Welcome to the Secondary Department
The secondary department has 8 classes and pupils follow the principles of Curriculum for Excellence: a broad general education in S1-S3 and the Senior Phase in S4- S6. The curriculum is varied, relevant, challenging, enjoyable and adapted to meet our pupil’s individual needs. Pupils also visit a range of specialists, have access to relevant therapeutic inputs and participate in wider community events.
This Summer Active schools will be running a Summer Camp for the 1st 4 weeks.
To sign up for activities please complete the survey link.
We are having a Musical activities week this year.
Click on the image to see the timetable.
Everyone enjoyed the Potted Sports organised by our PE Department on Wednesday. Thank you to everyone involved for the hard work that went into this, including our Howes Hoose pupils who supported at the stations. We all had a great time moving around in our class groups, finishing up with a running ‘marathon’ for any Secondary pupils wishing to participate. They were well supported by those opting to spectate.
A combination of Room 18 and Howes Hoose pupils recently went to Bendrigg in the Lake District. They all had a fantastic time, practising their independent living skills and taking part in a wide range of outdoor activities including caving, canoeing, zip sliding and climbing. We did ourselves proud – staff included – pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones and trying new activities. Quote of the week: “it’s been nice knowing you,” as one young man zipped off down the slide!
The pupils from Howes Hoose successfully completed their final expedition for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. They spent 2 days at Wiston Lodge set in the beautiful countryside beside Biggar, staying in log cabins which were warm and comfortable. Just what they needed after spending lots of time outdoors in the lovely Scottish Summer weather! There was also a kitchen cabin where the young people prepared their own breakfast and packed lunches, and this cabin was used to chill in their PJs with a hot chocolate before bed.
All the pupils participated fully in all the activities despite the cold and damp weather. They cooked a meal for themselves outside on the first night and walked over 4 kilometres through the hills the following day. Thankfully the torrential rain forecast passed by and, although not sunny, it was dry. Everyone, especially Al, our D of E Assessor, was pleased with the way the pupils all worked as a team, helping each other over fences and gates, guarding against cows and generally keeping each other going. It was a brilliant trip.
Pupils and staff also enjoyed some outdoor activity around the Lodge, walking the trails and practising their route finding skills using the landmarks we’d seen. The second day saw us treated to a cooked dinner, with breakfast in the Lodge at the end of our stay.
The completion of the expedition, added to the other sections of the Duke of Edinburgh programme –fundraising, volunteering and learning a physical skill – means that all the “Howes Hoose Heroes” have now achieved the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Huge congratulations to them all and a special thank you to the PSA staff and Toby from D of E who supported them throughout the training and expeditions.
Room 14 enjoyed a trip to Stonehaven beach. We had lunch from the Bay Chipper and a play in the park. Room 14 boys enjoyed themselves.
At the end of May we set off on public transport to explore the Punch and Judy exhibition at the Maritime Museum.
The exhibition told us the history of Punch and Judy and how it developed in this country especially in seaside towns like Aberdeen, Blackpool etc.
There were also many props for children to try on and hold as you can see from the photos.
This term we have been practicing using round bladed knifes more accurately. We’ve made faces and animals with fruit so far.
Our class have been looking at the amazing NuArt all around Aberdeen and wanted to come up with our own contribution for an outdoor piece of artwork. We looked at some videos that showed yarnbombing all over the world and thought this is something we could adapt and put our own stamp on.
Yarnbombing is a type of street art that shows displays of knitted or crocheted wool, yarn or fibre. It can also be called yarn storming, guerrilla knitting, kniffiti, urban knitting or graffiti knitting.
We started with some knitted backgrounds and chains that Allison, our EYP made and then made some wool wrapped twigs, learned how to use pompom makers and made tassles and attached them all to the trees outside our window. We think they make a lovely display. It’s a work in progress – there are many trees in our playground we can yarnbomb!
Official Yarnbombing Day is 11th June.
