News from Lockerbie Academy - Thursday 29 April 2010

African Link Joint Themed Event with Thawale PS

On Friday 26th March the whole school was involved in a themed event which allowed us to exchange materials with our Link School in Malawi. The theme of Children’s Rights and Responsibilities was proposed by Link Community Development, back in January as the Spring Term Project involving Scottish Schools and their link school in sub Saharan Africa. Materials from UNICEF could be used or new ones created.

The afternoon started with a wonderful power point designed by the S6 Enterprise African Link Group, summarizing the work they have done so far promoting the Partnership as well as informing staff and pupils about what else has been happening with the Link since January. The S6 group also included photos received from Thawale PS. Mr Preston added a very dramatic sound track to set the tone for the afternoon.

All register classes enthusiastically took part in activities linked to the theme.These activities included shield making in the Technical Department ; in depth discussions about the rights and responsibilities of children by the senior school; designing posters and power points ; some classes took part by making soundtracks ; a new pipe tune was composed ; the Malawian national anthem was sung and a guest speaker, Lorna Argente, spoke of her connection with Malawi, her family’s tribe and her recent visit to her home country.

By the end of the day teachers’ lesson plans, materials and pupils’ work was gathered up and sent off to Thawale, who were engaged in a similar activity.

This was quite an ambitious project coming at the end of a busy term but the end result was very worthwhile, achieving our intended aims

• To raise awareness of our link
• To gather resources to be exchanged
• To address Global Citizenship
• To further promote the principles and practices embedded within A Curriculum for Excellence.

Our most recent parcel arrived from Malawi this week and contained some of their pupils’ work on this topic as well as over 200 pen pal letters.

As part of the African Link Community we feel this has been a hugely successful day which has brought about a greater understanding of Rights and Responsibilities and enhanced our link with Thawale.

African Shields by Zoe Forlow and Holly McMinn 2 A

On Friday 26th of March our register class built tribal shields. We were doing this for the Rights and Responsibilities lesson. The whole school was taking part with different themed lessons. We were doing African themed lessons to go with the school’s link with Thawale. Our teacher showed us a power point with pictures of the pupils and school building in Thawale. He then told us to go and look for inspiration for our design on the internet. We finished our shields in the woodwork department and the end results were great ! We all learnt something about the tribes and we had a great time!

Bagpipe Music for Thawale Primary School by Christopher Gray 3B

Just a wee note from the composer …

I have been playing the bagpipes for five years now. I really enjoy it and I think the bagpipes are a great instrument.

The tune that I wrote first came about when Mrs Brockett asked me to invent a piece to play on the radio show that is going to be sent to Africa. I have decided to name the tune ‘ Lockerbie Academy’s Welcome to Thawale Primary School.’ I enjoyed writing the tune and I hope that the pupils and staff of Thawale Primary School enjoy listening to it.

Enterprising Education - S5/6 Business Seminar

A thoroughly enjoyable and informative day was had by 31 students on Friday 16 April when all of those studying higher Business subjects took part in a day long seminar. This was held at Lockerbie Ice Rink with speakers from the world of Business and Commerce.

The day commenced with a short presentation from Mr Herbert, the headmaster, on the aspects of Time Management in business. Following a short interval Mr Gerald McGill of Farris, Kirk and McVean Accountants kindly went through the many aspects of Cash Flow Budgets that were relevant to accounting students.

The remainder of the day was led by two young business executives who had travelled from London to assist in the delivery of our seminar. David Gimson, PricewaterhouseCoopers UK undertook a very lively and interactive discussion on the merits of Just in Time Stock Management. A well deserved lunch was then provided by the Lockerbie Ice Rink Café whereafter Mrs Emma Gimson, Mott McDonald Management then spent the afternoon with the students discussing and practicing the useful aspects of Interview technique and appraisals relating to Human Resource Management.

We are grateful to all the guest speakers who helped to make the day one to remember.

Fairtrade Fred

Last Monday S1 and S2 pupils, joined by the students from our US Exchange school, enjoyed a performance of Fairtrade Fred by the Hopscotch Theatre Company.

Hopscotch were fortunate to receive funding from Glasgow City Council to research and develop the script for “Brand New Andrew & Fair Trade Fred”. There are now two versions of this production, one for primary schools and another which is aimed specifically at secondary S1 and S2 pupils.

The S1 and S2 pupils joined Fair Trade Fred as he travels the globe in a search for the perfect style, through the designer fashion outlets to the sweatshops of Asia and back to the school playground with music and laughs.

Throughout the performance the audience learned that relatively simple decisions on which clothes they wear effect not only themselves and their parents’ bank balances but have drastic connotations for other children living thousands of miles away.

Sports News

Football
Under-13 Results
League Lockerbie Academy 3 v 2 Annan Academy
Scottish Cup Lockerbie Academy 3 v 4 John Paul Academy (after extra time)

League Lockerbie Academy 1 v 6 Stranraer Academy
Regional Cup Lockerbie Academy 3 v 4 Dumfries Academy

Under-14 Results
League Lockerbie Academy 4 v 2 Stranraer Academy
League Lockerbie Academy 5 v 1 Dumfries Academy

Dates for the Diary