ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMYWeekly Newsletter

Ben Davis, Acting Headteacher

Grassyards RdKilmarnock KA3 7SL

01563 526144

www.saintjosephsacademy.co.ukTwitter: @StJoAcad

ISSUE 2.3

SEPTEMBER 5TH2014

FOR PARENTS, CARERS, FAMILIES & PARISHES

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM:

NURTURING FAITH-FILLED WORLD CLASS LEARNING

FIRST YEARS ARE OFF TO A FLYING START

Inside this issue: S1 tell us what they think

Find out what S1 have been learning

Best thing about St. Joseph’s?

The food and getting to go outside. The other best thing is the teachers.

Ambition?

Become an engineer.

Do you feel confident at school?

Yes.

Angus

Best thing about St. Joseph’s?

Everybody’s kind and all the teachers have been nice. It’s a really good school.

Favourite subject?

French - I got 20/20!

Ambition?

Be a footballer.

Do you feel confident at school?

Mostly.

Andrew

Best thing about St. Joseph’s?

Having different teachers and going around more classes.

Favourite subject?

PE because it’s active and fun. I’ve also learnt a lot more in Maths such as decimals.

Ambition?

Brain surgeon

Do you feel confident at school?

Yes.

Georgia

Best thing about St. Joseph’s?

I like having different subjects and teachers.

Favourite subject?

Art - I enjoy sketching and drawing and I feel I’ve improved in Maths.

Ambition?

Athlete.

Do you feel confident at school?

Yes.

Laura

Best thing about St. Joseph’s?

Different classes.

Favourite subject?

Technical - we get to work with wood and make things. I’ve also learnt about bullying in English.

Ambition?

Banker, cook or actress.

Do you feel confident at

school?

Yes.

Emily

Best thing about St. Joseph’s?

Specialist teachers.

Favourite subject?

Pe being outside as its more physical and harder. I’ve also learnt to shade in Art.

Ambition?

Architect or primary teacher.

Do you feel confident at

school?

Yes.

Makenzie

FOCUS ON

FIRST YEAR

WHAT HAVE S1 BEEN UP TO?

Parents and carers often complain that as soon as their child goes to secondary school they lose track of what they are doing in school. So, for the curious parents and carers amongst you here is a summary of what our newest pupils have been doing since we started back.

In PE they are following a rota of seven sports, developing their skills and confidence in hockey, football, gymnastics, rugby, netball, basketball and, come summer, athletics.

Social Subjects sees them learning about physical geography which covers topics such as mountains, glaciers and the weather, culminating in a look at the effects of weather on humans.

Pupils are learning to describe themselves and their families in Modern Languages developing vocabulary and grammar. The pupils then go on to give a presentation.

In Science they are working on developing their general skills in using equipment, numeracy and measurement, before beginning a rota that operates between the three science subjects.

They are learning about the history of religion in RE and how certain faiths came to be developed.

In Music they are busy learning drums and keyboard as well as how to analyse music, identify features and discover musical theory.

Line-drawing is the main activity being pursued in Art and Design, as the pupils develop pictures of themselves.

In Maths they are developing their numeracy skills looking at adding, subtracting, rounding, multiplication, division and decimals.

We run a unique interdisciplinary course in S1 and S2 called LifeSchool 360. At the moment the pupils are learning about Power in all its forms.

In Technical they are learning about design appreciation, how to build a mobile phone holder and graphic design.

In English they are studying a novel called Jessica’s Secret which examines the theme of bullying.

In the Pupil Support period on Friday mornings they are getting to know one another and the staff as well as taking part in one-to-one interviews.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We are looking for any parents or carers who would be keen to volunteer to participate in activities with pupils such as trips or who would be interested in coming into school to talk about their work or any other interesting experience. In particular we would like to hear from you if you want to become involved in promoting better mental health and wellbeing or developing the character of young people through service.

Last week pupils completed their work on the theme of the disappeared. This resulted in some excellent presentations such as that given by Mrs. Greengrass’s group who produced an excellent visual display.

A QUESTION OF CHARACTER

This week we have begun the first of our weeks on character development. Pupils have looked at the idea of happiness and fulfilment and the character traits they need to develop to bring about meaningful and lasting success in life. The discussions have certainly been challenging and stimulating.

Some of the questions addressed have included:

What is happiness?

What makes you happy, even for a short time? Does wanting something and then getting it make you happy? (Think about things you can buy, for example)

Our loved ones often say things like, “We donʼt care what you do with your life as long as youʼre happy.” Are they right? Do they mean ʻhappyʼ or do they mean something else?

Is happiness enough? If not, what is?

Can you be ʻhappyʼ (if that is the right word) even in sad times?

Is it ever OK to make others unhappy?

What do we mean by ʻcharacterʼ?

The pupils have also discussed the merits, or otherwise, of the following character traits and attributes:

Confidence, trust, intelligence, sensitivity, looks, tolerance, humour, adaptability, honesty, generosity, selfishness, empathy, sociability, common sense, creativity, ambition, modesty, loyalty, reliability.

You can follow this up at home by talking to your child about the importance of these characteristics and others, such as determination or courage, in determining how well someone will progress and succeed in any area of life.

THIS WEEK IN HOME ROOM...

Higher English pupils lost in learning about poetry debate

the details in a Home team challenge (background);

pupils from the same class show off their work (below

left); S2 work in English on the wall (right).

Pupils from Mrs. Greengrass’s Home Room preparing and presenting their work on last week’s theme: the Disappeared.

BULLETIN BOARD

Great Scottish RunAll pupils who are taking part in the Junior Great Scottish Run should have their forms and £6 fee in to Miss Blacklock by Friday 12th September. All those doing the 10k must be registered by the 5th.

EcuadorWe will be raising money for Ecuador with a Bake Sale on Friday, September 5th. The Ecuador group meets every Thursday at 1.20 pm in Modern Languages.

Senior AwardsThe Senior School Awards ceremony takes place on Thursday, September 11th at 7.00 pm. Awards winners have been notified. Please make sure parents and pupils attend.

Science ClubThe S1 Science club is restarting led this time by Mrs McGeer. Pupils should go to her lab at 1.20 pm every Tuesday.

Duke of EdinburghThe Duke of Edinburgh Award is being offered to S5 and S6 pupils this year - please give your name to Mr. Ritson and Mr. Szumlakowski.

Drama clubThe redblack productions drama group is running again every Tuesday and Thursday in the Drama Studio from 3.30 pm.

KAOS AuditionsKilmarnock Amateur Operatic Society is looking for secondary age pupils to audition for the musical Hairspray on October 2nd in the Grand Hall at 7.30 pm.

Musical opportunitiesAny pupils wishing to audition to learn woodwind instruments should see Mrs. Todd. Singing groups run on Tuesdays (S1/2) and Fridays (S3 - 6) in Music at 1.20 pm.

Football SuccessWe are delighted to report that the U-18 team began the season with a big 3-1 win over St. Ninian’s High School.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Next week in Home Room we will be revisiting this topic and discussing ways of developing positive mental health. September 10th is international Suicide Prevention Day so pupils will be encouraged to discuss this difficult issue and learn more about how to be resilient and deal with challenging feelings and emotions.

WEEKLY HOME ROOM REFLECTION: A QUESTION OF CHARACTERAre you happy? People ask this of themselves and others often, but perhaps it is the wrong question to ask. It suggests that ‘being happy’ is the aim of life, a legitimate goal, but happiness, like pleasure, can be shallow, temporary and achieved at the expense of others. Having happiness as our aim can cut us off from the richness of life. It might be better to ask: are you fulfilled? Do you feel you have purpose or meaning to your life? If we can answer those questions with a ‘yes’, even if it is only a cautious one, then whether or not we are happy matters less. Having a sense of purpose or fulfilment means that we can deal with whatever life throws at us - bad or good. Many of us know people who face huge challenges in life, but who cope with these by embracing them, by being positive. Instead of asking, ‘Why me?’, they show us that it is better to think, “Why not me? I’ll get on with living my life.” That is not to say that they don’t become sad or feel unable to cope, but they do take a positive approach to the obstacles, setbacks and difficulties that come their way. They choose courage over fear, determination over giving-up, gratitude over wanting more; they accept change and look for the best in it rather than fighting hopelessly for things to remain the same. We can learn much from such people, especially when we remember that they are not special or gifted, they are just like us and they are around us all the time. They show us that it does not matter so much whether you are happy, it matters much more that you have the character, values and skills to cope when life is hard.

Let us pray: Lord, open our hearts to learning from the inspiring example of those people around us who live their lives looking always for the best in others and themselves, thinking selflessly of how they can contribute and improve the world around them. Help us to remain open to growth, to learning new things and to seeing opportunities in the challenges of life. We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.

PARISH MASS TIMES St. Matthewʼs: 9.30 am, Fr. Chambers ! ! ! St. Josephʼs: 6.00 pm (vigil), 11.00 am Fr. LathamSt. Michaelʼs: 4.30 pm (vigil) ! ! ! ! Our Lady of Mount Carmel: 9.30 am, Fr. McGheeSt. Paulʼs: 11.30 am, Fr. Chambers! ! ! Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Patrick: 6.00 pm (vigil), Fr. McGrattanSt. Sophiaʼs: 6.00 pm (vigil) Fr. Chambers !! ! St. Thomas the Apostle: 9.00 am, Fr. McGrattanSt. Francis Xavier, Patna: 5.00 pm (vigil)! ! ! St. John the Evangelist: 10.45 am, Fr. McGrattan

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Senior Awards Ceremony

Thursday, September 11th, 7.00 pm

Pupil Leadership Team Investiture Mass

Monday, September 15th, 7.00 pm

S4 Art Trip

Tuesday, September 16th, all day

S6 Settling-In Night & Mass

Tuesday, September 16th, 7.00 pm

September Weekend

School closes for pupils on

Wednesday, September 17th at

3.30 pm & reopens Tuesday 23rd at 9.00

S1 Outward Bound Day Trips

23rd - 25th September

Life is what you make it. All great achievements

take time. Celebrate success - yours and other

people’s BE OPEN TO INSPIRATION love the things you

learn. love others unconditionally. enjoy peace

and quiet, seek it out from time to time THINK OF

OTHERS Accept yourself as you are. Everything you

do is important. Presume the best in people MAKE A

DIFFERENCE If you want to feel good, do good. We

have diversity in common - embrace it. Everyone is

welcome here MAKE YOUR MARK Ability is nothing

without opportunity. Open your heart, mind and

arms to new things. Seize opportunities. You are

responsible for yourself BE CURIOUS Questions lead

learning so ask good ones. No bird can soar on its

wings alone. Remember that we can all change and

grow INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM A good head and a good

heart are always a formidable combination.

Education is a conversation - so talk AIM HIGH A

change in attitude can save your life. Enjoy what

you do and pass on your passion TAKE PART

Adventure is the very essence of life. Smile -

e v e r y o n e l o o k s b e t t e r w h e n t h e y d o .

THIS IS SAINT JOSEPH’S.

W O R K I N G T O G E T H E R M A K E S G R E A T L E A R N I N G