All Change
AR in the Academy
Social Skills
Future School
Happy Easter!
As you will be aware, there are some changes to the Learning Skills team. Ken
was appointed to the post of Senior Education & Recreation Officer (Buchan)
and starts his new job after the Easter holidays. Mike Ramsay, formerly SERO
for Buchan, will manage the project until the end of the summer term. The plan
is that, by that time, an Integration Manager will be appointed to take forward
the New Community School initiative and his/her job will include the continued
management of the Learning Skills team. If there are any queries about the operation
of the project over the summer term, please feel free to contact anyone in the
team at Fraserburgh Academy.
Kate was appointed to the post of Principal Teacher S.E.B.D. in Fraserburgh
Academy and she starts her new job at the beginning of May. Kate will take over
the reigns of the SEBD provision, including integrating the Stevenson Centre
into the Academy.
Meanwhile, the three remaining “Amigo’s” will continue to support
schools over the summer term and, as the New Community School roll-out programme
begins, a clearer picture of how Learning Skills will be offered for the next
session will hopefully become clearer!
All the Accelerated Reader books can now be accessed through the school library.
This means that all books are on computer and can be traced quite easily. It
allows for books to be taken home and parents of all S1 and S2 pupils have had
a letter outlining the developments.
Every S1 English class has a library period each week now which means that the
teacher is on hand to discuss what is being read, help with quizzes and can
aid the choosing of appropriate readers. The TOPS (Teacher’s Opportunity
to Praise Students) reports can be discussed at this time and this adds value
to work being done.
Pupils are requesting quizzes for popular authors and Renaissance Learning are
constantly updating their catalogue. This means that we will be able to purchase
quizzes for Jacqueline Wilson books of which the girls are fond. The library
already has a good stock of the titles and are buying in more.
Subject staff in the school will be informed that S1/2 pupils should have the
reading books in their schoolbags every day in case there are any opportunities
in class time (or registration) to read.
Note to all schools
Michael Day, General Manager of Renaissance Learning, is very keen to produce
disks on books written by Scottish authors. Schools are invited to contact him
with names of books and they will produce quizzes to suit.
Please contact Michael at mlday@renlearn.co.uk
This half term has seen the introduction of class building in S2 as part of their SE programme. The aims were to highlight the importance of good communication skills, to develop the pupils’ understanding of individual differences and to experience being part of a large group challenge. Much of this fits in with the principles behind teaching citizenship and all the pupils appreciated the very different approach.
The Learning Skills team worked alongside the Principal Teachers of Guidance, members of the Youth Strategy team and Community Education workers.
There was a choice of three remits for the final challenge. One was to compile a world exhibition tour for a Scottish Skateboarding and BMX crew, another was to establish venues and publicity for a new rock band embarking on its first world tour and the third was to provide itineraries for a new travel company that specialises in around-the-world holidays.
The pupils all rose to the challenge with a huge variety of outcomes and an amazing effort in graphics for logos and other advertising strategies. All the staff were impressed at the ability of the pupils to pull together and achieve their goals.
After the Easter break it is the turn of S1 again. Each class will be working towards selecting their “Class Act” for a final performance during P7 Induction.
A programme is being set up at present for S4. Some pupils will pilot the programme called “Teen Learning”. This will take place prior to the SQA exams.
Re the future of Future School: Technical difficulties galore have prevented
maths classes in the Academy using the system as intended after the mid-term
break. George Pirie, as our knight in shining armour, has been pulling out all
the stops to fix the problems. Hopefully it will not be too long before the
future of Future School is assured!
It is intended to use it with various classes in 1st., 2nd. and 3rd. years.
Latest update
George has slain the dragon! Future School in now up and running. The new maths
disks had not been licensed. They are now and the system is ready to start after
the Easter holidays. If any Primary School in the LEaRN intends to use Future
School next term, contact your Learning Skills member.
This term has gone past in a whirl. The first half spent mostly in the primary schools and the second half in the Academy.
Most of our work is with selected primary classes and in certain subjects in the Academy and so not everyone is aware of the work we do. Hopefully the newsletters have helped enlighten those of you who have not worked directly with the team.
Catch-up classes continue in the Academy. S3/4 can be referred or refer themselves for extra work after school on either Mondays or Thursdays. Staff at the Academy are welcome to refer pupils for extra work before the exams. While the classes are not subject specific, we can offer support and a quiet working environment.
The Buddy System is about to enter its third year of operation with improvements being made each year thanks to the feedback from all buddies involved.
There continues to be opportunities for cross-sectoral staff visits and the team is still co-ordinating these meanwhile. The May exam diet is when most Academy staff are able to participate. The primary staff are welcome to make visits at any time and teachers of P7 usually visit prior to Induction.
The Transition Working Party still exists and will be used to co-ordinate work done by other transition groups. The working party consists of staff from both sectors.
The Learning Skills Team will be based in the Academy at the beginning of next term. Any member of staff can contact us there if there are any questions about writing projects, Accelerated Reader, Future School, ICT, Framework for Intervention or, indeed, any other topic. We would like to hear from you.
Meantime, have a wonderful holiday.
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