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Spotlight on PSE

Spotlight on PSE

Here at Alford Academy we have a varied curriculum for PSE (Personal and Social Education). PSE covers aspects of planning for choices and changes, substance misuse, relationships, sexual health and parenthood across S1 to S4.

We work with a number of partners including Skills Development Scotland, Robert Gordon’s University, ALEC, Rape Crisis Grampian, Grampian Fire & Rescue/Coastguard, Alcoholics Anonymous and the Wood Foundation.

Out curriculum is flexible and agile, adaptable when required to meet the needs of our pupils and is taught in a thoughtful & supportive manner by our Guidance Team. Below is an outline of the topics that may be covered across the years:

S1

  • River of Life
  • Road Safety
  • Keeping myself Safe
  • Internet Safety
  • Relationships
  • Diversity
  • Diet, Rest & Sleep
  • Planning for Choice & Changes
  • Substance Misuse

S2

  • Puberty
  • Cyberbullying
  • Keeping Myself Safe
  • Bullying
  • Knife crime
  • Diversity
  • Substance Misuse
  • Planning for Choice & Change

S3

  • Relationships & Sexual Health
  • Parenthood
  • Planning for Choice & Change
  • Substance Misuse

S4

  • Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI)
  • Study Skills
Preparing for Higher Exams in Maths and Science – NESCol

Preparing for Higher Exams in Maths and Science – NESCol

NESCol are offering a series of short courses available to assist those preparing for end of year exams in Higher Sciences and Maths.

Over seven evening sessions in the weeks leading up to the final exam, learners will work in small groups with other candidates to practice exam-style questions. Coaching during the class will help them improve the way they approach a range of questions. We will also cover aspects of the curriculum which have been identified as poorly answered in previous exams.

All classes are 18.00-21.00 and run at our Aberdeen City Campus (Gallowgate). Further details of the courses is available through the links below:

Preparation for Higher Biology – commencing 4th March

Biology – North East Scotland College (nescol.ac.uk)

Preparation for Higher Chemistry – commencing 20th  March

Chemistry – North East Scotland College (nescol.ac.uk)

Preparation for Higher Maths – commencing 13th and 14th March

Maths – North East Scotland College (nescol.ac.uk)

Preparation for Higher Physics – commencing 27th February

Physics – North East Scotland College (nescol.ac.uk)

Preparation for Higher Computing Science – commencing 30th March

Computing Science – North East Scotland College (nescol.ac.uk)

National Apprenticeship Week – W/C February 5th 2024

National Apprenticeship Week – W/C February 5th 2024

National Apprenticeship Week starts on Monday 5th February 2024.

National Apprenticeship Week 2024 LIVE – 

Find out more information regarding apprenticeships and hear from Companies such as M Group Services, National Nuclear Laboratory, Arnold Clark, Weightmans, ABP Beef, BT, and many more will be joining us each day.

They will be discussing the stereotypes surrounding apprenticeships and highlighting the incredible opportunities they offer within their organisations, including degree apprenticeships. This is a fantastic chance to hear directly from current apprentices about their own experiences.

If interested you can REGISTER for NAW 2024 LIVE by clicking on the following link to Register Now

We are looking forward to celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2024 with you and a community of apprenticeship enthusiasts.

SAMH Time for Me – Workshops for Parents and Carers

SAMH Time for Me – Workshops for Parents and Carers

As part of the Time for Me offer, SAMH have been commissioned to deliver one capacity building workshops per month for parents and carers. Each workshop is approximately 90 minutes long with a break around the midway point. There are 4 Free workshops available (see link for registration):

ParentsCarer Workshops Alford, Kemnay, Mintlaw and Turriff

 

Listening To & Supporting My Child

This workshop has been specifically developed to provide parents and carers with the knowledge and skills to have mental health conversations with their child.

It explores the different stresses that children and young people experience in their lives, and which can impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

The workshop helps parents and carers learn how to start conversations, including finding the right time, place and way to communicate, and how to support their child even when do they do not want to talk about how they are feeling.

Managing My Wellbeing

This course aims to provide adults with an understanding of self-care both for themselves and for the young people in their care.

It introduces mental health and wellbeing and the importance of us looking after it.

Learners are introduced to the many strands of self-care and the SAMH 5 Ways to Better Wellbeing. They are supported to consider what forms of self-care they can introduce into their lives. Learners are invited to take part in guided mindfulness activities.

Mental Health Awareness

This workshop is an introductory session to mental health and wellbeing awareness.

This course aims to provide the adults around CYP with a grounding in mental health awareness. It defines mental health and the mental health continuum, discusses current prevalence of mental health problems in children and young people, explores the two most common mental health problems, addresses mental health stigma and discrimination, and offers self-care tips and techniques that can be used to help manage their own mental health, as well as supporting others.

 

Understanding & Managing Stress & Anxiety

This course aims to provide the participants with an awareness of stress and anxiety, and introduces tools that they can use to manage these.

It encourages them to consider the worries and stress that young people experience, and how they can develop into anxiety. They are introduced to coping strategies, breathing and grounding activities.

Alford Academy closed today due to adverse weather

Alford Academy closed today due to adverse weather

Alford Academy is closed to staff and pupils today due to poor road conditions and adverse weather. Work will be posted for pupils on google classrooms. The prelims scheduled for today will be rescheduled.

Here is the link to the Aberdeenshire Council School Closures page:

https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/school-closures

Water Treatment Apprenticeship

Water Treatment Apprenticeship

Scottish Water are actively recruiting for Water Treatment Modern Apprentices to join the team in locations across Scotland including Mannofield, Aberdeen.

Applications close this Sunday 14th of January – there is no upper age limit, but applicants will need to be 17 by 1st April 2024.

 

Daily Bulletin – Wednesday 10 January

Daily Bulletin – Wednesday 10 January

Creative Writing Club

Creative Writing Club will start back next Thursday (18th January) in D1-46 from 1.30pm. New people welcome – come along and flex your creative muscles!

S1-3 Netball

Active Schools are delighted to announce that S1-3 Netball is restarting on Thursday 18th January, 3-4pm in the games hall. To attend the club it is essential that you sign up on the Active Schools website as numbers will be limited. Please use the QR code displayed in the PE corridor to sign up.  If any senior pupils would be interested in helping out with the club, please see Kerry (Active Schools Coordinator) in PE.

Albyn and RGC Cross Country 2024
The annual Cross Country Event takes place on Friday 15th March and is a great day out representing Alford Academy!
See any member of PE staff if you have any questions.
Deadline for sign up is Thursday 1st February via the Google Form which is on your PE Google Classroom or can be accessed via the QR Code on the poster in PE.

Library News

Just a reminder of the clubs we are holding in the library this term:

Mondays – Mindfulness Mondays – pop in and relax while doing some mindfulness colouring or crafts.

Wednesdays – Lego Club.

Fridays – Quiz and Game Fridays – come and join us for a Kahoot or to play board games.

Ending the Term on a Festive High Note

Ending the Term on a Festive High Note

Well done to S3 pupils Christopher, Logan and Katie who took their fiddles down to The Richmond Fellowship in Alford to play some festive tunes on the last day of term.

The Richmond Fellowship Scotland is a charity which supports around 2500 people across Scotland with a broad range of needs to live as independently as possible in their own homes and communities.  They are the largest provider of social care services in Scotland, providing personalised, high-quality community-based support services for those who require support in their lives.

Well done to our three musicians who delighted their very appreciative audience with a selection of festive music.

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