ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMYWeekly Newsletter

Ben Davis, Acting Headteacher

Grassyards RdKilmarnock KA3 7SL

01563 526144

www.saintjosephsacademy.co.ukTwitter: @StJoAcad

ISSUE 7.3

NOVEMBER 3RD 2014

FOR PARENTS, CARERS, FAMILIES & PARISHES

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM:

NURTURING FAITH-FILLED WORLD CLASS LEARNING

Girls’ Success

Pictured above is our Girls’ Netball team who recorded an excellent win this week, beating Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr 10 - 3. Scoring came from Eilidh New (2) and Gabrielle Maberley (8).

Last week were also delighted to hear that Briony McCloskey (S3) had been selected for the U-15 Southwest Girls Football squad.

Finally, two of our senior girls (below) model the new PE and Health and Wellbeing faculty Sports Leader hoodies now in.

Halloween

Pupils of all ages enjoyed a huge range of activities to celebrate Halloween.

In the Library there was the All Hallows Read, accompanied by the most terrifying looking Librarian ever, whilst later in the afternoon pupils donned costumes and took the playing fields for the Zombie run, organised by the Pupil Leadership team. All of this raised money for charity and you can read more inside this issue.

Week of Remembrance

The week beginning Monday, November 10th sees us undertake a week of Remembrance activities, particularly in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War. We will report on this in more detail after the events, but amongst other things there will be:

• A special pupil-led Service of Remembrance on November 11th

• A book of Remembrance

• Talks and presentations about Remembrance and war

H A L L O W E E N

Left top: All Hallows Read competition winners May Stirling and

Jenna Heaney; Above and below: themed decorations in the Library and S2 taking on a Halloween challenge.

H A L L O W E E N

Halloween Writing

The Rake by Roberto Mancini, S1

August 13th, it was a very dark, foggy night and it was exactly 6 o’clock. I started to hear noises coming from the roof. I went to check on top of the roof and saw someone, or something. I stood there paralysed thinking “what was I looking at?” Then IT disappeared. I climbed back down the ladder and ran through the door, locked all the doors and windows and hoped IT would never get in. I didn’t know it already had…

After a few minutes I had figured out it would be better if I locked myself in my room and then I heard IT, creeping and crawling through the hallway. His eye was looking through the keyhole and I was staring back. She used her claws to try to unlock the door. I should have expected she was that smart.

She eventually unlocked it and I saw her full body for the first time. What the hello was she? After a few seconds of staring she started creeping closer to me without me even noticing. She raised her long, sharp claws and struck me right in the chest.

I woke up in a very strange place – tall grass, really dark. I felt, I felt weird. I looked down and, and my left arm was missing! My heart stopped and I felt very dizzy and then I saw IT chewing on my arm. There was a skeleton right next to me and he had a gun. I took it and with my remaining arm I shot her, got up and ran away. I thought I was safe and then I saw her egg….................................................................................................

Mini Saga by Lennon Yancouskie

Growing up with cats and dogs I got used to the sound of scratching at my door while I slept. Now that I live alone it is much more unsettling. The light flicked on, there was a figure at the door. That is all I remember from my previous life..................................................................................................

Halloween Acrostic Poem

Happy people, happy day

Always walking the same way.

Looking back I see happy faces,

Limping away I see grinning faces.

Only me that they see,

Walking now towards me.

Every turn that I make,

Every time they follow me,

Now they want to murder me!

Dario Baldassarra and Zac Drummond

The Zombie Run

An afternoon of crazy antics ensued as pupils in S1 - S3 took part in the Zombie Run. It was all in a good charitable cause...

Young Achievers’ Evening: Kilmarnock Rotary Club

Sarah Kelly and Daniel Johnstone were guests of Kilmarnock Rotary Club last week at the annual Young Achievers’ Evening. The event recognises the talent and contribution of S6 pupils who are school leaders.

The dinner took place at the Park Hotel and the pupils were treated to a welcome from the President, introductions from past President Ian Shaw and then an evening of lively discussion. Proceedings concluded with a quiz, won by Daniel and Sarah. Our thanks to the Rotary Club for their ongoing support.

Peace One Day

A number of pupils in S2 were successful in the annualAyrshire Peace Group writing competition. We will publish their work in a future edition.

Remembrance Sunday

Tatenda Tapatapa and Ramsay Heron Cunningham (Deputy Head Girl and Head Boy) participated in Sunday’s parade and wreath laying ceremony at the Kilmarnock Cenotaph. They, along with pupils from Kilmarnock Academy, laid a wreath on behalf of all school pupils remembering the war dead since 1914. A number of St. Joseph’s pupils were also present

through their participation in the various uniformed organisations.

S4 Modern Apprenticeship presentations

S4 pupils heard from representatives from manufacturing and investment firm HOWCO last week when they learnt about the Modern Apprenticeship opportunities on offer locally. S3 pupils also undertook an afternoon of work-based learning with Mitie while S4 enjoyed an Enspire Day preparing them for exams and considering the future.

WEEKLY HOME ROOM REFLECTION: NOVEMBERNovember is the month in which we remember those who have died. At a time of year when the weather draws in, the air becomes colder and the days shorter it seems cruel that we focus on death. Shouldn’t we be thinking of lighter matters and having sunnier discussions? But the year is drawing to a close and we know that, in nature, the death of the plants goes on to create the conditions for new life to begin again in the spring. So perhaps we should take a much more positive view of this month’s focus on remembering those who have passed away. Firstly, it is a chance to remember them; to spend some time in otherwise busy and often superficial lives to focus on something that matters. We can think about particular memories, the things we learnt from them, on happy times and on all that we miss about them. In doing so we can reflect on how those who have passed way made our lives better, perhaps even helped us to become the person we are today. Secondly, this month’s focus is a chance to be honest about our own lives and be reminded that we are mortal. We cannot go back in time or change the past, we can only look forward to an uncertain future. It would be easy to be unsettled by this, instead we should use this reminder as a way of living each moment fully; making the most of the opportunities that come our way and appreciating those closest to us. This way we can say we are doing our best to do justice to the God-given life we lead. Let us pray: Lord, we thank you for the gift of life, for all its possibilities, its uncertainties and its challenges. We remember those close to us who have gone before us and are now safe in your care. We ask to be inspired by their lives and example to live life fully for ourselves and for others. 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

November 10th

St. Columba House Assembly

November 11th

Service of Remembrance (activities throughout the

w/b 10.11.14)

November 12th

East Ayrshire Gala Concert 7 pm

November 14th

Charity Afternoon (S1 - S3 only)

November 18th

Diocesan Youth Forum, Ayr

November 20th

Reports to S4 pupils

November 25th 4.00 - 6.30 pm

S3 Parents’ Evening

Kate Faulds (our careers adviser from SDS) with

pupils and representatives from HOWCO