Taylor High School

(who very kindly agreed to help us despite being on Maternity leave) and Mr.
McCormick.
Advanced Higher Students, and class teacher Mrs. Caroline Convery, enjoyed a live
weblink screening of “Othello” from Stratford. The event was available as part of
Shakespeare season to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of the Bard.
April
S3 students enjoyed the opportunity to work with award winning writer Keith Gray in
a visit organised by Resource Centre Manager, Mrs. Catherine MacIntyre, and was
secured with Live Literature Funding via the Scottish Book Trust. In addition to being
afforded the chance to create their own stories the group were the first people in the
world to see Gray’s new book, which is due for publication later in the year.
May
The S4 group working in school enjoyed a productive time creating their own zombie
film “School of Death” whilst working with English staff. The group were responsible
for all aspects of the film including the plot, casting and script. The finished film can
be viewed on the school website.
Following on from the great success of last year’s S3 group who became shadowers for
the prestigious Clip Carnegie book award, we have launched this year’s group. The
group, led by Resource Centre Manager, Mrs Catherine MacIntyre, are required to read
the shortlisted books and then submit their reviews online via a blog.
May saw the launch of this year’s transition visits with Miss Louise Murphy working
with Primary seven pupils on autobiographical writing. This work will be continued at
the beginning of S1 when pupils join the school in August.
MATHEMATICS
Some 45 senior students participated in the annual “Maths Camp” in March of this
year. This weekend gives pupils the opportunity to spend time preparing for their
forthcoming examination in either Higher or Advanced Higher Mathematics with
teachers from the department giving of their time to attend and tutor the pupils with
their studies. The pupils are involved in an intense study programme during the
weekend, it is to their credit that they attend in such numbers. The pupil’s feedback
indicates that they feel far more prepared for the final examination after attending the
camp, results from previous years support this view. As part of our Health Promoting
School pupils are also given the opportunity to participate in an Outdoor Activity such
as Canoeing, Mountain Biking and Rock Climbing. Each year Students report the view
that this is an excellent opportunity to get as wet as possible! Both pupils and staff had
an excellent time. Thanks should also go to the Edinburgh University Mathematical
Society who continue to sponsor the weekend. This enables us to keep costs to a
minimum.
The department ran tutorials on a Saturday morning for pupils studying at Higher .
Pupils had the opportunity to revise for 2.5 hours each Saturday during the year and in
the build up to the SQA examinations. I am delighted to report that the attendance at
these classes was excellent with the students displaying a real desire to enhance their
learning. Feedback from the pupils was very positive and the staff who participated
commented favourably. A tremendous amount of revision was covered each session, It
is hoped that students will reap the benefits in the SQA examinations.
An extensive Supported Study Programme was offered to pupils in S4/5/6. This ran
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