June 2014
Dear Parent or Guardian,
It is said that time flies when you are
enjoying yourself. It seems hardly any
time at all since we were packing boxes in
advance of a move away from Perth Road
(with an air of some apprehension).
While our first year in Lawton Road has
not been without its challenges it has for
the large part gone very well. Meticulous
forward planning allied to an enormous
goodwill on behalf of pupils, parents and
staff resulted in the move being
completed with minimal disruption to our
core business – learning and teaching.
After a year of reorientation and
establishing a solid base in the school we
have made minor alterations to room
allocation to further enable us to support
pupils in their learning. We will over the
summer develop the learning
environment by making the school into a
wireless environment in advance of
enabling pupils to use their own
phones/tablets in school.
As the new Harris arises on Perth Road
please be assured that we will be
preparing the school community to gain
the maximum benefit when we move
back in 2016.
OSCAs
Well done to Connor Bell (S3) who
provided some welcoming music on
bagpipes for those attending this year’s
Dundee City Council’s OSCAs
(Outstanding Service and Commitment
Awards) event.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Congratulations to Adam Campbell (S4)
who was successful in gaining a place at
the Junior Conservatoire. Adam will be
travelling to Glasgow every Saturday to
further develop his skills on guitar.
MATHS CHALLENGE COMPETITIONS
We had several award winners again this
year in these tough competitions.
SCOTTISH MATHS CHALLENGE:We have 4 award winners this year.
They are Alan Martin, Keigan Nicoll, Craig
McDonald and Eve Warden.
Alan scored a very good 31/40.
culminated in a flash mob outside
Abertay University. Parents and friends
were invited to a performance at the end
of the day to hear the pupils’ progress.
Thank you to Miss Bird, our very own
Brass Teacher, who along with the city’s
other brass teachers organised this event.
U.K JUNIOR MATHS CHALLENGE:This is run by the School of Mathematics at
the University of Leeds and challenges some
of our pupils to compete with pupils from
FP Cheese and Wine
some of the best schools in the UK.
Our woodwind pupils provided musical
entertainment for the Former Pupils
S1
Association’s Cheese and Wine event. A
SILVER
number of our current woodwind pupils
Lindsey Gordon.
along with some former pupils played a
BRONZE
variety of pieces including a selection
Toby Owen-Hughes, Shaun Ellis, Semma
from Jesus Christ Superstar. Thank you to
Hayes, Daniella Levins.
Mrs. Hamilton who arranged the music
S2
and rehearsed with the pupils (and
GOLD
former pupils).
Oscar Holm-Huxley, Arran Roy.
SILVER
Hockey
Chris Hayes, Kyle McCartney, Roisin
This season the Harris S1-S3 team won
Chappell, Jonathan McLeish, Grace
gold medals in the Active Schools outdoor
McKenzie
league and silver medal winners in the
Catherin Stinson, Caitlin Maclean.
indoor cup. The S1/S2 team qualified for
BRONZE
the Tayside regional outdoor cup and
Elle McLeod, Caitlin Nicol, Kieron Lawson.
were silver medal winners in this
competition. Ross McNicoll S1 and Oscar
Lindsey Gordon was the best performer
Holm-Huxley S2 were selected to play for
in S1.
Midlands in the under 14 inter district in
Oscar Holm-Huxley was the best in S2
Edinburgh.
and the best in the school.
Our S4-S6 team won silver medals in the
Many thanks to the Harris Parent Teacher
Active Schools Indoor Cup after losing a
Pupil Association. They finance the pupils’
penalty competition in the final and were
preparation and participation in these
also bronze medal winners in the outdoor
competitions and is one of the reasons that cup competition. Finlay Wright S5 played
Harris continues to be so well represented. in the Midlands under 18 team which
Well done to all who took part and
won the Scottish inter-district indoor
congratulations to all the award
competition and he has also been
winners.
selected for the Midlands under 18
outdoor team
Brass Day
A number of our brass pupils attended a
Weekly training sessions at Riverside
Master class led by our fantastic Brass
include boys and girls from our associated
Instrumental Teachers. The pupils
primary schools and this year Harris
learned about brass techniques through
entered an under 12 team in the league
performing a variety of pieces written for
competition held at DISC on Saturday
Brass Band. Over 70 pupils from
mornings. Players from this team were
secondary schools across the city
part of the Blackness PS hockey team
attended the workshop and pupils
which won the national primary outdoor
thoroughly enjoyed hearing their brass
competition this year.
teachers performing. The pupils learned
to play a variety of pieces including the
hit ‘Happy’ by Pharell Williams, which
Understanding Cinema Club
This year, a group of students have
completed the Understanding Cinema
challenge with the help of a small band of
English teachers. Working together, they
have written, directed, built the set and
starred in their own film “Journey to the
Earth”. Their challenge was to include a
long take and the script had to be written
to reflect this. This was much more
difficult than it sounds – it takes skill to
film a long take, especially having to
contend with a thousand other pupils,
assorted staff and bells, all of which
interrupted! In their film, aliens from the
moon invade Harris Academy and go
unnoticed by everyone – except Mrs
McLaggan who was pursued through the
corridors due to her expertise with
gerbils.
The group have worked extremely hard,
picking up lots of new skills from Steve,
our professional film maker who was
tasked with helping. The group were very
lucky to work with Steve, who had no
qualms about letting them use his
expensive equipment. They also learned
the art of persuasion, haranguing as many
people as possible to be involved in their
film – particularly the Science
Department who were keen to help out
with special effects. On the 23rd of June,
the group will proudly present their film
to other groups from across Scotland at
the Edinburgh Film Festival.
Congratulations to Sebastian Jiang, Daniel
Naranjo, Grace McKenzie, Cameron Clark,
Rael Watt and Kayleigh Shields who have
stuck with the project all the way
through.
Youth Achievement Groups
We had a very successful residential trip
to Alton Towers in April with our S4s. The
pupils were a credit to the school both in
their behaviour and attitude and our day
at the park was brilliant, with the sun
shining all day. This term, the S3s have
been busy working with Susan from
‘Showcasethestreet’ on a fashion project
designing outfits for a show and working
on a football strip design. We are also
expanding our volunteering opportunities
for all the groups by working with The
Clement Park Balhousie Care home and
The Maggies’ Centre. Finally, our
fundraising project is well under way with
all the pupils involved in activities for the
Strawberry Fayre.
Modern Languages
A group of 16 senior pupils attended a
Languages Open Day at St Andrew’s
University on 6th June. There, they
participated in taster sessions in
languages such as Persian, Arabic and
Russian and workshops. The workshops
were focussed on aspects of languages
covered as part of university courses.
Pupils particularly enjoyed sessions on
Spanish cinema and French poetry. They
finished their day with a tour around the
University given by senior under
graduates.
Foreign Links Around the Globe
Scott Mackenzie (S6) has been selected to
participate in the USA High School
Exchange Programme. He will stay with a
host family for the duration of one month
and will also take part in a number of
educational excursions.
countries around the world. These links
will take you from Discovery Point
throughout Dundee finishing at the
McManus Galleries which has an entire
section devoted to Dundee and its links
with the rest of the world.
The group presented the final design of
the leaflet at Harris Academy with various
members of the community who were
involved in the research and design of the
trail.
Modern Studies Association:
S5 Higher Revision Conference
Another successful annual event that the
seniors found most useful for their main
exam. Thanks to Morgan Academy for
hosting.
S3 Harry McLevy Award
This year’s school winner was Muzdalfa
Ahmed who was presented at
Claverhouse with a certificate and £20
prize money for her outstanding
investigation picked by her Year Head Mrs
White. We would also like to
congratulate Mairi-Kate Giannico for her
efforts in the same competition. Well
done to both!
S2 Annual Quiz
Congratulations to our two teams of four
for taking part in this annual event hosted
by Baldragon Academy. A big well done
to the following S2 pupils:
 Grace Lynch
 Hannah Fairfield
 Megan Essery
 Beth Wood
 Cameron Thompson
 Scott McRae
 Michael Davidson
 Amber Davidson
Special thanks to Mr Baikie from
Baldragon.
Harris Academy/One World Centre S6
Global Project
Nine pupils in sixth year took up the
opportunity to take part in Dundee’s
Global Trail Project. This has been a
partnership between One World Centre
and Harris Academy. This consisted of
learning about Dundee’s links with the
rest of the world and then creating a
leaflet for tourists and young people to
follow. The leaflet has great descriptions
of how Dundee connects with other
The group would like to thank everyone
who were involved with the project for
their contribution and support over the
last year.
This project has been a massive learning
experience for everyone involved. As well
as learning something, the group
operated as very much part of a team.
S6 Induction and Peer support Training
Held at Menzieshill Community Centre
one hundred and forty five sixth years
took part in a two day training program.
The aim of the program is to develop the
skills required for supporting the junior
members of the school with their
academic, social and emotional needs.
Learning a variety of techniques the S6
cohort participated with enthusiasm. All
participants chose to support our S1
classes in a number of different bases
throughout the school. Those who
completed the course were awarded Peer
Support Training Certificates.
S1 Induction and Transition to Secondary
School
180 primary seven pupils ventured to
Harris for their two day visit. Working
with their Guidance Teachers in the
morning and the new s6 Peer Supporters,
the new pupils took part in a variety of
activities. During both days each pupil
attended a number of the subject classes
which they will experience when they
attend this August. Meeting new friends
and experiencing a new timetable our
new S1 pupils finished the day with a
game, a handshake and a promise to look
forward to their new adventure.
Radio 2 500 Words Competition
Congratulations to Lindsay Gordon who
went into the second round of Chris
Evans 500 word writing completion. Out
of 119,000 entries Lindsay managed to
find herself down to the last 3,500 but
was pipped at the post by the final ten. A
budding reader and writer this was
Lindsay’s first effort at a writing
competition.
Finance Drama
‘Final Notice’ was the name of the drama
which took all our S5 pupils through the
pitfalls of borrowing money and the need
for budgeting when it comes to living
independently. Participating in workshops
our S5 pupils soon realised the
importance of understanding interest
rates and looking for the best offers
available if they need to apply for student
loans and support for their further
education. The S5 cohort are now
working on Personal statements as part
of their social education curriculum.
School Website Development
Photographs of the New Build Harris
Academy are now being updated on a
monthly basis and can be viewed in the
New Build section. All upcoming events in
school, trips out of school, parent’s
evenings, course choice leaflets, class
adviser year group meetings and dates for
issuing year group reports can now be
viewed on the School Calendar. The
School Website will continue to be
advanced with the introduction of a pupil
editorial team.
Supporting Space School
I am pleased to recount some positive
feedback received from ‘Space School’
regarding Alexander McDonald and
Connor Newberry. Development Officer
Shona McKnight reported that the boys
had “without fail given up their Saturday
mornings to support Space School
sessions and their commitment and
interaction with the youngsters has been
most impressive.”
Space School is an initiative, delivered in
partnership with Abertay University and
NASA, to primary 6 pupils across Dundee.
World Challenge Namibia
This year 13 pupils (8boys and 5 girls) will
be heading off to Namibia on Monday
23rd June for 4 weeks. We will be heading
to the capital Windhoek and starting our
adventure. We have 3 treks in various
locations across Namibia including the
skeleton coast where we hope to see
some whales, seals and walrus as well as
many bird species.
Our project this time is to rejuvenate
some dormitory rooms within a junior
secondary school at Usakos. These dorms
are for pupils who live too far away to go
back and forward to school each day so
they live in school all week. We will be
plastering and painting, and we have also
raised extra money to buy a few new
beds and bedding. This project should
last a week to ten days.
Finally we are hoping to see some of the
country when we visit a Himba tribe, go
on safari and sand board in the Kalahari
Desert.
Physical Education
Glasgow 2014
Harris Academy has three pupils who are
involved with the Commonwealth Games.
Claire Cumming and Katie Patullo were
both successfully nominated to carry the
Queens baton and will have the pleasure
to do this on Friday the 27th June.
Whereas Katherine Morrison will be part
in the opening ceremony where she will
carry the flag for South Africa.
Scottish School Water Polo
Championships
This event took place in Livingston where
14 schools competed for the Scottish
Schools cup. Harris Academy’s team
consisted of Sam Muir, Ben Parsons, Alice
Parsons, Jack Robertson, Gregor Trickett,
Alix Finlyson, Oscar Holmes Huxley and
Duncan Johnston Sadly Harris were
beaten in the final on penalties against
Grove Academy.
Dundee School Trampolining Competition
Cara Volpin won an individual Gold medal
and the team won bronze. The team
consisted of Kayliegh Williamson, Mairi
Kate Giannico and Cara Volpin.
Dundee Secondary Schools Athletics
The weather at this event was not so
favourable on the competitors as the sun
was out and it was extremely hot,
however we had several pupils who
overcame the heat and won medals.
Gold Medals:
Michael Tarnawsky 100m and 200m,
Katie Patullo 100m and 800m, Jonathan
McLeish 200m and long jump, Murray
MacDonald 200m
Silver Medals:
Harry Scott 100m and 200m, Aaron Roy
long jump, Jonathan McLeish 100m,
Murray MacDonald long jump and Holly
Walton Jones 200m
Bronze Medals:
Calum Langdale Javelin
S1 boys Relay Harry Scott, Sean Morrison,
Craig McDonald and Harry Bairstow
S2 Girls Relay Holly Walton Jones, Aisha
Bashir, Kirsty Benn, Heather McDonald
S3 Girls Relay Michael Tarnawsky , Sam
Pirrie, Sean Mohan, Hesham Hussain
PE Kit
It is intended at the start of next term to
allow pupils to by the new Harris
Academy PE kit this is embroidered with
the Harris Academy badge. There will
the opportunity to buy shorts, T-shirt,
Hoody and tracksuit bottoms, all of which
will all be optional. This is to allow the PE
department to introduce the change in
the kit colours, over the next year, it is
intended the PE kit will change to navy
shorts and navy T-shirt. The proposal is
that if a pupil has the school issued PE kit
and have PE period 6, they will be
allowed to leave school in this, as it has
the school badge on all items.
Dundee Teachers Charity Challenge
Mr Clarkson and Mr Walker, both
Teachers of PE are preparing for the
“Tay2Tower Challenge” where they will
row from the Tay Bridge, Dundee to
Tower Bridge, London over the course of
one week. All monies raised will go to
Maggie’s Centres. A casino night is being
held on 28th June at the Queen’s Hotel,
further details are available through
@tay2tower
(https://twitter.com/tay2tower) or at
www.justgiving .com/tay2tower
PTPA
The first meeting of PTPA will be on
Tuesday 26th August 2014 in the
staffroom at Lawton Road. New
members, particularly parents of new S1
will be made more than welcome.
Parent Council
The first meeting of Parent Council will be
on Wednesday 3rd September 2014 in the
staffroom at Lawton Road. New
members, particularly parents of new S1
will be made more than welcome.
Outstanding Service & Commitment
Awards
The Outstanding Service & Commitment
Awards (OSCAs) Ceremony was held on
the 4th June 2014. Its purpose is to
recognise and value staff within Dundee
city council by celebrating the excellent
work they do. It allows an opportunity to
say a special ‘thank you’ to staff for their
outstanding commitment to the delivery
of excellent services for the people of
Dundee and to the effective running of
the Council.
The winning teams in each of the six
categories, and the winners of the Lord
Provost’s Award, were announced
“Oscar-style” at a ceremony in the
Invercarse Hotel. Prior to each category
winner being announced, there were
short intros on each of the shortlisted
teams to highlight why they were
selected as finalists. The Harris Academy
transport planning team were nominated
and successful winner in the category of
innovation and improvement.
Staffing
The following numbers of staff move on
from Harris Academy at the summer with
our best wishes:
Miss Abigail Stanton, Teacher of English,
taken up post at Banff Academy
Mr David Shand, Teacher of Chemistry,
taken up post at Wick High School
Mrs Sylvia Rodgers, Teacher of
Mathematics, taken up post abroad
Mr Graham Hopkins, completed NQT year
Mr Mathew Consitt, completed NQT Year
Mr Scott Imrie, completed NQT Year
Miss Paula Gordon, completed NQT Year
Miss Alice Collier, completed NQT year
The following members of staff will
retire at the end of this session:
Mr Bruce Gauld, Teacher of Geography
Mrs Maria Kay, Teacher of Modern
Languages
Mr James Butchart, Teacher of
Mathematics
Mr Colin McPherson, PT of Computer
Education
Mrs Linda Cargill, Teacher of Support for
Learning
Harris Rebuild Update June 2014
Welcome to the Ninth issue of the New
Harris Academy Newsletter. This
newsletter aims to update you with the
decant and plans to construct the new
Harris Academy. Details of the decant and
rebuild of Harris are available on the
Website where you can look at plans and
developments in more detail.
Planning Approvals and Project Update
A considerable amount of progress has
been made since March. The second and
third levels of the building are now under
construction on the east of the site and
the 6 meter high retaining wall is now
completed at the south. New access
paths are being created and
infrastructure is being put in to support
the roads and service areas. Construction
work for the retaining walls is almost
complete at the front of the school which
will allow further infill at the north of the
site. This will allow a deeper and more
expansive break out space at the front of
the school which was always problematic
in the past.
 Summer Terms Ends
Friday 27th June
SQA Exam Results
5th August 2014
S5/S6 Subject/Level Changes
Tuesday 12th August (11am1pm)
 In-Service Days
Monday 18th August
Tuesday 19th August
*Autumn Term Begins*
Wednesday 20th August
I thank you for all your continued
support of the school and wish
you all a restful and peaceful
summer holiday.
J Thewliss, Head Teacher
Decant to Lawton Road
Further discussion has taken place with
Robertson Construction regarding their
engagement with school life. Following
the successful input with the technology
department in March, we intend to
expand the programme of support via
Maths, Guidance and Business education.
Details of which will be shared in the
future once further discussion have taken
place with principal teachers and
representatives from Robertson.
Bus and Transport Arrangements
A further meeting was held with council
representatives, councillors, school and
parents following the formation of the
sub group to support the transport
arrangements. Consensus was made that
current arrangements including the
additional 12s bus was working well and
remain in place. Additional discussion
took place with regards to the provision
of new bus passes for eligible p7’s going
into S1 after the summer. Updated bus
routes have been also put together and
printed; these are available at the school
and via the school web site. Finally the
transport team are hopeful that despite
delays we may be in a position in the new
term to begin providing pupil’s bus passes
through their NEC cards rather than the
current paper passes.