Stirling High Press Release

 Artistic 3D Geometry

How do you make a 3D cube from paper?  Does an icosahedron fit inside a dodecahedron?

This is what pupils from Stirling, McLaren, Wallace, Braes and Graeme High Schools discovered during the Mathematical Masterclass held on Saturday morning at the University of Stirling. 

Our guest speaker for the session was George Connell – a retired teacher who has a passion for geometry and Mathematics.  He challenged the youngsters to construct 2D geometrical shapes using only a pencil, straight edge and a compass.  Something the Greeks knew a great deal about.  Great fun was then had as the youngsters worked together to construct and build 3D models of cubes, icosahedrons and dodecahedrons using only squares and circles.  All participants, teachers as well as pupils, rose to the challenge and produced beautiful constructions to take away – mementoes from the day. None of the pupils would have experienced this event if it were not for the gracious support of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, the London Mathematical Society, the University of Stirling for providing their facilities and the staff of the Computer Science and Mathematics Department.  A special mention goes to Dr. Rachel Norman for giving up her Saturday mornings to help set up.  Last but not least a thanks to all the teachers from participating schools for giving up their time and parents for brining their children to an enjoyable morning.

If any pupil is interested in reading further about maths, curious or are in need of a challenge, log onto nrich.maths.org/ and become part of a large network of people who crave the joys Mathematics!

 SENIOR FOOTBALL TEAM

There will be a home game against Balfron HS tomorrow, Thursday (26th Jan).  All support welcome.

 Love Your Library

Could all pupils bring back your overdue books – either hand them into the office or back into the LRC, no questions asked!

 Prom Deposit

The second £10 instalment for the Prom is due by Friday 27^th January.  Pupils will be round form classes this week to collect the money.

 Stirling High School Cross Country Championships

Tomorrow the annual Stirling High School Cross Country Championships will be taking place. The 1.5 mile loop will be a long and scenic route around the school fields and Beechwood Park. The event will take place during fifth and sixth period.

 Robert Burns concert 

Today SHS are being treated to a small concert by Chapter 1 nursery.  Over the last couple of years pupils from Stirling High School have been to the Nursery to help them with various projects like gardening and painting games in the grounds.  The Nursery have been up to Stirling High to do a range of activities like making clocks and they were even treated a very interactive science lesson which they loved.  As a thank you they would like to do a concert for us in the hall.  They will be making us shortbread and performing songs and Poems by Robert Burns.  Any senior pupil who has a study period and would like to hear the Burns concert please come along to the hall P6 today. Any teacher who is free and would like to watch this would be most welcome.  The pupils who are performing are between 2 and 5 years old.

 Careers Appointments

Any pupil wishing to have a careers interview with Mr McCartney (Careers Advisor) should fill in an appointment card which can be found in the library. The completed card should then be placed in the box provided.

 Twitter

@Stirling_High – Why not follow the school and get all the latest news!

 S5/6 Prelims

Study leave for S5/6 prelims begins on Monday 30^th January to Friday 10^th February inclusive.

Stirling High Press Release

Work Experience: This is the second week of work experience for some of our S4 pupils who are with various companies in and around Stirling. A group of 8 pupils are doing their work experience this week with the Army on the west coast of Scotland. This will include doing drill, obstacle courses and a variety of other outdoor activities. 

 Art and Design Department Plea… If anyone in the community has taxidermy that they are thinking of disposing of or want a new home for please contact the Art Department at Stirling High. We are looking for birds, foxes, squirrels basically any animal that is stuffed! It is our intention to use these animals for drawing practice and design inspiration. Thank you, Ms Rainey.

 Art and Design Department Plea  – Miss Rainey would greatly appreciate if everyone could save the ring pulls from your cans. A Higher pupil needs as many as possible for her Design work. They can be handed into the department FAO Miss Rainey. Thank you.

 S3 Parent’s Evening: via school bag mail. Request forms must be returned no later than Friday 27th January. Late forms will not be accepted. Parent’s Evening takes place on Tuesday 7th February, 4.30-7pm.

 Curriculum for Excellence:  S2 Parents’ Information Evening 28 February.  All S2 pupils were issued with an information letter to go home to parents regarding the Curriculum for Excellence Course Refinement for S3. If any parent did not receive one please contact the school office. An information event for S2 parents will take place on Tuesday 28 February, 7 pm until 8.30 pm. This event will provide information for parents regarding our revised curriculum structure and the choices that are available to pupils for S3.

 S5/6 Prelims:   Prelims begin on Monday 30th January and end Friday 10th February inclusive.

 Recycling :  There will be a box in the LRC if any pupil wishes to bring in their Christmas cards for recycling.

 Animation Club:   The Animation Club started on Monday and is open to all S1 & S2 pupils. Any pupil who is still interested should speak to Mr Fletcher (room 222) to register their interest.

 Drama Club Pantomime (Sinbad the Sailor):   Performances will take place today and tomorrow evening. Doors open at 7pm and the performance begins at 7.30 pm. Tickets are on sale at break and interval within the school. Tomorrow afternoon P7 pupils from our partner primaries will be attending a performance of the pantomime. Oh yes they are!

 Star Gazing:  in S2 will have an opportunity to put questions to Professor Brian Cox as part of an interactive broadcast by the BBC on the afternoon of Thursday 19th January. The programme is part of the BBC Stargazing LIVE 2012 series and is designed to give pupils a greater appreciation of the wonders of the Universe and science. After the broadcast the pupils will be given information about the new science qualifications, why science is important generally and about potential careers in preparation for their subject choices in S3/4.

 Stirling High School Cross Country Championships:   On Thursday 26th of January 2012 the annual Stirling High School Cross Country Championships will be taking place. The 1.5 mile loop will be a long and scenic route around the school fields and Beechwood Park. The event will take place during fifth and sixth period. Last year we had an excellent turnout with around 300 pupils taking part. This year we want more! Remember: “If you have a body, you are an athlete.” (Founder of Nike). TO ENTER S1 -S3: Please see your PE Teacher during core PE. S4-S6: Please see Mr Sutherland.

Stirling High Press Release

 S2 Parent’s Evening

S2 appointments will be issued today via school bag mail to all pupils who handed in their request form by the due date.  Parent’s evening takes place next Tuesday 17^th January, 4.30-7pm.

 S4 Work Experience

Work experience for all S4 pupils started this week and will end next Friday.  Many pupils are doing a variety of different posts and next week a group of 8 pupils will do work experience with the Army on the west coast of Scotland.  This will include doing drill, obstacle courses and a variety of other outdoor activities.

 S3 Parent’s Evening

S3 Parent’s Evening appointment forms will be issued to all pupils on Friday 20^th January via school bag mail.  Request forms should be returned no later than Friday 27^th January.  Late forms will not be accepted.

 UCAS

The deadline for UCAS applications is Sunday 15^th January.

 Lost Property

We still have a number of  jackets etc in our lost property.  If any pupil has mislaid an item please come to the school office.

 New Member of Staff

We welcome Mr P Downie, PT Numeracy who started with us on Monday 9^th January.

 S5/6 Prelims

Prelims begin on Monday 30^th January and end Friday 10^th January inclusive.

 Recycling

There will be a box in the LRC if any pupil wishes to bring in their Christmas cards for recycling.

 Animation Club

There will be a Monday lunchtime Animation Club starting Monday January the 16^th open to S1 & S2.  Any pupil interested should speak to Mr Fletcher (room 222) to register their interest.

  Stirling High Cross Country

“If you have a body, you are an athlete” (Bill Bowerman, Oregon Track Coach and co founder of Nike)

The cross country season is upon us! Stirling High will be hosting it’s very own School Cross Country Championships this year as well as taking teams away to Stirling Schools and Forth Valley events. There will be training taking place once a week after school in the weeks leading up to the events for all abilities. Whether you’re the next Mo Farah or just want to trim down for the festive period come along.  If any pupil is interested in training or racing please see Mr Sutherland in the PE base for a parental/guardian permission slip.

 Scottish Schools Maths Challenge

Round 1 for the Maths Challenge has been completed and handed in. Well done to all those pupils who put in an entry, there were some fantastic results. If any pupil wishes to know how they got on then see Miss K. Withey or the noticeboard.  Round 2 is now out. The deadline is 10th February 2011. Pupils should see their maths teacher if they are interested in taking part. Pupils can enter even if they did not take part in round 1.

 GIRLS FOOTBALL

TRAINING STARTS BACK TOMORROW, THURSDAY.  SHS HAVE ENTERED INTO THE UNDER 15 CUP SO ATTENDANCE AT TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL!!

SPORTS CLUB

SPORTS CLUB STARTS AGAIN TODAY, WEDNESDAY WITH THE FITNESS SUITE, FREE SWIMMING, BADMINTON, BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL ON OFFER!

 A reminder for all pupils

During break time and lunchtime Pupils MUST dispose of all the litter into the bins provided, clear trays and return them to the kitchen. Thank you.

 Forgotten Lunch Cards

Pink slips will only be issued to pupils who have forgotten their lunch cards at break time.

 SCHOOL BAGS

Pupils should ensure that they leave their schoolbags in the correct area in the dining hall or they will be removed. Pupils should not leave valuables in their school bags.

Charity Bake Sale by 1R2 pupils

Over the last few weeks, pupils of IR2 have been working hard to organise and host a bake sale in order to raise money to buy gifts from Oxfam Unwrapped. Pupils coordinated everything from advertising, merchandising, to the baking and selling itself. As a result, they raised a fantastic £102.52. Mrs. Shaw would like to congratulate everyone who helped out with the event, as well as offer a special thank you to her S1 buddies, Cara McCourt and Emma Blackstock, who spent a great deal of time assisting with this.  

S1-S3 Swimming Gala

Recently, Stirling High held its annual S1-S3 Swimming Gala. The event was very well attended by pupils and they competed, not only for personal pride, but also for House Points. After some enthralling races and good times, it was Douglas House who came out on top, with the pupils in Douglas amassing 195 points for their House. Well done to all pupils who took part in the Gala and a massive thank you to the senior pupils who helped collate scores and write the certificates.

Annual Review of Stirling High School Eco Club 2011

As Stirling High Eco Club says goodbye to 2011 they reflect on what has been another busy year.  Sad things that have happened this year. Our Poly Tunnel was vandalised again this year and we lost our whole crop. Many pupils and classes are involved in growing, planting and eating foods from the tunnel. It is very sad someone would take that away. We will start again in 2012 and have plans for better monitoring. High winds blew down our Green Flags. We are working to see if we can get them fixed. Some of the highlights have been working with both Friends of Beachwood Park and Friends of Kings Park. Pupils were given the opportunity to do a variety of activities which saw them bulb planting, litter picking and surveying as well as enjoy mosaics that pupils created being put in place.  We worked with On the Verge to create a wild flower garden at the side of the school which produced wonderful flowers for its first year. Seniors enjoyed a Fair Trade coffee morning taking further steps to becoming a FairTrade school. The Mighty Trash Fashion got even bigger and better than the previous year with exceptional creations for recycled materials guided along by Ms Whitehouse and Ms Harker (now Mrs Crawford).  The Eco Club hosted an induction day for all out partner primary school. Pupils came up and did a variety of activities like mini art attacks using recycled materials, testing soil samples, guess what fruits came from where in the word to work out air miles and they were even treated to a singing performance by one of the pupils. We are now working with a High School in Nepal. Pupils from Stirling High have been looking at how they live and sustain themselves in Nepal and seeing what the school does then from an Eco point of view with surprising results. Technicians and school helpers hosted the annual BBQ on the environmental roof. Pupils were treated to fresh local produce and managed to get through a massive amount of fruit as they enjoyed this ticket only event. The Eco Club did their yearly cake and candy to raise money to support a chosen charity. This year money was raised for the Greyhound rescue Fife. In the past the club have supported Riding for the disabled, Kidney Kids and dolphin sponsorship. Pupils from the Club were invited to KSB to talk about what it is like going for a Green Flag. We were also guest speakers at the AGM for Friends of Kings Park at the Smith Gallery and also for a big environmental event in Stirling High where many environmental groups got together with stalls to showcase what they were all about. We have worked with Chapter One Nursery, helping with their garden and they have visited Stirling High to see how to make recycled CD clocks.  S2 pupils had Eco PSE where they had assemblies and this year helped to create the new Eco Code and Statement which will be launched in the New year.  We have now link with an exciting project in Argentina. They are mentoring us and we hope to in a small way do what they have been doing. The project is called Balance Zero. We have had distance workshops and video conferencing. We look forward to moving this project along as soon as we get back.  Mrs Togneri was invited by Going Carbon Neutral Stirling to take part in an Eco Driving lesson where she learned to drive using as little fuel as possible. She said this was really fantastic and would like organise something for staff and pupils old enough to drive in the 2012.  Pupils from the Eco Club were invited to the STV Studio in Glasgow. Mrs Togneri and Mrs Scullion, the Head Teacher along with 12 pupils were treated to a presentation and quiz by Sean Batty the STV weather man. Pupils then had a tour of the studios, they saw how the weather was done. They also met News Reader John MacKay who gave pupils excellent advice on all aspects of broadcasting. Pupils even had a go at reading the news using the autocue.  Every Thursday throughout the whole year during tutor time Eco pupils go to BeachwoodPark to do a litter. They are met there by locals who live in Beechwood area. Together we pick up as much litter as we can. We have been doing this since we moved to the new school. We are very aware that litter in all schools is a problem and local areas but Stirling High Eco Club are really trying their best to strive to minimise the litter produced. We would like to thank all the community for helping us. We would like to thank Keep Scotland Beautiful, Going Carbon Neutral, Friends of Kings and Beechwood Parks, On the Verge, Countryside Rangers, Green yards, Prudential, Ogilvie, FES and all the small local businesses that have help us with donations and prizes. Stirling High Eco Club would like to wish you all a very Wonderful Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy New Year.  

 S4 Prelims – Credit and Int 1 Maths

The re-scheduled prelim for Credit and Int 1 Maths will take place this morning.  All pupils have been informed about this.

 School Closes for Christmas holidays

Stirling High School closes officially for the festive period at 1.30pm on Friday 23^rd December.  Pupils will be released for lunch at 1.00pm.  SHS reopens on Monday 9^th January at 9.00am.

 S2 Parent’s Evening

S2 Parent’s Evening appointment request forms should be returned to the school no later than tomorrow.   Appointments will be issued to all S2 pupils who returned their forms by the due date on Wednesday 11^th January.  Parent’s Evening takes place on Tuesday 17^th January 4.30-7pm.

 Work Experience

A reminder that week 1 Work Experience starts Monday 9^th January and week 2 begins Monday 16^th January.  Any queries please contact Alison McGregor in the school office.

The Prelim for Int 1 Maths for S3 pupils will take place in February. Pupils will be advised of date in the new year.

To Parents of S4 pupils Resheduled Maths exams

Games Hall: Credit, Wednesday 21st December, 9.15 to 10.10, 10.30 to 11.50. Extra time starts at 9.05. Pupils attend classes as normal from period 4.

Resheduled Maths exams, Room 143: Intermediate 1, Wednesday 21st December, 9.15 to 9.50, 10.10 to 11.05. Extra time starts at 9.10. Pupils attend classes as normal from period 3.

 School Discos

The senior pupil School Disco Committee has been busy organising the Christmas discos for the S1 to S4 year groups.  The S1/S2 disco is being held on the evening of 20th of December and the S3/S4 disco on the 21^st.  Tickets are priced at £2 and are on sale from now until the event.  The school operates a positive behaviour reward scheme called Ace.  Pupils who meet the classroom expectations are given a stamp from each teacher each week.  S1 and S2 pupils are required to have a minimum of 75 Ace stamps to attend the disco and pupils gaining 115 stamps or more can attend for only £1.  The minimum requirement for S3 and S4 pupils is 50 Ace stamps and 80 for the reduced price. The ticket price includes a drink and snack.  A tuck shop will also be available on the night.  Members of the Disco Committee are selling the tickets during form class.

 SHS Christmas Concert

The Christmas concert takes place in the school hall on Monday 19th December at 7.30pm. Tickets are now on sale in the music department. Adult £4 Concession £3.

 Senior Dance

The Senior Dance for all S5 and S6 pupils takes place on Wednesday 14^th December in the Albert Halls.  The Senior Dance is a very well attended and enjoyable event with the pupils  

S1 Panto

The majority of S1 pupils attended the matinee performance of Jackie and the Beanstalk for a very enjoyable pantomime experience.   The pupils were very well behaved and a credit to Stirling High School.

 Basketball Success:    Scottish Seniors National Schools Cup

Congratulations to the senior boys’ basketball team with an impressive win over local rivals Dunblane with the final score ending at Dunblane High 22 - 88 Stirling High. Captain Rory Bain (18 points), Alex McIntyre (16 points) and Calum Scott (14 points) led the scoring for Stirling in which ended up an astonishing sixty six point lead for Stirling High. With other wins over Denny High and Balfron the team have now won their last three games.  

Senior Pupil Trip to Tibetan Buddhist Centre

Nineteen senior pupils recently visited the Kagyu Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Eskdalemuir in Dumfriesshire.  The pupils were given a tour of the TibetanTemplethe Nyung-Nye Shrine and The Victory Stupa.  The guide for the day had stayed at the centre for over 30 years and built up a wealth of stories.  She had been instrumental in the many fundraising and building projects which have enabled this fascinating centre to grow from a simple retreat to the excellent centre which we visited.  Our guide was also able to tell of her experiences on her trip to Tibet.  Pupils studying Higher and Intermediate RMPS were able to ask questions about how the Buddhism they have learned about translates into real life experiences for Buddhists in Scotlandtoday.  This was a valuable learning experience for all the pupils who attended and one they will remember for a long time to come. 

Staff and Pupils raise money for Movember

Staff and pupils raised over £1000 for the Prostate Cancer Charity, theInstitute of Cancer Research and other mens health charities by growing moustaches during the month of MOvember.  From small fluffy barely visible efforts to large handlebar moustaches there were quite a number of strange sights around the school.  The female staff members could also join in and over £400 was raised at a lunch where false moustaches were worn.  Congratulations to all involved and if you would like to contribute please visit www.movember.com and search for Stirling High.

Have you seen the new parent and carer section of the SQA website: http://www.sqa.org.uk/cfeforparents/?

It has a range of resources, including the new parent and carer leaflet, to help parents and carers to understand the changes to national qualifications. The SQA Mythbuster videos answer some of the most common questions.

It includes a jargon buster to help explain the terms we are using while developing the qualifications. They also have a chart which tells you what qualifications young people will study depending on the school year they are in now.

The SQA are publishing draft documents on their website for feedback as they are developing the new qualifications.

They have now published draft Course Assessment Specifications for National 5. These documents give more detail about how each National 5 Course will be assessed and define the mandatory assessment requirements.

The documents are quite technical and are aimed at teachers and education specialists but teh SQA also welcome feedback from parents. You can give your comments via Have Your Say – www.sqa.org.uk/haveyoursay.

The SQA have also recently published draft Unit Specifications for Higher. You can find out more about these documents on their website. Feedback on the latest documents can be given until 31 January 2012.

Keep visiting www.sqa.org.uk/cfeforparents ( http://www.sqa.org.uk/cfeforparentsfor )all you need to know about the new qualifications. Sign up for MyAlertsto receive e-mail updates.

http://www.sqa.org.uk/myalerts/login.jsp;jsessionid=1BEC7C8F265DB0161B1E910DE75C0EBF

Please note that the prelim scheduled for Thursday 8th December in the afternoon (Maths Credit and Maths Int 1) have been cancelled due to school closure.   These prelims will be rescheduled and this information will be communicated to those concerned.

Service disruption

All schools and nurseries closing at 12.30pm Thursday 8 December

For more information, call the Contact Centre on 0845 277 7000 (or 01786 404040 for a cheaper rate from a mobile phone).

 Met Office

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ta/ta_forecast_warnings.html