS pupils, as well as teachers and any interested persons from the Keith area, to attend our meetings. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 11th September 2018 at 6.30 p.m. in the School Hall. (Please use entrance which faces Keith Primary School.) The AGM will be followed by an information session covering the range of learning and qualification opportunities in school, Show My Homework app and other areas requested by parents. A short business meeting will conclude the evening. It would be great to see you!

RAG BAG - DONATIONS WELCOME ANY TIME

We participate in the Rag Bag textile recycling scheme which provides regular fundraising and raises awareness about recycling. Rag bag can only accept good quality clean Men’s, Ladies and Children’s clothing, belts, bags and paired shoes (tied together). Please bring items in a securely tied plastic bag to our outdoor textile bank. It is located in the fenced off area in the Community Centre car park where the Community Centre links with KGS.

In November we will be re-launching the 200 Club which will start in March 2019. Watch this space!

TOMBOLA – Wednesday 14th November

This is our main fundraiser. Please put the date in your diary. More information in next

edition of The Banter

Tuesday

11th

Septem-ber

6.30 p.m.

Month Winner Num-ber

March

April May

June

July

August

Anne Thomson

Kerry Maver

Fiona Gordon

Audrey MacLure

Lynn Grant

Sheila Nicoll

82

84

101

119

136

128

ALL FUNDS RAISED BY KGS PARENT COUNCIL ARE USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL KGS PUPILS

200 CLUB The current 200 Club draws started in March 2018. We now have 152 members with a monthly prize of £76. The September draw will take place on Friday 28th September.

Keith Grammar School

SCHOOLWEAR POLICY 2018-19

We firmly believe that school uniform not only encourages young people to be aspirational and responsible but also helps them feel part of our school community and ready for the business of the day: learning.

Last session we consulted pupils and families about school wear and to reduce cost and replacing items so often, we decided to go for all black jumpers instead of the old system where S1-3 wore navy sweatshirts. However, navy sweatshirts are still acceptable until they wear out or are outgrown- whichever comes first!

Since August 2016, Parent Council funds have allowed us to supply ties to all S1 and S4 students and for those selected as Prefects.

Items with the school logo are available to order from the Office but unbranded plain black jumpers/ sweaters and blazers are all acceptable.

Thank you for supporting our policy. If however, there is a difficulty with any part of our uniform code please contact the appropriate Principal Teacher of Guidance. School can help in various ways with individual circumstances or difficulties.

S4/S5/6 pupils should be wearing:

Black skirt/trousers/shorts

Predominantly black shoes (need not be

formal)

White shirt

School tie

Black jumper/cardigan (optional; non-

branded or with school logo)

In addition:

Black blazer for S5/6 (optional)

S1-3 pupils should be wearing:

Black skirt/trousers/shorts

Predominantly black shoes (need not be

formal)

White shirt

School tie

Black jumper/cardigan (optional; non-

branded or with school logo)

Dates for your Diary

Day/Date: Details:

Tuesday 11th September Parent Council Information Evening & AGM

Wednesday 12th September UCAS Convention Moray College

Wednesday 12th September S2 UPS Trip to Spey Bay

Wednesday 19th September German Pupils—trip to Culloden

Tuesday 25th September School Photographer

Tuesday 2nd October S1 Parents’ Evening 4.30 - 6.30pm

Monday 8th October—Friday 20th October Holidays

Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th November Staff In-Service (school closed to pupils)

Wednesday 14th November Parent Council Tombola

Tuesday 20th November S2/3 Subject Fair

Thursday 6th December S2 Parents’ Evening 4.30/6.30pm

Wednesday 12th December Junior Christmas Dance

Thursday 13th December Senior Christmas Dance

Monday 24th Dec—Friday 4th Jan, 2019 Christmas Holidays

Wednesday 9th January S3 Parents’ Evening 4.30 - 6.30pm

Monday 14th—Friday 25th January Prelims

Friday 8th—Monday 11th February Holidays

Wednesday 13th February S4-6 Parents’ Evening 4.30 - 7.00pm

Monday 1st April—Friday 12th April Holidays

Friday 19th April Good Friday Holiday

Monday 29th April (tbc) SQA Exams/Study Leave

Monday 6th June May Day Holiday

Thursday 16th and Friday 17th May Staff In-Service (school closed to pupils)

Monday 20th May (tbc) New Timetable start

Monday 3rd June Local Holiday

Friday 28th June Last day of term

Friday Afternoon Activities

The school building and facilities are available free of charge for any non-profit activities aimed at our students on a Friday afternoon. If you are interested please contact the school to discuss your requirements.

Keith Grammar School

Parent Council AGM

Tuesday, 11th September 2018, between 6 30pm and 8 30pm in the Keith Grammar School Hall

6.30pm-AGM Parent Council 2017/2018

7pm-8pm Presentations:

Developing the Young Workforce in Moray Foundation Apprenticeships

Show My Homework and New Procedures for Reporting to Parents

8pm-8.30pm-Parent Council Business Meeting

Student’s Name ___________________________ I/we will be attending the Keith Grammar School Parent Council Meeting on Tuesday, 11 September 2018 Signature_______________________________________

PARENT COUNCIL AGM

Tuesday 11th September, 2018

Please fill in the form below and return to the School Office if

you would like to attend. The presentations are very

informative, you would be very welcome, and we look forward

to seeing you there.