Inverclyde
Academy
P7 Welcome Booklet
2017
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A Word From Mr Brown
Hi, my name is Mr Brown and I will be looking
after you on your Induction Days at Inverclyde
Academy. You will get to know me at assembly
once a week, around the school, and, if you’re
really lucky, I might even be your PE teacher!
Welcome to Inverclyde Academy. I hope you will
enjoy your two day visit with us and any fears
about moving into High School will disappear.
This booklet has been written by pupils in first
year who remember only too well what it is like
to be in your shoes. The articles give you a
taste of what else, apart from lessons, takes place here at Inverclyde Academy,
and I am sure you will find them interesting. My thanks to Mrs McCallum and her
S1 English class and Mrs McKenzie and the S1 Pupil Council for all their hard work
All the pupils in the school know how you are feeling today because they have been
in your position over the last few years. They had the same worries about ‘getting
lost’ that you have and faced the challenges you do in getting to know their new
classmates. All of us face new challenges from time to time, like the athletes who
will be competing in the World Athletics Championships in Brazil this summer.
They will be hoping that all the training and hard work that they have done will pay
dividends when they compete in their chosen events. I would like to think that all
your hard work in Primary School will enable you to do well in your first year in
Inverclyde Academy.
I would like to think that all your hard work in Primary School will enable you to
do well in your first year in Inverclyde Academy.
Enjoy the school and all that it offers both in class and by joining the many clubs
and activities available to you.
Remember – work hard, aim high and achieve your potential.
Enjoy your visit!
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Dear Primary 7s,
Mrs McCallum’s Class
Room 51
English Department
Inverclyde Academy
Cumberland Road
Greenock
PA16 0FB
We know it’s coming up to the last few weeks in primary school and you are
probably feeling a bit worried or anxious about coming up to Inverclyde
Academy, but really you have nothing to worry about. Although you might
feel like you are going to be a primary one again, it’s really going to be great,
and you can do so much more than you can do in your old school.
When we came into Inverclyde Academy we were worried about getting to
classes and getting lost. So what we did was ask someone for help, another
pupil or a member of staff, or follow someone else we knew was in our class.
One other thing we were worried about was lunchtime. In S1 you are not
allowed to leave school to have lunch you must buy your lunch in the canteen
using your pin number (the food’s great!) or bring a pack lunch.
We hope that this letter has helped you and answered some of your
questions. Remember that you can always ask a teacher or ASN for help.
Enjoy your last days in primary.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs McCallum S1 Class
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WE ARE INVERCLYDE
ACADEMY – “RESPECT”
STEPS TO SUCCESS
Respect others and the school – always be polite and considerate, avoid
dropping litter
Enter school prepared – wear school uniform, arrive on time,
mobile phone off and out of sight in all classes and in corridors .
Settle quickly in class -
empty your mouth, outdoor jackets off,
books pen/pencil and planner out.
Pay attention to staff – listen carefully, follow teachers’
instructions, signal to the teacher when you don’t understand.
Ensure homework is done – give your best effort and return
homework on time
Control YOUR behaviour – work appropriatley to allow everyone to
learn
Try your best – work hard to your full potential.
At Inverclyde Academy we know that we are all one big community, so it’s really
important that we all work together to make the school the best place it can be.
Everyone in our school community is:
• An enthusiastic and successful learner who always does their best
• Ambitious, happy and secure
• Respected, valued and respectful
• Enterprising and determined, and takes part in the whole life of the school
We are working on a new Positive Relationships Policy that will begin in August, until then
it is the responsibility of pupils to follow all requests made to them by staff or they will
be subject to the sanctions currently in place – lunchtime detention.
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Using Your Planner
When you begin S1 in August, you will be issued with your own planner.
This planner has been designed to help you to:
 Record your learning in each class
 Plan your homework
 Manage your time
 Record your achievements in school
To make the best use of your planner, remember:
 Bring it with you every day
 Open your diary on your desk at the start of every lesson
 Record what you have learned in every lesson
 Make a note of the homework you have to do under the day it is to be
handed in
 Always write the subject and EXACTLY what you have been asked to
do
 Check your planner every night
 Tick each section of homework after you have done it
 Get someone at home to check your homework with you
An example of the learning aims as it would appear in your planner would be:
 Maths – revising skills for changing centimetres to millimetres
An example of homework as it would appear in your planner would be:
 English – complete redraft of personal essay
Remember - Making an effort with your homework will help you achieve more
as it reinforces what you do in class and develops good study habits needed
to succeed in school
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Reports, Parents’ Nights and The Merit Roll
When you first come into Inverclyde Academy you will have a “settling-in”
interview with your Pupil Support Teacher. You will be issued with tracking
reports throughout S1 as well as a parents evening, allowing staff to explain
what you have achieved and what you can do to improve in certain areas or
subjects.
In Inverclyde Academy we want to recognise and reward the large majority
of pupils who regularly work hard each day in school. We do this through
the Merit Roll. Merits are issued by teachers to recognise hard work,
effort, helpfulness and other positive behaviours. (In order to appear on
the merit roll, you must have at least double the number of merits as
demerits.)
The Noticeboard at the main entrance to the school will be used to display
pupils in S1, S2 and S3 who each month have made it onto the Merit Roll of
Honour and these pupils are rewarded with special events and activities.
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Uniform
The uniform for Inverclyde Academy consists of
 Optional Blazer
 White polo shirt/Navy blue sweatshirt both with School Logo
 Navy blue jersey/cardigan with School Logo
 White/light blue shirt with School Tie
 Black trousers or knee length skirt for girls
 Black trousers for boys
 Black shoes
PE kit
 Girls /Boys Black shorts
 Navy blue polo shirt with Inverclyde Academy Logo
 Training shoes – not sandshoes
 Towel
NB All items of jewellery – including piercing – must be removed for PE.
There are items of dress which are unacceptable in school:
• Tracksuits
• Football colours
• Anti-religious symbols or political slogans
• Any form of advertising for drugs, alcohol or tobacco
• Items which could cause Health & Safety Issues e.g. loose fitting
clothing, flammable materials and some items of jewellery
• Items which could be used to inflict damage on others.
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Our Uniform
Our PE Kit
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Staff at Inverclyde Academy
All staff at Inverclyde Academy will take an interest in you but some have a
particular role to play in forming links between your home and school.
Depute Head Teachers & Guidance Staff
The Depute responsible for your Year group and Guidance Teacher
responsible for your House group will have the best all-round picture of how
you are progressing.
Never be afraid or embarrassed about talking to any of these staff about
any problems which might affect your school work.
Your parents, or those who care for you, can also talk to your Depute or
Guidance Teacher about any matter which could affect your progress in
school.
The Deputes or Guidance Staff can be contacted by letter or telephone.
The Depute/Guidance Staff for each house for 2016/2017 are as follows:
House
Arran
Depute
S McCready
Cumbrae
P Brown/ Mr Johnson
Eriskay
P Allan
Pastoral Care
R McClement
P Daly/A Monaghan
L Mooney/K Malloy
G Mitchell
W McKitrick
C Sherry
Register Teachers
You will see your register teacher every day. They will pass on important
information relating to activities within the school and will also keep a close
watch on your attendance and late coming. If you are absent from school
they will collect your note from your parent.
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Senior Leadership Team
Head Teacher
Mrs Crawford
Deputes
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Mr Brown
Mr Johnson
Mrs Allan
Mrs McCready
Pastoral Care Teachers:
Mrs Malloy
Mr McClement
Mr McKitrick
Mrs Sherry
11
Miss Mitchell
Mr Monaghan
Mrs Mooney
Mrs Daly
Pupil Support Teachers:
Mrs McIlmoyle
Mrs Leckie
Mrs Campbell
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Subjects at Inverclyde Academy
In Inverclyde Academy S1 to S3 follow the BGE (Broad General Education)
that means that you will learn in the same 8 areas you did in primary school
up until the end of S3.
Expressive Arts
Religious &
Moral
Health &
Wellbeing
Sciences
Languages
Mathematics
Social Studies
Technologies
The biggest difference between primary and high school is that you will have
a different teacher for each of the subjects you are learning. In S1 you will
study the following subjects:
Expressive Arts
Art and Design
Drama
Music
Health &
Wellbeing
PE
Health &
Wellbeing
course
Languages
Modern
Languages
English
Mathematics
Maths
Religious &
Moral
Religious and
Moral Education
Sciences
Science
Social Studies
Geography
History
Modern
Studies
Technologies
ICT
Technical
Although it can be a bit scary to be moving around from classroom to
classroom, it’s great to have the chance to learn and try new things and we
are sure that you will love it once you get used to it.
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Clubs at Inverclyde Academy
Extra-Curricular Activities
Inverclyde Academy teachers have provided the following extra-curricular activities:
Concert Band
Chess
Orchestra
Debating and Public Speaking
Choir
Volleyball
Drama Club
Writers’ Circle
Athletics
Film Club
Football
Rugby
Badminton
Netball
Basketball
Fitness Club
Young Enterprise
Art Club
Theatre Visits
Jewellery Making Club
Console Games Club
Eco Group
Gymnastics
Club Golf
Pupil Councils
We believe that you must be involved in the running of what is, after all, your school. You
can be elected to represent your year and house group on one of our Pupil Councils. Listen
to the Bulletin and check your email in September for details of how to have your say in
the big decisions.
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SCHOOL HOURS
Monday and Tuesday
TIME
MINUTES
REGISTRATION
8.50 - 9.00
10
Period 1
9.00 – 9.50
50
Period 2
9.50 – 10.40
50
INTERVAL
10.40 – 10.55
15
Period 3
10.55 – 11.45
50
Period 4
11.45 – 12.35
50
LUNCH
12.35 – 1.15
40
Period 5
1.15 - 2.05
50
Period 6
2.05 - 2.55
50
Period 7
2.55 – 3.45
50
TIME
MINUTES
REGISTRATION
8.50 - 9.00
10
Period 1
9.00 – 9.50
50
Period 2
9.50 – 10.40
50
INTERVAL
10.40 – 10.55
15
Period 3
10.55 – 11.45
50
Period 4
11.45 – 12.35
50
LUNCH
12.35 – 1.15
40
Period 5
1.15 - 2.05
50
Period 6
2.05 - 2.55
50
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
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HELP !
What will I do if I am upset or worried?
If you are upset you can speak to your teacher, but it will be
better if you go guidance teacher they will try their best to
solve the problem.
Will I meet any friends at high
school?
Yes you will probably meet new people
because you have more than one class
and you might not get to be in the
same class as your friends.
How will I get to school?
You will get to school on a bus or if you
stay close to the school you can walk or
get a local bus.
If you stay far away you will get a
school bus provided for you and you will
be at school in 10 minutes.
How do I get my lunch?
When you come into Inverclyde academy you get a pin number
which you can put money in and get your lunch from the canteen
and at break you can get a slice roll.
Once you put your money in it then you go and wait in a queue.
When you get to the front of the queue you will put your pin in a
little pad and then it will take your money for your food you are
buying.
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Below are some of the comments our parents made
when they came to our Parents’ Night about our first
year in Inverclyde Academy…
 Very pleased with my son’s progress in S1. He has
progressed well and this was shown in his excellent
report/parent’s night
 Very proud of my daughter making an improvement.
The school are very good and understanding
 Very pleased with the organisation and effort from
teachers – good support for my son through his first
year
 First year has been great – my daughter has settled in
well – delighted with her report and all comments
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Inverclyde Academy Online
Inverclyde Academy Website
-
inverclydeacademy.inverclyde.sch.uk/
-
@invacad
-
http://www.ia-maths.co.uk/site/
-
@invacadMaths
English Department Twitter
-
@invacadEng
Art Department Twitter
-
@inverclydeArt
ICT Department Twitter
-
@inverclydeAcICT
Science Department Twitter
-
@invacadsci
Twitter
Maths Department Website
Twitter
Good
Luck!
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