October 2014 - Mintlaw Academy

Quartet
Autumn 2014
Issue 89
Around the school this term...
Writefest
Chloe Sandison
Ex pupil Marie
Anderson
New Staff Miss Clark
CHLOE SANDISON – Tripping the Light Fantastic in Blackpool
Fourth year pupil Chloe Sandison recently took part
in the World Dance Masters 2014, which was held
in August in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. Over
the course of the weekend, Chloe took part in many
different dances, alongside competitors from
countries far and wide, including Australia, Ireland
and England. Within the World Dance Masters
contest itself, there were several divisions and age
groups in which people could vie to become the
World Champions. People danced solo, in teams, in
a pro-am couple, in quads, with partners etc. and
there were many different dances to compete in,
including Cha Cha, hip hop and country. At nights,
Chloe enjoyed the social activities, at which
contestants could just have a dance with friends or
watch a show, which this year featured
CountryVive, a line dance act whose members hail
from all across the UK. The team was made up of
members of the World Dance Masters Elite Show
Team, a group of line dance judges, instructors, and
World Dance Masters Allstar competitors who
earlier this year got in to the live shows of Britain’s
Got Talent.
the West
Coast Swing.
She came
second with
honours in
her dances.
She also
competed in
Intermediate
Teen Solo
and got sixth
overall, with
fifth in two
dances and a
sixth in the other. She also took part in another of
the competitions in a team with girls from
Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Buckie, which came
second overall. Finally, she won a sixth place with
partner Liam Duthie from Fraserburgh in the
country dances.
Chloe had a busy weekend, competing in
Intermediate Teen pro-am, dancing the Waltz, the
Two Step, the Cha Cha, the East Coast Swing and
For more information about the World Dance
Masters, go to www.worlddancemasters.com
Chloe is clearly a very talented girl. We hope to hear
again of her dancing successes and wish her well for
the future.
DRIVE SAFELY!
With the dark night and the poorer weather descending on the North East of
Scotland once more, it is important for Mintlaw Academy’s young drivers to
remember to drive to conditions and take care on the roads.
Safe Drive, Stay Alive is a campaign aimed at our S5 pupils, and it will be taking place next term.
Meanwhile, local driving instructor Brian Milne, father of Kerrie Milne in S6, offers safe driving
tuition in 1 or 2 hour blocks. He is an eco-friendly driving instructor who also offers pass-plus
intensive courses.
For more information, contact him on 01771 623160.
Book Review—“Hush, Hush”
“Hush, Hush” is the first book to Becca Fitzpatrick’s series “Hush, Hush”. The
series consists of four books: “Hush, Hush”, “Cresendo”, “Silence” and
“Finale”. All four books can be found in the school library.
Nora lives a typical teenage girl life until out of nowhere her biology teacher changes
her seating plan. Therefore she no longer sits next to her best friend Vee but a
mysterious boy called Patch. Nora doesn’t like Patch and doesn’t want anything to do
with him... at first.
However she is soon drawn to him against her best judgement, but not for long...
After a series of strange and terrifying encounters, Nora is not sure whether she can
trust him.
On top of Patch's mind tricks and games, he seemed to be wherever Nora is and
somehow knows more about her than her closest friends.
Will she find out the truth about Patch and seek answers from him or will she remain
in the dark about his past?
It's time to pick sides – the Immortal or the Fallen.
This novel will make you cry and laugh. In fact, you’ll be laughing within the first two chapters. There are parts where
you'll hate certain characters and parts where you’ll be EXTREMLY confused! The plot twists throughout the book
will leave you thinking “How is that possible?” But in the end it all ties up and every question is answered... Most of
them anyway - but that’s what the other three books are for, right?
Becca Fitzpatrick does an outstanding job of portraying the characters matching them to the situation that they are
in. She makes you wish they were real.
“Hush, Hush” is my favourite book series from the many books I have read. It is unique and the plot twists are
unexpected. It is one of those books that has non-stop action and drama and it's almost impossible to stop reading it
until you reach the end. I would recommend the book to anyone of all ages who loves to live in a fantasy world of
characters and loves fantasy itself.
WriteFest
On Friday 5th September, the Advanced Higher English class travelled to Aberdeen University to take part in a
creative writing festival called WriteFest.
When we arrived, we were split into groups, and joined by people from other schools in the area. Throughout the
day, the groups attended workshops on three different aspects of creative writing. These workshops were run by
professional authors.
The two authors who specialised in prose were Ron Butlin and Regi Claire, the poets were Anita Govann and
Ryan Van-Winkle, and the two dramatists were Kate Davidson and
Tom Murray.
Most of the workshops were geared towards inspiring new ways of
approaching creative writing. Each of the authors had completely
different styles, and had prepared a wide range of activities for us to
participate in.
By the end of the day, we had all been encouraged to see creative
writing in a different light, and inspired with ideas that hopefully
help us with our own writing in the future.
Quartet Quiz
Try our new quiz - solving anagrams of things you would find around the
school.
(Some answers are one word, some are two!)
1.
ABILRRY ……………………………………………………………………..
2.
ACEENNT
3.
AGHLLMY (2 words) …………………………………………………………
4.
AAEFINNORTTUW (2) …………………………………………………………
5.
BEHMORRRRY (2)
…………………………………………………………
6.
AAACEILORS (2)
…………………………………………………………
7.
AFORRSTTU (2)
…………………………………………………………
8.
ABBSSUY (2) ………………………………………………………………………
9.
CEEFFINORSSU (2)
……………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………….
10. ACEEEFNNORRTY (2) ………………………………………………………....
Once you have solved the anagrams, add your name and class below, then
pop your answer sheet into the box in the library by October 30th. Prizes will
be awarded!
Name:…………………………………………………………. Class:……………………………….
As our S1s settle in to the school, Quartet caught up with some of them to
ask them for their thoughts of Mintlaw Academy.
“All the teachers are very nice and
helpful” - Mark
“You don't need to stay in school
grounds at lunch” - Madison
“One of the best things is being
able to make new friends Riley
“The food in the canteen is really good and tasty” - Abbie
“A good thing about the academy are
the trips abroad - I’d like to go on the
Iceland one.” - Adam
“People are kind and helpful” - Tyler
NEW STAFF
New to Home Economics this year is Miss Clark. She is
already cooking up a storm with her classes, and here we
find out a little bit more about her personal tastes.
What are your first impressions of Mintlaw Academy?
It is one of the friendliest schools I have been in. Both staff
and pupils were very welcoming towards me.
What did you do before teaching?
I worked for a charity called Edinburgh Community Food through which I helped to provide
food education and cooking lessons to people in more deprived areas of Edinburgh.
What is your favourite holiday destination, and why?
Anywhere with sun and a beach. I love relaxing, chilled out
holidays.
Favourite recipe?
Chocolate Orange Mud Cake
Which do you prefer: dogs or cats? (and do you have any pets?)
Dogs! I find cats very creepy and I'm also allergic to them. I don’t
have any pets.
If you could swap your life with anyone else for one day, who
would it be and why?
The Queen! I'm pretty fascinated by the royal family and would love to see how she
actually lives.
HOROSCOPES
Check out what’s in the stars for you next term...
Capricorn 22nd of December - 19 January
You're burning up with good energy, but you may find others are getting annoyed with
you if you don't slow down and pay attention to what they’re saying.
Aquarius 20th of January - 18th of February
There is quite a bit of pressure on you to fill responsibilities; some of you could be clashing with teachers or parents. But as time passes the pressures will ease considerably. You could be feeling more dependent on
others than you'd like.
Pisces 19th of February - 20th of March
Relationships are a strong focus this term, this is the time for making compromises, cooperating and interacting as you put
some of your personal interests on hold. This may be a time where you feel pressured by others to make decisions or commitments.
Aries 21st of March - 19th of April
You will be full of enthusiasm at the beginning of the term. School work is due a big boost. This term there will be surprises
coming, and none will be things you were expecting to happen.
Taurus 20th April - 20th of May
This term is strong for creativity and school work. Though you may need to come to a friend’s aid or you could find yourself in
high demand. For some of you, a buried problem in a relationship could come to light now and demand attention.
Gemini 21st of May - 20th of June
All your hard work is paying off! All the windfall of success is still to come. You are holding on to a string of good luck, but
don't pull too hard or you'll wear it out fast. Just enjoy the moment and you’ll have something nice waiting for you when it's
over.
Cancer 21st of June - 22nd of July
There's a reason you can't stop thinking of someone or something. The longer you ignore it, the worse the problem will get
Leo 23rd of July - 22nd of August
Next time you’re totally stuck for inspiration and you're looking around to find something, go with your instincts and see
where they lead.
Virgo 23rd of August - 22 of September
You live to serve, but sometimes you have to sit back and let others take care of you. It's "me" time where you can really
make a fresh start. This enables you to put yourself and your own goals first.
Libra 23rd of September - 22 of October
Leave the past where it belongs. You have to focus on the present and future right now, no matter how much you want to
think about the past.
Scorpio 23rd of October - 21st of November
It's time to let go of something very important to you, but dropping it will have a bigger effect than you'd imagine.
Sagittarius 22nd of November - 21st of December
This term you have extra energy working for you, and this can impress people in high places. However, this requires some
adjustments, especially if you've been spending too much time away.
EX PUPIL MARIE ANDERSON
Quartet recently caught up with Marie Anderson, an ex-pupil
from New Deer who has a very unusual and interesting job.
Marie was at Mintlaw Academy from 1994-2000.
“I loved school. I met my best friends there and they still are my best friends.
I think my final year was the year I enjoyed the most. I had got the grades I needed for Uni in my 5th year,
so I could just enjoy my final year.
Unfortunately, I hated English at School and I was told I wouldn't pass the higher exam with any more
than a C, but when I got my results I had a B. That was one of my happiest memories: walking into the
school after getting my results and showing everyone my B.
Immediately after leaving school, I went to University in Glasgow.
There I qualified as an Orthotist. I did a BSc Hons in Prosthetics and Orthotics, which is the assessment,
design and fitting of artificial (prosthetic) limbs and also body bracing. I have been in that profession since
I graduated in 2004. I moved around a fair bit. My first job was in Wales, then Yorkshire, then the
Midlands before coming back Aberdeen last year. There are very few jobs in the profession and it means
that most of us end up in England or abroad, but luckily I made it home after ten years.
Orthotics is an area of health care covered both by NHS and also private health companies, and I have
worked for both. The profession needs constant re-training due to the technology changing so often, and I
do roughly fifteen days a year retraining, often with exams at the end, so I can keep my registration in the
profession.
If any pupil was interested in pursuing this line of work, I would say to them that it is a wonderful and
very rewarding job and I love what I do. However it is hard work at time, and it does take you away from
home, possibly forever. Unless you are prepared to move away from home for many years, I wouldn't
consider it.
And my advice for young people in general is: have fun while you’re young, as before you know it, you will
have a mortgage and only 20 ish days holiday a year! When it comes to choosing a career, be sensible.
Yes, you have to enjoy what you are learning, but also make sure it will lead to a job at the end of it. So
many of my friends did courses that didn't lead to a job: they were left with a qualification they couldn’t
use and a lot of debt from their studies!
Lastly, be nice to your teachers. They are trying to help you,
even though it doesn't feel like it sometimes.”
Winners
Pictured here are the winners of last term’s Quartet
competition. First was Georgia Neil, S3, second was Christabel
Adkin, S2 and third was Alice McCall, S4. Well done to the girls
and all the others who entered. Suggestions for competitions
are always welcomed. If you’d prefer a crossword or a “spot
the difference”, or any other kind of quiz, drop your ideas in to
the box in the library
BULLYING
Bullying is an important issue in any school and Mintlaw Academy takes any incidences of bullying very seriously. In all
year groups, the topic is regularly discussed.
This term, Mrs Duncan’s S1 English class has also been tackling the issue of bullying—through poetry.
Why m
Every tim
e, I ask?
Is it your
task
ble,
me misera
e
k
a
m
o
T
invisible?
l like I’m
e
fe
e
m
To make
I’m sick.
it’s
I pretend
you think
o
D
l.
o
o
h
y off sc
Just to sta
unch
h every p
cool? Wit
I cried.
Please, t
Bullies think they’re big and bold
But really, they should just be told.
Pretend
nt to hide
wa
Made me
Before they put others to shame.
Some think seeing blood gives them
relief,
icide.
ommit su
Or even c
s
your mate
You and
s…
hool gate
At the sc
pear
t to disap
I just wan
e earth.
dge of th
Off the e
mall
me feel s
tood
misunders
d
n
a
d
te
Mistrea
s not all:
But that’
d.
and hate
Helpless
m strong
So now I’
down.
knock me
n
a
c
e
n
o
No
.
that is all
I feel tall,
e
You mad
They always think they’ve had
enough,
When they’re actually being
tough.
They feel like they don’t need
to live,
But they’ve got stuff to give.
Some don’t eat food,
They treat themselves like
lumps of wood.
n bully
e you fe
el pushy
here’s n
o need t
o p us h M
E!
ing to be
happy, e
ven smil
Really, it
e,
hurts it
hurts wh
vile...
en you c
all me
Expectin
g to see
me cryin
all.
g, well n
op e n ot
at
Oh, I wis
h y ou w
ould qu
it.
Nothing
will hap
pen so ju
st drop
it!
Bullies must be in a lot of pain,
When it actually gives them grief.
h
Your laug
Dear me
a
Red, the
Underst
a
colour o
nd this y
f your fi
st.
ou made
my succ
ess a mis
s.
you pus
h
ed me a
Now list
r
o
u
n
d.
en here
, my dre
pushed
ams hav
to the g
e been
round.
Eventua
lly I will
get my r
evenge,
Don’t yo
u realise
, you mu
st chang
e!
I hated t
All alone
Makes a
he way
in the w
ay,
lot of pe
ople pay
,
Some pe
ople see
the wor
ld as an
But how
evil plac
would y
e,
o
u
like it sh
face?
oved in
YOUR
Agony Aunties –
We’re here to help!
Dear Cave Girl,
Finding friends will come soon! I would
recommend going to some clubs to find people
Dear Agony Aunties,
who share interests with you. I’m sure in no
I am new to Mintlaw and have been struggling time you will find someone in the same boat as
to fit in. My parents are very strict, so I don’t
you. Keep your guidance teacher informed
have a phone. Everyone calls me the Cave Girl about these horrible people calling you Cave
because of this, but I can’t tell my mum. I didn’t Girl. Keep your head up!
have many friends at primary, now I have none.
The Aunties.
Please help me!
Cave Girl
To Dumb Doctor,
I'm sure in class you’re doing fine! Think
positive! Talk to your parents about maybe
My courses are too much! I can’t cope! I have getting a tutor to help you with subjects if you’re
chosen 6 subjects. 6 Highers! I am very
really struggling. Talk to your teachers and tell
stressed about this! I don’t want to tell my
them what you don't understand and what your
family because they want me to be a doctor
finding hard to cope with. They will understand
and get my 6 Highers! I do want to be a doctor, and help you with your problems! All the luck
but I just don’t think I can cope. Everyone in my with your exams!
classes seems so smart and then there's me...
The Aunties
Please Help,
Dear Agony Aunties,
Dumb Doctor
Dear Miss Mouse,
First of all, if your friends are going to abandon
you because you don’t dye your hair, what kind
of friends are they? Pretty shallow ones, I’d
My friends are all dying their hair but I’m not
allowed! They are all saying that I'm uncool and say. If they won’t accept you as you are, then
bin them and find some new friends.
boring because of this! My friends are
Meanwhile, think of all the chemicals in hair
threatening to chuck me out of our group if I
dye and tell yourself that you’ll be thankful
don’t do it!
when you’re older that you have nice, healthy
Miss Mousy Brown
hair while all those who have been dying it
since they were teenagers will be battling with
split end and dryness!
Dear Agony Aunt,
The Aunties
Interested in Sports but don’t know how to get involved? Read on to
find out about time, dates and any other information you need from
the people who run the clubs. The sport clubs we were finding out
about were: hockey, running, football and badminton.
We interviewed Mrs Coleman, who runs
the Hockey Club.
Mrs Fowlie oversees
the Badminton club so
we asked her some
questions:
Why did you decide to start a hockey club?
Because I enjoyed Hockey at School and I wanted others to
have the same fun that I did.
Why did you start the Badminton Club?
What day and time is the hockey club on at?
The club had already started and the lady in charge of it
retired. It seemed a shame to see it stop so I took it on.
The hockey club’s on every Wednesday at the start of lunch.
What day is it on?
How long have you been running the hockey club for?
I’ve been running the club for 31 years.
Thursday from 3:30 pm – 4:30pm. All year groups can
come join in.
How long have you, personally been playing hockey for?
Do you need to bring equipment?
I’ve been playing hockey since I was 12 and still love it.
No equipment required except your P.E kit. You don’t
have to pay anything for the club.
Has the hockey team won any trophies over the years?
Yes we have won the Nassa 7 aside tournament more times
than any other school. From that tournament over the years
we have won 6 senior trophies and 6 junior trophies.
Have you played for any other clubs?
I have played for Aberdeen club, Ellon and Peterhead District.
Have you had any previous pupils that have gone on to
compete in internationals?
Yes, I have had 3 girls: Katie Still, Natasha Fowlie and Nicky
Kidd.
Do you need to bring anything with you e.g. hockey stick and
do you need to have had experience?
You don’t need to bring anything except your hockey stick. No
experience required, just keenness.
Is it beneficial?
Absolutely; it’s really good fun. You get to play with your
friends. I’m there to help as well but not to teach; I just
supervise.
Has the club ever won any competitions?
“n the past before I was running the club, Mintlaw won
the Allan Middleton trophy. Alan Middleton used to be a
Mintlaw Academy teacher and was very good a
badminton but sadly died so the trophy is dedicated to
him.
How long have you been running the club?
I’ve been running the club for 7 or 8 years. Come along
and try it out; it’s not every Thursday all year long but it
starts after the October Holidays right through to the
Easter holidays.
Mrs Coleman also runs the running club so we asked her a
few questions about that.
How long have you been running the running club?
The running club has been going for 31 years.
We interviewed Mr Robertson to find out about the football
club.
What made you decide to start football teams?
I played when I was young and got a lot out of it, so I
wanted pupils here to get the same chances as I did.
What day and time is the running club on at?
Every Thursday and Tuesday lunchtime.
How long have you been running the football team?
Do you need to have any experience in running?
I’ve been coaching the club since I came to Mintlaw
Academy, in 1984.
None at all. You go at your own pace.
Do you often compete against other schools?
Has there been any running successes over the years?
Yes we play against other schools regularly.
There has been many individual success; over the years too
many to count!
What day is football training?
Monday: Junior Girls, Under 13s
Do you compete in any competitions outside of school?
Tuesday: Senior Boys, Senior Girls
I run the 10k for fun and fitness, not for competitions.
Wednesday: Goal keeping.
Thursday: Under 14s, Under 13s
Did you ever win anything to do with running?
Every year I won the 100 metres, the 200 metres and the 4
by 100metres at sports day.
We also asked some members of the running team some
questions:
Friday: Junior Girls under 15.
Do you think it’s beneficial?
Yes because it gets pupils active and involved. Also it gives
them something to do at lunch time.
Where do you run too?
We run to Aden Park and back.
Have any of your past members gone on to become
involved in internationals? If so, who?
Do you think its beneficial?
Yes, because it keeps you healthy.
Yes, there’s been a few: Kim Little, Polly Dolman, Faye
Robertson, Lydia Johnston and Mag Dillian for the girls, and
Stuart Cumming, Gavin Middleton, Graham Johnston, Noel
Evans and Jason McDonald among the boys.
Why do you run?
I run because I enjoy it and it relaxes me.
Did you play football for any clubs?
Would you recommend it to other pupils?
Yes, since I believe that they would enjoy it as well and
they’d benefit from it.
Yes I played for Buckie Thistle, Queen’s Park, Nairn County,
Elgin City, Montrose and Peterhead.