Saint Peter the Apostle High School S 5S

Saint Peter the Apostle High School S 5/S 6 Parent Information Evening Thursday 5 th September 2013

We come to you Lord To be built into a spiritual house Founded on the rock of St Peter’s faith. May we prepare our minds for action, And carefully examine The life and teachings of Jesus your Son, So that our community may proclaim His mighty acts And love each other with all our hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord Amen. St Peter the Apostle. Pray for us.

Outline of Evening • • • Welcome & Expectations New Configuration of School Week S 5/S 6 Curriculum 2013 -2014 Qualifications / Key Dates / NABs School Support Partnership with Parents What Can Your Child Do? EMA S 6 Enrichment

Senior Leadership Team Mr. M Vassie Mrs. Gallagher Mr. P. Darroch Mr. M. Rainey Mrs. J Morrison Mrs. Booth Mr. M. Rainey - Head Teacher Depute Head (S 1) Depute Head (S 2) Depute Head (S 3) Depute Head (S 4) Depute Head (S 5) Depute Head (S 6)

Why Return for S 5/S 6? Your child should have valid reasons for returning – – – Build upon qualifications from S 4/S 5 Apply to UCAS for entry to university Experience community work placements Participate in vocational college course Rectify previous mistakes?

Our expectations of your child in S 5/S 6 • To be the best they can be! – – – – Uniform Attendance Punctuality Behaviour Effort Homework Contribution to our Community • To more fully develop the 4 capacities of Curriculum for Excellence

Personal Development & Achievement • Participation in the life of our school – Clubs and Activities – School Excursions – Social Events • Contributing to our school community – Celebrations of our faith – Charity work – Voluntary work – Pupil Forum and Pupil Council

Skills for Scotland – A Lifelong Skills Strategy. . . solve problems . . . think critically & creatively. . to learn . . . plan and organise The ability to. . take risks . . . work with others . . . use initiative . . . lead The Scottish Government, Edinburgh 2007

Configuration of School Week Monday & Tuesday Period Time Registration 8. 50 am P 1 9. 00 am P 2 9. 50 am Break 10. 40 am P 3 10. 55 am P 4 11. 45 am Lunch 12. 35 pm P 5 1. 20 pm P 6 2. 10 pm P 7 3. 00 pm School Day Finishes 3. 50 pm

Configuration of School Week Wednesday, Thursday & Friday Period Time Registration 8. 50 am P 1 9. 00 am P 2 9. 50 am Break 10. 40 am P 3 10. 55 am P 4 11. 45 am Lunch 12. 35 pm P 5 1. 20 pm P 6 2. 10 pm School Day Finishes 3. 00 pm

Stage Core Experience Personalisation & Choice S 4 2 x RE /2 x PE 1 x HWB 1 x Learning for Life 5 x English & 5 x Maths 4 additional subjects (4 periods each) Range of 1 year vocational options. S 5 2 x RE 1 x HWB (unless choosing 6 courses) 5 x English Minimum of 4 and up to 5 additional subjects Range of Learning for Life Options (single period) Range of 1 year vocational options. S 6 2 x RE 1 x HWB (unless choosing 6 courses) Minimum of 5 and up to 6 additional subjects (5 periods each). Range of Learning for Life Options (single period) Range of Higher & AH Consortia Courses Range of 1 year vocational options.

S 5 Students- Some Possible Pathways Student SQA Courses Core Experiences Enrichment 2 RE & 1 HWB Study Periods B 5 Higher Courses 2 RE & 1 HWB C 6 Higher Courses 2 RE Mix of Study Periods and Learning for Life Options - D 4 Higher Courses 2 Intermediate 2 Courses 4 Higher Courses 1 Intermediate 2 Course 2 RE - 2 RE 1 HWB Learning for Life Options 6 Intermediate 2 Courses 3 Intermediate 2 Courses 1 College Course 1 Intermediate 1 Course 1 Intermediate 2 Course 5 Intermediate 1 Courses 2 RE A E F G H I 5 Higher Courses 2 RE 1 HWB Learning for Life Options 2 RE 1 HWB - 1 College Course 2 RE 4 Intermediate 1 Courses 1 HWB Learning for Life Options

Qualifications Standard Grade National Qualifications Higher – A, B, C Credit - 1, 2 Int 2 – A, B, C General - 3, 4 Int 1 – A, B, C Foundation - 5, 6 Access – Pass/Fail

S 5/S 6 Key Dates • Target One – aspirational - (September 2013) • Supported Study Programme – Phase One (October-December 2013) • S 5/S 6 Early Warnings (September / October 2013) • On- Track Target Two (November 2013) • S 5/S 6 Parents’ Evening – Tuesday 3 rd December 2013 • Supported Study Programme – Phase Two (January - April 2013) • S 4/S 5/S 6 Prelim Examinations (Monday 3 rd February – Friday 14 th February) • S 5/S 6 Subject Reports (March 2014) • Easter Revision School (April 2014) • SQA Exams (Begin 29 th April 2014)

NABs/Course Work • • Information Booklet / Departmental Website Unit Assessments – SQA qualifications Usually 3 or 4 NABs for a full course Must pass all the NABs for the course in order to sit the SQA exam • Allowed 1 resit for each NAB • Equivalent to a C pass in the course • Homework Planner

What Can the School Do?

Pupil Support System • • • Each pupil has a Pupil Support Teacher Focus on: – Attendance – Punctuality – Uniform – Effort – Behaviour – Homework – Supporting / Advising role – Contact with Parents / Partnership Role of Mrs. Reilly (PT Raising Attainment) HELPING YOUR CHILD TO BE THE VERY BEST THAT THEY CAN BE!

REACH Programme • Led by Mr. Dolan (Chemistry Department) • Support for accessing most demanding university programmes: • Medicine / Law / Vetinary Medicine /Dentistry • Two / three year support programme • Visiting lecturers / summer school / entry requirements • Current academic potential critical for entry

Supported Study • Phase 1 - 8 week programme (October – December 2013) • Follows options structure – something on offer for all pupils • Focus on areas for improvement (e. g. extended writing in PE / close reading in English / challenging topics in maths) • Targeted supported study – “by invitation” • Saturday morning revision • Phase 2 – 8 week programme (January – March 2014) • Easter Revision

What Can Parents Do?

Partnership with Parents • • Regular Tracking Reports Early Warning Information Supported Study Programme S 5/S 6 Parents’ Evening (3 rd December 2013) S 5/S 6 Prelim Examinations S 5/S 6 Subject Reports (March 2014) Easter Revision School Liaison with Pupil Support Team – just pick up the phone!

Supporting Your Child • Be positive • Provide a quiet, calm environment for study • Encourage “buy in” to extra support • Encourage relaxation time • Reward effort and success • Talk. . . and listen. . .

Further Information Keep up-to-date via the school website! • www. scottishschools. info/stpetertheapostle

S 5/S 6 Careers Information and Advice Reminder that very useful advice for pupils is available at My World of Work n http: //www. myworldofwork. co. uk/

Parents

What Can Your Child Do?

Expectations for S 5/S 6 • High standard of uniform • Excellent attendance • Excellent punctuality • Excellent behaviour • Full commitment and effort • Quality homework on time

Attendance/Punctuality • Purpose of Registration • Attendance at school – and each class on the timetable – will be checked daily • All pupils must arrive for class on time – electronic registration allows your Pupil Support Teacher to know if a pupil is late! • Vital information shared at registration time –avoids interruptions to lessons!

Sample Study Timetable Mon Math 1 hr Chem 1 hr Eng 1 hr Tue 1 hr Hist 1 hr 1 hr Total 4 hr Fren Wed Thur 1 hr 1 hr 4 hr Frid Sat Sun 2 hr Total 5 hr 1 hr 5 hr 2 hr 1 hr 5 hr 5 hr 6 hr 5 hr 25 h 2 hr

Study Tips for Pupils Notice that similar subjects are not studied straight after one another. Past Papers, reading/summarizing notes and homework all count as study Have a day off completely. (It may be a Saturday/Sunday) Try not to study for anymore than 1 hour at a time. Try to find a quiet place to study. No TV or other distractions to keep you off your work. Take a 5 minute break between each study session. Walk the dog, have a cup of tea, anything that clears your mind for the next study session. Don’t use MSN/TV as you’ll never get up!

Study Tips for Pupils Try not to study late at night as you go to bed dreaming about your work. Take a complete break before you go to bed. Its easy to sit with a book open for 2 hours and pretend you’ve been studying (there should always be evidence of studying) Don’t fall into this trap. Its important to have something to take your mind of studying. A game of football, cinema etc. Relaxing is important when studying. The closer you get to an exam the more you should study for it. But don’t neglect your other subjects. You are more likely to stick to a timetable if you make it yourself. It’s never too early to start your revision programme!

Pupils

Education Maintenance Allowance • An Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a government initiative aimed at helping your child stay on in education. Your child may be eligible for an EMA if you are aged 16 -19 and attend a West Dunbartonshire school. • An EMA entitles you to up to £ 30 a week. The amount depends on parental income. • To apply for an EMA you must: – submit the form before 30 September if you are 16 before this date – apply by 29 February if you are 16 after 30 September West Dunbartonshire Council will post EMA forms to your home!

S 5 Results S 5 2012 5 A’s – 2 Pupils 5 Highers – (7%) - 21 pupils 3+ Highers – (17%) - 49 pupils S 5 2013 5 A’s – 4 Pupils 5 Highers – (8%) - 23 pupils 3+ Highers – (24%) - 72 pupils

Sixth Year Opportunities • • • Duke of Edinburgh Year of Faith events Leadership Enterprise Caritas Sports Leaders Buddying (S 1 Support Programme) UCAS Support Programme Top-up - University Access Programme Work Experience Retreats