Lornshill Academy

Respect

Integrity

Compassion

Engagement

Ethics

Inclusion

Headteacher—Mr Black

Welcome back to another school year. If you are new to our school community, then I would like to extend a

warm welcome to you and your family. I hope your child settles quickly into our school community and finds it a

place where they are happy and able to thrive.

Already the summer break feels like a distant memory as we start our term with a clear purpose and focus on

raising performance levels and building, again, on a strong set of SQA examination results. Our results for session

2018-2019 demonstrate our continued progression at all levels with particular highlights being the increased

number of young people achieving at National 5 level, achieving 5 or more National 5 awards and the number of

Advanced Highers. Alongside this we also secured a strong performance at Higher level, including 14 S4 pupils

achieving a Higher pass and we have continued to widen the range and level of qualifications available to our

young people. As always we are very proud of their achievements and it is great to see so many getting the

rewards they deserve for their hard work throughout the session.

Our priorities for this session are clear in order to further improve our service for our young people and families.

They are:

To further embed our school values in the everyday working of our school community.

To increase the scope of our curriculum to ensure it meets the needs of all pupils.

To further improve young people’s learning experiences through agreed strategies and approaches that fully

engage them in their learning.

To introduce our ‘Progress’ system to enable more frequent and dynamic communication with parents/

carers with regards to young people’s progress in learning.

To develop a Lornshill Academy virtual learning platform to support learning beyond the school building.

To increase further the opportunity to work intensively with young people to support gaps in learning.

These priorities form the work of the school this session and are supported through the Pupil Equity Fund. I look

forward to seeing these improvements take shape throughout the session.

To ensure we continue to raise our schools performance levels we require and appreciate the support of our

parents and carers in ensuring our young people have high attendance levels, arrive on time, always display the

highest levels of conduct and associate with our school through wearing our agreed school uniform. In doing so, it

enables staff to focus on learning and interventions to support young people, maximising the precious little time

we have each session on the areas that make the most difference. I appreciate that sometimes life happens and

some of these areas can be challenging: if this does happen, please get in touch and we are happy to support in

whatever way we can to ensure your child is in a position to thrive and achieve as they should.

Kind regards

Tom Black

Headteacher

Welcome to our

team!

New Staff—2019

Miss Brown

Business Education

Miss Gray, PE

Mr Manuel, PE

S2 Year Head—

Mr Somerville This year’s S2 are an incredible group of people. After making an extreme-ly positive start to their Lornshill journey in S1, this year is about building on that solid foundation and keeping up the momentum that they have worked hard to generate. I met with S2 last week and outlined the expectations I have of them this year. I was very clear in terms of the responsibilities they have as young people in Lornshill Academy and how this should shape their daily conduct and attitude towards learning. We agreed the bottom line: that they would be kind to each other, they would respect everyone in Lornshill Academy, and that whilst they might make mistakes this year they would be honest and find a way forward. I look forward to working with S2 pupils this year and with their parents and carers.

S1 Year Head—

Mrs McMaihin

It has been my pleasure to welcome our new first year pupils to Lornshill Academy this week.

During our assembly on the first day of term I was impressed at not only how smart the pupils looked in full school uniform but also their excellent behaviour and the enthusiasm they showed in getting to their first class. I have received positive feedback from class teachers and Learning Assistants who support S1 classes.

They have had a busy first few days, developing positive relationships with new class mates and teachers as well as finding their way around our vast campus with the assistance of our senior prefects.

Starting secondary school can be both a nervous but exciting time for our young people and I am delighted, as S1 Year Head, to have the opportunity to play a role in shaping their educational experience and helping your children to achieve their potential.

All Lornshill Academy staff work closely together to nurture and develop every young person’s potential and support them in developing as individual learners.

Working in partnership with parents is crucial to ensure all our young people achieve their potential. I look forward to meeting you all at our first Settling In parents evening on the 18th of September.

S3 Year Head— Mr

Murray

I would like to welcome S3 back from what was hopefully a restful summer

beak. The year ahead is an incredibly important year for them in their journey

through Lornshill Academy. It is essential at the start of the year that we all

agree to work together to raise the standards higher than previous years; rather

than resting on our laurels we are constantly trying to improve all areas of the

school in our journey towards excellence. To help with this, we employ a set of

basic standards that we expect from all our learners, this involves everything

from behaviour to time keeping. These standards are used to improve the

learning environment of all pupils and young people. Improving on these basic

standards and working with staff in all lessons is the surest way to ensure that

this year enjoys excellence. Thank you in advance for all your cooperation.

Mr McGillvray, English

Miss McLean, Admin

Support

Mr Ross, Geography

Mrs Williams, Physics

S4 Year Head—Mr

Clancy

What a fantastic start our pupils have made to the new session. I have visited a

number of S4 classes during the first week and I have been really impressed

with the focus and maturity pupils are showing; it is shaping up to be a really

positive year for all.

Last year we introduced ‘Learn with a latte’ study sessions after school for all

senior pupils. This was really well received and helped contribute to some

excellent results for young people. Already we have had our new S4 pupils

asking about when this will be starting this year and I’m pleased to let you know

that this year the sessions will run on a Wednesday 4pm – 5pm and Thursday

3:15pm – 4:30pm. Session will run every week starting on Wednesday 11th

September.

Last year we trialled an online booking system for Parents’ Evening: the

feedback from those who took part in the trial was overwhelmingly positive and

we will now roll this out for subject parents’ evening for all year groups.

Information on how to use the system will come out prior to each evening.

Parents not wishing to use the online system will still be able to make appoint-

ments in the traditional way.

Staff across the school have been working on our reporting, tracking and

monitoring system and this will go live to all parents during the first session. This

will give parents the opportunity to get regular updates on their child’s progress

across all curricular areas with information on next steps.

I am really looking forward to another year at Lornshill as we strive to make

further improvements for our young people.

S5/6 Year Head—

Mr Arnold

We have had an excellent start to the new school session with our new S5/6. Our senior school were a great help to our new first year both during the June visit and in the first week of term. They were always willing to offer help and take time to support our S1 and I know they will continue to do this throughout the rest of the session.

We have had a focus with S5/6 on hard work and effort over the past couple of years and this continues to be the case. The focus and commitment they have shown to their studies at the start of this term has been very impressive and I look forward to working with them more in the coming months.

There are a number of planned events for the seniors this year to ensure that we get the right balance between hard work and taking time for themselves to enjoy life away from their studying. This studying/life balance has been something we are keen to encourage and we will continue to look for ways to support this. I am sure we will have a very productive and successful year and I look forward to seeing as many of our seniors as possible at our 'Learn With a Latte' study sessions that will start later this term.

School Communication

Automated Absence

Notification

System – “Attendance Call”

Lornshill Academy operates an automated absence notification system for all pupils. You will be contacted by telephone or text if your child is marked absent and no prior notification has been given. This will ensure the reason for absence is known as soon as possible and alert you if your child is not in school when he/she should be. Please note that absences not supported by a telephone call or absence note are recorded as unauthorised.

Groupcall – Email system

Where possible, the school will communicate with parents and carers via Groupcall, which allows us to send emails with attach-ments to inform you about the many activities happening in the school and initiatives relating to your child.

If you have not provided the

school with an email

address or you change your

email address, please inform

the school as soon as

possible to allow the

smooth running of this

system.

School Dress Code The dress code for Lornshill Academy is as follows: School blazer with school badge White blouse or shirt School tie Black skirt Black tailored trousers Black pullover or cardigan with or without school badge Black footwear PE Kit Sports training shoes with a good level of support Lornshill Academy white polo shirt or plain white T-shirt Black shorts / sports trousers All Lornshill Academy pupils will be expected to wear the school uniform. We would encourage all pupils to also wear the school blazer. In particular the following items of clothing must not be worn within Lornshill Academy: Denim jeans or jackets Tracksuits Hooded tops High-necked pullovers which conceal the school tie Football colours Shorts Any item of clothing which carries advertising We would seek your co-operation in ensuring that the dress code of Lornshill Academy is followed during the coming session. Assistance is available for those who qualify in the form of a School Clothing Grant. This is currently set at £100 per child. Applications can be made at Kilncraigs House or online at the council website.

School Day 8.55—9.05 Registration 9.05—9.55 Period 1 9.55—10.45 Period 2 10.45—11.00 Morning interval 11.00—11.50 Period 3 11.50—12.40 Period 4 12.40—1.20 Lunch 1.20—2.10 Period 5 2.10—3.00 Period 6 Mondays and Wednesdays are longer days and have an additional period: 3.00—3.50 Period 7 Getting in touch If you have a query or concern regarding your child you should contact your child’s PT Pupil Support in the first instance: Pupil Support Team S1—6 Devon— Miss Mackay S1—6 Forebraes — Miss Dodds S1—6 Grange— Mr Rennie

School Meals Parents/Carers and pupils are reminded that our

dining hall operates a “cash-free system”, with

money credited by pupils through a revaluation

machine and a biometric recognition system.

Lornshill Academy also operate a system accepting

debit and credit card payments using a secure

online payment facility (ParentPay). You have

previously been provided with account details for

using this system. Please contact the school office

if you require further information.

Pupils wishing to purchase a meal or snack from

our dining hall should therefore ensure that

appropriate money is brought to school or

credited to their account via the online payment

facility. This could cover a pupil’s eating

arrangements for one week, one month or even a

complete session.

Assistance is available for those who qualify in the

form of Free School Meals. If you think that you

may be entitled to this, applications can be made

at Kilncraigs House on Tuesdays and Thursdays

9.30-11.30am and 2-4pm. If you require further

information or support applying for this then you

can also contact the school.

Please note that all pupils are expected to remain

within the school grounds during interval and the

lunch break, unless going home for lunch.

School Communication

Automated Absence

Notification

System – “Attendance Call”

Lornshill Academy operates an automated absence notification system for all pupils. You will be contacted by telephone or text if your child is marked absent and no prior notification has been given. This will ensure the reason for absence is known as soon as possible and alert you if your child is not in school when he/she should be. Please note that absences not supported by a telephone call or absence note are recorded as unauthorised.

Groupcall – Email system

Where possible, the school will communicate with parents and carers via Groupcall, which allows us to send emails with attach-ments to inform you about the many activities happening in the school and initiatives relating to your child.

If you have not provided the

school with an email

address or you change your

email address, please inform

the school as soon as

possible to allow the

smooth running of this

system.

What does it do?

Calendar: A yearly calendar of all school events, keeping you up to date with the information you need, when you need it. News: Regular news from our school community, giving an insight into the life of a busy and thriving secondary school. Push notifications: Relevant, important and useful infor-mation sent direct to your mobile device to keep you up-to-date with everything you need to know to support your child at Lornshill Academy. School Information: Static information on all aspects of school life. This section provides quick access to the type of infor-mation that parents want: who to contact, how to contact the school, times of the school day etc.

School Communication: School

App To improve efficiency in our communication we have a Lornshill Academy App. This is available to download on both Apple and Android platforms and is proving to be a powerful communication platform.

How To Download It Search SSA in your chosen platform, download the app, then select Lornshill Academy.

School Priorities 2018—2021 We have identified three clear priorities that we are working on as a school. Together, these form the basis of our improvement this year and are the vehicle through which we will become an out-standing school. 1. Attainment Maximise pupil attainment through effective use of ‘Progress’ and individual pupil attainment plans. 2. Learner Pathways To create an educational experience that is relevant, transformative, and enables all young people the opportunity to achieve their chosen future pathway, by redesigning the current curriculum structures and pathways. 3. Impact on Learners To deliver the highest quality learning experience for all young people by supporting professional learning through the Tapestry programme.

Fitness Suite

As part of our drive to continually improve the learning environment for our young people

here at Lornshill Academy, the Fitness Suite facility underwent a refurbishment over the

summer holidays.

As well as the flooring and surrounding walls being newly laid and painted, we have various

pieces of new equipment for strength and conditioning and a new top of the range tread-

mill, rowing machine and exercise bike. The new lay out provides far greater space for

learning and teaching to take place and staff and pupil feedback has been overwhelmingly

positive upon returning.

After school exercise and fitness sessions are already proving to be very popular with our

young people!

School of Sport Our school of football pupils in S2 were the first to wear the new Lornshill training kit for

football on Wednesday last week, looking incredibly smart as they worked together for the

first time again in what will hopefully prove to be an exciting and rewarding year for all

involved.

Extra-Curricular Clubs

Once again this year we will be offering a wide range of extra-curricular activities and

experiences throughout the session. In addition to lunch and after school clubs, there will be

an opportunity for young people to represent Lornshill Academy and take part in

competitions throughout the year in activities including; Football, Basketball, Rugby, Dance,

Cheerleading, Badminton, Cross Country, Athletics and many more.

Our after school extra-curricular programme will resume week beginning 2nd September and

pupils are reminded to collect permission forms from the PE base before attending.

After School Timetable

Lunch time clubs will this year be organised and led by over twenty of our s4

Sports Leaders pupils. This will be a fantastic opportunity for our senior pupils

to develop their leadership qualities and strengthen the team ethos we are

building within the school community. These activities and days may change

over the course of the year and information will be displayed and shared.

Lunchtime Timetable

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Football Girls

(s1-6)

Cheerleading Badminton Football Boys

(s1-2)

Football (Seniors)

Rugby

Rugby Dance

Trampolining

Basketball

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Indoor Football Dodgeball Badminton Indoor Football Indoor Football

Indoor Football

Step Count Challenge 2019

Lornshill Academy Step Count Challenge 2019

The Lornshill Step Count Challenge is open to pupils and staff to compete against each other to do

the most steps and win prizes. The Step Count Challenge launches on the 2nd

September. You

can register by popping into the Design and Technology Base, Active Travel Hub (In Cafe),

sending an email to jodie@forthenvironmentlink.org or messaging the Lornshill Active Travel Hub

via Facebook at www.facebook.com/lornshillath.

Teams of 5

Nominate 1 captain

Get in touch with Jodie Hutton in the Design and Tech Base, Active Travel Hub or outside Friday

break and lunch. Can also be contacted via email jodie@forthenvironmentlink.org or Facebook

@lornshillath

Use your school email to sign up and invite your team members to join

Log your steps every day to be in with a chance of winning

Prizes will be given for:

Most steps (Team)

Most steps (Individual)

Best team name

Best team captain

Weekly winners (Team)

Year group winners

Staff Winners

Most improved

Most motivating team member

Follow the Lornshill Active Travel Hub Social Media Accounts for updates. Facebook and Twitter:

@lornshillath Instagram: @lornshillacademyath

Be quick as we only have room for 30 teams.

Lornshill Academy

Tullibody Road

Alloa

FK10 2ES

Telephone: 01259 452 333

Email: lornshill@edu.clacks.gov.uk

Twitter: @lornshill

Website: lornshillacademy.org.uk

Lornshill Academy