And the winner is...Fara with  7763 points!

Charity says 'Thank you' to winners

As part of the RMPS S5/6 Wider Achievement ‘Charities and Philanthropy: A Rethink’ course, learners investigated and made individual presentations aimed at convincing a panel of judges to donate the £30 raised to their chosen charity. The students advocating ‘Friends of the Earth Scotland’ were selected as the winning team. 

A winning trip in every way

The under 13 football team travelled to Inverness and Fort William last week to play a couple of football matches. They also engaged in other activities such as mountain biking, shopping and ten pin bowling.

On Monday they played Dingwall Academy in a repeat of the second round of the North of Scotland Cup. The outcome was different this time as KGS won 6-1. After the game, we made our way to Fort William. The next day, the boys went on a mountain bike ride on the famous route 78. 

On Wednesday, KGS played against Kinlochleven High School. Our players won the game comprehensively. On our way to Inverness, we stopped 3 km north east of Ben Nevis. The pupils went up Aonach Mòr using the gondola lifts.

On Thursday, the pupils went ten pin bowling in the morning and the afternoon was dedicated to shopping. The very tired group travelled back to Gills Bay the next day.

The trip was both enjoyable and exciting. The squad would like to thank Pentland Ferries and Dunnett’s Transport, as well as our sponsors Indian Garden and Orkney Fisheries Association, for all their support.

Duke of Edinburgh award winners

Sixteen KGS pupils received Bronze Awards in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme on Wednesday night. Nine more have achieved the awards but were unable to attend the ceremony. This represents a pass rate of 89%, well above the national average of 56%. Our congratulations go to them all.

Timeless take top spot

.Congratulations go to Timeless, the KGS Young Enterprise company, who last night were declared overall winners of the Orkney competition. They also won Best Website, Best Trade Stand and Best Report. They will go on to the Scottish Finals in Edinburgh on 5 June. The team are shown with their Business Adviser, Aly MacPhail, and teachers Kerry Warman and Judith Scott

Maya chosen to be Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament

On Friday our own Maya Tams-Gray was elected to the Scottish Youth Parliament. Along with Hope Laing from Stromness Academy, Maya will represent the young people of Orkney. Our congratulations go to Maya and our commiserations to the other candidates, who are all KGS pupils: Rachel Evans, Elizabeth Gorn and Emma Grant.  Our thanks go to all those who voted and to Cheryl Rafferty, Community Learning & Development Officer, for her part in administering the election.

Fereday 1st prize for Jess

KGS pupil Jess Ewing was declared the winner of this year's Fereday Prize in Stromness yesterday. Her project 'How has the Italian Chapel been preserved for future generations?' was the overall winner of all the entrants from both schools. Magnus Craigie researched his family history and its connections to the Hall of Yenstay in Tankerness. He was placed second in KGS. Third was Murray Clark, whose investigation was on Orkney opticians in the past. Congratulations to all three, and to all those who were awarded certificates for their projects.

Careers info boost

KGS Library took delivery yesterday of almost £300 worth of new careers resources. The books came free of charge from publishers How2Become. They deal with how to enter popular careers, particularly with the tests and interviews required. They will be used by the school's Careers Advisers from Skills Development Scotland to help prepare pupils who are looking to enter these careers.

A late Christmas present

A cheque for £292.67 was handed over to Susan Atkinson of Orkney Charitable Trust. The money was raised by pupils and staff on our Christmas Jumper Day in December.

Walking a new beat

KGS has a new Police Community Liaison Officer – Sgt. Stewart Mackenzie. Sgt. Mackenzie will be a regular friendly police presence in school, popping in at least once a week at lunchtimes to meet pupils and staff.  He will also be involved in some lessons and hold drop-in sessions. This is part of the positive support that the police can give KGS.
 
Sgt. Mackenzie is based in Kirkwall and has 29 years policing experience. He recently transferred to Orkney from Edinburgh.