This session we are trialling a new way of using Progress Concern Forms to streamline the process. Progress Concern Forms are used to help identify and support learners who, for whatever reason, are struggling to make progress in a subject. The purpose of streamlining the process is to try and flag up concerns early enough so that each young person has a chance to rectify things as quickly as possible. The letter below outlines our revised approach.
On Tuesday 24th September the new S1s played their first match for Culloden Academy when they faced Mintlaw Academy, at home, in the North of Scotland schools cup. On one of the the wettest days of the year, the team battled from being 3-1 down to score 2 goals in the last 5 minutes of the game through a Kyle Jack double. This meant the game finished a draw and was to be decided on penalties. Culloden missed their 4th penalty but heroics from goalkeeper Aaron Whyte saw him save Mintlaw’s next penalty and then their penalty in sudden death. Culloden’s Austin Reid then stepped up to knock the winning penalty in to take the boys through to the next round.
Goal scorers – Lewis Conway & Kyle Jack x2
MOTM – Aaron Whyte
Some highlights from our Duke of Edinburgh Silver qualifying expedition at the weekend. The students did exceptionally well on a spectacular but challenging route. The unusually warm weather made for tough conditions.
Since the introduction of the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal in 1993, more than 2.6 million boxes have been sent across Europe – each one different, each one personal, each one an act of care and kindness to a stranger in need.
The shoeboxes will be filled with small, practical items such as toiletries, stationery, and clothing, and are individually wrapped. They are then distributed in schools, hospitals, orphanages and care homes, and to households in very low-income communities across Europe.
S3 Admin pupils have been busy creating posters for our new red bin, which will be dedicated to the Blythswood Shoe Box Appeal. Miss Craig and Miss Mackenzie have selected the top poster designs across our three S3 Admin classes, and these are now displayed around the school and on the bin itself, we think it looks great!
Our new donation bin can be found by the janitor’s office, and this is where pupils and staff can drop off donations as detailed above. Our S3 Admin classes will then put together and pack the shoeboxes in time for them to be shipped and delivered in time for Christmas.
Any donations great or small are massively appreciated!
A special thanks to Norbloc Construction for donating the red sparkly bin.
Our drama students had a great day today with Drew Tremlett from the Eden Court Engagement team learning about the film industry. They took part in animation and narrative structure workshops! The stories were wild and a lot of laughs were had!
Last week a group of S3 maths students were invited to attend the Lifescan Engineering Open House event. The students engaged in several activities highlighting the superb results of creative engineering and what a career in engineering can lead too. They then enjoyed a tour of the facility, viewing some of the wonderful machines and robots which support the employees to keep production running 24/7.
Congratulations to the S2 and S3 pupils who submitted their short sagas for the ‘Young Writers’ competition organised by Miss Scott. We had a number of pupils chosen for publication This is fantastic. Well done!
One of this year’s Construction classes receiving new boot’s from our Foundation Apprenticeship partner Morrison construction.
The S4/5 course consists of bricklaying, joinery and decorating, as well as developing the skills needed for employment in the construction sector, CV writing and interview prep. We also enjoy having specialists from each sector coming in to support our pupils and give them a real taste of what the job is like. A massive thank you to Gordon Williamson, Construction Director, for his continued support.
From S1 to S6, pupils will engage with a range of organisations and are offered opportunities which will raise awareness and improve their understanding of the world of work to prepare them for the future. In particular, we have two services working within the school that your child will gain support with throughout their time in Culloden:
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is the national career service, and we have careers advisers in every state secondary school in Scotland. The SDS career service helps people develop their career management skills and make confident decisions for their future.
The Careers Advisers for Culloden Academy are:
Pupils can speak to their SDS careers adviser throughout the school year and will also be supported by them at key times such as starting S1, making option choices, and preparing for moving on from school. This service will be delivered through drop-ins, one-to-one appointments, and group learning sessions. There is lots of useful career information and advice available at any time through Scotland’s career website My World of Work. There is also a dedicated area for parents and carers with information to help you have career conversations at home. If you or your young person would like to make an appointment with your school careers adviser, please contact your pupil’s Guidance Teacher for details.
Beyond school, SDS advisers are also available at one of SDS’s community venues or via our helpline. To get support or arrange an appointment call the SDS freephone helpline on 0800 917 8000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). More information about SDS and their career service in schools is available at www.sds.co.uk
“I am the DYW school coordinator for Culloden Academy and have been in the role for almost a year now. I love being a DYW School Coordinator as I get to support the transition of young people from education to the labour market. I do this through putting our students in direct contact with employers, such as through careers fairs, Future Friday talks, classroom and/or site-based activities with employers, along with employability programmes designed to upskill our students. I also support the teachers in making the curriculum relevant to industry, for example, linking mathematics with hospitality. I am really looking forward to kicking off some exciting new projects, which will involve a lot of creativity and teamwork for the 24/25 academic year!”
Soraya MacDonald
