Grove Academy Awarded Prize as Most Creative School by SQA and VandA Dundee

The five shortlisted pupils for a major national design challenge run by Jaguar, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and VandA Museum of Design Dundee were announced earlier this month and amongst them was Grove Academy senior pupil Ruben Hann (teacher - Mairi Harper).

Pupils studying the Scottish Qualifications Authority’s Higher Design and Manufacture course this school year were challenged to design a time capsule to celebrate the construction of VandA Dundee. 

The five shortlisted pupils were:
Luisa Geddes, The Community School of Auchterarder (teacher - Will Rich)
Ruben Hann, Grove Academy, Dundee (teacher - Mairi Harper)
Phoebe Simpson, Woodmill High School, Fife (teacher - Kirsty McDermid)
William Chan, Liberton High School, Edinburgh (teacher - Jim Henneghan)
Ruaridh Smith, St Columba's High School, Gourock (teacher - Greg Starling)

While Ruben was just pipped for the top award, Grove Academy was awarded the prize of Most Creative School.

The finished time capsule will be installed at the new VandA Dundee museum ahead of its opening in 2018. It will be filled with items created by Scottish primary school pupils, and opened in 50 years.

Senior school pupils across the country were able to get involved, as the design challenge for the capsule itself formed an accredited module that counts towards the students’ Design and Manufacture Higher qualification.

VandA Dundee worked in partnership with SQA, with the design challenge forming an accredited module that counts towards the students’ Design and Manufacture Higher qualification.

The Scottish pupils studying the Higher Design and Manufacture course received a design brief for the time capsule last year, with all of their work for the competition counting as credit towards their Higher qualification.

The brief specified the design and engineering requirements for the time capsule, including being weatherproof for 50 years, guaranteeing consistent environment conditions for the objects placed inside the capsule, occupying a space of no more than 1.5 cubic metres, and being a creative design inspired by Jaguar and the VandA Dundee building.

Grove Pupils Make Short Films Premiered at DCA

Congratulations to Grove S6 pupils Teodora Yarkova and Rebecca McCulloch who applied, and were selected, to join the British Film Institute sponsored Discovery Film School held at Dundee Contemporary Arts this year. 

Teodora and Rebecca gave up a week of their October holidays and subsequent Thursday evenings to learn and gain cempetence in making films. They worked with ten other 16-19 year olds in two teams, each with a film tutor. Both teams wrote, cast, filmed and edited a short film which was shot on location in Dundee. 

Congratulations too for Isaac Gilbert from S3 who was cast for an important role in 'Little Sister'. 

These entertaining films were premiered in the DCA cinema yesterday. I was really impressed by the professionalism of the end result from the opening titles and music to the final credits. I particularly enjoyed the chase scenes in 'Little Sister' around the narrow wynds off the Nethergate and South Tay Street. 

I hope that it will be possible to arrange a screening of the films in school. 

Pupils in the senior phase who would like to gain experience behind the camera and will be 16 or over in October 2017 should be ready to fill in the application forms for the 2017 film school when these are available in the Summer Term 2017. No experience of practical filmmaking is required to take part, but applicants should be able to demonstrate an interest in film and a real commitment to the project.

Grove Swimming Pool Sunday Closure

Leisure and Culture Dundee announced in a Facebook posting last Friday that Sunday swimming at Grove Academy has been cancelled for the foreseeable future. I was concerned when I heard about this from a constituent. It was clear that a service was being denied for members of Leisure and Culture Dundee as well as for those who turn up for an occasional swim on a Sunday. It is all very well directing swimmers to other pools in the city but that is not necessarily a feasible nor convenient option. I contacted Stewart Murdoch, Director of Leisure and Culture Dundee. He clarified that the closure had been necessitated by a lack of qualified life guards. A number had left at the same time and it would take a while to recruit replacements. In many cases the potential life guards would need to be put through the qualifying training programmes before they were available to start work. Clearly Leisure and Culture Dundee have been caught unprepared at a time when they should have been working towards an expansion of their pool of qualified life guards. Leisure and Culture Dundee are soon to assume responsibility for managing the swimming pool at the new Harris Academy but right now can't quite keep all their current pools open. I have asked for a date when Sunday opening of the Grove Academy pool resumes.

Grove Academy Christmas Fayre Saturday 3rd December 2016 from 10:30-14:00

Jingle on down to Grove Academy’s Christmas Fayre this Saturday - 3rd December from 10:30-14:00 in aid of the school charity, Macmillan Cancer Support Dundee and Grove Academy's School Fund.   

Come along and browse over 40 Christmas stalls, visit Santa’s grotto and support this festive fundraiser.

Special guest appearances from Disney’s Belle and The Beast! 

Entry fee is only £1 and can be made at the door on the day. Under 5's go free. 

Festive Fun for all the family! 

Grove Academy Cycling Team Awarded Dundee Cyclathon Fundraising Cup 2016

Congratulations to the pupils from Grove Academy who last night were awarded the Fundraising Cup for the most money raised by a team who entered the Dundee Cyclathon. 

Back in September, this young team of cyclists completed a circuit of the 26 mile Green Circular route starting and finishing in Camperdown Park. Last night they were presented with the Fundrasing Cup by Lord Provost Bob Duncan at a Civic Reception for the cyclists/fundraisers and the organisers of the Cyclathon, Rotary Club of Claverhouse.

This is not the first occasion that a team of cyclists from Grove Academy, with staff support, have won this fundraising award. 

Grove Doors Open Day 10:30am - 2:30pm Saturday 17 September 2016

Talk to Grove Academy S4 Modern Studies Classes

Yesterday I gave a talk about the role of a City Councillor to a class of S4 pupils at Grove Academy who are studying for their SQA qualification in Modern Studies. 

I am repeating this presentation to a parallel class later today, Thursday 8 September 2016.

After my presentation, the pupils asked me a number of probing questions including:

• Why I had not claimed any expenses in 2015/16
• Why the 33 period week was approved because they did not appreciate the later lunch breaks on Monday to Wednesdays and
• Why I had joined the Labour party?

I finished by encouraging them to engage in local politics because proportionately young adults 18-30 and women are under represented as Councillors. 

I enjoyed meeting these well motivated learners and responding to their thoughtful questions. I wish them all the best when they take their N4/5 examinations.

Grove Academy Pupils Excel in Street Dance and Community Gardening

Xplosion Dance Crew
Huge congratulations to Grove Academy's Xplosion Dance Crew who were 1st in the UDO Scottish National Street Dance competition at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow on 5th June 2016 and then were runners up in UDO British Schools Championships in Stoke in early July.




Queen Street Community Gardens
Congratulations also to Grove Pupils who, with support from Mrs Holligan, have been involved in creating and developing the Queen Street Community Garden. Their gardening efforts transforming a neglected area of the car park has been recognised with the award of an 'Outstanding' Status from It's Your Neighbourhood (IYN).  It's very positive to see that the hard work of Grove pupils has paid off. 'Outstanding' is the highest IYN award and it is an advance from their 'Thriving' status awarded in 2015.

New 33 Period Week Timetable for Dundee Secondary Schools Beginning Tuesday 31 May 2016

Parents, carers and pupils are reminded that the new 33 period weekly timetable begins with effect from Tuesday 31 May 2016 in the following Dundee Secondary Schools:St John's RC High School, Baldragon Academy, Morgan Academy, Braeview Academy, Craigie High School and Grove Academy. 

I am informed that Menzieshill High School and Harris Academy will not be running a 33 period week until August and that St Paul's Academy will be running with one or two small modifications to the new timetable (see above) between now and August for transport purposes.

If in doubt, I recommend that parents and carers check with these schools for the details of the specific arrangements that will apply.

The new School Day for the six secondary schools making the change immediately begins Monday to Friday at 08:45. 

School ends at 15:40 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. 

On Thursday and Friday school ends at 14:50

Lunch times are also staggered.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday lunch will run 13:10-14:00. 
On Thursday and Friday the lunch break will be 12:20-13:10.

All Dundee Schools Open Monday 18 April 2016

Earlier today on the City Council website the following statement was posted:

A Dundee City Council spokesman said:

“A survey of all eight PPP schools* in Dundee has been carried out and no safety issues have been found.


“All Dundee schools will be open on Monday April 18 following the end of the spring holiday.

“The council also carries out regular reviews of all its school buildings. A structural inspection is carried out at each school every three years by the council's City Engineer and this determines any remedial works required. There are regular reports on the condition of school buildings to councillors.”

* the eight PPP built schools in Dundee are
Secondary: Grove Academy and St Paul's RC Academy
Primary: Craigowl, Claypotts Castle, Fintry, Downfield, St Clement's RC/Camperdown** and St Joseph's RC/Victoria Park**.

** Shared campus Primary Schools

Grove Academy in Herald Scotland Top 50 Secondary Schools in Scotland

Earlier this month the Herald Scotland published their list of the top 50 secondary schools in Scotland 2014/15.

The rank order in their table is based solely on pupils' results in Highers before leaving school in session 2014/2015.

These results are not directly comparable with SQA examination results in previous years. 

The table shows that Grove Academy is the only school in Dundee and Angus on the list. 

It is suggested however that "the table should be seen as a celebration of pupil success rather than a vilification of schools who have not achieved so highly" (and are not listed)

This is because the table also lists the benchmark for each school for comparison. This provides some insight into whether a school is punching above its weight, coasting along or under performing.

The percentage of pupils living in the lowest 20% of areas of multiple deprivation is also listed. 

Currently, there are eleven Primary School in Dundee targeted for additional support in the Attainment Challenge. This should help to reduce the 'attainment gap' and break the link between a child's postcode and attainment at school.

Further information about how well Grove Academy is doing may be found by following the Link to the Tables of Performance Information for Grove Academy located on the parent Zone area of Education Scotland's website.

Westbay Residents Demand Some Road Safety Action

Since the new Grove Academy was opened and Eastern Primary School moved to the upgraded old Grove premises, both school have been opening their doors to an increasing number of pupils. This has led to regular parking difficulties for residents of Westbay Court in Albert Road.

Residents of the 17 apartments in Westbay Court have their own off street parking but they find it is very difficult to exit or enter their driveway during the forty minutes or so in the mornings and afternoons when parents and carers are using their road as a very congested drop-off and pick-up zone. Frequently Westbay residents find vehicles parking part way across the entrance to the driveway to their private car parking spaces. Their concerns are not merely about their own inconvenience from getting blocked in. They are very concerned about the risks to life and limb of young children walking and crossing Albert Road because for the restricted sight lines for residents as they exit and enter their driveways in their cars.

Residents first contacted me about this in the Spring last year and on a number of occasions I raised this in writing and at meetings with staff in the City Development Department. Despite a number of reminders from me and the residents, so far the residents think that their reasonable requests have been not been taken seriously enough.

I support the residents' view that this is an accident waiting to happen. I urge the Transportation section of the City Development Department to respond positively to the residents' request. At the same time, I urge parents and carers to drive and park safely and considerately in Albert Road because neither they nor the residents of Westbay Court want to be the cause of a road accident with a young pedestrian.

Grove Academy Nineteenth in Sunday Times League Table of Top Fifty State Secondary Schools in Scotland

Yesterday, as part of their Parent Power supplement, the Sunday Times published their list of the Top Fifty State Secondary Schools in Scotland. 

Grove came in joint nineteenth place (17th in 2014).

Congratulations to the pupils and staff at Grove for maintaining the school in the top twenty at a time of profound changes to the curriculum and SQA examinations. Of course the results at Grove also reflect positively on the support of parents and carers and the excellent groundwork provided by the pupils' Nursery and Primary Schools.

The Sunday Times table was calculated with reference to the 2014 National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher examination results with Highers and Advanced Highers double weighted.

A much wider range of measures about the Grove 'results' is available on the Education Scotland website - follow this link. The latest 'Insight' tool provides comparisons between the performance of Grove school leavers with a sample of pupils with similar backgrounds.

Vote for Dawson Park in UK Best Parks Awards 2015

Dawson Park has been nominated in the UK Best Parks Awards 2015.

Online voting runs until 5pm on Wednesday 25th November 2015. The winning park will be announced at the Fields in Trust Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 2nd December.

You can find the link to vote for Dawson Park at:
http://www.fieldsintrust.org/bestpark/nominations

Dawson Park was funded by a bequest in 1940 from Mr William Dawson of Broughty Ferry, 'for the purpose of providing playing fields, sports ground and other recreational facilities'. The ground was purchased from the Douglas and Angus Estate in 1949, and the park was opened in the mid 1950's.

As well been a very well used public park, Dawson Park hosts Grove Academy for its outdoor PE; providing a running track for athletics, hockey and football pitches, tennis courts and changing rooms.

School Alert for Proposed Temporary Closure of Seafield Road Broughty Ferry from Monday 19 October 2015

Earlier this month I alerted readers of my blog to the proposed temporary closure of Seafield Road for the replacement of the gas mains. Work is expected to start on Monday 19 October and last for for eight weeks.

Link to full details of the proposed road Closure

This essential work to renew the gas mains in Seafield Road will begin during the second week of the October school holidays.

Many pupils and their parents may be affected by this 8 week road closure, given the proximity of the road works to three of our Ferry Schools. I have therefore alerted the Head Teachers of Eastern Primary School, Grove Academy and Forthill Primary School. More specifically, I was concerned that the closure of Seafield Road will affect some of their pupils' Safe Routes to School and is likely to disrupt some car journeys to all three of these schools. It will of course unfortunately disrupt the lives of residents of Seafield Road who may well experience temporary access difficulties while their gas main is updated.

Proposed Temporary Closure of Seafield Road for Gas Main Renewal Beginning 19 October 2015 for 8 weeks

 

Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating gas main renewal works.  The Order is expected to be in force for 8 weeks from 19 October 2015.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Seafield Road from Davidson Street to Fintry Place (Phase 1) and Fintry Place to Balgillo Road (Phase 2).

Only one phase will be closed at any time.

An alternative route will be available via Davidson Street, Cedar Road, Forthill Road and Balgillo Road for northbound traffic, and via Balgillo Road, Forthill Road, Fort Street, Queen Street, Church Street and Seafield Road for southbound traffic.

Please forward any comments you may have regarding this proposal to Mark Cobb, Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee  DD1 1LS, no later than five working days prior to the commencement date.  If you have any queries please contact Mr Cobb on 01382 433082.

A Day in the Life of Your Local Councillor

Tuesday 8 September 2015 was a day full of meetings and activities.

My working day began at about 09:30 at home reading and writing emails and making phone calls on behalf of constituents. On average I receive more than twenty emails a day about constituency and Council matters as well as letters and reports including papers for Council meetings.

At 11:15, I joined residents from Forthill sheltered housing on their annual estate walkabout with staff representatives from Housing, Environment, Roads, Tenant Participation and Communities. As we walked around the area we noted action points based on our observations and the complaints and comments made by residents who we met us at their gates and doors. At 12:25 I left to go to my next meeting which was in Dundee.

I picked up my post from my Council pigeonhole at my City Square Office and then walked over to Dundee House where i was due at 13:00 to join an interview panel for appointing a Head Teacher for St Joseph's Primary School. The vacancy arose following the death of Marion Myles, the very popular and effective Head Teacher. After a series of interviews, the panel selected a 'preferred candidate' who, following formalities such as references, should be confirmed publicly to Parents, Pupils and Staff in due course.

I arrived back home in time to take my dog Milli for a short walk, before going to Broughty Ferry Library for my weekly surgery. Two constituents came in and reported a recurring parking and road safety issue in their street. We discussed possible solutions and agreed actions I would take. This will need some follow up communications with the Transportation Department.

Back home at about 18:20 with time for a mug of tea and collecting my papers for the next meeting. At 19:00 I arrived at Staff Room in Grove Academy for the AGM and termly meeting of the Grove Academy Parent Council. Penny Lewis was re-elected as Chairperson together with other office bearers. The meeting received a detailed report from Head Teacher, Graham Hutton, which included reference to the very positive but provisional 2015 SQA examination results for Grove pupils, the international sporting achievements of pupils, the school trips under consideration for the 2015/16 session as well as changes in staffing.

Home again at 21:30 and time for a late supper with my wife Rowena.

Not every day contains such a full schedule of 'meetings' and everyday is different; that's what I find so interesting and absorbing about the office of City Councillor.

Enrolment Night for Evening Classes at Grove Academy Monday 31st August 2015 from 6.30 pm

Enrolment for BERA's new programme of classes (read or download a copy here) will take place at Grove Academy on Monday 31st August 2015 from 6:30pm.

If you are unable to attend on Enrolment Night you can make an application by post using the Enrolment form.

The new 10-week programme starts Monday 7 September 2015.

Half-term dates Monday 12 October to Friday 23 October 2015.


There will be no classes on Tuesday 17th November 2015.

Spanish classes will not take place on Tuesday 15th, Thursday 17th or Tuesday 22nd September. Tutors will make arrangements with students to make up these times.

Notes:

• Payment by cheque or cash preferred (exact money please at time of enrolment).
• Fees cannot be refunded unless a class is cancelled.
• Classes will only run if there is a minimum of 12 students.
• Classes will be held at Grove Academy unless otherwise stated.
• To enrol by post, to keep up with any changes, or for further information please contact us through the website, please do not contact the school.
• There is disabled access to all classes.
• Enrolment for new and existing students is also possible during the first two weeks of the new term.

Open Night about Evening Classes at Grove Academy 7.30 - 8.30 pm on Monday 24 August 2015

Don't miss the open night at Grove Academy from 7.30 - 8.30 pm on Monday 24 August 2015.

Prospective students can meet the class tutors. 

This should ensure everyone has a chance to find out more about what each of the evening classes involves.

Further information will be available on social media. 

An enrolment evening follows on Monday 31 August 2015 from 6.30 pm.

Read or download BERA's programme of Evening Classes for Autumn Term 2015

Applications for Funding Supported by The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership

The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership met early evening yesterday for our quarterly meeting in the Broughty Ferry Library.

Carole Jenkins, our Community Planning Officer, updated the partnership about applications for funding supported by the partnership.

This are as follows:

1. Broughty Ferry Traders Association. Application for help towards paying for the stage for the Christmas Lights Switch On event in December 2015
2. An application for the purchase of a laptop and projector plus the relevant software has been received on behalf of all community groups in the Ferry. This will enable local groups and organisations to be able to hold presentations at community events and meetings.
3. Grove Academy. Application for the continuation of funding for their programme jointly delivered in the school by Broughty Ferry Baptist Church, guidance teachers and the Community Learning and Development Youth Team.
4. Barnhill Play Group. Application for assistance with help with their rental costs which have increased significantly over the last year.
5. Grove Academy. Application for the installation of Wi-Fi hubs throughout the school which will aid the learning and teaching throughout the school and will allow Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association (BERA) and other community groups access to the internet in order to deliver adult learning.

Funding for these projects is awaiting final approval at the Council's Policy and Resources Committee on Monday 24th August 2015.