Summer Newsletter

Madras College Newsletter July 2017 Rector’s Kiel Exchange Message Diamond Jubilee

Dear Parent/Carer 60 Years of Partnership and Friendship The 4th term of the session is almost over and everyone is looking forward to the summer break.

During the Easter holidays the school stayed open to pupils for Easter School and received in excess of 100 pupils each day. This has become a popular event and one which the pupils use comprehensively. Following Easter School we went almost immediately into study leave for the senior school pupils, a time which again was well used by many to come into school to support their studies throughout the SQA exam diet.

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Inside

Musical Notes ...... 2 Pipe Band play on a sunny Saturday evening to welcome guests to the German Kiel Exchange 60th Anniversary Ceilidh Drama News ...... 3

Paris Trip . 4 What an achievement! We believe that our German exchange with the Kieler - - - The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative .. 4 Gelehrtenschule in Kiel, Schleswig Holstein is the oldest unbroken school to school exchange between the two countries. To celebrate this amazing milestone Cathedral Trip ...... 5 in the history of the exchange, a number of special activities took place during the 60th exchange visit. Transition Programme ...... 5

Mathematical Challenges ...... 6 Thirty-one German pupils, to Castle and St Andrews accompanied by Herr Schoeneich, the Cathedral as well as day trips to Computing Science .. ... 6 headteacher of the KGS, Frau Sendler Stirling (the Wallace Monument and -Steer, the German exchange leader Art Department S6 Folio Success .. .. 7 Stirling Castle) and and Herr Krause, enjoyed the warm (Edinburgh Castle and the National Dates for Your Diary . 7 hospitality of their Scottish host Museum of ). There was also families for 10 days. The weather was time for a visit to the Golf Driving

Design and Technology . . 8 kind, blue sky and sunshine for most Range in St Andrews and the

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme .. 8 of the visit, which allowed the Fisheries Museum in Anstruther. German group to see Scotland at its Sports News . 9 best. The German group enjoyed visits Continued on page 3

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While all this was going on our S1 - Musical S3 pupils continued to work on their studies and engage in the rewards and trips which were on offer. During this time the new timetable was built and Notes was successfully implemented in June (with a few minor tweaks for some individual pupils).

The changes we will face in the new Play DayPlay Day session are linked to (yet more) In May the Music Department hosted another Play Day. Sixty primary changes in the SQA exam instrumentalists came along to Madras and spent the day playing in the Wind arrangements at National 5 (with Band, the Junior String Orchestra and Chanter Group along with some of the National 4, Higher and Advanced Kilrymont pupils. Every pupil also participated in a percussion workshop taken by Higher changes waiting in the wings George Gibson from Infectious Grooves. The day was rounded off by a final for future sessions). As well as this performance from each group to an appreciative audience of staff, parents/carers there will be a new set of Scottish and pupils. National Standardised Assessments for our S3 pupils next year, the detail of which we will find out after August. These Assessments are for Government statistics and to inform Music Exam Success school baseline internal information. Well done to all pupils who sat instrumental exams this term. Trinity Results so They do not form any accreditation far: portfolio for the pupils. S1 • Rioghnach MacFarlance was awarded a Distinction for her Grade 1 Our main priorities next session will Clarsach exam be linked to changes in the curriculum, health and wellbeing, the S2 • Fin McGhie was awarded a Distinction for his Grade 5 Piano exam school image (Attainment, Uniform, Behaviour, Respect), self-evaluation • Michael Snodgrass was awarded a Distinction for his Grade 1 Guitar exam and of course working towards the proposed Madras New Build. In S3 • Joseph Mackie was awarded a Distinction for his Grade 6 Clarinet exam regard to the new build, there has now been some consultation with groups of Thanks to Miss Russell, Mrs Gibson, Mr Higgins and Mr Milton for all their hard teaching staff and we look forward to work. further and wider consultation on this very important project.

Our drive on uniform and pride in our Summer Concert school remains a top priority and I would remind all parents/carers and Congratulations to all the pupils who performed at the concert on Tuesday pupils of our standards of dress and 20th June. The audience was entertained with a variety of group and solo items - presentation. It is the same for all the school Wind Band, Junior and Senior String Orchestra, Junior , Mixed pupils S1 - S6 and is: school blazer, Choir, Senior Girls’ Choir, Staff choir, Folk Group, Pipe Band and Clarsach white (or pale blue) shirt/blouse, Group. Soloists included Eugene Ritchie S4 on Piano, Shona Zhang S6 on school tie, black trousers/skirt, dark Clarsach and Micah Scott S6 on Tuba. Canongate Primary School Glee Choir also shoes and school jumper (or black/ performed two songs and a special thank you to the pupils, parents/carers and staff dark blue jumper/cardigan). Designer who came along. Well done to all the talented pupils who took part and gave us all labels, denim or other such garments such an enjoyable evening. are not acceptable.

I would finally like to say thank you to all staff and parents/carers for all Lunchtime Recital your support in this current session. As ever, it has been a challenging but The music department was delighted to welcome back Hannah Craib, a former very successful session. Madras pupil on Tuesday 27th June. Hannah and her performing partner Vyara Mldenova from Sophia in Bulgaria are founder members of “Glas Duo” and Thank you have performed in Scotland, Bulgaria and regularly in and around Bremen in Germany where both are based. The pupils were thrilled to hear the recital and they were impressed with the different styles of music the duo played on the Violin and Viola. 2

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Drama ‘Alumni’ from both the German and Scottish sides of the exchange joined the 60th exchange group on a number of occasions during the week. Two News members of the Madras 1957 exchange group, Irene Bennett and Anne Morris, and former Madras The Drama Department have had a exchange leader, Donald Macgregor, very busy two terms. joined pupils of the current exchange for a ‘Question Time’ session. • In the run up to the Easter Holidays Council held a Civic Reception in the Special thanks go to the head teachers all the National classes sat their South Street Assembly Hall in of both schools for their enthusiasm practical exams and the Advanced recognition of the durability and and support of the exchange. Thanks Higher class also sat theirs. This longevity of our unique partnership. also to everybody who has supported was especially positive as the Madras pupils and their Kiel partners our fundraising in the course of the Advanced Higher class had been attended assemblies in both buildings, year and to those who have used by SQA to set the National giving a presentation about the history contributed to the anniversary Standard for the practical aspect of of the exchange. Pupils from both programme. We are also very grateful the exam. This meant that on schools also visited two of our local to the UK-German Connection for 14th February, at The , primary schools while other partners funding the Diamond Jubilee more than twenty SQA examiners visited the Rotary Club of St Andrews Anniversary Project. The support of from all over Scotland came to to highlight within the local local businesses and organisations – watch our pupils perform! I am community the role which the Kiel Fisher and Donaldson’s, Morrisons, pleased to say that those involved Exchange has played over the past six Marks and Spencers and the did themselves proud presenting a decades. Kilrymont Rotary Club is much variety of interactive pieces appreciated. including extracts from ‘W hen We Dead Awaken’ by Henrik Ibsen, The durability and longevity of the ‘Waiting For Godot’ by Samuel Madras-Kiel Exchange has surely Beckett and ‘Mrs Warren’s exceeded the expectations of its Profession’ by George Bernard creators, Dr John Thompson, former Shaw. The pupils also had to Rector of Madras College and prepare a monologue to present – Professor Karl Dietrich Erdmann of again the range was exciting and Kiel University. diverse.

• The pupils were provided with feedback from this day and hopefully they took this on board The highlight for many of the before performing again for their participants was the Anniversary actual exam on 8th March. We wish Ceilidh (KIELidh). The Germans have them well as they leave us and been captivated by the Madras prepare for their next step in life. College Pipe Band. The band played on the lawn in front of the South • The Higher classes were taken to Street building to welcome many see the Olivier Award Winning former exchange participants to the production of ‘The Curious Incident ceilidh as we handed out flyers (about of the Dog in the Nighttime’ at The the history of the exchange) to passers Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. This -by and tourists. ‘The Diamond’ was was a fantastic stage adaptation of unveiled at the ceilidh. For many the book of the same name and months the Kiel pupils had been should have provided our Higher working on creating a ‘Diamond’ pupils with plenty to write about in mobile, its sides depicting milestones their exam. in the history of the exchange. It arrived safely in St Andrews ‘flat- • STAFFING packed’ (transported by Easyjet) and We give a huge thank you to the was constructed by the pupils in the services of Mrs Esler and course of the week. An identical Mr Simpson over the past session ‘Diamond’ remains in Kiel. The Here’s to the next and we look forward to welcoming constant motion of the mobile Ms McGrath back to the represents the exchange moving 60 years! Department in August after her forward.

3 ParisParis Trip 2016 The Youth and Philanthropy By Jake Mikulin Initiative ypi

Madras College held their third final of the YPI initiative which is a national initiative to encourage awareness of the Philanthropy, the work of charities and social issues. This year’s final heard presentations from S1 pupils on a range of charities including Alzheimer Scotland, Maggie’s Centre, CHAS, the Girl Guides, and Clued Up. The presentations were all of a very high standard but in the end the £3000 grant was awarded to Clued Up.

“Paris is always a good idea” - in the Eiffel Tower. Some were afraid of the words of Audrey Hepburn. I second height, but ended up loving it like the that. In fact I'm pretty sure all of us rest of us. After a shopping spree on who went to Paris can agree. the Champs Elysees and an eventful wander around the Louvre, we were Even though it started off slowly, all worn out, but that didn't phase us everything picked up when we got to over the next few days. Hull, where we joined in a disco party on the boat; it was a blast. The next On Day 4 the group went to the day everyone was tired, but that was magical place that is Disneyland. It Clued Up is a local Fife-based charity just the start. needs no explanation because it was which aims to provide a amazing. And on our last morning we comprehensive, youth-friendly When we arrived on the streets of had a somewhat peaceful visit to the substance use support and information Paris each and every person was Sacre-Coeur. Just being there, service for young people under 25 in buzzing. We saw the landmarks, the relaxing and enjoying each other’s Fife. The project provides education, different culture and the crazy driving company was wonderful. prevention, early intervention and around the Arc de Triomphe. diversion for young people affected Speaking of the Arc, it gave us our All in all, through the long periods by their own or someone else’s first proper insight into the beautiful spent on the coach, close calls and substance use. city that is Paris and hinted to us an everything else, I just want to show excitement of what was to come. Next appreciation for and thank, on behalf The judges were impressed by the we struck a pose in front of the of everyone that went on this amazing amount of work first year pupils Eiffel Tower on the Trocadero and trip, Mr Maskell, Mr Martin, Maia Olusanya and Maeve Cameron found waving and cheering at the Ms Smith, Miss Dawson and had put into their presentation and people sitting on the edge of the River Miss McKeon, for everything they did their understanding of the challenges Seine more fun and interesting than for us. And finally to Ken our faced by young people who may have looking at the sights. Even Mr Martin legendary coach driver, we thank you drug and alcohol issues. Mr Robertson got involved. as well. would like to thank all the pupils who took part in the project and also Day 3 in Paris: after a sleepy breakfast Lastly, I greatly recommend this trip Mr Ballantyne for giving up his own we arrived underneath the most to everyone and anyone that gets the time over the year to make it such a famous structure in Paris, the opportunity to go on it in the future. success.

4 Cathedral Transition Trip Programme Last week saw the end of the Transition Programme, where P7s In May the S1 travelled on their from all the cluster Primary Schools "Pilgrimage" from Kilrymont Road to attended a variety of events in order to . The visit was ease the move from Primary to part of a wider project where the Secondary. Praised highly in the pupils were learning about local recent school inspection by HMIe, the history. They were given the Transition began way back in opportunity to climb St Rule’s Tower November when the S1/S2 Year and learn about St Andrews in the Head, Olav Darge and his team of . As a follow-up the Guidance staff visited Primary Computing schools. These evenings also included Department and representatives from a pupil’s perspective where S1 pupils the History Department visited the visited their former Primary schools to school and let the pupils experience give a flavour of what S1 is really first-hand what the Cathedral would like. Other events in the programme have looked like using virtual included a P7 Ceilidh, which allowed technology. the new P7s to meet (and dance with!) some of their new classmates before The department would like to thank the official Transition days and an Dr Alan Miller and his team from the Open Evening where parents met with University as well as Forth Pilgrims their child’s Guidance teacher and the and Historic Scotland for their year team. continued support with the project.

REHISREHISREHIS

Food Hygiene Success This month all P7s had the opportunity to attend an Enterprise For S3 Home Economics Pupils Day, taking part in team building activities before following their new All S3 Home Economics students timetable for the remainder of the have completed the Elementary Food week. Both pupils and parents Hygiene Course with most students commented very favourably on the going on to achieve a pass certificate. Programme and staff and pupils alike The hygiene course, which fits in with look forward to welcoming the new Curriculum for Excellence, is awarded intake after the Summer Holidays. by The Royal Environmental Health Institute for Scotland. It is a nationally recognised qualification valued, and usually required, by food industry P7 Enterprise Day employers. This gives Madras pupils added value when applying for work Working towards the certificate has Senior Pupil Helpers in this industry, both when it is their been an excellent motivating factor chosen pathway into long term with the students all feeling a sense of employment and for those seeking part pride and achievement when the time, short term jobs. This ties in with certificates were awarded during a the National Framework aim of recent S3 assembly. Such has been the “Developing the Young Workforce” success of this initiative the Home encouraging transferrable Economics Department will be Employability Skills for the work delivering the course to S3 next place. session.

5 Computing Science Mathematical

SHE++ inspire more girls to engage in Challenges She++ is an initiative run by the technology and computer science. The University of Stanford in California. award panel felt that the leadership This year we have had over 240 pupils Their Ambassador, Sjoukje Ijlstra, a Sjoukje demonstrated as a role-model competing in the United Kingdom third year Maths student at the and mentor to other girls was Mathematics Trust Challenges. In University of St Andrews, has worked notable. Many congratulations to total pupils were awarded 3 Gold with our senior Computing Science Sjoujke as the winner of the St awards (Joseph Mackie, Tim Edwards girls as part of the She ++ initiative Andrews Student Leader of the Year and Jacek Michalowicz), 31 Silver since January. The aim of the Award 2017. Sjoukje is now in the awards and 56 Bronze awards. A programme is to encourage girls to process of organising a She++ special mention goes to Joseph consider Computing Science as a committee within Madras to think of Mackie who qualified for the Junior career. The girls met mentors new ways to get more girls involved Olympiad Hamilton Paper. Only 500 (inspirational females involved in and excited about computer science. pupils from the UK are invited to sit Computing Science) and visited the this paper each year. Tim Edwards university to attend workshops. also receives a special mention as he qualified for the Pink Kangaroo Paper ST ANDREWS STUDENT which only three thousand pupils a LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD year in the UK are invited to sit. 2016/17 Sjoukje was recognised for the impact Twenty-three pupils completed the of her leadership across various Scottish Mathematical Challenge with ‘women in tech’ initiatives by 15 of them receiving a medal. There winning St Andrews Student Leader were 5 Gold medallists: Felix of the Year Award for 2016/17. Mallinder, Leonardo Sani, Mandy Sjoukje was the lead organiser of the Jackson, Gregory Dritschel and Eric first Code-First: Girls Northern Hao. Pupils also received 7 Silver Conference and is the lead Python awards and 3 Bronze awards. coding instructor for Code-First: Girls at St Andrews. She has also acted as an Ambassador for She++, which has taken her into Madras College to help Kiel Exchange 60th Anniversary Employability PosterPosterPoster DayDayDay Competition

This month, as part of the S3 transition to South Street, all pupils in the new S4 were given the opportunity interpersonal skills. The pupils said to take part in an “Employability that the day had a very positive impact Morning” workshop run by local and that they were looking forward to businesses such as Westport Print, beginning their time at South Street. Janetta’s Gelateria, Physioworks and The Employers commented very Roseangle Nursery. After a short favourably upon the Madras pupils. presentation by Mr Darge, Depute Liza Scott, owner of Physioworks and Rector, pupils were divided into small ex Head girl of Madras said “I was groups, led by a member of a local really impressed with the Madras business. In the groups, pupils were pupils in the way that they engaged given information about the business with the local businesses. It was itself and then encouraged to ask refreshing to be involved at such an questions and discuss the types of early stage in their journey.” Madras skills which will prepare them for the College looks forward to continued One of the winning posters, designed world of work. In addition, they links with local partners and to the by S4 pupil Tsen Day-Beaver, to participated in a range of group tasks, continued development of the pupils’ mark the 60th Anniversary of the Kiel designed to develop their employability skills. Exchange.

6 Emma Ramsay Art Department S6 Folio Success

The art department would like to congratulate Coral Aston on her successful application to study Art and Design at Dundee and Angus College. Sophie Ovardi, Emma Ramsay and Chi Vo on their successful applications to Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art.

Congratulations also to Arin Beaver, who is off to study Psychology.

Chi Vo

Sophie Ovardi

Arin Beaver Coral Aston

7 Dates for Your Diary Design and Technology During their Design and Technology SCHOOL HOLIDAYS periods pupils from the DAS (all dates inclusive) department continued to build upon their success and skills developed in Friday 30 June this department. to Friday 11 August 2017

• The junior class made the chess Monday 9 October to Friday 20 October 2017 boards shown above, as you can see the results are impressive and it Monday 25 December 2017 was something they very much to Friday 5 January 2018 enjoyed.

INSERVICE • The senior class produced the clocks shown; to produce these

Monday and Tuesday results required a high level of 14 and 15 August 2017 detailed craftwork and dedication,

Friday 17 November 2017 well done to them all.

• Holly-Jane Gray (S6) produced the mirror shown - securing a pass at Contact Us National 5 Practical Woodworking. This was an outstanding SOUTH STREET achievement of which she has every right to be extremely proud. St Andrews, KY16 9EJ Telephone (01334) 659402 • All the pupils, both seniors and - KILRYMONT ROAD juniors, worked in a good humoured and safe way while St Andrews, KY16 8DE supporting each other to achieve Telephone (01334) 659401 the best possible results. A very

successful year for all concerned E-MAIL and as always we are extremely [email protected] grateful for the patience, expertise and support of the various PSAs WEB-SITE involved over the course of the www.madras.fife.sch.uk year.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme

he award group are they successfully completed their Mr Ballantyne the Bronze group this continuing to struggle with expeditions at the start of June. The year wouldn’t have run. Ms McKeon, staff, but are powering on. Golds braved first high winds and Dr Woods, and Mr Kerrigan were a From last year’s 2 small frost on their practice, then persistent great help with supervision on the groupsT 1 Silver pupil has completed rain to complete their qualifier just a actual expeditions and ensured they and 2 of the Golds will be at the couple of weeks ago. All participants went ahead. garden party next month a good result need to make sure they complete their from such small numbers. Other eDofE so that their achievements and Looking forward to next year the participants from last year are efforts are rewarded with an award. group hopes to offer all 3 levels. reminded that they can still finish – so Anyone (staff, parent or carer) who is get an award for all the effort they A huge thanks must go to the staff interested in helping to train/ have put in. who have helped out. A large amount supervise/drive minibuses is asked to of ‘behind the scenes’ work goes in to get in touch as its only with the help This year we’ve managed to run both each weekly training session and of volunteers that we can continue to Bronze and Gold. The Bronzes have especially into the actual expeditions. offer this fantastic experience to our met weekly at Kilrymont Road and Without the help of Mr Graham and pupils.

8 S p o r t s N e w s Fife Schools’ Girls’ Fitness S1 Girls’ Netball Multi-Event David Garland Championship Muddy Assault Course Tournament Winners 2017

The girls’ fitness group attended an afternoon at Scottish Assault Courses Dundee in May. Their fitness and team work skills were put to the test as they tackled the challenging, Sixteen enthusiastic and talented muddy obstacles. The girls performed Madras College athletes travelled to with 100% effort and thoroughly Pitreavie Athletics stadium on enjoyed the experience – well done Wednesday, 24th May to compete in girls! the Annual Fife Schools’ Multi-Event Championships (Pentathlon). Race for Life: Pretty Muddy With the senior pupils immersed in In April the David Garland exams it was up to the junior athletes Tournament was held at Glenrothes to represent the school and compete High School with the S1 Football amongst Fife's best – and how well team and Netball team competing they did! against many schools in Fife. The footballers played well in their group The squad returned with 2 Golds, 1 and were unlucky not to progress Silver and 2 Bronze Medals and a beyond the quarter-finals but the girls whole raft of other strong excelled themselves and won all performances and personal bests. matches, including the Final, to return to St Andrews with the magnificent In S1 Jack Shiveley secured the top trophy. spot with storming performances in the Hurdles and 800 m helping him to Gold. Kyle Straith displayed a clean Some of the S2 fitness girls signed up pair of heels in the 100 m and an and took part in the Race for Life – Sports Day impressive Putt in the Shot to give Pretty Muddy 5K on Saturday, him Overall 3rd. All-rounder, Luca 24th June at Beveridge Park, P7 Relay Winners Venditozzi, brought home the Bronze Kirkcaldy. They had to test their in the S2 Boys competition and Nicole fitness and tackle the many muddy Reynolds, at her first athletics meet, obstacles set out all around the course. won Silver in the S3 Girls. They performed extremely well and contributed greatly to the fight against The final medal was once again Gold cancer. Well done girls! and this time it went to Dylan Ross, S3 who surprised himself after standing on the lowest podium spot only to find he was on the top! A huge long jump over 5 m 40 cm and massive Shot Putt complimented his excellent track speed to produce one Lawhead Primary School’s P7 of the outstanding performances of the A Team were the relay winners at day. Sports Day on Thursday 22nd June.

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Fife Schools’ Champions Sports Day Cycle Speedway Individual Champions 2017

BOYS GIRLS S1 Kyle Straith S1 Amaris Cuthbert S2 Scott Christie S2 Aiofe Dow S3 Alistair Dow S3 Nicole Reynolds Seniors Struan Christie Seniors Katrina Tough

The Summer term saw the conclusion Adam Scott High Jump Cup – Maurice Batiuluna of the Fife Championships at Queen Anne High School in Dunfermline Sports Cup - Blackfriars where the boys secured the overall win from the 3-Leg Championships to become Fife Champions for the 4th year running. A return to Dunfermline on 2nd June for the Scottish Championships proved less fruitful with the 4-man team succumbing to the on-form hosts in the tightest of finals in recent years. Vasilii Hill, brother Victor, Jamie Penny and Lewis Alsop tried exceptionally hard and were unlucky in some races, but overall Queen Anne deserve to have their name on the trophy this season. New targets are now being set for next session!

Fife Schools’ Track and Field Championships

Tuesday 6th June saw Madras athletes head off to Pitreavie Athletics Club to compete in the Fife Schools’ Track and Field Championships. The rain was persistent, but it did not dampen the spirit of the Madras pupils as they fought to get onto the podium. The high jumpers were the lucky ones being blessed with dry indoor facilities. As for the staff, they were outside in the rain, running the long and triple jump competitions. Madras were triumphant and brought home a haul of medals.

S1 Girls Group C Girls (13-15year olds)

Alex Tully Silver Long Jump Chloe Ritchie Gold 1500 m Millie Nicolson Bronze Shot Putt Lara Manning Silver 200 m Group C Boys (13-15 Year olds)

Silver 800 m Scott Christie Bronze 200 m, 100 m Isla Manning Gold 200 m Luca Venditozzi Bronze Discus Grace Holden Bronze 75 m Hurdles Kieran Taylor Gold Discus Bronze High Jump Anna Hedley Gold 800 m Group B Girls (15-17 year olds) Amaris Cuthbert Bronze Long jump Maggie Milne Silver 200 m

S1 Boys Group B Boys (15-17 year olds) Kyle Straith Gold 100 m, 200 m Gold Long Jump Robert Sparks Gold 1500 m

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