Kilwinning Academy S1 News

September 2010

Welcome to our second S1 Curriculum BulletinIn our recent visit by school inspectors we were praised for our effective partnership working. In the report it was noted that parents were asking for more information about how to improve the education of their youngsters and how to provide more homework support. We are taking steps to raise attainment in partnership with parents by promoting more active learning. We hope that this publication is helpful to parents and students in S1 as they start on the next stage of their educational journey at secondary school.

Art and DesignThe Ar t and D e s i g n D e p a r t m e n t d e l i v e r s a n e n j o y a b l e , achievable and challenging course for all pupils throughout S1. Pupils experience a balance of design, expressive and critical work with 2D and 3D outcomes in a range of materials. Pupils at the beginning of the school term are issued with sketchbooks which they are encouraged to use for homework and personal development. Furthermore, the Art department supports a wide range of practical activities which are enjoyed throughout the school terms these range from printmaking, pottery, painting, drawing and designing.

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EnglishPupils will follow the new Curriculum for Excellence. Our aim will be to provide opportunities for them to enjoy a variety of experiences in Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening. The course is based on the enjoyment and study of literature (which may include fiction, drama, poetry and the media). Language (grammar and close reading skills) will also be covered, and a language-based homework booklet will be issued. Pupils are also encouraged to enjoy personal reading, and some time is set aside each week to promote personal reading.

A typical term’s work will involve:

reading and discussing a novel in class

making a personal response to the novel

group discussion of issues raised in the novel

composition of a piece of extended writing

language study

Personal Social & Health EducationThe PSHE course at Kilwinning Academy lasts 38 weeks and covers many different topics and issues that young people may face in their daily lives. The PSHE course is delivered by form tutors allowing the form tutor to deal with first-line pastoral care whilst developing their role beyond that of a classroom teacher. PSHE course is divided into varying units with special personal, social and health inserts which include: careers, nurse, young people, dangers of tobacco and study skills with a library visit.

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The Geography Department will be running a new course for the S1 group this year. Pupils will start with an introduction to map work which will allow them to gain an understanding of using an atlas, longitude and latitude, and maps on a local, regional and global scale. The pupils will then use this knowledge to complete a unit on Ordnance Survey map skills.

After Christmas pupils will then look at weather and climate in the UK, before moving on to a case study of Hurricane Katrina. At the end of S1 they will finish their year with a look at rivers in Scotland and beyond which will include an introduction to the hydrological cycle.

Throughout the year pupils will have the opportunity to work alone, in pairs, and as part of a group. They will present work to their class and will also complete an individual weather project.

Metro 1

M o d u l e 2 : Family and Pets and Personal Description (Listening and Reading)

Module 3: School (Listening and Writing)

Module 4: Hobbies (Reading and Speaking)

Module 5: House and Area (Reading and Speaking)

Module 6: Holidays (Reading and Speaking)

Metro 2

Module 1: Personal Description and Hobbies (Reading and Writing)

Module 2: My Life and Daily Routine (Speaking and Listening)

Module 3: Family and Friends (Speaking and Listening)

Module 4: Food and Drink (Speaking and Listening)

Module 5: Week in Paris (Speaking and Reading)

Module 6: Visit to France (Listening and Writing)

French The French course at Kilwinning Academy is a continuation of the excellent work which pupils have been doing in associated Primary Schools during Primary Six and Primary Seven. The French course at the Academy follows the same Metro course and is divided into four elements (reading, listening, talking and writing) and has associated workbooks which are issued to all pupils at the beginning of the school term. There are six modules in Metro 1 and 2 with each module containing five individual units, covering a wide range of topics. After the end of each topic class assessments take place.

Home EconomicsThe aim of the S1 curriculum in Home Economics is to give pupils a well round experience of all facets of the subject.

S1/S2 Home Economics course:

During S1, pupils will be introduced to all aspects of safety, hygiene, weighing, measuring and basic cookery process techniques. In all areas of practical cookery, pupils will be expected to follow the departmental rules, which means coming prepared with container and food as required. Homework will be given on a regular basis and should be completed to a good standard. Pupils are also given an introduction to basic fabric work, machine skills and colour theory. Skills are developed through the use of technology, enabling pupils to carry out a Design and Make problem based challenge. Finally in S1 pupils are introduced to the key nutrients, sources and functions through practical cookery to enable them to make the correct choices for a healthy lifestyle.

Ready Steady Cook Eating For HealthGreen Issues Smart ShoppingReady Steady Sew Design and Make (Fabric and Food)Design and Make (Fabric) REHISNutrients are Nice

HistoryAt the start of the session the S1 classes will be studying the Viking influence in Scotland. This topic encourages pupils to look at evidence and draw conclusions about the impact of Viking raids and settlement on the life and culture of Scotland. Pupils will be expected to complete regular homework exercises and carry out work at home. From Christmas pupils will be studying the Wars of Independence and examining how William Wallace and Robert the Bruce contributed to the development of the Scottish nation after the death of Alexander III.

Computing a n d B u s i n e s s Education The course has been completely redesigned for Curriculum for Excellence. Between August and Christmas pupils will receive an introduction to networking and school computer systems uncluding safe and responsible use of networks. Students will use major general purpose packages to develop skills in presentations, word process ing , da tabases and spreadsheets.

After Christmas students will work on a project using their acquired ICT skills to create a report and presentation on a major technical innovation.

There will also be a series of l e s s o n s c o n c e r n i n g enterprise and b u s i n e s s education.

After Easter the focus turns to personal finance organisation and p l a n n i n g b u i l t a r o u n d t h e R B S M o n e y S e n s e initiative. The year finishes with an introduction to animation and basic movie making.

R e l i g i o u s Education

During S1, p u p i l s

r e c e i v e o n e period a week of Religious Education in which they learn about: What is religion? Why believe in anything? Worldwide religions and religious symbols, dress, beliefs and worship. Moreover, S1 pupils will study an

i n t r o d u c t i o n t o philosophy, which deals

with topics such as: what and why, who am I? God and

creation.

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Music DepartmentIn S1 pupils receive two periods of music and all classes are given a taster course in recorder, keyboard, tuned percussion, drum kit and guitar. The course is divided into different terms with different topics being taught in each term. Furthermore, practical skills, related listening and an inventing project are also taught and a basic knowledge of notation is reinforced through the use of computer software.

Maths The new S1 will be the first to experience the delivery of the Curriculum for Excellence framework for Mathematics and Numeracy. The underlying principle of Curriculum for Excellence is that Mathematics equips us with many of the skills required for life, learning and work. Understanding the part that mathematics plays in almost all aspects of life is crucial. As young people develop these concepts and skills in the department, there will be continual reinforcement and revisiting in order to maintain progression.

Assessment in Maths will focus on students’ abilities to work increasingly skilfully with numbers, data and mathematical concepts and processes and use them in a range of contexts.

It is our aim to deliver a varied learning and teaching environment using an ICT suite where all young people will have the opportunity to achieve and progress in their learning.

L i b ra r y and Resource Centre

At the beginning of their first year pupils complete an Information and Study Skills Course in

association with the English Department during the first term of the school year. This provides a general introduction to

Resource Centre layout, arrangement of fiction, non-fiction and topic boxes, use of contents and index pages, a brief introduction to

encyclopaedias and a look at the Careers Section in the Resource Centre. The Information and Study Skills Course is very much a hands-on, find out

for yourself course, giving pupils a taste of what kind of information can be found in a Resource Centre and how they can use this information in their school work across the curriculum. The aim of the course is to enable pupils to tackle research topics with confidence by developing the basic steps in information retrieval. All pupils are encouraged to attend the Lunchtime Homework Club in the Resource Centre, either to complete class work, to do research or for some quiet reading. This provides pupils with the opportunity to utilise their information handling skills. At all times pupils are encouraged to use both books and ICT resources when doing research. The Resource Centre supports the ERIC reading programme as operated by the English Department, by providing a source of varied material to promote

reading. Writing and Story Telling Workshops are arranged with visiting authors when possible. A Careers Drop-In facility is

operated by the School Careers Officer. All Departments are aware of support available from the Resource

Centre and opportunities for use are taken up, as required, across the curriculum. Support

The Support Department is an essential department in

helping pupils adjust to life at Kilwinning Academy. The Support

Department runs many interval and lunchtime clubs such as the peace room,

buddying, homework club, S1 register class buddy and the anti-bullying council. What is more, pupils attending the Support Department will be supported by class and base tutors and pupils can improve their literacy and numeracy skills with educational support packages such as: The NESSY Programme, NESSY Finger

Keyboard Skills, Memory Skills, Education City and revision and

practice for class tests as well as class work catch up.

Contacting schoolKilwinning Academy, Dalry Road, Kilwinning KA13 7HD 01294 551316

kilwinning@ea.n-ayrshire.sch.uk

www.kilwinning-academy.co.uk

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Physical EducationThe importance of engaging in an active lifestyle has never been of greater importance. The S1 Physical Education curriculum includes the following activities which pupils will participate in 2 periods a week: football, hockey, basketball, badminton, gymnastics, fitness, table tennis, athletics and summer games. Pupils are expected to being their own kit, otherwise kit will be provided by P.E. staff. Kit should comprise of a plain t-shirt and either shorts or tracksuit bottoms.

Should a pupil be unable to take part in P.E. they should still bring their P.E. kit, accompanied by a note from home explaining their reason for non participation in the subject. These pupils will either be asked to assist with scoring, refereeing, timekeeping or complete a written exercise related to the current activity. Pupils should enjoy P.E… remembering it is like all things in life…you only get out what you put in!

The Active Schools Network is a team of Physical Educational teachers working within the school and the wider community in Scotland. Their goal is to offer all children and young people the motivation and opportunities to get active. In practice, this means that their job is to increase the number of opportunities for all children to get engaged in physical activity and sport. Active Schools Co-ordinator also try to build bridges with sports clubs and other community organisations, to give pupils a pathway to continue their participation in sport outside of the school environment.

Currently, The Active Schools Network has a number of opportunities for children to participate in physical activity. Within Kilwinning Academy there are a number of activities on offer to all S1 pupils ranging from: dodgeball, gymnastics, cheerleading, basketball and table-tennis. Activities are normally held at lunchtime and afterschool and details of these activities can be found on the notice boards in the P.E department.

Science

During S1 follow the schedule as detailed below:-

Matter

Cells and Microbiology

Energy

Elements and Compounds

Ecology

Electricity

Homework will be set once a week. Parents are expected to sign homework and pupils will also have a test at the end of each Topic. In addition to regular set homework, pupils are expected to spend a significant amount of time studying their notes and summary sheets – particularly just prior to tests and exams.

Important DatesS1 Parents’ Info Evening:

Tues 28 Sept, 7 - 9pmS1 Parents’ Evening:

Tues 8 March, 4.30 - 6.40pm S1 Reports:

Interim: start of December Main report: start of June

Theme Park Trip: Friday 20 May

TechnicalCraft and Design and Graphic Communication are two facets of the Technical Department and are part of the Art and Design and Technical faculty within Kilwinning Academy. In S1, pupils will familiarise themselves with Health and Safety procedures in the workshop and are then introduced to basic hand tools, machines, processes and materials which will enable students to manufacture a number of artefacts to help solve design problems. Pupils are also introduced to a wide variety of communication skills, Computer Aided Design (Cad), Computer Aided Graphics (Cag), and Desktop Publishing (DTP) as well as traditional drawing board skills. Various rendering techniques are also taught to enable pupils to produce presentations and illustrated drawings.

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Planned absence

Sickness absence

Fridge door Handy Reminder

ContactIf no word has been received the Pupil Welfare Officer will attempt to contact parents/guardians by phone or text. Please ensure that you keep contact details up-to-date.

Longer absencesPlease keep in touch with school. Work can be provided if necessary.

Please contact our Pupil Welfare Officer, Mrs K Burley.

First day absentPlease phone the school office on the first day of absence giving details of the reason for absence and the likely length of absence. The school phone number is 01294 551316.

Homework Diaries, UniformDiaries should be brought to school daily and uniform worn. In the event of a problem with uniform pupils should report to their Year head before 8.50am. Pupils losing their diary should request a replacement from their Guidance teacher. In either case a note from home helps.

High absences can lead to:• Letters sent home asking for improvement. • Referral to school doctor.• Referral to Children’s Panel.• Referral to Attendance Committee.• Poor job/college references.

Planned absenceIf it is expected that your son/daughter is planned to be absent for an expected reason (eg a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment) then a note in advance should be provided.

School procedurePupils leaving school for appointments are expected to collect a permission slip from the Pupil Welfare Officer (front office), to sign out on departure, and to sign in on return.

Termtime HolidaysThese are usually marked as unauthorised absences (truancy) in pupils’ records and are not supported by the school or the local authority.

Timekeeping:The school day starts at 8.50am and ends at 3.30pm. Lunch is at 12.45 until 1.40pm. Pupils are expected to arrive in good time for school and for classes.

Who to contact (issues other than routine absence)All pupils in Kilwinning Academy are members of a named house. Register class numbers indicate which house, eg 1A1 is part of Arran house, 1B1 Bute house, 1C1 Cumbrae, and 1D1 Davaar. If you need to speak to a member of staff about any issues your son/daughter is experiencing, it is best to contact his/her guidance teacher as soon as possible. If phoning please remember that all guidance staff have teaching commitments, but messages will be passed on to them and calls returned as soon as possible.

House: Arran Bute Cumbrae Davaar

Year head: Mr Smith Mr Smith Mrs Cruickshank Mrs Cruickshank

Guidance teacher: Mr Duncan Mr MacArthur Mr McKenzie Mr Scott