18-20 Albyn Place Aberdeen AB10 1rG
As the start of the new timetable approaches parents and pupils are asked to read the information contained in the letters below. Following the guidance will ensure a smooth transition for young people from their current year group into the next stage of school.
Moving into Senior Phase (S4-S6)
As this week was mental health week I wanted to reflect a little on stress and pressure.
As you will know the SQA exams are now well underway and this can be a time of considerable stress for pupils and their families. Indeed the press were reporting a rise in calls to childline about exam stress. Feelings of anxiety and stress around exams is, up to a point, not a bad thing. There is a lot of research to suggest that we all need a bit of stress/pressure to bring out the best in us. It helps us focus our mind, it forces us to practice and it gives us the opportunity to perform to an even higher standard than we thought possible. When we are able to cope with the pressure and harness the stress we pass the ‘test’ with ease – this is sometimes called being ‘in the zone’.
Harnessing the stress/pressure is not easy and when they get out of hand we see people struggle with self doubt and feelings of inadequacy. There are two aspects I want to highlight in this regard – preparation and expectation
Of course it is easy for me to say all of this – I am not the one doing the test. Well that is not completely true as I am this weekend putting myself under considerable stress and pressure. It is around 35 years since I have entered a race but a few months back my daughter and son decided to enter the Baker Hughes 10k to raise funds for Alzheimers Scotland. They asked if I would do it with them and in a moment of madness I agreed. So over the last two months I have been preparing. At times in training I ran a bit too far/fast (over prepared) and picked up an injury – the trick has been to prepare enough but to remain fit for the event. I have made my expectations realistic – from a running point of view it has been to be fit for the day and to get to the end. If I get a time of anything under an hour I would be delighted but if it takes me longer if I reach the finish in one piece I will be more than happy. I will certainly not win the race and the plan is to go at my own (slow) pace and not compare myself to others. It will be all about the one thing which I can control – my own performance on the day. Am I anxious – you bet I am and I am sure this anxiety will only increase as the day approaches. If that stress gets too much I could tense up, pull a muscle or loose sleep before the big day. I have to be confident that my preparation will see me through and to focus on being calm the day.
We also set a fund raising target and again this was and ambitious but realistic £500. We have found people to be incredibly supportive and generous (and I am sure any of you working for exams will find the same) so that particular target has already been exceeded. If you are one of those who have donated can I thank you – your support/backing has helped my motivation to practice and will certainly help me on the day. If you read this and want to donate to Alzheimers Scotland and/or put me under even more pressure/stress my daughter has set up our ‘just giving’ page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Rachel-Innes1
In recent years we have given S1 and S2 pupils the opportunity to take part in an activity week in late May. We have seen a steady decline in participation over recent years and alongside this there have been increased costs for venues and transport. As a result we have decided not to go ahead with the activity week this year. We will instead look to provide a set of activities during the course of the school session. These activities will relate more closely to the school curriculum and be incorporated into the work of the school in a way to keep costs down as much as possible.
The first two of these activities will take place before summer. They are a forest walk in May and a sports day in June. Letters have gone out about the forest walk and we hope to see almost all S1 and S2 pupils taking part. If anyone has any doubts about participating please contact the guidance teacher or year head. We can help if folk do not have the correct footwear or clothing to go a walk with their classmates in the forest beside Banchory. We have tried to keep the costs of the bus down but again if cash is a problem let us know and we can help. We want it to be a good day, one that everyone takes part in.
The second event is the school sports day in June. Again this is a great chance for pupils to spend the day taking part or cheering on their classmates and supporting their house. We want to see people participating and making it a positive day for their school. Once again, if people need help with PE kit etc let us know – we are here to help and to make it an easy event to take part in and one which we can all enjoy.
If these two events go well we shall be in contact again with details of others after the summer. If we do not get the support of parents and pupils we may simply stop these wider opportunities. We would prefer that our school provided some ‘special’ moments where youngsters can do something they might never get the chance to do again. We hope you appreciate why we have had to review what we can offer but will support the two events running this side of summer
This has very much been a week where we are involved in transitions. On Thursday our P7s were through to Harlaw for a social subjects morning and on Friday Miss Douglas and I went round the 4 local Primaries meeting the P7s in their schools. As this was going on our senior pupils were completing their last week of classes before starting study leave.
P7s: This is the time of year where we are stepping up the work to welcome a new generation of youngsters to the school. This year we (and Mrs Rennie in particular) have worked with our 4 local Primaries to help ease the transition from Primary to Secondary. As well as the usual links we have added 6 half day visits – one for almost all of the main curricular areas. This week was the opportunity for Social Subjects to put on something special for the pupils. I will not do a spoiler for the future by saying too much here – but it was really engaging and active. If you are the parent of a P7 pupil please ask them about their visit and try to help them with the follow up task they have been set. Miss Douglas and I visited the 4 local Primary Schools the next day and the pupils were still enthusing about their visit. The purpose of my visit to the Primaries was to chat to the P7s about Harlaw and to answer any questions they might have. Our programme is now the most developed of any school I have ever worked in and I hope it will help the pupils to settle in quickly and reach their full potential during their time with us.
Seniors: This year we spent a lot of time working with seniors and their parents to emphasise the need to maintain focus through to their exams. Too often folk can get carried away with the idea of leaving – so much so that they let themselves down towards the end of their courses. On more than one occasion we used the analogy of the runner who dips for the line too early and falls flat on their face. Whilst there was the odd isolated incident I have a great deal of pride in the mature and responsible attitude shown by the seniors this year. I see in them a determination to do well in their exams and I hope that this is reflected in the grades they achieve. We have two events planned one to recognise the academic achievements of our pupils and the other to recognise their wider achievements. These events will give us an opportunity to say farewell and best wishes to all those who are moving on from Harlaw in summer 2017.
Our main awards event is a bit unusual in that it is planned and ran by the senior prefects. I met with them on Wednesday to discuss ideas and although I made more than one contribution they were able to tell me why my ideas would not work and their ideas were better. They took their ideas to the Parent Council meeting on Thursday evening and received the support of the parents and myself. The other big task the senior prefects have to perform is to help pick their successors. Application forms went out last week and we plan to hold the interviews towards the end of the exam period. In reflecting with the senior prefects on the reasons for moving from head boy and head girl posts to those of senior prefect posts it became clear that we could also be challenged under equalities legislation on the basis of some of the other ‘protected characteristics’. In the light of the pupil views and in consultation with the Parent Council we have made further alterations to our processes – this hopefully is a clear demonstration that pupil voice leads to change here at Harlaw and that equalities is something which we practice as well as teach.
Before writing this blog I looked back at the two prior to the holidays:
20th – 24th March: gives seniors a lot of links and ideas about study and revision and is worth them looking at
27th – 31st March: makes mention of an event I was due to attend with our senior prefects in the holidays
The event was the annual dinner held by the former pupils of Aberdeen High School for Girls (which became Harlaw Academy). We enjoyed an excellent meal and heard from our senior prefect Skye Iverson on her time at Harlaw. But the real highlight was an after dinner presentation by Professor Lorna Dawson who is based at the Hutton Institute (formerly the McAulay Institute). Prof Dawson is a leading expert in soil science – so much so that she is an ‘expert witness’ in criminal trials and the person authors, TV producers etc go to for specialist forensic information. It was incredible hearing about the work she does and hopefully we will get her in to speak to our pupils – to inspire a future generation of experts.
The middle of the week saw a group of our S3 pupils attend an inter generational event at the Town House. It was a great opportunity for these pupils not only to see inside the civic reception rooms in the town house but to give a presentation to an audience which included the Lord Provost and other Civic Leaders. The presentation explained how the young people had been meeting with people in local care homes to share experiences. The project had helped our pupils and the ‘older generation’ to share experiences and learn together.
Then on Friday the PTA Murder Mystery Night brought together Parents, Teachers Harlaw pupils and other family members for a really enjoyable evening. The format of the Murder Mystery was really compelling and convincing – the pupil actors showed great skill and maturity in the way in which they handled audience questions. There was an real bonus for the audience when Alistair Eddie, who was playing the role of Hotel Proprietor, entertained the audience with a confident, smooth and polished rendition of ‘Mak the knife’. A special mention must also go to the Rock challenge group who put on a great performance of their AECC dance routine. It was a really good and informal evening with people having time to mix and learn from each other.
These 3 events highlight:
I know those at each of the events will have left feeling a little more inspired than when they arrived. I hope in some small way this particular blog spreads that inspiration a little further. It also gives me an opportunity to thank all the pupils, teachers, families and wider community who provide, support and take up the opportunities.
The Harlaw exam timetable is available by clicking below:-
http://harlawacademy.aberdeen.sch.uk/harlaw-sqa-timetable-2017/
Pupils should note that the courses below will not appear on their individual timetables which will be issued at assembly next week:-
Pupils affected by this should check the main timetable and make a note of the exam time.
Senior classes will run up to 3.15 on Thursday 27th April and it is vital that pupils use every minute to get as much preparation as possible up to that point. Subjects will be offering additional study, revision and coursework sessions from Wednesday 3rd May and throughout study leave. Pupils should take full advantage of this additional support, we know from experience that it makes a massive difference.
During exam leave seniors who are in school either for an exam or for an additional session must wear school uniform. Expectations during exams have been clearly explained at assemblies and in documentation. We do all we can to prepare seniors well for their exams and to keep things calm during this important and stressful period. We are indebted to our team of invigilators who ensure all of the arrangements are in place and we ask you to show them the utmost respect during the exam period.
Formal classes will cease on Thursday 27th April and we have emphasised to all seniors the following:
• the need to maintain a strong work ethic until the final assessment is completed. For some this will be your final exam, for others it will be completing a final piece of coursework or unit re-assessment.
• if pupils lose their focus it may result in them not being able to complete courses and/or needing to reconsider their future plans
• up to and during study leave there is a lot going on in the school, indeed on Thursday 27th April we have over 100 P7s visiting the school and an employer running a work focussed competition involving a number of schools, visitors and the press
• it is a very stressful time for everyone in the school and it is important that we all work together to keep everyone calm and to keep a very clear focus on the work required.
I do not wish to be falling out with our senior pupils in the lead up to the exam period or during the exams. Similarly I do not wish to be contacting parents with news of misbehaviour, damage or, as has been the case in the last few years, investigations into cheating in SQA coursework/exams.
We do have the opportunity to come together after the exams for two different events to celebrate the achievements of our seniors. One is more informal and seeks to recognise a range of wider achievements. It is planned for 3.30-4.30 on Wednesday 7th June and people who have succeeded in a range of team, wider school achievements and out of school achievements will be invited to attend along with their families. There will be an informal reception, a brief set of presentations and a chance to recognise the successful teams and individuals. The second event, our formal prize
giving will take place on the evening of Thursday 8th June 7.00-9.30 . All those who are leaving school and all our academic prize winners will be invited to this event along with up to two guests. Further details and invitations to each of these events will go out early in May.
For seniors returning to school after the exams classes will start again on Tuesday 30th May. This will give staff and pupils 5 productive weeks of work prior to the summer holidays. College, city campus and consortia classes will start on Monday 5th June. We have invested a lot of time supporting pupils to make considered course choices and will not consider changes to timetables in this initial period other than in very exceptional circumstances.
SQA results will be issued by post on Tuesday 8th August and staff will look at suitability of subject choices in the light of exam results. There is a well established process to follow should the results mean there is a need to change course choices and this will be explained to pupils and parents before the summer holidays. It is important that pupils and parents recognise that the decision on whether to remain at school or move on requires to be a positive one. Those who chose to return to school will be expected to wear their uniform (blazer and tie), arrive on time and set the highest standards in their work and behaviour.
I wish everyone sitting exams every success and trust the eventual results reflect the efforts you have put into courses over the years.
It has been a very busy term and I know the teachers and pupils will be looking forward to a well deserved Easter break. Please remember we will not be back on Easter Monday and we return on Tuesday 18th April. Many of our non-teaching staff will be working over the Easter break getting things in order for when the teachers and pupils return.
There is a perception that things ease off in the summer term. Nothing could be further from the truth – particularly this year. At the end of last week new National benchmarks were published and staff are expected to begin using these in planning their S1-S3 courses. In addition, the SQA published significant changes to National 5 courses to come into effect next session. New advice came out on the very last day of term and staff will return in April needing to adapt their National 5 courses (next year we are anticipating changes to Higher and the year after to Advance Higher). Given that the new courses start in June it will be an extremely busy return for teachers throughout Scotland.
On the last day of term I was also made aware of an article which was appearing in the local press which made reference to Harlaw Academy. I will not go into the detail of the article itself but the reference to the school was in connection with our decision last year to replace the gender based role of Head Boy and Head Girl with a role of Senior Prefect. We took the decision because those on the selection panel were of a view that it was difficult to justify selecting someone for a role purely on the basis of their gender (eg if only one boy or one girl applied for the post they would get it regardless of how good their application or interview was). We took the view that it was better to appoint the best people regardless of their gender. The pupils tell their story, better than I can, in a short video they made for the school website which you can view here:
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During the holidays our 3 senior prefects and I shall attend the Former Pupils Annual Dinner. As many of you will know Harlaw Academy came about in the 1970s from a merger of Ruthrieston School and Aberdeen High School for Girls. Many of those at the FPs event attended the High School for Girls and grew up during times when it was really difficult for girls to break through a ‘glass ceiling’. They can relate to the message given in the pupil video and are supportive of the change which we have made. Our parent council also recognise the significance of the change and support the new position. The video our pupils made was shown to other city schools and has also been picked up further afield. It has certainly started a series of discussions and debates. What others decide to do is up to them – what I know is that appointing the best applicants for the senior prefect roles, regardless of their gender, is an easier position to defend than by-passing better applicants in order to appoint one of each gender. This position sits well with; the values we promote, the historical context of our school and the world we want our youngsters to experience when they leave Harlaw Academy.
This week our seniors will be completing elements of coursework for sending off to SQA. After that they really need to be getting themselves organised for some intensive study and revision. I am sure any parent reading this will have their ideas about study/revision. In my senior school years I was great at making up plans and lists – sadly my great intentions/plans were not matched by doing the actual work. It was not until much later that I learned the trick was to find what worked for me and then get down to the work. Looking back if I could change two things this is what I would change:
The notes below offer a range of ideas around study and revision. There is real a danger that you spend hours reading these sources and finding others of your own. This is time you could have spent doing the actual work. So don’t spend too long on the sources (or on making up plans and not doing the work) it is a balance – between doing anything other than what you need to do and actually doing the effective study/revision which will make a difference. I hope you find the sources to be of some use.
– Leicester: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/study/revision-exam
– Manchester: http://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/studyskills/assessment_evaluation/assessment/revision_strategies.html
– The Open University also have a 20 minute unit to help with revision techniques: https://www2.open.ac.uk/students/skillsforstudy/revision-techniques.php
At this point I am going to stop listing sources. Find the approach that works for you, revise with others and get support from your teachers. Most of all get your heads down and put in the time doing the work you need to do to succeed.