Congratulations to Lewis Thomson who has achieved the recognition as School Dux Medallist for this year and Iona Kimmitt and Lauren Yuill  who have gained the award of Proxime Accessit.

 House Captains

As a result of interviews conducted last week the school is delighted to announce the following appointments for Session 2012-2013

Bruce House Captains: Roslyn Ivatt and Natalie McDonald

Stuart House Captains: Daniel Mongan and Jade Falconer

Wallace House Captains: Robyn Clark and Mandy Hunter

 Ross Harper Scholarship

Congratulations to our current Head Girl, Clare Heggie, who has been awarded the first ever Ross Harper Legal Scholarship. As part of their 50^th anniversary celebrations the legal firm have decided to support a student through their law degree and Diploma in Professional Legal Practice with the offer of a traineeship with the firm upon successful completion of the academic elements.  Clare will begin her studies toward the LLB in September atEdinburghUniversity.

 Website Eamil Alert

Parents and cares can now subscribe to the school website in order to be updated of any new information posted.  Select SUBSCRIBE at the bottom of The Home Page And Complete The Details Required.

 Bannockburn‘s Roving Reporters

Congratulations to Bannockburn High’s BBC News School Reporters who recently took part in the national BBC news day on the 15th of March. It was an exciting and sometimes pressured day trying to make reporting and broadcasting deadlines but the pupils worked well together and some excellent news articles were produced. The pupils researched and wrote articles on news stories relevant to them including University Fees and the Scottish independence referendum. The articles are available to read on the school website. The group were assisted by BBC journalists and gained worldwide coverage on the BBC website, BBC News channels, BBC radio programmes and on the red button on BBC 1. We also had the unique opportunity of sending two of pupils toLondon to work with the BBC and interview the three party leaders. We were the only Scottish school to be selected and our pupils were fantastic ambassadors not only for the school but forScotland. Well done!

 Working Tgether To Make A Difference

Our active GSF group have been organising a form class challenge where form classes set themselves a fundraising target so they can buy a gift which will help reduce maternal mortality, i.e a £15 birthing kit. Pupils have been coming up with creative ideas like being sponsored to wear your pjs to school and seeing who can bring in the most silver coins etc. This is the final push as we count our final total on Friday 30th March so keep up the good work. We have a non-uniform day planned for the last day of term, Friday 30th March, and pupils can pay £1 to wear what they want (apart from football colours) this is to help the GSF group reach their goal of raising £1,174 to kit out an entire maternity ward in the Developing World which would enable 50 babies to be delivered safely. You are proof thatBannockburncares!

 Easter Holidays

The school will be close on Friday at 3.35pmfor the Easter break and re-open to pupils on Monday 16^th April at8.55am. 

 London May 2012

A reminder to parents and carers that payment for the excursion should be made in full by Friday 30^th March to Mrs Millar in Room 104.

The school hosted a talk from a member of the House of Lords on (Friday) to encourage students to engage more with the political and parliamentary process.  Lord Mar and Kellie met with Higher Modern Studies, Politics and History pupils as well as Advanced Higher Modern Studies for an hour to talk about the work and role of the House of Lords. This was followed by a question and answer session on various aspects of the parliamentary process and life at Westminstergenerally. The visit was arranged through the Lord Speaker’s “Peers in Schools” programme, which has been running across the UKsince 2007 and has so far involved around 15,000 young people.  This continuing outreach programme sends members of the House of Lords into schools and colleges across the country to give talks in support of the citizenship curriculum.  For further information, see the Lord Speaker’s web page at www.parliament.uk/lordspeaker .

 Global Student Forum

On Friday the Global Student Forum Group members organised a successful soup lunch for staff to fundraise & raise awareness of the issue of maternal mortality in the developing world. The lunch was popular with the staff who enjoyed the selection of soups made by the GSF team, the lentil soup was particularly popular. We raised over £150 for this event. This is one of the events we are organising throughout the month of March to raise funds to equip a maternity ward in the developing world. Thanks to all the staff for their support.

 Sound Sleep
Congratulations to the House Captains who all delivered an excellent presentation on sound sleep, as part of health and wellbeing experiences, at the house assemblies last week. This week S1 and S2 form classes have been completing a sleep diary to see if they are meeting the requirednine to nine and a quarter hours. These results will then be collated and evaluated to make targets for improvement if required.

 BannockburnPrimary Orchard

Claire Don and Hannah Paterson, two S3 pupils who represented the Bannockburn High Eco group helped to plant 12 fruit trees in the grounds of Bannockburn Primary on Friday 2nd March. They helped plant 12 fruit trees a mixture of apple, pear, plum and cherry.

 LondonMay 2012

A reminder to parents and carers that payment for the excursion should be made in full by Friday 30^th March to Mrs Millar in Room 104.

The S2 parents evening will take place on Monday 12^th March between4.15pm and6.45pm.  Pupils should make appointments with relevant members of staff prior to the evening.

 Global Student Forum

Our GSF group are hard at work raising awareness of the goal to reduce the number of mothers dying in pregnancy and childbirth. Some of the group went on Monday to give a talk to the Last Monday group at St Ninian’s United Free Church of Scotland. The audience were very interested in the issue and kindly gave the GSF pupils a donation towards their fundraising. If you would like the GSF group to deliver a talk for your local group please contact the school office to arrange it.  The GSF group have planned a series of events in school for ‘Mothers’ March’ including pupils registration class challenge, staff v pupils football, homemade soup lunch for staff, bake sale, non-uniform day and sponsored walk which will support a number of good causes.

 BBCNewsSchoolReport

OurBBCNEWSSchoolReport group are gearing up for our final news day on Thursday 15th of March. Pupils have just received a goodie bag of reporters id badges, pens and posters in preparation for the big day. Check out our news next week for details of a unique, exciting opportunity which some of ourBBCNEWSSchoolReport group got to take part in… more information to follow.

 RDA Sccess

Alexander Dunnachie (S2) has just received his Riding for Disabled Grade 3 Horse Riding Profficiency award.  Alexander attends RDA every Tuesday afternoon and assists with the care and attention of the horses and equipment as well as learning to ride.

 S1 Science Projects 

All S1 pupils have been working hard on their Alternative Energy homework projects recently. The majority of pupils have made a great improvement from their first project – well done everyone!

The best project from each class has been judged and the following is a list of prizewinners:

1B1   Gemma Pettersen

1B2   Conor Derrick

1S1   Ellie Harris

1S2   Anna Burnett

1S3   Ryan Brown

1W1  Charley Howland

1W2  Emma McEwan

Congratulations to all of these pupils from the Science Department!

 S3 Exams

The S3 exam diet will take place between 7^th and 15^th  March.  During this period pupils in S3 will complete an exam in each of their subjects.  Pupils were issued with information regarding the exams on Friday and were reminded that there is no study leave for S3 and pupils should attend classes as normal.  Exams will take place during class time.

 LondonMay 2012

A reminder to parents and carers that payment for the excursion should be made in full by Friday 30^th March to Mrs Millar in Room 104.

Some of the information sheets issued on the night are available to down load below.

Director’s of Study will be reviewing your child’s progress post prelim, this will result in some pupils and parents being invited to an interview with your child’s director of studies and house head.

Help and advice to all is available via departments as always.

The S2 parents evening takes place on Monday 12^th March between 4.15pm and 6.45pm.  Pupils should make appointments with staff prior to the evening.

Bannockburn High School celebrates World Book Day with a visit from an author.  Professor Paul Morris (StirlingUniversity) spoke to S5/6 English Department pupils about the books she has written, Ruined and Dark Souls and about how to make creative writing better and more believable.  She had pupils engaged throughout the afternoon with ideas of how to add texture to their writing, how to gain inspiration for new stories and how to create plausible characters. Altogether a fun and inspirational afternoon for all Higher Still English pupils and the budding writers among them.  Aimee Stubberfield, a representative from the ACEvents Group, thanked and presented Professor Morris with flowers and chocolates for giving up her time to share her expertise and ideas with us – a very small token of our appreciation for such a huge kindness.

London– 13^th – 15^th February

Pupils along with 2 teachers from Bannockburn High went toLondonfor the weekend. After arriving on the Monday afternoon, we checked in at the hotel and went to the see the fabulous musical ‘Wicked’.  After an early start on Tuesday morning, we were scared senseless at the London Dungeon and then headed to the famous Madame Tussauds where we felt like the paparazzi spotting all the famous celebrities. Once our star studded experience was over we made our way toOxford Streetwhich brought us to one of the shopping capitals where Hamleys and Topshop awaited us. After dinner we headed back toVictoriato the fantastic ‘Billy Elliot’ which everyone enjoyed.  Another early start on Wednesday morning and we were soon on the train returning home on Wednesday evening. Although the three days seemed to pass quickly, it was a fantastic and interesting trip enjoyed by everyone.

English Department

S3 and S4 pupils visited the Lyceum Theatre on the evening of Wednesday 22 February to see a production of John Steinbeck’s famous novel, “Of Mice and Men”.  Both pupils and staff enjoyed a relaxing evening watching the show and soaking up the cosy ambience of the Lyceum.  All pupils were a credit toBannockburnHigh Schooland a pleasure to take on such a trip.  Sincere thanks to Mrs Mackinnon for organising the evening and for Mr Wales and Miss Anderson for their help and support.

Amnesty International

Bannockburn’s Amnesty Group are once again celebrating World Book Day by holding a Second hand Book Sale over lunch on both Thursday 1st March and Friday 2nd March in the Lecture Theatre.  Donations of books and DVDs will be most welcome up until these dates – please hand in to Mrs Mackay in Room 320.  Books will be priced from 50p and all proceeds from the two days will go directly to Amnesty International UK to help make our world a fairer place.

S5 Leaps Workshop

S5 pupils met with Student volunteers from various universities to get an insiders view on

what a typical student week is actually like. The LEAPS team helped the pupils recognise the main differences between school and university and the different type of studying required at higher education.

S4 Leaps Workshop

Would you need a degree to become a physiotherapist? Is there  a course in ethical hacking at university? Would you study makeup artistry at college or university? What subject did Alex Salmond study ?  Fourth year pupils, assisted by student volunteers, took part in a workshop which involved a quiz show format and consisted of a number of rounds which explored topics such as qualifications needed for different professions, what courses are taught at university and at a college. They also had the opportunity to chat to the volunteers in order to find out more about university subject areas and student life.

LondonMay 2012

A reminder to parents and carers that pupils taking part in the trip, can make payments, at any time between now and the end of March to Mrs Millar in Room 104.  Further information regarding a Parents Night will be issued in due course.

Some of the information sheets issued on the night are available to down load below.

FEBRUARY 9TH PARENTS TALK


Revision Planner Week Beginning

Director’s of Study will be reviewing your child’s progress post prelim, this will result in some pupils and parents being invited to an interview with your child’s director of studies and house head.

Help and advice to all is available via departments as always.

The school’s Amnesty International Group are organising another Book Sale in early March this year to celebrate World Book Day and to raise funds for Amnesty. We would be grateful if you could donate any books to this worthwhile cause – either drop them into Room 320 or hand to Mrs McKay in the English Department.

 S3 Leaps Event

29 S3 Pupils visited EdinburghUniversityon Thursday 2^nd Feb to make a short film about various facilities at the university. As part of the press pack pupils explored the campus accompanied by a student volunteer . They used hand-held video cameras to create a short film clip which formed part of a news programme called Caledonia News. The pupils excelled at the activities out on location and back in the “press room” showing how excellent team work can produce superb results. All pupils contributed to the film with Greig Muir and Kirsty  McEwen giving polished performances as anchor presenters back in “the studio”. This event provided an early introduction to university and student life and has encouraged the pupils to consider Higher Education as a future option.

 Tam O Shanter

Hopscotch Theatre Company entertained all S1 pupils with a lively and fun performance of Tam O Shanter by Robert Burns on Monday 30th January.  Pupils enjoyed this interactive experience of the poem they are studying in English and felt it helped them to understand the auld Scots language better.  Our thanks to the S6 ACEvents Group who organised this event for pupils.

 February Holiday

School will close to pupils this Friday at 3.35pmand will re-open on Monday 20^th February at8.55am.  Monday – Wednesday is the mid term holiday and Thursday and Fridays closures are due to Stirling Council In Service days.

 LONDON – 13^th – 15^th FEBRUARY

A reminder to parents and carers that pupils should at Stirling Train Station for6.15amprompt on Monday morning and should be collected on Wednesday at approximately5.50pm.

 LONDON – MAY 2012

A reminder that payments can be made to Mrs Millar in room 104 for the forthcoming trip.  All payments must be made prior to the Easter break.

Battlefields Trip – June 2012

A few spaces have become available on the Battlefields Trip which runs from Thursday June 7^th- Tuesday 12^th June.

These last seats are open to ANY S3 or S4 pupil who is genuinely interested in WWI and trench warfare (it is not essential for the young person to be studying Standard Grade History).  Anyone interested should collect a permission slip from Miss Baxter or Mrs Smith in the History Department.

The aim of this event is to outline the health and wellbeing entitlements for Curriculum for Excellence.

There will be lots of opportunities for discussion about the different aspects of the health and wellbeing curriculum and how parents can support their children with this. Partner agencies will also be attending to facilitate some group discussions.

This event will be of interest to any parent with children in the early years, primary and secondary settings.

If you are interested in attending this event please register with Anne-Marie Lamont. (Anne-Marie.Lamont@educationscotland.gov.uk)

Christmas Concert

A splendid evening of music making was the reward of the large audience who turned out to school before the holidays.  The Christmas concert featured around 120 performers from S1-6 and staff, all playing their parts with a cheerful enthusiasm appropriate to the season.  The music offered covered a wide range from Christmas favourites such as ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ to popular tunes includingNew York,New York, Silent Night, White Christmas and A Whole New World.  There were items from the vocal group, recorder group, Wind Band and Glee.  The school band opened and closed the show finishing in fine style with a Christmas medley.  Thanks to Mr Millar of the Music Department for the extensive planning and organisation that went into staging such a successful event.

LEAPS S6 Conference

A number of senior pupils attended the S6 conference at Heriot Watt, Edinburgh on Friday 16th Dec. With almost 300 students taking part they had a real taste of university life. They received workshops and presentations from undergraduate student volunteers as well as contributors from ELRAH, SAAS, NUS, Edinburgh College of Art,EdinburghNapierUniversitycovering topics such as student funding, next steps in the UCAS process and preparing for a university interview.

We would like to wish our 41 UCAS applicants every success in being offered the course of their choice next year.

Stop N’ Shop

Thanks to everyone who came along to support our pupils in their recent collaborative enterprise activity with pupils from St Modan’s andWallaceHigh Schools. Bannockburn High made a total profit of £432.00. All of those involved found it to be a valuable learning experience which was fun!

London – May 2012

A reminder that payments should be made for the Londontrip, by Friday 30^th March 2012.  Payments should be taken to Mrs Millar in Room 104.  A parents information evening will be held prior to the excursion.