2013 sees best ever Higher results !Our Fifth Year students surpassed

previous performance with 21

students achieving five Higher

passes. Three students achieved

all five Highers at Band A!

Our Fourth Year students also

performed very well with just over

25% achieving five Standard

grades/Intermediate Two, at

Credit, or Intermediate at A Band.

These results have ensured that

St Thomas Aquinas has again out-

performed our comparator

schools.

Our latest musical production Calamity Jane was voted a huge success by students and parents in June of last

session. On the back of the professionalism and quality of student performance we are confident that even

greater numbers of parents will attend future productions.

Calamity Jane

DARYL JO with his Award for Culinary Excellence in June. As a result of his success, Daryl has secured a permanent position as a trainee chef in the prestigious Glasgow eatery - ‘House for an Art Lover’.

Keiran and Hannah proudly hold their Caritas medals following a spectacular presentation ceremony in the SECC in early June.

ST THOMAS AQUINAS RC SECONDARY

SEPTEMBER 2013

Ben and Kevin with their geography teacher Miss Barton on the occasion of their Sixth Year Prom, held in Glasgow’s Thistle Hotel. Following a successful sixth year, both boys are now studying at university.

!

St. Thomas Aquinas student wins first place in

World Championships.

by Ms Campbell

Faculty Head Science

Kathleen Ewins pictured with her winners medal after

becoming World Champion• • •

Kathleen Ewins, one of our new Fourth Year students, recently beat off stiff competition from across the globe to become world champion in the 12-15 age-group of the traditional music accompaniment competition at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Derry.   Kathleen played piano in this competition, and also plays piano accordion to a very high standard.

Before competing at this level Kathleen had achieved 1st place in both the Scottish and British traditional music championships

held in Glasgow and London earlier in the year.

Kathleen will perform at the Senior Award Ceremony on 24 September, alongside sixth year

student David Browne, a world-class traditional musician in his own right. 

WORLD CHAMPION

SECOND YEAR STUDENT NAMES NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

John Cumming formerly of St Peter’s PS in Partick was proud to be invited to the opening of ‘Centurion Way’ a new housing development in the West End. As a pupil in St Peters back in 2011 John created the name for the development based on the proximity of the housing area to a former Roman Fort currently occupied by the ‘Sick Kids’ Hospital.

by Mr NolanFaculty Head

• • •

On Thursday 12th of September we will be starting our FILM CLUB. (3.40-5.40) This is a club for pupils to watch, discuss and analyse films. Pupils get to decide upon which appropriate films they will watch and get the opportunity to review online with the chance of prizes! There’s even the chance to interview and interact with film Directors and Actors as well as other industry professionals!

This is open to all year groups.

Our Drama club has started and meets on Tuesdays after school (2.40- 3.40pm). We are currently preparing for our forthcoming Christmas Production!

The Drama club is open to all First to Third Year students.

St Thomas Aquinas Theatre Group

The group are currently meeting during lunch times and are considering plays to put into production.

Under consideration at the moment for production; “Gaslight”, “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole” and “Our Day out”

Glasgow Schools Youth Theatre

Is starting up again on Thursday the 5th of September at the Tramway Theatre – 5pm ( New members are welcome for the first few weeks). This year their production is the musical “FOOTLOOSE”. We look forward to seeing the production at the start of February 2014!

GSYT is open to students from Third Year to Sixth Year.

London Theatre Trip

The London theatre trip heads off on the 1st of October. This year we are travelling by train and whilst in London we will be going to see two West End Musical Productions and Two theatre Productions as well as

having time to see the sights of London! 23 pupils are attending from 4th, 5th and 6th year.

Behind The Noise

This is an initiative for those students interested in the Music Industry. They get the chance to produce their own music in a professional recording studio, market their band and organise their contribution to a gig at the CLASSIC GRAND in Jamaica Street whilst working with industry mentors. This activity is open to Fourth - Sixth Year students. Last year our entrants were very successful and got a lot out of the experience.

Advanced Higher Drama Trip

The Advanced Higher Drama class will be visiting the Citizen’s Theatre to see a dramatisation of Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment on Wednesday 11th of September. Some of the members of our Theatre group will also attend.

Citizen’s Theatre summer programme

Janne and Chizy Lingham represented the school at the Citizen’s Theatre summer holiday programme where they made a great impression. They

PERFORMING ARTS: 2013/14

are continuing with the Citizen’s Saturday morning classes.

Festival Of Politics

David Healy from our Fourth Year was part of a Scottish Youth Theatre production for the Festival of Politics called “Now’s The Hour” which was on at the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 24th of August. David played both Sir Winston Churchill, Ben Nevis (Yes the mountain!) and a variety of other roles in this successful production.

Francis Carroll

Former student Francis Carroll has just graduated with a 2.1 in Drama from The University of Sunderland and intends to go into teaching. He is doing some work experience in the Drama Department before applying for his Post Graduate Course.

Audition at the Comedy Unit

Janne Lingham Fourth Year, was recently auditioned by the “Burnistoun” team for a recurring role in their new comedy.

Audition for Simon Cowell

Ami Jo Nicholson Fifth Year had a singing audition for Simon Cowell’s record label … watch this space !!!!

Steel Pans

The steel pans group are meeting on Wednesdays after school and are making excellent progress, so much so that they have been invited to Open the STUC Meeting at the end of October. They also have some music prepared for the Senior Awards Ceremony (24 September) and have recently a video of their playing to our link school (St Joseph’s) in Trinidad and Tobago.

S1 Instrumental day

Last week our First Year students participated in an informative demonstration afternoon of the various instruments we offer here at St Thomas Aquinas provided by our

Instrumental Instructors. We are looking forward to watching this year group grow in confidence as musicians. If you would be interested in having your child try out a musical instrument, we would be only to pleased to assist.

Bands

Our school bands are meeting on Thursday lunch times, led by our our Music Instructors. We have also secured the services of our Vocal coach for additional tutor time again this year, following our faculty’s really impressive SQA results which saw 55 (from 65) of our students achieve a Credit Pass in Standard Grade music.

Catherine Smith (now Fourth Year) pictured with her music teacher Mr Hattrick, and Year Head Ms Evans, on receipt of her Certificate from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) - Grade 5 Theory, an outstanding achievement to have reached this level of proficiency so young.

by Mrs TierneyPrincipal Teacher

• • •

Life Drawing Classes – Tramway

A number of our Advanced Higher students have signed up for life drawing classes which will take place in the Visual Arts Studio. These two hour classes greatly develop and strengthen observation and recording skills in addition to an understanding of proportion.

Artist Talk- Gallery of Modern Art

Staff accompanied a group of Fourth and Fifth Year students to the first of this year’s Artists Talks events at the Gallery of Modern Art. The talk was given by contemporary textile design company ‘Bespoke Atelier’ who design their textiles to make an impact, but equally to complement and enhance the products on which they appear. By working with digital printing

bureaus and local manufacturers in conjunction

with their own screen-printing facilities, ‘Bespoke Atelier’ are able to utilise a mixture of techniques and processes to create unique printed textiles for clients in a variety of industries. This, along with their own

in-house designs and products, proves ‘Bespoke Atelier’ to be a successful textile design startup that has come out of the gate running.

www.bespokeatelier.co.uk

Visit from Fraser Smitten, CEO of AFG Media - Morphsuits / Foul Fashion / Royal & AwesomeFraser Smitten will visit the department to talk to students about his career path, how he founded AFG Media along with his brother Ali, and friend Gregor Lawson and how he became involved with Morphsuits.

The brightly-coloured, figure-hugging suits, first marketed in 2009, have driven growth from £1.2m in 2010 to over £11m in 2012.

They have also developed brands in party wear under the Foul Fashion brand, and golf clothing known as Royal & Awesome.

Sunday Portfolio Preparation Class – Visual Arts

Some of our Sixth Year students have secured places on the portfolio preparation course.The course will concentrate on sketchbook work working through a shortened version of the Visual Arts Studio project (s) which will include experimental drawing, sketching, digital photography, Photoshop work, mono printing, block printing, screen printing, experimental painting, and 3d work. There will also be an introduction to animation with a short interlude to support students who may be uploading electronic portfolios to Glasgow and Edinburgh schools of art.

Art + Design: 2013/14

The course is geared to support a wide variety of students. This could include students who are at school studying Advanced Higher and students who are undertaking other college courses and need a different approach to augment their portfolios.

The course will runs from 1pm to 5pm for 20 weeks from Sunday 6th October and will run until the 9th of March 2014.

Saturday Workshop – Visual Arts

Some of our Third and Fourth Year students have been offered places on the Saturday workshops at the Visual Arts Studio. The course will follow the principals of the other VA courses concentrating on development of ideas and sketchbook techniques but will of course recognise the necessity for the students to have more ‘finished’ or ‘considered pieces’. The course will include drawing, painting, printmaking, three dimensional work, photography and an introduction to film and animation.

The course will comprise of 20 Saturdays and will run from 2 pm until 4pm. Beginning on theSaturday 5th of October 2013 and will run until Saturday 8th March 2014

Castle Toward Summer 2013 Exhibition

The work produced by some of our Fifth and Sixth Year

students during the summer residential Art & Design course will be exhibited at the Tramway – Visual Arts Studio from Friday 5th September till Friday 29th.

Glasgow School of Art ACES Schools Programme

Many of our current Sixth Year students have signed up for the series of workshops at GSA aimed at assisting with the application process and portfolio production stages for art school entry.

National 4 and 5 Research & Critical Discussion Workshop

Due to the success of our Third Year class visit to the Gallery of Modern Art last session, the current students will also participate in the workshop this session in which they will:

• Discuss what contemporary art is and challenge what art can be

• Work by themselves and within small groups, researching and forming their opinions about the work exhibited while constructively challenging their peers

• Obtain relevant information via a variety of media including iPads

• Develop skills and vocabulary used to compare and contrast artworks

• Write, draw, photograph and collect information to build up a sketchbook

• Take the ideas/ information collated in the gallery and reflect it back in their work in the classroom

This will prepare our students for future success in the new National Qualifications at Levels Four and Five.

First Year Credit Union Initiative Many parents will be aware of a number of announcements in response to concerns over the impact of pay day loans companies.  As part of the response, Glasgow City Council has agreed to implement the opening of a Credit Union account for all First Year students in 2013/14.  The Council has also agreed to put £10 into each pupil’s account.

We hope to have a mini re-launch of our current ‘STA Savers’ Credit Union (Knightscliffe & Temple) within the school very soon. This initiative is operated within our maths department and we hope that all our new First Year students and parents will support this very worthwhile initiative.

JUST INMs Edgar and Mr Young will be starting an internet café at lunchtime in the Design and Technology department. Ms Edgar will also be starting a craft club on a Thursday after school.

by Andrew Gavinand

Alisa WylieSixth Year

• • •

The 16th August seemed like a normal day for the school, with

the chaos of the first week dissipating. However, for St

Thomas Aquinas’s First Year, this was to be anything but a

normal dat for they were participating in the school’s

‘Spy Quest’.

The antics began after the

sounding of the bell signaling the beginning of the afternoon

lessons, with an assembly held for the First Years by Ms

Wilson, the Head of Year. Here, their mission was

outlined, objectives given, and they were warned of penalties

for running and talking in corridors. With the

introductions over, Glasgow’s newest spies began their

quest.

The mission started in in the

school’s answer to Thames House, the library, with the

teams logging into their computers to find out the

finer details of their mission. As they pieced together the

threads of information, it became increasingly obvious

that teamwork and cooperation would be

essential if the team were to be successful. Being new to

the school, this task also allowed the First Years to

explore their new surroundings, which shall be

their academic home for the foreseeable future.

As the teams followed their clues, they encountered a

myriad of characters, portrayed by a group of the

school’s fourth years, ranging from a mad scientist, to a

mysterious fortune teller, who would reveal their secrets only

upon receiving the correct password. Upon initial

confusion the ‘spies’ learned to persevere, desperately trying

to complete their mission not only before their competitors

in to win the coveted ‘Spy Quest’ trophy.

As the time began to run out, the first years started to

comprehend the enormity of their tasks as they explored

our school, which is considerably bigger than the

primary schools from where they have recently left, with

several students dubbing their ‘Spy Quest’ as “harder than it

looks” and “enjoyable but extreme”.

As the day approached its end, the orders to return to the

meeting point in the Social Area were given. The

illustrious prize was awarded by Ms Wilson, the Head of

First Year. No matter who won, all first years felt

thoroughly rewarded by their experience,

Whether St Thomas Aquinas has found its own James Bond,

only time shall tell. But, the not-so-secret mission of

building camaraderie amongst the school’s newest year group

proved to be a roaring success.

First Year ‘Spy Quest’

by Mr McMahonPT Physical Education

• • •

Physical Education KitThe PE kit is a part of the school uniform and, as such, of equal importance.The St Thomas Aquinas PE kit consists of:

• black t-shirt/polo-shirt:o vests, crop tops or

inappropriate t-shirts are not acceptable

o football tops of any description are not acceptable

• black shorts/jogging bottoms:

o football shorts are not acceptable;

o leggings are not acceptable;

o tights underneath shorts are not acceptable

• appropriate footwear:o dependant on

activity;o pupils must have

different footwear than what they wore to school;

• outdoor items that students choose to bring, such as hooded sweatshirts, are additional to that detailed above.

• students must have their hair tied back

• all jewellery should be removed and left in the changing room

• chewing gum must be removed

Official St Thomas Aquinas PE kit can be purchased at very reasonable prices from Man’s World on Byres Road.

Please note our new and extensive extra-curricular sports opportunities noted below.

SPORTS ACTIVITIES: 2013/14

DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Lunchtime T.T Club Football Club T.T Club Volleyball Club T.T Club

Year (s) S1 - S6 S1/2 S1 - S6 S1 - S6 S1 - S6

Location Gym Games Hall Gym Games Hall Gym

Teacher Mr McMahon Mr Gault Mr McMahon Mr McMahon Mr McMahon

After School Fitness Club Netball Team Dance &

Gymnastics

Basketball

Team

Friday 5's

Year (s) S1 - S6 Girls S1 - S6 Girls S1 - S6 S1 - S6 Staff v S6

Location Fitness Suite Games Hall Gym Games Hall Games Hall

Time 3:40 - 4:40 2:40 - 3:40 3:40 - 4:40 3:40 - 4:40 3.00 - 4:30

Teacher (s) Miss Wilson Miss Campbell Miss Wilson Miss Campbell

Miss Wilson Miss Hutchison Miss Wilson

After School Trampolining Hurling Club

Year (s) S1 - S6 S1 - S6

Location Gym Games Hall

Time 3:40 - 4:40 3:40 - 4:40

Teacher Miss Campbell Miss Martin

After School Badminton

Year (s) S1 - S6

Location Games Hall

Time 3.40 - 4.40

Teacher Mr Johnson

Three School Football Teams have been

entered for competitions this season:

Under 18’s : Mr Ferry

Under 16’s : Mr McSorley + Mr Young

Under 13’s: Mr McMahon