Alford Academy

Hockey

There won’t be any more after school hockey sessions this term but there will be a lunchtime session on Friday this week and next from 1.30-2pm in the games hall. This is open to any pupils who would like to attend, even if you haven’t come along to the after school club before.

Interact Club (charities club)

All pupils are invited to join us at Thursday lunchtimes in B1-23,

We are looking for more members!

This year we are currently planning the following:

Fairtrade event

MacMillan Coffee Morning

Children in Need

Remembrance day

You can use Interact to gain the Saltire award and some pupils are working towards the leadership award qualification, please talk to us about this if you are interested.

Young STEM Leader Programme (S5/6)

Monday 23rd & 30th June at 1:20pm in B1-24 to find out more!

Would you like to help lead the Science club at Alford Academy?

Are you interested in buddying in Science classes?

Would you like to gain a leadership award?

The Young STEM Leader Programme enables young people in Scotland to inspire, lead and mentor their peers through the delivery of STEM activities, events or interactions within their learning communities.  As well as developing important leadership, communication and employability skills, completing a Young STEM Leader award will motivate young people to progress their STEM studies leading towards positive destinations in STEM.

Extra Curricular Activities

Just a wee reminder that the following clubs are up and running again until the end of term:

Monday lunchtime

Netball in the games Hall

Tuesday Lunchtime 

Gymnastics in the Small gym

Wednesday lunchtime

Badminton, the Games Hall

Thursday After School 

BGE Football Boys and Girls

Friday Lunchtime 

Table Tennis, the Dance Studio

BGE Summer Curriculum  S2 / S3 – Cross County WB 16th June for one week

As part of our summer curriculum, and weather permitting, you will be participating in cross country activities during your scheduled PE lessons. The course will take place at the rear of the school grounds and will include sections within the school wooded area. For  those who need to please could you make sure you have your inhalers with you.

Postponement of Alford Academy Sportathon – Thursday 19th June

It is with  regret that we must announce the postponement of the Alford Academy Sportathon 2025. This decision has not been made lightly and follows careful consideration of a range of factors.

We understand that this news will be disappointing, especially to those who have been training, volunteering or making preparations in anticipation and also to those in the community who have been going out of their way to sponsor the event in one form or another, whether that be offering to keep the pupils fed and watered to offering prizes for the raffle.

Please be assured that this is a postponement rather than a cancellation — we remain fully committed to holding the Sportathon at a later date in 2026 with renewed energy and the same community spirit that will make special.

The Sportathon was to be one of the highlights of the school year — a celebration of energy, teamwork, and resilience that brings together students, staff, families, and supporters in a spirit of fun and shared purpose. We know how much this event means to everyone involved, which makes this announcement all the more disappointing.

Thank you for your understanding, patience, and continued support. We will provide further updates as soon as we are in a position to reschedule.

We will still intend to hold the Highland Games within the school day (weather permitting) on 19 June.

 

Girls Only Mountain Biking

Active Schools and Ride In Peace Adventures (RIPA) will be offering Girls Only Mountain Biking for S1-6 pupils next month. The block will run on Wednesdays 4:30pm-6:00pm from 4th June – 25th June.

Open to all S1-6 girls of all ability levels

Led by qualified coaches from RIPA

No previous mountain biking experience is required.

RIPA are offering the use of their equipment during this block for FREE. If you are interested in trying mountain biking but don’t have access to your own bike, RIPA will provide a bike and safety equipment for use during the sessions at no additional cost. You are welcome to use your own bikes for these sessions if you prefer.

The first three weeks of the block will take place at Deeside Activity Park where pupils will learn about the importance of safety and technique when riding mountain bikes, before heading to Tarland Trails for the final session. The three weeks of private sessions are intended to build confidence before putting their newly learnt skills into practice on public trails.

If you would like to take part please come and see Kerry in PE for information on how to sign up.

Empathy Book Award Panel

The Empathy Book Award Panel meeting will be on Wednesday at 1.30 in the Library. We are looking forward to seeing you all and hearing your book recommendations. If for some reason you can’t attend, please let Mrs MacKenzie or Mrs BM know. If you would like to join the group just pop in!

Lost Property – Paintballing Activity

If anyone has lost water bottles whilst paintballing on Wed 21 or Thurs 22 May, please see Mrs Gerrie

Quechua Aluminium 1l blue bottle

1 Mackie’s clear water bottle

Badminton Club

Wednesday 28th May will be the final lunchtime badminton club session.

Paris Trip Meeting

Can all pupils going on the Paris Residential Trip, please attend a trip meeting on Wednesday 14th May, B1-18 lunch time @1:30pm

Activities Week – Dundee aquatics Visit

Pupils participating in the Dundee aquatics Visit Experience in Dundee during Activities week, please attend a short meeting  at 1.30 on Wednesday  (14th May).

In D1-47 for the students going on Thursday and Friday.

In D1-44 for the students going on Wednesday.

Activities Week – Knockburn Sports Loch

Pupils participating in the Knockburn Sports Loch Experience in Banchory during Activities week – please attend a short meeting in D1-47 at 1.30 on Tuesday (13th May).

Alford Academy Book Awards Panel

Could those pupils who are interested in being part of the Book Awards Panel, please attend a meeting on Wednesday 14th May at 1.30pm in the library.

If you cannot attend but are interested, please let Mrs MacKenzie or Mrs B-M know.

Activities Week – Beginners Sailing

Pupils participating in the Beginners Sailing Experience at Loch of Skene during Activities week – please attend a short meeting in D1-48 at 1.30 on Thursday (8th May).

BGE Boys Football.

There appears to be a lot of boys needing to do cup fixtures/ catch up from postponed league games.  So we have decided to postpone it until the change of TT in June. So it will restart Thursday 5th June.

Ceramics Workshop

Can any students taking part in the ceramics 3-day workshop during activity week attend a session in E1-60 (Art) today at 1:30 to build a simple piece of clay work in preparation for the workshop. If you are unable to attend please see Mrs Gould to arrange an alternative time to make your pot.

 

S1 Sports Leadership pupils

Just a reminder for all S1 pupils who attended the Sports Leaders course with Kerry from Active Schools, to attend the meeting this Thursday (1st May) from 3-4pm. Please meet at the PE Dept. Only pupils who attend this meeting will be eligible to deliver the festival at Alford Primary next week.

Learn to Mountain Bike sessions

Active Schools and Ride in Peace Adventures are running a 4-week block of S1-6 mountain biking scheduled to start on Wednesday 7th May, 4.30 – 6pm. RIPA will be leading the sessions with the first 3 taking place at Deeside Activity Park, and the last session at Tarland Trails. These sessions are free and aimed at pupils that haven’t tried mountain biking before, don’t have their own mountain bike or have outgrown their old bike.  All equipment is provided at no extra cost. Please see the poster in the PE Dept to scan the QR code to take part or see Kerry in PE.

 

Creative Writing Club

Creative Writing Club meets on Thursdays from 1.30pm in D1-46. Come along this week to find out about a new writing competition and to try your hand at writing a tale with a moral.

Alford Academy Book Awards Panel

Could those pupils who are interested in being part of the Book Awards Panel, please attend a meeting on Wednesday 30th April at 1.30pm in the library.

If you cannot attend but are interested, please let Mrs MacKenzie or Mrs B-M know.

Junior Rangers

Junior Rangers Meeting on Wednesday 30th April @ 9:30am (P2) in D0-61 with Will from the Ranger service & Mrs Cameron.  All pupils attending the Junior Rangers days must attend this meeting.

Tennis Club

Table tennis club is postponed for 4 weeks, due to exams in the dance studio.