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Energy Drinks

Energy Drinks

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Dear Parents and Carers, 

I am writing to raise an important concern that has increasingly come to our attention in school: the growing consumption of energy drinks among young people, and the impact these drinks can have on their wellbeing, behaviour, and learning. 

Across Scotland, schools are reporting similar issues, and recent guidance from health professionals highlights why this is becoming such a significant concern. Energy drinks typically contain very high levels of caffeine and sugar. Even one can may exceed the daily recommended caffeine intake for a young person. This can lead to a range of short-term effects including headaches, heart palpitations, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbance. Over time, regular consumption can contribute to anxiety, poor sleep routines, and changes in mood and behaviour. 

In school, we are seeing the effects firsthand. Young people who arrive having consumed energy drinks often struggle to settle, concentrate, or manage their emotions effectively. This not only affects their own learning but can also have an impact on others in the classroom. Staff have also observed an increase in students skipping breakfast and relying on these drinks for an energy boost, which can lead to further issues later in the day. 

We will continue to review our PSE curriculum and as part of the review we will make sure that we highlight the health impact of energy drinks to our pupils.  

I have spoken to retailers in the village about the sale of energy drinks to our pupils and most of the retailers abide by the voluntary code of conduct and do not sell energy drinks to young people under the age of 16.  

To support our young people’s health and wellbeing, the school will continue to reinforce our policy that energy drinks are not permitted on the school grounds. Any energy drinks brought into school will be confiscated. We also ask for your support at home in discouraging your child from consuming these products, especially on school days. Encouraging healthier alternatives such as water, fruit juice, or a balanced breakfast can make a significant difference to their concentration, mood, and overall readiness to learn. 

We recognise that young people can be influenced by marketing and peer trends. Your encouragement and clear messages at home play a vital role in helping them make safer and healthier choices. If you would like any further information or support on this issue, please feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to help. 

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support in promoting the wellbeing of our learners. 

Yours sincerely,
Angela M  Wotherspoon
Head Teacher 

S4–S6 Reports, Change of Levels and Support

S4–S6 Reports, Change of Levels and Support

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S4–S6 tracking reports will be available on Parents Portal this afternoon. These reports contain important information about your child’s progress in each of their courses, including prelim examination marks where applicable. Please take time to review this information with your child, as it will help guide their next steps in preparation for final assessments.

Some families may also receive a Level 3 Change of Level Recommendation letter. These letters are issued where a young person’s progress is causing concern, in line with the school’s procedures.

If you receive a Change of Level Recommendation letter, you have five days to respond. If we do not receive a response within this timeframe, the recommended changes will be implemented.

The next two months are a crucial period for learners as they consolidate their learning and prepare for examinations. To support your child during this time, we strongly encourage the use of the following resources:

e-Sgoil Free Study Support Sessions 
Free, live, online revision lessons delivered by experienced teachers across Scotland. These sessions cover National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses and include explanations, practice questions and opportunities to revisit key concepts. Recordings are also available.

Alford Academy Study Support Sessions

Subject-specific sessions run by Alford Academy teachers to reinforce class learning, focus on identified areas for improvement and build exam confidence. These sessions are tailored to the needs of our learners.

Achieve – Digital Study Resources

A structured digital learning platform offering interactive revision tasks, clear explanations and exam-style practice. This resource supports independent study and helps break revision into manageable steps.

West OS Video Library (via Glow)

A large collection of high-quality video lessons created by teachers across Scotland. Ideal for consolidating understanding, revising specific topics, and catching up on missed content. Accessible through Glow at any time.

Regular use of these supports can make a significant difference to confidence and performance in the lead‑up to the final exams.

If you have any questions about the report, your child’s progress, or the supports available, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the school.

Digital skills, Nat 5 Maths support and pupil support staff courses starting February – funded by Aberdeenshire council.

Digital skills, Nat 5 Maths support and pupil support staff courses starting February – funded by Aberdeenshire council.

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We are running the following courses starting February and March which will benefit people trying to help their young person with Nat 5 Maths and with skills for employment, the digital office course is also beneficial to those who wish to work from home (eligibility check applies, free to those eligible – see below): 

For a full list of our courses in Aberdeenshire please check the website WEA Scotland Courses | WEA.

Introduction to  the digital office– this is aimed at giving skills in Microsoft 365, it is beneficial for those interested in working from home or who want to work in an office or who just need to upgrade their digital skills, using the cloud, word, excel, PowerPoint, outlook, browsers .  It also helps brush up with numeracy core skills, there are two SQA core skills qualifications in Maths and one in IT built in to the course for those who wish to do them.  Introduction to the Digital Office (Aberdeenshire) | WEA

Introduction to pupil support staff – this will introduce the learners to the role and duties of pupil support staff in schools. The course content has been developed using the Pupil Support Framework and Numeracy Framework, all the information is taken from the latest resources, research and documents developed by Education Scotland.  Introduction to Pupil Support (Aberdeenshire) | WEA

Nat 5 Maths Preparation 2-hour session – Join our relaxed and supportive 2-hour online sessions with an experienced tutor, designed specifically for parents and carers. We will help you guide your young person through effective revision and exam techniques—especially if prelim results didn’t go as planned.  The session includes Practical study and exam tips, Useful links and websites for revision and Strategies to boost confidence and performance.
Join on your own or with your young person — just make sure a parent or carer is there. Support Your Young Person with Nat 5 Maths Exam Prep | WEA

Introduction to Excel: Essential skills for everyday use 2-hour session – this short, tutor-led online session introduces you to the key features of Microsoft Excel, helping you build confidence in using spreadsheets for everyday tasks.
Whether you’re new to Excel or looking to refresh your skills, this session offers a hands-on, supportive learning experience. You’ll explore how spreadsheets can simplify calculations, organize data, and present information clearly. Introduction to Excel (Aberdeenshire) | WEA

Everyone joining any of the courses gets a free MS365 account for a year.

These are funded by our Multiply project, partnered by Aberdeenshire council.  The criteria are: anyone who lives in Aberdeenshire, is 19+ (there are some exceptions for those who are 16+) and who do not have a Nat 5 or equivalent in maths.

Please visit the links with details of how to join.

Supporting Children’s Numeracy

Supporting Children’s Numeracy

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Following from our previous successful Supporting Children’s Numeracy sessions, which we hope to continue next year, we are running several new sessions specifically to help your child’s transition into S1 or S3/4 at school:

  •        Supporting Children’s Numeracy – Transition from Primary to S1
    Wed 18th June or Mon 23rd June 7:30 – 9:30 (individual sessions)
  •        Supporting Children’s Numeracy – Transition to S3/4
    Wed 25th June 7:30 – 9:30

Use this link to enrol on any of the sessions, this will take you to our website, scroll down to the form and enter your details and we will get back in touch via email.

These sessions are aimed at helping you to support your child with the changes that will come from moving from one key stage at school to another.  The sessions are online, taught by an experienced teacher and they are aimed at parents and carers, however, you are welcome to have your child alongside you.

The sessions will not involve you to “do” maths but are aimed at giving you knowledge to help you and your child to understand what they will be learning, how progression works through secondary school and to point you in the direction of lots of helpful resources and techniques to help.

* Please note: Due to funding stipulations you can register for one course only.

Eligibility for the Courses

The courses are free to anyone who is 19+; who lives, works or volunteers in Aberdeenshire and who does NOT have a NAT 5 C / Intermediate 2 / Standard Grade Credit or above (or equivalent).    The courses are funded from a UK wide government project named Multiply; the funds we have for this project were allocated to us by Aberdeenshire council.

 

SAMH Parent/Carer Free Workshops

SAMH Parent/Carer Free Workshops

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Dear Parent/Carer

 

We are pleased to be able to offer, in conjunction with SAMH, a number of free parenting workshops. These will be delivered online with occasional face to face sessions in school. Each session is offered across several dates and times to make it as accessible as possible.

 

The list and description of workshops is below and booking is via the attached flyers. Each QR code takes you to Eventbrite where you can book on the workshop of your choice. If you have any questions please contact tiana.francis@samh.org.uk and she will be happy to answer any queries.

 

We hope you find these useful.

 

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.

 

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