By Jill Black Principal Teacher of Pupil Support and Attainment
Many secondary schools traditionally hold various events for S6 on their last day of school and as ever, they spend the year working towards their all-important S6 prom in May.
Our S4 and S5 leavers however often leave at different times throughout the year, and for a wide variety of reasons. We feel this is an equally significant transition for them whatever their final destination, be that college, apprenticeships or embarking on the world of work. As such, for the last three years here at Mackie Academy, we have put on a Leaver’s Event to celebrate with our S4’s and S5’s.
The event has not been possible without the willingness of a wide range of outside speakers and the generosity of local companies and organisations. The feedback from our students and their parents has always been overwhelmingly positive. Due to the success of previous years, this year we invited parents along for the first time to join their children for a breakfast roll and a cup of tea prior to the event.
The event was held on Friday 30th May in our school library and the programme for the day covered a variety of life skills based topics which would ordinarily be covered through Personal and Social Education and other whole school events if these students were to be staying on in school until S5 and S6.
As well as a comprehensive programme of activities, Stonehaven’s very own Redcloak Fish Bar owner and former student, Jamie Russo, was our Guest Speaker and later provided a delicious chippy lunch for our leavers and speakers on the day.
In addition, and as a result of local donations, we are able to provide each student with a rather generous gift bag including the ‘essential’ school leaver’s hoodie, a recipe book for independent living, and other goodies, alongside leaflets with advice on accessing health services and financial support.
Teaching staff then came along to the library over lunchtime to say their goodbyes. All in all a hugely successful and enjoyable day for all!
A particular thanks goes to our financial contributors: WM Donald, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, SSE, Macphie and Jamie Russo from Redcloak Fish Bar, and our speakers on the day which included Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland and Megan Douglas and Jen McRae, Tackling Poverty and Inequalities. The event would not have been possible without the support of all of these organisations and we are most grateful for their input.
We are already planning next year’s event!!
Mackie Academy’s happy leavers
