April 2013 Newsletter - Home Page

WOODMILL HIGH SCHOOLNEWSLETTERA P R I L 2 0 1 3ContentsP 2P 3-4P 5P 6-8P 9IntroductionGeneral InformationDates for your DiarySchool NewsFriends of WoodmillWoodmill High SchoolShields RoadDunfermlineFifeKY11 4ERTelephone: 01383 602406Fax: 01383 740306Email:Website:woodmillhs.enquiries@fife.gov.ukwww.fife-education.org.uk/woodmillhs

Dear Parent/Carer,Welcome to the Spring/Summer Newsletter for 2013.This is always a busy time of year for pupils and staff. Over the last term there has been agreat deal of activity around the school with pupils participating in a massive range ofextra-curricular activities, clubs and competitions at both a regional and national level. Ourpupils have been a credit to themselves and to Woodmill High School, setting a verypositive impression. On a number of occasions over the last term the school has receivedcommunications from other schools and external partners commenting on how well ourpupils have represented themselves and their school.It is at this time of year when the school has a strong focus on the examinations for oursenior pupils. This is a critical time for our pupils as we need to make sure that the climatein the school allows our pupils to perform at their very best.Since the start of the academic year the school has provided a broad range of informaland formal study support and mentoring opportunities for pupils, allowing them toconsolidate learning, prepare for their individual examinations and gain additionalpersonalised support and advice, helping our pupils to approach their exams withconfidence.It is important that our pupils use these opportunities to allow them to maximise theirpotential, as success within their examinations opens doors and creates routes foremployment, further study, college or university.As well as a clear focus on the academic attainment of our pupils, there is a great dealgoing on within the school. During this term our Activity Days will be taking place. Pupilshave the opportunity to be involved in a broad range of activities on the 8 th , 9 th and 10 th ofMay, including residential trips as well as a range of single day events.With the continued support of the broader school community Woodmill High School isdeveloping and further establishing its reputation. Our pupils are at the centre ofeverything that we do within the school, as we support and foster a culture of ambition forour young people. In our work we need to set high expectations in behaviour, attitude andschool dress.Again I would like to thank the staff and parents for the on-going hard work that allows usto have a positive and meaningful impact on the pupils in our care.On behalf of all the staff in Woodmill I wish to thank you for your on-going support of theschool.Yours faithfully,A D McIntosh RSWRector2

GENERAL INFORMATIONEXAM PREPARATIONIt is important that our senior pupils are prepared and ready for the challenges of theirSQA examinations, to ensure that they can continue to build upon their success.Pupils need to approach their exams in a focused manner, giving themselves the bestpossible opportunity for success. Within the school there will be assemblies encouragingstrategies and approaches to maximise potential as well as a broad range of study supportopportunities within the school to support attainment.Study Leave will commence for S4 on the afternoon of Thursday 25 th April, with the first S4SQA exam starting on Friday 26 th . The S5/S6 Study Leave will commence on Tuesday 7 thMay.All pupils will return to school on Wednesday 5 th of June, when the new timetable isscheduled to commence.Dates for the Diary• Thursday 25 th April pm - S4 Study Leave commences• Friday 26 th April, S4 SQA Exams begin• Monday 6 th May, Holiday• Tuesday 7 th May, S5/6 Study Leave commences• Monday 3 rd June, Holiday• Tuesday 4 th June, Closure Day 7• Wednesday 5 th June, Start of New TimetableDAS PARKINGParents and carers should refrain from parking in the Service Vehicle area between themain building and the DAS at the start and end of the school day. This area is used bytransportation services to drop off and pickup pupils who may require to use wheelchairs.As a result, space must be left to allow these vehicles unrestricted access. Yourassistance in this matter is much appreciated.PARKING ISSUESThere are ongoing issues relating to local residents having difficulty parking and gettingaccess to driveways at the end of the school day. Could I ask that any parents collectingchildren to park with consideration, so that resident access is not restricted.SCHOOL UNIFORMThe school is working with pupils and parents to ensure that school uniform is worn at alltimes. There has been a positive response from parents and pupils to having a greaterfocus on school uniform, as it is an effective way of parents helping to support the schoolas we work to encourage a culture of higher expectations and positive ethos within ourpupils. This is something that you should be able to see visibly within our local community.3

As parents and carers purchase school uniform through the course of the school year andinto the summer holiday, I would ask that you look to replace black jeans with schooltrousers and black shirts with white shirts. The vast majority of our pupils have alreadytaken this to heart and take a great deal of pride in wearing their school tie, however it issomething that we still need to work on to improve.The school uniform of Woodmill High School is as follows:White shirt and school tie or school polo shirtDark trousers (not jeans) / dark skirtDark shoesSenior pupils should wear a school blazerI would ask parents and carers for your continuedsupport in helping to set the right tone for learningwithin the school. As a school we have receivedcomments on how smart our pupils are looking. Thisis something we need to endeavour to build upon andcontinue to support.During the course of this term we will be placing anemphasis on appropriate school uniform and will be incontact with parents to support this within the school.During this term we will be organising blazer ordersand fittings. One of our local suppliers will come intoschool to fit our new S5 pupils with blazers.More information will follow to senior pupils shortly.FIRST AID ARRANGEMENTSPupil IllnessIt must be clearly understood that the school, as with all other schools in Fife, has nocapability of treating pupils who become unwell. The only action the school can take in thiscase is to arrange for the pupil to be collected or sent home after contacting their parentsor emergency contacts.If a pupil tells a class teacher that they are feeling unwell the teacher should decide if thepupil is well enough to stay in class until the next break, or if they are feeling so unwell thatthey may need to be sent home.If the teacher feels that the pupil is likely to need to go home then they should be sent toreception. When a pupil arrives at reception feeling unwell and there is any concern thattheir condition is serious, a First Aider will be contacted, and then permission sought tosend the pupil home. If the pupil’s condition is not serious then the office staff will obtainpermission to send the pupil home, firstly by contacting the pupils’ Guidance Teacher orYear Head to check that this is acceptable.Once permission has been granted the office will ring pupil’s contacts in order of priority toarrange for the pupil to be sent home or collected.4

DATES FOR YOUR DIARYTerm & Holiday dates for this Session (2012-2013)Summer Term Monday 15 th April 2013 Friday 28 th June 2013Summer Holiday Monday 1 July 2013 Friday 9 th August 2013(Teachers return Monday 12 th Aug)Monday 12 th August 2013(Pupils return Tuesday 13 th Aug)In-Service dates for this Session (2012-2013)In Service Days - All SchoolsTuesday 4 th June, 2013Additional Holidays - All SchoolsMonday 6 th May 2013 (May Day)Monday 3 rd June 2013 (Holiday)Important dates for Term 4, April 2013 – June 201325 th April (PM) S4 Study Leave Begins25 th April (PM) S4 Awards Afternoon26 th April S4 SQA Exams commence6 th May May Holiday7 th May S5/6 Study Leave commences8 th /9 th /10 th May Activity Days20 th May S3 Reports issued via pupil bag27 th May S3 Parents’ Evening3 rd June Holiday4 th June Closure Day 75 th June Pupils return, start of new timetable6 th June S3 Awards6 th June Senior Awards Evening 7pm7 th June S1 Awards12 th June S2 Awards13 th /14 th June S1 Induction Days13 th June Leavers Night, Balbirnie House Hotel14 th June Big Bang Science Fair17 th June S1 Reports issued via pupil bag28 th June Last Day of Term5

SCHOOL NEWSWORLD BOOK DAY THURSDAY 7 th MARCHThe idea of World Book Day is to highlight literacy and the importance of reading. Allpupils in Woodmill had the opportunity to take a World Book Day book voucher.During March, Mrs Black undertook debating and Mrs Bryant from the English departmentundertook storytelling sessions with our pupils.SCOTTISH SPACE SCHOOL 2013S5 pupil George Wyatt has been awarded a coveted place at the Scottish Space School2013. The week long residential experience will be held in June at Strathclyde University.George will be experiencing lectures, laboratory sessions and workshops all on the themeof Space. The programme will be delivered by leading academics and researchers and issupported by NASA astronauts and engineers. Places on the Scottish Space School arehighly sought after, with only one hundred places available to S5 pupils throughoutScotland. The top ten students from the week will be selected for a seven day learningexperience, to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, later in the year.SPRING FLING CONCERTAt the end of March the school held its Spring Fling Concert. The event was a sell out, witha capacity audience, including a number of our local councillors supporting the school.The evening showcased a range of amazing talent from pupils from all year groups. TheDAS Choir performed two musical items, whilst we also had contributions from the UkuleleGroup from one of our associated primary schools, Carnegie Primary. The evening was asuperb celebration of the talent and commitment of our pupils.FAIRTRADE GROUPThe newly formed Fairtrade group held their first bake sale, to celebrate "FairtradeFortnight", at the end of March. This is the group’s first step towards gaining Fairtradestatus for Woodmill High School. Products sold contained fairtrade ingredients and staffwere able to sample fairtrade tea, coffee and hot chocolate. The event proved to be ahuge success, raising awareness of the benefits of using fairtrade products throughout theschool. It is hoped to set up a Fairtrade tuckshop into the next academic year to supportthe work of this group.FIFE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR DISABLED SWIMMERSAt the beginning of March twelve pupils from Woodmill DAS represented the school at theFife Championship for Disabled Swimmers, which was part of the Fife Sports Festival forDisabled People. The pupils were a credit to the school and all returned with at least onesilver or gold medal. The standout performance was from the relay team of Curtis Prior,Matthew Blair, Ross Bowman and Carter Taylor who were each presented with a trophyfor their efforts.The pupils also appreciated the chance to see Paralympic swimmer Craig Rodgie and topScottish disabled swimmer Stefan Hoggan racing against each another. We have severalpromising swimmers who we hope will continue to bring back medals for us in futureyears.6

RED NOSE DAYWoodmill High School celebrated a hugely entertaining and successful Red Nose day onFriday 15th March. Pupils and staff pulled out all the stops to fundraise through Fridaywith a dress down day where pupils and staff wore red clothing, red noses, cake andcandy, stalls and fun events through the course of the day.Around £1200 was raised through the efforts of the pupils, parents and staff whosupported our events and activities.Alongside the Red Nose day fundraising Mrs Shearer produced amazing cupcakes whichwere sold to support and raise funds for both Cancer Research UK and Alzheimer’s UK. Afantastic £505.45 has been raised so far.SCOTTISH YOUTH PARLIAMENTCongratulations to Eilidh Reid in fifth year who has been elected as a member of theScottish Youth Parliament. The Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically electedvoice of Scotland’s young people. The SYP belief of a parliament designed by youngpeople, led by young people for the benefit of young people is one that we are sure Eilidhwill fully contribute to. It is important that our young people are heard by the decisionmakers of Scotland on issues of importance. Our thanks go to Eilidh, and all those who ranfor election.ITALY TRIPMr Fraser is in the early stages of organising a school trip to Italy for summer 2014 withour pupils. The final itinerary is still to be confirmed, however it is hoped that the trip willinclude the beach resort of Lido de Jesollo, which will be the school base for a couple ofdays to allow trips to; The Rialto Bridge, St Marks Square and Bell Tower, and The GrandCanal in Venice. Following the culture of Venice will be the fun of GardaLand theme park,the Lakes, some time on the beach and, if time allows, back to culture in Verona. It ishoped the trip will include visits to Rome, Pompeii, Pisa and then Florence, with proposedtrips to the Cathedral, climbing the dome, Uffizi Museum, Santa Croce, the Ponte Vecchioand the Hospital of the Innocents.At present the demand for the trip has been high, and there are already plans to look at apossible trip the following year, summer 2015, for those unable to get away in 2014.GOT TO DANCE FINALISTSCongratulations to Taylor Wilson and Erin McInroy who were involved in the Live Finals ofSky televisions ‘Got to Dance’ programme. The two girls, part of the Gymtasia Evolutiongroup, got into the last three of the live final. Congratulations to the girls for all of theirhard work and dedication.7

SCOTTISH ACROBATIC GYMNASTIC CHAMPIONSHIPSAt the end of February the Scottish Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships were heldat Ravenscraig in Motherwell.Kirsty Norman (S2) and her partner, Alice Wyse, beat 16 other pairs to become goldmedal winners and Scottish Champions at Grade 1 Pairs and will now go on to representScotland at the British NDP Acrobatic Championships at Stoke on Trent on 18-20 May2013.Katriona Norman (S3) and her partners, Nicole Stevenson and Niamh Burns, won thesilver medal for the Grade 3 Groups and have already qualified for the British FIGChampionships at Stoke on Trent on 13-14 April 2013.Taylor Wilson and her partners, Rebecca Selkirk and Beth McCulloch, won the gold medaland became Scottish Champions at Grade 4 Groups. Taylor will also be at both of theBritish Championships.In addition, all three girls and their partners have been selected as part of the Scotlandteam representing their country and competing in the Celtic Cup in Cardiff, Wales on 6April 2013.STAFF SUCCESSCongratulations to Ms Lalainia Tremmel, our PT Drama, who has received Nationalrecognition for her work as a teacher. Ms Tremmel has been awarded professionalrecognition in the new category of ‘Creativity’ from the General Teaching Council ofScotland. Ms Tremmel is one of only 23 teachers across Scotland to receive recognitionfor her work in promoting professional links with agencies and theatre groups acrossScotland.To celebrate this event the GTC held an award ceremony and reception in the GardenLobby of the Scottish Parliament at the end of the January.The award was presented to Ms Tremmel by the Chief Executive of GTC ScotlandAnthony Finn and Joan McAlpine MSP member of the Parliamentary Education andCulture Committee.This award reflects Ms Tremmel’s commitment and dedication to developing exciting andrelevant opportunities for young people at Woodmill High School allowing them to beinvolved in projects at a National level. In the past Ms Tremmel has been actively involvedin Drama, Dance and Physical Theatre, working with a broad range of local and nationaltheatre groups, including a number of projects including the National Theatre of Scotland.SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTEsther Garrow, one of our sixth year pupils was the guest speaker in the ScottishParliament for the annual Consular Corps Burns Supper at the end of January.The highlight of the evening was the ‘Address to the Haggis’, given by Esther, word andpitch perfect. The international guests certainly enjoyed her contribution.After the Supper, Esther and her parents visited the floor of Parliament’s DebatingChamber with Colin Keir, MSP for Edinburgh Western, and Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker.8

FRIENDS OF WOODMILL HIGH SCHOOLThe Spring term has been dominated by two reviews by Fife Education Service: TheSchool Estate and Counselling Services.The Friends were represented at both consultation meetings regarding the School Estatelocally, with the particular problem of Masterton Primary being oversubscribed already andthe real possibility of further houses being built nearby. While Canmore and PitreaviePrimaries have the capacity to absorb the projected pupil numbers, it would require achange to the catchment areas, and that can cause very real problems for parents.Woodmill and Dunfermline High Schools are both able to deal with even the topmost rangeof the predictions. These meetings were hosted by Ms Eleanor MacGregor, EducationOfficer for Fife Council, and led by Ms Donna Manson from Fife Education Service.The recent reports in the Dunfermline Press regarding the withdrawal of funding fromHeadroom counselling service has given rise to the opportunity for Fife Education toreview the provision of all counselling in Fife schools to determine their role, value andcost. Woodmill High was chosen as the pilot school for Headroom due to community links,and our former rector, Mr Mike Gilmour, is campaigning to save Headroom. As a result,the Friends were joined at their February meeting by Ms Donna Manson, Guidance staff,and Cllr Neale Hanvey who has been involved in trying to ensure funding will continue forHeadroom.School-life has continued apace last term with Parents' evenings, a Curriculum forExcellence information evening, the Spring Fling concert and a Burns' Supper. Particularmention is due to Esther Garrow for her ‘Address to the Haggis’ at the ScottishParliament's Burns' Supper, to Eilidh Reid for being elected to the Scottish YouthParliament, to Craig Stephen for winning a Euro Scholarship and a visit to the EuropeanParliament in Strasbourg, to the DAS pupils who competed successfully in the GlasgowCross Country Championships, and to the Duke of Edinburgh Award group who are wellon their way to raising £4000 for their trip to Morocco.The Friends would like to thank all the parents and friends who donate so generously forthe refreshments we provide at the evening events. The funds go to the school and mostrecently to the DofE Award group funds. The Minutes of our meetings can now be seen onthe schools website. We invite anyone interested in helping Woodmill’s continued successto come along to our next meeting on Tuesday 30th April. As always, if there are anyissues you would like brought up at our meetings then we can be contacted via the schooloffice.We wish the senior pupils every success in their exams, and remind parents not to get toonervous!9