Latest News

weekly News

 

Wednesday 26 August 2009

From the Headmaster

The first week has been a busy and productive one for all at Lomond School and it has been pleasing to see teaching and learning move swiftly and smoothly ahead. The new pupil shadows have been appreciated in helping to settle those joining the school and once again the Lomond hallmark of friendly pupils and staff has been evident. Pupils are looking smart and well turned out. Please note that there will be a full school photograph on Thursday 27 August, weather permitting of course.

The new Games Hall has been demonstrated to most pupils now and proved extremely useful on the first weekend practices of term. Large numbers of rugby players were able to practise inside due to the pitches being too wet and this is an excellent test of its capabilities. It was very good to see the buzz on parents and pupils meeting at the Sports Grounds on this first Saturday and both Hockey and Rugby had strong turnouts and good sessions. We look forward to the official opening of the Games Hall on Saturday 10 October to thank the many supporters who have helped realise this significant project.

We were blessed with excellent conditions to hold the 2009 Lomond Challenge at Firkin Point on Loch Lomond on Saturday. The most notable aspect to me was the huge support network of parents, pupils, friends of the school and staff who combined to marshal and man the event. It was all managed excellently by Mr Calder and Mrs Marrison who got the detail just right. It is a huge logistical event and we are deeply indebted to rescue boat cover from the RNCYC courtesy of Mr and Mrs Stanley-Whyte and the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat from Luss.

There were 13 schools taking part from a very wide catchment area and the spirit of competition was intense but notably positive. A very high calibre of entry was again seen and there were some very fast finish times posted. The Lomond pairs did extremely well and it is a credit to them that the school finished 2nd overall with the overall team event going to a strong entry from Heriot’s. The girls did particularly well and the crack team of Nicola Skrastin and Anna Burnet won the girls team event for the second year in a row. They were determined to try and go for the double and it is excellent to see them reap this success. All the athletes involved gave huge effort and the teamwork involved was significant. Once again I would like to thank everyone who helped out to make this day such a success.

On the wider pupil front Ryan Metcalf was successful in gaining an Arkwright Scholarship which is an extremely prestigious design award. These are hotly contested and his submission was nationally scrutinised. In additional Alistair Morison won through to the National finals of the Year in Industry Award. This represents a great step forward for Alistair and is a strong endorsement of what he is offering his employers. We send our congratulations to Ryan and Alistair for both of these awards.

University news has been making its way to the school and there have been some terrific results for our leavers this year. Jennifer Craig has achieved a place to read Veterinary Medicine at Edinburgh and Lauren McCormack has achieved a place to read Veterinary Medicine at Glasgow.  Matthew Brown and Rachel McLatchie have gained places to read Medicine also at Edinburgh. These are intensely competitive courses and we celebrate their success with them.

A very extensive range of courses have been accessed by leavers this year including Law, Politics, Geography, Civil Engineering, Software Design, Biological Sciences, International Management, Aeronautical Engineering, French, Economics, Music, Product Design and more. The main universities continue to be Aberdeen, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Stirling, Dundee, Heriot-Watt with pupils placed additionally at Imperial in London, Loughborough, Durham and the Glasgow School of Art. We are very proud of all the Lomond leavers and wish them every success as they pursue their university courses and employment in the year ahead. We would certainly be very keen to hear of any ongoing news and successes in the future. Keep in touch!

Finally we have had further news of sailing successes both here and abroad.

Katherine Stanley-Whyte did tremendously in the strong Laser 4.7 class. Katherine has improved on her prior position to become the top Scottish sailor and overall Ladies National Laser 4.7 Champion. 

Moray Clark finished 11th out of 96 at the Laser Radial Championships in Torbay and Lorenzo Chiavarini finished 41st out of 96 at the Laser 4.7 World Championships in Brazil. Anna Burnet and her crew Flora Stewart came 16th out of 84 at the ladies 420 World Championships on Lake Garda and then came 32nd overall and 4th ladies team in the junior European Championships in ‘Hungary out of a fleet of 108 boats. These are amazing achievements and we pass on our warm congratulations.

Alastair Gray and Ross Stanley Whyte also recorded success at the Optimist Nationals being placed 14th and 25th respectively out of 400 world sailors. The competition included world class optimist talent from Spain, France and the USA. We are delighted for this high level achievement. 

 

Congratulations to………..

Our pupils who were successful in the recent Associated Board Music Exams

Rachel McLatchie                   Flute                Grade 8 pass with merit

Morven Thompson                 Flute                Grade 5 pass

Carrie Morrison                       Flute                Grade 4 pass

Sarah Clinch                           Flute                Grade 2 pass with merit

Lucy Dunn                              Flute                Grade 2 pass

Sophie Gillies                          Violin               Grade 3 pass

Louise McCollum                    Violin               Grade 2 pass

Grace Girling                          Violin               Grade 1 pass

SynnØve Karlsen                    Piano               Grade 4 pass

Constance Gatley                   Piano               Grade 1 pass

 

Former Pupil Graduations (August 2009)

Katie Baynham MA 1st Psychology – Glasgow; Olivia Beattie MA 1st – Glasgow;

Georgina Wardrop MA 1st – Glasgow; Kara Dawson BSc with merit – Glasgow; Angus McInroy BSc 2/2 – Glasgow; Scott McArthur BSc 1st Computing – Robert Gordon’s, Aberdeen; Kirsty Chalmers MA 2/1 Management – Aberdeen; Colin Ferguson BSc 2/1 Geoscience – Aberdeen; Sean McFadyen BSc 2/1 Geology – Aberdeen; Mark Young BSc 2/2 Physiology – Aberdeen; Oliver Corbett BSc 2/2 Medicine – St Andrews; Fiona Rudolph M Chemistry 1st – St Andrews. 

 

From the Depute Headmaster

• There will be a whole-school photograph on Thursday morning, weather permitting. Pupils should make an extra effort to look as smart as possible, in regulation school uniform.
• GCSE Latin results will be in school on Thursday 27 August.
• I shall be taking S6 to a Higher and Further Education exhibition in the Glasgow Science Centre in the afternoon of Tuesday 1 September. Parental permission slips have been issued to day pupils, and these should be returned to the S6 form tutors as soon as possible.

 

Primary News

Lunch w/c 31 August 2009 – Mon – Chicken curry and rice, jelly and fruit cocktail:Tues – Tomato soup and a selection of sandwiches, millionaire’s shortbread: Wed– Breaded haddock, sweetcorn and chipped potatoes, key lime pie: Thurs – Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potato and cauliflower, banana boat with chocolate chips: Fri – Spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread, melon, strawberry and grape cocktail. A selection of fresh fruit and vegetables are available daily.The Transitus Assembly this week was led by Mr Calder who talked about using our gifts to the best of our abilities.

• At the Clarendon Assembly Mr Calder discussed the idea of belonging and discussed this in terms of the fact we don’t need to label people but do need to label property (the bulging lost property box was his visual aid).
• If you need to contact the After School Club the new number is 01436 675647. This number is available between 3.30pm and 5.30pm. If you are calling before 3.30pm, please use the school number 01436 672476. Thank you.
• Lost property Mrs Ferguson has spent a lot of time this week sorting out lost property. It will be available in the hall until Friday when Mr Calder will take it to a local charity shop.
• Road Safety.  It has been a super start to the term and the children have settled in very well – however the parking on the zig-zags that I have noticed recently does not help us to keep them safe and I would politely ask that this be taken into consideration at all times.

 

NICE TRIP...A reminder that the first instalment of £250 is due by 28 August. Please make cheques payable to Lomond School and hand in to Miss Clarke.

NORWAY/SWEDEN JULY 2010  S4/5/6...This is the last chance for pupils to sign up to take part in a canoe expedition in Norway and Sweden in July 2010.   The expedition explores the Harkan River system which starts in Norway and crosses into Sweden.    If you would like to find out more about the expedition please pick up a letter from front reception.  there will be an information meeting at 7pm in St Bride's Hall on Monday 31st August.

 

PARENTS’ MATHS REFRESHER SESSIONS...Our occasional, informal sessions will be starting up again this term. Aimed primarily for S1/S2 parents, anyone is welcome to attend; please e-mail me (a.laceby@lomond-school.org) for more details.

 

OUTDOOR EDUCATION - SATURDAY MORNING TASTER SESSIONS

CANOEING AND MOUNTAIN BIKING

Pupils in T1-S3 will receive a letter this week with details of the activities on offer.  In seeking to broaden sporting participation it is our intention this session to run a programme of outdoor activities alongside existing fixtures in the calendar. We would like to build on the strong tradition of outdoor education which already exists at Lomond through the wide variety of expeditions and trips by offering a series of taster sessions to all year groups T1-S3 on Saturday mornings.

The canoeing will take place on Loch Lomond and for the biking we will go to the mountain biking centre at Glen Tress near Peebles. The taster sessions will be led by Mr Calder and Miss Dudley.

Our aim in offering these activities is to broaden the range of sporting experiences open to our pupils and to cater for a variety of interests.   Further outdoor education opportunities for those committed to team sports will be made available by the PE department in the Summer Term.

A detailed programme and a reply slip are contained in the letter which will also available on the school website.

 

PE

Please note: When dismissing pupils from the Games Hall after any sporting activities we would like to see all pupils dressed in their school uniform. Too many items are being left behind and it allows pupils to be more appropriately dressed when walking down the street. Pupils being picked up by cars will also need to change into school uniform. Official school items of games kit should be worn and not pupils’ own sports clothing.

 

Hockey

Saturday 29 August - Hockey v St Aloysius' College

1st XI meet at Ardencaple for 8.45am, match 9.15am, finish 10.30am.

2nd XI meet at Ardencaple for 9.45am, match 10.15am, finish 11.30am.

3rd XI meet at Ardencaple for 10.45am, match 11.15am, finish 12.30pm.

3rd Year 'A' & 'B' teams to meet down at the Games Hall for 8.20am to travel to East End Park, Dumbarton. All must travel in School Uniform and return to Games Hall at 12 noon.

1st Year 'A' & 'B' teams, 2nd Year 'A' & 'B' teams all meet at the Games Hall Car Park for 7.45am to travel to Strathclyde University playing fields at Stepps, beside Hogganfield Loch. 

'A' teams playing at 9.15am and 'B' teams at 10.15am. Return to Games Hall at 12.45pm. 

Spectators are very welcome to come along and support all the pupils.

 

All S1, S2 & S3 Hockey practices will be finishing at 4.15pm during the week. 

Please note that there will be extra-curricular activities starting next week on different days after school.

 

Rugby

Saturday 29 August - Rugby v Belmont House

U16 (A) meet at Games Hall 8.15am (tbc) return by 12pm

S2/S1 and Transitus/S1 (H) meet at Games Hall 9am, changed. Finish 11.15am

Belmont only have limited number of teams this year so 1st XV and S3 please check with PE department and website for details.

 

If fixtures are cancelled due to weather we will utilise the new Games Hall so be aware there will always be exercise on Saturday mornings - check website for details if fixture is cancelled.

 

Games Afternoon Rugby

 During the week all pupils have 1 period of PE (lesson 5) and one period of games (period 6). For players in S3 and S2 involved in the rugby teams you will be dismissed at 4.15pm from the Games Hall. Those not involved will be dismissed at 3.25pm. ALL S1 boys will be dismissed at 4.15pm.

 

EXTRA- CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT THE GAMES HALL

All pupils will have an additional night for extra curricular activities.

As of the 1st of September the following activities/clubs will be available in the Games Hall after school for the following year groups:

Monday           S2 Basketball Club                                                     3.30pm - 4.30pm

Tuesday          S3 Basketball Club & Senior Badminton Clubs          3.30pm - 4.30pm

Thursday         S1 Basketball Club                                                     3.30pm - 4.30pm

 

Click on the image to enlarge to full size

weekly News

Wednesday 19 August 2009

From the Headmaster

I do hope that all Lomond families have had a very good summer holiday and that all are ready for the challenges and opportunities of the Autumn Term. I am certain pupils will be anxious to catch up with friends again after the break.

It has been excellent to get acquainted with the school over the last fortnight and to work with the support staff and management team in anticipation of the new school year. Thank you to the whole school community for making my family and I feel very welcome. It is a privilege to join the school as Headmaster in the considerable footsteps of Mr Macdonald.

We have seen the publishing of the public examination results at the end of the holidays and I am pleased to report that the Higher pass rate is very healthy at 90% and Standard Grade / Intermediate 2 is 94%. This is a real credit to pupils, parents and staff who have all worked extremely hard together to make this happen. The A-level and GCSE results are still awaited and will be out shortly. It has been a pleasure to speak with a large number of families since the release of the SQA results and to see the happiness in the grades achieved often with a significant improvement over the anticipated grades.

We have suffered two significant losses over the holidays. Very sadly you may have seen that Mrs Louw, who was a Nursery parent, was tragically killed in a car accident whilst attending a wedding in Poland. Mr Louw is seriously ill still from the same incident. This is terrible news and the school has been in touch. Also extremely sad was the passing away of Mrs Heather Clark, singing teacher at Lomond School, whose daughter Helen is a former pupil of the school. Heather will be deeply missed by colleagues and ex-pupils. She faced her cancer extremely bravely and was an example to us all.

On a much brighter note I am delighted to welcome several new staff to Lomond School. In Clarendon Mrs Laura Canero joins us in J5 and Ms Kate Alexander-Kirk joins us on a one term maternity cover in the English Department in the Senior School.

The new Games Hall has taken shape well over the Summer Holidays. Despite the inevitable snags of such a large project Mr Ian McKellar, Mr McElwee and the Works Department have overseen a tremendous fitting out operation which will enable it ready for use this term. It really is a terrific new asset that will touch the lives of all pupils, and I hope many parents. We look forward to its operation and will be keen to see how sports and activities can be further developed in the months ahead. Its all weather nature will prove to be wonderful as the term moves on and there will be much improved hospitality facilities for post-match refreshments. Thank you to all who have supported this most significant project which promises to be a huge benefit to all involved with the school.

The excellent progress of the Games Hall must be tempered by the recent news that Mr McKellar, our extraordinary Clerk of Works, former Head of Graphic Communication, architect to the main school and Burnbrae, has given notice of his intention to retire at the end of this half of term. We are certain that we cannot hope to recruit a man of the same skill set, experience or warm personality. However we will set about with the search for Mr McKellar’s successor now that term has begun. I will not labour how much Mr McKellar has done for Lomond School except to observe that it could not have been as well designed or maintained without his eagle eye for detail and wonderful heart for the pupils and their well being.

I am sure that many families will wish to support pupils in the Lomond Challenge on Saturday afternoon. There is a real visual spectacle as the teams compete in this arduous and national event. I wish to express my thanks to Mr Calder and Mrs Jane Marrison in advance for all their very hard work in preparation and the many partner organisations that combine to make this event possible. We hope for good weather and an enjoyable, safe time for all competitors.

 

Congratulations

Academic ties were presented at assembly today to:

• S5 pupils
• On the basis of 5A grades at Higher : Anna Burnet, Iain Cameron, Adam Cowley, Catherine Humphreys.
• On the basis of 4A grades at Higher : Christopher Chalmers, Andrew Mortimer, Michael Pretswell, Ginny Scott-Park, Abdul Tarmal. Emma Ainsley and Alice Macdonald were also congratulated in this category.
• S4 pupils
• On the basis of 8 A grades/1s at Intermediate 2/Standard Grade : Sarah Alexander, Gavin Balmer, Amy Brown, Sophie Canty, Annie Carroll, Niall Hope, Fiona Hunter, Tristan Maddick, Emily Moriarty, Laura Shand, Matthew Underwood, Christopher Ungruh, Katrina Wallace.

Georgina Hunter was also congratulated in this category.

• On the basis of 7 A grades/1s : Florrie Black, Chris Chivers, Catherine Clark, Robert Gladden, Lindsay Hastings, Douglas Hogg, Holly MacDonald.
• On the basis of 6 A grades/1s : Lucy Dunlop, Ruaridh Macfarlane, Ryan Metcalf.

Additional congratulations to Ryan Metcalf who has won an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship for his fifth and sixth years at school.

Two former pupils performed very well in the Helensburgh Art Club competition. Robbie Hunter won first prize of £100 plus £100 for the Art Department and a commendation was awarded to Tristan Coats.

I was delighted to hear about the many and varied achievements of our pupils over the summer holidays  and these will be detailed in the newsletter over the forthcoming weeks.

 

From the Depute Headmaster

• There will be a whole-school photograph next Thursday morning, weather permitting. Pupils should make an extra effort to look as smart as possible, in regulation school uniform.
• GCE ‘A’ level results will arrive in school on Thursday 20 August and pupils can access these electronically, if they signed up for this service. 
• GCSE Latin results will be in school on Thursday 27 August

 

Primary News

Lunch w/c 17 August 2009 – Mon – Sausage casserole, cauliflower cheese and creamed potato, raspberry flan with cream:Tues – Tomato and cheese pasta with French bread, luscious fruit salad: Wed – Cod goujons with mixed vegetables and oven chips, fruit loaf: Thurs – Roast chicken with oven roast potatoes and sprouts, lemon meringue pie: Fri – Shepherd’s pie and peas, profiteroles and chocolate sauce. A selection of fresh fruit and vegetables are available daily.

• Introduction to Nursery and Clarendon Evening. We are looking forward to seeing you on Thursday 27 August at 7.30pm in St Bride’s Hall followed by the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher(s) in the Nursery or Clarendon.

• The Primary Clubs will be starting on the week beginning 31 August. A letter will be going out shortly detailing the clubs that will be available.

• Clarendon Library. We would appreciate all outstanding library books. This is particularly pertinent to pupils who are now based in Transitus. Our Library helpers have kindly agreed to carry on with the lunchtime drop-in session for which we are very grateful.

 

EUROSPACE CENTRE TRIP

The next instalment of £200 is due by this Friday – 21 August. Cheques should be made payable to Lomond School and handed in to Dr Tully.

 

PE

Saturday 22 August 2009

Hockey Trials

1st Yr Hockey meet at astro-turf for 8.45am, finish 10am.

Senior 4th, 5th & 6th year players meet at astro-turf for 9.45am, finish 11am.

2nd Year and 3rd Year players meet at astro-turf for 10.45am, finish at noon.

All players must bring a water bottle and wear appropriate footwear and PE kit with waterproofs.

 

Rugby Training

Seniors 9am - 10am

S1/S2 10am - 11am

All players to meet at the Games Hall and bring indoor and outdoor footwear.