Duncanrig Secondary School Newsletter March 2013

Message from the HeadteacherThe Spring Break is almost here and we come to the end of a very busy term at Duncanrig. Our seniors in S4, S5 and S6 are moving at pace in their preparations for the forthcoming SQA exams staring in April. S3 are preparing to move into the Senior Phase of Curriculum for Excellence, whilst S1 and S2 are making good steady progress through their Broad General Education. In addition to our ongoing curricular work, many pupils continue to excel in a wide range of activities beyond both classroom and school. Many of these individual and team achievements are featured within this newsletter. Looking ahead to our summer term and all that it brings, we welcome fresh challenges and new opportunities.

George Randall

School Reporters Grill Politicians on Scottish IndependenceIn the autumn of 2014, the people of Scotland will decide on the future of the country in a referendum on Scottish independence. But what are the benefits of becoming independent, and what are the benefits of staying as part of the United Kingdom? Student reporters from Duncanrig Radio went straight to the top to find the answers. First they interviewed Alex Salmond the First Minister who put forward the case for independence. This was followed by an interview with Alistair Dalling the former Chancellor who is heading the “better together campaign” Video clips of both interviews can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/21873704 The Duncanrig reporters included Leigh McLintock, Stephanie Hagerty, Holly Fleming, Lauren Gallagher, Leah MacDonald and David McNutt. The pictures below show our reporters on the steps of Bute House with the First Minister Alex Salmond, discussion around the cabinet table and a guided tour of Bute House. Before leaving Mr Salmond presented our reporters with two books on the life and works of Robert Burns.

Rory given jingle by Chris Evans ShowRory MacFadyen received a pleasant surprise when the sound department at BBC Radio 2 provided him with his own professionally produced radio jingle. Rory who attends our Communication Support Base has been using the school's radio station to write and present his own show as a means of improving his communication skills. The team responsible for the Chris Evans Breakfast Show created the jingle with the budding DJ in mind.

Duke of Edinburgh AwardsCongratulations to Kirsty McDonald, Danielle McConnell and Stephanie Hagerty who have just received their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. This has involved much hard work, commitment and dedication throughout the past year. Well done to all three.

Public Speakers Retain TrophyOn Thursday, 14th March our Senior Public Speaking Team successfully defended the East Kilbride Rotary Club Public Speaking Award – Youth Speaks. The topic being discussed was Windfarms: blight on the landscape or a necessity? Our winning team of Michael MacKinnon (S5), Lucy Devlin (S3) and Scott Joyce (S3).are pictured holding the trophy along with the other competing teams.

Mathematical ChallengeCongratulations to S1 and S2 pupils in the Maths Department who raised £164.60 for the LASCO charity. LASCO (Latin American Street Children Organisation) raises funds to support medical and educational projects in Latin America. They respond to the needs of street children, as well as raising awareness of the causes of poverty in developing countries (www.lascomaths.com).

The LASCO Maths Challenge involved solving Maths problems of a South American theme.

Example QuestionIf one South American capital city is given by1 2 3 2 4 5and another by6 5 7 4 8 5 3 2Then what capital city is this?1 9 5 6 8 0 8 5

Have a go and work it out for yourself?

Morgan Stanley VisitS5/6 Accounting students recently welcomed Sarah Dunn and Ross Penman of Morgan Stanley, a global financial services firm. Ross, Finance Apprentice, and Sarah Dunn, Programme Recruiter Resources Manager, gave a very informative and interesting presentation on job opportunities within the Finance section of Morgan Stanley. They spoke particularly about their Finance Apprenticeship Programme 2013, which gives apprentices the opportunity to study for an AAT qualification while working at a world-renowned firm.

Ross, a former pupil of Duncanrig, is now in his second year of the programme. He gave students a great insight into the practicalities of working for a large global organisation, giving examples of the types of work he does, whilst balancing studying for his AAT exams. Ross has been very successful in the programme and he now hopes to continue his journey with Morgan Stanley to become an ACCA qualified accountant.

Music SuccessCongratulations to Mr McLean and the school Ceilidh Band for being awarded first place in the folk music class of the Glasgow Music Festival on Sunday, 10th March.  The performers were Rory Stark 2A3, Rachel Keeley 4B2, Emma Clark 3C3, Alexander Marshall 6C1, Kerr Gildie 3C3, Fraser Cooper 2A1 and Darren Hutton 6C2. Our school Concert band also performed really well on the evening of Monday 11th March in the City Halls, Glasgow and although they were not placed in the top three this year, they were worthy ambassadors of our school.

Duncanrig DanceCongratulations to Kira Ewing who was the individual winner of our S1-S3 Dance Competition and to James Smith and Adele Inglis who won the team event.

Careers CarouselOn Thursday, 7th February over 100 pupils attended the Duncanrig Careers Carousel. This event was set up primarily for pupils who attend the Duncanrig Communication Support Base. However, demand was so high that the event was extended to Sanderson High School and Hamilton Grammar School. There were exhibitors from South Lanarkshire, Motherwell, Langside and City of Glasgow colleges as well as Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of the West of Scotland. The event also focused on the job market, with a massive delegation from the Job Centre helping the pupils with their CVs, interview skills and routes into work. Teacher Gavin Brown, who organised the event said: ‘The evening was a huge success. The event was all about setting goals – researching what’s out there and making plans to work out a strategy to achieve what you want from your career. The support from our partners and the enthusiasm of the pupils has made the event a real triumph. It was noted by the exhibitors that the pupils were keen and enthusiastic, so they should receive a huge amount of praise.’ The event has proved such as hit that plans are already in place to roll out the event on an even larger basis for next year.

West of Scotland Girls Rugby 7sJulia Duncan, Leanne Joyce, Lauren Jackson, Amy Cook, Sarah Cooper, Danielle Hamill, Adele Inglis, Heather Lang and Chelsea Cruickshank represented our school admirably at the West School 7s event on Friday, 1st March – U15s played 3 games, U18s made a composite team with 2 girls from each of 3 other schools and reached the final! 

South Lanarkshire Dance ChampionsCongratulations to our S4-6 girls who took part and won South Lanarkshire’s Dance Competition - Alexandra Perrie, Elle Thompson, Zoe Kostick, Alyson Little, Tegan Brodie, Caitlin Todd, Melissa McKenzie, Nicola Shankie, Abigail Dornan, Emily McAteer, Alana Hutton, Rebecca Potts and Beth McCulloch.

Sporting Achievements

S1 girls won silver and S3 girls bronze at the South Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships. Girls Gymnastics team won bronze at the South Lanarkshire Championships.

Andrew Ravenscroft won a bronze medal in Hurdles at Indoor Scottish Championships.

Katie Gallagher and Jacqueline Murphy selected for the under-17 Scotland Netball squad to play in Malta.

Robbie Wotherspoon selected for the Scotland under-18 school boys team to play Northern Ireland.

Cameron Ballantyne capped for Scotland 15s against Northern Ireland.

Euan Clark awarded 3 enormous trophies at a recent awards ceremony held by Eaglesham Angling Association.

Jack Regan won the under-13 East Kilbride Table Tennis Shield.

Rugby Competition WinnerAs part of her prize for winning our recent Rugby Kit design competition, Eilidh Lindsay was invited to Scotstoun Stadium on Thursday, 28th February.  She was accompanied by friend Brooke McKenna, and three S1 pupils chosen for their outstanding commitment to our school club; Angus and Robert Rintoul and Kieran Noble.  They were warmly welcomed by the players and coaching staff including international stars such as Al Kellock, John Welsh, Chris Cusiter and Duncan Weir as well as PotY candidate and fans favourite Niko Matawalu – even Head Coach and former Scotland great Gregor Townsend took time out of his busy schedule to speak to our young people.

They were also treated to a presentation on the club by Regional Development Manager Kenny Brown in the club offices and a stadium tour which included gymnasium, prep area, nutrition room, dressing rooms and physio suite all while the players were continuing with the days training, recovery and match prep.  Finally, everyone was allowed to watch Glasgow’s team run as they prepared to beat Cardiff Blues on the Friday night, before spending time talking to the players and collecting signatures.

Scottish Handball ChampionsOn Friday, 22nd of February, our S3/S4 pupils competed in the Scottish Schools Handball Championship at the Ravenscraig Sports Facility in Motherwell. This event was open to all schools in Scotland and run by the Scottish Handball Assosciation. We entered a boys team and a girls team. The S3/4 boys won the competition and the S3/4 girls made it to the final. The Great Britain Ladies Olympic Handball Captain was there to present the trophies at the end, a great honour for our winners. Congratulations to Greg Hughes, Fraser Turner, Gordon Shields, Cameron Fyfe , Jason Houston , Robert Griffiths, Benjamin Muir, Kerr Gildie , Craig McKenzie , Andrew Docherty, Ciaran Mullins, Ross Costello, Emma Stormonth, Amy Hiddleston, Monica Gallagher, Ashley McKeown, Karen Bailey, Caitlyn O’Neil, Aimee Taylor, Taylor McEwan, Rachel Wilson and Cara McGurn.

Dates for the DiaryMonday 15th April – School re-opensWednesday 17th April – S1 Option InterviewsFriday 26th April – S4 SQA Exams beginFriday 3rd May – Staff Development DayMonday 6th May – HolidayTuesday 7th May – S5/6 SQA Exams beginMonday 13th May – S2 Parents EveningThursday 6th June – Senior Induction and S5 Information EveningFriday 7th June – S1 to S3 Awards Ceremonies

Supported StudyTo help our pupils achieve, and attain better exam results, the school has put into place an after- school Supported Study Programme. This has been operational from Monday, 4th March and will continue through to the beginning of the SQA Exams. This programme complements the many classes and drop-in sessions departments currently operate at lunchtimes. An Easter Study School will also operate during the Spring Break. Full details can be found on the school website.