We had a busy end to the last term with a pupil talent show, a staff talent show, the Christmas Concert, the school Cross Country Championships and our Christmas service. All these events were a great success and helped to create an excellent atmos-phere in the school. Our musicians reached out to the community and took their music to local primary schools and nursing homes. Our pu-pils were great ambassadors for Cas-tlehead.

For our senior pupils this term means prelim exams and preparing for their National exams in May. All timetables for national exams can be found at www.SQA.org.uk With this website there is an opportunity to build a per-sonal timetable and there is also an app which will allow a personal time-table to be built on a mobile.

Our fourth year pupils have received their reports and were asked to reflect on how they had performed, how they had prepared and what targets they will aim for in May.

This information will be used by their staff mentors at their next interview.

A Learning Conference was organ-ised for fourth year for February 8 . This followed their work experience week and re- focussed them on the challenges that lie ahead.

Our fifth and sixth year pupils started their Prelim exams on January 31. A full report will now be issued to par-ents. A Learning conference has been arranged for Friday 4 March.

There are a wide range of Supported Study classes now on offer and I would urge you to encourage your child to attend.

Our third year pupils have now been following their new course for a num-ber of months and they can look for-ward to a set of exams in April. It is never too early to start preparing and developing the correct work ethic.

For our second years their thoughts will be turning towards their option choices for third year. They will shortly begin a programme of work

that will help them and you to make decisions about subjects of study in third year. There will be a Option Choice Information Evening on Mon-day 14 March for all S2 parents.

Our first year have settled very well into secondary life. A report will be issued and a Parent’s Evening will be held in May. Our first year will soon be thinking about Activities Week and what activities they will take part in . First year will also be involved in a project aimed at devel-oping them as responsible, independ-ent learners. More details on this will follow.

Following consultation and work-shops with parents, staff and pupils we have launched our new Learning and Teaching Policy. The aim of this policy is to make explicit what we in Castlehead believe to be excellent teaching and learning. This policy will be the standard that we measure our-selves against. A summary of the pol-icy can be found in this newsletter

.

Page 2 / 3 Teaching and Learning

Page 4/5 Sports report

Page 6 S2 options

Page 7 S2 Information evening

invite

S4/5 Information

evening invite

Page 8 Preparing for the Future

S6/6 Options

Page 9 Parent Council meeting

invite / Fundraising

Page 10 School Uniform

1 March Parent Council

7 March S4 Parent Info

Evening

14 March S2 Parent Info

Evening

17 March S3 Parent

Evening

4 April Easter Holiday

19 April Pupils return

22 April Easter weekend

26 April Pupils return

26 April S2 Parent

Evening

26 April S3 Exams start

Dates Contents

Teaching for Effective Learning

Learning Climate and Teaching Approaches

Lesson starts promptly

Lesson is well planned and structured

Introduction / starter captures attention of the pupils

Start of lesson links to pupil's prior learning

Lesson builds on previous learning, enabling progression

Relevant to real life experiences

Clear purpose to lesson shared with pupils

Activities and tasks clearly explained

Discussions with pupils - questions and answers, to reinforce

Written work is checked

Consolidation / plenary activities to recap what has been

learned

Review of learning through class work, homework, discussion

Links made to future learning

Activities are well matched to pupil needs/ aptitudes

Activities sustain pupils’ interest

Opportunities to work individually and cooperatively

Variety of activities which take account of varied learning styles

Where appropriate ICT is used effectively to support learning

Homework is planned and given a high profile

Teacher - Pupil Interaction including pupil engagement

Learning expectations are clear and pupils know what they

need to do to progress

There is meaningful dialogue with pupils

Pupils are able to discuss and present their ideas

Clear direction given to pupils about homework

Developing literacy

Ensure pupils understand subject specific vocabulary

Ensure pupils know how to take notes relevant to the task

Pupils are clear about the reason for the writing and its audi-

ence

Use of examples of texts to establish conventions

Modelling of text, structures as required

Expectations and Promoting Achievement

Staff Expectations and use of praise Pupils have confidence in their ability to achieve

High expectations for learners’ achievement are set and shared with

learners

Pupils valued praise

Use of praise is well judged

effort is praised

Learners’ expectations and sense of achievement

Pupils have high expectations of themselves

Pupils have opportunity to demonstrate responsibility for their own

learning

Pupil achievements are celebrated

Promoting and sustaining an ethos of achievement

Pupils demonstrate a positive attitudes to learning

Pupils have opportunities to demonstrate success in their learning

Staff-pupil relationships

Positive staff-learner relationships are evident

Pupils behave well and show consideration for others

Assessment for Learning Assessment Approaches A range of approaches are used to engage

pupils in the learning process & to evaluate their progress

Sharing of learning intentions

Standards expected are shared with pupils

Rich Questioning Techniques e.g.

No hands, waiting/thinking time / consultation time

Effective feedback & marking, both written & oral

Feedback focuses on learning objectives

Evaluative comments which indicate how to improve

Peer & Self Assessment

Opportunities for pupils to reflect

Pupil requested to read through/mark own work

Marking schemes/assessment criteria made explicit

Use of traffic tights to denote understanding

Sports Report

Netball – 5 teams are competing in the Scottish Cup, with notable successes from the S1 and S2 teams who are at present unbeaten. Two Senior teams played in the Renfrewshire Cup competition, unfortunately neither made the finals, but Castlehead ‘A’ were runners up in their section. The other teams will play in Renfrewshire tournaments after Christmas, and continue on in the knock out stages of the Scottish Cup. Training for all teams is on a Monday after school and any girl is welcome to join us.

Cross Country - 6 teams S1 to S3 competed in the Renfrewshire Road Races at Linwood in Novem-ber.

Results - Individual -S3 Boys 1st Callum Mathews 3

rd Cameron Swanson. Teams – S1 Girls – 3

rd, S2

Girls – 3rd

, S2 Boys – 3rd

, S3 Boys – 2nd

.

163 pupils competed in our own Cross Country House Championships and Sponsored Run in Novem-ber. To date over £800 has been raised towards Haiti and School Sport funds. The winners were: -

S1 Girls and Boys – Team - Camphill. Individual Champions – Shona Ross and Ewan Wilson.

S2 Girls – Tannahill Boys – Oakshaw. Champions – Ainsley McTaggatt and Craig Goldthorpe.

S3 Girls – Maxwellton Boys – Camphill. Champions – Anastacia Barr and Callum Matthews.

Senior Boys – Maxwellton. Champions – Amanda Moore and Craig Haxton

Scottish Road Relays - Alexander Climson, Nigel Muyaba, Craig Haxton and Callum Matthews took part in the Scotttish Boys Medley team race on 13

th November in Grangemouth where they came a

very creditable 10th out of 21 teams.

Badminton – 8 pupils represented Castlehead in an Under 15 Renfrewshire Badminton Tournament at the Lagoon in September. As result S3 players Scott Roberts, David Ramsay, Daniel Nicolson, Emma Brough, and Jenna Howie, will play in the finals at the Renfrewshire Games in June. Many players continue to enjoy improving their skills at the very well attended Badminton Club on Tuesdays after school

Volleyball - 2 Senior Volleyball teams have competed this term in Renfrewshire Tournaments at Ren-frew High School and at Castlehead. Both were highly successful coming first and second in the last tournament. Volleyball is a Standard Grade and Higher/Intermediate 2 performance activity at Castle-head, and the pupils enjoyed being able to put into practise the skills they have learned.

Rugby - Castlehead pupils have attended 2 Rugby Development days this term. S1 boys, S2 – S5 Girls have enjoyed learning the skills of the game and competing in tournaments. Amanda Moore won an award on the day for outstanding performance and several girls are now attending Ren-frewshire coaching at Ferguslie Park on a Friday. The school has arranged for coaching at Paisley Rugby Club for boys in order to develop Castlehead teams. Please ask your child to see Mrs. Scott if they are interested in playing.

Hockey – 3 Teams have been playing in the monthly Renfrewshire Junior Hockey League. The League is about to resume after the winter break; so all players should attend training on Wednes-days in preparation.

Basketball – The Basketball team has recently started their League games and require more play-ers. Practices are on Monday lunchtime and after school on a Thursday.

The Girls’ Club – Junior Girls have been enjoying a ‘Fit For Life’ club on Thursdays after school. They take part in a number of fun activities and would welcome more members from any year group. There is also a Girls Football session at this time and again more players are required. Last term they enjoyed competing in a Soccer Sevens Tournament.

Dance – A Dance Leaders Award is about to start at school, probably on a Wednesday after school. Any interested pupils aged 14 or over are welcome to join this group. We hope this will then lead to a Dance Club being established for all pupils.

Intermediate 2 Sport and Recreation - This group of S5 pupils are currently also engaged in the Sports Leaders Award, and as part of their course have achieved a number of other Coaching awards in Football, Rugby, Junior Play Sport and Golf. They have been using these skills at one of our feeder Primaries and will continue this work as volunteers. S4 pupils interested in a career in the Sport and Recreation industry should consider this option for S5 as it is excellent preparation for the world of work.

Football – Currently Castlehead’s Football teams are enjoying excellent success. The Under18’s are 5

th Under 16’s 1

st and Under 14’s also1

st in the Paisley and District Leagues.

In the St. Mirren Cup the U16s play Park Mains next in the 2nd

round, the U14’s play Gleniffer in the quarterfinals, and the U13’s play Paisley Grammar in The 1

st round.

In the Scottish Cup the U14’s beat Campbeltown in the 4th round and are now in the fifth round of

the Scottish cup– the furthest a Castlehead team has gone. In the Scottish Plate the U13’s are in the 3

rd round.

Under 13, 14 and 15 teams have also competed in Soccer Sevens Tournaments.

Our Ambition:

Inspiring our

young people

to be the very best

they can be.

Our S2 pupils have embarked on a programme that will help them to start thinking about the choices that they will make for third year. For them it is important that they choose subjects that that will allow them to follow their aspirations and ambitions and that they make choices based on their ability and interest. To help you support your child an information evening is to be held on March 14 , followed by the Parents’ Evening on April 22. The web site below is a very useful web site that you could visit.

www.careers-scotland.org.uk/HelpingYourChild/ParentsHelpChoose.asp

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From 6.30

For all Second

Year Parents

Castlehead

High School

Monday

14

March

Option

Choices

Find out

more

From 6.30

Castlehead

High School

For all

Fourth

and Fifth

Year

Parents

MONDAY

7 MARCH

LEARN HOW YOU

CAN MAKE A

DIFFERENCE TO

HOW WELL

YOUR CHILD

WILL DO

WHAT ARE YOUR

CHILD’S

OPTIONS FOR

FIFTH AND

For all pupils it is vital that they prepare themselves as well as possible for when they

move on from school. We only have to watch the news or read the newspapers to know

that we are living through very difficult times. It is a challenge facing all our pupils to en-

sure that they are moving on from school to worthwhile destinations.

What should our pupils do now ?

1. Prepare themselves as well as possible for the exams that they will face in May. This

means putting in the time, effort and thought that will put them in a position to succeed. A

phrase that we use to highlight the importance of being properly prepared is

Pupils should now have a revision plan and be spending time revising and learning. There

is now great competition between young people for courses, training places, apprentice-

ships and employment. Don’t wait for it to happen make it happen

2. Build upon the qualifications that they have gained in fourth and fifth year by returning

to school

3. Be pro active in investigating the opportunities and choices that they have. Talk to their

Guidance Teacher and the school’s career advisor.

4. Ensure that they work at building up a CV that reflects the skills and attitudes that

colleges, universities and employers are looking for.

An information evening for fourth and fifth year parents has been organised for Monday 7

March at which we will look at options for fifth and sixth year and the role you can play in

helping your child to be successful.

College Employed

Destinations from Castlehead

www.ltscotland.org.uk/nationalqualifications/exampreparation.asp

ALL WELCOME

Castlehead

Parent

Council

Next

Meeting

March

1

Curriculum

For

Excellence

What does it

mean for

your child in

first year?

What are the

new

exams ?

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support in our drive to set and maintain

the very high standards that we wish to see in Castlehead High School. Can I ask for your contin-

ued co -operation in ensuring that the standard of dress remains as high as possible.

Can I remind you that pupils should not wear :

hooded tops, combat trousers, black jeans, leggings, tracksuit tops or striped jerseys.

.

Being the Best you can Be

RespectRespect

ConfidenceConfidence

LearningLearning

Skills For LifeSkills For Life

OpportunityOpportunity

OurOur

CoreCore

Values Values