Moffat Academy Secondary News 2022/23 Term 4

LGBT Month

Public Speaking Competition

Moffat Academy held their annual Public Speaking Competition on Tuesday 27^th June. The winner of the Junior Public Speaking Competition was Connie Bevins. Special mention from the judges was given to Neave Beveridge and Harry Weatherstone for delivering excellent speeches.

The winner of the Senior Public Speaking Competition was Rory Hunter.

Well done to all participants.

Moffat Academy Egg Drop Challenge

Well done to Olivia McAskill, Jessica Salmon and Caitlin Stewart for winning the Physics Egg Drop Challenge!

P7/S1 Transition Week

P7 pupils joined us in Secondary for a full week of transition activities. These included two days at Loch Ken for team building activities in their new classes, followed by three days of following their new S1 timetables. It has been great to meet them all and start to get to know everyone a little better. We are super proud of all of them for giving their all, and we are really looking forward to them starting with us full time in August!

Photos to follow.

Hockey Club

A great photo of our Hockey Club members enjoying the sunny weather!

Mountain Bike Excursion

The Moffat Academy Mountain bike club organised a trip to Ae forest on Friday 16^th June. The group enjoyed the challenge of putting the skills they had learned in the playground into practice in the forest. Cycling uphill on sustained climbs proved to be a physical challenge that the group learned from as the day went on. Well done to all of the cyclists that enjoyed the experience. The club is still running every Wednesday after school if anyone else would like to get involved.

UNCRC Article 31 (leisure, play and culture)

Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

Lucky Doves Concert

On the 15th June, S3-6 music students visited Lockerbie Academy to watch local band The Lucky Doves, which features a few of our instrumental instructors. They explained about the instruments they were playing and answered questions from the audience on songwriting and playing. A fantastic afternoon was enjoyed by all. Thank you to Lockerbie Academy for having us

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UNCRC Article 31 (leisure, play and culture)

Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

Asaka String Quartet

On Friday 16th June the music department had the Asaka Quartet in to perform some for the secondary music pupils. It was great to hear some live music and learn about the string instruments. The young people asked some really great questions too. You will be able to hear them at the Old Well Theatre in January.

UNCRC Article 31 (leisure, play and culture)

Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

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Regional Athletics

On Tuesday 13th June Moffat Academy pupils attended the annual regional athletics competition in Dumfries. The heat of the day allowed those who stayed in the shade and hydrated the opportunity for some excellent performances. This competition highlighted the ability of pupils from across the region with many regional records being broken. The Moffat Academy pupils conducted themselves in an excellent manner and were a credit to their school.

The best results of the day for Moffat were:

Fred Kershaw 1st S1 Hurdles

Fergus Vandale 3rd S2 High Jump

Finlay McKenna 2nd S2 400m

Ronnie Welch 3rd S3 Discus

Ellis Durston 2nd S3 Shot Put

Kyle Smith 3rd S3 Javelin

FC 2nd S3 Javelin

S3 girls relay team 2nd

The team were:

Fred Kershaw, Jaydon Hodgson, Fergus Vandale, Alfie Thomson, Archie Dowson, Finlay McKenna , Liesl Cable, Ellis Durston, Ronnie Welch, Finlay McNay, Scott McCrosson, Kyle Smith, FC, Gemma Todd, Riley Dutton, Rhianna Notman, Ivanna Davis - Grierson

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UNCRC Article 29 (goals of education)

Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment.

Dine and Democracy

All students S2-6 engaged in a series of Dine 'n' Democracy sessions during the week of the 12^th June, all with a focus on homophobia. These were led by the Equalities Committee, informed by recent surveys completed by S1-3 students surrounding equality and diversity at the school.

Each year group was welcomed down to the hall by the committee and were provided with an array of breakfast refreshments as part of the session. They were then led through a series of tasks looking at stereotypes associated with members of the LGBTQ+ community and scenarios exploring what homophobia may look like in our setting. Finally, each session ended with input on how individuals can help to challenge and address homophobia, to ensure we continue to maintain our highly inclusive environment.

Well done to the Equalities Committee for a series of excellent inputs, and thank you to all S2-6 students for their participation in these sessions.

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UNCRC Article 29 (goals of education)

Biology River Trip

National 5 and Advanced Higher Biology pupils spent the morning learning about different sampling techniques with Restoring Annan's Water Group members, Kay Black from High Tae and Martin Lyall, Ranger at NTS Grey Mares Tail.

The pupils collected invertebrates from pitfall traps, identified Scotland's native trees and carried out kick sampling in the river to observe the different species of river flies and cool down in the extreme heat!!

S1-S3 Celebration of Achievement

Young people, staff, parents and carers gathered on Thursday 8^th of June to celebrate the achievements of all of our S1-3 young people over the course of the academic year. All young people were presented with awards which showed their dedication and achievements both in their studies and with extra-curricular achievements. We were treated to musical inputs from Ryan Wilson, James Wilson and Mhairi Wilson. The celebration concluded with a video that showed the huge range of experiences young people have engaged with over the course of the year, highlighting the positive impact all have made to school life.

Sports Leaders

Eight sports leaders who are pupils at Moffat Academy have this week been supporting the annual Health Week’s for Moffat and Beattock Primary Schools.

Rose, Lorna, Morgan, Ceitidh, Tessa, Hannah, Emily and Samantha, most who have come in to help from time off school for study leave have delivered Sportshall Athletics, Gymnastics, Dance, Netball, Tennis, Rounders and Playground Games.

All eight young people who have been a fantastic help all week and became sports leaders through a summer leadership programme offered by Annandale and Eskdale Active Schools and Community Sport. Young people aged S3-S5 can now register for this year’s Choose to Lead summer programme with further details on this link - https://forms.office.com/e/LAG6qzSmAF

Calum Graham

Senior Induction Week

To conclude the senior induction week, all S5&6 pupils were invited to climb the Grey Mares Tail as a team building exercise. The group demonstrated great determination to safely achieve the climb together to Loch Skeen and back to the bus. Staff were very impressed with all pupils especially those who pushed themselves out of their comfort zone to achieve the challenge. Moffat Academy managed to leave the route cleaning than we found it by lifting half a bag of litter from the trail. Well done all.

Thank you to Rhuridh Montgomerie for some great shots.

Senior Celebration of Achievement

School staff, parents, carers, young people and community partners gathered to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our young people over the 22/23 academic session. Special awards were presented by our guest, Amy Irons, who then delivered a thought-provoking speech which emphasised the value of hard work and determination to our young people. As is tradition, the evening was closed with a celebration of our School Leavers and a note of thanks from our outgoing Pupil Leadership Team. Elliott Hepburn and Jessica Ryder delivered excellent speeches that shone a light on the strong sense of community spirit that underpins our achievements.

Secondary Activity Days

Prom

We held our annual Prom on Friday 9^th June and what a fantastic evening our S5 and S6 young people had! Well done to Head Girl and Head Boy Jessica Ryder and Elliott Hepburn for organising the event with their depute team. We’d like to thank Moffat House for kindly letting us take our photos and congregate in their grounds, Fiona Henderson School of Dance for some last minute ceilidh directions and music, Billy Kerr and the Moffat Town Hall Redevelopment Trust for the use of their venue and staff (which looked amazing) and Sandra Braid’s delicious food.

The Guitar Group plays at the Moniaive Folk Festival

Here is our fantastic guitar group playing at Moniaive Folk Festival - well done to all!

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UNCRC Article 29 (goals of education)

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Bang Goes DG

Secondary Sports Day

We had a fantastic day for our Secondary Sports and we even managed to break several records. Well done to all competitors and a huge thank you to Mr Scott and Mr Meola for a brilliant day for our young people.

Here are the results below:

S1 Boys - Fred Kershaw

S1 Girls Leah Wilson and Grace Palmer

S2 Boys - Fergus Vandale

S2 Girls - Robyn Daly and Liesl Cable

S3 Boys - Kyle Smith

S3 Girls - Gemma Todd

Senior Boys - Callum Thompson

Senior Girls - Hannah Stewart

New Records:

S2 Boys Long Jump - Fergus Vandale (4.85)

S3 Boys Javelin - Ellis Durston (23.65)

S3 Girls Javelin - FC (18.65)

S3 Boys 400m - Ronnie Welch (1.04)

S3 Girls Relay - Rhianna Notman, Macy McCulloch, Gemma Todd, Riley Dutton (1.00. 00)

National Numeracy Day

S1 and S2 students at Moffat Academy celebrated National Numeracy Day by taking part in a series of Numeracy Challenges!

In one challenge, S2 had to use their understanding of estimation, measure, shape and speed-distance-time to guess the distance of one lap of the school. They then used a trundle wheel to get a precise measurement. In 3rd place were Mhairi W and Lauren G with a guess 8m short, in 2nd place were Darren D, Kyle D and Archie D who were just 6m short, but the winners - with an impressive guess just 1m from the true measurement - were Connie B, Robyn D and Lauren J, congratulations!

In another challenge, inspired by National Numeracy Day's official rap star, Harry Baker, students wrote their own Maths-inspired bars.

Our S2s have got the flow,

as you can see below!

By Erin Shannon and Kathryn Wilson

Maths is a subject

that helps me feel alive,

its like a puzzle

I can't help but strive

to solve every problem,

every equation,

its like a game

I play with dedication.

From addition to calculus,

I love it all

I'll never get tired

of this mathematical ball.

It's like a language

I speak fluently

When it comes to Maths,

I'm never truly empty.

I can calculate,

I can measure,

I can graph

I can treasure

Every moment

I spend with Maths,

It's like it is a

never-ending path.

So if you're looking

for a subject that's cool

Just give Maths a try,

you'll never be a fool

It's the subject

that makes you think,

and in the end,

its like a victory drink!

(also)By Erin Shannon and Kathryn Wilson

Shape, shape, everywhere we see

from circles to squares, they are all around me.

I see triangles, rectangles, and even more

They're the building blocks of what we adore.

Shapes are more than lines on a page,

They're the foundations of every stage -

from buildings to bridges, they're everywhere

and without them we would be lost in despair.

Shapes can be big, shapes can be small,

shapes can be short, shapes can be tall,

Shapes can be simple, shapes can be complex

But they all have one things in common, they're the apex.

So - when you're walking down the street,

take a look around, shapes are neat.

They are the building blocks of everything we see,

and without them we'd be lost, don't you agree?

By Mhairi Wilson and Lauren Gourley

Add, divide, multiply, its a sign

The sum is the one to get you through - time,

60 second loop

these numbers help you

when things get tense,

these people aren't dense,

these symbols make sense!

So rap and rhyme

to this rhythm of mine

to succeed with your skills

to make you less stressed

start with a click

and then a clap

you can

make your own rap!

Wider Achievement news

Send in your Wider Achievements to gw08officemoffat@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

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UNCRC Article 31 (leisure, play and culture)

Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

Fergus Vandale S2

On Saturday, some of our young people took part in the Ae Mini Downhill. Working with the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, Scottish Cycling created the Race the Worlds series, and Ae was our regional qualifier. Thank you to Ae Bike Association was organising a super event for our local young people.

Well done to Fergus Vandal in S2 for racing in the Under 14's, and Oran Candlish and Oscar Fletcher in P4 racing in the under 12's. A great day was had by all!

Ryan and Kathryn Wilson

Ryan S3 and Kathryn Wilson S2 achieved some great awards at the Robert Burns Schools National Finals, Ayr 25th March 2023. Ryan took first in bagpiping and Kathryn came 2nd in recitation at Dumfries.

Ryan came 2nd in S3/4 bagpiping

Kathryn came 2nd in S1/2 recitation ' Tae a Louse'

They are pictured below being presented with their silver medals by the Burns World Press Alan Beck.

Well done to both Ryan and Kathryn!

Chloe McAleese

Chloe had a very successful day in her first competition with her new Horse - Master Macauly a.k.a Strike at the NSEA show jumping competition at Floors Castle.

They had entered 3 different height classes:

60-65cm - and achieved 2nd place out of 17 competitors.

70-75cm - and achieved 6th place out of 40 competitors

80-85cm - sadly eliminated due to refusals as both Chloe and Strike where tired and cold.

It was a tricky day as the grass was slippy but a huge well done to Chloe and Strike.

Logan Reid

During the Easter break, the Solway Sharks u16 Junior Ice Hockey won the Scottish Cup in Aberdeen with a 2-0 win against Fife. Logan Reid (S4) received man of the match from Scottish Ice Hockey with a shut out in his last u16 game before he jumps up to u19s. Well done Logan from all at Moffat Academy!

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UNCRC Article 31 (leisure, play and culture) Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

Bronze Library Readers

Some of our recent Bronze award achievers - well done to all!

S3 Music Tech Class

S3 music tech have been working on a film music project. The were given a choice of 'Scary' short films to choose from with no audio. Their task was to add in the audio. They could use a mixture of downloaded sound effects and sound effects recorded in class. They also had to add the ambient background sounds/ soundtrack to their video. These are a few of the finished videos. I think you will agree they have done a fantastic job!

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UNCRC Article 29 (goals of education) Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment.

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Jupiter Artland

Moffat pupils got the opportunity to see sculpture up close when they spent a day at Jupiter Art land near Edinburgh, Our S2 Artists got to learn about and view the work of sculptors such as Charles Jencks, Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley. A fantastic day was had by all.

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UNCRC Article 31 (leisure, play and culture) Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

Art Exhibition

Moffat Academy senior art and photography pupils recently exhibited their work to the public. The pop-up gallery gave parents and members of the local community the chance to see some of the pieces that the young people had created before it was sent off to the SQA for marking as part of the pupils' National Five, Higher and Advanced Higher exams.

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