Strive to achieve
Well done to everyone who auditioned for, and took part in, the MAFIA Talent Show 2009.
Prizes were awarded as follows:
1st place – Neil Dudgeon, S3 on piano playing’ Willie’s Wagglestick Walkabout
2nd place – Helen Mackenzie S1, singing ‘This Is Me’ from Camp Rock
3rd place – Sarah-Louise Mackintosh S6, singing ’Try’ with Alasdair Taylor S5, on guitar
John Rice visit to the library, 22nd April 2009
This year we changed the format of reporting for Power Readers with the 1st year at Bronze level. One of the new tasks was to write to an author. The very first girl who did this received a wonderful reply from the poet, John Rice, with a letter, three signed poems and a riddle. The pupil was thrilled.
We thought it would encourage pupils to engage with Power Readers as well as to enjoy poetry if we invited him into school to run workshops with S1. We were given funding from MAFIA and the day proved to be a great success.
Eight S1 classes were able to participate to some extent in the day and all the pupils were enthralled – even if they did not all understand some of John’s word play!
There were also books for sale signed by John and several pupils left the library very happy clutching a copy of their very own John Rice book.
Seventy pupils – from S3, S4 and S6 - participated in the annual Badaguish Youth Challenge, a two day sponsored trail finding event in the Rothiemurchus and Glenmore Forests. The aim of the event is for young people to enjoy a first-hand experience of the outdoors and to raise funds to help the Speyside Trust provide outdoor holidays for people with disabilities.
Pupils and supervising staff thoroughly enjoyed the event and, once again, excellent weather conditions held over the two days. Over the next few weeks pupils’ efforts will focus on gathering the sponsor monies promised.
Well done to all who participated and special thanks to Mr Crawshaw who organised Millburn’s involvement with the event.
Staff and pupils returned from the Easter break to find demolition of the old building had been completed. Work is now well underway to turn the site into a playing field and car park.
It’s all hands on deck as the WHAM editorial team writes and pulls together content for the soon to be published spring issue. Check school bag mail in the run up to the May holiday weekend for the latest issue!
Assemblies have taken place this week to give information about the house system which will be established at the change of timetable in June. All pupils and staff will be assigned to a house. Houses will be known as ASHIE, FARRALINE, GARTH, MOY and RUTHVEN – names of local lochs.
Pupils have been given a set of Frequently Asked Questions and a letter has been issued to parents.
Millburn Academy
Moving to a house system and new register classes in 2009/10
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a house system?
A house system is made up of readily identifiable groups of pupils and staff. It gives a strong sense of belonging and identity, providing you with opportunities to lead, and take part in, house activities. The emphasis is on participation, doing your best, not only for yourself but also for your house. A sense of fun and friendly competition are important parts of a house system.
Why are we setting up a house system?
We think a house system will be beneficial in lots of ways. You will have the opportunity to mix not just with others in your year group but also with pupils from other year groups. This means friendships and interests will extend across a wider range of people. All pupils and all members of staff will be assigned to a house.
Until the late 1980s, Millburn operated a very successful house system. We really like the idea of resurrecting the previous house system in the new building as there is a sense we are breathing new life into something that worked well in the past. Then there were only four houses. We have had to create a new, fifth house. This house will be led by Mr Mathieson, and will be known as Ashie.
What will the other houses be called? How will they operate?
There will be five, each one named after a loch situated above Loch Ness:
You will be in the house led by your Guidance teacher:
Mr Mathieson – Ashie
Mrs Campbell – Farraline
Mr Watson - Garth
Mrs Brunton – Moy
Ms Mackay – Ruthven
Each house will have approximately 220 pupils. Each house will have 11 register classes with approximately 20 pupils in each. The house you are in will be indicated by the letter in your registration class name e.g. A1 or A2, F1 or M1 etc.
What kinds of things will we do within houses?
Some of the house activities may be involve pitting your wits or using your energies against pupils and staff in other houses. Within your house and along with your Guidance teacher, who is Head of House, you may want to set your own goals. These goals may be about adopting a charity, organising an event or identifying an environmental project. Each house might want to have its own colour and/or logo. There may be interest in houses having web pages on the school’s website. To make sure everyone’s views are taken into consideration, it might be necessary to form a house forum. These are just examples. It will be for all of you – within your houses – to discuss and make decisions about how things should take shape!
When will we move to a house system?
We hope to have everything in place for the change of timetable in June 2009. Over the next 8 weeks or so, there will be opportunities for you to discuss the new system, and to make suggestions about how it should operate.
What about the changes taking place to register classes? What will this mean?
As far as possible, there will be 20 pupils in each register class. Pupils from S1 to S6 will be in each register class – approximately 4 S1 pupils, 4 S2 pupils, 4 S3 pupils, 4 S4 pupils and 4 pupils from S5 and S6 combined. These mixed age groupings will only exist for registration purposes. Each of the register classes will be a miniature version of the house. During registration house business can be discussed. There will also be times when each of the register classes within a house meet for house assemblies.
Does this mean I’ll be in the same register class as my brother or sister?
You won’t be in the same register class as your brother or sister unless a special request is made, but it is very likely you will be in the same house.
I like my current register class. Do I have to move?
Yes. It is often a wrench when there is a change of teacher or when a registration class leaves but your new register teacher will get to know you quickly, and the group will settle in with new relationships forming.
April 2009