KGS achieves UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools
BRONZE AWARD
Congratulations to the Rights Respecting Schools Working Group, led by Ms Warwick, whose work has been recognised by UNICEF UK and has received the Bronze Award - RIGHTS COMMITTED.
Kirkwall Grammar School is committed to placing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of their ethos and is working towards becoming a Rights Respecting School.
Kirkwall Grammar School is committed to placing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of their ethos and is working towards becoming a Rights Respecting School.
HADHIRGAAN
Photos & Videos from their Picky concert supporting Capercaillie
S3 Languages Leaders
Enhorabuena / Congratulations
to our S3 Languages Leaders who have been doing a fantastic job teaching Spanish this term to every class in
Papdale Primary School from P3 to P7.
The S3 Spanish 'teachers' not only consistently demonstrated their excellent language and communication skills,
but also ensured that the lessons that they prepared were engaging and a lot of fun.
A huge thank you also to all of the pupils and staff at Papdale Primary School.
Our Languages Leaders really enjoyed teaching there.
Muchas gracias.
to our S3 Languages Leaders who have been doing a fantastic job teaching Spanish this term to every class in
Papdale Primary School from P3 to P7.
The S3 Spanish 'teachers' not only consistently demonstrated their excellent language and communication skills,
but also ensured that the lessons that they prepared were engaging and a lot of fun.
A huge thank you also to all of the pupils and staff at Papdale Primary School.
Our Languages Leaders really enjoyed teaching there.
Muchas gracias.
KGS in the Big Issue
KGS is featured in the Big Issue. Copies are available from CS £4 each.
Sustrans Competition
KGS S3 Business Management classes recently participated in a Sustrans competition to promote Active Travel. They created a video presentation of their team's idea.
Certificates and prizes were presented on Tuesday, May 23rd. All pupils received a prize for taking part. The winners and runners up received a £10 Kirkwall Bid voucher.
1st = AJ Outdoors
2nd = Active Citi
3rd = Sike
Certificates and prizes were presented on Tuesday, May 23rd. All pupils received a prize for taking part. The winners and runners up received a £10 Kirkwall Bid voucher.
1st = AJ Outdoors
2nd = Active Citi
3rd = Sike
ACTIVITIES WEEK
If you have not already confirmed what activities you have been allocated with a teacher, your registration teacher can confirm this with you. There is also a pupil list displaying what activities pupils have been allocated on display in the entrance foyer for reference.
Every year before the change of timetable KGS runs Activities. This year for three days, Wed 31 May to Fri 02 June all pupils in S1 S2 and S3 will be invited to join an activity each day instead of attending regular classes. Here is a link to the catalogue of activities on offer for pupils to look through over the weekend. Next week pupils will be invited to choose their activities.
Please note that some activities have limited places so not everyone will be able to get their first choice so it is important to have a good read of the activities catalogue and choose a few options each day that you would be interested in joining. Please note that some activities have costs involved and that pupils have to cover the costs involved in any activity.
Next week during registration pupils will be invited to choose their activities. Instructions on how to choose your activity will be given by your registration teachers sometime during registration next week.
Please note that some activities have limited places so not everyone will be able to get their first choice so it is important to have a good read of the activities catalogue and choose a few options each day that you would be interested in joining. Please note that some activities have costs involved and that pupils have to cover the costs involved in any activity.
Next week during registration pupils will be invited to choose their activities. Instructions on how to choose your activity will be given by your registration teachers sometime during registration next week.
Peter Higgs Science Award
It was great to finally get the chance to officially present the Peter Higgs Science Award before students headed off on study leave. This award celebrates excellence in Science at Higher level. Pictured are the winner and four runners-up.
KGS students launch anti-racism campaign
including a story about “Beuy” the black Orkney vole!
A group of young students from Kirkwall Grammar School are tackling racism head on with a series of planned activities over the coming months.
The Anti-Racism Group – under the guidance of Theo Ogbhemhe, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies teacher – have received funding of just over £4,000 from the Scottish Government to drive forward the anti-racism events. The students will also be fundraising for a further £2,500 to enable them to carry out all that they have planned through non-uniform days, bake sales and a raffle.
The Anti-Racism Group – under the guidance of Theo Ogbhemhe, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies teacher – have received funding of just over £4,000 from the Scottish Government to drive forward the anti-racism events. The students will also be fundraising for a further £2,500 to enable them to carry out all that they have planned through non-uniform days, bake sales and a raffle.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MR OGBHEMHE AND HIS TEAM ON AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT FOR FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT!
If education is the key, then we are doing something beautiful because we are making a difference to real people in the developing world.
We are delighted that thanks to your help & support we have completed the
90Kg Rice Challenge for 2023!
We are sending a bairn to secondary school for one year in Malawi!
We are delighted that thanks to your help & support we have completed the
90Kg Rice Challenge for 2023!
We are sending a bairn to secondary school for one year in Malawi!
EMERGENCY ALARM TESTING ON SUNDAY
Please see attached link to a Newsround video with information about
Sunday’s emergency alarm testing on smartphones and tablets.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/65265040
This video explains what it will sound like, how to clear the notification once it’s been sent out,
as well as what it’ll be used for.
Sunday’s emergency alarm testing on smartphones and tablets.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/65265040
This video explains what it will sound like, how to clear the notification once it’s been sent out,
as well as what it’ll be used for.
The school is working towards the Bronze Rights Respecting Award,
and as part of this process we are gathering the views of pupils and staff.
Could all pupils and staff please complete the following short questionnaire:
and as part of this process we are gathering the views of pupils and staff.
Could all pupils and staff please complete the following short questionnaire:
The deadline for completing this is Tuesday 28th March.
Thank you, Rights Respecting Working Group.
Thank you, Rights Respecting Working Group.
Artwork & poster design by Mr Harry Slade.
0011 time coding competition winner (that's 3 in Binary)
shares success with another student in coding competitions
Two students from Kirkwall Grammar school have been selected as winners from two separate competitions setup by dressCode who have the aim of raising the profile of Computing Science in schools.
The Parasport Festival is a multisport festival, where members from Scottish Disability Sport and our local clubs and facilities will deliver high quality inclusive activities in a range of sports.
We aim, in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport, Orkney Islands Council, The Pickaquoy Centre, Inclusive Orkney and local Sports Clubs, to build awareness and opportunities for all children and young people to be active in an inclusive environment with high consideration to tailor to the needs of participants.
We aim, in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport, Orkney Islands Council, The Pickaquoy Centre, Inclusive Orkney and local Sports Clubs, to build awareness and opportunities for all children and young people to be active in an inclusive environment with high consideration to tailor to the needs of participants.
90KG Kilombero Rice Challenge
Help send a child in Malawi to high school for 1 year….
Help send a child in Malawi to high school for 1 year….
What is Kilombero Rice?
Kilombero Rice is the warm heart of Africa, grown in the rich soils of the Karonga Region of Lake Malawi. Farmers use traditional methods, which help protect the environment whilst also providing a livelihood for the local communities.
The smallholder farmers in the region work together as a co-operative to help ensure a fair and stable price for their rice. They are also continuing to ensure the best farming methods are used which are most suited to protect their environment.
As a co-operative they are able to increase their income and ensure better food security for their communities as well as provide support and education for their families.
The Kilombero Rice Challenge
JTS is a fairtrade organisation set up to facilitate the import & distribution of fairly traded products to the UK. JTS is supporting the farmers of Northern Malawi by providing a fair and sustainable market for their Kilombero rice.
Here at KGS, we are taking part in JTS’s ‘90kg Rice Challenge’s as part of a series of events for Fairtrade Fortnight.
If your school would like to take part or for full details of the 90kg Rice challenge – see JTS website.
JTS have challenged schools, such as KGS (as well as churches and other organisations) to sell 90kg of rice – this is the amount of rice sold that would enable a Malawian farmer to pay for a year’s basic secondary education for one child.
‘The 90kg Rice Challenge allows your students to make a difference to real people in the developing world.’ JTS
Why Malawi?
Malawi is one of the 20 poorest countries in the world and over 40% of the population live on less than £1 a day. The current life expectancy for both men and women is 55 years. Most of Malawi rely on subsistence farming, although with the changing climate, this is becoming increasingly uncertain. As few as 40% of children complete primary school (6-13 years old) and a quarter of a million children haven’t even been enrolled in school.
How can you help make a difference?
Education is one of the most effective ways to escape poverty and by helping us complete the 90kg rice challenge your contribution can make all the difference as it can send a child to secondary school for 1 year! All we need is 90 people to buy 1kg of rice each. Guardian Article – The struggle to finish school in Malawi
KGS at Young Weir-Wise: Discovering Engineering at Strathclyde University
Well done to s2 pupils Erica & Lauren who were successful in a very competitive application process to the Young Weir-Wise: Discovering Engineering at Strathclyde University. The programme, a partnership between the Faculty of Engineering and The Weir Group, is designed to inspire young female students to discover the excitement and personal satisfaction behind a career in engineering. Last month the girls attended the University for the outreach programme where staff from The Weir Group & Strathclyde gave an insight into studying and working in the field of engineering, and the pupils took part in a series of practical activities developed by a number of Engineering departments in the Faculty, including creating nano polymer bouncy balls, and building their own moveable hand.
A huge thank you to EMEC and West of Orkney Windfarms for financially supporting the girls to travel to Glasgow to take part in this amazing STEM opportunity.
More information on the different Engineering outreach opportunities Strathclyde offer to school pupils, including the Scottish Space School, can be found here: https://www.strath.ac.uk/engineering/outreach/
A huge thank you to EMEC and West of Orkney Windfarms for financially supporting the girls to travel to Glasgow to take part in this amazing STEM opportunity.
More information on the different Engineering outreach opportunities Strathclyde offer to school pupils, including the Scottish Space School, can be found here: https://www.strath.ac.uk/engineering/outreach/
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BUY FAIR AND LOCAL PROJECT TRIP - Monday 30th January 2023
As part of their ‘Values in Action’ unit of the RBV (Religion, Belief and Values) Award @ level 5, the S4 (C1, E1, F2) College class have been learning about Fairtrade as an avenue through which they can put their values into action. The class visited a local Fairtrade café, SunBean Coffee House (Victoria Street), to continue to encourage and support their usage of Fairtrade products.
PAKISTAN FLOODS APPEAL @ KGS
Pakistan is only one of many countries that are now living with the effects of climate change. Over one third of the country has been devastated, with 35 million people affected. As global citizens, we carry the responsibility to fight climate change and help support those being affected.
We had a dress down day on Friday 25th November 2022 with donations going to Government Secondary School, Jajjah Abbasian in Pakistan (the school we partnered with for the Connecting Classrooms Through Global Learning British Council project). Government Secondary School suffered great damage as a result of the Pakistan floods.
Pakistan flood appeal dress down day and other donations totalling £450.00 were received by Muhammad Idrees (The CCGL coordinator in the local school in Pakistan).
Below are photos from the foodstuff sharing ceremony.
We had a dress down day on Friday 25th November 2022 with donations going to Government Secondary School, Jajjah Abbasian in Pakistan (the school we partnered with for the Connecting Classrooms Through Global Learning British Council project). Government Secondary School suffered great damage as a result of the Pakistan floods.
Pakistan flood appeal dress down day and other donations totalling £450.00 were received by Muhammad Idrees (The CCGL coordinator in the local school in Pakistan).
Below are photos from the foodstuff sharing ceremony.
Please join us tomorrow at 7pm to watch the Holocaust Memorial Day 2023 UK Online Commemoration.
The event will be streamed here
We are also delighted to include the digital programme for the Online Commemoration for you to download if you wish.
Since the onset of the pandemic, this special event has given us all a focal point for the commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD). The online format enables even more people to join us virtually and learn from genocide for a better future. We look forward to joining you virtually on Thursday 26 January at 7pm. Please share the link to the Online Commemoration with your family and friends and encourage them to watch from the comfort of their homes.
The event will be streamed here
We are also delighted to include the digital programme for the Online Commemoration for you to download if you wish.
Since the onset of the pandemic, this special event has given us all a focal point for the commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD). The online format enables even more people to join us virtually and learn from genocide for a better future. We look forward to joining you virtually on Thursday 26 January at 7pm. Please share the link to the Online Commemoration with your family and friends and encourage them to watch from the comfort of their homes.
Are you or someone you know struggling with their mental health? Try free online deciders skill programme.
The Decider Skills use cognitive behavioural therapy to teach children, young people and adults, skills to recognise their own thoughts, feelings and behaviours, allowing them to monitor and manage their own emotions and mental health.
The Decider Skills use cognitive behavioural therapy to teach children, young people and adults, skills to recognise their own thoughts, feelings and behaviours, allowing them to monitor and manage their own emotions and mental health.
Decider programme starting on the 9th Feb.
Barnardo's will continue to run programmes throughout the year in April, June, September and November.
The link to sign up is here: https://forms.office.com/e/ncfy9E9EMK
This course will run for 4 weeks online and will cover skills for parents/carers to utilise themselves as well as look at how they can use the skills to support their child/young person.
Contact wellbeinginfife@barnardos.org.uk if you have any further questions.
Barnardo's will continue to run programmes throughout the year in April, June, September and November.
The link to sign up is here: https://forms.office.com/e/ncfy9E9EMK
This course will run for 4 weeks online and will cover skills for parents/carers to utilise themselves as well as look at how they can use the skills to support their child/young person.
Contact wellbeinginfife@barnardos.org.uk if you have any further questions.
KGS SKI TRIP SPONSORS
The KGS Ski trip would like to thank Claire Louttit (representing G.J. Louttit Builders) and Karen Groat (Representing Northlight Apartments) for their amazing sponsorship of the tremendous hoodies that the pupils now have for their trip to Alpe de Huez , France (from the 3rd to 12th of February).
Some of the pupils going on the trip worked hard on finishing the hoodies with the sponsors' logos and the trip logo being put on the hoodies in the school utilising a heat press kindly donated to the school by David Foulis (Trek and Travel).
The trip has been supported by many local businesses and the community as a whole, it is the first major trip to go away from KGS since Covid and it is brilliant to know that the community sees the value in school trips.
Some of the pupils going on the trip worked hard on finishing the hoodies with the sponsors' logos and the trip logo being put on the hoodies in the school utilising a heat press kindly donated to the school by David Foulis (Trek and Travel).
The trip has been supported by many local businesses and the community as a whole, it is the first major trip to go away from KGS since Covid and it is brilliant to know that the community sees the value in school trips.
PRELIM UPDATE
Due to the possibility of further strikes next Wednesday, and to give pupils certainty and as much notice as possible, the prelims on the 18th of January will be cancelled and will be held on Monday 30th January instead.
Study leave will still finish on Friday 27th and all S5/6 pupils will return to school on Monday 30th January and will be back in classes except those sitting the postponed prelims.
Study leave will still finish on Friday 27th and all S5/6 pupils will return to school on Monday 30th January and will be back in classes except those sitting the postponed prelims.
New Maths Courses at KGS
Fereday Prize Giving 2022
Each year the top projects from the year group are judged by members of the Orkney Heritage Society.
This year the top prizes went to:
1st Sophie Rendall
2nd Finlay Moar
3rd Katie Brewer
Well done to all S2 pupils in KGS who continue to impress us with their commitment and originality when completing these projects. Many thanks to parents and carers who have supported young people during the research process.
This year the top prizes went to:
1st Sophie Rendall
2nd Finlay Moar
3rd Katie Brewer
Well done to all S2 pupils in KGS who continue to impress us with their commitment and originality when completing these projects. Many thanks to parents and carers who have supported young people during the research process.
Lest we forget
Today senior pupils, along with the History department, led the annual school remembrance event. Advanced Higher pupils Ellie, Jess, Oliver and Dillon shared their own heartfelt words of reflection and the poem 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon. Accomplished musician Jamsie, who studies N5 History, played the last post. Lest we forget.
KGS coding prodigy wins national competition prize for the second time
An S5 student from Kirkwall Grammar School has become a second time winner in a series of national competitions aimed at raising the profile of Computing Science in schools.
Mansie was selected as a winner for the <SUMMER OF CODE/> competition with his recent entry of an AI bot that communicates using voice recognition. Inspired by Marvin from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, the bot gets its responses by searching the web and uses a graphical interface Mansie designed to give a feeling of having an emotional response.
Mansie was selected as a winner for the <SUMMER OF CODE/> competition with his recent entry of an AI bot that communicates using voice recognition. Inspired by Marvin from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, the bot gets its responses by searching the web and uses a graphical interface Mansie designed to give a feeling of having an emotional response.
KGS Ski Trip Bingo
We had a great turnout for the KGS Ski Trip Bingo last night with well over 100 people there.
Massive thanks to all the parents, pupils, staff and folks in the community that provided prizes,
helped run the night, baked and came in to support us.
We raised an amazing total of £1721.
Massive thanks to all the parents, pupils, staff and folks in the community that provided prizes,
helped run the night, baked and came in to support us.
We raised an amazing total of £1721.
Bud, the Travelling Poppy Scotland museum, visits KGS.
S3 Historians took part in workshops throughout the day and were encouraged to explore the theme of remembrance, and the poppy’s role as a symbol of unity and hope. Exhibits included historical artefacts, interactive displays, and the moving stories of veterans and their families who have been supported by Poppy Scotland. KGS pupils also had the opportunity to make their own poppy, using the same methods as the team of disabled veterans at Lady Haig's Poppy Factory in Edinburgh.
Japanese Taiko Drumming Workshop in KGS!
HOUSE POINTS
Pupils at KGS are awarded House Points by class teachers in recognition of effort, good work and behaviour. Each week the tutor group with the most house points awarded for the previous week receive a prize.
This week congratulations to the pupils in Eynhallow B who amassed 90 House Points this week!
This week congratulations to the pupils in Eynhallow B who amassed 90 House Points this week!
The House Totals for the past week are:
Copinsay 469
Eynhallow 711
Fara 491
Copinsay 469
Eynhallow 711
Fara 491
