Achievements! Sponsored by Govan High School ISSUE 4

Positive destinations – page 04 Sports news – page 06 Dress for success – page 07 Our new

hospital ‘NHS GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE (NHSGGC) IS PLANNING TO INVEST IN NHS Greater Glasgow NHS Greater Glasgow and EXCESS OF £550 MILLION’ and Clyde (NHSGGC) Clyde is planning to invest is working with families, in excess of £550 million in children, young people and delivering these modern and include their more opportunities to work local communities, to build hospitals that will provide a ideas in the planning with the young people of a new children’s hospital local, regional and national and design process. Govan High School. in Govan – on the existing centre of excellence. A reception was held site of the Southern A youth panel has been recently at the Lighthouse ■ If you would like more in Glasgow to provide up- General Hospital. established to make sure information on the to-date information on the The hospital will be that the issues, needs and new children’s hospital developed alongside new hopes of teenagers are progress of the planning contact Kate Munro on adult and maternity included in the design for the new hospital. facilities, providing the of the new hospital and The Govan High School 0141 201 4755 or email best possible care for babies, a family panel will provide Band performed at [email protected] children, young people guidance on how best to the reception, and or visit the website and adults. engage with families NHSGGC hopes to develop www.nhsggc.org.uk

Ian’s appointment at No. 10 Our Dux of 2007 Ian Gordon Brown. McGarry, an apprentice Ian Davidson said: “I have engineer with Thales a good relationship with Optronics, met Prime Thales and I asked them to Minister Gordon Brown at nominate a representative 10 Downing Street recently. from the company who Ian was nominated by would be an excellent Thales to join our local MP, ambassador for the Ian Davidson, on a visit to community.” London. He was one of 75 Ian McGarry said: “It was From left – Ian Davidson MP, with Ian McGarry inspirational young people fantastic, and Gordon and Prime Minister Gordon Brown chosen by local MPs to meet Brown was very friendly.”

01 Road ProbablyProbably the the best best smallsmall Safety Campaign school in Scotland Students from the school have been GOVAN High is gaining a Australia the end of the year the involved in a campaign reputation as one of the ■ exciting vocational and theatre arts students staged called “Hero To Zero” most exciting and creative classes including an outstanding production which aims to shock innovative schools in hairdressing, dance and of “Cinderella” in front of a young people into Scotland. theatre arts, construction, number of distinguished avoiding the risks that A look at what’s been guests. cause car crashes, such motor vehicle mechanics as driving too fast or achieved since the summer and media studies If you’re looking for ■ carrying too many and some of the things an ethos based on future statistics from this session, passengers. we’re going to be achieving skills with the aim of Govan High School The initiative is the over this school year makes equipping students with exclusions are down, biggest of its kind to that clear. the skills they require for attendance is up and our be run by the West Firstly there’s our new first life beyond school. Positive Destination figures of Scotland Road year intake. They came to Already this year Govan for leavers are the best ever. Safety Forum. Govan High ready to put High pupils have passed Also, following the success The three-week 100 per cent into the assessments that put them of last year’s work in campaign was put unique learning at the forefront of learners Malawi, a second group of together with the help opportunities offered and in Scotland. pupils will be visiting our of young people. they have already partner school. Melissa Miller, 17, The XL Group has contributed a huge amount from Govan High devised, filmed and The media studies class School, said: “I think to the life of the school. presented a DVD on life at have had a special study this will get the So, what can first year and the school with assistance visit to Disneyland Paris message across. other year groups expect to from the BBC. and got the chance to “People will listen be involved with in their Plus, pupils hosted a actually see with their own because the school career? Glasgow conference on eyes how the media world information is ■ an exciting, flexible poverty whose guests operates for real. really scary. qualification system that included Deputy First And finally, some pupils “When people start will ensure pupils leaving Minister Nicola Sturgeon. have visited Norway on off driving they think in S4 will do so with 16 Govan High pupils, a European Community they can do anything SQA qualifications parents and supporters programme. because they’ve just ■ the opportunity to take As you can see, with so passed their test. have raised thousands of “Even if we only save part in international pounds to provide much going on it’s easy to one life it will have educational experiences electricity for our partner see why we think we’re the been worthwhile.” that could take them from school in Malawi. best small school in Malawi to Kentucky to And, to crown it all off, at Scotland!

EIGHT S1 pupils recently One of the pupils, Behind the BBC cameras visited the BBC Head- Shannon Murray, quarters at Pacific Quay, said: “I had a great time, to have a tour round the and my favourite bit was new studios and to take hearing about the time part in a programme with Pen had to hit a Polar Scots-born Polar explorer Bear with a saucepan!” Pen Haddow. Further visits to the BBC The programme was the studios are planned so first in a new Radio that pupils are made Scotland series called aware of the “Quay Conversations” opportunities open to Govan High pupils with David Robertson hosted by Janice them with this major new of Reporting Scotland Galloway. Govan employer.

02 Govan High School ISSUE 4

Suited and booted Swimming

IAN Davidson MP, recently visited the pool reopens school with representatives from BAE Govan High is one of the Systems, Thales Optronics trade unions, few secondary schools Govan Cross Shopping Centre and in Glasgow to have a representatives from the local Muslim swimming pool. The pool community and Masonic organisation. was closed for several The purpose of the visit was to months but we are hand in sponsorship cheques from delighted to say that it is BAE and Thales. up and running for school The sponsor money will pay for use, for primary schools equipment for students doing and for community lets, hairdressing courses in the school’s own since renovation salon, and students doing motor vehicle carried out by mechanics at Anniesland college. Amey Business Services.

next session by offering Partners Practical Engineering on the curriculum. From the four Julie Fallon, HR adviser at for life BAE, said: “Building on our partnership with Govan corners of the BAE SYSTEMS has been High is a really exciting working closely with the prospect for BAE Systems, school to enhance and I hope that it will world... to Govan! employment prospects encourage more pupils to for pupils. consider a career with us. Wester Hailes trainee teacher Erika BAE staff have been “I hope that our work with We recently had a visit Klavus, visited us from helping in several ways, the students and teachers at from seven colleagues Stockholm University, to including advice and Govan High will be the first from Edinburgh. The examine our practice in assistance with job-seeking step towards many group was made up of the teaching of English skills and mentoring pupils. successful job applications Alex Wood, headteacher at and in pupil support. It’s hoped to further for our apprenticeship and Wester Hailes Education Australia develop this relationship graduate programmes.” Centre, his area manager Lynne Goodwin, principal Jan Robertson, and five of Arthur Phillip High other members of the School in Parramatta, Wester Hailes Sydney, Australia, spent a teaching staff. day at Govan High along Sweden with a colleague. In February, nine head This was the second leg teachers from Malmo in of an exchange visit as Sweden were on a study our depute head Kevin Julie Fallon and Jim visit to Glasgow and spent Sweeney had been in McHarg of BAE Systems a morning in Govan High. Arthur Phillip High Earlier in the year, last session (see below).

new captain at Old Staff news Ranfurly Golf Club, Down under for Kevin Bridge of Weir. Bernadine Templeman is Around this time last year depute head Kevin Principal technician, Sweeney and Pastoral Care principal June Alba Malcolm Campbell, has the new acting principal teacher (Pastoral Care). visited our twin school in South Australia. Their been elected Vice President study visit was to look at what the Australians are William Nketsia has been of the Glasgow Islay doing in vocational education and training (VET). Association. permanently appointed to As a result of this visit, several innovative vocational Enterprise faculty head, the sciences faculty teaching courses are now being offered at Govan High. Derek MacDougall, is the biology and chemistry. 03 Pupils heading for the right destination in life

AS reported in our last newsletter the As previously reported, funding five-day outward bound programme, Positive Destinations programme has from the programme has been used enjoying such activities as kayaking, been set up to achieve the aim of to support our senior and junior mountain biking, hill walking, gorge making sure every pupil who leaves dance groups. walking and raft building. has a job, college or university place The pupils followed up their Skills such as planning, organisation, to go to. This is a major priority at outstanding showcase “Steps, Notes and working with others are being Govan High! and Squeaks” in June, with a Christmas developed through these activities. During last session and over the next Pantomime performance of Just before the Christmas break, we two sessions, the school has received “Cinderella” in December, which was employed a French-speaking football additional funding for this from the thoroughly enjoyed by a packed coach to come in once a week, to help Government, Glasgow City Council audience on each night. to raise interest and levels of ability in and the Hunter Foundation (funded by Invited guests including Deputy First French – through football. Scottish businessman and Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and This short programme was philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter). executive director of Education and tremendously successful and enjoyed The programme has been set up to Social Work Services Margaret Doran, by the pupils. support and develop various learning came along to watch a performance. We have also employed Jacqui activities and experiences which will Both these important guests spoke Fitzpatrick, our youth support worker help pupils increase motivation and highly of the levels of skill and who is offering additional time with self-confidence, and to develop a wide confidence displayed by our pupils. our second and third year pupils, range of employability skills, including Mr Coates’ Technical class (or Help us particularly girls. teamwork, showing initiative, and Get a job class – to give it its other In addition to all of this, a number rising to challenges. name!) which concentrates on making of our fourth and fifth year leavers things to order, and have met with are continuing to receive additional Norie Mackie of the Pierce Institute, to individual advice from Careers discuss placing the table somewhere it Scotland. Bullying on the will be useful. We are also setting up a mentor Our new job-related courses such as scheme for all fourth, fifth and sixth net is not a game hairdressing, motor mechanics and year leavers, where more than 20 Four of our S1 Pupils, Demi voice and data cabling are going well. members of staff have volunteered to Carey, Kieran Young, Stephen Following on from third year a group meet regularly with pupils, in their Bradley and Shannon Murray, are of second-year pupils are now on a own time, to talk to them about their set to become stars of the silver screen to hammer home an important message about stamping out cyber bullying. The young stars took part in a hard-hitting drama about some of the more unexpected dangers of MSN messaging and social networking sites. They performed this drama live to S1 pupils and were so good that Glasgow Support Services put it on to film. The film will be used in Primary Schools across the city. It could be the start of a dazzling career for these four S1 stars!

04 Govan High School ISSUE 4

Keeping in tune

THE SCHOOL BAND talented youngsters, played at the Lighthouse including representatives in January at a reception from Govan High, for organisations provided plenty of festive connected with the cheer as they took to Southern General Hospital. the stage for 2007’s The following pupils were Glasgow Schools involved in the Christmas Concerts. performance: Shannon Proud Aline Brown, 63, Murray, Stephen Bradley, from Govan was there to Daniel McInnes, Jodi watch her grandson Ricki Gardiner, Scot Morrison, Brown, 15, a third-year Ricki Brown, Victoria Keir pupil at Govan High and Zoe Healy. School. She said: “This is ● Ian Davidson MP invited my third concert and it’s the school band to play at been brilliant. a Labour party meeting at “It’s always great to hear the Pierce Institute, the youngsters playing televised in December. such good music.” ● A number of pupils This year the Evening Cinders and two of her recently attended clarinet Times was media sponsor plans for when they leave ugly sisters! and trumpet workshops of the event, which was school. and master classes at recorded live on CD to The Positive Destinations Glasgow City Halls. give families a lasting programme is designed to drift away from the school at The clarinet workshop memento. encourage pupils to be more any stage and will want to was directed by Barry ● And finally, a special involved in their learning continue their learning and Deacon and the trumpet mention of individual and to improve attendance, training, or move into a job, master class was directed achievement for attitudes and skills when they leave school. by Mark O’Keefe, senior Charmaine Clarke, S5, development through taking musicians with the who passed an audition part in active and creative Jim Rafferty BBC Scottish Symphony in singing and dancing for learning experiences. Positive Destinations Orchestra. the Apollo Players amateur In this way pupils will not Consultant ● Some of the city’s most theatre company. Habla Español? Speak Spanish?

THIS term, together with you stay/alphabet arrangements the Education /Spanish culture and directions ■ Department’s modern Week 2, numbers: ages, ■ Week 7, food languages adviser Gillian dates, birthday, phone Campbell, we ran an numbers, time and drink after school ■ Week 3, family ■ Week 8, on holiday – conversational Spanish and descriptions/ cafe/restaurant/ course for staff, pupils physical descriptions doctors. ■ and parents. We also Week 4, places in the The students are now invited primary staff, town and directions pupils and parents. ■ Week 5, leisure, hobbies looking forward to the The course content and free time summer holidays and comprised of: ■ Week 6, buying the chance to practise ■ Week 1, names/ where tickets/making their Spanish.

05 Enterprise Faculty news DVD filming ICT and Home Economics. Mrs McAuley has given our higher business Scottish Power Young management class the Manager Programme opportunity to produce The finale of the Scottish a DVD for the national Power Young Manager education support programme took place in organisation, Learning and February. The event was the Teaching Scotland, using culmination of six months Financial Services materials. preparation from 10 of our Valentine’s disco Two students from the S3 pupils, Stuart Keir, Kris class will edit and produce Hair-Razin Records, the joint enterprise venture with Brown, David Whitten, the DVD at the Hills Trust Jennifer Rankin, Sarah Stow College, held a St Valentine’s disco in February. Learning Academy. The DJ at the disco was our very own Bobby Coates. Collingwood, Alison Palmer, Holly Spence, Profit from the disco will go towards the costs of Copeland, computers this year’s Govan High CD, entitled “Wannabees”. Kayley Gilmour, Darcy The CD is the result of a class of S5/6 students who and cooking! Davis and Chloe Campbell. are gaining their Intermediate 2 certificate by running In February, 24 primary They gave four a real-life record company. The class has to fulfil 6/7 pupils and their presentations which all aspects of the record business including recording, teachers from Copeland focused on skills they advertising, promotion and marketing their product – Primary, took part in a day developed during the a CD featuring their company’s artists. long visit to Govan High programme at an event The Wannabees launch party will be at BBC Pacific School. The day consisted in the Scottish Power Quay on 24 April, hosted by BBC presenter Bryan of a mixture of building in Cathcart. Burnett. After the launch the CD, featuring musicians from the Govan High School, will go on general sale.

Scott grabs the number one shirt Scott Cassidy, goalkeeper High senior team manager and captain of Govan High Joe McGinty. “In 20 years of School senior football coaching at school and boys team, has been selected club level, he is one of the in goal for best I’ve seen and I can’t Glasgow Schools. believe this young talent “Scott is undoubtedly has not been picked up Sports round-up one of the best by one of our talents to come senior clubs.” BASKETBALL Hall last December. out of Govan in Any club interested Hyndland Secondary 32 Keiran Young, Grant a very long time in taking Scott on Govan High 44 Morris, Gavin McCracken, and deserves a trial, should contact In their first senior Lee Andemic, Declan crack at a higher Joe McGinty on basketball match of the Hughes, Ryan Campbell, level,” said Govan 0141 582 0090. year, Govan High beat an Cameron Davies and Daniel established Hyndland team. McInnes all took part.

Knightswood Secondary 34 GIRLS FOOTBALL Govan High 53 The girls from Govan Govan High claimed an High also participated in assured victory against the Santa Fours football last year’s finalists of event. the Glasgow Cup, The girls finished a Knightswood Secondary. respectable third place in the competition. S1 FOOTBALL Natalie Deans, Kelly The Chess Club recently drew 2-2 with Bellahouston The S1 football team Harvey, Shaunie Flemming, Academy in the Scottish Schools Chess Championship. attending the Santa Fours Zara Savage and Jenifer competition at the Kelvin Melvin took part. 06 Govan High School ISSUE 4 Govan High

Pastoral Care Bernie Templeman and Clare Morgan principal teachers of Pastoral Care

BEST ATTENDANCE If you have any concerns regarding your child please contact the relevant pastoral care teacher SINCE RECORDS BEGAN! who will be happy to discuss any matter with you. Attendance (%) from Aug to Nov (inclusive) ● ● 2004/05 76.342 2005/06 79.914 Tel: 0141 582 0090 or email: ● [email protected] ● 2006/07 85.528 2007/08 86.989 [email protected]

Absence If your child is absent The Pupil Support team from school it is essential Timekeeping available for pupils in monitors pupil attendance that you let the appropriate Being on time and prepared S1-6 Monday – Thursday on a daily basis. By working Pastoral Care teacher know for lessons is a valuable in the LRC. closely with the education as quickly as possible. Pupils life skill. This is an excellent liaison officer (Mrs Lennox) should also bring a note Please ensure your child is opportunity for further and parents, we can stating the reason for absence up and ready for school in study toward SQA exams in continue to improve for their tutorial teacher on plenty of time – lessons May. Past papers and study our attendance levels. returning to school. start at 9am sharp. notes are available along with teachers from various Dates for your diary subjects. Juice and crisps Important dates coming are provided. up in the School calender: Uniform S1 Parents evening All pupils must come to – 23 April, 7-9pm school wearing appropriate Start of SQA exam school clothing. This is: – 5 May ● white shirt with school School Show tie or red/ black school – 25-26 June polo shirt Some examples ● plain black trousers of good uniform Supported study or skirt Supported Study is ● school sweatshirt.

FORMER PUPILS • FORMER PUPILS • FORMER PUPILS • FORMER PUPILS • FORMER PUPILS

Our Dux of 2002, Ashley Stewart works William Jones left Martin Willies, is for Glasgow South Govan High in 1996. training to be an West Regeneration After working in a airline pilot. Agency. She left number of UK His practical training is Govan High in 2002 restaurants and hotels, taking place in New and went to William returned to Zealand and he visited Cardonald College Gleneagles as its us and spoke to an where she gained an restaurant manager assembly when he was HNC in Child Care Govan High’s culinary home to sit some and Education. Her excellence students exams. We all await the ambition is to become paid a study visit to day when we are sitting a primary school Gleneagles last month, on an aircraft and hear teacher and over the and it was William who the words, “This is your years Ashley has met them. He said he Captain, Martin Willies, worked in a number William with was very proud to do speaking ……” Ashley Stewart of local nurseries. Mrs Finnie this.

07 Govan High School ISSUE 4

Govan Autism Unit update

■ Update on former pupils ■ Transitions project Interview with John Beckett and Lyndsay The National Autistic McDonald are studying Society Scotland has been Darren McKay: at Cardonald College and given the opportunity to Graeme Meheux, at work with Govan High AU Pre Vocational Clydebank College. and deliver the Transitions Courses ■ Preparing for Project to the S4 and S5 future destinations pupils, their parents/carers Q. Which Pre Vocational choose these This year saw the first and the other professionals Courses are you particular courses? group of AU pupils and statutory agencies studying this year? A. Because I want entering S5 at school. involved in their lives. A. Furniture Assembly and to be a mechanic in the ■ Work experience ■ Coffee morning Car Mechanics. future and I am good Recent Supported Work AU Enterprises took a at furniture assembly. Experience placements have stall at the Govan High Q. Where do you do these included: Asda, Botanic Christmas coffee morning courses? Q. What do you enjoy Gardens, Boots, Elderpark in December, raising more A. I do the furniture most about the courses? Library and a local nursery. than £100. assembly at the RSBi A. I really enjoy working ■ Visits ■ Charity effort factory in Springburn with my hands. The S5 pupils have Pupils, parents and and I go to Anniesland attended careers fairs staff filled backpacks College for the car Q. Do you think that and visited a number at Christmas, to be sent mechanics course. the courses have of colleges to find out abroad by the charity, benefited you? more about courses. Scottish International Relief. Q. Why did you A. Yes, they really have.

Fitzpatrick run the CC4G People, places, events, news (computer club for girls) on Tuesday and Thursday Tellin' stories lunchtimes. Birmingham-based We are now looking at storyteller Katrice Horsely setting up something ran a very successful similar for the boys. workshop in January for S3/4 girls. Bin it to win it Class 1.1 were recently Rock School involved in the Clean Michael John McCarthy, The pupils, whose band Glasgow “Bin It To Win lead guitarist of cult name is “Badly put It” recycling design working with a team from Glasgow band ‘Zoey van together”, have been competition. The team did the St Enoch Centre Goey’ along with four working with Michael John a superb job and received helping them to promote pupils – Grant MacAskill, on writing and recording third prize and a Glasgow, and mark the St Natalie Deans, Raymond their own songs. commendation certificate. Enoch’s Centre’s 18th year McArthur and Ricki Brown in the city. Govan High – have started Govan High’s Computer club St Enoch Project will be the first of the three very own “School of Rock”. Nicola White and Jacqui This involves three schools schools to exhibit their work. Education is the primary goal for Stephen Govan High has been doing Recently, Stephen Gallagher “For the next two years some innovative work in the was appointed to this post. I’ll be working with S1, area of transition from He said: “I became a identifying children who primary to secondary teacher after many years could benefit from extra school. Our latest idea is working in other industries. support, to hopefully help to employ a primary None of that prepared me them achieve more. My main trained teacher to work for the challenging, and aim is to raise achievement in the secondary school. enjoyable, life of a teacher. in maths and language.“

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