1. S4 parent information evening
October 2018

3. School Values Compassion Hope Concern for others (staff and pupils)
Sense of community
Relationships
Understanding
Hope
Aspiration
Self belief (achievement)
Positivity
Opportunities

4. Aim
To help all students to achieve their full potential in each aspect of their development:
Academic
Spiritual
Physical
Personal
Social
Emotional

5. Pupil support system Stefan Sinclair Depute Head Teacher S4
John Sangster PT Pupil Support S4
Emma Nicoll PT Raising Attainment S4
Anthony Gardiner PT Pupil Support
Kirsty Chatterton PT Pupil Support
Kevin McAloon PT ASN
Jane McCann Pupil and Family Support
Lisa Murray Pupil and Family Support

6. Our Uniform

7. S4 – An Important year Build upon S1-S3 and prepare for exams in May
Prepare for job applications and interviews
Experience vocational work placements
Participate in vocational college courses

8. Key questions for pupils
Have you thought about a career route?
Are your choices realistic?
Have you researched what you need?
Have you looked at University/College prospectuses?
Do you know how to seek out the support available to you?

9. S4 - The future
Norma Oliphant and Anton Gallagher – Skills Development Scotland (Careers Advisors)
Laura Fairfield/Holly Bartlett – Senior Phase Officers (Work Experience)

10. Expectations in s4 Attendance, Timekeeping, Conduct
Be prepared and ready to learn
Complete homework and meet deadlines
Actively participate in the school and community
To be the best you can be

11. Senior Phase S4 S5 S6 6 subjects National 3 National 4 National 5
Wider Achievements S5
5 (or 6) subjects
National 4
National 5
Higher
Wider Achievements S6
Up to 5 subjects
National 5
Higher
Advanced Higher
Wider Achievements

12. National 4/National 5 English
S4 Information Evening
National 4/National 5 English

13. The Course in General
English study of literature (novels, plays, poetry and films)
Literacy skills – reading, writing, talking and listening
National 4 and National 5 Courses
National 5 – Prelims in January/final exam in May

14. Internal assessments in reading, writing, talking and listening
National 4
No exam
Internal assessments in reading, writing, talking and listening
Added Value Unit – research project words, compare two sources

15. National 5 - Course
Writing folio – two pieces of writing worth 15 marks each (30% of total mark)
Critical Reading (40%):
- Textual Analysis (study of six poems) (20 marks)
- Critical Essay (class text)
(20 marks)
RUAE – 30 marks (30%)
Talking and Listening UASP (group discussion)

16. Writing Folio Written independently with support from teacher.
Two drafts are marked for each piece
Pupil given strict deadlines and word counts to meet
SQA collect folios around March time – marked by the SQA
Should be pupils very best work
All sources should be acknowledged
Persuasive and Creative

17. Critical Reading: Textual Analysis:
Students study six poems (either Carol Ann Duffy, Norman MacCaig or Edwin Morgan)
Expected to memorise key quotes from each poem as well as familiarise themselves with their notes
One poem will appear in the exam
Last question will ask pupils to link the exam poem to others they have studied
Worth 20 marks (12 marks for textual analysis questions/8 marks for the last question)
Around 45 mins for Textual Analysis part of the exam

18. Critical Reading Critical Essay:
Students will study at least one text in class
Novel, play, short story, prose non-fiction or film
They will have a choice of questions for each genre in the exam
Write a critical essay in around 45 minutes
Students will have notes on their text and be expected to read/study it independently at home
Marked out of 20 – candidates marked on their understanding, analysis and evaluation skills

19. Expected homework/coursework
Students will be:
expected to go over notes on a nightly basis
practising RUAE using Past Paper booklets (provided by the department)
working on/completing folio pieces at home
reading/going over their critical essay texts on a regular basis
practising critical essays

20. Things that would be helpful:
Access to the internet/technology (pupils have this in school so it is helpful but not necessary)
A quiet place to study (even just a wee corner of a room somewhere)
A desk or flat surface to work on
A folder/space to keep their notes
Access to pens and highlighters
Encouraging pupils to read, especially broadsheet newspapers (available for free online)

21. Any questions?

22. How we learn - VAK
Visual - Learn best by seeing pictures, diagrams, etc.
Auditory – Learn best by hearing and speaking
Kinaesthetic – Learn best by doing, moving, experiencing, etc.

23. Learning styles
The three learning styles mentioned here are a broad guide to help you think about how you learn.
In reality, every person has their own personal learning style
Consider how all the ideas covered here today can help you to create your own personal learning style.

24. Getting organised

25. Studying
Understanding – read your work to find the theme, main ideas and detail
Condense - turn your work into organised and creative notes
Memorise – put what you understand into your memory
Review – what you have learned
Have an A4 project book dedicated to study notes.

26. Studying

27. Studying
Get organised. Carry a homework planner to record key information
Steer clear of distractions such as social media
Make sure notes are complete
Ask your teachers questions if you don't understand
Make a study schedule/plan. ...
Review notes from class every evening
Plan in events that are at a fixed time – football/dancing
Plan in regular breaks / fun activities

28. Studying
Divide your time amongst all your subjects – however there will be times that you have to prioritise one subject over another
Make sure you don’t just focus on subjects that you enjoy
Have specific targets in your plan so you are not wasting time
Get enough sleep. The blue light emitted by screens on mobile phones, computers, tablets, and televisions restrain the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep/wake cycle or circadian rhythm (body clock). Reducing melatonin makes it harder to fall and stay asleep.

29. Studying – The Planner

30. You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” ~ Conrad Hilton
The best way to finish an unpleasant task is to get started.” ~ Anonymous
Never give in. Never. Never. Never. Never.” ~ Winston Churchill
Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.” ~ Yoda

31. Wdc presentation policy
Agreed entry to Higher (1 year) is A/B at the prior level. Grade C at National 5 will lead to a 2-year presentation at higher (pupil and parent contract).
SQA Level Reviewed October – decision made whether to continue at current level based on assessment evidence
Partnership working with parents is key to raising attainment at all levels
School will make final decision on presentation level

32. Important dates End October Tracking Report issued
(Target grades and working grades)
End October Performance Alerts – indications from departments where pupils appear to be misplaced. Based on 3 key pieces of assessment data.
Wed 28th Nov Parents’ Night – discussion with ( pm) your child’s class teacher around progress through the assessment pieces.

33. IMPORTant dates End November Review of pupil presentation levels
January Interim Assessments (Prelims)
Mid Feb Full parental reports containing information about performance in Interim Assessments
End Feb Final review of pupil presentations
25 April SQA Exams begin
(available from SQA website)

34. Useful websites Social media Twitter : SPTA@SPTA_HS Instagram: spta_hs
Google Classroom
Social media
Twitter :
Instagram: spta_hs